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“Noon.”
“Oh, a while, then.”
The man grunted. “Come on. You’re looking a bit pale. Think we better get you to the doc.”
Alarm filled her. “Oh no, I’m quite all right. Thank you so much.”
He shot her a look.
He smelled so nice. Sweet. Like gingerbread.
“I love gingerbread.”
“You’re an odd one, aren’t you? Can’t work out if you’re more alarmed about getting in my truck or going to the doctor.”
Definitely going to the doctor.
Although getting in his huge truck was going to be an issue too. She stared at the gleaming blue truck in amazement. It was so tall she thought she might have to take a running start to get up into it.
“This thing is a beast.”
“Beast, that’s a good name for it. Just went and picked it up in Houston. It’s a good ride.” He sighed as he stared down at her. “You’re dirty.”
A blush filled her cheeks. “I . . . I’m sorry.”
He shook his head. “I don’t have a blanket either.”
“I’ll brush myself off.”
She tried to pat herself down.
“Never mind, girl. Come on, let’s get you to the Doc. When did you last drink? Eat?”
“Um.”
“You have to think about it, then it’s been too long.” He helped her around to the passenger side.
“Promise me that you’re not a serial killer?” she asked.
Yes, she knew it was stupid to ask. If he was a serial killer, he wasn’t going to just tell her, was he?
“Look at me, girl-whose-name-I-still-don’t-know.”
She turned her face up to his. It wasn’t a kind face, exactly. But he wasn’t being unkind, either.
He seemed gruff and honest. She appreciated honest. More than he could possibly know.
“If I were a serial killer, you’d already be trussed up in the back of my truck, your arms and legs tied with a gag in your mouth so you couldn’t scream. I’m an ex-marine. I could have you incapacitated in seconds if I wanted. But I’m not a serial killer, and I’m not going to hurt you.”
She nodded slowly. “Okay, I believe you.”
“Trusting thing, aren’t you?”
Before she could respond, he opened the door and lifted her in.
Whoa. He was strong.
For some stupid reason, tears entered her eyes. She really, really wanted Butch. But she didn’t want him to see her like this. She was a mess. She pulled down the sun visor, staring at her face. There was a bruise on her cheek. Hopefully, she could get some concealer on it. Otherwise, she just looked exhausted and dirty.
And a bit sunburned as well. Her head must have been in the shade, but her arms and lower legs were decidedly red.
“I’m a mess,” she said as he got in the driver’s side. He handed her over an unopened bottle of water. She tried to open it.
“Yep. And you’re making a mess of Beast.” He took the bottle back and opened it for her. “Drink all of that.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll clean it for you.”
He just grunted and pulled out onto the road.
“How did you see me?”
“You weren’t exactly invisible, girl. Surprised no one else saw you. Mind you, most people would take the highway. But I like the back roads, even though I have to go through Devotion. Actually, I enjoy going that way because I get to go through Devotion. I play my music loud, wind down the windows, and belt out the lyrics. They all hate it.”
She giggled. “They would hate that.”
“Where are you from, girl?”
She sighed. “Devotion.”
“Yeah? You don’t seem the type to live there.”
“Don’t I?” she murmured. “I moved away years ago. But I had to come back for my sister’s wedding. I just got into an argument with my stepfather and decided I needed to get out of there.”
“He the one who hit you?”
“I walked into a door.” She knew better than to tell the truth.
No one would ever believe her.
“Dear Lord, girl, if you’re gonna lie, use a better one, would you? Walked into a door. So unoriginal.”
He turned down a road leading to Haven.
“We’re going to Haven?” she asked.
“Yep. That’s where I live. The doc lives there too.”
“I don’t need the doctor. Thank you, though.”
He snorted. “You always so polite?”
“Not always.” She cleared her throat. “Do you know the Malones?”
He let out a bark of laughter. “Isn’t anyone who lives in these parts who hasn’t heard of the Malones. Why? You know them?”
“Uh, sort of. Do you think you could take me to their ranch?”
“No.”
“Oh, is it out of your way?”
“Yep. But also, I don’t want anyone shooting up Beast.” He patted his steering wheel.
“Why would anyone shoot at you?” she asked, alarmed.
“Because those boys are crazy. Wild. And they don’t appreciate visitors. They’ve settled down a bit since some of them got women. Still, I’m not risking Beast. Which one you hung on?”
“I’m not hung on him.” Liar. “But if you’re asking which one I know, it’s Butch.”
