Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
“Even better.”
I shut the door, climbed into the driver’s seat, and started the engine, hyperaware of Garner as he settled into the passenger side. And more than a little embarrassed by how crappy my car was. But he didn’t seem to be judging me at all, thank goodness.
The interior was quiet as I pulled onto the access road, the wipers sweeping steadily as the rain misted down.
I hadn’t gone more than a few hundred yards when a shiver ran through me, and I sucked in a breath.
Without saying a word, Garner pulled off his jacket and held it out toward me. “Here.”
My response was automatic. “I’m okay.”
He glanced at me. “You’re cold.”
I hesitated, then eased to a stop so I could take it from him. The jacket was heavy and warm from his body heat, the sleeves swallowing my hands when I slipped it on. It smelled like rain, pine, and something distinctly him that grounded me in a way that made my chest ache unexpectedly.
“Thanks,” I murmured.
We drove in silence the rest of the way, the forest pressing close around the road until his truck came into view beneath the trees. He hopped out first, grabbing a red gas can from the bed and setting it on the ground beside my car.
“Here you go.”
Then he stepped back. His not completely taking over mattered to me more than I wanted to admit.
I popped the gas cap and lifted the can, my arms straining slightly as I tipped it. Fuel glugged into the tank in a steady stream. When I finished, I set the can down and twisted the cap back into place.
Garner picked it up. “Two gallons should be more than enough to get you to the cabin, and I also keep extra cans there.”
I nodded, swallowing past the lump in my throat. It was rare for people to offer help without expecting anything in return. Or a lecture.
It made trusting him feel less risky.
Before he got into his truck, Garner paused beside my open window. “I’ll keep an eye on you in my rearview mirror. If you need to slow down or pull over for any reason, just flash your lights.”
Something warm settled in my chest at the quiet protectiveness in his voice.
“Okay, thanks.”
I followed him back onto the main road, my headlights cutting through the lingering mist as his taillights glowed red against the gray morning. I found myself focusing on them more than the unfamiliar stretch of road.
Every so often, his brake lights flickered as he adjusted his pace to match mine. Once, when I hit a rough patch of road and slowed instinctively, he did the same without hesitation.
I hadn’t realized how tightly wound I’d been until that tension started to ease.
Following him felt oddly safe. Like I was headed somewhere I was meant to be.
The forest thickened as we drove, trees closing in around the road. Instead of feeling trapped, I felt sheltered. Wrapped in his jacket, with warm air blowing from my car vents, I let myself breathe a little easier.
I shouldn’t have been this comfortable with a man I’d met less than half an hour ago. But I was glad I’d taken Garner up on his offer.
The cabins came into view just as the road curved, tucked against the edge of the forest. The sun had barely risen, but warm lights glowed in several of the windows, and smoke rose from stone chimneys into the damp morning air.
Garner slowed and pulled into a small clearing, parking his truck. I followed, easing my car in beside it.
He climbed out of his truck and gestured toward the nearest cabin. “This one is mine.”
A door a few cabins down from his swung open, and a woman stepped out. She beamed a smile our way, seeming unsurprised to see me with Garner. I wondered if he’d called during the drive to let his neighbors know we were coming.
“Brr, it’s chilly.”
“Get back inside before Leyton kicks my ass for letting you get cold,” Garner chided.
She waved off his concern. “I’ll be fine for the few minutes it takes for you to introduce me to your new friend.”
He shook his head with a deep sigh. “This is Elodie. Elodie, this is Laina.”
“Nice to meet you.” Her smile widened.
Laina was so welcoming that I found myself grinning back at her. “Thanks.”
“I was just making a pot of hot chocolate for when Atlas wakes up.” She lifted a thermos. “I thought you might like some.”
Another woman walked down the path toward us, carrying a basket. “And I brought some breakfast since Garner tends to forget about keeping food in his kitchen when he’s in the middle of a project.”
“In his defense, he’s usually farther from home when he’s working,” Laina pointed out.
“That’s fair.” The other woman handed Garner the basket and turned to smile at me. “Hi, I’m Evette.”