Page 15 of Mountain Grump Protector

“That’s not an answer,” I say. “And it doesn’t make any sense.”

Something flickers in his expression, but it’s gone as quickly as it came before he says, “To be clear,” he says. “I did not buy you. I paid your debt.”

“My brother’s debt,” I interject.

“Whatever,” he shakes his head as if it’s not an important detail. “I also did not kidnap you,” he continues. “If I remember correctly, you got into my truck of your own free will.”

“It’s not like I had much of a choice.”

“You’re not a prisoner,” he says. “You’re free to go anytime you like.”

Those words should be all I need to get the hell out of here and go check on my dad. He didn’t answer when I called earlier, and all of my text messages have gone unread.

Still, even with Cal’s release, I hesitate because for one stupid second, I allow myself to forget what’s actually waiting for me down the mountain.

Real life.

A runaway brother. A drunk father. Ronnie Hatch.

Nothing good.

Still, is it really much better here in a remote cabin with a massive man who still hasn’t told me what he wants from me?

At least down in town, I know what to expect, and I can defend myself against it.

“Great. I’ll go change,” I say after a moment, set my tea mug down, and head for the bedroom and my clothes, before he can stop me.

Cal

The minute the words are out of my mouth, I regret them. Well, not entirely. After all, she’s not a prisoner, and obviously she’s free to leave. But the little that I know of this spitfire woman is that she’s impulsive, reckless and prone to making poor choices.

I still don’t think it’s safe in town, at least not until Luke’s back from the city and I’ve paid the rest of what I owe to Hatch. But I meant what I said, I won’t hold anyone against their will. That’s not how I operate.

I take my coffee and, with Murph at my heels, head out to the garage to wait for her. Maybe a few minutes of puttering on my latest project will help clear my head.

Ten minutes later, I’m elbow deep under the hood of the old Chevy I picked up last month, trying to focus on literally anything except Willow Callahan and the way her long, lean, bare legs looked standing half naked in my kitchen this morning.

I’m so lost in thoughts I have no business thinking, I don’t even realize how much time has gone by without her reappearing, until finally I pull myself out from under the hood, wipe my hands on a rag, and look at the time.

“Where the hell is she?” I ask the dog, who lifts his head with a whine in response to my question.

Surely, it doesn’t take that long to put a pair of shorts on?

Murph whines, looking toward the shop door and yard beyond.

Fuck.

“She left, didn’t she, buddy?”

I know it in my gut. God damn stubborn woman. I should’ve known better than to leave her for even a minute. Her complete mistrust of anyone doing anything even remotely kind for her is going to get her killed.

I slam the hood of the truck I’m working on and head out to the yard, half expecting to find that she stole my truck.

But no, she must have left on foot.

It’s a long walk. And a dangerous one, too, with wolves and bears frequenting the area. Never mind the very real risk of the group of assholes out there that are no doubt looking for revenge.

Chapter Six