Page 16 of Mountain Grump Protector

Cal

I spot her further down the forestry road than expected. She must have been moving at a pretty good pace. Either that, or she got a bigger head start than I realized.

She’s still wearing my shirt over her tank top, it drops over her cut-off shorts, giving me a perfect view of those legs I haven’t been able to stop fantasizing about having wrapped around me as she stomps her way down the gravel road.

I pull up next to her on the narrow road and unroll the window. “You plan on walking the whole way to town?”

She doesn’t even look in my direction. “I don’t need to owe you any more than I already do.”

“You don’t owe me a thing, darling.”

I see the way she automatically tenses, and I can’t help but wonder for at least the dozenth time what exactly has happened in Willow’s life to create such a deep mistrust of men.

“I don’t need any more of your help. I can walk.”

“I’m sure you can.” I try not to chuckle at her fierce independence. “But these old forestry roads can be a bit of a maze if you don’t know where you’re going. Never mind the bears and wolves.”

That gets her attention. “Bears?” She stops walking.

I press my foot to the brake and nod. “And wolves.”

She looks like she thinks about it for a second, then lifts her chin and crosses her arms. “I’ll take my chances,” she says. “I’d rather walk.”

“That makes one of us, darling.”

She shoots me a glare and starts walking. Faster this time.

“Dammit, Willow,” I call. “You can hate me from the passenger seat, okay?” Once more, I let the truck start moving to keep up with her.

“No, thanks. I’m good.”

Willow

I should get in the truck.

I know it.

My feet are screaming at me, and I know without looking that my blisters probably already have blisters. The smart thing, the only thing, would be to get into the truck. So, of course, I keep walking.

Mostly because I’m stubborn. But also because every time I look at the grumpy mountain man with his big, broad shoulders, thick forearms, and dark eyes that seem to look right through me, I forget to think straight.

It’s deeply irritating how attractive he is.

And dangerous. Way too dangerous, considering I already owe him. I don’t need to be adding to that list.

Especially since I don’t trust him.

Or myself when I’m around him.

I veer suddenly onto one of the narrower side roads that branches off into the trees. Mostly because I need distance from him, and partly because if he calls me darling one more time, I might lose my mind.

Or my control.

I move so quickly, Cal doesn’t have time to react, and the truck rumbles past the opening.

This old road is rougher than the main one, almost completely swallowed by shrubs and low-hanging branches. I don’t need to be an expert on the area to know it’s not going to lead me to town. I keep walking anyway. Gravel crunches beneath my boots, my blisters screaming at me with every step.

Behind me, I hear the rumble of Cal’s truck followed by the slamming of his door. “Willow!”