Page 28 of Wild Highway (Runaway 2)

“Okay.” She patted Sprite’s cheek. “You did good. It was nice to meet you.”

I took a step back, giving Gemma a wide berth to exit the stall. She gave me a small nod, then turned and walked down the center aisle. Lesson complete.

She wasn’t the same girl who’d left here. I was man enough to admit she’d changed—not to her face, not today. Gemma had grown into a mature, breathtaking woman. Even with the sadness in her eyes, the longing, she was close to irresistible.

But if I let myself worry about Gemma, I’d turn myself in knots.

“She’s a good girl.”

“Shit.” I jumped at Grandma’s voice, slapping a hand over my heart. “Give a guy a warning.”

She laughed, watching as Gemma disappeared around the corner and into the sunshine. “How was the lesson?”

“Fine.”

“She’s lost, that girl. Always has been. She’s running from anything that makes her feel.”

I frowned. “She screwed Kat over. You remember how upset Kat was when Gemma ditched her.”

“She was nineteen years old, Easton. I recall a few mistakes you made at that age. There was the time you stole your dad’s car and drove into town to get drunk at the bar. There was the time you—”

“All right, all right.” I held up a hand. “You’ve made your point.”

“Katherine has chosen to forgive her and welcome her here. We can all do the same. For however long she wants to stay.”

I swallowed a groan. “She’ll leave.”

“I’m not so sure. Not this time.”

I wouldn’t argue with Grandma, but her soft spot for Gemma had made her blind. There was nothing for Gemma to do here. She wasn’t cut out for ranch work. She’d be bored working for Kat in one of the trivial jobs at the lodge. And where was she going to live? Cash and Kat’s guest bedroom?

She’d stay and this vacation of hers would run its course, then she’d be gone.

I just had to wait it out. Stay away from Gemma so that the second time around, I didn’t fall into her trap.

And make the same mistake twice.

Chapter Six

Gemma

“Knock. Knock.” I inched Katherine’s office door open and peeked inside.

“Hey.” She waved me in. “What’s up?”

“I need to ask you a question and I need the answer to be yes.”

“Okay,” she drawled. “Should I be nervous?”

“Probably.” I plopped down in a chair across from her desk.

Katherine’s hair was pulled into a ponytail and she was wearing a long-sleeved zip-up with the resort’s name embroidered on the chest. She looked comfortable yet authoritative.

I had the comfort with my jeans and black sweater, but I lacked authority.

I missed authority.

“I’m bored,” I admitted. “Like, going-out-of-my-mind bored. Can I have a job? Please?”