“Well, anyway, he’s a really nice guy. I’m sure you’ll figure that out soon considering he’s practically a son to your parents. You’ll probably be spending a lot of time with him.”
“Practically a son to them?”
“Oh yeah! I heard Rhett and your dad like to watch football and baseball games together, and he’s helped them with their animals. Your dad has that Texas blood in him, but your mom was no country girl when she got here.” He laughs fondly.
What the hell? I can’t believe I haven’t heard about any of this.I don’t even know who my parents are anymore. I would’ve expected them to tell me about someone so close to them.
This nagging little voice in my head chimes in.Why would they tell you? When was the last time you asked your parents anything about their lives?Touché.
“Are you coming?” Rhett calls from where he’s leaning against his truck.
Ignoring the churning feeling in my gut, I nod and push through the doors of the gas station shop.
ChapterFour
Rhett
Turningmy keys in the ignition, I finally let out a deep sigh and curse under my breath. The second I saw her I knew I was in trouble. Olivia Parker is gorgeous. With her big amber eyes and her long, thick lashes, I could hardly look away. She carries the weight of the world in her eyes, and seeing that hurt only made me think of myself four years ago. Maybe she’s more than the ice-cold woman I thought she was.
I glance in my rearview mirror at Olivia following closely behind me. God, even from here I can see how plump her lips are and how kissable they must be. Her high cheekbones, with a smattering of freckles across them, and her shy smile race through my mind. I can’t get the images to stop, and it freaks me out.Where is my self-control?
As I wind down the gravel drive and find the rustic white cottage waiting in front of me, I’m pulled back into reality. I park in the driveway of my house and quickly step out of my truck, motioning to show Olivia where to park. She gives me a curt little salute and drives past me. I can’t help the smile that crosses my face.What was that?I don’t even care. It was adorable.
My smile falters as I shake my head vigorously, trying to snap myself out of whatever trance she has put me in. I can’t have these feelings. Not for Olivia, not for any woman. My situation is way too complicated, and I know better than to believe this attraction could lead to anything but hurt.
I bite my lip as I walk toward where Olivia parked her car. I open her rear door and reach in to grab her two suitcases. I can’t believe this is all she brought with her when she’s supposed to be here for three months. I guess she’s really set on not making this permanent.
“Oh, you don’t need to take those.” She reaches out to me, trying to pull the bags from my grip.
“I insist.”
She drops her hands to her sides looking defeated. “Are all cowboys this stubborn? I can do things for myself.”
A bark of laughter escapes my chest. “I know you can do it for yourself, but I wanted to be a good host. If it bothers you, you can carry your own bags.”
“It doesn’tbotherme,” she mumbles under her breath, crossing her arms.
“Okay then.” I grab her bags and carry them toward the cottage, knowing better than to try and roll them across the rocky gravel.
I set them down on the porch and snag the key from under the mat, fitting it into the lock and jiggling up and down as I pull the door toward me and to the right before it finally creaks open.
“Here we are, your home for the next few months.”
She takes in her surroundings silently, and I can’t help but wonder what she thinks of the place. It’s just a one-bedroom with one and a half bathrooms, but I spent many sleepless nights cleaning it up for her over the last week.
“I’m not sure what you’re used to in San Francisco. This doesn’t exactly have an ocean view, but there’s a creek that runs through the property, the wildflowers are running rampant this time of year, and all the back windows face the sunsets every night. It’s really not a bad place to slow down a little.”
Her cheeks flush the slightest as if she’s embarrassed to be here, to be forced to slow down. “I’m sure it’ll be great. Thanks for letting me stay here.”
“No problem. I’d do anything for your parents.”
She winces and then stares down at her feet, clearly not sure what else to do or say at this point. Her phone starts buzzing, and some upbeat song slips from its speakers, but she quickly pulls it out and silences it.
“Well, thanks.” She looks at me expectantly as if to sayyou can go now.
I nod. “I can, uh, drive you to dinner tonight. I’ll come back in about an hour and a half?”
“Sounds great.”
