RIVER
See you in a bit,Warrior.
Why did he insist on calling me that?
His words had my already frayed nerves kicking into overdrive and my pulse skyrocketing. I’d made an excuse about checking on the kids—something I should really do since the events of the day were as perplexing for them as they were me—and abruptly rushed away from the ladies as quickly as my small feet would take me.
I wasn’t sure who’d invited him to our housewarming get-together or why he’d shown up with a ton of gifts.
But… he couldn’t be here.
I was already dealing with so much, there was no way I could top it off with an overprotective, demanding, know-it-all who couldn’t take no for an answer and would…
The sound of Lake’s voice stopped my rambling thoughts. “Let me just check on my sister before we start getting the food ready.”
Panic rising and not ready to see anyone quite yet, I ducked into the first place I could find to get out of sight. Shutting the door behind me, I stood in the dark pantry—having not bothered to flip on the light—quiet as a church mouse.
“Do you know where she went?” I heard one of the other ladies ask.
“Nope, but I shall find her,” my sister said in a playful tone, sounding too darn close and way too chipper. “Since we’re right here though, I’m gonna grab some of the stuff I stashed away when I got here.”
Suddenly, the door opened and there stood Lake, along with Capri and Gemma. Next time, I’d have to find a much better hiding spot.
My sister had a silly smile on her face and pointed at me. “Ha, I found you.”
“I didn’t realize we were playing hide-and-seek,” I replied dryly.
I hadn’t played games growing up and certainly wasn’t then. Plus, I was counting on nobody finding me. I shook my head at her playfulness, something I didn’t always know what to do with.
She laughed. “Me neither, but you’re the one hiding in the pantry.” Giving me a curious look, she asked, “Whatcha doin’ in here anyway?”
That was the million-dollar question. Short answer, I was running from?—
Before I could answer her or finish my thought, a deep voice floated to my ears. “This is a great place.”
Huntley.
I took a step back, sinking further into the small, dark space.
Lake gave me a knowing grin. When I glanced at the other two women, their smiles were as all-knowing as my sister’s. But they didn’t know crap.
The man was infuriating.
I hated the way he made words spring to my mind thathad never crossed it before or the funny feelings that skittered through me when he was around.
Maybe I should’ve felt bad for thinking that after he saved me and our sweet dog, Roxie, from the flames the night some asshole burned down my home, and for also going with me to the hospital to make sure I was okay.
On top of that, he called my kids and talked to them when they arrived at the hospital. While that went a long way in my book, I wasn’t ready to cave to any charm he might possess.
Shit, I knew I seemed ungrateful, but his presence just made me nervous and he refused to leave my hospital room even after I told him he could go.
Men were not to be trusted.
I’d learned that lesson long ago.
“I got your number, girlfriend. You think he’s dreamy,” Lake sing-songed like a crazy cuckoo bird.
I huffed out an exaggerated breath. How could my sister and I be such opposites? She was fun, loving, and playful. I was reserved, boring, and cynical. Add in distrusting, and it was obvious why people steered clear of me.
