“Jess.” He stared at her, frowning. “Stop arguing and let me drive you home.”
“Fine.” She huffed in annoyance and led the way toward a black Kia Sportage parked around back. She was limping again, moving more slowly than she had during their earlier hike. The doors unlocked with a beep, and she walked to the passenger side. “How’s this going to work anyway? How are you going to get back?”
“I’ll call someone to pick me up at your place.”
She pointed a finger in his direction. “I’m not inviting you in, just so you know.”
“Fair enough.” He slid behind the steering wheel and texted the one person at Off-the-Grid most likely to be goofing around on his phone this afternoon: Ryan’s teenage brother Trent. Sure enough, Trent replied right away. “Trent’s going to swing by and get me.”
Jess leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes. “Okay…207 Riverbend Road.”
“I know.” He started the engine and pulled out of the lot. Jess was quiet during the drive. He might have thought she was sleeping except for the lines of tension creasing her brow. Ten minutes later, he turned into the driveway of her little brown-sided house, parked, and shut off the engine.
Her eyes opened, bright with fever, and she gave him a pinched smile. “Thanks for the ride, and you know…saving me from bears.” Then her usual attitude flared to life, and her eyes narrowed. “But I’m still going to outbid you on that land.”
