Maggs could tell by the clenching of his jaw it was a sore point. Pip had told her Fin’s family life had been a shitfight.
“So how come you never told me about your family, Maggs?”
“You never asked.”
“I’m not really the asking type. I don’t have a ton of questions all lined up to be asked like the Trainers. Those guys know a man’s shoe size before he’s been in town a day.”
“Yeah, real Chatty Cathys, those three,” Maggie said as he rolled on slowly down the drive. She found a smile as the large house came into view. She’d loved living here growing up. The riding, the fun, all of it had been the best playground a child could have.
“Nice place,” Fin said, stopping. They both then just sat there looking at the house.
The roof was high and pitched, the house natural stone and cedar. It was two stories in the middle with wings jutting left and right. Her dad loved plants and trees, so they were everywhere, in beds or in clumps. He wasn’t big on neat or aesthetic, it was just a case with him of, a plant should go here, so it did.
“Must have been fun growing up here.”
“It was. We had to work hard, but there was lots of play too. Love, laughter. I was lucky to grow up in this family.”
“Really lucky, and I’m pleased you did.”
“Thanks, and see you round.” She got off and handed him her helmet. “Much to my surprise, I enjoyed that.”
“Anytime you want a ride, red, I’m your man.” He’d taken his helmet off too and waggled his eyebrows.
“Ha, that was really smooth,” Maggs managed as all the spit dried up in her throat.And what a ride it would be.
“I love the way your mind goes straight to the gutter.”
“You went there first!”
“Not at all. I was offering a ride on my bike.”
She didn’t buy the innocent look. “Right, of course you were.”
“Your folks home?” He looked at the house again.
“They’ll be working. I’ll go and track them down.” A lump of emotion balled in her throat at the thought of seeing her family again.
“Hey.” She felt Fin’s hand on her shoulder. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I’m all good. The wind made my nose run.”
“No. Good is what you definitely are not, and I wish you’d tell me what’s going on, Maggie.”
“I’m okay, Fin, really.” He saw too much. Until she’d made the decision to tell others what had happened, she needed to keep him at arm’s length, because she had a feeling he could easily break down her barriers.
Coming home to Ryker Falls had taught Maggie some things. One was that she never wanted to leave here again. It was home, and she loved her friends and family. But the other thing she’d learned was that Fin Hudson meant something to her. She’d not realized just how much until she’d seen him again.
Distance, Maggie thought. Treat him like she did the others, and surely everything would go back to normal.
“So I’ll see you, Fin.” Stepping back and away from him, she raised her hand and walked toward the house. He watched her—she felt his eyes—and it wasn’t until she was inside the house with the door closed that she heard the throaty purr of his motorbike rolling back down her driveway.
Chapter11
Fin rode slowly back to Ryker Falls. He used the time to think about things. So many things. A few weeks ago, he’d worried about idiots getting frost bite when they hiked up the mountains unequipped. Now he had this stuff with Maggs and a femur with a missing body he’d found on his doorstep.
What the hell was her deal?
Riding back into town, Fin parked outside Joe’s bar. Coffee, he thought, and maybe a burger. Or maybe a beer? Was he ready to talk to people with all this crap swirling inside him?
