Gunner nodded, and she had to wonder if he thought she was crazy and was rethinking what he’d said. The woman you profess to be attracted to admits that she might be a little crazy and heading toward a nervous breakdown.
Gunner grasped one of the straps of her overalls, tugging her closer until he leaned down far enough for their foreheads to touch. This close, she could smell his scent that she’d come to associate with safety. Just a little closer and his beard would brush her face.
“Take all the time you need. Whenever you feel like you’re breaking into pieces, come find me. I’ll always help hold you together,” he said softly.
Rachel closed her eyes, slid her arms around his waist, and relaxed to breathe him in. He was a biker, a chef, and someone she trusted. Less than three days in Bluff Creek, and Gunner had broken through her walls. In his arms, she knew she could be herself. She wasn’t sure how long they stood there, him holding her.
“You ready to go back?” Gunner asked.
She nodded and slid on the jacket, waiting while he helped fasten her helmet. She had a lot to think about, but one thing she was sure of was that she’d made a good decision coming to Bluff Creek.
Chapter Ten
Gunner ran up the steps to Rachel’s house and knocked on the door. He was hoping no one saw him with the stupid grin on his face. He’d offered to drive Rachel and the kids to the first day of school, and she’d said yes.
Afterward, they were sitting down to plan for each week until the opening. Gunner had already been excited for Broken Hearts, but having a partner to work with, whom he absolutely adored, changed everything.
Marcus opened the door, hugging Gunner as soon as he came in.
“Are you ready for your first day of school here?”
Marcus nodded. “Yep, Mom found out last night that I get to be in the same class as Benji.”
Gunner held his hand out for Marcus to high-five. “So you already have a friend in class. Where’s your mom?”
Marcus pointed toward the bathroom.
“Okay, is Chelle ready?” Gunner asked.
“She’s in her room,” Marcus said, walking away to get his backpack.
Gunner walked into Chelle’s room. She was sitting on her bed, dressed in a cute pair of jean overalls with a polka dot shirt underneath. Rachel had pulled her hair into a ponytail. Her backpack was on the bed.
“Are you ready for school?” Gunner asked.
Chelle shook her head.
Gunner knelt down. “What’s up, buttercup?”
She giggled, then went back to frowning.
“Share the deets, Pete.”
She giggled again, then frowned.
“Explain the problem… umm, I can’t rhyme with problem. So what’s the scoop, little boop?” Gunner asked.
Chelle hopped off the bed and grabbed Gunner’s hand.
“What if no one likes me?” she asked.
“Aww, first days are so hard. Can I tell you a secret?” Gunner asked, turning to peek over his shoulder.
Chelle nodded, her eyes widening. Gunner leaned close.
“Almost everybody in school is worried people won’t like them. Sometimes they just hide it better,” Gunner whispered close to her ear.
Chelle scrunched her eyebrows. He worked not to chuckle at her face, which looked exactly like Rachel’s sometimes.
