I carefully opened the door and stepped out, shutting it most of the way to keep the weather out. She moved back a couple paces, but she was still close.
“Grayden. Sorry. Hope I didn’t startle you.”
I dug my hands into my jeans pockets to keep them warm. “Not much.”
“I’m not sure if you remember me.”
I searched her face but came up blank. “Sorry, I?—”
“Piper. Teller’s sister.”
Damn.
Little Piper Landry?
Piper had changed a lot. Not so little anymore. She’d grown. Blossomed, really. She was just a few inches shorter than me, which would put her close to six feet. Her features were delicately beautiful, and the lights of Main Street spun her blond hair into gold.
“Piper Landry,” I said. “How are you?”
I hadn’t recognized her, but now, it all came rushing back.
I’d lost myself in memories of growing up in Silver Ridge plenty of times over the years. Piper had been there, kind of a vague presence orbiting my sister, her features not quite distinct. Even though I’d been around Piper pretty much since she was born until I left Colorado.
But I could almost picture the gangly kid she used to be. The teenager I’d sometimes caught staring a little too long at me. Who blushed whenever I stopped by the Landry house to see her brother, especially when I was in uniform.
Piper wasn’t gangly anymore. That was for sure.
And her brother wasn’t my friend anymore.
“My last name isn’t Landry now,” she said. “But anyway. I just noticed you out here, and I decided to stop.”
“Alright.” I wasn’t sure what she wanted me to say to that. Was she going to lecture me about what happened at Grace’s? Curse me out?
“You’re not sleeping out here in your truck, are you? It’s freezing.” She wrapped her arms around her coat, emphasizing the point.
An edge of annoyance worked its way under my skin. “I haven’t firmed up my plans yet.” Like I had a packed social calendar.
“You should go back to Grace’s if you need a place to stay. Or at least find a hotel. That’s what Grace would want.”
“Thanks for the concern, but I’m fine.”
Piper glanced behind her toward her car. I couldn’t make out if anyone else was inside. “Grayden, if you need money or something?—”
Oh, for fuck’s sake.
“I don’t need charity. I can afford a hotel if I want one.” I was trying to save every penny of my savings toward getting myself established here in Colorado, not blow it on overpriced hotel rooms. That wasn’t her business though. I could sort out my own shit.
Besides, this wouldn’t be the first time I’d slept in my truck. In fact, I’d slept in my truck just last night. The drive to Silver Ridge from Seattle was a long-ass way.
“Well, I can’t just leave you out here. I need to know you’ll be alright.”
I barked a sudden laugh as a memory came to me. Little Piper bossing her brother around about doing the dishes, though Teller was ten years older and had weighed at least twice as much as she did. There’d been something fearless about her.
He’d listened though. Always. Teller had been just as doting over Piper as I’d been over Grace.
Piper frowned and put her hands on her hips. “Something funny?”
“Not really. Just thinking.”
