At my car I pushed the button to unlock it, then Jonah opened the door, holding it wide for me while I climbed inside.
‘Do you know where you’re going?’ he asked, leaning down.
‘No, but I have directions.’ I pulled out the piece of paper and squinted to read it in the weak light from the streetlamp. ‘It’s… which way is east?’
He chuckled. ‘Wait here. I’ll pull my truck around and you can follow me.’
‘You don’t have to do that.’
‘If there’s one thing you need to learn about me, Mae, it’s that I don’t do anything I don’t want to do.’
‘Never?’
‘Never. Like I said, I won’t be able to sleep unless I know you’ve made it there safely. Speaking of which…’ he kicked my front tire ‘…these aren’t suitable for our roads. First thing tomorrow I’ll call my friend Connor. He owns the local auto repair shop and can sort you out with some new tires.’
I knew better by now than to protest. ‘Thanks. But just to be clear, I’m paying for them.’
He smiled. ‘Of course.’
While I waited for him to pull his truck around, I adjusted the rearview mirror and checked to see if I looked as bewildered as I felt.
‘Get a grip, Mae,’ I muttered. ‘This isnotone of your movies. This is real life, and he’s just a nice guy who, for whatever reason, decided to look out for you tonight. That’s it.’
I jumped at the honk of a horn, as his trucks headlights swept around the corner and performed a U-turn. Starting the engine, I fell into place behind him and followed as he headed out of town slowly. So slowly that I knew it was for my benefit, but I appreciated it. I could feel the tires losing traction occasionally, so even though it was only a five-minute drive like he’d said,my knuckles were white by the time we turned down a short driveway and pulled up. I only felt myself relax when I knew the drive was over and I could turn the car off.
Jonah helped me get my bags out of the car and then stood back to let me lead the way down a short, snow-covered path through some trees to the cottage. Solar lights twinkled in the undergrowth, lighting the way, and the front porch light had been left on for me, assumedly by the real estate agent who knew I would be arriving today. I couldn’t see much of my new home in the darkness, but that could wait. All I wanted to do was get inside and crawl into a bed. I didn’t even care if it was made at that point. A blanket and a pillow and I’d be happy. I opened my purse and pulled out the key that the agent had sent me and unlocked the front door, reaching in and fumbling my hand over the wall until it connected with a light switch.
‘Is this really all you’ve brought with you?’ Jonah asked, trudging up the steps behind me with my bags in his hands.
‘Yeah. Why?’
‘It’s just not a lot. The women I know take more bags than this for a weekend away.’
‘It’s all I need for now.’ I yawned again. ‘If I decide I want the rest of my things I can get them sent here.’
His eyebrows shot up. ‘If? Doesn’t sound like you’re all that sure about staying.’
‘I gave up my job and my apartment and left my friends and family behind,’ I reminded him. ‘That’s pretty sure. But there’s always the possibility I won’t like it, so I’m not fully committing just yet.’
He put a hand against his chest. ‘How could you not like it whenI’mhere?’
‘Hard to believe, isn’t it?’
He opened his mouth to say something, but as he did, his phone went off with a loud notification.
‘Sorry,’ he said, taking it out of his pocket. ‘I don’t use this thing a hell of a lot so I have no idea what…’ He trailed off, his brow furrowed as he stared at it. ‘Five missed calls and a message,’ he said, sounding confused. The way he was holding the phone I could clearly see the screen, and although I wanted to be polite and look away, I saw the name,Anna,and my curiosity got the better of me.
Where the hell are you? Call me, NOW!
‘Is everything OK?’ I asked.
‘I’m not sure.’ He put his phone back in his pocket and shook his head. ‘But I’d better go.’
‘Of course. I’ve held you up long enough.’
His face softened. ‘You haven’t held me up at all. I enjoyed tonight.’
‘So did I.’
