Page 45 of Beneath the Quiet

“I’ll just let them know I’m driving you home.”

I don’t give her the chance to go back on her word and walk back into the kitchen. If I weren’t simmering with impatience, I’d take the time to grin at the way both my parents jump away from the doorway, not even hiding that they’ve been listening in on my near argument with Maeve.

I scan the kitchen but can’t find Katie anywhere.

“Where’s Katie?”

Dad clears his throat. “She just went upstairs to fetch her homework.”

I nod, glad that she’s not around to hear what I have to say to her grandparents. I jerk my finger behind me and look between them.

“I’m taking Maeve home, and when I get back, we need to have a serious talk about your meddling.”

Mum raises her hands. “Aidan, dear…”

“Not now, Mum.” I bite back my irritation. “I’ll be back in thirty minutes. Please tell Katie.”

She works her lips between her teeth but nods.

“Of course.”

“Thanks.”

Maeve might still be a virtual stranger, but I’m quickly learning that she’s as stubborn as a mule. I can practically see the smoke of indignation puffing out of her ears, but I’m not going to relent on my offer to drive her home.

Offer is also the wrong word for it.

Demand is more accurate.

But no woman, no matter how capable she is, is going home alone in the dark after having stayed over for dinner. Not even one I’m determined to keep a safe distance from.

I grab my coat from the hook and shrug it on while opening the door for her. She stomps past me with such force that her hair swirls around her, and I can’t stop my lips from curling into a smirk. I shut the door and hurry after her through the soft evening drizzle.

She stops in front of the passenger side of my car, and I quickly school my features.

“It’s not locked.”

She wrenches the door open, still refusing to talk with me, steps up, and slides inside. I clench my teeth, prepared for the loud banging of the door, but she surprises me again when all I can hear is a soft click when she pulls it closed.

As I walk to the opposite side to get in, I wonder how long she’s going to give me the silent treatment. But she forgets that I live with an almost-preteen.

Two can play that game.

I start the car and put it in reverse. “Seatbelt.”

“You don’t have to tell me that.”

I crane my neck and chance a glance at her. The rosy heat in her cheeks is both adorable and alluring, and I wrench my gaze away from her. I appreciate her getting her temper in check by taking care not to pull too hard on the seatbelt, but her jerky movements give her annoyance away. Without another word, I back out of the driveway, put the car in first, and then race off. It’s a short drive, and before we reach our destination, I have something that I need to say.

“I know you think I man-handled you back at the farm, but I had to get some alone time with you, and this was the only way to get it.”

“What’s so important that it couldn’t wait?”

I sink my teeth into my lower lip and rub my neck.

“My parents can be very…”

“Very?”