Chapter Twenty-Eight

Nova: I’m coming over.

Callie: You’re not. You have to leave in a few minutes with everyone.

Nova: I’ll drive up with you instead.

Callie: You can’t. You’re in the wedding party and have to stick together. The drive there is part of the fun, and I’m not sure how long I’ll be.

Nova: I hate the idea of you driving by yourself. There’s a huge rainstorm coming.

Callie hated the idea, too. Achoo! Achoo! Achoo! She sat on her porch wearing her heaviest hoodie and watched the dark clouds roll in. A crack of thunder sounded in the distance. A gust of wind blew the empty brown box at the bottom of the stairs onto the small patch of grass.

Callie: I know. I might stay home.

Nova: I have a better idea. Come now and bring the kitten with you.

Callie looked down at the tiny gray-and-white furball curled up in her lap. Achoo! Why did kittens have to be so cute? She couldn’t resist holding the abandoned animal while she waited for Chandler to come pick it up.

Callie had called the animal shelter for help when the scared kitten scratched the backs of Callie’s hands in fear. Chandler walked Callie through how to calm the kitten, and then said she’d be over as soon as possible.

Achoo!

Callie: You know I can’t do that. I’m already a mess.

Itchy, watery eyes. Runny nose. Wheeze in her chest.

Nova: I can’t believe someone left her in a box.

Callie: Me, either.

Nova: Hey! Why don’t you call Birdy to keep her until Chandler shows up?

Callie: Birdy is in SF visiting her cousin.

Nova: Darn it. Any neighbors around?

Callie: I don’t know, but even if they were, she’s finally sleeping, so I don’t want to disturb her.

Good thing they were texting, otherwise Nova would insist on rescuing Callie from her allergies. Achoo!

Nova: Don’t think I don’t know you’re texting me so I won’t hear all your sneezing.

Callie: I hate when you read my mind.

Nova: Bestie brains.

Callie: Sister senses.

The fun labels started in high school. Their unspoken communications filled the void left by the weak connection Callie had with her own sister, and she was forever grateful for it. Achoo! After her horseback-riding accident when no one else wanted to be around her or knew what to say, Nova had done and said everything. She had tried. And that meant everything.

Nova: Where the hell is Chandler?

Callie: It’s not Chandler’s fault.

Nova: I know. It’s the terrible person who left a kitten in a box. Shoot, I have to go. Kennedy is calling for me. Hey, did you see the cute doctor covering for her while we’re gone?

Callie: I didn’t.

Nova: I may have to fake an illness as soon as we get back.

Callie: Of course you will.

Nova: Right? I hope you make it down to be with us, but I understand if you don’t.

Callie: I’ll let you know. Say hi to everyone for me.

Nova: Bye! Love you!

Callie: Love you!

Callie rubbed the kitten’s back without thought. Achoo! The tiny feline’s soft fur and delicate size made it easier to ignore feeling like crap. How someone could abandon this precious animal, she had no idea. Achoo! Sniffling, Callie reached up and rubbed her nose. She blinked repeatedly, trying to rid the itchiness all around her eyes.

The sky darkened further. Another clap of thunder boomed. She had thought it best to wait outside given her strong allergy to cats, but if Chandler didn’t get here in the next five minutes, she’d live with the consequences of moving inside.

“You are so sweet,” she said softly. “If I wasn’t allergic, I’d keep you.”

Fluffy lifted her little face and looked at Callie like she understood and wished the same thing. Sometime during the conversation with Nova, Callie had given the kitten the name Fluffy. If she’d had a furry pet as a child, that’s the name she would have given it.

Fluffy dropped her head. She curled into a tighter ball.

Callie let out a regretful sigh as Chandler’s pickup pulled up to the curb. She hopped out and rounded the hood. “Hi!” she called out. “I’m here.” Dressed in worn jeans, work boots, and a pink, long-sleeve T-shirt with the words I LOVE ANIMALS printed underneath a heart comprised of pawprints, she looked every bit the animal lover.

Chandler stopped at the bottom of the three stairs. She looked from Callie to the kitten, the kitten to Callie. “I can’t believe you’ve held her this whole time. You look terrible.”

“I feel it, too.” Achoo! “Here you go.” Callie lifted Fluffy toward Chandler.

“She is so cute,” Chandler said, cuddling the kitten to her chest. “I’ll have no trouble finding her a home. Thanks for keeping her safe until I got here.”

“I’d say it was no hardship…” Callie stood and walked down the steps.

“But we both know it was. Coffee next week?”

“Sounds good.” A flash of lightning lit up the darkening sky just as a big fat raindrop landed on Callie’s cheek.

“I hope you feel better. Take an antihistamine ASAP.” Chandler jogged back to her truck. As she pulled away, another recognizable truck pulled up. Hunter jumped out, the sight of him in light blue jeans and a white Henley underneath a denim jacket making her forget about her allergies. After the other night, she’d half expected him to actually sext her. When he hadn’t, she didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed.

“Hey, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be with everyone else on their way to Big Sur?” She turned to walk into the cottage before she got more wet from the rain.

“I’m here to drive you.” He fell in step beside her, smelling better than any man had a right to smell. He’d obviously showered and shaved this morning.

He closed the cottage door behind them and took a good look at her. “Although I’m wondering if you should see a doctor first.”

“Give me a minute.” She hurried back to her living quarters. Flipping on the light in the bathroom, she almost gasped at herself in the mirror. Puffy, watering eyes, red nose, rash on her chin and neck, and frizzy hair. (The hair wasn’t the kitten’s fault, but the weather’s.) She took two antihistamines, two puffs from her inhaler, and pressed a warm washcloth to her eyes.

“Are you okay?” Hunter called out. “It’s been longer than a minute.”

She pulled the cooled washcloth away from her face.

If she said “no,” would he stay here with her for the weekend? Could they pretend the outside world didn’t exist and do all the things she’d imagined him doing to her? She had a feeling he might, but she couldn’t keep him from his brother’s bachelor party.

“I like—” He stopped talking when she opened the bathroom door. He’d made himself comfortable sitting on the edge of her bed. “Feeling better?”

“I am.” She remained in the doorway. Seeing him so at ease in her bedroom unnerved her.

“I like what you’ve done with the place.”

“Thanks.” I like the way you look in my place.

“I see you’re packed.” He nodded toward her small suitcase. “Ready to go?”

No. Yes. No.

“Yes.” Being selfish didn’t come naturally, so feeling like she wanted to keep Hunter to herself left her a little on edge.

“You’ll be okay, right? Your allergies will keep decreasing?”

“They should. Luckily, Kennedy’s a doctor should I need one.” At Hunter’s pained expression, she quickly added, “I’m kidding. I really will be fine.” She took his hand to squeeze it in thanks and help him to his feet. “Come on, let’s go. Thank you for coming to get me. I’m sorry you didn’t get to be with everyone else.”

He grabbed her suitcase before she could. “Are you kidding? This is the best chauffeur gig ever. I’m not at all sorry I’m missing being stuck with everyone in a Hulk-size van.”

“Good point.”

The rain pummeled the truck’s windshield as they made their way out of Windsong. The drive to Big Sur normally took about three hours, but with the storm, it would probably take longer.

A shiver slithered through her. Even with the heat on in the car, she couldn’t shake a chill that had seeped into her bones. Hunter glanced at her, then pulled over to a safe spot on the side of the road.

“What are you doing?”

He undid his seat belt and took of his fur-lined denim jacket. “Put this on. It’ll keep you warm.”

She swallowed the lump in her throat while he waited for her to undo her seat belt so he could help her quickly don the coat. He never hesitated to make sure she was comfortable. Never put his own needs before hers. He may be confident, and cocky on occasion, but there wasn’t an egoistic bone in his body.

His smell immediately surrounded her. Within seconds, her body relaxed. Warmed up. She settled into her seat content to drive for hours now.

“Want to play a game?” he asked once they’d resumed driving.

“What did you have in mind?” She slipped the hair tie off her wrist and gathered her curly hair into a bun on top of her head.

“How about Two Truths and a Lie? I’ll go first.” He kept his attention on the road in front of them, for which she was grateful.

“I can juggle.

“I have never broken a bone.

“If I could, I would pay to fly to the moon.”

She knew the answer without a second thought. “The lie is you’ve never broken a bone.” She crossed her arms over her chest, 100 percent satisfied with her answer.

“You didn’t even need to think about it?” he asked surprised.

“Nope.”

“How did you know?”

“Your nose is a little bit crooked, and I’ve always assumed it’s because it was once broken.”

He nodded. “That’s exactly right. Brett punched me years ago when he caught me kissing Janey.”

“Hunter!”

“It was fake! He and Janey were broken up and both miserable so she asked for my help to make him jealous. We were at a party and pretending to make out. I barely touched her mouth, but it did the trick. He punched me, and they got back together. I’m genuinely a very selfless person.”

He really was. She’d learned so much about him—and changed her opinions about him—over the past several weeks.

“Okay, my turn,” she said.

“I’ve always wanted to try paragliding.

“I’ve eaten worms.

“I went to prom wearing a designer dress that cost one thousand dollars.”

“Hmm…”

She loved that he had to think about it.

“I’m going to guess eating worms is the lie.”

“Sorry, that one’s true. I ate Mopane worms in Africa. They’re boiled with garlic and tomatoes and eaten straight out of the pot.”

“Do they taste like chicken?” he teased.

“They do, actually!” She took in his handsome profile as he navigated a two-lane road. “The lie is the dress. I made my own prom dress.”

“I almost said that one.”

Her phone chirped with a text. She pulled it out of her purse. “It’s Nova. She says Andrew is singing Broadway show tunes and telling stories about Kennedy with an Australian accent.”

“He’s a talented guy. And funny.”

“I’m sorry you’re missing it.” She double tapped the text to give it a heart.

“I’m not, so please stop apologizing. We’ll have all weekend with them. Tell me another Two Truths and a Lie.”

She watched the windshield wipers work extra hard as the rain continued to pour, and she thought about what to tell him. He turned on the defrost to help stop the windows from fogging up. A branch fell off a tree and hit the hood. Thankfully, there weren’t many cars on the road.

“I can blow a gigantic bubble with bubblegum.

“I hate the color red.

“I have a birthmark that looks like a heart.”

“Okay, you are way too good at this game,” Hunter said, slowing down as they took a curve through the mountains.

“You have ten seconds to guess,” she said, sitting taller in her seat.

“I’m going to guess the lie is you hate the color red.”

“You got it.” Her posture deflated. “What made you pick that?”

“You’re a redhead. No way could you hate the color. It’s one of my favorite things about you.”

One of. How many things did he like?

“And I’m tucking the birthmark away for later.”

Oh boy.

They played a few more guessing games and listened to the radio until they lost reception.

“I’ve been meaning to ask what your last ambassador assignment is?” Callie asked.

“Bike riding. What about you?”

“Community theater. I’m going to see Mamma Mia! next week. Have you gone on a bike ride yet?”

“I went on two.” He glanced over at her. “Bella joined me on one ride around town. We rented a tandem bike, which I’d never been on before.”

“Sounds fun.” She ignored the stab of jealousy jabbing her in the middle of the chest. “And the second ride?”

“Was with Vivian. We just happened to be at the same trailhead at the same time. She likes to mountain bike in her spare time.”

Stab to the heart take two. Coincidence or not.

“Both gave me good content to write about. It’s all about the ambassador gig, Triple C.”

“Not finding your soul mate?” she couldn’t help but ask. Both women were viable options. New to town. Smart. Pretty. Interested in him.

He shrugged. “You said it, not me.”

She wished she could read his mind, but since she couldn’t, she made the decision to drop any references to his best man suit and impending love connection.

The radio sputtered back to life. “Love on the Brain” by Rihanna. She glanced at Hunter. He glanced at her. And they both fought a smile. The next song to play was “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keyes. The music fairies were having some fun.

They fell into companionable listening until Hunter slammed on the brakes and his arm shot out in front of her like her seat belt wasn’t enough to keep her safe. Swirling red lights blurred through the windshield as they came to a stop. Hunter rolled down his window.

“The bridge is flooded ahead,” a highway patrolman wearing a bright yellow raincoat said. “You’ll need to turn around.”

“How long until we can pass?” Hunter asked.

“Hard to say. There’s no sign of the storm letting up.”

“Thanks. Be safe.” Hunter made a U-turn. “Will you—”

“Already on it.” Callie tried calling Nova. When it went right to voicemail, she texted. Where are you guys?

Three dancing dots immediately appeared. Just got here. The cabins are gorgeous! Be careful out there. It’s raining even harder here.

We’re not going to make it tonight. There’s a bridge out. Will call you soon.

“They got there safe and sound,” she told Hunter.

“That’s good. What do you want to do? We’re at least three hours from home now with traffic, or we could try and find somewhere nearby to stay the night and hope that tomorrow we can pass through.”

“Let’s do that. I feel terrible that you might miss everything.”

“Hey.” He darted a glance at her. “None of this is your fault, so you have nothing to feel bad about, okay? When I heard you saved a kitten, I…”

“You what?”

“Nothing. I think I saw a motel a few miles back.” He drove them through a massive puddle, splashing water high into the air. Callie decided it best to let Hunter concentrate on the road rather than talk further.

A few minutes later, they crossed a small stream into a dirt parking lot for a “motel.” It looked more like a string of rundown cabins. As long as the roof didn’t leak and the room was clean, she’d be a happy camper.

“Why don’t you wait here and I’ll run in?”

“Okay.”

She watched him disappear inside a cabin labeled Office. Lighted windows shone through the murkiness, the rain falling in sheets. Christmas lights hung down from trees and blew in the wind. The inside of the cab cooled quickly with the engine shut off. She gathered Hunter’s jacket tighter around herself, inhaling his masculine scent. The sharp tapping of raindrops filled her ears, sending a small jolt of worry through her. Hurry up, Hunt.

A minute later, he jumped back into the truck, soaking wet. “Damn, it’s raining hard.” He gave her an appreciative look.

“What?”

“Just like seeing you in my jacket. It looks a lot better on you.”

She ignored his compliment because she knew the blush on her cheeks said enough. “Did they have a cabin available?”

“They did.” He turned the key in the ignition. Something about his quick answer and hurried movements told her he was keeping information from her.

He parked in front of a cabin set away from the others. “I’ll grab our stuff. You make a run for the door.”

When she got to the door, the placard read love nest. Um, what?

Hand on her hip, she turned around. Hunter shook his wet hair out when he met her under the awning. For a second, she forgot to be mad at him. Droplets clung to his long, dark eyelashes. His shirt molded to his body.

She managed a glare at him.

“It was the only cabin they had left,” he said. “I swear. I asked for one with two beds and the guy behind the counter told me this was all they had. I guess the day after Thanksgiving isn’t big on romantic getaways.”

She let out a breath.

“Look at it as an adventure,” he said. “Plus, I hear there’s a fireplace and a waterfall shower.” His sincere smile, warm and sexy, did her in. Who was she kidding? She’d go anywhere with him.

He unlocked the door for her. She stepped inside, and her jaw dropped.

“Wow,” Hunter said.

Yeah, wow.