Destined (The Rangers of Ridge County #1)

Chapter Nineteen

CHAPTER NINETEEN

MILLIE

I made it home after the sun sank behind the horizon and minutes before the snow started to fall. I was in my car jamming out to the ending of a throwback when my phone rang.

“Hi, Mom!” I answered. “What are you up to?”

“Your dad and I are on the way to our weekly yoga class with Instructor Zelda,” she replied. “It’s really improved our stamina and flexibility.”

“That’s…really something,” I stammered. I definitely didn’t want to hear any further benefits of their couple’s yoga class—terrified her words might create mental images that would require sandpaper to remove.

“What are you up to this evening, sweetie? Any special plans for Valentine’s Day?” Mom asked.

“I actually just got home from town,” I said. “Now I plan on burrowing under a warm, fuzzy blanket with one of the books Rory recommended.”

“No date?” she questioned—though I was certain she knew the answer. I hadn’t gone on a date with anyone since Jared. There’d been a couple one-night stands back in Tennessee but nothing here in Montana.

“No date,” I affirmed.

What about that handsome neighbor of yours?” Mom questioned slyly .

“Emmett?” I clarified, trying to mask my surprise. Mothers—always knowing things.

“Yes,” Mom sighed wistfully. “Mark my words, dear—that man has feelings for you.”

This wasn’t the first time Emmett had been brought up in conversation since my parents’ visit. Before, I’d just written it off, certain my mom had been picking up on Emmett’s disdain. Now, I wasn’t so sure.

“It’s mother’s intuition, Millie,” Mom chided, and I chuckled.

“Sure, Mom,” I replied lightheartedly. I could hear the faint beat of an oldies tune and realized they’d made it to their class.

“You’ll understand someday,” she said, hope filling her voice.

“Maybe,” I murmured.

“Class is starting! Got to go!” Mom shouted. “Love you!”

“Love you,” I parroted back before ending the call.

Staring up at the farmhouse, I thought back on the course my day had taken. From the phone call with Veronica to the fiasco at Sips then ending with a cease fire.

It was pretty telling how quickly my dislike for Emmett Ranger had evaporated—as if it’d never really been there at all.

One thing I knew for certain—the man was attractive.

I would definitely be reliving the mental snapshot I had from earlier when I laid down in bed later tonight—him towering over me and staring like he would love nothing more than to devour me whole.

And in that moment, I could have been tempted to let him.

I was climbing the porch steps when I spotted a small package on the welcome mat.

I hadn’t ordered anything, but I grabbed the box from the stoop and hurried inside.

Maybe my parents sent me something for Valentine’s Day and forgot to mention it—which seemed like something they would do. That was probably why they’d called in the first place .

After hanging my coat up and taking my boots off, I turned on the lights as I made my way into the kitchen. Jet appeared, walking up to my legs and arching into them before letting out a contented purr. I leaned down to pet him then grabbed a pair of scissors.

Slicing through the tape, I peeled back the flaps, exposing crumbled newspaper that had been used as filler. Beneath it, I found a smaller box—the size intended for jewelry.

Checking the front of the package, I confirmed it was addressed to me before opening anything else. I snatched the jewelry box, popping the top and revealing a pair of diamond earrings. They were modest in size but slightly tarnished—definitely not new.

If these were my mother’s, I couldn’t remember them.

Reaching for the larger box again, I searched for the postmark. Once I found it, I noted today’s date. The only logical conclusion was this had been mailed from Ranger Ridge.

I had found a couple more roses since the first incident. But after another call to the non-emergency line, I’d given up on getting Deputy Yarbrough to take me seriously.

Maybe I would mention these to Emmett the next time I saw him.

What had been forecasted as a light dusting turned into eight inches, and after three days stuck inside, I needed to get out. This house felt like a musty prison. Freezing my ass off in the snow would be better than sitting in here for another second longer.

Thankfully, the county plowed the road yesterday. I’d been surprised when they cleared my driveway as well, and I suspected I had my new friend Emmett to thank for that courtesy. But I hadn’t ventured into town yet.

I had caught up on all of my work and touched base with each of my clients. I’d even responded to new client inquiries, including a boutique hotel opening in the Valley.

I made social media posts on my business accounts. I cleaned, lounged, and even finished reading a book Rory had loaned me .

Despite all of that, I was going stir crazy.

Which made today the day I braved the potentially hazardous road conditions.

I was stepping outside with Jet when I spotted a truck coming down the driveway. Though, I didn’t recognize it as anyone I knew. I palmed the cell phone in my pocket and held my position on the porch with Jet still at my side.

A woman could never be too cautious.