The Rogue (Hideaway Springs #3)

6. Tessa

6

I avoid calling Frank until I figure out plan B. If the man has even the slightest clue that I’m on the streets, he’ll insist I go back into witness protection.

I will not live like a prisoner just because there may be a killer—or several—still looking for me.

They never give up, Tessa. They move on, but they always come back for the person who could ruin them. And you have that power.

“You get the job?” Bessie asks when I call her on my walk along the ranch.

“No.”

“Cripe. He fill the position before you got there?”

“Nope. The job is still open. Just not to me.”

“You’re kidding. This guy really is an ass, isn’t he?”

I consider it. If she asked me this yesterday, it would have been a hard yes. “I’m not sure.”

“You still broke and homeless out there?”

“Don’t forget without a car. Yes.”

“Then he’s an ass. What’s his problem? You’d be terrific at—what’s the job again? ”

“A nanny.”

The line is quiet and then Bessie sighs. “Maybe refresh the search again?”

“Goodbye, Bess.”

“Bye, hun. Call me tomorrow.”

I hang up and glance down the street. Levi went to work at the ranch after breakfast and I took myself on a tour.

It’s the first week of August and the weather is scorching. Not to mention impossible finding any shade as I walk along.

I spot a familiar home on the other side of the ranch and realize where I’ve seen it.

It’s Chase and Pepper’s cottage.

The hockey king and his queen are off for the summer so they must be staying in town.

I suppose it would be rude not to say hello. And it would be just like Pepper to be annoyed if she found out I was next door for two days and didn’t stop by.

Within a few feet, I’m standing in front of the cottage, beads of sweat trickling down my face and chest as I knock.

A blast of air conditioning hits me sweetly as Pepper swings the door open.

“Tessa!” Without hesitation or judgment, she throws her arms around me and pulls me inside. “Come in, come in. I am so happy to see you. Also, I win a bet I had going with my husband about you coming back.” She shakes my shoulders cheerfully like we’re old high school besties.

I chuckle awkwardly. “I’m glad. Think I could get a cut of that?”

“Oh don’t be silly, we don’t bet cash.”

I frown. “What’d you bet?”

Her eyes flash devilishly. “Can I get you a lemonade?”

“Please.” I follow her to the kitchen. “Is Chase home? ”

“Nope. He’s over at the Web.”

“The what?”

“Charlie’s Web?” she says like I know what that is. “The new bookstore opening at the end of the summer. The one Noah had designed and built for Charlie.”

I blink. “Oh. I didn’t know about that.”

She exhales a dramatic breath. “That’s right. That all happened after you left. On my wedding day.”

I wince. “I’m so sorry. I’m sure you heard about my sleeping arrangements at the Inn.”

“That no one but you had arranged that arrangement? Yeah, I know. Look, I get ditching the town because you think everyone judges you—” She raises her hand. “Um, been there. But we were really worried about you. A simple text to me or Charlie would have been cool.”

“I guess I didn’t think anyone would notice.”

But not only did she notice, she bet on my coming back.

“Where’d you go?”

The question is so simple, but the answer…too loaded.

“Umm…I was staying with a friend not far from here.” Two hours actually. “She needed my help so I had to go.”

Bessie's given me a perpetual license to use her as an excuse anytime.

Pepper nods slowly. And I know she doesn’t believe me. “You don’t have to tell me where you go. But can you tell me how long you’re staying?”

I’m about to answer but curiosity gets the best of me. “Why?”

“Because I like you and I want to be friends. You remind me a lot of my New York friends; cool, mysterious and a little badass.”

I laugh. “Thanks. I think. So, as a friend…can I ask for a favor?”

“Anything,” She beams, then backtracks suspiciously. “Probably.”

“Can I use your shower?”

A little later, I’m climbing the steps of Levi’s back porch. It’s a wide and welcoming structure that stretches the length of the house, shaded by an overhanging roof. To the left are a pair of rocking chairs that sway in the light breeze. On the other side of the steps is a suitable yet weathered bench swing that could use a decorative pillow or two.

Reaching the door, I try my luck—which is laughable at this point—and turn the knob.

Finding it unlocked, I push it open and step inside.

Well, he did invite me to stay the night, so this should be okay.

“Tessa,” Jackson calls excitedly from the living room. Almost like he’s been waiting for me. The T.V. is on and he’s sitting cross-legged on the rug.

“Hey, Wiggles.”

He chuckles at the nickname. “Dad said you were coming over again. Wanna watch Star Wars?”

I flick my gaze to the screen. It’s some sort of Jedi cartoon series. “I guess. But okay if we sit on the couch? I might hurt my neck watching that close.”

Jackson moves his neck around like he’s feeling for aches. “Good idea.” He stands and settles into the cushions. I scooch in next to him.

“Where is your dad, anyway?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know. He was here a minute ago. We just got home. ”

I hear the front door swing open with a grunt. “All good, buddy, I’ve got the groceries.”

Jackson hops off the couch. “Oh, right. Sorry, Dad, coming.”

I follow him as Levi sets four paper bags of groceries on the kitchen counter.

“All this for two people?” I ask.

“There’s more in the truck,” he says on an exhale. He’s wearing the same T-shirt from earlier. The one that hugs his puffed chest and muscled biceps so deliciously, it’s a shame. Because guys who are clearly sworn off women like this scorned single dad shouldn’t look this good.

“Need a hand with the rest? Or four?” I lift one of Jackson’s hands.

He winks, and I’m not entirely positive it’s for me. Could just be a habit. “Nah, I’ve got it, thanks. Besides, we don’t let women do our heavy lifting, do we, bud?”

“Nope,” Jackson calls as he races back into the living room in front of the television.

“So I’m suitable to wreck an entire town but not strong enough to lift a grocery bag?”

“Not on my watch,” he mutters without waiting for a response. Then steps out to unload the rest.

I peek out the window at the sunset, imagining this being their daily routine. Just the two of them. Levi running the ranch from dawn to dusk, worrying about Jackson throughout the day. Then spending every moment of the evening giving him as close to normal as he can. When does the man rest?

“I brought your suitcase in earlier, too,” he calls on his way back with two more bags.

I stroll over to the den to take a peek, not seeing my things anywhere. “Thanks…where’d you put it?”

“Upstairs. ”

I frown. “Why? There was nothing wrong with the den. I’m only here for one night.”

“Figured you might want some privacy, a good night’s sleep, or…” He scans me. “A shower. But it looks like you took care of that.”

“I took a quick one at Pepper’s.”

He glances toward the cottage from his back porch but doesn’t say anything.

“Can I make dinner?”

“No.” His response is sharp.

“Okay, maybe I can help get Jackson cleaned up or something?”

For fuck’s sake, let someone do something.

He whips out scallions from a paper bag and points them at me. “I don’t need your help, Tessa.”

I hold up my hands. “Okay.”

“This isn’t an extended silent interview. I’m not hiring you. You’re in a jam and I’m helping you out with a place to crash one more night. Nothing more.”

My chest burns but it fades quickly. I’ve never been the type to cry. Never. Not even when I woke up with excruciating pain in my lower back three years ago. But just in case the stinging in my eyes doesn’t fade soon, I should go.

“Gotcha.” Swallowing hard, I back up. “Did you say my things were upstairs?”

His hard features neutralize. “Third door on the left.”

“Thank you.”

I plug my phone in and wait for it to charge so I can turn it on. It finally ran out of juice after I ended my call with Bessie earlier.

The guest room Levi put me in is rustic and clean. Smells nice, too. A queen bed with a solid white down comforter and linens. A wooden desk.

A standing dresser.

My stomach twists.

It’s sad that a piece of bedroom furniture strikes more fear into my heart than a killer spider.

I need serious therapy.

I’d ask if I could sleep in the den again, but it doesn’t seem like Levi is in the mood for me right now.

I get it. The man is protective of his town, his family—and I’m the threat to all that is good in his world.

If I had any pride left, I’d march out of his house and this town on foot before I let a man speak to me that way.

But I’m too tired to be proud.

And this bed is warm. I haven’t slept on a mattress since those nights I’d sneak into the Inn. Back in Summer Hill, I sleep on Bessie’s couch.

I lie over the bed covers and watch what remains of the sunset from my window, my eyelids falling heavy until I give up the fight to stay awake.

The voice next to me is hoarse and familiar. “Hey.”

I blink my eyes open.

Groaning, I turn. Levi is at my side. “Oh good, you’re awake,” he says softly with a grin.

“I’m not.”

“Don’t make me splash cold water on your face, Tess.”

I sigh with another groan. “What did I do now? ”

“Nothing,” he answers gravelly, running a hand across his brow. “I was just wondering if you’d like to have dinner with me.”

He can’t be serious. I’d like to splash water on his face for even considering that I’d have a meal with him. “No.”

He’s not fazed by my glower. I’m losing my touch. “Jackson’s asleep.”

I sit up. “Indie, I’m going to make this very easy for you. I’m going to personally disqualify myself for the job right now. I don’t like kids. I don’t want them. I have no experience. And I don’t. Like. You.”

He inhales a small breath, ready to speak.

I hold up a finger, remembering his ad. “I take that back. I totally see myself falling in love with you. Ergo, I don’t meet your requirements. I will leave here the minute my car is returned, and you’ll never have to see me again.”

His face is tight, but there’s compassion and remorse in his eyes. “Okay.” Then, he holds his hand out. “Now, will you have dinner with me?”

I stare at it uncommittedly.

“You offered to help me before. I could use some help finishing dinner. It’s chicken. There’s veggies. You like wine? I prefer beer, but should have a bottle of red somewhere—”

“Please stop.” I take his hand. Shocked by an electrical current that zips through my veins. “I’ll have dinner with you.”

His eyes dip to where we’re connected. “I may not have wine…”

“I prefer beer.”