The news was rather depressing. I figured if there was anything alarming, I would get an alert on my phone for weather or Amber Alerts. Anything else, Mom would call and fill me in.
“Maybe it’s not such a good idea for you to come.”
“Of course, I’m coming. I’m going to rent a car and drive,” I said, firm in my statement.
The video went wonky and came back with him mid-sentence. “Don’t worry about the cost,” before the screen froze completely and I accidently said, “Dad,” as the picture of his widened eyes were in pause mode as he looked off in the distance.
I composed myself and said his name, Christian, several times before the call ended. I tried calling him back without video several times, but the signal was gone.
All I could imagine was that my grandmother had died, and I wasn’t there.
My pent-up anxiety and frustration spilled over and the floodgates opened. I didn’t care anymore if Grant was talking about me like I was nothing. I tore through the doors and demanded, “I need to get to New York, and now.”
Grant’s father was the first to speak. “Honey, it’s just not possible now. This blizzard makes it impossible to fly, and even if it wasn’t here, it’s headed north.”
“I understand,” I said, even though I didn’t quite understand. We were in the mountains. Shouldn’t they be used to this kind of weather? No matter, I didn’t have time for a debate. “I just need a car and I’ll drive there.”
“There won’t be a car rental place open for miles. You’ll need to get to a bigger city,” Grant interjected.
“Whatever. Christian said money isn’t an issue.”
I wasn’t one hundred percent he’d meant that with the broken conversation, but I was going with it. My grandmother meant the world to me. Although I was grateful to have had that short video chat, I had to be there.
For a moment, nothing but the sound of the battering storm covered the silence, until a buzzing noise caught my focus. Grant lifted the phone and read something on the display.
After he did, he glanced up. “I’ll get you to New York.”
Both his father and I spoke at the same time. “What?” I asked in disbelief. “Son,” his father said. That one word conveyed all his disapproval.
Grant lifted his free hand and we stopped any further protest.
“Have you ever driven in this kind of weather?” I shook my head. “We’re in the Allegany Mountains and we aren’t used to weather like this. The roads are steep and hilly out of Maryland. The four-plus hour drive will probably be doubled no matter what.”
The possibility of being in a car with him that long caused me to shiver. “I can’t put you out like that.”
“You’re in luck. As it turns out, I need to be in New York too.”
Grant’s father gave him the oddest look that his son ignored.
“But first, we need to get you proper gear,” Grant finished. When I gave him my own perplexed expression, he added, “If for any reason we get stuck and we have to get out of the car, you won’t survive in that flimsy jacket.” He spoke to his father. “Can you get Chelsea to open the shop? Then we’ll eat at the diner before heading out.”
Mr. Arrogant turned into Mr. Bossy Pants. He didn’t wait for me to give a response. He just walked toward the room where the tiny bed was.
“Don’t worry. If he says he’ll take you, he will,” his father said.
It wasn’t as if I didn’t believe him. It was more I wasn’t sure I’d survive the trip. Four hours if we were lucky, he’d implied. Giving myself a pep talk, I asked, what could possibly happen?
Ten
Grant
She hadn’t thanked me. Though I hadn’t given her much time to do so. I’d been prepared to drive her to the city to get her rental car, washing my hands of her, until that text came through along with a string of emails.
Skyland Airlines wanted to push up my start date. There was a rash of illnesses that caused them to be short on pilots. My presence was requested in New York in two days to co-pilot a sold-out flight to Dubai.
I got my go bag from the back room Dad kept for sleeping when needed. I always kept a bag ready in case I had to make an unexpected flight. It had clothes and toiletries for a few days.
“Boy, what do you think you’re doing?”
I turned to face my father.
“What you asked. I’m taking care of her and ensuring her happiness.”
His eyes narrowed on me. “What did you do?”
“I didn’t fuck her if that’s what you think. My job starts sooner than expected. I need to be New York in two days. Win-win for both of us.”
“So that’s it?”
I throw up my hands as years of pent-up frustration come pouring out of me. “What do you want, Dad? This—” I spread my arms “—was never my dream. It’s yours. I can’t pass up this opportunity.”
“An opportunity you got by screwing some rich guy’s daughter. Now what happens when Jolene gets pissed at you? She’ll have you by the balls.”
Little did he know Jolene was already pissed. But the rich girl he was referring to, Sophia, I’d broken things off with her before she tried to win me back. “Sophia may have opened the door, but I got the job based on my skills. And for that, I have you to thank.” I sighed, not wanting to fight with him. “I’m not ungrateful for all your sacrifices, but you know I’ve always dreamed of this. And maybe one day, I’ll be back.”
In an uncharacteristic show of emotion, Dad came in for a hug. He clapped my back and said what I’d longed to hear. “I’m proud of you, son.”
I pulled back, seeing the truthfulness of his words in the set of his jaw. “You closed down. Go to the cabin. There should be enough fuel for the generator to make it through the storm.”
He nodded. “Stay safe, Dad.” I pointed at him. “I mean it. Don’t be a stubborn old fool. No one is flying in today.”
I turned, feeling pressure in my chest. As much as I wanted out, it was hard to walk away from what essentially had been my life. I’d learned everything I knew about planes and flying from this place, from my dad.
“Let’s go, Highness,” I said, pulling the keys for my Ford F-150 out of my pocket before snagging her bag.
Snow was coming down harder and faster than it was when we arrived. She wasn’t exactly dressed for this. Her shoes were still covered by bags.
Before opening the door, I held out my hand. Her eyes landed on it with disdain.
“If you want to risk a wipeout, have at it.” I shrugged.
She snagged my hand and I whisked her out into the storm of the century and led her through the deepening snow.
When she stopped and stared at my truck, I said, “It’s not the sexiest ride, but it gets the job done.”
“It’s fine, just surprising.”
I tugged her arm to get her feet moving. “Why?” I asked.
Though she didn’t act like it, she was cold. She was shivering. I used the key fob to start the car.
“It’s a truck, not a sports car.”
I hoisted her up into the cab to slide on the seat where the interior was warm.
“Sports cars may be sexy, but trucks are manly.”
I winked before I circled around and got in. Truth was, trucks were better on the roads around here no matter the weather. I ignored the fact that I’d never had a woman in my truck. A memory of her shapely ass tucked against my cock all last night filled my mind as I tossed our bags into the small backseat.
The truck jerked as I put it in reverse. My attention came back online.
“Will we be able to make it in this thing?” she asked.
“It’s fine. I have chains if needed.”
“Chains?” she asked. “Does it snow like this often around here?”
I felt her eyes on me, but I couldn’t look over because I needed to navigate the roads. We were about to descend the mountain to the town in the valley below.
“Not exactly. But I’m always prepared for the unexpe
cted.”
Even though I couldn’t see it, I could tell she rolled her eyes as she spoke. “I’m not surprised.”
“You know, you could be a little grateful I’m helping you.”
From the corner of my eye, I could see the glare she threw me as she swiveled in the seat.
“Grateful, no. Thankful, maybe. But let’s be honest. You need to get to New York as much as I do.”
I grimace. “You heard that.”
“I heard a lot. So yes, I’m thankful you just happened to be in the right place at the right time. But let’s not go so far as to suggest you’ve really gone out of your way to help me.” I opened my mouth to counter, “With the exception of your father’s urging you to.”
I swallowed anything I could have said because she was right.
“Sorry.”
“What’s that?” she asked, sarcasm dripping off her tongue.
“We had a rocky start—”
“That’s an understatement.”
I lifted a hand. “Let’s just get through this. I get you to Grandma and I get to my new job. Deal?”
She hooked her pinky finger around mine, surprising me. “Deal.”
Just as quickly, she removed her hand from mine as if she’d been burned.
For the rest of the drive down the mountain, we said nothing. I pulled as close to the curb as I could with snowdrifts rising like mini hills on the side of the road. Lucky for me, the road was virtually empty.
I opened my door and held out a hand again, which she rebuked with her blank stare. So much for making a clean start.
“It’s going to be tough getting out that side,” I said.
I got out and waited as she scooted across. We eyed each other a second before she extended a hand, realizing she needed my help after all.
The smirk I threw at her had to be blinding. She blinked before gazing heavenward while fighting a smile.
“Can’t fight it, can you, Highness?” I said.
She stepped down and let go quickly once she was steady on her feet. Each time she did that was a reminder that touching her was something I was beginning to crave.
We navigated the icy pavement and made it to the door in one piece. The bell above the door jingled as we opened it. The air was almost as frigid inside as it was outside.
One of the few single women in town came bouncing in the open area with frosty blonde hair as if on cue.
“Grant. Sorry it’s so cold, but we were closed. I only opened for you,” she said, in an unmistakable flirty tone.
She stopped on her toes when she noticed I wasn’t alone.
“Oh,” she said as Jolene remained just as still at my side. “I thought…”
Before the situation could become more awkward than it was, I said, “Thanks, Stacy.” I pointed to Jolene. “She’s a client. She needs some gear.”
“Oh,” Stacy said. That time the one-syllable word sounded far friendlier. “Tell me what you need,” she asked, throwing a huge smile toward Jolene.
“A coat, boots, thermals, a pair of jeans, and a sweatshirt if you have it,” I answered for her.
“That could work,” she said, though I couldn’t read the look Jolene tossed at me before she was propelled through the store by Stacy.
Was that a pleading that she wanted me to come with? My eyes found the dressing room and had to stop myself from forming fantasies in my head.
Eleven
Jolene
There had to be history between the pretty blonde and Grant, given the acid smile she’d given me when she spotted me with him. Then there was Grant, so quick to clear up any misinterpretation on her part when he spelled out that I was a client.
Why was I even upset? He was a giant turd… who was doing me a big favor. He didn’t have to drive with me.
“So, how do you know Grant?” the blonde asked.
I could feel the creases deepening in my forehead as I might have slightly… who am I kidding, snarkily said, “I’m the client.”
“Oh…” That seemed to be her go-to word. “Yeah, he said that.” There was a small pause, but I could tell she had more to say. “But Grant hasn’t brought a client into town. Not after his mother—” Her mouth formed a giant Ooo. “Never mind. I’m just surprised he would ask me to open in this weather for a client.”
She wouldn’t win prizes for investigative skills. She was clearly fishing for more information about Grant and me. I could easily just say there wasn’t an us, but I found myself interested in what she started to say about Grant’s mother.
“What happened with his mother?” I asked.
Her eyes glittered as I gave her my full attention. She was obviously a gossip and was dying to tell me.
“Not really my place. But I will say, Grant isn’t one to bring anyone in town, especially a client,” she repeated.
Her emphasis on client was enough that I assumed she didn’t believe it.
“I am just a client. I wasn’t expecting to be in a blizzard,” I said.
“Yeah. Okay. I’m sure all the single women in town will be happy to know that Grant is still on the market.” I shrugged. “Well, let’s see what we can find.”
For the next twenty minutes, she pulled from racks like I had an unlimited budget. Then again, I’d told Grant that Christian approved one.
“Try these,” she said, piling clothes in my arms like we had all day.
I distinctively remembered Grant suggesting one pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, not a complete wardrobe change.
The fitting room was generous, and I was able to dump the clothes on a bench. Before I could even look at what she’d saddled me with there was a knock at the door.
“We don’t have all day, Highness,” Grant said.
“I’m aware, asshat.” That last word was muttered much like my words, “So much for a fresh start.”
“What was that?” he asked.
“Nothing,” and then I added, “You can go, because if you think I’ll put on some weird runway show for you, you have another thing coming.”
“Trust me, if I want a show, there are plenty of women who’d be willing to give me one.”
“Go bother them,” I said, slightly raising my voice but didn’t add he could start with the salesclerk who was obviously interested in him.
I wasn’t sure if he’d left as I fished out a pair of jeans and made quick work of trying them on. Then I pulled out not a sweatshirt but a fuzzy V-neck sweater that made my boobs looks fantastic.
When he gave the door a stiff knock, I swung it open. His eyes immediately dropped. When he met my eyes again, I sported a scowl.
“Did you get a good enough look?”
In Grant fashion, he totally ignored me like I was the crazy one. “We have to go. They are talking about closing more roads.”
Stacy, that was her name. It just came to me. She appeared.
Grant hooked a thumb in my direction. “We’ll take that and another set like it as well as a coat and boots,” he said.
He followed Stacy to go find those things as I turned back and fumbled through the pile until I heard Grant say, “Here’s my card.”
I dropped everything and jogged to the register. “I can pay for my own clothes,” I said, pulling my wallet out and producing a credit card.
I felt sweat form on the back of my neck, as I hadn’t looked at the total until after I gave her the card. I was close to maxing out my balance and wasn’t sure it would go through. I might have let out an audible sigh when the flirtatious Stacy who hadn’t stopped smiling at Grant handed me my card back.
Then she approached with scissors and I nearly put my hands up prepared to fight.
“Grant said you’d be wearing this out,” she said with a weariness in her gaze.
I glared at Grant. “You sure are bossy.”
“We’re out of time, Highness.”
Stacy’s eyes bounced between us and I nearly rolled mine. She was coming to the wrong conclusion. There was absolutely positively
nothing between him and me.
He picked up the puffy coat with the fur trim and held it out so I could shrug into it. I might have stood my ground, but I remembered my grandmother and my promise to her. Now was not the time to make a stand.
I put on the coat and took the bags Stacy handed me.
“Thank you,” I said.
Grant had spun around and marched toward the door, expecting me to follow.
“You’re welcome. Do good by our boy,” she said with a huge grin.
Once again, I was thwarted from responding as Grant barked out, “Let’s go, Highness.”
She only grinned harder and my cheeks burned as I dashed after him.
Once in the truck, he demanded, “Put the boots on.”
“I didn’t try any on.”
“They should fit,” he said and focused on the limited view out of the window as the wipers tried and failed to remove the snow that was heavy and wet.
I did and was surprised they fit as he said. Pride kept me from asking how he’d known my shoe size.
We didn’t drive long before he pulled over again. “Wait here.”
Then he was gone. Minutes later, he got back into the truck and handed me a bag that smelled delicious.
“Burgers and fries. I hope you like the fixings.”
“I’m not picky,” I said.
Years at boarding school made me open to whatever food was available if I wanted to eat.
“That’s good to know.”
I sighed. “I thought we were in a truce.”
“We are. Sorry. Can you hand me a burger?” he commanded.
“Do you think that’s wise while driving?”
“Do you want to drive?” he asked.
I didn’t drive much while living in New York or while I was at boarding school, though I did have my license. Florida, where it was sunny most of the time, didn’t give me the experience to drive on snow or ice-covered roads.
“No thank you,” I replied.
“Then hand me a burger.”
I took out a warm foil-covered burger and unwrapped it somewhat so he would be able to bite into food and not foil. Then I held it up to his mouth.
Arrogant Savior: A Hero Club Novel Page 5
