Page 1 of Pretty Relentless

Chapter One

Ava

Nine and three.

That’s exactly where my hands are positioned on the steering wheel as I drive home. It’s dark, but not late. I left Gabe and Blair’s wedding reception at eight, giving myself plenty of time to get home before the roads potentially get bad from the weather. Not that they will, but you never know. Weather in northwestern Wisconsin can change at the drop of a hat, so I’m always prepared for whatever life throws my way.

Except, I’m not prepared for my car to sputter and die, literally in the middle of the deserted roadway. I do everything I can to steer my Kia Seltos off the road, but I’m only able to get the front end to the shoulder before the vehicle stops moving completely. My rear end is still very much in the roadway, which makes me panic a little. Fortunately, Eldridge Road isn’t incredibly busy, thanks to being on the opposite side of town from Bluff Preserves National Park, so hopefully I won’t cause an accident with my haphazardly disabled vehicle.

Flipping on my emergency hazards, I retrieve my cell phone from the clutch purse sitting on the passenger seat. My hands are a little shaky as I tap in my code and pull up the messaging app. I could call instead of text the tow truck driver, but he’s sitting at the wedding reception I just left, and with the music, I’m not sure he’ll be able to hear the ringing.

Me:Hi, Marcus, this is Ava Rutledge. My car just broke down on Eldridge Road. It’s not completely off the roadway either. I know you’re at the reception, so is there someone I can call for help?

The bubbles appear almost instantly.

Marcus:On my way.

Me:I hate to pull you away from the celebration.

Marcus:It’s fine. I wasn’t staying much longer anyway. I’ll head to the shop and grab the tow truck.

I fire off a quick thank you to Marcus, feeling awful he’s having to leave Gabe and Blair’s wedding reception to come bail me out of trouble, but I suppose that’s what happens when you’re the only repair shop and tow service in our area. Since my rear end isn’t completely off the road, I don’t want to leave it until morning. It could cause an accident for a passing vehicle, despite having the emergency hazards on.

I wrap my arms around myself, hating the fact I’m not wearing a winter coat. It just didn’t go with the dress I wore to the wedding, but I’m desperately regretting that decision now. This sweater is warm but does not provide nearly enough comfort in a disabled car in the dead of winter. I make a mental note to stock up on emergency supplies for my trunk very soon.

A pair of headlights fill my rearview mirror and stop directly behind my car. My heart starts to beat hard as I reach over and press the lock button. Twice. I clutch my phone in my hand, ready to dial 911 when the person who stopped behind me opens their driver’s door. I can’t tell who it is or what kind of vehicle, thanks to the blinding lights in my mirrors. My heart pounds even harder as I feel the person approach my door and knock on the window. I lift my phone, ready to call for help.

That’s when I catch a glimpse of a familiar face.

“Hey,” he hollers, lifting his hand and giving me a friendly, nonconfrontational wave.

“Mr. Pierson?” I holler through the closed window, surprised to find the father of one of my fifth-grade students standing beside my disabled vehicle at this time of night.

He flashes me a warm, disarming smile that makes my heart flip in my chest. “Just Gavin, Miss Rutledge. To you, I’m just Gavin.”

My mouth goes completely dry. “Uh…”

“Can I help?” he hollers through the window.

“No, I’m good,” I reply, my teeth starting to chatter. “The tow truck is on its way.”

“Come on, Miss Rutledge. You must be freezing. Let me take you home,” he insists, his hands shoved in the pockets of his jeans as he bends over, trying to shield his face from the cold.

Reaching for the handle, I unlock the door and slowly push it open. “Maybe I should wait for Marcus,” I say, mostly to myself than to him.

“If you want, fine, but I’d feel more comfortable if you’d wait in my truck.” Gavin remains completely still, waiting until I make my decision. “It’s toasty warm,” he adds, and I’ll be honest, that last statement outweighs all the reasons why I should stay in my car.

“Okay,” I reply. The chill sweeping into my vehicle has me reaching for my purse and ready to exit.

“Here,” Gavin says, offering me his hand while I’m climbing out. It’s an incredibly gentlemanly thing to do, and I admit, I totally eat it up. Chivalry is not dead.

I try not to focus on how warm, yet rough his hand is as he leads me to the passenger seat of his truck. A shiver sweeps through my entire body, one he clearly notices. “Please let me take you home, Miss Rutledge. It’ll take a little time for Marcus to get here and load up your vehicle. There’s nothing you can do until morning.”

I hesitate, running through my options and quickly realizing I don’t have many. Yes, I could stay here, waiting for Marcus to do his thing, but that would mean he’d have to give me a ride home at some point too. “Okay,” I finally reply, knowing this is for the best. “Thank you.”

Everything else happens quickly. Gavin helps me into the passenger seat of his truck, the heater hitting me square in the face and feeling like that first drink of ice water on a hot summer day. It’s the best sensation, and I find myself placing my hands in front of the vent to help warm them up.

Then, something else hits me. “Oh, my key.” I dig into my purse for the fob, unclipping it from my ring of keys.

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