Page 3 of My Guarded Valentine

The stranger rolled her head backwards as she stomped her foot. “I don’t have time for this. Also, what if you are some sort of killer?”

I shrugged. “You want to walk a few miles in this cold to the nearest place? You aren’t dressed for the weather.”

She pouted and crossed her arms. I couldn’t help glancing at how it pushed her luscious breasts together. I shook my head and walked back to my truck. “It’s much warmer inside my truck.”

She huffed and stomped towards my truck. I grinned as she plopped inside my truck. “Fine. But no taking advantage of me. I’m passing through to a job.”

I raised my hands and laughed. “Want me to get your stuff?”

“Yes, please,” she said in a nicer tone. “I’m sorry. I’m stressed. Name’s Mitzi.”

“Like your name. It’s cute, like you.”

She turned away from me. “It shouldn’t be too long to get my stuff with your truck. Guess you didn’t notice my car a few years back?”

“No. I was lost in thought. Sorry. I almost killed you, though. Standing on top of a hill on a curve in the dark was a stupid move.”

I slowly put the car in reverse and meandered backwards. Luckily, I knew these roads so well, I could practically drive them blindfolded. Every curve and valley was imprinted in my mind; I knew them as well as the back of my hand. It didn’t take long to find her car. I stepped out and grabbed her suitcase from the backseat.

Mitzi opened the door and yelled, “Hey, I need my backpack! Front seat.”

I saluted her as I picked it up. “Got it.”

“You’re the best!” she yelled as she shut the door. Dropping her things in the truck's bed, I shambled back to the driver’s seat. As I started the car, a snowflake fell from the sky. I pointed to it.

“Told you it was going to snow,” I said as I drove to my house.

“Ugh, I didn’t hear them say that on the radio when I was driving!”

“You’re in the mountains, love. It snows sometimes.”

“I booked a hotel in thirty minutes away,” she pouted.

“Well, guess you’re going to miss it. Hope you weren’t meeting anyone special. My guy is good, but depending on how bad it is, it’s gonna take a few days.”

Mitzi groaned. “I’m so going to lose my job now. I needed to go interview some people.”

“Why do you say that?”

“I was given this stupid ultimatum. Write a good article or get fired,” she muttered. “I had an idea, but if it’s going to be days…”

“Oh. Here’s my place,” I replied. I parked my truck near the porch. “Nice and toasty inside. I’m Buck, by the way.”

Exiting out of the truck, I could hear her giggles. I walked around the truck, grabbing her items from the bed. She walked to the front porch and waited. “I could have grabbed those.”

I shrugged as I placed them on the porch. “I wouldn’t be a gentleman if I didn’t take them.” Twisting the lock of the door, I opened it. I started to point to the rooms on the first floor. “Kitchen, living room, up that small flight of stairs, my office, the room you’ll stay in, my room.” I bounded up the stairs and pointed to the door. “At the end of the hall is your bathroom.”

I placed her stuff inside her room before turning towards her. Now that we were inside, I could get a good look at her. She was tall and thick all over. She was wearing tight leggings and a loose tee shirt. Her brown hair, pulled back in a messy bun, had escaped strands that tickled her neck, the pink tips catching the light. Her eyes were an emerald green with swirls of brown coming from her pupils and a pert little nose dotted with brown freckles. I grinned down at her.

“When was the last time you ate?” I asked.

“A few hours ago. I had a hot dog from a gas station,” she stammered.

Shaking my head, I gripped her biceps and tugged her down the stairs. “You need proper food or you’ll waste away.”

A barking laugh escaped from her mouth, and she covered it quickly. “Oh, god, sorry.”

I let go of her at the bottom of the stairs and turned. “It’s okay. Good to hear a laugh around here.”

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