Page 52 of Drop the Mitts

They walked outside and Grace settled into the passenger seat again, clutching her coffee. He turned the truck on, and the heater hummed softly as snowflakes drifted lazily down, blurring the windshield.

The quiet between them stretched, thick like taffy. Finally, André shifted in his seat, glancing sideways at her. "You mind if I crash for a bit?"

Grace shrugged, a little too quickly. "Do whatever you want."

He grinned faintly, reclined his seat slightly, and pulled his toque lower over his eyes. Within minutes, his breathing evened out.

Grace dug through her tote bag and pulled out her book. She cracked it open, the familiar scent of library pages calming her nerves. The silence in the cab now felt warmer, softer.

"What are you reading?" he murmured, not as asleep as she’d thought.

She held up the cover. It was Tessa Bailey’s newest release.

He peeked out from under his hat. "Romance?”

Grace nodded once and settled back in the seat, trying to ignore his eyes still on her.

“Hmm.”

She wet her lips, not able to focus on the words in front of her. After a few seconds, she lowered the book. “‘Hmm’, what?”

André shrugged. “I didn’t say anything.”

“No, you just sighed with judgement.”

He turned his head. “I guess I just find it interesting. You like to read about love but not experience it?"

She barked a laugh. "Are you seriously going to comment on my love life?”

“I’m just saying.” He crossed his arms over his chest and closed his eyes.

Grace fumed but couldn’t think of anything to say that wasn’t reminiscent of a high-school rant with her parents. She was glad she hadn’t texted him an apology.Asshole.Yes, he had his moments, and yes, he was a damn good kisser, but she was soooo glad she hadn’t fallen for any of it.

Maybe she was learning. She mentally patted herself on the back and started chapter three.

_____

Hours later Grace jolted awake, blinking as she tried to orient herself. There was a tap on the window, and she turned.

Jenna. Right. They’d been at the urgent care. Grace fumbled for the window control, but André beat her to it. He lowered the glass.What time was it?

Jenna looked exhausted. "We’re good. They gave us something to keep the fever down and to use if the diarrhea gets worse. Should be fine."

Diarrhea? Grace straightened her clothes and checked her hair. Everything seemed to be intact. She turned to find André watching her.

“What?”

He shrugged. “You’re cute when you sleep.”

Something pinched behind her ribs. Thankfully, Jenna and Country provided a distraction by opening the back doors and piling in, locking Hope’s car seat into place. André took off his toque and ran his hand through his mussed hair.

Grace kept her eyes trained out the windshield.

_____

They didn’t reach Edmonton until nearly seven. André parked close to Fantasyland Hotel’s side entrance. The mall was lit up with evening lights, its giant marquee glowing over the snow-covered lot. They stepped out into the cold, hauling bags from the bed of the truck. André didn’t even pretend to let her get her own bag.

Inside, the hotel lobby was hopping. Music from the late nineties pumped through the speakers and laughter echoedfrom the open restaurant. André and Country went to the front desk.

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