Page 12 of The Cold Ride

The full moon cast shadows on her face as Rory regarded me before she responded, “Because I’m an extroverted introvert and would have preferred to stay home tonight.”

“And your friends made you come tonight?” Yeah, I was fishing. I wanted to find out if she was single before I asked her out. The more I was coming to learn about her, the more I had considered she was worth far more than a simple hook-up.

“Something like that. I’m getting ready to graduate and was offered a position in my field, a really good one.”

“But?”

“It’s in Maine.”

I whistled while feeling my heart drop. She couldn’t move that far north when we just met. I’d never see her except when I had leave time. “That’s quite a way north from here.”

She snorted. “Tell me about it. I’m not a huge fan of winters. But it’s such a great opportunity that I don’t think I can pass it up.”

“Doing what?” I kept a smile on my face, even with the disappointment I felt.

“Hospitality management. It’s a position at this really cute family-run inn. They’ll provide me with a place to live and put me in charge of their front registration desk that will put me in the thick of running it, but I don’t know if I can see myself living in Maine.”

“Why not? Is your family here?”

She laughed, but it rang hollow. “No. I don’t really have any family. My mom ran off when I was two.”

“Sorry.” I didn’t know what I’d do without my family. They were one of the reasons I put on my uniform every day and took the risks I did—to keep them safe.

She shrugged nonchalantly. “Don’t be. She didn’t want me. My father said she decided being a wife and a mother just weren’t for her, and she left. I’ve never heard from her. I don’t really even remember her.”

“But what about your dad? Are you guys close?”

She signed and looked at her beer. “Not even in the slightest. When I turned eighteen, he sat me down and told me he’d done his duty. And he would give me six months to find a place to live. But after that, he was done. Luckily, I’d gotten a full ride to college.”

“Shit, I’m sorry.” The urge to hold her tight filled me. And I’d do it, but I wasn’t sure how it would be received.

“We weren’t close even when I was growing up. I don’t think he ever really loved me. I was more of a responsibility he didn’t want but did anyway because he had to.”

“And you didn’t have anyone else you could stay with when you were growing up or one you turned eighteen that would take you in?”

She gave me a lopsided grin and a small shake of her head. “Nope. My dad didn’t talk with his family, at least, not that I knew of. But from what I understood growing up, he wasn’t close with his brother or mom. His dad passed away when I was little. And as for my mom’s side, once she ditched us, they couldn’t be bothered. It was like I ceased to exist.”

Fuck it. I slid my arm around her waist and hugged her close. She didn’t fight me either. Instead, she melted against my side. And we sat there for a time, offering each other comfort. Her scent, a subtle rose, hit my senses. God, she was sweet and unassuming. Especially considering what life had tossed her way. I thought she was fucking amazing.

“So hospitality management? You want to run hotels and stuff?” She had yet to move from my side, and I wasn’t in any hurry to shove her away.

She chuckled. “It’s more than that. What I really want is to own my own bed and breakfast or small inn. I want people to come from all over to stay at my place. I want my inn to be the place where families make memories. Where couples return each year because it was such fun on their honeymoon. I want to host weddings and family reunions. And I want the place to be mine.”

What I heard was that she was aching for a home. Aching to feel like she was a part of this world, part of a family. It was a sentiment I understood well. Because as much as I loved my family, I couldn’t go back to Tennessee other than to visit. There were too many memories there that would swallow me whole. “Do you think the job in Maine will help you get it?”

“Maybe. I’m thinking of heading up and checking the place out to get a feel for it at least before I make my decision.”

“You should if it’s that great of an opportunity.”

“It is. But I’m not sure if I should leave Virginia. I like it here. I’ve got friends here.” She nudged me with her shoulder, meaning me.

“Well, I’ll be disappointed if you move.”

She glanced up at me with a smile. My arm was still around her shoulders. “Oh yeah? Why’s that?”

“Because then I won’t be able to take you out on a proper date.” Something flashed in her eyes but was gone in an instant before I could discern what it was.

She arched a delicate brow. “A proper date, huh? And what does this date look like?”

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