Page 33 of Long Hard Fall

“It’ll dry and vacuum out easy enough,” Cash said. “This truck has seen much worse.”

“I was just marveling that I wouldn’t get away with this at home, and your vehicle is more expensive than anything I’ve been in before.”

“It’s just a pickup. We treat our equipment with respect, but it’s purchased with work in mind. Getting dirty is a part of life.”

“It’s a part of your life. But I was messing around.”

“Oh, we mess around, honey.” Cash’s eyes twinkled with mischief.

“I’m going to ignore the innuendo,” Hannah said, “and agree with Cash. There’s no reason to feel guilty. Live a little.”

Words she used to live by. Live a little. She could pinpoint exactly when she’d quit living. Three weeks after she’d buried her brother, she’d been asked out by her girlfriends. She’d called Ellis, and he’d asked her what her parents would think, pointed out that she should consider their feelings.

Emotion swelled, a mixture Abbi couldn’t identify. Loss, bitterness, regret. She’d have to deal with those, but not tonight.

Hannah tapped her shoulder. “You’re staying longer, right? We can find you something to wear.”

“Oh, I don’t know—”

“Come on. It’s so early yet. Like, not even ten p.m.”

Her mind spun. She wanted to say yes so badly. And not just to be around Cash longer. With Hannah, she’d found the thrill of life she’d been missing.

“Oh, wait. Cash?” Hannah cocked her head to the side. “I think I heard her say yes. Did you hear her say yes?”

Abbi giggled and Cash grinned. She recognized the signs. Big brother couldn’t say no to little sister. How many times had Perry caved to her shenanigans? He might have regretted it after they’d been busted by their parents, like when Abbi was ten and had filled Mom’s expensive vases with sand and earth worms.

“Do you mind?” she asked Cash.

“Ain’t nothing better than a midnight fish fry, honey.”

Abbi was breathless. She fanned herself and gasped in lungfuls of air. She sank into the couch as her last fit of laughter died down. Her stomach was ready to burst from all the food she’d eaten in the last hour and the empty cans of beer littered in front of her.

They were in the basement. Cash had the fireplace going, but Abbi would’ve been warm enough in his old, gray army sweatshirt and flannel bottoms borrowed from his sister. Her feet were bare, but toasty, and shoved under the couch cushions, where Cash’s butt warmed them.

Hannah abruptly rose and stretched. “I have a meeting with the recruiter tomorrow, and since it’s one in the morning, I’m getting my ass to bed.”

Cash opened his mouth, but Hannah flounced up the stairs, leaving them alone. Abbi considered her environment. She was sitting alone with him, with her feet under his ass. The night was ending on a high note.

“Well, then,” he said and patted her leg. “It’s going to be an early morning. Mom always cleans up after herself, so the room she used is ready to go for you.”

“Okay. Thanks.” Disappointment curdled in her belly. What had she expected?

A whole lot more. She’d just spent hours bonding with him and his sister and he’d taught her how to cook a damn good fillet.

He stood and held out a hand for her. She unfolded herself and accepted it.

But when she rose, he didn’t move. And she was close. A subtle smell of lake and savory seasonings clung to him. A little smudge of flour from breading the fish clung to his black T-shirt.

Her hand was still in his. She licked her lips and gazed up at him.

Heat filled his eyes, but he didn’t make a move.

Her attention dropped to his lips. He was a good kisser. She liked that about him. She liked a lot about him. Releasing his hand, she rested hers on his shoulders.

“I’m not touching you tonight, Abbi,” he said softly.

Startled, she met his gaze. “Why not?”

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