Page 35 of The Other Fork in the Road

“I think you have a cut.”

“It’s tiny, no biggie.”

“Austin has some Band-Aids in his truck. I’ll get you all fixed up. Come on.”

Without thinking, I grabbed her hand. As we walked towards the truck, I was worried she might pull away, but that didn’t happen. Once there, I pointed at the tailgate. “Hop up. I’ll be right back.”

After ripping through the glove box, I found Band-Aids, bacterial wipes, and some candy that I tossed in my mouth before heading back to her.

“Okay, let’s get you fixed up, Miss Madison.”

I held up the box as she held out her elbow. She was so close I felt a little something in the vicinity of my solar plexus.

“You smell like strawberries,” she said in a whisper.

I raised my brows. “You like that, huh?”

She rolled her eyes as if she was annoyed, but I knew she wasn’t.

“I found some candy and antibacterial wipes in the glove box. Score, right?”

“You didn’t bring me any?”

“I’m afraid there wasn’t enough.”

“Rude.”

I finished opening the bandages and set them down on her lap. She looked into my eyes when my hand moved her knee slightly, so I could stand between her legs. I held her stare and felt electricity between us for a moment. Oh man, the things I’d like to do. Mind out of the gutter, damn it!

“This is going to sting a bit.” I cleaned the cut, catching a whiff of her coconut shampoo, and one glimpse down her blouse had me imagining kissing her neck and lower and lower to her perky tits.I’m a scumbag.

“There, I think that’ll do.” I ran my finger gently over the bandage and pushed a piece of hair off of her face before I even realized I was doing it. Our eyes locked, and the moment seemed to last forever. When her eyes dropped to my lips, all the oxygen was sucked from my lungs.

“What’s going on?” Austin’s voice could be heard in the distance, and I took a quick step back, the spell broken.

“I just got a little cut, and Jax found some bandages.” Her voice was higher than it should be, which put a dopey smile on my face I couldn’t seem to wipe away.

I cleared my throat. “Hey, I’m really sorry about this. I didn’t mean?—”

“I know.”

Austin yelled. “Let’s finish this up so we can get out of here. We need to get to Fern and Ed’s place.”

I extended my hand, and she hopped off of the tailgate.

CHAPTER9

MADISON

For the next thirty minutes, we all chatted while Jax and Austin did some more fence repair. Then I got a text from Zoey.

Zoey:

Hey, how is everything in Montana?

Me:

Really good, actually. I had a pretty amazing chat with Dad. I think we’re on the way to something good. Can’t wait to see you Thursday.

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