Page 15 of Two Risks I'd Never Take Again

I laid my laptop on the bed. “If you can get around using your thumb, have at it. If not, I’ll find us a place when I get back. Then we can sneak you out when it’s dark.” I dragged my hands over my face.

“Tessa.” Blue eyes focused on me.

“What, Garrett?”

“Don’t ever become a spy.”

My own laughter surprised me. “Thanks for the tip.” I straightened his sheets. Again. “No one has a key, so you won’t have anyone popping in to check on me. If they knock, ignore it. I’ll be back as soon as I can. And don’t forget to ice your hand.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I made sure he was comfortable, then headed out before I fussed over him some more.

Chapter 4

Ride shares into San Antonio were expensive, but I didn’t have much of a choice. Since I knew the general area of Garrett’s truck, I had the driver drop me off at a mall entrance. The parking lots surrounding the outdoor mall were huge, but how hard could it be to find a vehicle?

Garrett had given detailed instructions about what store he’d parked near and what could be seen from the lot. He’d also mentioned that the lot was nearly empty when he’d parked. That tidbit of info wasn’t helpful now.

Looking around to get my bearings, I spotted the roller coaster at the amusement park next to the mall.

I clicked the fob and listened for the beep of the alarm. Only screams from the roller coaster and the low hum of city noises could be heard. Trekking down one row, I scanned for a black truck. Why couldn’t he own a red truck or, even better, a yellow one? Those colors would stand out more.

Maybe finding a truck wasn’t as easy as I’d first assumed. Was it possible to run a battery down by clicking the remote?

I marched down another row, thankful it wasn’t August. The cool November air made this tolerable.

In two rows, I hadn’t passed one empty space. Because it was the day after Thanksgiving, thousands of people had opted to go to the mall.

When a car slowed down and started following me through the lot, it wasn’t hard to figure out what they wanted—my spot. I just had to find the truck first.

Taillights flashed up ahead, and I ran to the black truck. One item on my list was taken care of. Next up, I needed to get his meds. Saving the most awkward task for last wasn’t accidental. I still hadn’t figured out what to say to Ava. While I didn’t want her to worry, I had to tell her something true. And knocking on her door to tell her Garrett was alive was a horrible way to not raise alarms.

Something would come to me. Hopefully.

After picking up meds and a quick run through the grocery store, I headed out to the ranch. No one was in sight when I parked in front of the cabin, and I sighed. Maybe this wouldn’t be bad at all. I hopped out and walked up to his door, keys jingling as I went.

“Hello!” Ava called out as she walked down the hill.

The neighborhood watch here on the ranch was working. I couldn’t even sneak into the man’s cabin. In the daylight at least.

Smiling like I wasn’t keeping secrets, I waved. “Hi, Ava! How are you?”

“Tessa?” She cocked her head.

“It’s me. I was just grabbing some stuff for Garrett. We decided on a little getaway. Just a little vacation... kind of.” So far, everything I’d said was true.

Her eyebrows lifted. “You and Garrett? I didn’t realize...”

“We aren’t sleeping together. Separate bedrooms. Because we aren’t... I mean... he just...” I needed to shut my mouth. “He seems really nice.”

“This explains why you were here last night.” Laughter bubbled out of Ava. “Y’all have fun.”

What? She knew.

“No. I just came last night to get him some... clothes.” My words were not making anything better.

Ava stared at me for a second, her expression serious. “If you and Garrett want to keep your relationship a secret, I can do that. And I’ll tell Goldie”—Ava pointed at the first cabin—“not to say anything about you being out here. Call if you need anything.”

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