Page 37 of Shadows of You

“Jim isn’t fixing it today. Just doing an assessment.”

That frown deepened. “It’s not safe to drive.”

“It’s safe enough for now.”

Roan simply stared me down.

I fought the urge to squirm under that dark blue gaze.

“Excuse me,” a patron said from the other side of the counter, and I flushed from the roots of my hair to the tips of my toes.

“How can I help you?” I hurried to fill the customer’s order. When I turned back around, Roan was gone.

A flicker of disappointment rooted itself somewhere deep. I worried that spot on the inside of my cheek.

A throat cleared, and I turned back to the register.

Ms. Peabody was standing at the counter, a stern look on her face. “I didn’t know you were friendly with the Hartley boy.”

She said it as if Roan were thirteen instead of well into his thirties. “I’m friends with the whole Hartley family,” I hedged.

I wasn’t sure Roan would consider me a friend, more an annoyance, but I’d be his friend anyway.

Ms. Peabody’s lips thinned. “They are a wonderful family, but Roan…you need to be careful around him. He’s not like the rest of his siblings. Not exactly normal.”

My spine snapped straight. “Roan is an incredibly kind and caring human being. He was here to bring me food for an injured deer that he helped me rescue. That sounds like an amazing person to me. If you want to judge him because he’s quiet or a little gruff, go ahead. But don’t do it in front of me.”

Ms. Peabody snapped her mouth closed, her face turning red. “I was trying to look out for you.”

“Maybe. Or were you trying to stir up gossip and trouble?”

The redness deepened. “I don’t need this kind of attack. I’ll take my business elsewhere.”

I wanted to shout good riddance as she flounced out of the café, but I resisted.

A slow clap sounded, and I looked to see Elsie grinning as she did it. “Bravo. That woman is awful.”

Jonesy chuckled. “Can’t say I’ll miss the side of bitter with my morning joe.”

“But that hottie can come back anytime. He’s got a great ass.”

I choked on a laugh, but it died on my lips as I watched Ms. Peabody storm across the street. I couldn’t imagine what it must be like for Roan to live with that kind of cruelty and judgment day in and day out. No wonder he rarely ventured into town.

But as much as I understood, it made my heart ache for the man who had to feel incredibly alone.

11

ROAN

Those green eyeswere burned into my memory—the spark of heat in their depths. My hands clenched and flexed as I tried to shake the image loose.

No luck.

I had a feeling Aspen’s eyes and those berry lips would be playing on a loop for a long time to come.

I’d almost kissed her. Camethisclose to closing the distance and tasting that mouth.

I cracked my neck as if that would rid me of the need coursing through me. Lust didn’t control me. Never had.

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