Page 84 of The Runaway and the Rugged
“No, not at the moment I don’t.”
She gasped audibly as if it were the most absurd thing she’s ever heard.
“How do you even function?!” She reached for my palm and began to drag me along toward her bedroom. “My dad hates all technology, he says the outdoors is where us Calhouns belong, not behind some damn screen all day.” Her words dripped with the mocking tone of her dad.
“So, you don’t have a phone?” I chuckled while picturing a brooding, huffing Garth trying to explain to Grace all the reasons why she shouldn’t have a phone while she begged and pleaded until she ran out of breath.
Once in her room, she closed the door and walked over to a purple nightstand.
“I do.” She shot a smile over her shoulder. “It took a lot of convincing and some crying, but Dad eventually caved and got me one.”
I laughed.
“You have him wrapped around your finger, huh?” I asked, taking notice of her adorably styled bedroom. With shades of purple and blue, it looked like someone spent a great deal of time and care into decorating this room. From the small bookshelf and reading corner, to the fuzzy aqua-colored rug that was placed in the center of the room, it was a room I would’ve killed to have at twelve.
“I’m pretty good at getting what I want.” She shrugged with a ghost of a smile spread across her lips. “Most of the time anyway.”
I didn’t doubt it.
She sounded like a miniature Greta with her dad’s softness.
“Here.” She held out an iPhone with a pink, glittery case. “I’m going to shower while you’re on the phone.”
“Thanks, Grace.” I gently took the phone from her hand and soon, she vanished out her bedroom door with a small pile of clothes and whatever else she needed in her arms.
Quickly tapping onto the screen to bring it to life, I navigated the keypad and dialed Clarke’s number before pressing call. With nerves jolting through my entire body, I gently eased myself onto the edge of Grace’s bed just as Clarke’s sharp, curious voice cut through the ringing tone with a “Hello?”
My heart lurched.
“Clarke, it’s me, Millie,” I responded emotionally as a brief pause settled into silence.
“Dammit, Millie!” she shouted, half relieved, half annoyed. “You were supposed to call me!”
I winced.
“I know, I’m sorry. I’ve been busy with getting settled in and forgot to call.”
It was partly the truth. I wanted to call Clarke and let her know that I was doing better than I had anticipated. That maybe this place was exactly what I needed, but admitting it felt utterly ridiculous.
Because it wasn’t just Hideaway Haven, or the small town of Dusty Meadows I was beginning to fall for, but a rugged single dad who had made it plainly obvious he wasn’t looking for anything serious.
Just as I wasn’t either.
But tell that to my traitorous heart.
“I was minutes, and I do mean minutes, from hopping into my car and driving all the way to Texas.”
Stifling a laugh proved to be impossible when it came to Clarke, even when she said things I shouldn’t find funny.
“You would drive here? Even though you hate long car rides?” I chuckled.
“You’re damn right I would!” she stated matter-of-factly. “And you’re the only person I would ever do it for.”
God, I missed her.
“Well, that makes me feel better, but you don’t have to come here, Clarke. Everything is fine. I found a part-time gig at a local bar, so I’ll be able to save some money. I’ve been helping Garth around the ranch and I got… drunk,” I whispered as if it was some scandalous news I didn’t want getting out. “I think things will actually work out.”
In between my words, I heard a gasp.
