Page 10 of Hoax and Kisses
I adjust the coat I’ve draped over my head as the rain doubles down, then wrench my heel out of the hole it was sinking into. Back on solid ground, wind whipping at the hem of my dress, I run across the street to find shelter.
“Miss!” Andrew calls from the car. “What about your luggage?”
“Uh? Leave it in the trunk!”
Smile falling, he stammers, “I h-have to get back to the city before five to drive your dad to his charity event. I’m sorry, miss.”
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
“Give me a minute,” I yell back.
How far can this cabin be? I fumble in my pocket, digging out my phone. I unlock it, and that’s when I notice my third mistake.
“Great. Perfect. Amazing.” Should have checked whether I had coverage in this town lost in the middle of fucking nowhere.
Eyes fixed on the screen, I turn back to join Andrew by the car again. I’ve barely taken a step when a truck roars by, sending a wave of cold, gritty mud splattering across my legs and skirt.
Yelping, I jump back. “Hey!” I flail my arms. “Asshole!”
The truck comes to an abrupt halt.
Uh-oh.
The door flies open, and a man straight out of Lumberjack Magazine steps out. Big shoulders, big thighs, big boots.
“What did you say?” he asks, marching toward me.
I plant my feet, refusing to back down. “You drove right in front of me, and now my clothes are wet and ruined. You could havekilledme.”
“Maybe,” he snaps, nostrils flaring, “if you didn’t have your face buried in your stupid phone, you’d have seen there was a vehicle coming.” He gives me a long look, from my head all the way to my shoes, where he scoffs. “And who dresses like that with a storm rolling in? Ridiculous.”
“I didn’t check the weather before I left!” I yell like a frustrated kid. I don’t know why I’m telling him this. Why am I even arguing with this man who clearly doesn’t have any manners?
The stranger pushes a strand of dark blond hair from his face and tucks it haphazardly into his bun.
My gaze snags on the movement. Big hands too.
He gives me another slow once-over. “Next time, watch where you’re going, lady. And get yourself some warm clothes. It’s not fashion week.”
“Next time, don’t barrel down the street like a maniac and drench innocent people in with filthy gutter water,” I bite back.
I whirl around and storm toward Andrew. There’s no way I’ll let this ass have the last word.
The truck’s door slams, and a split second later, the vehicle speeds away.Good fucking god.I was told the people in this town were welcoming and friendly.
“Are you okay, miss?”
“I’m fine.” I yank on the handle of one suitcase, sliding it from the car. “Thanks, Andrew.”
Once I’ve set the second one beside it, I sling my tote over my shoulder, then drag my luggage across the street.
“Come… on…” I grunt, hoisting the bags onto the sidewalk.
As I wipe my hair from my face, I spot a small café on the corner of the street, and my lungs deflate. There has to besomebodywho can help me find this damn cabin.
I stalk that way and push through the door. A bell rings as I step in, drawing the attention of the woman behind the counter.
