by Jen Peters
Then she stiffened again. Strangers might be sincere and helpful, but they could also be keen to take advantage of a stranded woman. While her shorts weren’t too short and her top covered her well enough, it was best to be on her guard.
“Need some help?” the man asked, taking his cap off to reveal eyes the color of the evergreens towering beside the road. Dark hair curled lightly over his ears, and his face softened with a smile.
Bella stood inside the cab and nosed the window.
The man watched them, waiting. His body was quiet and his face calm.
“Deer,” she said, finally deciding to trust him. “I saw the first one, but then three more jumped out.”
He glanced at her California license plate and the corner of his mouth quirked up. “One of the rules to learn in Oregon is that there’s always a second set of deer.”
His voice was deep and a little hoarse, reminding Cat of one of her half-brothers when he yelled too much. “Thanks, I’ll remember that.”
“April’s a little cool for shorts,” he commented.
She rubbed her chilly arms. “It was hot coming up I-5 and my a/c isn’t great.” At least he wasn’t running his eyes up and down her body like new workers on her job sites usually did. Not obviously, anyway.
“Hope you packed some warmer clothes for your visit. Or are you staying?”
So was he concerned or just judgmental? Between his husky voice and perfectly fitted jeans, she wouldn’t mind talking to him long enough to find out, but now wasn’t the time. “Look, I’m sorry,” she said, “but I really need to get going. I’m hoping you stopped because you could help?”
He shrugged and nodded. “Easy as pie, the truck’s got a winch.”
Five minutes later she was hooked up and being reeled in by his gorgeous red pickup. Five minutes after that, she was unhooked and reaching for a handshake.
“Name’s Justin,” he said.
“I’m Cat. And thank you.” His hands were calloused and strong, not that she should be noticing that. “I’m sorry, I’m late for a job. I really appreciate it.”
She hopped in, ruffled Bella’s fur and pulled out, waving at him on the way and trying not to think about those broad shoulders.
Five miles up the highway, when she should have been gathering her thoughts for Mr. Blake, she was still thinking about him.
Not that broad shoulders and warm hands and a truck to die for weren’t great things. But she wasn’t interested in quick hook-ups, and her nomadic lifestyle didn’t make for great long-term relationships. She wasn’t good at relationships anyway. She’d watched her mother’s boyfriends come and go on a monthly basis, and the only thing close to real love she’d seen was her brother and his wife.
She smiled, thinking of them, glad someone in this world had a good marriage. But nothing in her life went smoothly, and she knew in her core that she’d never find someone to love forever. It was easier just to avoid relationships altogether. So once she had rehabbed a couple of houses in an area, she was quite ready to pull up stakes, leave all the people behind, and head to a new place.
Except this time she wasn’t relocating just to fix and flip another outdated ranch house. The whole reason to come to McCormick’s Creek was to renovate a mansion she’d never seen in a tiny town she’d never heard of, miles from civilization. It was a project she could put her heart into, a project that would hopefully give her the career shift she’d been looking for.
Another twenty six miles up the highway, the McCormick’s Creek, pop. 6,414 sign gave a faded welcome.
* * *
Click here to continue reading
Cat & Justin’s story!
The McCormick’s Creek Series
Trusting His Heart (#1, Cat & Justin)
Finding Her Heart (#2, Ree & Mitch)
Safe in His Heart (#3, Robin & Cliff)
Stealing His Heart (#4, Raine & Brandt)
The Christmas Key to Her Heart (#5, Nora & Forrest)
About the Author
Jen Peters loves falling in love—the look in his eyes that makes her feel pretty, the whispers on the phone at night, the gentleness of his kiss, the security in his arms. She was lucky enough to marry her sweetheart all those years ago, and he continues to sweep her off her feet.
Whether reading or writing, Jen loves escaping into a romantic story to experience it all over again, especially when remodeling their homes gets a little overwhelming. They don’t live in Oregon anymore, but there are other mountain paths to hike, and an opinionated Cavalier named Bailey reminds her not to take life too seriously.
Learn more about Jen Peters by visiting
https://jenpetersauthor.com
Follow Jen on:
Facebook
BookBub
Amazon