Love in Smoke by Holly Hall

Author:Holly Hall [Hall, Holly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-06-20T16:00:00+00:00

“Should I be wearing something special? Give me some sort of clue,” I call out from the top of the stairs.

Dane appears below, resting against the creaky bannister. “Wear comfortable shoes. We’re just going for a walk.”

“Another walk? We’re not hiking again, are we?” I hear him laugh, even as I return to my closet to grab my sneakers.

“No. Don’t worry about it. Just come on.”

“O-kay, Mr. Demanding.”

Once I’ve pulled on my shoes and gotten into his truck, we turn east onto the highway. I would try to guess where we’re going, but I don’t know enough about my surroundings. Maybe I should get used to going with the flow; it seems necessary with a guy like him.

Along with mentioning that the place we’re going to means more to him than anywhere else, Dane said there was more for us to talk about. After our few encounters, it makes me wonder what could possibly be left to tell. Still, I manage to keep my questions to myself. This is me “going with it.”

Dane pulls off the road at a nondescript gate, climbing out to open it and driving through, then we’re bouncing down a neglected dirt road. We only drive for a short time before he turns off into the trees, putting the truck in park. I swivel in my seat to get a look at where we are. It seems we’re nowhere.

“All right, where are we?” I ask as I’m getting out. Apparently, there’s a time limit to my suppressed curiosity.

“My family’s property, but way back behind the house.” He appears around the truck carrying a lantern, and he takes my hand. I thought we were supposed to be avoiding this place, but I guess that explains the roundabout way we took to get here.

“At least you’re not making me carry a backpack this time,” I say as we set off through the woods, his hand warm in mine.

“It’s not far, or I would’ve. This was my favorite place to be growing up. Out here in the trees, it was like nothing else existed. No school, no pressure, no asshole kids.”

“Just Trey,” I point out.

Dane chuckles. “I assumed he was nice to you.”

“He was, but I can see past his bullshittery.”

“You’re one of the few, then.”

I study his face. “Did you two ever get along?”

Dane contemplates that for a few strides. “We did, back when times were simpler. That was a long time ago, though.”

“Age changes things.” I should know. Once my sister reached dating age, she became a monster. Still is.

“Age . . . decisions . . . character. There’re a lot of reasons why we don’t see eye to eye. That’s why I can only stand to work at the shop a few days a week.”

“I hear ya. But balancing two jobs is no picnic.”

“It has its moments, but I can’t complain. Max and I make a great team building homes. Which is why I have all those man-tools,” he adds, inclining his head toward me.

“Ahh, that explains it.

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