Small Town Hero by Ava Catori

Author:Ava Catori
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: contemporary romance, wholesome, clean and wholesome, clean romance, sweet romance, small town romance, bride series
Publisher: Ava Catori Books
Published: 2018-10-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

BACK IN HER CAR, REBECCA plugged the charger into her lifeless phone. It would take a few minutes before it blipped back to life. The black screen taunted her, and yet after that first day, she barely missed the thing. It was hard to imagine not being constantly connected, and still she’d managed.

When it came back on, an endless splatter of dings told her there were messages waiting. She refused to look. She’d do it closer to home. What was the point? She’d only end up frustrated.

Ryan lifted his hand to wave before leaving. His tires kicked up dust behind them as he crawled out of the gravel parking lot and made his way back onto the main roadway.

Rebecca’s throat tightened.

He was gone.

She sat in silence. The thick air was heavy with disappointment. She’d pictured their good-byes differently, warmer, maybe even something special. A hopeless romantic, no doubt. She forced back the tears that wanted to start.

With her home address in the car’s GPS, she glanced at the ten-hour time frame given and groaned.

What about Ryan? Would he still keep her company on the drive? The distance wedged between them way too quickly for her liking. When he pulled back onto the roadway her heart was left threadbare. Rebecca resolved that she’d leave the ball in his court. If he called, he called. She wouldn’t force the issue or herself on him any longer than necessary. He’d done enough, and her clinginess wasn’t the way she wanted to be remembered.

Back on the highway, she set the car’s cruise control, then turned on the radio. Music filled the space around her, breaking the silence. It was better this way. Quiet only led her to the inevitable, thinking about the man who drove away without looking back.

Only days had passed. Had she made it into more than it was?

It was embarrassing. She’d acted like a foolish schoolgirl. So, what if he was sweet and attractive...or that he’d helped her? The chance encounter was nice, but one weekend didn’t make the foundation of a relationship.

With a whisper, she let go. “Bye, Ryan. Bye, Chief.”

She turned the radio louder, hoping it would drown out the heartache.

After a while, Rebecca signaled and then pulled into a rest area. Picnic benches dotted the lawn of a brick facility that housed bathrooms and vending machines. Once parked, she stood and stretched her legs. She’d make a quick pit stop, grab something from the vending machine, and be on her way. She dug into her purse and pulled out two one-dollar bills. With a cold soda in hand, she headed back to the car. A little less than nine hours to go.

Her phone rang. She jumped, not expecting the call. Her heart raced as she answered, hoping it was Ryan. “Hello.”

“Hey, it’s Ryan.”

“Hi. I was hoping you’d call me.”

“It was hard to leave. I’m not good with good-byes. I should have said more, but I can’t imagine never seeing you again.”

Rebecca’s cheeks warmed.

“Chief’s going to miss you. He liked you.

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