Rescued by the Rancher by Barb Han

Author:Barb Han
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-12-29T17:00:09+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Callum claimed the driver’s seat, cranked on the engine and waited. A change of plans brewed, and he had a strong feeling based on listening to this side of the conversation they were about to head out on a different course.

Payton ended the call.

“The new deputy in charge of the investigation is sending over an address,” she said. “You can drop me off at my car across the street. Doesn’t look like I’ll be working on the farmhouse today.”

Driving round trip to Austin would take up most of the day.

“If we leave now, we’ll get there before lunch,” he said, not once considering letting her do this on her own. “We can be back by supper.”

“You’ve already done so much for me,” she countered. “Not to mention Atlas. I can’t ask that of you.”

“You didn’t,” he pointed out. “I wholeheartedly volunteered.”

“Are you sure about this?” she asked. “I’m a lot right now, and you have other obligations. You’ve been so generous already that I don’t know how I’ll ever repay your kindness, which you’ll tell me is not the point, but still.”

Callum sat there, arms folded across his chest, listening as her words almost tripped over each other trying to get out. She spoke fast, like if she slowed down she might change her mind midsentence.

“Believe me when I say that I wrote the book on not wanting to be indebted to anybody,” he started, trying to find the right words. He sat for a moment with the engine idling. “I’m here in Cider Creek and will be for at least a couple of weeks. I have a feeling that I’m going to have to let my mother down easy—hurting her in any way is not what I have in mind, but it can’t be helped without rearranging my life. Helping you actually makes me feel like I’m not a completely selfish jerk. That being said, I understand if you need to face this on your own. Either way, I’m here. Tell me what you want and not just what you think you should say.”

“If I’m being totally honest, I don’t want to do this alone,” she began before fidgeting in her seat. “I’m also starting to develop feelings for you that are so unfamiliar they scare me.”

He could relate to that last part.

“Since I don’t do long term with anyone, I’d like to be friends, because I would very much like for you to be in my life,” she admitted. “And I sure as hell can use a friend right now.”

“Friendship sounds good to me,” he said, realizing they were rowing the same boat. Considering his breakup and the bad taste it had left in his mouth, logic said to pull back and give this thing time to figure itself out.

Rather than dig too deep in that pit, he put the gearshift in Reverse as her cell indicated a text had come in. She rattled off an address that he logged into his GPS before shifting directions.

“We can eat lunch in Austin,” he said, navigating down the long, paved driveway.

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