He opened his mouth as if to say something but evidently changed his mind and instead pointed out toward the pastures to what looked like an abandoned shed. “Caleb moved it last night but you might be better off taking mine for now, at least until one of us can look at it. I think you’ve got a problem with the transmission but I don’t know for sure.”
He didn’t even know her and was willing to let her drive his vehicle? How’s that for southern hospitality? “If you’re sure you don’t mind…”
“Of course not, come on, follow me.”
She didn’t feel right driving his vehicle but she didn’t want to risk driving the Bronco she’d stolen before she left Miami unless it was absolutely necessary. Her brand new SLR McLaren Roadster still sat in the four-car garage back home but driving it hadn’t been an option. That would have been like putting out a homing beacon with the GPS in it. She still felt guilty for taking something that wasn’t hers, but when it came down to surviving, stealing from a stranger was the least of her worries.
She followed him to the opposite side of the barn to where four, dusty, F250s were parked all in a row. The scene in front of her reminded her of a car commercial. Driving the Bronco had been a feat in itself. She had no clue how she was going to steer one of those monsters.
“Mine’s the gray one.” He handed her the keys, tilted his black hat and strode back toward the barn quicker than she’d seen him move so far.
Okay then. She’d wanted to ask where the library was but figured it should be easy enough to find. Lake City wasn’t exactly a bustling metropolis. Which is why she’d chosen it. She’d never heard of it, so chances were, Ricardo hadn’t either.
Despite all the dips and pot holes along the rugged country terrain, once she passed the main gate, the road evened out until she hit US-90. Finding the library proved to be simple. She just drove around the small town and looked for signs. Once inside the rectangular, one-story building, she received a few strange looks from the five patrons but she’d been expecting it. She was after all, a stranger in a small town. At least no one stared exceptionally long though. She’d been worried about being recognized but after a few cursory glances, everyone seemed to go back to minding their own business.
In a tactical move, she chose a computer closest to a wall with a window. Even though she hadn’t used her phone or any credit cards, she still wanted a view of any outside traffic. Google was her best ally. She tried a multitude of search terms. FBI, how to report a crime with the FBI, Florida FBI Division, report a crime in Florida. Finally, a website for the Miami Division of the FBI popped up and what she found gave her hope. There was a page on how to report a crime and it included names and phone numbers.
Bingo! She jotted down everything in the small notebook she carried with her, dropped it in her purse and exited the library with as little fanfare as possible. She’d considered printing everything out but hadn’t wanted to risk a nosy librarian seeing anything. Stay invisible. That was her new mantra for the next few weeks.
She nearly tripped the second her boots hit the gravel parking lot. Caleb leaned casually against “her” truck, flipping through a magazine. Keeping silent, she continued toward him until he finally noticed her. In the sunlight, she saw his hair was more auburn than brown and even though he’d combed it, a few unruly curls refused to stay in place, giving him an almost boyish look.
When he saw her, his mouth turned up slightly at the corners in what she assumed was his version of a smile. For some stupid reason, her heart rate sped up.
Considerably.
Thankful for her dark sunglasses, she greedily drank in the sight of him, even though she knew she shouldn’t. Dressed in a multi-striped blue and black button-down dress shirt, no tie, a single button black blazer that screamed quality, he looked like a powerful, corporate raider instead of a rancher. Though she was loathe to admit it, if there was one thing she knew about more than anything, it was fashion. The suit he wore was almost certainly from the Versace collection. She’d bet her first week’s pay on it.
He looked civilized. Almost.
Unsure of why he was waiting for her, she gave him a tight lipped smile and reined in her hormones.
“Hi?” It came out as a question. She knew she sounded rude but couldn’t seem to help herself. Being near him put her on edge.
Caleb pushed up from his leaning position and stuck his hands in his pockets. He cleared his throat and she noticed his Adam’s apple bob up and down. “Saw the truck and since I know Robert wouldn’t be at the library, I figured it was you.”
“I just wanted to check my email.” She didn’t need an excuse, what she did in her personal time was her business but the words still managed to come out defensively.
He shrugged. “I actually wanted to see if you’d have lunch with me. My meeting ended early and I’ve got some time to kill before I meet with the breeder.” Beneath her shades, she felt her eyes widen and for the second time in thirty seconds, she was thankful for the protection they gave her. She’d love nothing more than to have lunch with Caleb but that would mean making polite, small talk. Small talk would lead to personal questions and no matter how innocent they were, she’d still have to lie to him.
About who she was, where she came from and even who her family was. The thought of lying to him burned a crater in her stomach. Her entire life she’d glossed over her family history. For unknown reasons, she didn’t want to gloss over anything for him.
She looked down at the pavement and cleared her throat. There wasn’t going to be an easy way to do this. Something told her he’d gone out on a limb asking her to lunch.
“Uh, I can’t… I’ve still got to buy groceries and run a few other errands and…”
“No, I understand, I-I’ll see you tonight.” He nodded his head and quickly retreated toward his truck. He tore out of the parking lot before she’d gotten her keys out of her purse.
* * * * *
Caleb kicked a rock out of his way and stalked to the house. Hours after he’d seen Emma and he still felt foolish. He cringed at the stupid words that had spilt from his mouth. He’d practically asked her, an employee, on a date and by the horrified, open-mouthed stare she’d given him, it was obvious she thought he was hitting on her—
which he was.
He hadn’t planned to ask her to lunch but he’d seen that truck and known it had to be her at the library. A glimpse, that’s all he’d wanted of her. At least that’s what he told himself. He shouldn’t have stuck around to say hi but as was becoming the norm around her, he wasn’t thinking with his head. The sight of that truck in the parking lot and his dick had gone on full alert. He did not need this kind of distraction in his life.
He’d avoid her. It was the only logical thing to do. One thing he knew for sure, she couldn’t stay under the same roof. Not if he wanted to keep his sanity. As soon as he found someone to replace her, he’d let her go.
Right. He knew exactly how that would go over with his men.
Caleb jerked his head around at the sound of a loud crunching sound. Metal smashing against metal. “What the…”
He sprinted toward the main gate and nearly tripped over his own feet. Robert’s truck was wedged between two wooden posts. Barbed wire coiled around the front, stripping off huge chunks of paint. Though it didn’t look like it would need any engine repair, it would definitely need a new paint job.
He shut the front door to the truck to silence the incessant dinging. Emma stood off to the side on a patch of grass shifting from one booted foot to the other. Her dark eyes were unnaturally wide and she chewed so hard on her bottom lip he was afraid she’d draw blood.
“Are you all right?”
She gave a jerky nod, then looked from him to the truck, then back again. Her delicate face pale, she twisted her hands in front of her stomach. “I don’t know what happened. I’m not used to driving something so big.” He smothered a grin when he realized she wasn’t hurt. How she’d managed to miss the main gate was beyond him. It was over two truck widths wide. He shook his head and rubbed a hand over his five o’clock stubble. Robert would be pissed but he’d get over it. “I just don’t understand…”
“Well to be fair, all the damage isn’t from the fence.”
“What?” His head snapped to attention.
He wouldn’t have thought it possible but her eyes grew even bigger. She opened her mouth but quickly snapped it shut.
“What happened Emma?”
She let out a silvery little laugh, laced with guilt and winced. “I also ran into a couple of shopping carts.”
“Damn woman, is this your first time driving? What’s the matter with you?” Guilt and embarrassment disappeared fast. She put her hands on her slim hips and frowned at him, her dark eyes flashing to life. “Nothing is the matter with me! One of your stupid cows charged me and since I’m not used to driving some blown up version of a truck intended for men who need to overcompensate, I panicked.” A cow charged her? He stared at her for a long, hard moment and tried to think of a retort but couldn’t help himself. Envisioning her running off the road because of a docile cow was too much. He clutched his sides and howled. It started in his gut, then exploded into the air like a geyser.
After a few minutes, he looked up to find her with arms crossed over her chest and a trace of unease on her exotic face. Her normally full, pink lips were pursed into a thin line. Even angry she looked sexy.
“Come on, I’ll help you unload the groceries, then I’ll take care of this later.” Emma nodded and he noted that she kept darting nervous glances around the land beyond the main yard and was never more than a hand span away from him. Not that he minded the closeness but he didn’t want her fearful every time she ventured past the main house.
“The cows aren’t going to hurt you Emma,” he said as he handed her another brown paper bag. “Haven’t you ever seen a farm animal before? Even at the zoo?” She glanced up at him, as if she’d forgotten his existence, her face pinched and flushed pink. “What? Oh, no, I’ve never been to the zoo.” Was she serious? What kind of kid had never been to the zoo?