“Great,” I growled as I put my head down. I would be soaked by the time I got back to the restaurant.
I didn’t regain my composure until I hit the sidewalk on the other side of the cemetery. My heart was still pounding. Now I just had to walk a mile in the rain to get home.
A truck pulled to a stop next to me. I didn’t bother looking up. I knew better than to get inside a vehicle with a stranger. I was better off walking in the deluge.
“Stormy, what are you doing?”
I recognized Hunter’s voice and jerked up my chin, my eyes going wide when I found him sitting in the cab of his truck, an exasperated look on his face. If that wasn’t bad enough, he wasn’t alone. Monica was with him — and she didn’t look happy.
“I was at Sebastian’s place,” I offered. “It didn’t start raining until I was already heading back.”
“And you’re just going to walk home in this?” He looked exasperated.
“I don’t have much of a choice. I’m already wet.”
He let loose a low growl. “Get in the truck.”
One glance at Monica told me that was the exact opposite of what she wanted. “I’m good.”
“Get in the truck,” he repeated.
“Um ... really, it’s fine. I’m already wet. It’s not cold out. It’s just rain. I’ll survive.”
As if on cue, a low rumble of thunder filled the air and a flash of lighting illuminated the sky.
“Get in the truck,” Hunter ordered, his tone no-nonsense.
“You heard her, Hunter,” Monica argued. “She’s fine walking. It’s not that far.”
“A big thunderstorm is coming,” Hunter shot back. “She’s not walking back to the restaurant in it. That’s, like, a mile. She could be struck by lightning.”
Monica wasn’t about to back down. “Do you know the odds of that?”
Hunter held her gaze for a long moment and then focused on me. “Get in the truck, Stormy. If I have to wrestle you in the entire town will be talking. Do you want that?”
Part of me did because I knew it would agitate Monica. The other part, though, recognized it would be bad for all of us if the Shadow Hills rumor mill kicked into overdrive.
I scuffed my foot against the pavement as I trudged to the backseat door. “I really would be fine.”
“Get in the truck!” He was beside himself.
I was soaked when I hopped in, water dripping from my drenched hair. I hadn’t bothered with makeup this morning, a small favor because any mascara or eyeliner would be spreading down my cheeks.
“Put your seatbelt on,” Hunter ordered.
I did as I was told. Now that I was in his truck, I wanted this ride to be over as quickly as possible.
For her part, Monica looked as if she was about to go nuclear. Still, she plastered a smile on her face. It was more horror movie than romantic comedy. “So ... you were hanging out with Sebastian?” she prodded as Hunter pulled back into traffic.
I nodded. “Yeah. I sat in on his meeting with Vera Axe. She picked out the things she thought Roy would hate the most for his funeral.”
“I’m not surprised,” Hunter said, his eyes on the road in front of him. The rain was coming down so hard he had to reduce his speed. “They didn’t have the best of marriages.”
“No,” I agreed. “The way Sebastian made it sound, Roy didn’t have a single friend in town. Is that true?”
“I don’t think it’s much of an exaggeration. Roy had one of those personalities that everybody hated. He couldn’t seem to adjust his attitude and make friends.”
I swiped at the water on my forehead. “Did you manage to track down Grandpa?”
Hunter scowled. “No. He conveniently disappeared right before I showed up. Your uncle Brad seemed confused when he went looking for him.”
No surprise there. “Did you tell Brad you were going to visit Grandpa?”
“I called the gas station to see who was working. Brad was there. Why?”
I heaved out a sigh. “Next time you might want to show up unannounced and go through the back door.”
“Why?”
“I think that might be the only way you’re going to get your man.”
“I’ll take it under consideration. Thanks for the tip.”
“No problem.”
We lapsed into uncomfortable silence. Monica broke it as we pulled into the restaurant parking lot. “Have you considered going on Tinder to look for a date?” she asked, fixing me with a pointed look. “A girl like you would be very popular. Not now, with your hair looking like this, but otherwise.”
I had no idea what to say. I decided to steal a line from Hunter and make my escape. “I’ll take it under advisement. Thanks for the ride. I really appreciate it.”
12
Twelve
I thought the ride was going to be the worst part of my day. But that happened when Hunter moved to exit the vehicle with me.
“What are you doing?” Monica asked, her tone accusatory.
“Walking Stormy inside,” he replied blandly. “I’ll be right back.”
“But ... .”
He ignored her and focused his gaze on me. “Come on.”
I felt like an idiot climbing out of the truck. I knew I should probably say something to Monica. “So ... um ... it was nice seeing you again.” I offered her a bright smile that was all false light and delight.
She glared at me. “You should really take better care of yourself so others aren’t forced to do it.”
I pursed my lips. “I would’ve been fine walking,” I said at the moment a bolt of lightning split the sky. The thunder followed so quickly I jolted. “Totally fine.”
“Come on, Stormy,” Hunter barked, making me realize he was as uncomfortable with this interlude as me.
“Right.” I slammed the door shut and dragged my feet to the front of the truck, where he was waiting as the rain pelted down. “You really didn’t have to pick me up. It’s my own fault for not realizing a storm was coming.”
“It would be helpful if you watched a weather report,” he agreed, moving toward the door. He smiled as he held it open for me. “You always did like walking in the rain, though.”
A burst of warmth washed over me. I knew what memory he was tugging on. It involved him, me, linked hands and huge mud puddles. We were filthy and flirty by the time we were finished. “This was a little more than a rainstorm. I really appreciate the ride.”
“It’s okay.”
“I don’t think Monica believes it’s okay.”
“She’s just ... .”
“Unhappy with life?” I suggested when he didn’t finish. I expected him to argue, but he simply nodded.
“That’s one way of looking at it.” He followed me inside, our bodies brushing against one another when I had to pull up short to avoid a customer checking out at the register. One of my cousins was handling the task and the look she shot me was priceless.
“What happened to you?” she exclaimed. “Did you already tick off Hunter so much that he tried to drown you in a puddle?”