Page 6
Story: Her Protector on Route 14
She might be focused on the light. But I’m watching everything else.
“Holly,” I say, aware I’m interrupting her, but unable to resist.
“Yes, Tanner?” She asks.
“I think it’s best that I travel with you to the end of the route. I can pick up a ride back with one of my colleagues, but it’s not safe for you to go alone,” I inform.
She blinks at me. “Oh ... um ...”
“As long as you’re comfortable sharing your car with me,” I clarify.
“Yeah!” She says quickly. “I am, I mean ... if it breaks down, you’re good to have around and I like your company.” She blushes and looks away before touching her stomach. “So… what do you recommend for food?”
“Kathy’s Diner,” I say with a nod. “Best pie in town.”
She asks me about my job as we take the fifteen-minute walk to the diner. Her questions are direct and clear, different from how she answers mine. She wants to know how manytowns I know this well, my favorite places to travel, and so on. I give her short answers, but she doesn’t press me for more.
That needles me for some reason. I want her to want to know me; right, wrong, or strange, that’s what I want. I’ve known her less than twenty-four hours but I just insisted on a cross country trip with her because I selfishly want more time with her. I’m planning to monopolize her time while she’s here. It’s insanity.
Worse, Holly doesn’t expect me to do a thing for her – opening doors, guiding her around puddles, guiding her away from dangerous streets – she nearly ignores it all. Her independence is almost as charming as her rambling. She hurries to the door, confusing me, then I realize she’s holding the door open for an elderly couple. They thank her and she immediately asks them how long they’ve been together and if they’re having a good day.
My lips twitch up as she lingers by the door, still waiting for me. Her eyes meet mine and she waves me in. I grab the next door and she smiles. “You’re such a gentleman.”
I would be if she let me.
When we sit down to eat, Kathy sashes over in her 1950’s inspired pink outfit. Her hair is pulled back and her white apron is starkly clean. “How’s life treating you, sugar?”
“Shockingly well,” Holly answers without missing a beat. “How are you?”
I don’t bother to pick up my menu. I’m going to get the Club Special, but I’m curious to see Holly interact with others. She goes out of her way to be polite and to keep a genuine smile on Kathy’s face while asking about options.
Kathy points at me. “What looks good, hon?”
“The Club Special,” I state.
“Ooh, that sounds great. I’ll have it as well. Thank you,” Holly says before collecting both our menus and offering them to Kathy.
“Are you always so sweet?” I ask.
Holly blinks a few times and shrugs. “I prefer being cheerful and optimistic. I think it makes life better.”
There’s something she’s not saying, but before I can press, our drinks are brought over and Holly’s smile is back in place. She points at me. “You got plenty out of me yesterday. My new mission is to learn all about you.”
“I’m shockingly simple, not very interesting,” I dismiss.
“That’s what the most interesting people always say,” Holly insists. “You travel for work and get to meet new people constantly. I’d rather listen to your stories than eat in silence.”
When she gives me that dimple smile it’s hopeless to refuse. Then she wraps her lips around her straw, hollowing her cheeks while watching me and the move is so innocent and sexy that I’m starting to wonder if I can deny this woman anything at all.
Chapter 5 - Holly
The last day and a half with Tanner has been amazing. He makes every street and site feel safe, saves me from tripping when I’m more focused on my camera and getting the perfect shot rather than what’s around me. Now we’re at a gorgeous park: Lover’s Stroll Park. The trees are heavy with green leaves, wildflowers bloom wherever they find the room, there are secluded trails and open walkways along with benches, a stretch of grass perfect for picnics, and the constant sounds of birds and bubbling creeks.
“This is paradise, Tanner!” I say brightly. “I don’t have the words.”
He smiles, actually smiles, it’s quick, gentle and draws me deeper into his orbit. He taps my camera where it rests on my chest and says, “I thought it would be picture-worthy.”
You’re picture-worthy,I think as my cheeks warm. I lift my camera and take a few shots, framing the scene through the lens. Then I feel his hand—warm and steady—as he gently takes mine. I blink up at him, startled.
“Holly,” I say, aware I’m interrupting her, but unable to resist.
“Yes, Tanner?” She asks.
“I think it’s best that I travel with you to the end of the route. I can pick up a ride back with one of my colleagues, but it’s not safe for you to go alone,” I inform.
She blinks at me. “Oh ... um ...”
“As long as you’re comfortable sharing your car with me,” I clarify.
“Yeah!” She says quickly. “I am, I mean ... if it breaks down, you’re good to have around and I like your company.” She blushes and looks away before touching her stomach. “So… what do you recommend for food?”
“Kathy’s Diner,” I say with a nod. “Best pie in town.”
She asks me about my job as we take the fifteen-minute walk to the diner. Her questions are direct and clear, different from how she answers mine. She wants to know how manytowns I know this well, my favorite places to travel, and so on. I give her short answers, but she doesn’t press me for more.
That needles me for some reason. I want her to want to know me; right, wrong, or strange, that’s what I want. I’ve known her less than twenty-four hours but I just insisted on a cross country trip with her because I selfishly want more time with her. I’m planning to monopolize her time while she’s here. It’s insanity.
Worse, Holly doesn’t expect me to do a thing for her – opening doors, guiding her around puddles, guiding her away from dangerous streets – she nearly ignores it all. Her independence is almost as charming as her rambling. She hurries to the door, confusing me, then I realize she’s holding the door open for an elderly couple. They thank her and she immediately asks them how long they’ve been together and if they’re having a good day.
My lips twitch up as she lingers by the door, still waiting for me. Her eyes meet mine and she waves me in. I grab the next door and she smiles. “You’re such a gentleman.”
I would be if she let me.
When we sit down to eat, Kathy sashes over in her 1950’s inspired pink outfit. Her hair is pulled back and her white apron is starkly clean. “How’s life treating you, sugar?”
“Shockingly well,” Holly answers without missing a beat. “How are you?”
I don’t bother to pick up my menu. I’m going to get the Club Special, but I’m curious to see Holly interact with others. She goes out of her way to be polite and to keep a genuine smile on Kathy’s face while asking about options.
Kathy points at me. “What looks good, hon?”
“The Club Special,” I state.
“Ooh, that sounds great. I’ll have it as well. Thank you,” Holly says before collecting both our menus and offering them to Kathy.
“Are you always so sweet?” I ask.
Holly blinks a few times and shrugs. “I prefer being cheerful and optimistic. I think it makes life better.”
There’s something she’s not saying, but before I can press, our drinks are brought over and Holly’s smile is back in place. She points at me. “You got plenty out of me yesterday. My new mission is to learn all about you.”
“I’m shockingly simple, not very interesting,” I dismiss.
“That’s what the most interesting people always say,” Holly insists. “You travel for work and get to meet new people constantly. I’d rather listen to your stories than eat in silence.”
When she gives me that dimple smile it’s hopeless to refuse. Then she wraps her lips around her straw, hollowing her cheeks while watching me and the move is so innocent and sexy that I’m starting to wonder if I can deny this woman anything at all.
Chapter 5 - Holly
The last day and a half with Tanner has been amazing. He makes every street and site feel safe, saves me from tripping when I’m more focused on my camera and getting the perfect shot rather than what’s around me. Now we’re at a gorgeous park: Lover’s Stroll Park. The trees are heavy with green leaves, wildflowers bloom wherever they find the room, there are secluded trails and open walkways along with benches, a stretch of grass perfect for picnics, and the constant sounds of birds and bubbling creeks.
“This is paradise, Tanner!” I say brightly. “I don’t have the words.”
He smiles, actually smiles, it’s quick, gentle and draws me deeper into his orbit. He taps my camera where it rests on my chest and says, “I thought it would be picture-worthy.”
You’re picture-worthy,I think as my cheeks warm. I lift my camera and take a few shots, framing the scene through the lens. Then I feel his hand—warm and steady—as he gently takes mine. I blink up at him, startled.