Page 57 of Bad For Me (Rock Canyon, Idaho 5)

“Oh.” Callie could feel her cheeks burning again. “It’s Friday, right? The big bachelor party.”

“Yeah, and I’m heading over to Buck’s to help set up.”

“Well, I hope you have a blast,” Callie said. Her leg was aching anyway. “I should go, though. I need to ice this bad boy again.”

Everett shook his head. “I bet it’s been giving you hell and yet, you drove and walked on it all day.”

“More like limped,” she said. “Besides, I can drive with my left foot.”

“And I’m guessing if I dumped you over my shoulder and drove you home, you’d throw a wall-eyed fit?”

“Probably.”

Suddenly, Callie found herself upside down over his shoulder, looking into Ratchet’s big brown eyes. “Some guard dog you are.” Said dog didn’t do anything more than wag his tail at her admonishment.

Everett started to carry her to his truck. “He understands that I’m just trying to help you.”

“I need my car and like you said, I already drove myself this morning. I am fine!”

“I’ll get some help and bring your car by this afternoon. I just need directions.” He opened the truck door and set her on the front seat. Next to her was a colorful array of flowers in a bouquet, which he reached across her to pick up.

“You do realize that I have been taking care of myself for years, right?”

“Maybe it’s about time you let someone else take the wheel.” And with that piece of advice, he placed the flowers in her lap and shut the door on her surprise.

As Everett loaded Ratchet in the backseat of the truck, Callie fingered the soft petals, tears stinging her eyes. She couldn’t remember the last time a man had given her flowers. She held the bouquet to her nose, breathing in the sweet mix of fragrances.

Everett climbed into the driver’s seat, and she looked up from the flowers. His gaze was tender when he reached out to slide his hand behind her neck. As his rough thumb rubbed along her jawline, her eyes closed, waiting for him to close the distance and kiss her. When nothing happened, she opened her eyes to find him watching her, his lips twisted in amusement.

“I really want to kiss you, but I didn’t think you would enjoy having an audience.”

Noticing the tilt of his head, she glanced toward the front of the station. Just outside the entrance, she saw Dave on his cell phone, his mouth hanging open.

Covering her face with her hands, she sunk down into the seat. “Oh my God.”

Everett took the hint and started the truck. He backed up slowly, patting her knee. “If you need me to have a talk with him, I will.”

Callie peeked out from between her fingers and saw he was dead serious. “Yeah, no. You’d only fuel the flames of torment.”

“You’ve got a bit of a dramatic side.”

“No, I swear. Your phone calls in the morning were regular enough to incite Dave to break out into song.”

“What song?”

Callie grimaced and broke into a sing-song voice. “Callie and Rhett, kissing in a booth—”

Everett burst out laughing. “In a booth? What did he rhyme it with?”

“I usually put him on mute when he started, but I’m sure whatever it was, he thought it was clever.”

“Well, I’m sorry you work with a couple of idiots.” He slid his hand across the seat and took hers. Their fingers tangled, and she let him hold her, loving his rough palm against her own. It was a lovely gesture, and no matter what he thought, Everett showing his sweet side wasn’t turning her off to him.

Not at all.

EVERETT PULLED INTO Callie’s driveway and was reticent to release her hand. It felt good to share something as simple as this, though Everett was still unsure about what Callie was really thinking or feeling. She was so guarded and independent, but then suddenly, he’d catch a glimpse of the vulnerable woman who seemed to want to trust him.

But there was more to her than just the sad shadows that lurked behind her whisky-hazel eyes. Callie was lonely. He could sense it because he was lonely too. He wanted someone to come home to, to share a life with, and to love again.