Page 3 of Luke (Rogue County Rangers #1)

Marie

“It’s not all that bad,” my mother, Alice, says in the seat next to me. “Though, I wish we would’ve taken my car.”

We’re on our way back from treatment in Denver.

“You’re lucky your car made it to Denver and back even once,” I say. “You need to get a new one.”

“Gary Wiseman’s selling his truck,” she says. “I saw Ranger Luke putting up a for sale flyer at the general store.”

“If your little Toyota is struggling to make the drive, what makes you think Gary Wiseman’s old truck is going to do any better,” I ask.

“I don’t know,” my mother says dreamily.

I feel guilty about my rising annoyance. Alice Richardson is many things but practical is not one of them. Growing up, we always lived in the strangest houses. They never looked like the ones all of the other kids lived in. She likes spaces that have character.

Her current house is a refurbished horse barn. I have to admit, she did an amazing job fixing it up. It almost looks normal.

We pull onto the main road and I pull into a parking spot in front of Jeanette’s Grocery, the only grocery store in town.

“Do you need something?” My mother asks.

“You need something,” I say. “You heard the doctor. I’m getting smoothie supplies so your system doesn’t have to work overtime.”

“I don’t have a blender,” she says.

I let out a long sigh. “You couldn’t have mentioned that earlier?”

“I didn’t know you wanted to get smoothie stuff.”

“The doctor deliberately recommended it,” I say. “Why wouldn’t I do what the doctor says.”

“Doctors say all kinds of things,” my mother waves me off. It’s everything I can do to rein in my temper.

“And you should listen to them. I’ll be right back.”

I get out of the car before she can say anything. I hope she stays put. I need a moment alone.

“Marie!” Jeanette calls the moment I step into the store. “I heard you were back in town!”

“I’m not back,” I clarify. “I’m just helping my mother until she gets better.”

“Bless your heart.” Jeanette lays a hand on my shoulder. “My goodness, you haven’t changed a bit.”

Her eyes drift to my midsection for a fraction of a second.

“Neither have you,” I reply. “Do you have frozen fruit?”

“In the freezer section,” she nods. “We don’t have much.”

“I’ll make do.” I slip away before she can say anything else.

When I get to the freezer section, I spy one bag of frozen strawberries and nothing else. I grab it since I’ve already made the effort.

“Jeanette?” I call when I’m back at the front of the store. “You don’t happen to sell blenders, do you?”

“Not this time of year,” she says. “I usually order a few for spring and summer but since autumn’s closing in, I haven’t ordered any. You making smoothies or something?”

“Trying to,” I say.

“Is it some kind of weight loss fad?” She asks. “I love hearing about all those new crackpot ways to lose weight. Some celebrities out in Hollywood eat nothing but seaweed. Hand to God!”

“It’s for my mother. Smoothies will help her get proper nutrition while she treats her cancer.”

The color drains from Jeanette’s face.

“Of course,” she nods. “We’re keeping her in our thoughts all the time.”

“That’s so nice of you.” If she can tell how fake my smile is, she doesn’t let on. “Have a good one!”

I leave without waiting for change.

“Need a blender?” Luke’s voice sends a shiver down my spine. I don’t even have to see him for desire to start boiling in my blood. How is that fair?

“What?” I blurt like an idiot.

“I heard you asking Jeanette for a blender,” he says. “We have one at the station we never use. Want to borrow it?”

“No thanks,” I don’t like being so curt with him but it’s either that or rip his clothes off. Not sure he’ll respond to the latter well.

I can’t believe Luke is being this nice to me. I’m not proud of how I left Rose Haven. It wasn’t fair to him at all. The least he can do is be mad about it like I deserve.

“So, you’re just going to make your mom suck on frozen strawberries?” There’s humor in his voice. He always sounds like he’s about to start laughing. He has the best laugh.

“I can get stuff next time we go to Denver,” I say.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’ll bring the blender over tomorrow,” he says. “By the way, your mom sent me a text about Gary’s old truck. I’m trying to help him sell it.”

“Oh, god,” I sigh. “Please, don’t sell it to her. She’s not going to be able to drive a car soon, let alone one like that.”

“Don’t worry,” he assures me. “I know how she is with anything weird and unusual. I told her one of the McLarren brothers already made an offer.”

“Thank you.” Relief mixed with guilt washes through me.

“Do you want to grab something to eat?” He asks.

“Um.” My mind goes blank. His question catches me off guard. It’s already hard enough to think straight while standing so close to him. He’s a good ten inches taller than me, which I’ve always loved. He looks like a superhero trying to blend into a civilian population.

“It’s not supposed to be a brain teaser,” he chuckles.

“My mother’s waiting in the car,” I say. “Another time?”

“Sure,” he nods. “I’ll see you tomorrow when I bring the blender.”

Before I can tell him it’s not necessary, he walks away.