Page 7

Xander

T he drive to Rain’s orchard takes about twelve minutes. Instead of using the main entrance—marked by a sign that reads MacAllister’s—she takes the backroads.

I wonder if she doesn’t want to be seen with me, or if this was just the best way to get here. If her family is as close as I think they are, I bet her siblings would’ve been calling her the moment we drove past the house.

I park on a hill that has a great view of the orchard, right behind her van. Rows upon rows of apple trees stretch below us. The sun’s almost gone, the light is dim—but it looks like a great place to set up camp.

I’m infinitely intrigued by her, and by why on God’s green earth she chose to live in a van. Only someone with a deep sense of wonder and adventure would go for that kind of life.

Meanwhile, I’ve been so consumed by my career, I can’t even remember the last time I went on a real date. Just the occasional hook-up.

Well, I’m not sure this is a date.

But it feels like one.

And I don’t want it to end.

I wait for Rain to get out of her van before I step out of my car. I don’t want to seem too eager to spend time with her, even though I am.

When she doesn’t appear, I climb out of my Land Rover and go to investigate.

She’s not in the driver’s seat, but the lights are on. I peek through one of the tiny windows and spot her in the kitchenette, setting something up.

I knock gently on the glass. She glances over, smiles, and motions for me to come around.

I jog to the other side, and she slides the door open.

“Hey there, stranger. Fancy meeting you here. Why don’t you help me set up these chairs while I get a few things ready?”

She nods toward a couple of folding chairs to my right as she searches for something in one of the cabinets.

I’m surprised how spacious the van is. She was able to fit a queen-size bed. And suddenly, I’m thinking about how both of us could easily fit.

Calm down, tiger.

She said she’s not interested. Not even a hook-up.

Besides, I came here to heal. Not to find love, like Granny predicted.

I shake my head, trying to chase the thought away.

After quickly setting the chairs in place, about ten feet from the van, I walk back to check if she needs help with anything else.

“Hey, can you set this table up?” she asks, stepping out of the van with a small steel fire pit in her arms.

We carry everything over to our little stargazing camp. She places the firepit on the table, then she rushes back to the van. A moment later, she returns with a tray loaded with ingredients for s’mores.

“I haven’t had s’mores in ages,” I say, eyeing the marshmallows.

She places the tray on the table and easily lights up a couple of small logs in the firepit.

“Yeah, I haven’t had them in a while either. I can’t wait for my niece and nephew to be old enough for bonfires, but I thought this could be a cool activity to do while we chat,” she says, placing a couple of marshmallows on a stick, and I do the same .

“So this might sound lame, but I don’t usually do this,” I admit.

She chuckles as she turns the marshmallows over the fire.

“At least you recognize it sounds lame. I mean, you’re a hockey player. I might not know much about hockey, but I’m sure you have a gaggle of women following you around.”

“How do you figure?”

She shrugs. “Well, that’s how it goes. At least in the movies.”

I bark out a laugh. “Like the movies, huh? I guess some elite athletes have that kind of life, but I can assure you I’m not one of them,” I say, inspecting my marshmallow to make sure it’s the perfect shade of brown.

Rain does the same and quickly gathers a piece of chocolate and the Graham crackers.

“Why not? You have the looks. I’m sure you’re talented. Otherwise, your team wouldn’t have sent you to a top-notch therapy facility to recover,” she says, taking a bite.

The marshmallow oozes out of the cracker, and Rain ends up licking her fingers—and somehow, it’s the hottest thing I’ve seen all day.

I can’t stop looking at her.

She catches me staring. Again. And laughs. “You can’t help it, can you?” she asks, a beautiful grin on her face.

She doesn’t need to say it out loud. I know she’s talking about my need to look at her all the time. And right now, all I want to do is clean the little bit of chocolate that smeared on her lips—with my tongue.

“I can’t,” I tell her honestly. “That’s why I said I don’t usually do this. This has never happened to me before.”

She holds up her index finger before going to her van and returning with two beers.

“Okay, I think you’re going to have to tell me the last time you used that line on a girl. Because I can’t believe this is a first for you,” she says, passing me a beer.

Before opening the can, I think for a minute. I’m not sure if alcohol is against my routine here, but one beer won’t hurt. Ruin didn’t mention anything, and I won’t meet Dr. Gutierrez until tomorrow.

“You can’t drink?” Rain asks, already reaching for the can in my hand. “I’m sorry—I didn’t think about your dietary restrictions.”

But instead of giving it back, I tighten my grip.

“I don’t know of any dietary restrictions. Those might start tomorrow after I speak with the doc.”

Her fingers relax, but they linger on top of mine. I’m not sure why she tried to block any possibility of a hookup, because if the electricity running from her fingers to mine is any indication, she wants to get to know me as much as I want to get to know her.

I’d bet my life on it.

“Okay, cool. Cheers,” she says, finally taking a seat and cracking open her beer in one swift move .

“Cheers,” I say, flicking the top and taking a big gulp. It’s an IPA, with hints of citrus. Interesting. “This is good. I don’t think I’ve ever tried this beer before.”

She chuckles. “I guess you’re going to have a lot of firsts in Azalea Creek, then. This is from a local brewing company.”

I smile back. “I wouldn’t mind a couple of firsts with you.”

“Damn. He’s taking his shot,” she says, and we laugh at the same time.

I love how she makes light of the situation without making me feel bad or shutting me down completely.

“So tell me, Xander,” she says, propping her elbow on the armrest and turning toward me, “what’s your story?”

I take a swig of my beer before answering. “My story is thirty-four years long. Do you really want to know?”

She pauses.

“Let’s start with the easy stuff. Why hockey?”

Her eyes lock onto mine, and right now, I feel like I’m the most important person in the world.

“It’s kinda my family’s thing. My grandpa on my mom’s side played in the league for Boston his entire career. My uncle did too. Everyone was expecting Mom to get married to a hockey guy—she’s practically hockey royalty.”

I chuckle, picturing my parents. Two people from completely different upbringings.

“I take it your dad doesn’t play hockey?” Rain asks, completely invested in the story.

“You’re correct. My dad is Colombian and came to the US on a baseball scholarship.”

She lets out a low whistle. “That’s amazing. Where did he go to school?” she asks before taking another swig of her beer.

“Harvard,” I reply simply.

She whistles again. “Damn. So you have the looks and potentially the brains too? You’re the whole package, Hotshot.”

She flashes an easy smile, her gray eyes seeming liquid with the firelight dancing in them.

I laugh at her assessment, because from where I’m sitting, she’s the whole package—beautiful, funny, adventurous—and I’m dying to get to know her more.

“Yeah, my dad’s got a bachelor’s in finance, and after he retired from the baseball league, he got his MBA and runs his own business now.”

“That’s cool. I think it’s awesome your dad never pushed you into baseball since it looks like that was his sport.”

“Yeah, growing up, we used to play ball in the summer in our backyard. But the moment I got my first pair of skates, I knew that was going to be my entire life. The rush of adrenaline every time I fight for control of the puck. The elation after hearing the horn blow when I score. It’s something I don’t think I can ever tire of. ”

I pause, surprised by how easily that came out. This injury had me doubting my career and my future, but I guess I just needed to remember where my love for the sport comes from.

When I glance back at Rain, coming back from my thoughts, I realize her face is close to mine.

Does she want me to kiss her? Or did she get tipsy after only one beer?

Before I can lean in or even think too hard about it, we both hear footsteps nearby.

Is it an animal?

Rain’s up in a flash, quickly pulling a knife from her boot.

Damn, that’s hot.

“Is everything okay here?” a deep voice asks from the dark.

Rain immediately sits back down, at ease.

“Gee, I don’t know. Two people enjoying each other’s company while roasting marshmallows. Why wouldn’t it be okay?” she replies, a hint of frustration in her tone.

I can’t help but chuckle at her sass, but I hide my amusement with a cough.

“How did you know I was here anyway?” she asks the man who now stands right in front of us.

He’s tall, but I easily have three inches on him. He’s wearing a beanie, so I can’t see his hair, but his eyes are the same shade as Rain’s.

“The motion sensors picked up movement,” he says, eyes narrowing on me. “When I checked the video, I saw not only your van but also a car I didn’t recognize, following you closely.”

I straighten my shoulders, making myself look taller while sitting. I don’t know who he is, but I’m not going to shrink like a coward, especially when Rain is standing up for herself.

“Damn, Hotshot. We should’ve left your car in town,” she says, winking.

The man growls, but her wink pulls a smile from me.

“Rain, I really don’t want to say it, but I worry about you,” he says, stepping closer. “One day I won’t be able to come check on you, and then what?”

Rain rises to meet him, though he’s at least five inches taller.

“Then I’ll deal with the consequences, River. You can’t keep babysitting us all forever,” she says, her voice sharp.

This is clearly a family matter, but I can’t just sit here without saying anything.

“Look, man. I know you don’t know me, but I can assure you I don’t want to harm Rain. We were just chatting,” I say, trying to keep my tone calm.

He looks me up and down, but says nothing to me. His attention snaps back to Rain.

Fuck, okay. He’s just going to pretend I’m not here?

“If you don’t want me to babysit, then maybe go chat with your friend somewhere else,” he says, turning away.

But what comes out of Rain’s mouth leaves us all rooted to the spot.

“Fuck you, River,” she says, her voice steady. “I’m a twenty-eight-year-old woman who knows how to take care of herself. Xander is one of Ruin’s patients, and he’s a good guy.”

She steps in front of him again and places both her hands on River’s chest.

“I’m going to tell you this—with all the love I have for you—one last time…”

My muscles tense in anticipation. I don’t think he’d hurt her, but just in case, I’m ready to throw some punches.

“Back. The. Fuck. Off.” She pushes him back with each word.

He doesn’t resist. He simply lets her push him.

“This is my orchard too, and I’m not doing anything wrong,” she adds.

River nods as he walks backward. “Understood,” he says at last. Then he turns to me. “I apologize for judging you without knowing you, but one can never be too cautious when taking care of the family. I hope you have a good stay at Serene Lookout.”

I nod, and he walks off into the night.

Once he’s out of view, Rain’s shoulders sag, all the fight leaving her body.

“I’m sorry you had to see that.”

I walk over and wrap my arms around her back.

She hugs me back immediately, holding tight. When she looks up, her eyes are watery.

“Hey, it’s okay. He was just being a good big brother.”

She scoffs, and I chuckle.

“A good big pain in my ass is what he is.”

“It’s all good. I had a great time tonight,” I say, resting my chin on top of her head.

She releases a deep breath. “You’re right. It was a great night.”

We stay like that, hugging, breathing each other’s air for a minute, maybe two.

I only met her a few hours ago, and I’m already hugging her and making her feel better. I’ve never experienced this kind of connection with anyone.

Not wanting to think about the reasons why I feel such a strong pull toward Rain, I remember the reason why I came to this town.

I need to stay focused on my recovery.

I clear my throat. “I better get going. I need to be up bright and early for my first meeting with Ruin.”

She releases me, and I immediately feel the loss of her warmth.

“Yeah, okay. Maybe we can hike over the weekend? I don’t know if you have therapy on the weekends, but it’d be cool to see you again.”

I’m a little surprised that she’s asking to see me again, but I’m not going to point out the fact that she said no hookups.

Maybe she really just wants to hang out.

And for now, that’s okay with me .

“Yeah, for sure. I’ll see you then,” I say, helping her clean our little camp area.

“Thank you. You didn’t have to do that,” she says, hopping into her van once everything is put away.

“Of course I had to. It gave me a couple more minutes with you.” I wink.

Chuckling, she says, “Night, Hotshot.”

“Night.”

Once I’m in my car, I sit for a moment, replaying the most amazing night I’ve had in a very long time.

I can’t wait to see her again.