Chapter 3
ELODIE
Istood there with my blanket clutched tightly around me, trying not to stare at Garner and failing miserably.
Not that any woman would blame me. He was tall and broad-shouldered, built in a way that suggested real strength instead of gym hours.
His jacket hung open over a fitted shirt, and his arms were thick with muscle, the kind earned through manual labor.
His pale-blond hair looked even lighter against his tanned skin.
But his eyes captured me the most. They were a deep amber-gold, and when they met mine, something in my chest tightened in a way I didn’t understand. It felt like recognition, except that made no sense since I’d never seen him before in my life.
I forced myself to focus instead of focusing on the fact that I was feeling desire for the first time. “Your cabin is about thirty minutes away?”
He nodded. “Roughly.”
I hesitated, swallowing the lump in my throat before I admitted, “I don’t think I can make it that far.”
His brow furrowed with concern. “Why?”
“My gas light’s been on since I left town.” I winced. “I was planning to stop first thing this morning.”
Garner didn’t get judgmental at all. He just replied, “That’s easy enough to fix.”
I blinked. “It is?”
“I have a gas can in my truck. When you work in such a remote area, it’s better to be prepared,” he explained. “Enough to get you there safely.”
Relief hit me so hard that my knees went weak. “Thanks. I don’t want to leave my car here.”
“I’ll grab the gas can from my truck,” he offered. “It’ll only take ten minutes to jog over to where I parked.”
I studied him for another moment, weighing the instinct to trust him against common sense. I wasn’t sure why but walking away felt wrong. “I can drive you to it instead.”
“Even better.”
I shut the door, climbed into the driver’s seat, and started the engine, hyperaware of Garner as he settled into the passenger side. And more than a little embarrassed by how crappy my car was. But he didn’t seem to be judging me at all, thank goodness.
The interior was quiet as I pulled onto the access road, the wipers sweeping steadily as the rain misted down.
I hadn’t gone more than a few hundred yards when a shiver ran through me, and I sucked in a breath.
Without saying a word, Garner pulled off his jacket and held it out toward me. “Here.”
My response was automatic. “I’m okay.”
He glanced at me. “You’re cold.”
I hesitated, then eased to a stop so I could take it from him. The jacket was heavy and warm from his body heat, the sleeves swallowing my hands when I slipped it on. It smelled like rain, pine, and something distinctly him that grounded me in a way that made my chest ache unexpectedly.
“Thanks,” I murmured.
We drove in silence the rest of the way, the forest pressing close around the road until his truck came into view beneath the trees. He hopped out first, grabbing a red gas can from the bed and setting it on the ground beside my car.
“Here you go.”
Then he stepped back. His not completely taking over mattered to me more than I wanted to admit.
I popped the gas cap and lifted the can, my arms straining slightly as I tipped it. Fuel glugged into the tank in a steady stream. When I finished, I set the can down and twisted the cap back into place.
Garner picked it up. “Two gallons should be more than enough to get you to the cabin, and I also keep extra cans there.”
I nodded, swallowing past the lump in my throat. It was rare for people to offer help without expecting anything in return. Or a lecture.
It made trusting him feel less risky.
Before he got into his truck, Garner paused beside my open window. “I’ll keep an eye on you in my rearview mirror. If you need to slow down or pull over for any reason, just flash your lights.”
Something warm settled in my chest at the quiet protectiveness in his voice.
“Okay, thanks.”
I followed him back onto the main road, my headlights cutting through the lingering mist as his taillights glowed red against the gray morning. I found myself focusing on them more than the unfamiliar stretch of road.
Every so often, his brake lights flickered as he adjusted his pace to match mine. Once, when I hit a rough patch of road and slowed instinctively, he did the same without hesitation.
I hadn’t realized how tightly wound I’d been until that tension started to ease.
Following him felt oddly safe. Like I was headed somewhere I was meant to be.
The forest thickened as we drove, trees closing in around the road. Instead of feeling trapped, I felt sheltered. Wrapped in his jacket, with warm air blowing from my car vents, I let myself breathe a little easier.
I shouldn’t have been this comfortable with a man I’d met less than half an hour ago. But I was glad I’d taken Garner up on his offer.
The cabins came into view just as the road curved, tucked against the edge of the forest. The sun had barely risen, but warm lights glowed in several of the windows, and smoke rose from stone chimneys into the damp morning air.
Garner slowed and pulled into a small clearing, parking his truck. I followed, easing my car in beside it.
He climbed out of his truck and gestured toward the nearest cabin. “This one is mine.”
A door a few cabins down from his swung open, and a woman stepped out. She beamed a smile our way, seeming unsurprised to see me with Garner. I wondered if he’d called during the drive to let his neighbors know we were coming.
“Brr, it’s chilly.”
“Get back inside before Leyton kicks my ass for letting you get cold,” Garner chided.
She waved off his concern. “I’ll be fine for the few minutes it takes for you to introduce me to your new friend.”
He shook his head with a deep sigh. “This is Elodie. Elodie, this is Laina.”
“Nice to meet you.” Her smile widened.
Laina was so welcoming that I found myself grinning back at her. “Thanks.”
“I was just making a pot of hot chocolate for when Atlas wakes up.” She lifted a thermos. “I thought you might like some.”
Another woman walked down the path toward us, carrying a basket. “And I brought some breakfast since Garner tends to forget about keeping food in his kitchen when he’s in the middle of a project.”
“In his defense, he’s usually farther from home when he’s working,” Laina pointed out.
“That’s fair.” The other woman handed Garner the basket and turned to smile at me. “Hi, I’m Evette.”
Garner hadn’t been kidding about his neighbors' wives vouching for him. They were clearly very comfortable around him, or they wouldn’t have gone out of their way this early in the morning to welcome him back. And greet me.
Garner accepted the thermos from Laina with a grateful nod. “Thank you. Both of you.”
“Of course,” Laina replied easily. “You know where we’ll be.”
Evette smiled at me again. “Don’t be shy if you need anything.”
I managed a nod, my throat too tight for words.
Garner ushered me toward his cabin, opening the door and stepping aside so I could go in first. The space was warm and simple, with wood floors, a sturdy table, and a couch that looked more comfortable than the back seat of my car.
“Food first.” He set the basket on the small, round table to the side of the kitchen. Lifting the lid, he grinned. “Evette must’ve seen Thora recently.”
“Thora?” I echoed, my brows drawing together.
“She and Rome only live here part-time now since she’s a chef in Timber Ridge,” he explained as he pulled containers of food from the basket. “There’s quiche, all warmed up already. We also have some freshly baked blueberry muffins, fruit salad, and a couple of yogurt parfaits.”
“Wow.” My stomach let out a traitorous growl.
Garner pretended not to hear it. He moved to the counter to grab plates and utensils. “Take your pick. Whatever sounds good.”
“It all does,” I confessed.
“Then we’ll each have a little of everything,” he suggested.
I sat at the table while he piled the plates high with food. Much more than I could eat, even with how hungry I was.
“Go ahead,” he urged. “Don’t wait for me. I’m just going to pour us some hot chocolate before I dig in.”
I did, forcing myself to go slowly so I didn’t embarrass myself. Every bite was more delicious than the last.
When I finished, Garner slid my half-full plate in front of him and gestured down the short hallway. “Shower’s there. Towels are under the sink. Take as long as you want.”
The bathroom was spotless. I locked the door, turned on the water, and stepped under the spray. The heat hit my shoulders, and I nearly sagged with relief.
I pressed my forehead against the tile and closed my eyes, letting the water wash away the tension I’d been carrying for months. Maybe even years. My chest tightened, and I swallowed hard, blinking fast.
Get it together.
When I emerged, feeling better than I had in a long time, I changed into the spare set of clothes I kept in my backpack.
My duffel was still in my car, along with the small suitcase I’d bought several months ago.
I’d found it at a thrift shop, but it was a major step up from the black garbage bag the rest of my things had been in.
“Guest room is ready,” Garner murmured when I stepped into the hallway.
The room he gestured toward had a stack of folded blankets at the end of the bed, and a lamp glowing softly on the nightstand. “Thanks.”
“It’s still early. You should get some rest.”
“Yeah.” I closed the door behind me and sat on the edge of the bed, overwhelmed by how enormous all of this felt. And confused by my reaction to Garner. I’d never really felt desire before and thought my childhood had broken something inside me. But he’d proved that theory wrong.
As I lay down with a full belly and clean body, I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like if this was my home…with him.