Three.
Duke
I study her—this Maci Baker. If there ever was a name to fit this woman more perfectly, it’d be that.
Stunning emerald eyes paired with long, deep red hair cascading in subtle waves out of the dark grey beanie she has on and down well past her chest. Freckles bridge over her nose from cheek to cheek above full, plump lips with a delicate jawline that has me fighting to keep my hands to myself.
I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone as pretty as she is.
The flimsy black coat she has on can’t be doing shit for her on this winter night being below freezing—without factoring in the windchill. She’s got on black yoga pants and grey winter boots with faux fur around the top. And from what I could see when she got in the truck, she’s got a body to match those lips and tight ass.
“All right, well…” What else can I offer her to be more helpful than I already am? “Did you want to call your husband before we head back into the dead zone? I’m sure he’d want to know you’re okay.”
I sure as shit would if my woman was this gorgeous, I think to myself, then hate myself for the thought even crossing my mind. You don’t have a woman, moron. You’re alone, remember?
How could I forget?
“I…don’t have a husband,” she tells me.
I raise a brow. “Boyfriend? Girlfriend?”
She shakes her head, and it’s unclear if the blasting heat is getting to me or if I like that bit of information more than I should.
“Where you heading, Maci?” I try to contain the thump in my chest from saying her name aloud and how good it sounds when I do.
Who the hell is this chick?
“Currently…” she trails off with a vague gesture around the truck. “Wherever you’re willing to take me.”
“I’ll take you wherever you want,” I say, and it’s the truth. “Where were you goin’ before?”
“Anchorage.”
My eyes widen. “Alaska?”
She pains a laugh. “Yeah, I don’t expect you to take me that far, but a cheap motel would work for now.”
“That I can do,” I say, and she nods.
We fall into a sort of amicable silence that should be awkward as hell—but it’s not.
When I catch her covering her mouth to yawn, I ask, “You sure you’d rather wait here? I can tell ya Joey’s trustworthy, and I’ll have him back your car into the shop where it’ll be safe.” Thankfully one of the three bays I cleared out earlier is still open—which is a rarity these days.
Maci chews her lip. “You, um, said there was a storm coming in. Do you know when?”
“Soon,” I admit, not wanting to scare her, but also not wanting to be out here if we don’t need to be. “Supposed to last through the night.” She shifts uncomfortably, and I tap my thumb on the steering wheel. “I doubt anyone is going to be out driving around knowing it’s hitting tonight. We can turn back and get whatever you need from your car before I take you to the local motel.”
She looks around for the tenth fuckin’ time. Am I that intimidating? I mean, sure, she’s in a vulnerable position at the moment, but I hope I don’t look like someone who’d hurt her.
“Okay,” she says quietly, nerves evident in her soft tone. “I already have what I need, so, um, can you take me to the motel?”
I shift the truck out of park. “You got it.”
We head off toward town. The ride is silent again as Maci gazes out the window, likely gathering just how far out she was from town or even the nearest house.
“Thank you for stopping,” she finally says, breaking the dreaded silence I’ve grown accustomed to—not by choice.
“Don’t mention it,” I say, clearing my throat. “So, what’s in Alaska?”
“Snow,” she quips at me with a giggle. I grin at the airy light sound. She leans her head back against the headrest, hugging into herself with a heavy sigh. “Have you ever just wanted to go somewhere where no one knows your name? No one knows your story…”
My chest tightens. Yes. Fuck, yes, I do.
“That’s in Alaska,” she adds. “If I ever make it there.”
“Where were you coming from?”
“Oklahoma.”
I scoff. “Christ, you’re lucky you made it this far. Your transmission looks like it’s been dying for a while with that oil pan fucked, I’m surprised you didn’t blow the entire engine.”
Maci’s nose scrunches adorably. “It’s really bad, isn’t it?”
“Well, I’ll need to get under it, take a good look, but she’s not going to be a cheap fix. And finding a transmission isn’t going to be a cakewalk either. Probably take a week to get between the storm and shortages. Tack on another few days to go through the motions before you’re up and running again.”
“Oh.” Her voice is straining as I glance at her, the tears already welling in her eyes when she asks, “Do you know a ballpark on how much all that might cost?”
“Hard to say,” I grunt. “It’ll depend on the transmission and pan cost, but you’re looking at over three grand without labor.”
She drops her head in her hands, whispering, “Shit.”
“You’ll have the weekend to figure out what you want to do,” I say. “I’ll call around Monday, get you a quote priced out, then we’ll go from there.”
At her silence, my gaze drifts to her with a hand over her stomach. Eyes closed and taking in slow, steady breaths. A split second later, her eyes snap open, and she covers her mouth with a heave. “Pull over,” she chokes out, her body leaning forward like she’s about to puke.
“Ah, fuck,” I bite out, slamming on the brake and pulling off to the side of the road.
Maci swings the door open, nearly collapsing into the snowbank. I throw my truck in park and jump out, racing to her side. I come up behind her as she clings to the open door, throwing up right in the snow. I reach for her, holding her hair back even as she tries to wave me off. I don’t listen, finding myself rubbing her back with my free hand.
She throws up a few more times before she catches her breath enough to stand upright. I release her hair, grab a handful of napkins from the center console, and hand them to her. “Here.”
“Thank you,” she sniffles, wiping her mouth and hands.
I try not to grimace when I notice… “Your coat.”
She looks down.
“Could this day get any worse?” she mutters, wiping and smearing the bit of vomit from her coat.
I don’t think twice as I grab a fistful of snow, using the hunk of ice to wipe off the bottom of her coat. Maci tenses at my actions, and I don’t blame her—this is out of pocket from one stranger to another. But I have to do something for her right now.
I chuck the snow in the ditch and take a napkin from her hand before wiping my own. “Take off your coat,” I grunt. She just looks at me strangely as I take off my jacket and toss it on the front seat. I tug my hoodie over my head and hand it to her. “Put this on.”
Her gaze is locked on the extended offering. “I’m okay.”
I scowl. Is she going to argue with me at every turn? “Your coat is wet. Take it off and put this on before we both freeze out here.”
She huffs, gracing me with an emerald glare before unzipping her flimsy excuse of a coat and revealing the body of a goddamn goddess. Hourglass curves are prominent in her tight, light grey long-sleeve, showing off a bodacious chest that matches her pouty-plump lips and ass.
Fuckin’ hell, woman.
She hands me her coat and takes the hoodie, quickly dragging it over her head. I shake out her damp coat and hang it in the backseat on a hook, then yank back on my heavy jacket. “You good now?”
Maci folds the droopy sleeves over her chest, hugging herself as she stares down at my hoodie that looks far too good where it falls well past her ass and hangs loosely around her. “Yes, thank you.”
I nod, helping her into the truck. I don’t bother trying to ignore the extra thump in my chest over seeing this woman wearing the hoodie right off my back as I stride around the truck and get in.
I’m a nice guy, I attempt to reason with myself, it has nothing to do with…her.
I offer her the half-drank bottle of water sitting between us and grin when she makes a face at it. “Sorry, it’s all I got.”
She tentatively takes the water and opens it, giving it a sniff and shake while eyeing the contents. “It’s from earlier today.” I chuckle. “I’m not diseased and I didn’t drug it.”
Maci rolls her eyes with a small smile. “I didn’t say anything,” she mutters, pouring a little into her mouth and swishing it around before lowering the window and spitting it out.
Satisfied, I start us back down the road for town. “You feelin’ better over there?” I ask after a few minutes.
She rubs her stomach. “Yes. I’m sorry for the, uh, jump scare.” She laughs lightly. “Must have been that gas station food from a few hours ago.”
I eye her skeptically. Is she lying to me?
And why does the thought bother me so fuckin’ much?
“Thank you for holding my hair, though.”
“No problem,” I grunt, turning down the main street that leads to my shop. I point ahead. “That’s the shop,” I say as she follows the cue with those pretty eyes. “Wanted you to at least see where it is so you’ll know where your car will be. The motel is right up the way here,” I add. “There’s a diner down the street and a coffee shop that’s pretty good.”
I turn into the motel parking lot right out front of the office door. “I’ll wait here for you.”
“Okay.” She smiles, grabs her purse, and slides out. She scurries into the main office of The Whitetail Motel, the wind whipping as the snow starts to fall in fat, heavy flakes.
I keep my eyes on her even as my phone rings. “Hey,” I answer, not paying any mind to who’s calling.
“What’s goin’ on?” Butch asks. “You home?”
“Not yet,” I huff, failing to keep the irritation out of my voice. It’s been a week since he and Cassidy made their little announcement to the family, and I’m not proud to say, I’ve been avoiding my brother like he’s carrying the plague. “Came across a car dead on the side of the road.”
“Everything good there?”
I take in a deep breath, my focus remaining on Maci as she signs off for her room and takes the old-fashioned, brass key from the attendant. “Yeah, I’m taking care of it.”
“Well, I’ll make this quick,” he starts. “Cass wants to do a night out tomorrow. Dinner at Red’s, then over to Tavern Nine. They’re doing country night, and since her birthday is mid-week, she wants to celebrate early.”
“I’ll be there,” I say, and I mean it. Regardless of whatever inner bullshit turmoil I’ve got swimming around in my head, I’m not that big of an asshole.
Butch is quiet for a long moment.
“Is that all?”
“I haven’t heard from you since Sunday,” he grumbles.
“Yeah, well, I’ve been busy.”
“Duke,” he bites out. “I’m your goddamn brother. You can’t avoid the inevitable, man.”
Maci pushes open the glass office door, jumping as the wind takes it from her and slams into the building. My body tenses at the urge to leap out and help her.
I tighten my hold on the steering wheel in front of me. What the hell is wrong with me tonight? I need to stop this—whatever it is I’m doing. She can walk the twenty feet by herself.
I huff as Maci waves an apology to the attendant before battling the wind to close the door and get to the truck.
“I’m not avoiding shit, all right?” It’s a blatant lie I don’t plan on admitting anytime soon. “I’ve gotta go. I’ll see y’all tomorrow.”
As I hang up, Maci opens the door, hoisting herself up to hop into the truck. “They had one room left,” she beams, brushing hair out of her flushed, wind-whipped face with a smile. “They said it’s on the end. Room sixteen.”
I drive to the end of the lot and park in front of the motel room door. I get out and make my way to her side. She slides out as I open the back door and gather her coat and bag.
She reaches for the bag. “I can take—”
“I got it.” I tip my chin to the door for her to move ahead and open it.
“I didn’t know motels still had these keys,” she says, pushing inside.
The room is basic—a king bed centered against the wall, two nightstands, a dresser across from the bed with a TV on top, a small table with two chairs, and an attached bathroom. It’s nothing to write home about, but it’s clean.
She flicks a light switch, illuminating the room in a soft glow from the bedside lamps. I set her bag and coat on the table, then head for the floor heater beneath the window.
Is this thing even on? It’s freezing in here.
“Oh, they said the heat is a little off in here,” she tells me as I crouch in front of the vents that are barely blowing out what I’d consider heat. “They gave me a discount for tonight. I guess someone is coming to fix it tomorrow.”
I smack my palm on the side of the heater and scowl. What the hell?
“Is there some kind of event going on out here?” she asks curiously. “All the other rooms were taken and the parking lot is pretty full. Is it always like this?”
“There’s a ski resort on the mountain. Hot vacation spot for tourists,” I say, smacking the heater again and earning a burst of air blown in my face. “A lot can’t afford to stay at the resort hotel, so they stay in town.” The heater makes an awful rattle and slows down. “Piece of shit.”
Maci giggles behind me and I face her. “Is it going to cost me extra if you fix the heat, too?”
I scoff, standing. “You going to be okay in here?”
“I’ll be fine.” She takes in a deep breath. “Thank you for…everything.”
“Did you need anything else?” I ask, since I can’t seem to help myself tonight. “I can run to the store or somethin’ for ya. Food, water, whatever you need.”
She smiles. “There’s a gas station across the street, I’ll walk over in a bit, but thank you for the offer.”
My jaw tightens, not liking her response. Or the idea of her walking around this late at night alone. She’s not your responsibility, Duke, back off.
But I can’t.
“I’ll drive you over.”
“It’s right across the street, don’t worry about it,” she says, grabbing her purse and slipping in the room key. “Matter of fact, I’ll go now before the sidewalks get any more covered.”
When she goes to take off my hoodie, I stop her. “Leave it on. Your coat is still wet.”
“Are you sure? I can—”
“It’s not like I don’t know where you’re going to be,” I grunt. “Besides, it’s probably warmer than that thin excuse of a coat you’ve got.”
“It’s not that thin,” she mutters. I raise a brow. “Okay, fine, it’s not exactly the best for keeping out wind, but it’s still warm.”
I open the door. “You ready?”
Her brow furrows as she watches me closely. “Don’t you have somewhere else to be? Like going home to a significant other?”
The question digs at me even though I keep my voice free of emotion when I deadpan, “No.”
As hard as I’ve ever tried to push away this feeling in my gut I’ve had for the last hour or more, I can’t any longer. Because something is churning inside of me to make sure she’s okay. Safe, warm, fed. Whether it’s knowing she’s stranded or alone—or fuckin’ both.
I need to. For me.