Page 59 of Whisk Me Away

Brant leaned back a little so our eyes could meet. "I stopped by Whisk Me Away, and Aspen said you were home."

I hadn't had a chance to text Brant and let him know I wasn't going to be working today. I had every intention of being there but Aspen outright refused to let me stay. She told me I needed to take a break and all but pushed me out the door. I reluctantly gave in and went home. I’d been with Dad ever since.

"She was very insistent that I take the day off. I'm not sure why, but when she wouldn't give in, I decided to bring Dad a coffee,” I was glad Dad opened up a little, but I was still worried about him.

"How's he doing?" Brant asked, his voice laced with concern.

I took a deep breath before releasing it. "I'm not really sure. I mean, I asked him how he was today, and he did tell me that he's struggling, which is obviously to be expected, but I just don't want him to bottle everything up inside. I hope he's talking to someone who can help him process."

Brant nodded. "I'm sorry, Peach."

"It's okay,” I snuggled in close to him. "Are you not working today?"

"I'm on call, but Randle is taking point today. I came here to pick you up,” I pulled back and admired his handsome, mischievous grin.

"Oh yeah? And what if I told you I already had plans today?" I tried to keep a straight face as I raised my eyebrows at him in question.

Brant threw his head back in laughter. His laugh was deep and rich, and I loved hearing it. "You're a terrible liar, Peach."

I couldn't help the laughter that spilled out of me. I gave Brant a sheepish grin and shrugged my shoulders.

"I'm not really lying. I was supposed to go look at a house this afternoon. I was going to text you and see if you wanted to come with me." A look passed over Brant's face that I couldn't read, but just as fast as it came, it was gone.

"Cancel," he demanded. The words sounded harsh, but he still had a faint smile on his face.

"I'll text Alice to ask if I can reschedule since you asked so nicely," I said, rolling my eyes and grabbing my phone off the porch swing. I sent off a quick text before focusing my attention back on the demanding man on my front porch.

"What do you have planned, Mister?" I asked sarcastically.

"Go get on your tennis shoes, and we can go," he smirked.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "You aren't going to tell me where we're going?"

"Nope," he replied, the 'P' making a popping sound as it left his mouth. "Now hurry up," he said, shoving his hands in the pockets of his shorts.

I turned away, hurried inside, and dashed up the stairs. When I had my shoes on and my bag slung over my shoulder, I headed back downstairs and caught Dad standing in the kitchen.

"I'm going to hang out with Brant. Let me know if you want me to grab anything for dinner later," I jogged over, wrapping my arms around Dad's waist.

He hugged me back. "Sounds good. Have fun."

I nodded and headed back outside to find Brant waiting beside his SUV, looking at his phone.

"Everything okay?" I asked as I approached him.

Brant glanced up and smiled, nodding his head and sliding his phone into his pocket. He rounded the hood before opening the door to the passenger side and ushering me in. Once I was situated inside, he closed the door and went around to climb behind the wheel.

"When do I get to know where we're going or what we're doing?" I asked, giving him my best pout and puppy dog eyes.

Brant just chuckled and shook his head. "Not going to work, Peach."

I huffed out a breath, only half pretending to be annoyed. I didn't love surprises because I never knew if I would react the right way. It made me nervous. Would I be the appropriate level of surprised or excited? I folded my hands together in my lap as I glanced out the window. I was so caught up in my thoughts that when Brant's large, callused hand grabbed hold of mine, it caused me to flinch.

"Someone's a bit jumpy today," Brant laughed.

I gave him a sheepish smile. "Sorry."

"We are almost there, don't worry," Brant reassured me, pulling the hand he was holding to the rest of his center console. Country music was playing softly through the speakers, and I couldn't help but hum along.