Page 43 of Rough and Rugged
I heard a low curse, then he closed the hood firmly and came around to my door, pulling it all the way open.
“You’re not driving this anywhere tonight. I can fix what’s wrong, but not without more light. It’ll have to wait ‘til morning.”
“I’m sorry, Caleb.” I hated it when things went wrong with my car. I always felt so clueless. “It seemed fine earlier.”
“I’m sure it did,” he replied, his tone dry. “Either I can run you home, you can call Carson or Cade, or you can stay here tonight, and I’ll fix your car in the morning. Your choice.”
It was so dark, and he seemed so on edge. I wished I could see his eyes better, get some clue what he was thinking.
“It… well, it seems simplest to stay.”
“I agree. Let’s head back inside.”
I grabbed my purse from where I’d left it sitting on the passenger seat earlier, shut the door, and made my way toward the porch with Caleb close behind.
Once inside, I set my bag down and turned to Caleb, only to see him moving away from me.
“Make yourself at home,” he threw over his shoulder as he disappeared down the hall. “I’ll be right back.”
Um… okay? Shaking my head, I grabbed a notebook out of my bag and settled in at the table to wait.
Chapter Five
Caleb
Istoodinmybedroom, pulled my phone from my back pocket, and shot off a text.
Me: Where are they?
Lloyd’s response popped up a few seconds later.
Lloyd: Not sure what you mean.
Yeah, my ass he didn’t know what I meant.
Me: Don’t jerk me around. Where are they?
This time his reply came a little more slowly.
Lloyd: Workshop, second shelf over the workbench.
Dammit.
Me: Did my brothers have anything to do with this?
The dots danced, disappeared, then…
Lloyd: There might have been a conversation.
I didn’t know whether to laugh or swear. As if my brothers didn’t meddle enough in my life, now Lloyd was getting in on the act.
Lloyd: Gemma staying the night? Not enough light out front to replace those sparkplugs now I wouldn’t think.
If I didn’t know the soft spot he had for Gemma, I might have told him what he could do with his thinking. As it was…
Me: She’s staying. In the guest room.
As if there was a snowball’s chance in hell of Gemma sleeping anywhere else in my house.