Page 9 of First Kissmas

Courtney offers Mrs. Miller a quick hug. “Thank you for everything.”

Outside, the morning air bites sharp and clean. Main Street has been plowed, though piles of snow still tower along the curbs. We climb into my truck, and I crank the heat, watching Courtney tuck her hands into her sleeves for warmth.

The drive to the bus depot takes less than five minutes. Every second that ticks by feels like a countdown I can’t stop. I park and turn to her, memorizing her face in the pale morning light.

“Here.” I grab a scrap of paper from my glovebox and write down my address and phone number. “If you ever need anything—a place to stay, help, whatever—my door’s always open to you.”

Her fingers brush mine as she takes the paper, and that small touch nearly breaks me. “Thank you, Ryder. You have no idea how much that means to me.”

We head inside the depot. The place is already busy with delayed travelers trying to get out of town. Courtney gets in line for a ticket while I scan the room, an uneasy feeling settling in my gut. Years of living alone in the mountains has taught me to trust my instincts.

She’s paying for her ticket when I spot the SUV through the depot’s front windows. Dark green, mud-splattered, moving slow like a predator searching for prey. My heart slams against my ribs.

“Courtney.” I keep my voice controlled. “Your brother’s car—what color is it?”

She goes rigid beside me. “It’s a dark green SUV.”

“Don’t turn around.” I take her hand, trying to look casual as I guide her toward the back exit. “He’s driving by outside.”

Her fingers clutch mine, ice cold with fear. Just before we reach the door, the SUV pulls into the lot.

“Fuck.” I change direction, leading her quickly back through the depot and out the front. “Stay low. Get in the truck.”

She doesn’t hesitate, crouching down in the passenger seat while I slide behind the wheel. Through the windshield, I watch her brother park and get out. Even from this distance, his angeris visible in every movement. He’s a big guy, heavy-set and intimidating, used to throwing his weight around.

“Stay down,” I tell Courtney, my hands tight on the steering wheel. She curls smaller in her seat, making herself invisible.

People start boarding the bus bound for Fairhope. The sight of Courtney’s ticket clutched in her trembling hand makes my chest tight. She should be on that bus, getting closer to her fresh start. Instead, she’s hiding in my truck while her brother prowls around looking for her.

When he starts checking cars, peering into windows with visible frustration, my decision is made.

“Hang on tight.” I start the engine, keeping my movements casual.

“What are you doing?” Courtney whispers. “I can still try to get on the bus.”

“I can’t let you take that risk.” I ease out of the parking spot, watching Eli. His eyes land on my truck and grow narrow, tracking our movement.

“Oh my God, I can’t believe this is happening,” Courtney chokes out. “I’m never going to get away from him.”

“You will. I’ll make sure of that.” I turn onto the main road. “I’ll get you to Fairhope. I’ll drive you there.”

“Ryder, no. Just drop me off at the next town over. I’ll take the bus from there instead. I can’t ask you to drive me all the way to Fairhope. It’s hours away.”

“You’re not asking me to do anything. I’m choosing this.” I check the rearview mirror, but there’s no sign of Eli’s dark green SUV. “I won’t be able to sleep anyway, not until I know you’re safe.”

“But your work?—”

“Can wait.” I grip the steering wheel tighter, trying to keep my voice steady. “What can’t wait is getting you somewhere your brother can’t find you.”

The muscles in my shoulders slowly unknot as we put distance between us and the depot. No dark green SUV appears behind us in my rearview mirror. After fifteen minutes of careful driving, taking random turns to throw off any tail, I finally let myself relax slightly.

“You can sit up now,” I say. “Coast is clear.”

Courtney emerges from her hiding spot, her face pale. She smooths her hair back with shaking hands and fastens her seatbelt.

“Ryder, this is too much. I feel awful, getting you involved like this. You hardly know me.”

“I know enough.” I know how strong she is even when she’s scared. How pretty her eyes look when she talks about the life she dreams of building. How soft her lips felt against mine, how perfectly she fit in my arms.