Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

WINTER

Nicholas Frost is the bane of my existence. In fact, I’d probably welcome a serial killer to come to my rescue right about now. Okay… Maybe I’m overreacting, but just wait until you meet him. He’s an absolute jerk. Hot, bearded, but he’s still a jerk.

“Hey, everything okay?” Nick asks.

Everything’s swell! I mean, I’m just moseying along the side of the road at eleven pm in the frigid snow. Asshat.

“No. I got a flat. My SUV is about a mile up the road.” I jab my thumb over my shoulder, gesturing the direction of where my SUV is located.

“Why didn’t you call for a tow truck?”

I’d attempt to stow my features, but my face is frozen off, and that’s just a stupid question.

“No service. I’m walking to the general store to use the payphone.”

“Get in the truck. I’ll change the tire for you.”

“That’s not necessary, but thanks. I’ll be at the general store soon and can call for a tow truck. Thanks for stopping, though.”

“You really haven’t been home in a while, have ya?” He cocks his brow and smirks. “That payphone hasn’t worked in a couple years. But if you’d rather call a tow truck, you’re more than welcome to use my phone. My service is working just fine. Come on”—he waves toward the truck—“let’s get you out of the cold.” He walks around the passenger side and props the door open, like a true Southern gentleman. I scoff at the idea as I climb in the cab. Nick rounds the hood, then gets in the driver’s seat. The cab shakes as the engine roars to life.

I’m thankful that the drive is short and quiet. Nick veers off the road behind my SUV and puts the old truck in park. “Give me your keys and sit tight.”

I shake my head. “No. Give me your phone, and I’ll call a tow truck. Then I can wait in the SUV until they arrive.”

“Why are you being so stubborn? A tow truck will cost you hundreds this time of night,” he challenges.

“And? I’m prepared to pay it. Now give me your phone.”

“You have two options—give me your keys, and I will change the tire. Or I will drive you home, and you can get a tow truck out here tomorrow.”

“That doesn’t even make sense, Nick. Just give me your damn phone.”

“What doesn’t make sense is a woman stranded on the side of the road while waiting on some random dude to come along to help, when I’m willing and capable. Now give me your damn keys,” he bites back.

“I beg your pardon, but Joe was always nice to me; more than I can say for some people.”

“That old man closed up shop years ago, Winter. When I say a random dude, I mean it. He’s a nice enough guy, new to town, but you don’t know him, he don’t know you, and I don’t like that idea. Now give me your keys please. I’m asking nicely.”

I grit my teeth as I reach inside my purse to grab the key fob and toss it in his direction. “Since you asked so nicely,” I sneer and cross my arms over my chest. He’s grating on my last nerve.

“That wasn’t so hard, now was it?” I don’t respond. He adjusts the heat, then opens the truck door. “I’ll be back in ten.”

Thanks for the warning.

The dim headlights do very little to brighten the area as Nick sets to work lugging the spare tire and tools from the back of the SUV. This would be the perfect time to learn this valuable life skill, but I’m just barely defrosting from my trek through the cold, so I’ll just stay in the warmth of the truck and plan to get some experience through a YouTube tutorial at some point.

I startle as the truck door opens, and Nick takes his seat behind the wheel. He winks when he hands me the key fob. “You’re all set, but make sure you get to Danny’s tomorrow to get the tire patched or replaced. The spare is only good for about twenty miles, realistically.”

“Thanks. What do I owe you? I can Venmo you…” I say as I reach for my phone, then remember it’s broken.

“Ugh… Looks like a new tire and a new cell phone are on my agenda tomorrow.”

“You broke your phone?”

“And my ass—true story. Anyway…” I pull two hundred dollars from my wallet and lay it on the seat between us. “Thanks for coming to my rescue. Have a good night.”

I open the truck door, but Nick gently grips my wrist. “Winter, wait…” I look down at my wrist, then arch my brow and glare at him.

“Mmm, you’re touching me…”

He releases my wrist, then hands me the cash. “I didn’t ask for anything in return. But if you feel compelled to repay me, have dinner with me.”

My face scrunches in disgust as I recoil from that request.

“Not if my life depended on it,” I scoff, my voice laced with venom. “Take the cash, or don’t. Up to you.”

“You’re still holding a grudge, from our childhood?”

“Oh, it’s not a grudge at all. I simply don’t like you. Have a good night, Nick.”

I slam the door behind me as I climb out of the truck.

I hurry to the SUV and start the engine, thankful to be out of close proximity of him.

I look in the rearview mirror before I pull onto the road and see he’s still behind me, and something tells me this isn’t the last I’ll see of Nicholas Frost.