1. Gianna

CHAPTER 1

I have to laugh to keep from crying because this trip has tested me like nothing else. With my hands on my hips, I turn around in a circle, trying to figure out which way would be the closest place to walk to, and there's nothing but ranch land in every direction. I kick my foot along the dust and gravel road before leaning into my car and pulling the lever to pop the hood.

I walk to the front of the car like I know what I'm doing, but I don't really have a clue what I'm looking for. As I raise the hood, I hold my breath, looking inside. Well, it looks exactly like it should, I guess. There's no smoke billowing out, and it doesn't smell overheated. That's about the extent of my knowledge. I probably should have listened to my dad better when he tried to teach me things about car maintenance and all that.

I leave the hood up and then walk around to the passenger side and grab the bottle of water. Surely someone will be along soon enough. I chug the water, pulling the already wet shirt away from my skin as the sun blazes down on me.

I lean against the car and watch the cattle in the distance as I weigh my options. I could easily go live on my profile. I have over five hundred thousand followers, and I have no doubt someone would come to my aid, but just as quickly as the thought comes, I squash it. I'm not going to do that because there's no guarantee exactly who that help would be.

I grab my phone out of the car and go to the maps app to determine my location before looking for nearby automobile repair shops. I call the only one that is within fifty miles and let it ring and ring before finally hanging up.

I then look up the nearest tow truck company and call them, but it just rings and rings too. I lean my head back against my car and let out a frustrated groan. I'm stranded with no help in sight. Dammit!

I look up and down the road. Surely someone will come along. I'll wait an hour, and if not, I'll start walking. I definitely don't want to be stuck out here in the dark, but that's at least another four hours away.

I get into the driver's side, open the social media app on my phone, set it on the dashboard, and start talking. I rest my elbow on the window of my car and smile into the camera. "Well, guys, I have some free time, so I thought I'd come on. Hit me with your best stranded romance. Maybe where a curvy woman is broken down on the side of a road and a sexy mechanic happens to drive by and saves the day. Give me all your suggestions."

I sign off and then drop my phone in my purse before digging out my e-reader. It seems I have some time, so I'd better catch up on some reading. I have a romance conference that I'm driving to, and I had planned to get there a few days early, catch some sights, and get some reading done before it starts.

Someone will be along soon. I just know it.