Nash: A Rough Romance by Piper Stone (book series for 12 year olds txt) 📕

I left the gear in park, turning my head toward Mitch. She remained sleeping peacefully, her head pressed against the passenger door glass. There was no need to wake her until I knew where the hell I was going.

As I climbed out, I could see the guy behind the counter staring at the truck, obviously noticing the damage. It was tough to miss a gunshot. I rubbed my hands together as I walked inside, realizing I likely looked like shit.

The clerk shifted from foot to foot as I moved closer, the look of fear on his face matching his tense body language. “You got a phone I can use?”

“No public phones here.”

I shifted my gaze toward the all-glass front of the door. The dude should be able to see my precious cargo. “We’ve been in an accident. I’m just trying to get to my friend’s place. Not sure of his address.” I locked eyes with his, trying to fake a smile. “My gal isn’t doing well.”

“You don’t know your friend’s address?” he scoffed, giving me a hard look then glancing back out the window.

“Just moving back into town. Been a few years.”

He sized me up, his breathing scattered. After taking another look out the window, he tugged his personal cell phone from his pocket, typing in the passcode. “Here. Just don’t do any long distance shit.”

“I appreciate it and he lives here.” Or so I hoped. I moved away from the counter, shifting to the internet, uncertain if I’d be able to find him. As I typed in Scorpion, I almost laughed. How long had it been since I’d called him by his real name? Not since the day he’d been given the moniker. Cooper McKenzie. One bad ass mother. We’d had our share of arguments over the years, sparring over everything from women to military operations. However, he was a good man, much more so than I would ever be.

I was lucky to find his name, the address sparking a memory. He must have taken over his uncle’s ranch. I remembered Jasper fondly, as well as the bar he used to run. I allowed a few memories to sink in, the limited times I’d been in the bar, only to be tossed out because of my age. This wasn’t the time to go down memory lane.

At least I had somewhere to start.

“I really appreciate it,” I said as I slid the phone across the counter.

“Why don’t you get a soda or some coffee on the house? I think your lady could use something.”

I’d never been a man to accept charity from anyone, but given the shit we’d just been through, I’d make an exception. “Thank you again.”

The coffee was bitter but exactly what I needed, my muscles still ripped from a heavy dose of adrenaline. I knew it was only a matter of time before exhaustion settled in. It was already getting dark, the drive taking a hell of a lot longer than I’d realized.

When I opened the door, the light caused Mitch to stir. She blinked several times, her eyes finally opening wide. “Where are we?”

“Missoula,” I said as I handed her the second cup of coffee. “Drink this. My guess is you need it.”

As I climbed in, she hesitated before taking the cup out of my hands, holding it in front of her for a few seconds.

“If I wanted to hurt you, Mitch, I guess I would have tossed you to the assholes.”

“That’s not…” When she burst into tears, I had no idea how to react. I wasn’t good with comforting anyone and never had been.

Yet I felt compelled to at least attempt to make her feel better. “Look, it’s going to be all right. I’ve got a buddy who lives in town and I’m certain he’ll put us up for the night. We’ll figure out what we need to do in the morning.”

“I have nothing. No clothes. No money. Hell, I don’t even have my wallet. What am I supposed to do?”

I placed the coffee into one of the cup holders before shifting closer, easing my arm around the seat. “You’re in cowboy country now. We take care of our own.” When she refused to look me in the eyes, I slid my index finger under her chin, lifting gently.

She blinked several times, tears continuing to slip past her lashes. “I was such a fool to think I could get away.”

“No, you knew that’s what you had to do.” Using my knuckle, I wiped several of the salty beads away, bringing my fingers to my mouth without thinking. When I licked her tears, she gave me a half smile before inching closer and leaning her head against my shoulder.

“Maybe you’re not such an asshole after all.”

I closed my eyes, doing everything I could to push the ugly memories of my past aside. “No, you were right. I am an asshole.” After a few seconds, I shifted into the driver’s seat. There was no reason to feel such anxiety over seeing an old friend after several months, but in doing so, I knew the scab would be ripped away from the wound that had never fully healed. I’d be forced to face the ugly past and all the nasty trimmings that went along with it.

Once again, she was quiet as I attempted to gather my bearings, allowing my remembrances of the city to slide into my mind. As I drove toward the ranch, I realized I had missed being here. Maybe Snake had been right. The mountains. The majestic rivers. The ranches. I’d forgotten just how beautiful the area truly was.

“What a magical place to grow up in.”

Her tone remained flat. I shifted in my seat. There was no logical reason for the angst that had formed in my gut or the bile remaining in my throat. Maybe I was a chicken shit along with all the other things she’d called me. “I really didn’t give a shit growing up. I guess I