saw in the suits she’d dated in Chicago. Plus, he was familiar with medical terms and had used some when they had talked on the phone to arrange her visit.
Not that she was thinking of dating Mr. Muscles or anything. She just liked to know who she was dealing with. Sure, that was it. Chloe fanned her face with Ivan’s paperwork.
Though the overcast sky had dropped the temperature outside, the temperature inside the car rose a bit with each image of Chance that scrolled across the screen in her mind. It left her feeling befuddled and bereft and inexplicably unsettled.
Standing in the overpowering presence of an unbelievably good-looking guy should not make her feel like she’d stepped in the path of an oncoming tsunami. Not even if he was quite possibly the most amazingly gorgeous man she’d ever laid eyes on.
Speaking of storms, Chloe eyed the skies as she sat in her car with her medical charts and stared at the black clouds that had gathered above the Garrison home. Boxes had been strewn everywhere, proving the men had just moved in but hadn’t gotten everything settled yet.
The despair vying for hope on the son’s handsome face had yanked Chloe’s heartstrings. She finished her medical charting and pulled away from the curb.
By the time Chloe navigated her SUV to the stop sign at the end of the long street, hail pelted her car and rain slapped the windshield. She twisted the knob. Wipers slashed across the relentless film of falling water.
She punched buttons on her GPS. “Okay, Miss G. Left or right?” Having only been in Refuge a few days, she was unfamiliar with the residential streets. Before arriving at the Garrison home, she’d come from a meeting with Mandy at Refuge’s hospital, a different direction than her mom’s home.
The arrow in the GPS screen pointed left, but despite her wipers running full speed ahead, visibility was poor.
The wind picked up, blowing sheets of rain sideways. Her SUV trembled in their power. She tried to peer out her side windows. Water rushed in rivulets, distorting her view. Midnight whined and moved closer to her.
“I know, boy. You’re scared of storms.” Chloe nibbled her lip and eyed the dark sky. Didn’t they have bad storms here? Wasn’t Refuge part of Tornado Alley? Her native Chicago was six hours north and the weather drastically different than in southern Illinois.
She peered in her rearview mirror long enough to consider returning to Chance’s house for cover.
Normally she’d feel weird seeking shelter from a stranger. But something about Chance reminded her of home, and in a good way. He seemed the sort who would be like a protective big brother. Or the ideal best friend everyone wished they had. Strong and honest and stalwart. Yet loving and kind and hospitable. The slight drawl and sweet southern manners, endearingly shy demeanor, crooked smile and deep dimples didn’t hurt either.
Chloe let out a long groan. She applied the brakes to her mind and pressed her foot to the gas of her SUV.
She’d rather contend with a potential twister than this attraction trying to twist up her insides.
Three blocks later, Chloe regretted her decision to weather the storm. No choice now but to drive through it. The wind howled outside and Midnight howled inside.
Slowing, she pressed a hand on his thick neck. “It’s okay, boy. Shhh. You’re fine, buddy.”
Rain increased to the point that she couldn’t see her hood, much less the road, wherever it was. White-knuckling the wheel, she pulled her car over to what she hoped was a curb and put on her hazard lights.
“I hope no one crashes into us, Midnight. Of course, I’m probably the only dummy out here trying to drive through what appears to be an inland hurricane.”
Pounding at her window drew her attention and elicited a shriek she didn’t realize slipped out of her until Midnight surged up and growled at the figure outside.
A very tall, broad figure that caused her heart to beat faster than the rain sloshing back and forth with her useless wipers.
Even through the darkened sky and thrashing rain, she’d recognize that crooked smile anywhere. Chance.
He stood with a sopping newspaper failing to shield his wet face. He moved his hand in a rapid circle. Trying to get her to roll her window down? She reached for her window button.
He shook his head and pointed to her passenger window. She unlocked the door. He rushed around, pulled the door open and slid like quicksilver into her seat, shoving the dog over in one smooth process. As roomy as her car’s interior was, his massive frame filled it to capacity.
“Hey.” Water trickled from his spiky military buzz. He dripped all over her just-cleaned seat. She didn’t care.
She loosened her grip from the steering wheel. “Hey.” Handsome. “I’m stuck.”
He grinned. “I see that. Where are you trying to go?”
“My house.”
He laughed. “And you don’t know where it is?”
She giggled. “Actually, no, because it’s my mom’s house. I’m staying there while I’m here in Refuge.”
His smile faded a shade. “Do you plan to leave soon?”
“I’d love to stay, but I have to get an animal-assisted therapy program off the ground in order to transfer my business from Chicago. I long to live in southern Illinois. Specifically here in Refuge, since my mom is here.” Not only that, but also she was on a waiting list for her own place.
Chance stroked Midnight. “What brought her to Refuge?”
Chloe pondered how to answer. Chance was undoubtedly only asking to be polite. But just in case his interest was any deeper than that, she’d best tell him the truth.
“She wanted to move as far away as possible from my dad’s mistress.”
His jaw slackened and his face tilted. “Oh, wow. Sorry, Chloe. It was rude of me to pry.”
“Doesn’t matter.” She sighed and scraped her fingernails along the rubber holding the glass in and realized two things: One, it felt purging to talk in the rain. Two, she liked his company and didn’t want to leave it.
Chance shifted, but not because he seemed uncomfortable. He looked relaxed as he watched her. “I get the feeling you don’t mind talking about it. Need to, maybe.”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. You just seem the type to be a good listener. Someone who’d understand.”
Chance unlatched his seat belt and nodded. “I try. So, is your dad still with the mistress?”
Chloe couldn’t help it; a laugh scraped out. “No. My dad’s dead. He died when I was younger.”
Chance shifted again. “Sorry, Chloe. That’s rough.”
“Yeah, well, just so you know, the mistress…was his church. He was a pastor who knew and cared for his congregation better than his wife or daughter.” She reached for the door handle. Not sure why. She’d said too much.
But
