“Creed, I need to tell you—”
Headlights flashing across the house made them both look toward the driveway.
“That’s Ma.”
Abby walked up the sidewalk and came to a stop and blinked as if she’d seen a ghost. “Mindy, is that you?”
“Yes, Abby. It’s me.” Mindy still had some shakiness to her tone.
“I heard you were back. I’m so glad to see you.” She dragged Mindy in for a tight hug. She sank against the woman, fighting back tears. Abby had been like a second mother to Mindy.
“It’s been too long,” She pulled back. “We shouldn’t allow so much time to pass before we see each other.”
“I agree.” Abby patted her shoulder.
“Ma, will you stay with Livvy in the morning? I need to take Mindy somewhere at sunrise.”
His mother looked from each of them, a broad smile on her lips. “Of course. What’s the plan?”
“It’s a surprise.” Creed grinned when Mindy looked at him with a narrow eye.
“Shouldn’t you ask my opinion before you make plans?”
“I’ll leave you two kids alone.” Abby backed away and started for the house. “Again, it was nice seeing you Mindy. Don’t be a stranger.”
By now, Mindy had her arms crossed defensively over her chest.
“Come on, Mindy. The girl I used to know would be up for any surprise.”
“I’m a few years older and a lot wiser,” she recited.
“Trust me. What I want to show you, you’ll want to see.” Suddenly this meant more to him than he could explain.
“I don’t.”
“Then don’t but at least do this for me.”
Several seconds passed and he thought she’d deny him this chance. Then finally she dropped her arms to her sides in submission and nodded. “Fine.”
“Be ready by five A.M. Dress comfortably.”
Chapter Eight
MINDY AWOKE TO the sound of her annoying phone alarm.
Blinking against the shadows in her room, she fumbled for the dismiss button and rolled back over, then remembered Creed would be there soon.
Jumping up, she shimmied out of the sheets and her jammies and fumbled for the clothes she’d laid out at the end of the bed. Within minutes she was dressed, a beanie pulled over her head, and her boots on. Her phone lit up from the nightstand.
Grabbing it, she read the text from Creed.
“I’m in the driveway.”
Barely able to keep her anticipation down, she typed, “On my way.”
Tiptoeing downstairs, skipping over the three stairs that squeaked, she quietly went to the front door. She pulled it open and there he stood, the cowboy she’d spent most of the night dreaming about—just like in the past. He slipped his gaze down her from neck to the tips of her boots and back up to hold her stare. “Ready?”
“Sure. Where are we going?” she whispered.
“Are you sneaking out?”
“Old habits die hard.” She closed the door behind her. “Now, where are we going?”
“You always ask too many questions.” Creed grabbed her hand and practically dragged her down the sidewalk toward his silver Chevy Silverado. She dug her heels in. “What are you doing?”
“We’re going for a ride.”
“Wait. How do you know I’m interested in taking a ride with you?” She wanted to, but she didn’t want him to think that she wasn’t still upset with him.
“Mindy, what changed from last night until this morning?” His gaze held hers.
Dreams. Tons of dreams about you. Me wearing a white dress and you in a tux.
She couldn’t tell him this.
His expression softened and his eyes bore into her. “Have patience.”
Lifting a brow, she smiled. “I’ll try.”
“You’re going to enjoy what I’m about to show you.”
“I’ve heard those words before.” Her brows wagged.
His deep smile turned his dimples into pools. “Not that I’m opposed to your mind being in the gutter, but that wasn’t what I was referring to.” He reached over with his free hand and lifted a misbehaving tendril of hair off her cheek. She felt the warm caress of his touch all the way into her bones. He made her weak and she disliked how much control he had over her. Hated that even now, well beyond her teenage years, she still felt like that young girl under his spell.
“Tell me where you want me to go,” she whispered.
“It’s a surprise.”
“Just tell me.”
“Ugh, Minnow.”
“Maybe this is a bad idea.”
“Why?”
As much as she searched for a reason, she couldn’t find even one little white lie. “Okay, but this better be worth it.” She hid her smile.
He opened the passenger door for her. She climbed up into the seat, inhaling the mixture of leather and coffee.
“Grab the cup with the letter S on the lid. Three sugars and four creams, right?”
Flattered that he remembered, she picked up the cup and peeled back the plastic lid, inhaling the amazing scent of vanilla. He even included the flavoring that she loved.
He touched her waist and she jerked, spilling some of the coffee over the rim and onto her hand. He pulled the seatbelt over her torso, smiling. “Creed, I can do that for myself.” She took the strap from him and clicked the metal into place.
“Sorry. I guess I still feel the need to protect you.” His words were like chocolate for the soul. Not that she needed a man’s protection, but truth was, on occasion she’d like to have a man protect her or make her feel special. Branch not once had thought of helping her with her seatbelt, or even something as simple as helping wash the dishes after dinner. Creed opened the glove compartment, took out a napkin and laid it on her lap. “I’d clean you myself, but I might have to kiss you too.”
She swallowed a moan.
His eyes were twinkling in mischief as he stepped back,
