Chapter 4

Houses ranging in sizes from the overly enormous to cute little cottages litter either side of the road. Some pushed far back and others close enough I could touch them if I really wanted to, all in varying states of upkeep. Most pristine and new, while the rest looked like they’d been dropped there decades ago and hadn’t been touched since. I didn’t slow my gait, but I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the view of the rolling hills and smaller mountains that loomed ahead. Breathing in the fresh air, I relish the invigoration that fills me and bump up my speed. I can do this.

However, after walking an hour and only getting 3 miles from where I started, my spirits were starting to drag. I had started out so strong, but determination alone was pushing my feet forward now when I thought of how much further I had to go. Hearing the low grumble of an engine behind me, I hug the side of the road, hoping whoever it was would just keep going. I ignore the vehicle, keeping my head down as I pause my stride, waiting for them to get past me. Once they’d been idling for longer than a minute beside me, my eyes lift of their own volition to find a black GMC truck towering over me. Pursing my lips, I knows exactly who I’d find inside the truck if I were to stick around. Which is exactly why I promptly pick up my pace. No longer caring about getting as far over as I could on the outside of the road’s lines, I abandon all road etiquette and simply walk down the middle. Pulling as close as he can without actually touching me, the truck accelerates only enough to match my speed, half of it rolling through the grass

Rolling down his window, Lawson’s darkened dirty blonde head pops out, eyes narrowing as they take me in, “Out for a stroll, Lynnie?” his chipper voice is jarring in the peaceful silence I’d been basking in  

Quirking a brow, I flip my raven black hair behind my shoulder then throw my arms wide for emphasis, “So it would seem”

A soft chuckle escapes him as he parks the truck and jogs over to to the short distance I had achieved trying to escape him, “What was your call about earlier?”

“Is that why you’re stalking me? Curiosity got the best of you?” I smirk at him

Shrugging off my insult, Lawson falls in line with my stride, letting silence fill the minimal space between us

“Could you go?” Erupts out of me when I’ve had all I could of his close proximity, somehow sensing that he was not about to leave on his own

“Sure” he agrees too easily, “On one condition”

Abruptly stopping, I let out a huff as I narrow my eyes and turn towards him, obstinately lifting my gaze no higher than his chest. Which backfires when I’m up close and personal with that very defined part of him, causing heat to run along the bridge of my nose that I had even noticed it. Trying to regain the upper hand that I had taken from myself with that little stunt, I rearrange my face to give off the rbf I’m known for, “Well” I ask, icy tendrils curling themselves around that single word

Eyes flaring for a second, Lawson recovers quickly, “I take you wherever you’re trying to get to. Then I’ll leave you alone after that. Scouts honor” he puts up the two fingers meant to cement his lie. No way he was one.

Arching a brow, I stifle the immediate need to dismiss him, no-one can know what I’m up to. Aggravation settles in when I’m forced to acknowledge that it will save considerable time to accept his demand. Tilting my head back so that I’m looking directly into his hazel eyes, I acquiesces with a quick nod. 

“Fantastic” he claps his hands together once, heading back towards his truck 

Reluctance drags my feet as I follow behind, cursing him under my breath for getting rid of his running boards. There’s no dignified way to hoist yourself into the truck at my height. And looking like a fool in front of him was something I wanted to avoid at all costs

Finally in and buckled, I turn to find Lawson hiding what looks suspiciously like amusement, “Enjoying yourself?” I snip, nose in the air

Grin deepening, Lawson just shakes his head at me, starting up the truck, “So, where to?” he thrums his fingers on the steering wheel as he waits for my answer

After some quick math, I realize that I’ll still have 10 miles of walking in my future even if I have him drop me off at the campground. Ugh. It’s not that I’m against physical exercise, but its time consuming and really cutting into my schedule.

“Is there another entrance to the Bold Coast, besides the one starting at the the campground? That takes about 6 miles to walk to it” my eyes snap to his when I realize I asked that out loud. I really can not afford to have him figure out my true motives for tonight

Cocking a brow, Lawson rubs his chin, “There is one other” his penetrating stare makes makes me uneasy, indecision lining his face

“O-kay” I finally say when he doesn’t expand upon his answer

“You’ve been going up there a lot” umm what? How on earth would he know that?

“Yeah. What’s it to ya? Hoping for an invitation to go?” I quirk a suggestive brow at him. Maybe I’ve been going about this the wrong way, being outright rude obviously didn’t deter him, but hopefully making him uncomfortable would 

“I…no” he squints into the windshield, posture pensive as he puts the gear shift into drive so we can actually get somewhere today 

Neither of us make an attempt at conversation after that. I press my forehead to the cool glass of the window, keeping my eyes trained on the outside and take a moment to think things through. I couldn’t afford any slip ups, unknowingly committed or not. Had everyone been noticing my comings and goings or was it just him? Trying to find a way to ask that doesn’t make me seem like I care too much, I briefly close my eyes, working the wording in my head just right 

“You asleep over there?” Lawson nudges my leg with the backside of his wrist. My eyes fly open as his knuckles lightly drag across my leg as he pulls his hand back

What’s this now? Is he going tit for tat? 

“Not at all” Wiping the surprise from my face, I sit back up, turning to face him, “So, been monitoring me, huh?” I intentionally lighten my voice, forcing the words to come out breezy, without any weight to them

“In what way?” he asks carefully, too carefully. I squint my eyes at him. This is unbelievable. Whether it was for himself or someone else, he was definitely keeping tabs on me.