The Wayward Sister (The Wayward Sons 5)

“A hike in the woods is never a bad thing.” She raises her eyebrow and holds up her elbow. “I stand by it.”

I take the lead and direct us back toward the path. She wasn’t that far off, which proves that she really must have panicked and lost her bearings. Sierra handled it the right way though; not moving and calling for help. Too many people get even more lost trying to find their way back.

We walk back toward the parking lot, making small talk. Even when we first met her around Christmas she seemed a little withdrawn. Overwhelmed. Something has happened since then, making it harder to connect. With most women I’d be turned off, but with Sierra it just makes me want to get to know her better.

“Thank you,” she says, kicking the dirt off her boots on the paved lot, “I really appreciate it.”

I touch the curve of my cap. “No problem. That’s why we’re here.”

She smiles. “It was nice to see you again, Adrian.”

“You too.” I hold her eye, hopeful she may be receptive. “Maybe we can see each other again—sooner this time?”

“I, uh…” she winces, “things aren’t great for me right now.”

Ouch. “Right. Sure.”

She climbs into her Jeep, and I stand back, watching her pull out of the parking space. In a blink she’s gone, heading back toward the east entrance, back toward wherever she came from. I realize I didn’t find out where she’s staying—just that she’s not in Lee Vines.

The walkie crackles on my belt and I reach for it. “Everything okay?” Robbie asks.

“Yep. She’s safe.”

“Good, I’ll let Katie know.”

I signal off and head back toward the truck, thinking about the woman with the dark hair and powerful eyes, already wanting to see her again.

4

Sierra

After getting lost I go home, shower, get into bed, and turn on Supernatural. I feel like an absolute idiot, and no one but Dean, Sam, and some snarky Winchester humor are going to provide me comfort.

Getting lost in the woods is like, an amateur move. It would be like Dean getting possessed by an all-powerful deity.

Oh wait.

The truth is that I’m not just humiliated at being lost. Shit happens. Bears happen. But being found by Adrian was a low. I’ve always prided myself on being independent—strong. And for him to find me like that, soaked and covered in mud, scared and shaking?

And seriously? Adrian Brooks? At first, I’d just been relieved to see someone appear in the woods, figuring Katie got Robbie to come find me. But then the tall frame came fully into view, and there was no mistaking the shaggy blonde hair and sharp cheekbones. Relief turned into a burst of butterflies in my lower belly, and I saw the look of surprise in his eyes. That shifted quickly, and I felt my skin burn as his eyes swept over my body, assessing me inch by inch.

Any chance that he may not remember me was dashed when he said my name. I’d only hung out with him twice. Once at the Christmas Eve party where I met him, Smith, and Holden. Then again at New Year's Eve.

I’d been stunned when they walked into the Epic Café. Three gorgeous mountain men. They carried themselves with a confident ease, although there was a hint of darkness in Smith. I’m not afraid of men with baggage. I raised four of them, but he was closed off and distant from the beginning. It only got worse when we all got together for New Years with Robbie and Katie.

Like I said, if the fates are trying to tell me something, it’s that I should focus on what I’m here for. Fixing this house. Selling it. Moving on.

Like the Winchesters, if I learned anything over the last six months, it’s that you can’t run from your past.

There’s something else that nags at me when I wake the next morning. I don’t like owing a debt, and what Adrian did yesterday feels like something I need to repay.

How do you repay a guy for doing his job?

I walk through the hardware store in town, loading up my cart with a few things to get started on the house, thinking about this. I lived with four teenaged boys. What did they like? Girls, obviously. Starlee, in particular. Sports. Video games, but most of all?

Food.

I get in line to check out and see a few cards for handy-men and contractors on the counter.