Laken pulled out of her parent’s driveway. She’d needed this, to see her dads and relax in their unconditional love. It felt good to get away from the shop and spend some time with them.
She didn’t get out here often enough. She’d been so caught up in making a success of her store that she’d almost forgotten the people she loved.
Her phone rang and she reached across to grab it out of the glove box. She’d left it in there, wanting a bit of peace and quiet for a while. Ricky had called her twice yesterday and she just wasn’t up to dealing with him.
Although she hadn’t meant to stay so long, it was five already. The phone stopped ringing before she could answer it. She frowned as she saw ten missed calls. One from Lila, one from an unknown number—probably Ricky—and eight from Duncan.
Oh shit.
Had he not seen her note?
Pulling over, she called him back.
“Laken, are you all right?” His frantic voice hit her, surprising her by the level of fear in his voice.
“I’m fine. Didn’t you find my note?”
“Note? No. Where have you been?”
“I’ve just left my dads’ place,” she explained. “I left a note in the kitchen for you.” She’d given him a key since he was there so often.
/> “I haven’t been there,” he replied. “Damn it, Laken, why didn’t you call me?”
“You were at work,” she replied calmly. He almost sounded out of control.
“I’m coming to get you,” he said abruptly. “I don’t like you driving out there alone.”
“Duncan, you’re acting strange. I’ve driven out here thousands of times. What is wrong with you?”
“Nothing,” he said too quickly. “But I told you to let me know when you left the store. Plus, you’re supposed to have your cell on you, why didn’t you answer it?”
She did feel a bit guilty about that. She hadn’t meant to scare him.
“I left it in the car. Sorry.”
“Go back to your dads and wait for me.”
“I will not,” she said hotly. “If you’re not going to tell me what’s wrong, then I’m not going to comply with your ridiculous orders.”
She hung up and threw the phone over onto the passenger seat, ignoring it when it rang again.
Foolish man. She was tired of him hiding whatever was going on. If they were going to be in a relationship then he had to learn to share with her.
A few miles down the road, her car started to sputter, shaking.
“No, no, no.”
A faint burning smell hit her nostrils and she glanced at the temperature gauge. Overheated. Damn it. Pulling over to the side of the road, she turned the car off, resting her forehead on the steering wheel.
No need to call anyone, Duncan should be here any second.
She popped open the hood, then undoing her seatbelt, grabbed her handbag and phone and climbed out. She raised the hood just as Duncan pulled up. He slammed his door, then ran over to her.
“What’s wrong? What happened? Are you okay?” He grabbed her shoulders, turning her towards him as he ran his gaze over her.
“I’m fine. It just overheated. Do you have any water?”
Duncan stared at her coldly, then at the car. “Get in my truck.”