He smiled and brushed her long hair over her shoulder. His voice got low and husky, his blue eyes tender. “Have you been missing me as much as I’ve been missing you?”
Breeze’s stomach bubbled with a delicious warmth. He’d missed her. He did care. “Is that why you’re here?” she asked, hoping, praying.
“I’ve been wanting to come but … no, that’s not the reason.” Seth pulled back slightly, and Breeze’s hopes withered away like an un-watered tomato plant.
The old, beat-up truck Ridge had built from spare parts rumbled off the main highway and up the dirt road that led to their trailer. Breeze focused on her brother jumping out of the truck and not how bad it hurt that Seth hadn’t come for her. She didn’t know what she’d expected anyway. She’d been the one to leave, and simply remembering the gorgeous home that had burned to the ground, compared to this pathetic spot she called home, reaffirmed the distance between them. At least he had missed her, but he was probably so busy with his success and all the women who followed him around that it couldn’t be anything close to how much she’d missed him.
“Breeze!” Ridge hollered. He paused and his eyes widened. “Seth?” His dark eyes lit up. “I’m so glad you’re here. You’ve heard?”
Seth nodded slightly and asked, “What have you heard?”
“My friend Johnny keeps in touch with Flint’s brother. Flint’s bragging about how he got away with hurting Rachel and now …” He swallowed hard and his gaze went over Breeze. “He’s coming after Breeze.”
She shivered and looked back at Seth. He nodded in confirmation. “He came through the pits before my race in Jacksonville. Told me he hoped you didn’t have an ‘unfortunate accident’ like my sister.”
Her stomach felt like she’d swallowed a cup of bleach. Flint was coming. Would he try to hurt her personally or just blow up her house like he’d blown up the Jewel’s mansion? She glanced at her little trailer home. It wasn’t much. It was nothing compared to Seth’s parents’ beautiful home, but they took the best care of it they could, and it was all that she and Ridge had.
Cold fear prickled her spine as Seth and Ridge watched her as if worried that she’d unravel. What if Flint was already here? Her gaze darted around at the dark fields and mountains surrounding them. A car approached along the highway and she caught her breath. The vehicle passed and she let her breath rush out.
“Do you think he’s already here? If we walk into the trailer will it explode? Oh, wait, Caleb walked in there.” She looked at the lit-up trailer. “That was so crazy of him.”
“Not the craziest thing Caleb has done.” Seth’s gaze softened on her and she longed for him to pull her close and comfort her, maybe place a sweet kiss on her forehead. “I think we beat Flint here, but I’m not certain.” He looked to Ridge. “What did your friend say?”
Ridge shrugged. “Just that he was coming. Johnny thought Breeze was pretty and a great cook so he didn’t want Flint to kill her, but he threatened me if I let it slip where he heard it, he’d kill me himself.” He rolled his eyes. “How’s Caleb?”
Seth pointed out toward the main road. “Ask him yourself. He’s parked about a quarter of a mile away in the driveway of a deserted house.”
Ridge let out an excited cheer. Breeze hadn’t seen him that happy since the day his truck fired up for the first time. “Sweet! I’m going to see him.” He darted off down the driveway.
“And here I thought you said I was the kid’s hero.” Seth smiled wryly.
“I think you still intimidate him a little bit. Caleb’s more on his level.”
Seth laughed. “Naw. Ridge is more mature than Caleb by years.”
Breeze smiled, but she couldn’t bring herself to laugh. Seth hadn’t come for her. He’d come because Flint was coming here, or had already come, possibly even watching them from the darkness. Her home might explode and she didn’t know if she even dared to retrieve the money box where she stored her tips, the few pictures she had of Ridge and her growing up, or the necklace her Grandpa James had given her before he died — the only piece of jewelry she’d ever owned.
Seth walked to her and offered his hand. Breeze placed her palm in his. Their fingers linked together, and she wasn’t quite as afraid or alone anymore. He hadn’t come because he wanted to be with her, he’d come to protect her, again. She must’ve lost all her self-respect because all she cared about was that he was here.
“Come on,” he said. “Let’s go chat with Caleb and see if the crazy plan he’s already concocted has merit.”
She nodded and walked hand in hand with him down the drive. “How come you don’t seem afraid?” she asked quietly, still worried Flint was already lurking out in the darkness.
He glanced sharply down at her. “Were you not there when I destroyed him in our fight?”
She smiled. “I did watch that, and it was impressive, but you know Flint won’t come here unprepared. Especially if he basically taunted you to come.”
“I also have something more impressive than my fighting skills.” He squeezed her hand and she was so grateful he was here. She wished she could believe that it meant they had a chance.
“What’s that?” she asked.
“Crazy Caleb. That boy can plan covert ops, or sturdy tricks, as we used to call them, that will make your head spin. Caleb comes up with all the ideas, and I make sure they work. Flint doesn’t really stand a chance.”
Breeze squeezed his hand back, hoping he was right.
* * *
Seth was keyed up as he walked along beside Breeze. Being beside her again was like the final jump of a supercross race. The crowd in his head was going wild. He wanted to punch a fist in the air before he swept her off her feet and gave her a victory kiss. The only problem was she was still acting reluctant around him and there was still the matter of Flint Brooks coming to hurt her. He wouldn’t let Flint touch her, though he was grateful the loser had given him the provocation to come find Breeze again. It had been stupid to ever let her drive away.