Harlequin Romance March 2021 Box Set Cara Colter (the mitten read aloud TXT) 📖

“I’d ask you to jump in, but after spinning out, you’d better not,” he said, his husky voice pulling her back to reality. He opened the door and held his hand out as she stepped up into the truck.

The warmth of the interior blanketed her immediately, and releasing a pent-up sigh, she sank into the passenger seat. Her nose immediately reacted to a familiar scent. Pizza? She turned and saw the large box on the back seat with the words Maurizio’s Pizzeria on it.

The door on the driver side opened and Red quickly settled in behind the wheel. His face broke into a grin. “Hungry?”

* * *

Red almost laughed out loud at her expression. It was one of mingled disbelief and something else—like maybe envy…

“I was going to pick up a pizza there,” she murmured wistfully. “But I changed my mind when I heard about the freezing rain.”

“Well, I don’t mind sharing,” he said, feigning solemnity. “But first things first. Don’t you have to call your husband? And then you can let me know your address. I can either use my GPS or you can tell me where to go.” He smiled, turning on the windshield wipers.

“If I wasn’t at your mercy right now, I’d probably tell you where to go,” she blurted. “Pardon my bluntness, but your monster truck was getting too close for comfort. It made me nervous and I wanted to move onto the shoulder before you zoomed by me and caused an accident.” She crossed her arms and tilted her chin defiantly at him.

“Ouch. I left myself wide open for that, didn’t I?” He rubbed his jaw. “But let me set the record straight, Veronica or Ronnie. I was approaching because I wanted to let you know that one of your taillights wasn’t working.” He leaned toward her. “And believe it or not, I was going under the speed limit.” He surveyed her flushed cheeks, and eyes which reminded him of chestnuts glistening in the sun. They matched her hair, or what he could see of it under that toque. It looked like she had it up in a ponytail. And her mouth…right now her lips were pursed, but rosebud pink and lovely…

“I forgot my phone. May I use yours, please?”

“Of course,” he said, stifling his desire to chuckle. He found her honesty refreshing. He stretched out to reach into his pocket. “Your hubby must be worried about you.”

A frown immediately creased her forehead. She took off her gloves and reached for his cell phone, giving him a clear view of her left hand. No ring.

The sound of a male voice was loud and clear. “Hey, buddy, what’s up?”

Ronnie looked at the phone as if it were something from outer space and then put it back to her ear. “Hey, when did I become a ‘buddy’?”

“Ronnie, is that you? And why are you using my friend’s phone? Where are you? I didn’t know you were out in this weather!”

Red exchanged a confused look with Ronnie. They had a mutual friend?

“Friend?” Ronnie’s jaw dropped. “My car spun out and got stuck in a stretch of deep snow off the shoulder. He was behind me on the road and he stopped to help me. I forgot my phone at the cottage.”

“Are you all right? Are you hurt?”

“I—I’m okay.”

“Are you sure? Let me talk to Red.”

Red took the phone. He was curious to find out which one of his friends Ronnie had contacted. And why they had never mentioned this lovely lady sitting next to him now, her chestnut eyes fixed on him with just as much curiosity in their glistening depths.

“Hello? Hold on a sec, I’ll put you on speaker. Okay, which one of my ‘buddies’ are you?”

“Red, it’s me, Casson.”

“What the—” Red frowned.

“And you’ve rescued my cousin. Thank God she’s safe.”

“Cousin?” His gaze flew to Ronnie. Casson had mentioned a cousin by the name of Ronnie.

“Are you sure she’s okay? She didn’t hit her head?”

Red’s gaze flew to Ronnie, who was rolling her eyes. “She insists she’s fine. There’s no sign of bruising. And no bruises on her car, either. Just wheel-deep in snow.”

“I’ll arrange for a tow tomorrow,” Casson said. “As for driving her back to Winter’s Haven, I wouldn’t advise it. The country roads are iced over. How are they in town?”

“Getting bad. I’ll be taking my time getting home.”

“Can you put Ronnie up for the night? I’m sure you can find a corner for her in that shack of yours, Red.” Casson laughed.

Red chuckled, aware of Ronnie’s sudden scowl. “I suppose I can put up with Ronnie for the night,” he said, deliberately switching the words.

“Excuse me, gentlemen,” Ronnie cut in sharply. “Red can just drop me off at the nearest hotel, if you don’t mind.”

“Okay, call me when you get there, Ronnie,” Casson said. “Thanks, Red. Drive safe.”

“Will do. Catch you later.”

Red put his cell phone down and turned on the radio, catching the last segment of the sports news. “Weather’s next,” he said, buckling up. Moments later, they heard the warning to stay off the roads, as the quickly dropping temperature was causing flash freezing and dangerous driving conditions.

Red turned off the radio. “Well, that clinches it,” he said, shrugging. “I have no choice but to drive you to my place. The nearest hotel is much farther away.” He saw her look of dismay. “Don’t worry. It’s not that run-down of a shack. Sure, it needs a little TLC, but I’m sure there are worse places to be stuck in…”

“I can’t believe this,” Ronnie muttered, shaking her head. “What rotten luck.”

“It’s not that bad,” Red said consolingly, flashing her a grin. “You get to have some of that awesome pizza. Man, it smells so good. Let’s get outta here…” He rolled down his window to make sure the way was clear. The air was remarkably colder, and the freezing rain lashed at his face. He quickly shut the window. “You buckled up?”