Lucky Baby by Taryn Quinn

Ten

Watchingthe sun tease the sky held a whole new meaning when you knew a funeral was in your future.

No one should be in the ground before the age of thirty. Hell, I’d say eighty with the whole medical advances thing. But twenty-seven? The same age as me? No.

That wasn’t the way it should go.

I tucked my fingers into the oversized cardigan I wore against the biting wind. The sky was steel gray and heavy with rain. I could smell it on the air and feel it in my shoulder.

It was always my barometer. At least the old injury had been for a good cause—beating the holy hell out of a ’67 Impala for a client with more money than sense. She’d wanted a replica of Baby from the show Supernatural.

And I’d been stupid enough to do it.

She’d found the most ridiculously rusted out piece of crap that had been wasting away in some dude’s barn. It’d had water damage, frame issues, and leather eaten by God knows what. But in the end, I’d gotten that motherfucker growling as well as Dean Winchester himself.

Or so I liked to believe.

Some days were insanely fun. Some days were made to be stamped out and forgotten. I had a feeling the next two days would fall in the latter category.

The rumble of Lucky’s ancient pickup coming down my drive had me turning around. My weekender was packed and a cooler with snacks, water, and sodas stood at the edge of my as yet renovated barn.

We had to wait a few days for some final permits to come in as well as roofing supplies and some lumber from Turnbull. It was the snow capital of NY and they’d already had their third snowstorm, though it wasn’t even a full week into October.

I could only imagine what was coming our way this year.

Lucky and Gideon had assured me they would get the roof finished first so the rest of the barn renovation could move along.

If I had to go to a funeral-slash-memorial, at least the timing could’ve been worse.

I wanted to hide in the workshop and figure out the back panels of the Phantom, not face my dead lover’s family. Oh, and of course my brother, who was still mourning for his best friend, and my dad, who’d thought of Jimmy as another son. All of it made me want to take my bag and hit the road for a whole different kind of destination.

I could start over again. Maybe try Canada this time.

The beige and blue battered panels of Lucky’s truck as it barreled down the drive were disguised in a wake of dust. I really needed to think about improving the road with winter coming. That was going to be a bitch to keep plowed.

One more thing to add to my checklist.

He parked and hopped out. “Mornin’.” He strode over to my bags. “Oh, hey. You packed snacks?” His slash of a smile made my gut twist.

Here I was, acting like nothing happened last night. That I hadn’t let Lucky hold me while I shook in his arms. Never mind that I’d agreed he could join me on this trip.

He’d asked if I needed a friend, and I couldn’t remember ever wanting one more.

I wrapped the edges of my sweater tighter and crossed to him. “Less stops the better.”

“That’s no fun. You’re supposed to find shitty diners on the endless highways of America.”

“Been to all of them.”

“I got you a coffee from Macy’s on the way.”

“I could ki—um…thank you.”

He grinned down at me. “What was that?”

“That’s very kind of you.”

His lips twitched. “What’s in the thermos?”

“More coffee.”

“You’re so organized.” He crouched down to the cooler and flipped it open. “Grapes, trail mix, nuts.” He glanced up at me. “Where’s the gummy bears? M&Ms?”

“Keep digging.”

“That’s my girl.” He shoved his big paw in there and found the candy layer. “Twizzlers—you are my soulmate.”

“Shut up.”

He tucked the thermos under his arm, and swung both the soft-sided cooler strap and my bag over his shoulder. When my coat slipped free from where I’d looped it over the bag, I stepped forward and snatched it before he could take that too. “I can carry my own stuff.”

“Yeah, yeah. Just get in the truck.”

I stomped after him, my arms wrapped around my one good jacket—well, other than my leather one.

“What did you do with Butch?”

“She’s getting spoiled by Luna and Caleb.” He swore as he twisted his shoulders to stuff himself into the back. “They said it was mini practice for the kid.”

“With your dog? No. She’s cake.”

“I didn’t argue and neither did B. She is loving life. I’m actually worried she won’t want to come home.”

I came up next to him. The small backseat of the cab didn’t have much room. Lucky had a ruck sack tucked in the corner and a blazer hanging from a makeshift hook in the ceiling.

“B will miss you desperately.”

He glanced over his shoulder. “Are you trying to make me feel better?”

“Well, you are driving me to Connecticut.”

“I can’t believe that’s where this shindig is. Didn’t you say he was a California firefighter?”

“They both were—are—adrenaline junkies. They went where the action was.” Now I didn’t know what Cohen would be. Even more out of control? Or would this change the heart of him?

“Yeah, I get that.” He seemed satisfied with his version of luggage Tetris, then opened up the passenger side for me. “Ready to get on the road?”

“No.”

He tucked a loose piece of hair behind my ear. “Want to do it anyway?”

I sighed. “Yes.”

He gripped the top of the door. “Then get that superior ass in the truck.”

I hopped up and he gave me a smile before he shut the door. His soapy scent hit my nose again. He’d cleaned out the truck for me—pretty sure he’d even hit the car wash, at least on the inside.

A large to go cup was waiting for me as well as a stash of candy. I wasn’t the only one who thought ahead. The truck had a big bench-style seat with the shifter on the floor, giving both of us much needed leg room.

He got in and laid his arm across the back of the seat as he backed out. I couldn’t figure out why I knew his scent, but it was driving me crazy. It didn’t match the kind of guy I’d thought he was.

“So, are you a rock tunes or a podcast girl?”

“You listen to podcasts?”

He shook his head. “I have brain cells too. My life isn’t just smashing walls down.”

“I didn’t—” My jaw dropped open.

“Your face.” He chuckled as he put the truck in drive. “I like that Asher dude’s podcast. Murder in small towns is fascinating.”

I gave him some side-eye. “Should I worry?”

He laughed and made the executive decision to go with some Keith Urban. “Don’t worry, Ruby. I only give killer orgasms.”

“Keep it up and I’ll push you out of the truck myself.”

He threw his head back with a hearty laugh. His not quite perfect baritone serenaded me for an hour before I cried uncle. I didn’t want to own up to the fact that I actually liked it. That was precisely the problem.

We listened to two episodes of Asher Wainwright’s podcast before stopping for a bathroom break. Traffic was light since most people were working. I knew we had snacks. I’d had all the right intentions. Then a McMuffin called my name. I’d pay for it, but right now, I didn’t really care.

I got two for each of us and rushed back to the rest stop’s parking lot. Lucky was sitting on the hood of the truck, tossing grapes into his mouth.

Damn, all that hair glinting in the light was giving me all kinds of very good but very bad thoughts. Lucky was going to kill me, and not the way that led to a trip into the woods.

I was supposed to be thinking about Jimmy and my brother, but just then, nothing seemed to matter but this moment.

The sun had burned through the clouds as soon as we’d left the Cove behind. He’d stripped off his shirt, leaving him in worn jeans and a black tank. His skin was burnished from the sun, and his tattoos were faded like his jeans.

He tipped his head back as he chewed, soaking in the sun.

I came to a stop in the middle of the road. I was not catching feelings for this guy, was I?

The honk of a horn made me jump as Lucky zeroed in on me. I held up the McDonald’s bag like a trophy and he whistled.

“Girl, you read my mind.” He stuffed the half gone stem of grapes back in the baggie and slid off the truck.

“McDonald’s and a road trip go together like peanut butter and jelly.” I tossed the bag at him.

“Only way better.” He dug in with a groan. “Perfect.” He nodded to the truck. “I’ve got disinfectant wipes in the glove box.”

“Obsessed with germs?”

He shrugged.

Then I remembered he’d been pretty much homeless for years and wanted to kick my own ass. I got in and we cleaned up then unwrapped our breakfast sandwiches.

I held mine out to him and he tapped it with his. “Cheers.”

“What do you have back there?” I asked between bites

He looked over his shoulder. “Camping stuff.”

“You know we’re going to a hotel, right?”

“I like to be prepared.”

“Boy Scout too?”

He waggled his brows. “Always prepared, babe.”

Once the sandwiches were gone, I twisted onto my knees to get to the cooler. I pulled off my sweater and threw it on my bag. I was a bit freakish about my water being cold. I’d filled up a few insulated tumblers for the ride and grabbed one. My elbow brushed his shoulder and he stilled as my hair draped over his arm.

“Sorry.” Quickly, I got back on my side of the truck. “How long do we have?”

“We’re just outside of Pittsfield, so we should make it there a little after noon.” He cleaned up our late breakfast then pulled out of the parking lot.

“I’m gonna blink out for a bit. I slept for shit.”

“Go ahead.”

I wasn’t actually tired, but the closer we got to Jimmy’s hometown, the less capable I was of making small talk. It had been years since I’d been out this way.

I’d tagged along with Cohen and Jimmy one summer—the summer we’d tangled.

Cohen had fallen in lust with a girl working in Mystic and had dragged us both with him in case the online hookup fizzled. It hadn’t, leaving Jimmy and I alone. I was high on my new designs for my first fabricator machine and getting some interest from a company to collaborate. I’d been feeling reckless and happy for the first time in a while.

Jimmy was charming and there had always been something between us. Neither of us had ever thought to step over the line until we’d been left to our own devices. One hot day in July, I’d made the biggest mistake of my life.

At the time, it hadn’t seemed that way. But when Jimmy asked me not to tell my brother about us, I should have run far and fast. Secrets never led to happiness. But I’d been too stupid and blind. I’d believed that he wanted me. For half a second, I’d even believed I was in love with him.

I’d been so wrong.

I didn’t think I was going to fall asleep, but I supposed I wanted to escape even the memories. I woke to Lucky lightly shaking my shoulder.

“Ruby?”

Before I answered him, I pressed my forehead to the window. The sign outside proclaimed the memorial for James Devine. There were a fleet of cars parked in the lot, and a line snaked out the door.

“Ruby?” he repeated.

“I’m awake,” I said quietly.

“I can head over to the hotel if you want to get ready.”

Sitting up, I flipped down the visor. Going to the hotel first was the smart thing to do, but I just wanted to get this over with. I looked like death, and extra primping wouldn’t help that.

I scanned the road. “Why don’t we go over there? I can get dressed in the bathroom.”

He followed my gaze and arched a brow. “Wouldn’t be the first time I got dressed in a diner.”

“I mean, we can go—”

“Don’t worry about it. I don’t have to impress anyone. I’ll just clean up a little.”

I reached over and gripped his arm. “Thank you for driving me to this.”

“Don’t sweat it.”

I’d been pretty low after Ezra’s call last night. It was the only reason I could think of for letting down my guard so thoroughly with Lucky. But right now, the idea of walking into that firehouse alone was more than I could handle.

I checked my phone. I had a few texts from Rhett and Ezra asking when I was arriving. They were saving a seat for me.

But instead of replying, I flipped my phone over on my lap.

“You don’t have to do this.”

I rolled my head toward Lucky. “I do.”

“We can split right now. That road right there,” he arrowed his hand, “can get us out of here in less than five minutes. Three if you hold onto that ‘oh shit’ handle.”

I couldn’t stop a smile.

He turned in the seat. “You can blame me. I got lost.”

“You’d do that?”

“In a heartbeat. They don’t know me.”

Before I could think about it, I leaned into him and pressed a light kiss to his bearded cheek. “Thanks, Thor.”

One of his big hands cupped my jaw. “I hate seeing you so sad. It’s damn near killing me.”

“It’s a selfish sad.” My eyes stung. “I don’t want to face my brother.”

He pressed his forehead to mine. “He’d understand.”

“No. He’d be so hurt.” I shook my head. “I can’t do that to him.” I slid away from Lucky and reached for the bag behind the seat.

With a sigh, he pulled out of the parking lot and did a left turn to the diner half a block down. I stepped out before he could say anything else.

The brisk wind cleared my head a bit before I went inside, bag in hand. Thankfully, the big family-style diners were all the same. I’d be able to get changed without feeling like I was in a school locker. Being tall was a pain in the ass.

I nodded to the waitress at the front door and headed for the back.

“Miss.”

“There’s a big guy coming in after me. He’ll order some food.”

She huffed out an annoyed breath, but then Lucky ducked in through the door and she and the hostess were both distracted. Six-feet-four inches of hot dude would do that.

I was mostly immune.

Okay, barely.

But at this moment, I was very glad for his charming demeanor. I could already hear him flirting with them.

I followed the sign for the bathrooms. “Bingo,” I said and dumped my bag on the counter. I snapped out my handy black dress. It was the one I used for any funeral or business dinner. The damn thing never wrinkled.

I grabbed my heels. Since there were hardly any people in the diner, I didn’t feel bad about ducking into the handicapped stall. Quickly, I did my business—thanks, nerves—then kicked off my boots, socks, shirt, and leggings. I’d worn tights under my leggings so I just had to wiggle into the dress.

It clung to my hips, but it was mostly a column of simple black from neck to ankle. I dropped the shoes to the floor and stepped into the three-inch heels.

Back in the main bathroom, I washed up, pulled my hair into a simple French braid, and put on some lipstick and waterproof mascara so I didn’t look like a ghost. Damn redhead genes.

Within ten minutes, I was back in the diner, bag slung over my shoulder.

Lucky stood at the front counter. He’d swapped his battered jeans for dark-washed ones and a gray button-down. He’d tucked it in, showing off his exceptional assets.

He turned and his gaze tracked along my body before zeroing in on my face. His brows furrowed as if he wasn’t sure what to make of me.

He wasn’t the only one.

“I had them make us some club sandwiches for later.”

“Thanks.” I pulled my wallet out of my bag.

“I got it.”

I gave him a tight smile. There wasn’t enough left in me to argue.

“Thanks, ladies. We really appreciate it.”

“Are you going to the memorial?”

I looked at the floor and nodded.

“Such a waste. He was a nice boy. He and his father were always in here. Jimmy was always such a charmer.”

Charming snake who probably still had money in the bank from the sale of my machine.

I clenched my hands and said nothing.

Lucky slid his palm along my lower back, rubbing lightly. He took the to go bag and steered me out the door.

“Damn, Ruby. You’re almost eye to eye with me in those stilts.”

I stepped into him, grateful for the distraction. “I don’t line up with that many men.” I dropped my gaze to his mouth then lifted it to his sea-green eyes, the flippant flirting between us falling away. “Thanks for doing this.”

“Stop thanking me.” He slid his hand down to catch mine. “Let’s get this done.”

I nodded and let him lead me out of the diner vestibule. The firehouse was packed now so it was easier to drop our stuff off and leave the truck in the diner parking lot.

He kept his hand in mine as we walked across the street.

I meant to drop his hand before I walked in the room, but the guy standing at the podium was waxing poetic about what a wonderful man Jimmy Devine was.

Larger than life photos of him flanked the small stage. Blond and full of smiles, he oozed charisma and his eyes were blue and crinkled at the corners. One picture was of him in his full uniform when he’d first become a firefighter, and in the other, he wore his smoke jumper gear.

Murmurs filled the room. Polite laughter came from people who knew him and loved him.

Once upon a time, I’d been in that list. I’d been fooled too.

At at once, my knees dissolved.

Lucky gripped my hand harder and hauled me against him. I rested my palm against his warm chest. That clean, fresh scent filled my nose and cleared out the little black spots that had been forming at the edges of my vision.

The spell broken, I glanced into the crowd. My gaze landed on a man with a scooter near the wall.

Cohen.

Mottled green bruises covered his jaw, the last ugly reminder of what had happened. They looked as if they were on the way to healing. His leg was in a cast up to the knee. He was using the scooter to stand.

Lucky followed my gaze and gently shuffled me forward.

Ezra was leaning against the wall behind Cohen, his usual dark-rimmed glasses perched on his sharp nose. He wore a suit that had been obviously made for his lanky body. He spotted me and waved me over, a frown forming on his face as he caught sight of the man beside me.

My dad and Rhett were two peas in a pod as always. I finally slipped my hand from Lucky’s and went right to my dad. The tears I’d been holding onto tracked down my cheeks.

He caught me tight. Jeff Burns might have been the elder statesman of this crazy crew, but he was still a solid wall of muscle. He smelled of Tom Ford with a hint of motor oil. The old black leather jacket he wore was as familiar as his scent.

I stepped back and dashed at my eyes. I gave Rhett a quick hug. He was the dapper one of all of us in a modern suit and smelled like something expensive. I moved onto Ezra.

He crushed me close and murmured, “Who’s the tree?”

“A friend.”

He arched a brow, but thankfully, it wasn’t the time for questions. I knew I’d have to answer them eventually.

That was a problem for another day.

Cohen was staring straight ahead, his eyes flat and emotionless.

“Co,” I said softly.

He shook his head, not meeting my gaze.

The tears hit again. I tipped my head back to stop the flow. Then I felt Lucky at my back, his big hand coming to rest on my hip. All that warm sturdiness was like another blow when I felt so damn wobbly.

Cohen finally looked at me. Desolation filled his gray green eyes. They were rimmed with red, but as dry as ash. His jaw flexed and he swallowed hard.

I stepped closer to him, but he shook his head.

I dropped my arms. “Co.” My voice broke. “I’m so sorry.”

“It should have been me,” he whispered.

“No.” I didn’t care right then what he wanted. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. They were usually so sturdy and strong. He’d always been whip lean, but all muscle. Now I only felt bones.

He didn’t hug me back.

I held on anyway.

Whomever was talking finished and the attendees begun clapping. They called someone else up to talk about Jimmy. The woman spoke about how amazing he was. How much he helped others. How generous he was with his time.

Each piece of the eulogy lashed at me.

When I could take no more, I stepped back. Cohen wouldn’t look at me. He’d gone back to staring at nothing. Maybe at some memory we would never share.

Lucky took my arm and tried to lead me over to the wall by my dad, but I couldn’t stay.

“Please get me out of here.” My voice was shaky and foreign.

The whole room was too hot, too much.

People were everywhere, and it felt like I was standing in molasses.

Lucky laced our fingers and dragged me out into the sunshine. Into the brisk October breeze. I shivered, hugging myself as he urged me forward. Down a walkway scattered with leaves and then my heels were sinking into grass.

I stumbled into him, and he wrapped those huge arms around me.

“I just need a minute,” I said against his soft gray shirt. I buried my face in his chest and just held on. “Just a minute.”

“As long as you need, Ruby.”