Run to You by Rachel Lacey Read Free Book Online

now, losing the ability to drive was a big enough setback. But she shouldn’t be alone. She shouldn’t die alone.
    He raked a hand through his hair. Shit.
    A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. Gabby Winters stood on the other side.
    *  *  *
    Gabby was still fighting the urge to bolt even after she’d knocked. But she needed to return Ethan’s T-shirt, and his Jeep was parked out front so she’d decided there was no time like the present. She would drop off the shirt, then be on her way to the animal shelter to pick up Sir Lancelot.
    Ethan pulled open the door, and her breath caught in her throat.
    “Hi.” His hair once again had a finger-combed look, and there was something raw and painful in his eyes, something that made her want to reach out and comfort him, even though that was completely ridiculous. She barely knew him, he was perfectly capable of taking care of himself, and she was absolutely not here in Haven looking for a man.
    “Hi.” She felt her cheeks flush, which was equally silly. What was it about Ethan Hunter that always left her feeling like a shy teenager with a crush on the high school quarterback?
    “My shitty day is suddenly looking up.” He motioned her in with a smile that sent a happy shiver straight through her.
    Goodness. She followed him into the living room, although they’d obviously begun construction to convert the house into a place of business. The room smelled like fresh paint, and the beginnings of what looked like it would become a reception counter bordered the foyer. “Looks like you have a lot going on here.”
    He nodded. “And lots more still to be done. I don’t suppose you changed your mind about that zip-line tour?” His gaze dropped to her coral-striped skirt.
    She twisted her fingers into its gauzy depths. “Not exactly.”
    “You always wear those.” He gestured to her skirt. “Sexy.”
    It was true; she almost always wore long, bohemian skirts. She loved the way they felt against her skin, the way they moved when she walked. They were feminine but practical, especially paired with her favorite pair of Doc Martens, as she’d done today. “Thank you.”
    Her voice sounded annoyingly breathless. He’d just called her sexy, and she said thank you ? She was terrible at this, which was for the better really. Because Ethan Hunter was clearly a player, and she did not want to be played, not by him or anyone else of his gender.
    “My pleasure.” His eyes locked on to hers.
    “So…I just, um, came to give this back to you.” She held the T-shirt out just as Dixie walked into the living room. Ethan’s grandmother was here. Oh crap. The T-shirt slipped from her fingers and fluttered to the floor with a light plop.
    “Gabby! What a surprise.” Dixie looked between Gabby and Ethan with obvious delight.
    Ethan stooped to pick up the T-shirt with an amused grin. Did nothing fluster him? Because his grandmother had just walked in on her returning his T-shirt to him, which looked like, God , it looked like they’d spent the night together.
    “I was just—” She glanced helplessly at the shirt he now held, her cheeks burning.
    Ethan winked. “Gabby, I hear you’ve already met my grandmother.”
    “Yes.” Gabby forced a smile. “Dixie stopped by. It’s great to see you again.”
    “It sure is. Well, don’t let me interrupt. I’ll be in the car. Take your time, you two.” With a wave, Dixie gathered her purse and went out the front door.
    Gabby blew out a breath with a nervous laugh. “That was embarrassing. It totally looked like…Well, you know.” She gestured toward the shirt.
    Ethan’s smile said he knew exactly what it had looked like and didn’t mind a bit. “Well, we can’t have my gram getting the wrong idea about things. I mean, I would never want her to think I’d slept with a woman without at least taking her to dinner. So what do you say, can I take you to dinner?”
    “Oh.” She took a step backward. “Not that I