“The only thing that ever worked on Rowan was not reacting,” Cam said.

“Advice you didn’t learn from your mom,” Emmitt said dryly. “Her favorite thing was reacting. Usually overreacting.”

“True,” Cam admitted. “I learned in the Coast Guard. Sometimes the guys in my unit act like a bunch of middle-school boys.”

“Don’t you mean girls?” his dad asked.

“Nope. Middle-school girls are smarter than middle-school boys. And that doesn’t change with age, by the way.”

Which gave Piper her first laugh of the day.

Chapter 9

Choose your own adventure!

Cam stood by while Piper checked his dad’s vitals, noting that his dad looked good.

Piper looked exhausted.

“She takes better care of everyone around her than she does of herself,” Emmitt said.

Yeah, Cam was starting to get that. He waited until his dad had hugged Piper and walked off before turning to Piper.

Who’d also started to walk off, toward her house.

“Hey,” he said, gently catching her hand, pulling her back around to face him. He bent his knees a little to look into her face. “You okay?”

“Of course.”

Of course. He shook his head. “You’re the only person I know who could work the long shifts you do day after day, and then come home to put in some time fixing up your place, and say of course you’re okay.”

“But I am.”

He ran a finger along her temple, tucking an errant strand of hair behind her ear, not missing the little shiver his touch gave her. “You hungry?”

“No.”

“You tired?”

“No.”

“Okay then,” he said, knowing she was lying on both counts. “Do you trust me?”

She slid him a look. “I mean . . . maybe situationally.”

He laughed at that. “Blunt. I like it.”

“Most people don’t.”

“I’m not most people.”

She stared up at him. “You might be right.”

“You think you can turn off your mistrust enough to come with me somewhere? You won’t have to think or do anything other than enjoy.”

“Is it a one-way trip to a deserted island? Because that’s on my list.”

He smiled. “I thought Alaska was on your list.”

“I’ve decided to become more adaptable.”

He studied her. “Would you actually get on a plane with me right now?”

“No.”

“Would you get into my truck if I promised you less than a thirty-minute drive, and then an amazing time?”

She arched a brow. “You think you’re an amazing time?”

He laughed. “It’s possible I have my moments. You’ll have to come with me and decide for yourself.”