Chapter 4: Twenty Yards

Rowena snatched her wrist out of his hand.

Lachlan's eyes opened. The tearing came back into her chest at about half its strength, and he flinched too.

"It's the touch," he said hoarsely. "Skin on skin stops it. Distance makes it worse."

"You didn't know that on the road?"

"I didn't know any of it. Nobody I know has ever had a rejection hang."

"Then I'm the first."

"You're the first," he agreed. His mouth twisted. "Congratulations."

She sat up and pulled his coat tight around her.

The truck was parked on the verge.

Hester sat in the back seat with her arms folded, looking ready to bite someone.

Vivian and Orson's pickup had gone. So had the lumber van, but she doubted the driver would keep quiet.

"Where are you taking me?" Rowena said.

"The pack house. You'll have your old room back."

"With a hundred and fifty wolves who laughed at me?"

"Nobody will say a word to you. I'll see to it."

"You'll see to it." She laughed, and it hurt. "You are the reason there are words."

He had no answer for that.

Hester leaned forward between the seats.

"The ranger cabin on Mill Road," she said. "It's on Kerr land, but outside the pack's walls."

"Nobody lives there."

"Three miles from the gate," Lachlan said slowly.

"Close enough for the bond. Far enough that she isn't sleeping under the Crowes' noses."

Lachlan looked at Rowena.

"Is that what you want?"

"I want a hot bath and a door that locks."

"The cabin has a door that locks."

"Then I want the rules."

His brows rose.

"Twenty yards," Rowena said. "I don't care how you do it."

"You stay within twenty yards of me so neither of us falls over, and not one step closer."

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