Page 5 of The Pilot

“You don’t have to do that,” Harper said, stunned that he’d even offered.

“I know I don’t.”

“Well . . . okay. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I usually wouldn’t suggest waking a kid, but maybe you should let Kash know you’re back when you get home. So he doesn’t worry anymore. You can tell him about the new living arrangements and figure out the bus thing tomorrow. I don’t know how that works.”

It wasn’t quite that easy, but in the scope of everything else, they’d figure it out.

Then something occurred to Harper—and she felt the need to be clear. “Just because I’m moving into your house, that doesn’t mean I’ll be obligated to you . . . sexually.”

The look on Linc’s face made Harper regret her words instantly. She saw shock, then anger flash over his features before he quickly masked his emotions.

“I’ll follow you back to your dad’s house,” he bit out, reaching for the door handle.

Before he could throw himself out of the vehicle, Harper grabbed his arm. He froze with one foot on the ground, halfway out of her car.

“I’m sorry,” she blurted. “I didn’t mean to offend you. It’s just . . . I didn’t want there to be any misunderstandings.”

“Did I give you any indication that there were strings with my offer?” Linc asked quietly.

“No. But that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. I’ve learned the hard way that most men have hidden agendas.”

“I don’t,” he said firmly. Then he stood from the minivan, nodded at her, and shut the passenger door. He walked back to his SUV and climbed behind the wheel.

Harper closed her eyes for a moment. She’d screwed up. Big time. And yet, Linc hadn’t rescinded his offer to have her and Kash stay with him. She still wasn’t sure why he’d offered in the first place . . . but a huge weight felt like it lifted from her shoulders.

Not having to pay rent, being able to save such a big chunk of each paycheck, would go a long way toward padding her bank account. She could be independent again, which seemed surreal after so many years of struggling.

She hated that she’d offended Linc, but she had to be sure of his intentions. As she’d told him, she’d definitely seen the worst in humanity over the years. Experienced it firsthand.

Looking in her rearview mirror, she saw him waiting patiently for her to pull out of the parking lot. He didn’t really need to follow her home. The weather was clear, there was no snow on the ground yet. She could certainly drive to her dad’s house without worrying about getting there safely.

But she couldn’t help feeling a twinge in her heart that he wanted to make sure she got there all right. Lincoln Young really was a good man. Better than so many people she’d met over the years.

She had a lot to atone for. She’d been terrible to him when they were kids, and there was nothing she regretted more.

Sighing, she started her engine, absently noting that she needed to get gas in the next couple of days, before pulling out of the parking space where she’d fully intended to spend the night.

As she headed toward her dad’s, Linc’s headlights stayed right behind her. And when she pulled into Victor’s driveway, he flashed his lights after pulling in behind her, then immediately backed out again, turning around to head to his own house.

Harper’s mind spun with all that had happened in the last thirty minutes or so. How her life had once again turned on a dime. She had no idea if she was making the right decision to move in with Linc or not. She knew her dad would definitely have something to say about it. He’d probably disapprove, but then again, he’d pretty much disapproved of everything she’d ever done, so why this would be any different, she didn’t know.

But for the first time in ages, she was looking forward to what was to come. The change would be good for both her and Kash. Her boy was struggling, and maybe, just maybe, living with a man who was full of praise and compliments, instead of judgmental looks and frowns, would help Kash flourish.

Chapter Two

Linc hadn’t really planned on asking Harper to move into his house. But seeing the exhaustion and defeat in her eyes had led to the impulsive offer.

Then, he expected to regret the words the second they’d left his mouth. Instead, he’d found himself digging in and doing everything in his power to get her to accept his help.

Yes, they had a not-so-great history, but as he’d told her, that was twenty years ago. A lifetime. They’d both changed significantly.

Thanks to his military career, Linc was well aware locals saw him as a larger-than-life hero . . . but the truth was, he felt as if he was barely hanging on most days. And tonight, he saw that same desperation in Harper.

He realized they had more in common than anyone would think. Which was somewhat amusing as, at first glance, they were nothing alike. She was a single mother with too few pennies to her name, living with her dad because her options were limited. He was a decorated Air Force pilot, medically retired, with more than enough money to do whatever he wished with his life.

But for both him and Harper, family came first. Full stop. They were also both hard workers. And they each had secrets. It wasn’t hard to see there was way more to Harper than met the eye. Just as there was with him as well.