Lila

The truck ambled along the rutted track, slower than before, like Ryder was drawing out every second on purpose. The gate was behind us now, the world beyond it fading into endless stretches of golden fields and distant fences. No one was around. Just us, the low hum of the engine, and the weight of his words pressing down on me.

What he said came back into my memory. Explore? Really? Help him? Delaney’s husband, my step-uncle, is not sexually active, or what?

My stomach twisted, a mix of nerves and something hotter, more insistent. I shifted in my seat again, the cottage skirt brushing against my thighs like...