Back to my Roots

by Tessa Elaine

  “Well I have a couple questions if that's okay?” He says. I'm a little scared of what they might be but I wave my hand for him to go on.

  “First, how did you find out about my return from the army?” I notice he didn't say the loss of his leg. That's probably a hard thing for him to talk about.

  “Aunt Grace told me, she said Eva called her to let me know you were alive and recovering.” He snorts a laugh that does not sound happy.

  “I wanted to call and tell you how happy I was you were okay. I just didn't know how, not without making things worse.” I look down at my shoes because I can't look him in the face. I should have called, my friend almost lost his life and I'm so selfish I only thought of myself.

  “Second question, what did you say to Lucas?”

  “I haven't said anything to him. Why?” Okay, maybe that's a lie.

  “He came to work today in a shit mood. He doesn't normally come into work getting pissed over stupid shit.”

  “So that's automatically my fault?” I can't believe this, Lucas has a bad day and Wyatt blames me.

  “Yea, you're the only thing that has changed in his life recently.” Wow, he has some nerve.

  “I haven't talk to him since Saturday, so whatever his problem is it has nothing to do with me.” I will be really glad when this week is over.

  “Don't you think that might be part of the problem? You can apologize to Sarah, and to me. You can work shit out with his sister, but you can't give him the time of day? You can't apologize to him, or hear what he has to say?” My eyes start to water at his words, he's right. I have given everyone an explanation and an apology except him.

  “What I don't understand is he used to be your friend, and he was a damn good friend. He was always there when any of us needed him. You know he could use a friend now. His dad had a heart attack, he had to take over Wayne Construction, he had to help my sorry ass out, and still has to help around his parents’ house. The only thing he wanted was to see how you were and if you were okay selling the ranch.”

  “After everything he went through when you left he still cares if you're okay or not.” I can't stop the tears that are falling down my face, I had no idea about his dad or the company. I don't know how I can be a good friend, or why he would want me as one in the first place.

  “I can't Wyatt, I just can't. If I go down that road, if I fix things with him. Where will that leave us come Thursday? Wouldn't it just be easier if he hates me? I can't be his friend.”

  Wyatt slams his fist down on the trunk of my car and yells, “Why the hell not? Who would it be easier for? You?” Wyatt never yelled at me when we were growing up. He was the one that always had a smile for everyone.

  “You can't be friends with someone you have been in love with since you were kids,” I yell back, I'm pissed and need to get the hell away from him. I climb in my car and pull away from Wyatt. When I look in the rear-view mirror I see him shaking his head and looking at the ground. I wish I would have never come back. I don't know why I thought I could just sneak into town sell the ranch and sneak out without them noticing.

  I head back to the Inn with only one thing left on the list. I'm sure Mrs. Johnson will understand, I finished almost all of it. When I get back to the Inn I unload everything and put it in the kitchen. Mrs. Johnson isn't here so I head up to my room. I lay down on the bed and toss and turn until I fall asleep. I fall asleep to thoughts of our first date, God how things have changed since then.

  We are talking about what we want in the future, and the car shop he wants to open while we are eating dessert. This is the perfect first date. I look over and smile at him and before I know it his lips are on mine. I freeze at his touch, this is my first kiss and I have no idea what I'm doing. He kisses me slowly and I start to relax and kiss him back. When he runs his tongue across my lips I open for him. His tongue sweeps across mine and he deepens the kiss. He smells amazing, being this close to him he smells like first rain and fresh mountain air.

  I'm so lost in our kiss it startles me when he picks me up like I weigh nothing and places me in his lap. I let out a little squeak and wrap my arms around his neck. The kiss grows more urgent, like if we stop we can never get this moment back.

  He bites the bottom of my lip sending chills down my spine, he soothes the sting when he runs his tongue across it. I try to hold back, but it's impossible to hold back the moan that leaves my throat. I can feel the erection grow against my hip, it makes me tingle all over knowing that I'm the cause. He slowly nips and kisses down my jaw to my neck. He tugs my earlobe with his lips and whispers in my ear.

  “Elena, you have to tell me to stop.” Instead of answering him I push him back on all the pillows and blankets in the back of his truck and straddle him. I don't want him to stop.

  Food forgotten, I reach down and help him out of his shirt. He has an amazing body, I run my hands all over his chest and down his abs. He has a “V' that leads into his jeans and I want to follow it. He's kissing me all over, running his hands up my bare thighs under my dress.

  He stops just at the edge of my panties, running his fingers along the lacy edge. I take my jean jacket off and start kissing his chest. I have never felt this way, so consumed with passion. He slips one finger in between my wet folds and the other hand runs up my back to the straps of my dress.

  “Oh God” I moan at the sensation of his touch. He rubs slow circles around my clit then down to my entrance and back, repeating the motion. He slips my dress off my shoulder and it pulls at my waist. He kisses along the tops of my breast while bringing me closer to the edge.

  “God Elena, you are so sexy. I love how responsive your body is to me, how wet you are for me.” He pulls one of my breast free and takes my nipple into his mouth. Slowly circling the hard nub with his tongue.

  “Lucas” I call out his name as the sensation sends me over the edge in the most intense orgasm.

  My phone rings and has me sitting up in bed covered in sweat and more turned on then I've been in a long time. Wow, just a dream. Dreaming about my first and only time with Lucas has me thinking, no other man has ever made me feel that way. So, cared for, so loved. My phone rings again reminding me of what woke me up. I grab it from the nightstand and don't recognize the number.

  “Hello” I answer.

  “Hello, Ms. Brighton?” A man says on the other end.

  “yes, this is her.”

  “This is Mr. Breck, we spoke in an email last week.”

  “Yes, Mr. Breck how are you?” I ask him.

  “I would be better if things worked out as I planned.” He says in a snide tone.

  “I'm very sorry to hear that Mr. Breck.”

  “I called to ask if we could reschedule our appointment on Wednesday. I had some things I had to take care of at the last minute. I'm truly sorry.” He says in a much more professional tone.

  “I was planning on heading home Thursday. What did you have in mind?” I really hope he says Thursday would work, but I have a feeling I won't get that lucky with the way my day is going.

  “Well Ms. Brighton, if things go well here I was hoping to be back in Eureka by Monday. So maybe that afternoon, if you don't mind. I am looking forward to doing business with you.” I really don't want to stay that long but I guess a few more days won't hurt.

  “Yes Mr. Breck, I think I can manage that. I will see you on Monday.”

  “Thank you, Ms. Brighton, I truly am sorry for the inconvenience. I will get with you Friday morning to set a time.”

  I hang up the phone and send messages about my change of plans to my aunt, Aubrey, and my work. I really hope this week does not get worse. It's only Monday, this is going to be a long week. I look at the clock and see it's after five, I almost slept the day away.

  I guess I could use something to eat. I head downstairs to the kitchen, Mrs. Johnson was nice enough to put a plate aside for me. After I'm finished I wash my plate and head back to my room. I check my phone and notice everyone but Aubrey has re
turned my message. That's not like her, I have text her twice today with no response. I'm starting to get worried so I call her. My call goes straight to voicemail. If I don't hear from her tomorrow I will ask Aunt Grace to drive over to our apartment and check on her. I hope she's okay.

  Sitting on the bed I start thinking about my appointment with Mr. Breck on Monday. I really should see the ranch before I talk to him. I haven't see the place in seven years. Can I do this on my own? I have no idea, but I get up and grab my keys determined to go anyway.

  Thirty minutes later I pull up out front. I can't seem to get out of the car. It still looks the same besides the overgrown grass and weeds taking over. Only a few places in the fence are broke, the barn could use a fresh coat of paint, and the house could use a new roof.

  The house is a one-story ranch style home, with a wraparound porch. The horse stable sits about 40 yards from the house. The coral still looks like it's in decent shape. I can't help but think of the last time I was here and I'm shaking by the time I step out of my car.

  I make my way up the path that leads to the house. When I get to the door and pull out the keys Aunt Grace gave me, my hands are shaking so bad I can't put them in the lock. I take a couple deep breaths and try to still my nerves. I get the front door unlocked and pause before I open it, giving myself a pep talk. “You can do this. You can do this.” The house smells musty and has dust everywhere.

  The front door opens up right into the living room, straight back is the kitchen with the nook and the utility room. The house has three bedrooms, the master bedroom and bathroom are to the left of the living room, and the other two rooms are to the right of the foyer with the second bathroom. It's kind of a shock when I walk in and everything is right where I left it. Besides the furniture being covered in white sheets and a few boxes packed here and there, everything is exactly where it was when mom and dad were alive.

  I'm starting to shake again, it's all too much. I thought my aunt and uncle removed everything from the house. All these years I thought the house was empty, I was too afraid to ask what they did with my parent’s things. I guess they have been here the whole time waiting on me. I see a letter with my name on it on the table in the living room. It's in my Aunt Grace's handwriting. I walk over to open the letter and it looks like it has been here for a while. The envelope is covered in dust. I sit on the couch and begin to read.

  Elena, 2009

  I know you asked your uncle and I to get rid of everything in the house, but we couldn't do that to you. You are so young as I write this letter and the pain is so fresh. I don't know how long it will be before you come back here, but I hope you find your way home one day. When you asked to come to Washington with us I was afraid you would leave and try to forget everything about this place.

  This house holds so many good memory's, I don't want to see you give them up. Your mother and father loved you dearly and would want you to remember all the good. The boxes in the foyer are the most important things your parents owned, please remember how much they loved you. I am always here for you. I know you will turn out to be an amazing young woman, stay strong my sweet girl and keep them in your heart always.

  Love, Aunt Grace

  The letter from aunt Grace has me in tears but I make my way to the boxes in the foyer. I open the first one and hold my breath, it's mom and dad's wedding photo. After that is one of mom and dad in front of the house with the deed to the ranch in their hands. They look so young and happy. The next is of mom pregnant and dad kissing her baby bump. Then one of the first day they brought me home. The box goes on and on, my first time on a horse, my dad looks so proud. My first day of school, mom is crying as I get on the bus.

  As I go through the box I notice a pattern, the most important thing they owned were memory's. I can see the love they had for me and each other in these pictures. I'm only through the first box and my heart hurts so bad. I miss them so much, I just wish I would have had more time with them. I can't open the second box because I'm crying, my body is shaking and I know what's coming. My panic attack starts, my head spins, I'm nauseous, and the crying is making it hard to breath. I get in the fetal position in the middle of the floor and sob over the lose like it happened today. I feel arms wrap around me and pull me into their lap. I hear a familiar voice tell me.

  “Let it all out, it's going to be okay darlin’.”

  “Lucas” I cry.

  Chapter 9

  Lucas

  My weekend was shit, Saturday I ran into Elena at the lake. She left with barely a word so I went to the Inn. Bad idea, I just left pissed off. She made it clear she didn't need or want me around. Sunday, I stayed home working on the car I bought three years ago, before my dad's heart attack. I love rebuilding things, well I used to. That's what I wanted to do, open my own shop and fix up old cars.

  I bought a 1967 Chevy Impala super sport before life got busy. I got as far as the primer on the body and haven't touched it since. I was going to fix this one up for myself, but instead it was put in the garage and I ended up buying myself a Ford Raptor F-150 pickup truck.

  I was in a mood Sunday I couldn't get out of. I decided to get shit done around the house, like yard work, clean the garage. But the minute I step out into my garage the Impala was calling to me. I hadn't turned a wrench in years and I was missing it. I would get lost in the rebuild of old cars. Taking something with rust, corrosion, most of the time not running and bring it back to life. I could restore it to its former glory with my hands.

  I pulled the engine and tore it down to the block. I need to send the engine head and the block to the machine shop, so they can bore the cylinder and machine the heads. In the process of all this I can't stop thinking of Elena's brushoff. I'm getting even more worked up over the whole thing.

  I'm a little belligerent and with all the rust and corrosion I end up breaking three head bolts, by the time I'm done I'm fuming. This shit is going to cost me more money to have them drilled out. Just my fucking luck. I spend the rest of the day working on the car until I can't see straight. When I've showered and had dinner I head to bed and pass out. Work comes early tomorrow.

  Monday's are always the same, I wake up and head straight to the office. There is always paperwork to be done and emails to follow up with. I'm having a hard time staying focused, I can barely get anything done. I decide to check out the job site to see how things are coming along. The job is a two-story home off the lake with a large deck. We are building it for an older couple to use as a vacation home. This place will be beautiful when it's finished.

  I climb in my truck and head to the location. On my way I can't stop thinking of where I went wrong with the whole Elena situation. I'm worried she's making a rash decision with the ranch. I know it's none of my business, but at the same time I can't stop myself from sticking my nose right in it. I have tried to talk to her about the ranch, about what Sarah said, she just treats me like a pariah. Like our past means nothing, as if we have no history. When you've been in love with the same person as long as I have, you just don't stop loving them.

  I slam my hands down on the steering wheel, trying to clear these thoughts out of my head. None of this is on me, this is her fault. Why am I so mad? I know why I'm mad. She can explain why she left and hangout with my sister like the last seven years never happened. Well fuck that, they happened, I lived that shit.

  By the time I pull up to the job site I'm livid. I step out of my truck and already see several things wrong. It really doesn't help there are only a few guys on site, but this place is a mess. We only have a few months before the weather gets bad and we need to get this job done on time. I walk up to the first guy I see.

  “Where's Wyatt?” He looks at me like he's surprised to see me, and I'm sure he is. I hardly ever make it out to the jobs anymore. After he finally opens his mouth to answer me the foreman walks around the house.

  “Mr. Wayne, what a surprise. What can I do for you?”

  “Well first off this place looks li
ke shit. Do any of your guys know how to clean up after themselves?” I'm drawing attention because I'm starting to chew this guy’s ass. He just looks at me with wide eyes and mouth open.

  “What the hell kind of job site are you running? When someone gets hurt do you know whose ass it is? The company, and do you know who is responsible for the company? That would be me, I don't know if you know this but we are on a tight scheduled with this job. Don't you think your crew and yourself would be more efficient if shit was cleaned up around here?” His face turns red and I'm not sure if it's from anger or embarrassment. But by this point I could care less, I'm so pissed about all this shit going wrong.

  I know I shouldn't be taking it out on this guy but he walked right into my line of fire. I start going over the list of shit they are all doing wrong and I'm still pretty harsh. I see Wyatt come storming up to me from around the back of the house.

  “What the fuck, man?” He says when he gets closer.

  “Yea, what the fuck is right,” I spit back, I know I should stop but I'm on a roll. “Is this what I fucking hired you for? Do any of you do your fucking job?” I ask.

  “Are you serious right now?” Wyatt looks at me like I have two heads.

  “Yes, I'm fucking serious, this place is a mess and your team is falling behind. This is not what I pay you for. Do I need to hire people that are capable of doing this job?” Wyatt clenches his fist and takes a step toward me. I have never been in a fight with this guy, he is like a brother to me.

  “Pull your head out of your ass Lucas, I don't know what the hell your problem is, but I have a pretty good idea,” he says as he steps up in my face.

  “You don't know shit.” I tell him and I know I'm wrong. He knows more about me than anyone.

  “Oh yea, this mood of yours has nothing to do with her?” He says her instead of her name but I know he means Elena.

  “This has to do with your lack of being able to run a team. Do I have to do everything?” I see his expression change from pissed to hurt and back again, but it's so fast no one else notices. I know I crossed a line.