A Haunted Heart

by Kristi Pelton

  She nodded, and I jogged around to her side of the truck.

  “You looked like you struggled getting in,” I teased. “So I thought I’d help you getting out.”

  “Yeah, us elderly have problems with these trucks.” She pursed her lips.

  Once inside, I made the worst decision yet. With my hand resting at the small of her back—where it fit perfectly, I led her to a booth in the corner. This put my mind in the gutter again. She slid in, and I scooted in across from her.

  “What can I get ya?” a cute little waitress in a cut off T-shirt asked, staring at me with eyes that screamed ‘fuck me.’ That was the typical reaction I got from women.

  “I’ll have a beer,” I said, and then waited for Anna to say something.

  “I haven’t had a drink since…forever. Um. I’ll have a beer too.”

  The waitress winked at me as she left. I’d straighten her out.

  “You ok?” I asked, noticing Anna scanning the bar.

  Her eyes closed as she inhaled. “I think so. Just acclimating I guess.”

  “Acclimating?”

  “Yes. Of sorts. May I ask you a question?”

  “Of course.” Poker face prepared.

  “What do you know about me?” Her eyes focused on me…waiting for my words.

  “Well Anna…the lady across the street.” I grinned at her. “I know there are several construction workers who think you are hot as hell, but for some reason we don’t think you date.”

  Instantly, her gaze left mine and fell to the table where the overly flirtatious waitress was delivering our drinks.

  “There you go, handsome,” she chimed in.

  “Don’t do that,” I ordered dutifully. “I am here with a beautiful woman. If you approach this table again, you will treat her respectfully.”

  The girl’s mouth opened but no words came out. Fine by me. She left.

  “Sorry about that. What else do I know? Well, I know that you don’t drive much at all because I see you come and go…walking. I know that you live alone. I know that you appear sad most of the time.”

  Tears pooled in her eyes. This was not what I had foreseen happening. When she swallowed, it looked painful. Was she shocked at how much I knew about her? Truth is, I knew more about her than she knew about herself.

  “I also know that after we spoke the other day, I wanted to talk to you again. I know that I’m glad you got in my truck. I know that I’m nervous as hell at this second.”

  Nothing could have prepared me for the shock I felt when she took my hand from across the table. Her fingers were frozen, and without reservation I quickly tucked her hands into mine; her eyes captured mine as well.

  “Would you dance with me?” she asked simply but not really in a flirtatious way.

  “Yes.” I released only one of her hands, took a long pull from my beer and stood, leading her behind me to the dance floor.

  Once on the empty floor, she draped one arm over my shoulder, and I held her other hand close to my chest praying she wouldn’t feel my heart pounding.

  Jesus Stroud. Get a grip.

  “Adam?” she whispered but loud enough to hear over the music.

  Looking down at her needy brown eyes was dangerous territory to venture into. But I proceeded with caution.

  “Are you here because you know about me…I mean…about what happened? Are you doing this because you feel sorry for me?”

  This woman had endured what no woman should ever suffer—the tragic loss of a child. And though I did feel sorry for her that was not why I was here.

  “No.”

  She released her pent up breath.

  “Why would I feel sorry for you?” I asked.

  Her finger found a small hole in my T-shirt. I’d forgotten what I had on and my attire was pretty raggedy. When the tip of her finger made contact with my skin, I stared down at her, but she concentrated on my chest. Her index finger penetrated the hole of the shirt until her entire palm lay flush with my chest. Her eyes closed as she stood next to me holding her breath.

  I think I was her guinea pig…her testing ground. This was moving a lot faster than I’d anticipated. Her touch stirred something inside me, and it took every ounce of training I had not to react in a way I shouldn’t.

  “Adam?”

  “Yes?”

  “Do you do this a lot?”

  “What’s that?”

  “Lure women you don’t know out to a country bar. Take advantage of them?”

  My brows arched up. “Is that what I’m doing?” I twirled her out beneath my arm then back up next to me as the slow tune continued.

  “You tell me,” she said with an playful tone.

  This time when I spun her out, I yanked her back with force that slammed her against my chest. “Do you want me to take advantage of you?”

  She softly laughed but lowered her forehead to my chest. Her incredible feminine smell made me harden.

  “Look at me,” I demanded.

  “Do you want to kiss me?” she asked and her voice cracked. I about shit my pants. That was the last question I would have predicted would come out of her mouth.

  Her flawless, chocolate eyes with feathered out beautiful lashes begged me to do so as I raked my hand up her boney back and into her russet mane of hair; I fisted my hand around her strands tugging just a bit to give her fair warning—hoping she’d reel in her year-long desires. She barely knew me!

  “Yes. But not here particularly,” I nearly growled, hoping I could control my own wants.

  “Ok. But promise nothing more than a kiss.”

  I nodded just once.

  “Can we go?” she asked. Neither her actions nor her words indicated she felt threatened by me, and I needed her to always have her guard up…not just for me.

  It was me who swallowed what little argument was brewing in my head and led her to our table where I dropped a ten knowing that would amply cover the tab.

  Once we got to the truck, I gently pushed her until her back rested against the door. Her small chest heaved up and down with little pants. This woman was classy…sophisticated and me shoving her up against a truck door to kiss her would hopefully show her my true colors and intentions.

  Everything about her seemed little. Her nose. The tiny little freckles I hadn’t noticed until I was this close. Even her tongue, when it peeked out between her perfectly rounded, freshly moistened lips. No wonder TJ wanted this woman and had threatened to take her.

  Before I could talk myself out of it, I barely brushed my lips over hers. Leaning back to observe her reaction from the simple peck, I watched as her hand covered her chest as if she was trying to control her breathing.

  Her heated eyes slowly opened and burned into mine—a dangerous fire.

  “Again,” she whispered.

  Fuck! I think I wanted this more than she did. If she wanted a kiss…I’d give her a damn kiss.

  With one hand softly gripping her neck and the other hand tangled once again in her hair, I pressed my lips to hers…repeatedly until suddenly her body began to betray her and give out. I wrapped my arm around her waist providing her with strength, and then I tested the waters with my tongue…lightly tracing her lips until her mouth parted accepting me willingly and moaning into my mouth.

  Stop Stroud!

  My dick hardened and I wanted to bury myself inside her. What the hell was wrong with me? This was a damn job. An assignment.

  Her hands came up pressing lightly against my chest. Pushing me away? Unwillingly, I slowed the kiss, brushing my tongue against her upper lip.

  An unadulterated look of hunger flashed in her eyes, but like a flash of lightening…it was gone.

  “I need to go,” she breathed out.

  “OK.”

  I pulled my keys from my sweat shorts and unlocked her door, internally cussing myself for allowing that passionate moment to happen.

  The expression she wore was pained in some way. There was no doubt in my mind that she would struggle
with this…but she may as well get it out of the way.

  When the truck rumbled to life, I stole a glance her way.

  “You OK?”

  She held up her hand. “Please be patient with me,” she said with closed eyes.

  When I pulled onto the road, I spoke again. “Anna. I will be as patient as you need me to be. But let me say this. I don’t know what troubles you or makes you sad. Would you be willing to tell me?”

  Her eyes fluttered open. “Someday. I don’t even know you. This is crazy.”

  With heavy reservation I took her hand. I was well aware of how isolated and scared this woman was. For her to kiss me was huge, and I wasn’t backing down.

  “Anna,” I whispered roughly.

  “I’ve been a zombie for the past year. I’ve not been touched or kissed or anything for so long…”

  Watching her and the road at the same time was not easy, but I gave her as much of my eyes as I could.

  “Well then, I feel honored.”

  The town lights were approaching—our time dwindling.

  She blew out an extended breath and shook her head remaining quiet, which I allowed.

  I spotted the police cruiser parked along the highway. Unsure if TJ had his entire force watching her, I turned off sooner than I should have to escape seeing whoever was in the police car.

  Once in her driveway, I shut off the truck and sat quietly.

  “I’m sorry, Adam,” she whispered with a drawl to her voice that turned me on. I wanted to touch her again.

  “Anna, look at me.”

  Shit. When she turned her innocent eyes on me and chestnut tendrils of hair fell around her face, I yanked her into me and smashed my mouth to hers once again. My tongue instantly in search for hers, I loosened my grip on her when she whimpered. Against my better judgment, I continued the kiss until she whined and pushed me away.

  Frantically, she searched for the door handle, opened it and practically ran to her front door. I slammed my fist against the steering wheel as she disappeared inside the house.

  “Fuck!” I yelled. “That was smooth, Stroud.”

  Chapter 6—Adam

  The weather was as jacked up as this piss ant town. Today the sun blasted us with rays of heat. As I pulled my shirt off, I secretly hoped Anna would step outside and see me. I had no doubt she was affected by me or she wouldn’t have allowed her mouth anywhere near mine. My three predecessors barely managed a hello from the woman. Yet she got in my truck, asked me to dance then asked for a kiss—all in one night.

  Still unconvinced TJ wasn’t going to take her, I continued my vigil. That was the easy part…watching her. Touching her and remaining emotionless was going to be the hardest assignment I’d ever had.

  Around noon I spotted her coming out of the house. The flowers and note I’d left earlier were intact. She bent down with a small smile and picked up the envelope.

  I watched her, knowing what I’d written—how I’d lied.

  Anna- you said you didn’t know me. So. Adam Stroud. 27. Graduated

  from high school. Two years of college but dropped out when a buddy

  offered me a construction job. It paid well so I stuck with it. Moved here,

  although temporary, after my parents were killed in an accident—Halloween

  night. Needed to get away. Met a girl walking down the street the other day

  and I can’t seem to get her off my mind. I screwed up last night and sort of

  pushed myself on her. All she has to do is look up and give me a smile and I’ll

  know I didn’t ruin my chances. A

  With the little doe eyes I was starting to dig, she looked up and stared at me. I waited for it…hoped for it…and it came. A slow smile that caused me to beam in return.

  “You checkin’ out the good doctor?” Larry asked nudging me.

  Shit. “Yeah. She’s hot,” I added looking away.

  “Don’t let Officer Redd find out about that.” He laughed shaking his hammer.

  “What? I can’t think a woman’s hot?” I shot back.

  He slung his arm over my shoulder and pointed toward her with the hammer. “Not that woman.”

  I shoved him away, chuckling but also feeling pretty damn territorial at the moment.

  When I glanced back to her house, the flowers remained on the porch; she was nowhere to be seen, and my heart sank just a little.

  Four days later and frustrated as hell, I decided to stay in for the evening. For four nights, I’d driven around town simply hoping for an Anna sighting, and nothing. Not a word about the note. Not a word about the flowers. Clearly, I’d jeopardized the damn case with the additional, unwanted kiss.

  The daylight was fading, and as I headed out to the porch, I saw the package on the other side of the screen door. Blood pounded through my veins as my heart accelerated, and I instantly darted to the other room for my gun. Someone had been at my fucking house while I was in the shower. Keeping the pistol close to my side, I nudged the door open with my foot, prodding the small cooler outside the door; a piece of paper fell off the top. With my finger on the trigger, I knelt, scanning the land and picked up the note.

  Adam—thank you for the note.

  Immediately my eyes shot up hoping for a glimpse of her—wondering if she was still here. I slyly slid my piece in the back of my jeans but knew it wasn’t concealed because I was shirtless.

  After I read it, I decided you needed to know some things about me

  too. Anna Brice. 31. Widow or widower—however that is supposed to

  be said. I, too, lost someone on Halloween. I’m freaking out a bit at the

  coincidence with that…how that could happen to two people who met on

  the street. Trying to come to grips with that I think. You quit school…well, I

  went ALL the way. I am a doctor but not practicing right now. SO. If you

  are still interested, you could walk around to your porch swing—bring the

  cooler. A

  Springing to my feet, I arched back to peer through the screen door, across the living room and out the other window. Sure enough, chestnut hair blowing in the wind. I grinned, shot back in the house, concealed the weapon and grabbed a shirt. Back outside, I snatched the cooler up and casually walked around to the west side of the house where the sun was setting, casting a perfect glow over her face. My insides weren’t as calm as I appeared.

  Her lips softly curled upward when she saw me.

  “Hey,” I said, ducking my head into my shirt.

  “You have an attractive body, Adam. No need to hide it on my account.”

  She scooted over making room next to her.

  “I know what you mean Anna. The gunnysack clothing you wear leaves a lot to my imagination.”

  Her lips pursed. “Touché. Give me beer,” she said, pointing to the cooler.

  “You brought me beer?” Opening the cooler, I grinned at the six-pack. “Are you trying to make me cry?” I teased.

  “You worked hard today.”

  Another smile crept over my lips knowing that she at some point watched me today. “You left the flowers I gave you on your porch the other day.”

  She closed her eyes. “Flowers…remind me of an ugly time. How can something so beautiful remind you of something so horrible?”

  I twisted the tops on two beers and handed her one. “Cheers.” We clinked bottles. “Duly noted about the flowers.”

  “I hope to someday like them again.” She stopped swinging us so I took over for her.

  God she was beautiful. Her pale skin was more colorful than I remembered from the coffee shop visits. The breeze lifted the dark hair off her thin neck.

  “Anna. I want you to tell me what happened—about what’s in the note.”

  She stared out toward the sun for the longest time maybe contemplating her words.

  “You want the condensed version or the full story.”

  I knew the story—front ways, back ways and side ways. But
I didn’t know Anna’s way.

  “I think I’d like to hear it all.”

  After releasing a pent up breath, she began. “My husband of four years, Michael…he was taking our son trick or treating. They made it by the few places I knew about. But, they were shot and killed when they stopped alongside the road to help someone. The guy supposedly got away. TJ says that they believe Michael was picking up drugs but because he was in a police uniform he ended up getting shot. They found heroin in his car.”

  “They shot your son?”

  Her hands flew up covering her eyes, and she hiccupped a cry.

  “I don’t understand it, Adam. I’ve read the coroner’s report over and over. Two bullets penetrated Michael, passed through him and went into Jack. I know in my heart Michael was protecting him. He never would have taken him into that sort of situation.” Soundless tears fell and her voice cracked on the words.

  I rested my arm on the back of the porch swing and simply rubbed over her shoulder with my thumb hoping to bring her some comfort.

  “But the police told you different?”

  She nodded. “TJ was very upset. He seemed shocked that Michael was doing something illegal. He didn’t want to tell me.”

  I realized then and there that her ten months of torment were not only spent grieving, but also problem solving…trying to piece things together. With no luck. And TJ, well he only made it worse. Shithead.

  Part of me wanted to tell her so badly what I was doing here. What my intentions were. But I had to be sure of her involvement first.

  “TJ. He’s the cop?”

  She nodded sniffing.

  “I’ve known TJ forever. We dated for a while in high school, but then I met Michael.”

  I think I just discovered motive. The sun had almost disappeared and only an orange hue remained in about a quarter of the sky.

  “What brought you back to this town?”

  “I’m not from this town. When the job was offered, the small town was appealing with the thought of having a family. Then when we got here and TJ was police chief. It was all just odd.”

  Planned and manipulated was my thought.

  “Does he still have a thing for you?” I asked, knowing the truth.