Hometown Glory
Fox Creek Series #1
A Novella By Danica Chandler
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment. It may not be resold or reproduced in any way.
Copyright © 2013 by Danica Chandler
Cover art by Affordable Ebook Covers
Reader discretion is advised - contains adult content.
For all of the readers out there. Much love.
Chapter One
Jace Cooper stared out of the bus window, watching the rain pour hard. Puddles flooded the curbs, people ducked under awnings, and umbrellas popped up out of nowhere. He leaned his forehead against the glass. It was cool against his skin. He gripped his duffel bag and gave a small nod toward the woman sitting next to him. She had slept most of the ride, but now was waking at the sudden change in speed.
“Where you headed young man?” she asked, giving him a side glance. She had to have been in her sixties.
Raking his hand through his hair, he replied, “Here, actually. Next stop.”
“Me too. So sad to see others traveling alone. I hope you have friends and family here.”
Jace didn’t feel like chatting, but didn’t want to be rude to the lady. “It’ll all be fine. Thank you, ma’am.”
The bus came to a rolling stop along another flooded curb, and several people stood out in the rain, patiently waiting for whoever they were there for to make their exit. Jace scanned the crowd as everyone filed out, a sinking feeling settling in the pit of his stomach. Of course, no one he cared to see was there. He slung his bag over his shoulder and slapped his black cowboy hat on his head, ducking as the rain continued to pour, chilling him to the bone.
He didn’t really have much of a direction to go in. Being back in town wasn’t exactly where he wanted to be, but he really had nowhere else to go. Though they had pretty much shunned him, he had hope that there were still a few people around who might welcome him with open arms.
Jace picked his pace up as he walked down Main Street. No one had recognized him yet, but that didn’t mean anything. Since he had gone away four years ago, he had changed, and from what he could tell, the town had stayed the same. With his hat down low and his posture slumped, it wasn’t hard to hide his face from the few people he did encounter. Regardless, it was a small town. People might not have realized he was Jace Cooper, but they all were aware a strange person was walking down their streets.
He opened the door to a small motel office – The Black Spur, a place that used to be known for drug deals, bootleggers, and prostitutes. It was something that shockingly happened in their innocent town, though most denied it. Jace didn’t care. He needed a shower, a dry bed, and a place where he didn’t have to avoid eye contact constantly.
There was a young girl working the front desk. She popped a big bubble with her gum, her eyebrow arching as he approached. The gum crackled between her teeth and she twirled a piece of loose hair with her index finger.
“New in town?” she asked as she began to type on the computer.
“No,” Jace answered quickly, not meaning to sound so abrupt.
“I’ve lived here my whole life. Never seen you around.”
Jace let out an annoyed laugh and took his cowboy hat off, flicking some of the rain from his hair. “It doesn’t matter. You got any vacancies for tonight?”
“Well, cowboy, you’re in luck. The Black Spur rarely is booked solid, unless the rodeo is in town, but that was a few months ago.” Her twang was thick.
“Book me for one night. We’ll go from there if I need to stay longer.” He grabbed his wallet, feeling how thin it was. He needed a job, and soon. The little cash he had left would last a week if he was lucky.
“Smoking or non-smoking?Single or double bed?”
“Doesn’t matter. Just get me the room, please.”
She looked up from the computer and tucked the same strand of hair behind her ear. “I need an ID and a major credit card.”
Heat washed over Jace. He had an old ID, but wasn’t sure if it would be good enough. And a credit card? Forget about it.
“I just have cash.” He slapped some of the bills on the counter. Pulling the old ID from his wallet, he slid it across to her as well, hoping she wasn’t one to notice too many details.
She looked apprehensive, and hesitated before finishing the transaction. Her gum chewing grew more annoying as she contemplated what he had presented to her.
“I’m gonna have to get my manager…” she trailed off.
Jace reached across and grabbed her hand, trying his hardest to turn the charm on. He used to be so good at it. Any time he needed anything from a woman, he became a helpless boy with as much innocence as a young child. It was second nature before. Now he wasn’t sure how it would come across. Probably like a creeper and she’d call the cops. The last thing he needed was dealing with that. He didn’t want to go into his whole story with her.
Noticing her nametag, he said, “Look, Angela, I don’t have a credit card. I’m trying to stay away from it. That’s me in that ID, I promise. I know it’s a tad bit old, but it’s all I have.” He gripped her hand, flashing a smile. “I’ve had a long trip today and I’m exhausted. Just give me the room and I’ll go straight to bed. There will be no trouble.”
She hesitated again and looked at his ID one last time before scooting it across the counter to him. She looked flustered, and her complexion was flush. Was she blushing? Jace didn’t know, but by the way her tense body language eased up, he knew his flirting had worked. Pushing off of the counter, he put his hat back on.
“The room is thirty five per night. Here’s your change.” She handed him the money. “Check out is eleven AM unless you decide to stay another night. If anyone asks, which they shouldn’t, you provided everything we asked, okay Mr. Cooper?”
Jace nodded and smiled again. “You got it, Angela. Thanks for your hospitality.”
He walked back outside and across the parking lot to room seven. The rain was still pouring, and he immediately kicked his boots off once he was inside. Stripping down, he went straight to the shower and enjoyed the warm water that washed over him. It was nice to not have to rush through a shower. To stand under the water adjusted at the temperature he wanted, and to lather up at his own pace was something most people didn’t think about. It was amazing how something as simple as a shower was so rewarding once it was in your control again.
He closed his eyes and felt himself doze off. Ending the shower, he dressed himself in boxers and a t-shirt. He draped his drenched jeans and shirt over the edge of the bathtub and lay down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. He could easily pass out, but his stomach growled, giving him a harsh reminder that he hadn’t had anything to eat since that morning. Rolling on his side, he pulled out an envelope. He had to read over the paperwork one more time to make sure he wasn’t dreaming.
It was his parole papers, granting him his freedom on that day, October Fifth. He thumbed over the words stating the stipulations and the signature from the warden of the prison he had been captive of the past four years. It was so official, printed on letterhead and everything, as if Jace was going to take it home and put it in a frame above his fireplace. He laughed to himself.
Sliding it back into the envelope, he put it on the night stand and grabbed his quickly disappearing money. His sights were set on a good meal and a beer, two things he hadn’t enjoyed in years.
***
Annie Martin rarely went out to drink with her friends. For some reason beyond her comprehension, they had somehow persuaded her to go out to
the main bar in town, where most of the people in town went every night. Dragging herself out to the place was as hard as getting a teenager up for school in the morning. She just didn’t want to do it, but to get them all to shut up, she settled and said yes.
The only saving grace about the bar was they had burgers and steaks to die for, unlike typical bar food. If that was what she had to look forward to while her girlfriends got crazy drunk, she was up for it. After all, she wasn’t a big drinker and half the fun was watching them make complete asses of themselves.
Annie looked around the room as they made their entrance. It was the same crowd she had expected. Rodeo cowboys, buckle bunnies, and has beens. She scoffed as they passed by a table full of boys who eyed and whistled at them.
“Keep wishing,” Sara said as they pushed through to a booth in the back. “Little boys can’t keep it in their pants,” she laughed, ordering a beer for each of them.
Annie intervened, “Actually, just bring me a Coke. I’m the designated driver, I’m assuming.”
“Oh c’mon, one beer won’t hurt. You need to loosen up anyway. Bring her a beer,” Sara winked, turning back to their group. “Annie, quit being a stick in the mud. This is a free zone. If we all get too drunk to drive, Kristen lives a few blocks away. We’ll just shack up there and get your truck in the morning.”
“Always solutions,” Kristen replied, eyeing the menu. “I say we hook Annie up with one of those buckaroos whose attention we grabbed when we came in.”
“I don’t need to be hooked up. Save your time.”
“Oh that’s right, that rich guy from the oil company has been chasing her. What’s his name? Jeremy something or other?” Sara asked. “He’s a pretty boy. You need a real man.”
“He’s nice. I don’t know why my love life is a sudden interest of you two. You both have your own drama to deal with.” Annie picked her menu up, trying to change the subject. “What do y’all want to get? We could split something.”
Kristen nudged both of them. “I’ll tell you what I want. That cowboy sitting alone way back in the back.The one with the black hat. Damn…”
Annie tried to look behind her, but it was impossible to not make it obvious. His head was ducked low and he was sipping on a Coors. His plate looked like it once had a big steak on it. He was keeping to himself, only occasionally looking around the rest of the bar.
“I can’t see his face,” Annie said, turning around fully.
“Y’all couldn’t make it any more obvious,” Kristen said, rolling her eyes. “The bathroom is that way. I’m gonna casually pass by and get a closer look.”
She pushed her way out of the booth and Annie watched the whole interaction. There was something about the cowboy that had her interest. Why wasn’t he talking with others? He seemed bashful, and didn’t look up much when Kristen passed by. She did her best to keep a sexy strut, and he finally flashed a quick glance as she went into the bathroom. Annie was still having a hard time seeing his face, but he had pulled her in.
Before getting caught staring, she turned back to Sara and took a pull on her beer. It had been a long time since she had one, and it burned going down.
“Why are you blushing?” Sara asked.
“What? I’m not blushing!”
“You got a crush on mystery man over there?” She pointed with her thumb.
“I can’t even see what he looks like. Don’t be stupid. It’s Kristen we have to worry about.”
“You two talking about me?” Kristen asked as she sat back down, a satisfied grin on her face. “He totally checked me out. I still got it.”
Annie looked back at him and to her friends. “Well? What does he look like?”
Kristen pushed the menu aside and laughed. “He looks very familiar. I can’t put my finger on it, but I think I’ve seen him before. Dark hair, green eyes. He looked right up at me. He seems shy, because he didn’t hold the stare for long.”
“Either shy or scared of you,” Sara added on. “You didn’t exactly walk over there with finesse. You weren’t very subtle.”
Annie did one more double take, this time getting a better look at his face. He looked right at her, but it didn’t last long. Kristen was right – he was very familiar. Too bad he looked away so fast and the smoky haze in the bar was so thick. She was on the verge of pinpointing who he was, and how she knew him. Anymore glances that way would be stupid. It was best to play it cool and pretend he wasn’t even back there.
***
Jace felt satisfied. After two beers and a steak, he was ready to head back to the motel and get some sleep. It would be nice to lie in a bed and get up whenever he was ready, to not hear other men in nearby cells, and to just have some needed privacy.
Aside from the booth of women at the bar, no one really had noticed him. There was something about the group of girls, like he had known them before, but he didn’t give himself much time to look at them. It didn’t matter – if he did know them and they found out who he was, it was likely he’d be shunned. It was best to just leave it as a mystery.
There was another group of people sitting at a picnic table in the courtyard of the motel when he got back. He had to pass by them to get to his room. Picking up his stride, he hoped they were busy doing what they were doing to leave him alone, but he heard a female voice yell out to him.
“Hey stranger! What brings you to Fox Creek?” She walked up to him, stepping in front so he couldn’t pass by.
Shrugging, he couldn’t help but notice her figure and the clothes she was wearing. He hadn’t been with a woman since he got locked up, and it seemed to be the only thing he was noticing lately. Her tight shirt hugged her curves, accentuating her breasts. Her shorts were so short that she might as well have not been wearing any. It excited Jace, and he immediately felt his face heat up in embarrassment.
“Just passing through,” he responded, trying to push past to his room before he did something he would regret. He wasn’t thinking clearly with a woman as attractive as her standing in front of him.
“We aren’t exactly a boom town here. I’m guessing you’re here for one night?” She edged closer, her perfume strong. Her group of friends were laughing and hollering back at her, but it didn’t faze her. It was as if he was her mission. Jace felt somewhat annoyed, and at the same time, enjoyed the attention.
“Not sure,” Jace replied, still trying to resist her.
“You’re a good looking son of a bitch.” She ran her palm down the side of his face. His whiskers sounded like sandpaper on her skin. “What’s your name, stranger?”
He cleared his throat and leaned in to her caress. A woman’s touch was something he had needed, but this felt strange. His instincts were saying to run away, no matter how bad he physically needed this. “Jeff,” he lied, not wanting to reveal anything about himself. “Yours?”
“Brenda.” She laughed, pressing her body completely up against his. “Now we know each other. What do you say we go and get better acquainted?”
He pulled her back toward his room, unlocking it in one move and kicking it shut behind him. Brenda’s mouth kissed his lips hard. Her tongue parted his mouth open and danced inside. Her hands worked at his zipper, and his arousal was evident once she unclasped the button. Looking down at it, her eyes brightened and she smiled from ear to ear.
“You are…” pointing, she shook her head. “Let’s just say you are gifted in some areas…” Her hand moved between the waistband of his boxers and inside, sending a chill down his spine. He grew harder each time she rubbed up against him, and a low moan escaped his lips.
In the midst of passion, his gut was still telling him to stop. This wasn’t right. He had met this woman five minutes ago. He had been with his share of women, but never had moved this fast with any of them.
Grabbing her wrist, he pulled her hand out of his pants and pushed away from her, looking away.
“I can’t do this,” he said, leaning against the adjacent wall. He felt embarrassed for even
letting it get as far as it did.
“You’re not serious, are you?” Brenda asked. “Jeff, you little tease,” she said as she walked toward him, but he held his hand up to stop her.
“Yes, I’m serious, Brenda. I apologize for leading you on like that, but I just can’t do this right now.”
Her eyes trailed down. “Looks like another throbbing member of you doesn’t agree.” She pointed to the erection he was still carrying beneath his jeans.
“It’ll catch up in a second,” Jace said, opening the door to let her out. “Again, I’m sorry. Have a good evening.”
“I don’t know where you came from or where you’re going, Jeff, but I hope you find whatever it is you’re looking for.” She pecked him on the cheek one last time before walking back to the group of people at the picnic table. Jace watched her, the sway of her hips, her curves and clothing that fit so perfectly, and shook his head at the thought of giving up a piece of tail like that so quickly.
He rested his head against the threshold of the door. It was comical. He had moved fast with women in his past. This was just too fast, even for Jace Cooper.
Ducking back inside, he clicked the TV on and stared at the random show that lit up the dark room. Lying back into the pillows, he let out a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. He needed a cold shower.
Chapter Two
Jace woke up the next morning around eight thirty. It was the latest he had slept in a long time. Rolling over, he realized the TV was still on. Grabbing the remote, he turned it off and buried his face back down into the pillows. His body settled back down into the mattress, and his memory quickly flashed to the night before and to the overbearing woman named Brenda that almost sealed the deal with him.
Kicking his legs over the side of the bed, he cringed when his head throbbed. His empty wallet on the night stand was his inspiration to get the day going. He couldn’t live off of that.
Hometown Glory: Fox Creek Series #1 - A Sensual Romance Novella Page 1
