by Amie Nichols
"You aren't from around here are you?" She is flirty, leaning up against the gas pumps eyeing me up and down.
"What gave it away?" I place the gas nozzle back in its cradle. "Maybe you can help me?"
"For you gorgeous, anything," she says with a wink.
"Do you know how I can get here?" I ignore her flirting and show her the address I have scribbled on the back of a small piece of paper.
"The Troy ranch?" she questions, touching my hand as she reads the address. I move from her touch abruptly.
"Yes, do you know where it is?" I avert my eyes from hers as she studies me like she is trying to decide if I'm trust worthy.
"Are you friends with Easton or Kade?" she names Harper's brothers. The small town life, everyone knows everyone.
"Harper, actually," I tell her and her eyebrows shoot up in shock.
"Really, I graduated with Harper. My name is Sammy." She puts her hand out for me to shake it. I do politely, not lingering too long, she is still eyeing me in that way that says, meet me in my backseat.
"So can you tell me how to get there?" I push, as she is not in a hurry to give me directions.
"So she's home from Chicago, I heard she graduated a little early. She was always so smart," she says, off track of my question.
"Yes she is very smart, now can you tell me how to get there?" I repeat, starting to get very annoyed.
It takes me a few more times asking before Sammy finally tells me how to get to Harper's. Driving down a gravel road carefully, it is evident that my very expensive sports car is not meant for gravel.
I pull into the drive of an incredibly large, white farm house. There are three barns that I can see, and the biggest tractor like thing that I've ever seen. There are two huge 4x4 trucks and a couple SUVs in the driveway, but I don't see Harper's car. Which either means she's not here, or she is and sent Jax home in her car. I am really hoping for the latter of the two.
I see something out of the corner of my eye before I'm able to get out of my car. It's a man on a four-wheeler barreling toward my car. I think he is going to smash right into the driver side door, and I even go to brace for impact when he stops just inches from my door.
The muscular man in his late twenties, with ripped jeans and a t-shirt with the sleeves torn off, is sitting on the four-wheeler staring at me. I roll down my window since I can no longer open the door.
"Sammy just called and told me some man in an expensive car was asking how to get here," he says to me. I'm assuming from what I've learned from Harper that this is Kade. He's the rougher of the two, and not shy at all.
"Kade?" I'm not intimidated by his muscles or the clenching of his jaw. The only thing I am worried about is that there are two very protective brothers that are going to be standing in the way of me getting to Harper.
"So you know my name. Now who are you Mr. fancy car, and why are you looking for my baby sister?" he demands, not taking his dead stare from me.
"Is she here?" I am trying with all I have to be patient and polite. I know that threatening Kade will get me nowhere fast.
"She is, and she is very upset. Something tells me you are the reason for this," Kade grates, his jaw tense as his hands grip the handle bars of the four-wheeler so hard that his knuckles are turning white.
"Yes, there was a miscommunication. Can I please talk to her?" My voice remains calm, even though every muscle in my body feels like it's about ready to burst with rage.
"She is sleeping, I will tell her you stopped by. If she wants to talk to you I'm sure she'll call you," he states matter of factly.
"I know you are protecting her, Kade, but I love her and she loves me. She needs to hear me out."
"Oh, she needs to, huh? Like I said, she will decide that for herself. So you can just get going now, because it will be over my dead body that you get out of this car." His eyes are stone cold serious, and I believe he means exactly what he says. He is protecting her like I would. I can't blame him for that, I respect it actually.
"Just one question, is Jax still here?" I ask him, he still stares at me, not blinking. I stare back. I can be patient if I just know that that asshole is not lurking around ready to pounce on her. She's here already so I know they didn't stop at a hotel. Thank fuck for that.
"No he's gone, now go!" he orders, nodding his head in the direction of the road.
I don't say another word; just nod back and back out of the driveway heading back to town to find a hotel.
There is a place called Super 8 that says it's a hotel. Right beside it is a small department store. I don't have anything; clothes, deodorant or anything. I pull in and get stares as I step out of the car.
I'm shocked by the store's prices. Jeans for $19.99, I've never heard of the brand, but I pick up several pairs. Some packs of underwear, I didn't know they came in packs. I get six pairs of boxer briefs for seven dollars. After grabbing some t-shirts, I am stopped by a clerk, in a blue smock.
"So you're the smoking hot guy from out of town?" I can't help but laugh at the woman. She's in her early forties, short hair, and way too much makeup. She would be a lot prettier without the overdone makeup job.
"Man, word does travel fast in this town," I tell her, leaning on my cart as I look for the shampoo section.
"When someone who looks like you, and drives a car like I've heard you drive, then yes, word travels fast," she says, walking along with me as I search the aisles. I do a double take when I realize that she is still walking next to me. I give her a small smile, and walk a bit faster.
"Can I help you with something?" I finally ask when she doesn't stop walking along with me.
"You're here with the Troy girl, right?" Talk about small town gossip. I'm about to tell her to kindly mind her own business, when I think that maybe I could use this to my advantage.
"Sort of, I'm here to win her back. I'm deeply in love with her, and I messed up. She won't let me explain, so I will be in this town until I can talk to her," I spill it all out right there in front of her. Surely this will get back to Harper and she will have no choice but to see me. At least I hope that's what will happen.
"It's Saturday so most of the town will be at Peggy's tonight. Good chance she will be too," she swoons at me. Everyone loves a love story.
Chapter 24
After checking into the Super 8, I see there is absolutely nothing super about it. At least it seems clean which is all that matters, I take a shower and change into my new cheap-ass clothes. It is almost 8:00 p.m., and still no call from Harper. I try her number every fifteen minutes hoping I will catch her at a time her phone is turned on, but every time it goes to voicemail. Surely by now her brother has told her I had stopped by.
I'm anxious and fidgety. I haven't slept in over twenty-four hours, but there is no way I could sleep now. I decide to head to Peggy's, the little bar on the square that's not far away. If there is a god, maybe she will be there.
I walk, it only being a few blocks from the hotel. I can hear the loud eighties music playing from a block away. There is a patio that is full of people drinking and having a good time. I figured with it still being early that it wouldn't be that busy yet. I guess Chicago night life starts later than Eldora night life.
The bar is small and very crowded. I do a quick survey of the room. There are a lot of girls in here of all ages and sizes. Not my girl though. I sit at an open seat at the bar where I can see the door.
"Hey Italy, what can I get you?" the blond bartender asks. She has on a low cut V-neck top, is attractive and has a friendly smile.
"Beer," I answer her and she sets a bottle in front of me. She tells me it's $2.75 and I am shocked. Everything is so cheap here. I hand her a five and tell her to keep the change.
"Thanks, doll." She smiles and winks at me before going to her next customer. I sip on my beer watching the room.
"So you must be the guy everyone is talking about," a guy about my age in a cowboy hat says, leaning up against the bar next to me. "I hear yo
u are after Harper Troy. Good luck, that girl's legs have been sewn together. What I wouldn't do to get between them though." He laughs, and is obviously drunk. I want to start swinging at the drunk idiot talking about my girl, but am interrupted.
"Hey asshat, watch your fucking mouth. That's my baby sister you're talking about." Who I can only assume is Easton, grabs cowboy hat by the shirt. "You ever fucking talk about her like that again, I will cut your dick off," he warns, up in the guy's face.
"Sorry E, was just joking around." Even though cowboy hat is about the same size, both men are very muscular, it is obvious that cowboy hat is about to piss his pants in terror. Easton pushes on the guy's chest to get him away, and he stumbles away from the bar.
"You must be Liam," Easton says, taking the seat next to me.
"You must be Easton. Harper has told me a lot about you." I nod, taking another sip of my beer.
"Yeah, well she has just recently told me about you. I have a message for you. She doesn't want to see you," he directs toward me before ordering a beer from the waitress. He hands her three dollars and tells her to keep the change. I shake my head in disbelief.
"I'm not leaving this town until she hears me out," I tell Easton firmly, yelling over the music.
"Hey, it's a free country. I can't make you leave town, but I will tell you that you won't get near her if she don't want you there. So I suggest you think long and hard before you do anything stupid," he warns, giving me the same cold stare his brother did earlier. I just nod at him, holding onto my beer hard to keep from swinging.
"Hey E, you want to dance?" A very cute, bubbly girl comes bouncing up to Easton and starts nibbling on his ear.
"Do I ever." He winks at her. Taking his beer, he wraps his arm around her waist and in minutes he is swarmed by a herd of girls on the dance floor, bumping and grinding against him. I can recognize an attractive man when I see one, and both of Harper's brothers are handsome. It shouldn't surprise me, because Harper is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. One thing's for sure, that is one hell of a gene pool.
I finish my beer and leave the bar. I start walking back to the hotel, trying Harper again on my way.
"Hey, Italy," I hear a woman yelling after me. I turn around to see the bartender trying to catch up with me. I get Harper's voicemail, and I shove my phone into my pocket as I wait for her to catch up. I wonder if I forgot something.
"Did I forget something at the bar?" I ask when she is in hearing distance.
"No, I'm sorry. It seemed like a good idea a minute ago when I thought of it, but now seeing you look at me like I'm an alien, I'm thinking not," she says, her smile fading.
"I'm sorry, but what was a good idea?" I ask, confused.
"First, I want you to know I don't usually do this." She looks down at her feet then back up. Oh fuck, she is coming onto me. "I just heard what E said to you about Harper, and well, I thought maybe you would want some company tonight." She bites her bottom lip looking at me through her lashes.
"I'm flattered, and you are a gorgeous girl, but I've long from given up on my girl." I just lay it out there so there is no confusion.
"Do you know why Harper didn't date much in school?" She crosses her arms in front of her.
"I'm sure you are going to tell me it had something to do with her brothers, but–"
"You don't understand, they are good boys, but when it comes to their sister they don't mess around," she interrupts me, I'm not sure if she is just warning me or trying to get me to give up.
"She's a grown woman now, and I have to say that I am very glad that they protected her when she was teenager." I raise one eyebrow, picturing a younger Harper, and all the boys drooling at what they can't have. I have to admit that I like the fact that only one snuck by their radar.
"I'm around if you change your mind, my name is Amanda." She sticks out her hand for me to shake it. I do respectfully, before saying goodnight and turning around to walk to my hotel.
I sit on the bed and look around at the small outdated room. It's only 9:00 p.m. and I am still wide awake. I need to get some sleep so I can figure out how I'm going to get my girl back. I take a hot shower and lie down. Tossing and turning all night, I finally get up at 5:00 a.m. My mind has been a whirlwind all night thinking of how I can just get her alone for a second. I know if I can do that, I can get her to hear me out.
Chapter 25
I'm driving very slowly on the gravel road that leads to Harper's home. I don't have a plan. I just knew that I couldn't stay in the little hotel room another second. Driving slowly, I'm looking around when I see a woman on a horse, straight ahead.
I'd know that hair anywhere. It's Harper. She is not going fast, but as she moves with ease on the large animal my heart aches to see her. I stop the car, not wanting her to see me. I think if she sees my car she will take off. I leave it on the side of the road and take off at a slow jog after her. She is probably a good quarter of a mile ahead of me when she turns onto a dirt road and is out of my sight.
I pick up my pace, reaching the dirt road just in time to see her go over a small hill. This is not a road for cars. It looks like there are a lot of four-wheeler tracks, horse tracks, and what seems like trails in the very timbered area. Sweat is pouring down my face. I have tennis shoes on at least, but am wearing jeans. I pull my t-shirt over my head and use it to wipe the sweat from my eyes as I continue to follow her. What must have been close to five miles later, I come up over a hill and don't see her. Frantic, I take off again in a fast run. I'm exhausted from lack of sleep, and realize that I have not eaten a single thing since I left Chicago.
I run for another half mile still seeing no sign of her, my heart is beating out of my chest with panic that I lost her. Just when I think I cannot run for even another second, I reach a clearing with a grassy circle in the middle of the timber. I drop to my knees in the tall grass feeling light headed. My vision blurry, I see Harper's horse grazing in the middle of the opening.
"Harper," I try to yell, but all that comes out is a soft scratchy cry. A tunnel forms, and at the end of the dark tunnel is my girl running toward me before everything goes black.
Disoriented and feeling like I'm in a dream, I hear her sweet voice. "Liam, wake up." It is like an angel speaking to me. My eyes flutter open to see that beautiful face with concern in those big brown eyes. Her fingers are stroking my hair as my head lies in her lap. If it wasn't for the pounding headache, I would have thought I was in heaven.
"You need to drink." She is holding a bottle of water and is lifting my head. She pours some cold water in my mouth. It feels so good going down my throat. "You are very dehydrated, Liam." Her voice is distant, like she is trying not to care. "What are you doing? Why are you here?" She avoids my eyes at all cost, but I sit up and grab her face in my hands making her look at me. She fights me, but even in my weakened state I am not going to give up.
"Harper, she is not my wife. She is not anything to me." I am able to get out before she gets to her feet. My voice still hoarse, I grab the water bottle she drops and take a long drink. Harper is walking back to her horse. I take off after her, my legs burning.
"Please, Petal, please just listen to me, please." This makes her stop abruptly. She turns on her heels to face me. She is wearing short, shorts and a camisole tank top. I just want to grab her and kiss her all over, make her feel what I know she still feels.
"I don't want to hear about your shower time with your ex-girlfriend or whoever the fuck she is." Tears are streaming down her face, and every single one is like a stab in my heart.
"No, nothing happened, never touched the bitch!" I yell to get my point across.
"Why was she in your bathroom? You know what, I don't want to know. It's not like you will tell me anything anyway." She turns away, putting one foot in the stirrup, and with ease, she mounts her horse. Desperate and not able to help it, I drop to my knees in the grass and sob like a baby thinking she is about to take off. There is no way I could keep up wi
th her this time.
Her horse stops beside me and I see her hand in front of my face; wiping the tears away, I look up. She is still on her horse and is offering me a hand.
"I'm not going to leave you here like this," she says, her tear stained cheeks are rosy and I can see the pain in her eyes. Her eyes are tired and swollen, like she has been crying a lot. I take her hand that is cool to the touch as I get to my feet. She scoots up on the saddle making room for me. Mounting the horse behind her, I instantly wrap my arms around her tiny waist.
"Liam, don't mistake this for anything. I will take you to your car and then that is it." She places her hands on mine and pulls them away from her. I feel the spark I always feel when she touches me. Her back is up against my chest, and there is no escaping the contact of her bare shoulders touching me. Her hair smells so sweet as it blows around me. She makes a soft clicking noise with her tongue and nudges the horse gently with her heels summoning it to move.
"Harper, I am going to tell you everything," I whisper, my mouth is close to her ear. She doesn't say a word as she guides the horse with ease onto the trail.
"My mother left us when I was a baby," I start with my story and hope and pray that she doesn't stop me from telling it. "All I ever knew was that she was gone, I didn't know if she was alive or not. He would never talk about her, he would never even tell me about her."
"Liam, why are you telling me this now?" Harper interrupts me abruptly. I can hear the sorrow in her voice as it cracks. "You fucking broke my heart, and now you are going to tell me your life story when it doesn't matter anymore." Her voice is choked, and I can tell she is crying. I want to wrap my arms around her, kiss her, make her feel better, but first I need to tell her everything.
"Chelsea was a girlfriend, a few years ago. She was only after money though. She was, I mean, she is a con artist. She sold a horrible story about me to a national tabloid. My father freaked and paid her to go away. She came back to blackmail my family."
