by Hope Ford
Obsessed
Whiskey Run 3
Hope Ford
Contents
1. Evan
2. Evan
3. Evan
4. Sierra
5. Sierra
6. Sierra
7. Evan
8. Sierra
Epilogue
Epilogue 2
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About the Author
Obsessed © 2021 by Hope Ford
Editor: Kasi Alexander
Cover Design: Cormar Covers
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
1
Evan
I stand in the center of the McCarthy Security office, surrounded by office equipment. The tiny whine of the printer, the refrigerator in the break room, and the fan on the ceiling seem much louder than they actually are. But I’m still getting used to this. I’m used to working in an office instead of at base, out in the open, with ten pounds of gear and a gun on my hip.
One month and three days. That’s how long it’s been since I was honorably discharged from the United States Army. All it took was one bad fall over six months ago to change my life forever. I had a concussion, but the doctors said I would be back at it in just a few weeks. No one can explain or in turn fix the extreme vertigo I started to experience. No matter what I tried, it didn’t work. Numerous doctors, physical therapists, medicines and even MRIs that showed nothing–nothing could explain why I had it or how to stop it. Yes, they finally found a medicine that helped it and made the symptoms more tolerable, but not enough that I could stay on active duty. Let’s face it, no one wants a man with sudden bouts of dizziness and nausea to be the one having another person’s back. No, I understand that. But it didn’t make it any easier. Being in the service was my dream. Ever since I was little, playing army men, I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. A badass willing to die for his country.
But my dream died one month and three days ago. I was discharged. Honorably, but still discharged. So I moved back home to Whiskey Run. Bought a fixer upper and started working with my brother in our family’s security business. It’s been in our family for generations, and even when we were little, our dad had us by his side, doing security and installations. It’s second nature for me, and I stepped back into the role easily. I miss the activity and excitement, but I have to admit it’s nice being back in Whiskey Run. It’s changed a lot in the four years that I was gone. It seems it’s more of a tourist town now with the way people come to tour the distillery and sample the Blaze Whiskey – which is what Whiskey Run is now famous for.
“Hey, you free to do a quote over at Red’s Diner?”
My brother Sam interrupts my thoughts, and I nod in agreement without even thinking about it. I’ve discovered since I got back home, I do way better if I stay busy. Of course my idea of staying busy has been working in the office and away from the public, but I know I can’t stay like this. I’m going to have to go out and work eventually. “Yes, sure.”
Sam is writing on the white erase board all of the day’s jobs with his back to me. “Good. Violet says she hasn’t seen you since you got back so I told her I’d see if you were free.”
“So she’s taken over the diner now?”
“Yep, since her parents moved to Florida and retired. Around three years ago, I guess. Anyway, you’ll be surprised when you see the place. She’s made a lot of changes... good ones, though.”
I feel like I’ve known Violet my whole life, and I feel a little guilty that I haven’t gone in to see her yet. She’s ten years older than me and the same age as Sam, but even with the age difference, I still would call her a friend. I can’t explain why I’ve avoided people and places since I got back, but I have. Maybe I don’t want the curious or pitying looks, and sure enough, if I go to Red’s Diner where almost everyone in town eats at least once a week, that’s exactly what I’ll get. But I can’t hide forever.
“Yeah, I’ll go. I should have already gone in to see Violet anyway,” I tell Sam, and even I can hear the guilt in my voice.
He keeps flipping through the pages of his notepad and writing on the board as he mutters, “That’s what she said.”
“So what is she looking for? Did she say?”
He flips a few more pages. “Yeah. She needs her alarm updated for the front and back doors, and she’s wanting to add a digital camera so she can access it from her phone.”
“Great. Easy enough. I’ll head over shortly.”
I grab my notebook off the table and am about to walk into the supply room when Sam stops me. “Hey Evan, I know it’s going to take you awhile to get adjusted to this, but I want you to know I’m glad you’re home.” He fans his hands around the office, but I know he’s talking about more than just the office. He’s talking about all of it—moving back home, leaving the Army, joining the family business.
“I know, Sam. Thanks for taking it easy on me this past month. I’m going to start earning my keep. And I’m glad to be back home too.”
He nods, but it’s obvious by the skeptical look in his eyes that he doesn’t fully believe me. Hell, I don’t either. But what choice do I have? I don’t have one. So I’m going to make the best of it starting today.
Sierra
I blow out a breath as I stare out the window of the Whiskey Run Public Library. If I stand in a certain corner, slide halfway behind a bookshelf, and look to the corner of Main Street and Bruce Street, I can see the front door to McCarthy Security. Evan McCarthy is home. I knew as soon as he got here. I was at Red’s eating lunch with Violet when a woman came from the hair salon saying she’d heard that Evan McCarthy was back in town and this time for good. She didn’t have all the details except that he was honorably discharged from the army and was going back to work at his family’s security firm.
Everyone was abuzz, excited that our town hero was home, but all I could do was worry. I knew that Evan had planned on being a lifer. He had no intentions of ever leaving the army, so the fact that he’s home made me more than worried about him. Not that I could let him know. No, I would have to talk to him to do that. And that’s one thing I don’t do. I don’t talk to Evan McCarthy. I may have watched him all growing up, I may have even helped him in English class a time or two. But that’s it. We were exact opposites in high school, and he barely knew I existed.
From that day one month ago, I have spent more time at the front window of the library looking out, just hoping for a glance of Evan McCarthy. He’s laid low since he got back, and the buzz of him being here has started to die down. No one talks about it anymore. Well, no one but me. I’ve never hidden the fact from Violet that I’ve had a crush on Evan since we were in high school together. Violet, who was in school with his older brother and in turn friends with him, has done everything to encourage me, even making me feel in small part there’s a chance. She insists he would be crazy not to give me a chance. But then I’ll leave from our book club meeting where we talk about books and gossip, and reality sets in. I’m the book nerd, the town librarian. I like order and planning. Evan was the star quarterback in high school. He dated the head cheerleader and was always with the in crowd. I assume he hasn’t changed that much since graduating, and so I know I’m way out of my league.
Before I let the thoughts drown me, I remember how far I’ve come. I’ve quit comparing myself to others. I’ve quit being insecure about my weight, and I’ve learned to love the person I am. I’ve accepted that I’m socially aw
kward and most usually say the wrong thing. I’m me, and that’s all I need to be. But now that Evan’s back, I can sense my old insecurities coming back, and I want to kick myself for it. The stuttering, quiet girl that used to hide her eyes in a book all the time is rearing to come back, and I refuse to go back to the insecure, self-conscious woman that I used to be.
On that note, I gather the books that Violet requested and put them in a bag over my shoulder. I’m looking forward to delivering her books, having a slice of her famous cake, and catching up with one of my closest friends.
I make a point when I walk out of the library not to even glance over at the security firm. No, that’s a dream I need to give up on. I keep my head pointed in the opposite direction with my shoulders squared. I look as if I’m ready to take on the world... now if only I felt like it too.
Red’s Diner is only a block away. When I walk in, Violet is wiping off the counter, and she smiles when she sees me. The closer I get, the more it looks as if something is on her mind, something she’s worried about. One thing I’ve learned about Violet is she’s a very private person. I found out she was married, by accident really, but I’ve never met her husband, and even though I’d never gossip to anyone about my friend, I still wonder how she was able to get married and no one knows about it. So instead of asking her, I lift the bag off my shoulder to show her the books I’d brought. “Hey, Vi! I have those books you wanted.”
Violet gestures to the almost empty diner. “Thank you. I didn’t think I would be able to make it over there today, so I really appreciate you bringing them.” I don’t question her, though. I’m happy to come see her and chat.
I pull out one of the books and wiggle my eyebrows at her. It’s a romance with a naked man chest on the cover.
She laughs and steals the book from my hand. “Look, don’t judge me. You know romance books are my guilty pleasure.”
I can’t stop smiling. That’s one of the things that actually got Violet and me talking at first. “Oh, I know. That’s actually one of my favorite books.”
We laugh conspiratorially, and then I sit down at the counter. “So what do I get for bringing you books? A piece of cake, a shake, what are you offering?”
“Whatever you want,” she says.
I’m staring at the cakes on the counter. “Cinnamon Blaze apple cake. You know I can’t pass it up. And a coffee.”
Violet grabs me a slice of cake and a cup of coffee and sets it down in front of me. “So how are things at the library?”
“Quiet,” I deadpan and then start heartily laughing at my own joke. I’ve learned to hide my quirky sense of humor from a lot of people, but Violet never judges me, and she’s the one person I can truly be myself around.
“Hey, Violet.” A man interrupts us, and I sober up quickly.
I turn my head so fast, I almost get dizzy. But there’s no doubt in my mind who that voice belongs to. “Evan McCarthy,” I breathe out low.
When he turns to look at me, I suck in a breath because it’s then I realize that I said that out loud.
He stops next to me, shaking his head with his eyes scrunched up. “I’m sorry. Do I know you?” he asks.
My heart plummets in my chest. The man I’ve been pretty much been in love with almost half my life doesn’t even have a clue who I am. If that’s not a reality check, I don’t know what is. “No.” I shake my head, avoiding looking into his eyes. I could stand here all day looking at him. He hasn’t changed a lot in the four years since I’d seen him. He’s bigger. His shoulders are broader, his face more chiseled. But before I make an even bigger fool of myself, I look over at Violet, who’s staring at me with sympathy. “Look, I have to get back to work, Violet. I’ll see you soon, okay?”
I don’t wait for her to respond. I grab my now empty bag and rush from the diner, not daring to look back.
2
Evan
The woman couldn’t get out of here fast enough. I watch her all the way to the door before I turn to Violet. “What did I do?”
“You didn’t do anything,” Violet says, but I don’t believe her. “I’m glad you’re home, Evan.”
I nod. “Yeah, me too. I’m sorry...” I start to apologize for just now coming to see her, but she waves me off.
“So a new security system. Can you help me out?”
I hold my hands up. I should just let it go, but the image of the stranger’s retreating form is still in my head. “Wait. Who was that? She looks familiar, but I swear I can’t place her.”
Violet takes a deep breath. “That’s Sierra Jensen. She went to...”
I interrupt her. “High school with me. That’s Sierra? The skinny girl with glasses and braces and her face always in a book?”
Violet winces at my description. “Yeah, that’s the one. My friend that’s smart and beautiful. The youngest librarian ever hired in Whiskey Run,” she adds.
As if just realizing what I said and how it sounded, I start to backtrack. “I didn’t mean...”
But Violet waves me off. “I know you didn’t. It was a long time ago.”
“She was always nice to me. Helped me in English. I wouldn’t have passed Mrs. Rigsby’s class without her.”
“That’s Sierra for you. She’ll help anyone.” She shakes her head with her forehead creased. “So can you look around and give me a quote on what I need?”
I keep looking toward the door, thinking that Sierra might come back. It looks like she left her cake and her coffee, but I nod at Violet. “Yeah, give me a few minutes. I’ll take a look around and get out of your hair.”
“No rush. It’s a while before we get busy.”
I walk away. Doing the quote is going to be easy, but I still want to see how dated her current equipment is. I do my job, but the whole time I’m thinking about Sierra and her reaction to me. The soft almost breathless way she said my name is still replaying in my head. Did she leave the way she did because I didn’t recognize her? Was I mean to her in high school and not remember it? Why did she just leave like that? If I’d given it more time before opening my mouth I would have made the connection to who she is. The truth is, she has changed a lot since high school. She was pretty then, in a plain way. She always had a quiet way she carried herself, and I noticed her more than once. But back then, I knew someone as smart as her wouldn’t have anything to do with a jock like me.
Once I’m finished taking notes, I go back to the counter where Violet is boxing up the cake and pouring fresh coffee into a to go cup. “I’ll put together a quote later today and drop it off to you.”
“Sounds good.” She smiles at me, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
I’m about to turn and go but stop, remembering one of the things I need to talk to Violet about. “Hey, I never did thank you. While I was in the service, I received all the food and treats from the Whiskey Run Homecoming Committee. I know you had something to do with that, and I just want you to know I really appreciate it. It meant a lot to have a taste of home while I was gone.”
But she shakes her head with a smirk on her face. “That wasn’t me.”
I stutter, embarrassed. “Oh, I just thought....”
“No, that was Sierra that did that. She sent the care packages out to you every week.”
“Sierra.” I say her name real slow. Sierra, the woman I was just rude to. She’s the one that sent me a package every week. The one thing I looked forward to each week. Not only did she put in cookies and treats, she put in writing paper and pens, but she also always wrote a very sweet note thanking me for my service and that she hoped I was doing okay. But instead of signing it with her name, she always signed it Whiskey Run Homecoming Committee.
Violet is nodding her head as I make the connection. I lean on the counter. “Where did you say she worked?”
She gives me an inkling of a smile but then tries to hide it. I don’t have time to ask her about it before she’s answering my question. “I didn’t. She works at the library. That’s actually where I
’m going now. She left her cake, so I was going to take it to her. I’ll be sure to tell her you enjoyed the packages she sent.”
She starts to walk past me, and I move in front of her, taking the bag and cup of coffee from her hands. “Wait. I’ll take it. I need to thank her myself, I think.”
Violet shrugs and hands over the items. “Sure. Thanks, Evan. It’s good to have you back.”
For the first time since I walked in, I give her a genuine smile. “Yeah, it’s good to be back.”
Sierra
What was I thinking? Did I really expect him to come back into town, see me, and just what—fall in love with me? I berate myself the whole way back to the library. I thought I was prepared. I could have made a joke about me helping him with English in high school or something like that. But instead I moaned out his name like he was touching me in my most private parts instead of just running into some guy I used to know in high school. My hand goes straight to my forehead. Oh my God, how embarrassing.
I make it back to the library in record time. I still have plenty of time left on my lunch break, but instead of sitting and reflecting on my embarrassment, I grab the book cart and start putting the books back on the shelves. Before I know it, twenty minutes have gone by, and my face is still heated just thinking about Evan.
My coworker is on lunch now, and when I hear the bells over the front door jingle, I walk out from the middle of the science fiction and fantasy section to see who it is. As soon as I spot Evan walking in, I jump back into place behind the shelves. Surely he didn’t see me. What is he even doing here? I rest my head on the shelf in front of me. Can this day get any worse?
