2. John
2
JOHN
E arly evening settled around me as I sat on my porch, the quiet of the night a peaceful balm. I rocked my foot slowly, letting the soothing movement of the chair settle the last of the uneasiness in my chest. I always felt that way when the past was mentioned. Whenever someone brought her up. I shook my head to dispel the thoughts. I refused to allow her to occupy space in my head.
I had a feeling Laura would inform me she lived rent-free there, destroying anything good.
I ran a hand through my hair, noting I needed to get a trim. I would go into town next week and get it cut.
I glanced in that direction, knowing, right now, the fair was happening. The Ferris wheel and Tilt-A-Whirl would be going nonstop. The air would be rife with the scent of deep-fried foods and sweet treats. Families would be gathered, couples strolling, kids laughing. Glancing at my watch, I saw it was barely past eight. I could drive in, walk around, maybe have a corn dog. Chat with some neighbors and friends. It wasn’t my usual style, at least not these days, but maybe Laura was right. I needed to move forward. Before I could overthink it, I had my keys in my hand, shutting the door firmly behind me, and climbed into my truck, heading into town.
Why, I had no idea, except I didn’t want to be alone anymore.
The fairgrounds were busy, but I found a spot, parked, and headed toward the bright lights. Everything I recalled about the fair hit me. The sounds, the smells, the lights.
I wandered a bit, talked to a few shocked people, hid from some others I had no desire to converse with. I got a corn dog, munching on it as I walked. I watched the rides, a smile pulling on my mouth as I listened to the screams of laughter, a few shrieks of terror, and the general happiness around me. Deciding I needed a beer, I headed toward the tent, planning on getting a cold draft and sitting in the corner to watch people.
I skirted the main area, walking around a few passionate clinches, a couple arguing, and then headed toward my goal. But it was the sound of a scared voice that stopped me.
“No. Please, just leave me alone.”
“Hey, darling,” a slurred voice replied. “We just wanna have a little fun.”
“I said no. Let me go.”
Frowning, I stopped behind an enclosure, peering into the darkness. Three younger men were standing in a loose circle around a woman, who had her arms wrapped around her torso. I couldn’t make out her features, but I heard the fear in her voice.
“I was just headed to the midway.”
“You shouldn’t have taken that shortcut,” another of the men insisted. “We can help you have fun.”
Rage simmered in my chest, and I curled my hands into fists. Stepping forward, I grabbed two of them by the shoulders, pushing them away from the woman.
“She said no. Are you fucking deaf?”
The two I pushed stumbled, falling on their asses. They blinked up at me, unsure where I had come from. In the dim light, I studied their features, but I didn’t recognize any of them. I turned to the one still gripping the woman’s arm. “Let her go. Now .”
“Why don’t you mind your own business?” he said, his bravado stupidly speaking up.
I stepped closer. “Why don’t you remove your hands before I rip your arms out of their sockets for you?”
He blinked, looked at his friends, and dropped his hands. He stood back, holding them up. “Sorry, just a misunderstanding.”
“You want to know another misunderstanding?” I snarled. “The lady said no. That means no. Here in Richton, we respect that word. And the law. I can see you boys aren’t from around here, so I’ll give you a choice. You have thirty seconds to get the hell out of here and never come back—or you can stay, and I’ll take you all on. I’ll even give you a head start.” I chuckled, my voice low and threatening as I flexed my shoulders. “But I guarantee the only one standing will be me. I’ll even help the sheriff pour your asses into the cruiser as he takes you to jail for accosting this lady.”
“Jesus,” one of the idiots still on the ground muttered. “I’m leaving.”
In seconds, they had run off. I watched them with narrowed eyes, wondering if I should have called the police anyway. I turned to the woman, who was watching me with wide eyes.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes,” she said with a nod. “They had just surrounded me when you showed up.”
“I don’t think they’re from around here.” I studied her. “Neither are you.”
“No, I’m visiting.”
“Ah.”
“I shouldn’t have cut through this area,” she said. “It was unwise.”
“You shouldn’t have to worry about being accosted by drunken idiots at a town carnival,” I replied. “But let’s get you to the midway.” I swept my arm out. “This way.”
She went in front of me, and I tried not to notice the way her hips swayed. She wore a pair of loose denim overalls, but they didn’t disguise her shapely form. She had a great ass.
I shook my head, clearing the thoughts.
She stumbled, and I automatically reached out, grasping her waist and pulling her close, keeping her upright.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still. She was soft in my embrace, her warm scent overriding all the other smells around us. Her hand clutched at my arm, the paleness of her skin contrasting with my much darker, tanned forearm. She fit under my chin perfectly, and somehow I knew if I lowered my head, her hair would be silky and thick on my cheek. Her breathing was shallow, her chest pumping the air quickly.
Surrounded as we were by the darkness, holding her felt oddly intimate.
And incredibly right.
I stepped back. “Careful, darlin’.”
She nodded, and a moment later, we walked into the bright lights. She heaved a sigh and turned to look at me. It was the first time I could see her features clearly. She was pretty with dark hair and an unusual color of seafoam green eyes. They were framed by long lashes and were striking.
“Thank you,” she said.
I nodded. “Good thing I was headed that way.”
She looked confused, and I pointed to the right. “The beer garden. I was thirsty.”
She looked over, then took in a deep breath. “May I buy you a beer?” she asked. “To say thanks.”
My first instinct was to say no. But I found I didn’t want to.
“Sure.”
She smiled. Her full mouth curled into a wide, toothy grin, two deep dimples appearing high on her cheeks. “Great.”
I took the beer she offered me, and we sat at a table in the back, sipping the cold brew and letting the chatter happen around us. A few curious gazes strayed our way, but I ignored them.
“I’m Quinn,” she offered.
“John.”
“Thank you, John.”
I lifted my beer in a silent toast, grateful I had been there. I shuddered to think what might have happened. While Quinn was getting our beers, I had seen one of the local cops and told him what occurred, and he and the others were keeping their eyes open. He recalled seeing a trio hurrying through the parking area and a souped-up truck leaving quickly, and I had to agree with him it was probably them, leaving with their tails tucked between their legs.
He had shaken his head. “They were twigs compared to you, John. You could have snapped them like kindling. No doubt you scared the shit outta them.”
“Good riddance,” was my reply.
I looked across the table at Quinn. “You sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine.” She leaned closer. “I assume you’re a local?”
“Yep. Born and bred.”
“I’m from Oshawa.”
“And you’re visiting a friend?”
She nodded. “My grandparents had a small place a few miles down the road. I came out in the summers. I met her when I was seven, and we’ve been friends ever since. We don’t see much of each other, but I hope that changes.”
I didn’t ask how or why. I would never see this woman again, so I didn’t want to delve.
I finished my beer, sliding the glass away. “Thanks for that, Quinn. Be careful, okay?”
She frowned. “Should I be worried?”
“No. It’s normally a safe place. Just stick to the lighted areas.”
She looked over my shoulder. “I might just go home.”
The words were out before I could stop them. “I can walk around with you.”
She paused, then smiled. “Great.”
We strolled the midway, walking around families, couples, and other individuals. Most of the time, I walked behind her, a silent shadow. I didn’t make eye contact with many people, not really wanting to talk to anyone. I had already done the circuit earlier, but something in me didn’t want to leave Quinn alone. I felt an overwhelming sense of protectiveness for the woman, which surprised me. It wasn’t normal for me to feel anything for anyone outside my family.
She was a talker, pointing out things I had never noticed before. How the lights glimmered in the dark. The sheen of the rides as they whizzed by. She noticed people’s shoes, their hats, whispering in mock horror over the long talons teenage girls seemed to like these days.
“I would poke my eye out,” she confessed.
I noticed her nails were short, buffed, and nude. I didn’t tell her I preferred the natural look. It seemed too personal somehow.
But I did find her amusing, and I had to admit, her droll comments made me smile more than once. I couldn’t recall smiling that much in a long time.
Quinn pointed out a few craft stands, and we stopped and watched the rides for a moment.
“Did you want to go on one?” I found myself asking.
“No. I just like to watch.”
“Hungry?”
She laughed. “No. I’m good.”
She stared at the game booths, laughing as a guy tried to win a teddy bear for his girl. She eyed me up. “I bet you could hit the bell.”
“You want me to try?” I offered.
She hesitated. “Really?”
“Sure.”
We joined the group in front, and I wondered how I’d gotten there. Standing in line, waiting to swing a mallet and win a stupid bear for a woman I didn’t know. It was almost as if I wanted to impress her.
Inwardly, I scoffed at the idea.
At the head of the line, the ticket taker handed me the mallet. “Good luck.”
I lifted my arms and swung, the weight almost hitting the top.
“Oh, so close!” he yelled.
Plunking down the money for another swing, I stepped back, sliding my hands to the end of the mallet and focusing all my energy. Again, I swung, this time the weight rushing up the post and hitting the bell loudly. The crowd cheered, and I let Quinn pick the bear. She opted for a pink one wearing a tutu. I felt something akin to pride as I handed it to her—like a warrior giving his queen the prize for winning the war. Which made me want to punch myself in the face for such a stupid thought.
She clapped, grinning, and her beauty in that moment stunned me. Her eyes glowed, her dark hair rippling over her shoulders. Her smile was incredible, the dimples deep divots in her cheeks. She glowed with happiness, and she hugged my arm as we walked away.
I felt the stirring of desire growing. The want to pull her into the shadows and kiss her so strong, I almost stumbled. I looked down, finding her eyes on mine. Time seemed to stand still as our gazes locked, the heat becoming a living, breathing thing between us.
Then her phone rang, breaking the spell. I stepped back, shocked to see how close I’d been standing next to her. I frowned as she answered, hearing the deep timbre of a man’s voice. She furrowed her brow, turning her back. With the crowds around us, I couldn’t hear what she was saying, but a dull feeling of anger rolled through my chest. A sense of déjà vu hit me.
Hanging up, she turned to face me. “I have to go. My daughter?—”
I cut her off. “ Daughter ?”
“I have to go. He says?—”
I had no interest in hearing what her husband or boyfriend had to say. Or why she had to leave. She shouldn’t have been here in the first place, and I should have walked away when she offered to buy me a beer.
I turned and did exactly that.