Chapter One #2
“I don’t think it’s worth being fixed, but who knows.
At the very least I should get it towed.
In the meantime, I need a place to crash, and I chatted with an older gentleman who said you might be able to point me in the right direction.
He told me that you have no motels?” She was hoping maybe he was wrong, but when the woman shook her head, Faith fell back in her chair.
“The nearest motel is the next county over, but I wouldn’t let your dog stay there.” Her eyes widened, and she whispered, “Bed bugs.”
Faith cringed and made a face.
“There is the Lawson House in town. It’s a big old, beautiful place that’s been converted into apartments and I know for a fact there’s one that’s vacant.
Jenny Oakes used to rent it, but she met a man at The Dock and up and left with him just last week.
They’re fully furnished so you wouldn’t have to worry about that sort of thing, and I’m sure Candy would love to have it occupied sooner than later.
Gus can take you when you’re done dinner. ”
“Gus?”
Tully looked over Faith’s shoulder. “Oh, shoot. Frank’s arms are waving like he’s in the middle of a pack of bees.” She smiled at Faith. “Your dinner must be up. I’ll be right back.”
Taco nudged her hand with his wet nose, and she sank her fingers into the fur behind his ears. Absently, she scratched at him, mustering about as much energy as she had. It had been a long day and an even longer week.
When had everything gone so wrong?
Angry at herself, Faith sat up and took a moment to clear her head. “On to better things,” she whispered to herself just as Tully appeared with her order. It smelled heavenly, and she blushed when her stomach growled so loud that Tully giggled.
“My, you are in need of sustenance, but no worries you’re in the right place.
” She set down the plate and bowl of soup.
“Frank might bark like a dog,” she glanced down at Taco, “no offense, but he sure as heck knows his way around a kitchen.” She handed Faith a napkin and salt and pepper, then backed away.
“Now you eat and fill that belly right up and I’ll send Gus over in a bit. ”
“I’m sure I can find the place myself if you just point me in the right direction.”
“It’s a bit of a hike. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.
” Tully reached for the door. “Though I should warn you Gus is not real sociable and it’s an absolute shame because he’s so darn nice to look at.
Don’t take it personal. He’s like that with most folks.
I blame it on the fact he’s a transplant.
” At Faith’s confused look she whispered, “He’s from the city.
DC, I think.” Her smile almost immediately fell.
“I don’t mean that in a bad way. City folks are nice and all, I mean .
. .” She blushed. “You might be from the city for all I know, and you seem real nice, and, well, I’m going to stop talking now. Enjoy your dinner.”
Tully disappeared inside, leaving Faith to her dinner.
She took her time, savored every last bit of soup, and then the wrap, which was so big it could have fed a small army.
It didn’t hinder Faith; she ate every last crumb.
By the time she was done, her belly was too full, her body was too tired, and she could have closed her eyes and fallen asleep right there.
She might have, too, except there was some throat clearing, and she slowly turned around in her chair.
A man stood a few feet away. The sun was behind him, so she couldn’t see his face clearly.
Dressed in faded jeans, beat-up work boots, and a plain black T-shirt that emphasized wide shoulders and impressive biceps, he was tall and well-built.
“I hear you need a ride.” His voice was deep with a hint of rasp, and she detected a slight accent that didn’t jive with this corner of the United States. Boston, she thought.
Faith took a moment and then got to her feet. “Tully says I do, but I can walk as long as I know where I’m headed.”
“I’ll take you.”
He moved a bit, and his face slowly came into focus.
Strong square jaw and high cheekbones, a nose that looked as if it had been broken once or twice.
His eyes were so dark they appeared black, and his mouth was almost too feminine for such masculine features.
Yet it all worked in a way that made him dangerous to any female that crossed his path.
Except me, she thought. I don’t have time for a man like him. She had a feeling this man would be like a hurricane.
“Follow me.”
She wanted to protest. Wanted to be independent and strong. But she was so tired and so low that when he grabbed her suitcase, she said nothing.
Faith untied Taco and grabbed her backpack, then followed the stranger to his truck, a mud-splattered F150. He tossed her suitcase in the back seat and didn’t say a word when she settled into the front while Taco jumped into the back seat.
It was a big truck, but he had no problem taking up a lot of space.
She inched closer to the door and hoped he didn’t notice.
They drove back down Main and eventually took a left onto one of the tree-lined streets Faith had admired less than an hour ago.
It was a cul de sac, and he continued to the end, then parked in the driveway of a large brick home.
The sign near the driveway read, Lawson House, Est 1871.
It was beautiful.
“This is it?” she asked.
A grunt was his reply. He got out of the truck and retrieved her suitcase, then handed it to her. For one second, their eyes met and held, and nervous, Faith took a step back. Her heart sped up, and her mouth went dry. “Thank you,” she said softly.
“Candy’s on the main floor. Unit one.” He gave a curt nod and headed for the house, his long legs making quick business of it. He jogged up the wide steps that led to the nicest porch Faith had ever seen, then disappeared through double stained-glass doors.
Wow, she thought, Tully wasn’t lying. The man is unsociable.
“Okay, Taco,” Faith said reaching for her suitcase. “Looks like we’ll be staying in Fire Lake longer than we want to.”
She followed the stranger’s footsteps, too tired to think about staying in one place longer than she should. Besides, she didn’t have a choice, and it didn’t pay to think too far ahead. At least, that’s what her grandmother used to say.
She reached the double doors and glanced down at Taco.
His ears were forward and alert, though his tail was still.
He felt her tension and unease. Faith bent down and gave him a quick scratch behind the ears, then pushed open the doors.
Home sweet home, she thought, running a hand over the clammy skin of her neck.
At least, she hoped so.