Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
Scout
My leg shakes with nervous energy as I try to disappear in on myself. The last person I thought I’d see in one of these town meetings is Luka Kingsley, let alone leading the damn thing.
After I left Restaurant, I went to Inn to see if I could beg Colleen for a room for the night. However, I was stopped short by a large orange sign posted on the door that read: Closed for renovations until further notice.
So that’s what Luka meant when he called me a liar.
I hate that he so easily caught me in the act.
I’ve never been a good liar; I’ve always worn my emotions right on my face—or my traitorous neck—it’s why I opt to wear turtlenecks in high-pressure situations.
I don’t need everyone knowing how nervous I am.
That’s not exactly considered a strength when you’re training to become an attorney.
I’d hoped that by now my body would become desensitized to dealing with conflict, but if anything, the stress of arguing and high-tension situations has only made it worse.
It feels like a cruel joke that I’ve all but tortured myself to finish law school with a 4.0 GPA, pursuing a career that goes against my very nature, only to end up disappointing my parents anyway.
It’s not fair.
I try harder than anyone I know. I fight fair.
I work hard and study. I have virtually no time to myself, always using every free moment to better myself in some way.
Whether it’s studying, reading boring books with zero romance in them, or attending the many events with either my or Jimmy’s family.
I’ve kept sweet. I’ve played the part like the innocent angel of a daughter my parents have always expected me to be. Even going as far as accepting a proposal from my father’s best friend’s man-child, just because I knew it would make our parents happy.
And to top it all off, after I’ve spent the last eight years working toward a career I never wanted, all I have to show for it is an un-finished law degree, a tarnished reputation that no law school would even consider touching with a ten-foot pole, and a measly work wardrobe I was able to fit in my suitcase.
Money isn’t something I’ve ever had to worry about before. I know that makes me privileged, but I never considered myself to be entitled.
I didn’t expect the fallout of fighting with my parents to be easy, per se, but I never expected they’d go this far to teach me a lesson.
I drag my suitcase behind me as I weave my way through the fired-up volunteers until I finally spot Colleen. She’s in conversation with Lily Hewer as Old Man Melvin dozes in and out on her arm.
“Colleen!” I call to her as I break through the crowd.
Colleen’s smile widens as she pulls me in for a tight hug. “You look so lovely, dear. What brings you back to Ashford Falls?”
Lily brushes a plump hand over my cheek. “How long’s it been? Six? Seven years?”
Miss Scarlett taps her lip. “Let’s see… It’s got to be at least eight…that’s when?—”
Paige not so subtly elbows her friend in the ribs. “Welcome back, sweetie. I hope you’ll stop by the store. We’ve completely renovated the romance section. You do still love reading, don’t you? I can hardly remember a time when you didn’t have your nose in a book.”
“Unless she was painting or drawing,” Hazel adds. “I still have some of your old artwork hanging on the bulletin board for people to enjoy while they wait for their coffees.”
“I always thought you’d grow up to be an artist. You were always so quirky and free-spirited. A weird bird who danced to the beat of her own drum,” Lucy says, then quickly adds, “But I’m just an old woman whose greatest skill in life is baking cookies—certainly no psychic.”
Old Man Melvin lets out a loud snore, then Colleen shakes him with the arm she’s using to hold him up with. “Melvin. Wake up. You’re still standing up for heaven’s sake. Can you at least try to wait until we get home?”
She starts to leave, pulling Melvin along with her, and I realize I still haven’t asked what I came over here to talk to her about.
“Wait. Colleen. Before you go… I was wondering if you have anywhere for me to stay tonight. I know you’re technically closed for renovations, but I didn’t know if maybe you could make an exception… just for the night?”
She’s quiet for a moment, twisting her lips as she thinks, and I feel all their pitying eyes fall on me. I have no idea how much they know, but I don’t want to add any more fuel to the rumor mill than I already have by showing up here with my suitcase.
Leaning in, I whisper, “I don’t have any money to pay you right now. But I’m sure I’ll be able to get it…or I can work it off if you need help. Really, anything you can offer. I’d really appreciate it…”
“Oh, honey. Of course. It’s not much, but if you’re that desperate, you’re more than welcome to sleep on the sofa in mine and Melvin’s room. It’s the only habitable room right now since we’ve just demo’ed the back external walls and had the roof removed to add more floors.”
I swallow the lump in my throat, not wanting to appear rude but really wishing there was another option…like any other option…
A throat clears, and then I hear, “Why don’t you stay with me?
I know you’re broke and clearly have nowhere else you can go.
” I blink in confusion when my eyes land on the source of that voice.
Luka stands just a few feet away, looking casual and nonchalant, like he hasn’t been sending me death threats with his eyes for the last thirty minutes.
He gestures to my suitcase that I’m clinging to and adds, “I’ve got plenty of room. Besides, what are friends for?”
My jaw falls open, and I don’t know if I’m more shocked that he witnessed my pathetic begging or that he offered me a place to stay. Either way, I find myself running after him as his long strides carry him back outside.
“Thank you for the offer, Colleen,” I call behind me, not wanting to appear rude for refusing her offer. Though it wasn’t ideal, I do appreciate her willingness to put me up for the night. I’ll have to stop by tomorrow and see if she needs any help.
Bursting through the doors, I find Luka standing beside a motorcycle as he slides on his helmet.
I stop dead in my tracks, causing someone to run into me from behind.
“You ready to go?” A cocky smile spreads over his face as he holds out a white helmet to me.
I fold my arms over my chest and take a step back as I look around, hoping someone will appear and give me a third safer option. “What are you… Luka, what is that?”
He looks down at himself, then back up at me. “Uh…my motorcycle?”
“Do you really expect me…to get on that …with you ?”
“That is normally the way it goes when someone offers you a ride,” he says with a shrug.
I shake my head, crossing my arms over my chest. “I’m not riding on that thing. How do I know you won’t hit a bump just to make me fly off and fall down the edge of a cliff or something?”
He quirks a brow. “Do you really think so little of me? Why would I do that?”
“I don’t know…but judging by the way my day’s gone, I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibilities. Don’t you have another vehicle around here somewhere? Something with doors and a roof?”
He ignores that question, throwing a leg over the motorcycle, then makes a show of looking around.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I thought you needed somewhere to stay…
but if you’re too good to accept my help, then I guess I’ll be on my way…
” He starts to roll the bike backward from the parking spot, and I leap forward to stop him.
“Wait. I’m sorry. I just… I…” I bite my lip as I look at the tiny seat behind him. How the heck am I supposed to fit back there? And how on earth is this considered a legal form of transportation?
The opening of his face guard’s flipped up, and his eyes crinkle at the corners, telling me he’s wearing a smile beneath.
And when he revs the engine and winks at me, I feel a shockwave of electricity ripping straight through me.
“Come on. It’s perfectly safe. Unless you’d rather spend the night with Colleen and Melvin.
You know he’s a sleepwalker, and I hear, during the summer, he gets so hot he’s resorted to sleeping in the nude. ”
“Why are you offering to help me? I thought you hated me?” I finally ask, needing to know what his angle is here.
His eyes narrow, then he lets go of the handles and sits up. “Oh, don’t worry, Scout. I do hate you. But that doesn’t mean I want you sleeping in the park. You are my oldest friend after all. Consider this a favor that I will undoubtedly cash in at my earliest convenience.”
I don’t like the thought of Luka having something else to hang over my head, but am I really in a position to be picky right now? He may be angry with me—justifiably so, but I know Luka, and he would never hurt me.
“What about my suitcase?” I nod to the small rectangular ball and chain I’ve been dragging around with me all day.
“I can make it work.” He climbs off the bike, takes my suitcase, and attaches it to a small rack with a couple of rubber straps.
He pulls the straps tight and jiggles the suitcase, adjusting it until he appears to be satisfied.
“It’s not ideal, but it’ll hold for the ride home.
” He, once again, offers me the white helmet.
“Now put this on. I’ve had a hell of a day and I’m ready to get home. ”
Yeah, that makes two of us.
I try to hide the shake in my hands as I take the helmet and slowly slide it over my head. I don’t know if I’m more nervous about riding on the back of that death-machine or that I’ll be forced to be so close to Luka while I do it.
“Here, let me help. I don’t have all night,” he says, swatting my hands away so he can buckle the strap under my chin.
Every accidental graze of his finger over my skin has my heart beating faster.
You’re just nervous, Scout. Don’t make it out to be a bigger deal than it is.
When he’s finished, he slaps the glass of my face mask down, and all the outside noise goes quiet.
That is, until I hear his voice directly in my ears through the speakers in the helmet.
“I think it’s safe to assume you’ve never ridden on the back of a motorcycle?” He doesn’t wait for me to confirm before throwing a leg over the bike, holding it steady as he gestures for me to climb on behind him.
I let out a deep breath before following his lead, propping myself on the very edge of the seat as if to put as much space between us as possible.
“Yeah. That’s not going to work, Girl Scout.”
I don’t have time to decipher the rush of emotions that spring forward from the sound of Luka calling me my old nickname before he revs the engine, sending me flying back. I reflexively tighten my arms around his middle, holding on to him with all my might as the bike launches forward.
“That’s better. Hold on just like that. Follow my lead.”
I let out a little squeak of surprise as my arms cling tighter around his rock-solid core. His little adjustment has me pressed against him, impossibly closer, making me keenly aware of every inch where our bodies connect.
The engine purrs louder as Luka takes off down the street, my trembling hands clinging to him with a steel-like grip.
I feel so helpless—completely out of control as the powerful engine vibrates beneath me, propelling us through the dark inky sky.
The warm summer air feels heavenly against my skin as my heavy-knit cardigan flaps around me.
I have no idea how fast we’re going, but as we drive out of town, hitting the highway that leads through the mountains, I finally feel my shoulders relax.
It’s not like me to completely surrender control like this, certainly not at the expense of my safety, but there’s something about the wind. It encompasses me on every side, and if I close my eyes, I feel like I’m flying. Is this what it feels like to be a bird? No wonder they’re always singing.
Luka slows his speed, leaning to the side as he makes a sharp turn, and I do my best to match his movements. I can feel his heart beating beneath my palms, the hitch in his breath as my hands move over his chest, as I find a more comfortable grip.
“Holy shit,” I whisper under my breath, and I feel Luka’s back shake with silent laughter. Dang. I forgot about the microphone thingy.
“That good, huh? I have to admit, I have that effect on women. The vibrations don’t hurt either,” he says with a laugh.
Great, just what he needed, an ego boost. “I was talking about the view,” I quickly lie.
“Sure you were,” he teases, picking up speed as we hit a straightaway through Phantom’s Reach.
I feel a flush of embarrassment heat my neck at being so predictable. He’s probably used to girls throwing themselves at him, having them plastered against him on the back of his motorcycle. It’s obviously why he carries an extra helmet with him.
I try not to think about how I’m just one of many—not to mention his hatred of me. Instead, I let all my worrying thoughts drift away, as if the wind is washing me clean of my every flaw, my every problem, my every sin.
The trees grow denser, framing us on each side of the road as we make our way deeper into the forest, and when Luka takes a sharp left turn on the narrow, secluded road, a million memories flood my mind all at once.
Where is he?—?
There’s no way…
Surely he’s going to turn…
My silent questions are answered when he pulls up to the all too familiar Victorian house…only it’s not the same faded yellow that I remember…
My eyes go wide and my heart plummets to my stomach as I take in the sight before me…and it looks nothing like I remember.
The once faded yellow siding has been updated and painted white.
The wraparound porch is sporting new railing, and all the windows are updated as well.
The front door is painted charcoal instead of robin’s egg blue.
The bones of the house are mostly the same, but it’s nothing like the sweet little dollhouse I grew up in, the one I still try to visit in my dreams…
“Wait…this…is your house?”
Luka steps off the bike and opens his arms wide. “Welcome to Casa de Kingsley?—"
I shake my head, feeling my eyes already stinging with tears. “You bought my childhood home?”
He shrugs as he unfastens my suitcase. “What can I say, I’ve always loved this house and it’s right next door to my parents. Honestly, it was too good of an opportunity to pass up.”