Chapter Nine #2
“No. He’s working at the new military training facility. I was up there a few days back, helping unload supplies.”
“I see. Crew?”
“Yes, honey?”
“I’m glad I met you. I didn’t think I was ready…for more. With anyone. Not after Chris. But I like you. A lot.” Her words came in bursts, each wave blasting him with more warmth.
“I like you a lot too. Hell, more than a lot, Fern. You’re the most incredible woman I’ve ever known.”
“Next to your grandma who raised you and your sister?”
He issued a rough laugh. “She was an amazing woman, and I wouldn’t be who I am now without her input. But you’re different, Fern.”
“You’re different too.”
Crew kept his eyes on the road, foot heavy on the accelerator as he drove toward the woman who was changing everything.
The one making him believe the past didn’t get to own him anymore.
* * * * *
Fern listened to Crew’s voice. Low and deep, a soothing rumble instead of a bellow.
She expected to be treated like an annoyance. Chris would have called her a pain in the ass. Told her how worthless she was, even at something as easy as driving.
But Crew was different. He was concerned for her well-being and her safety. He kept her on the line, talking to her as he closed the miles between them and she waited for his friend to show up.
Even though she expected to see a vehicle approach, her heart still gave a painful lurch when she glanced in the rearview mirror and saw a truck looming behind her.
“Fern, you with me, honey? You should see Upchurch now. He’s driving up to you.”
“I see him.” She managed to force the words past her numb lips.
“Tell me when he pulls up behind you.”
Her eyes started to dry out from holding them so wide as she stared at the mirror. The truck was huge. Were all the Black Heart Ranch trucks that big? They were. She’d seen them in the parking area.
“I think he’s here.”
“Okay, he’s going to get out of the truck now. Describe what he looks like.”
Her vision blurred, then cleared. “Uh…tall. Big shoulders. Shaved head. His hair might be brown. Wearing jeans.”
“Sunglasses?”
“He just took them off.”
“That’s Church. I’m going to let you go for now, Fern. I’ll call after you’ve made contact with him.”
Her stomach wobbled at the thought of Crew breaking their connection, but she trusted him to have her safety in mind.
The man neared her driver’s window, moving slow.
He stopped a few feet away from her car. “Fern? I’m Grant Upchurch. Crew and the guys sent me to help you.”
She didn’t realize she was crying until she felt a tear drip off her chin and land on her hand. His face swam in front of her eyes.
“It’s okay, Fern. I know you must be scared. I won’t come any closer. I’m going to just wait right here with you until Crew arrives.”
Her tears fell faster. She didn’t want to be frightened anymore. If Chris really was the man in that strange truck, then she wanted to make him pay for scaring her. It was time she wrenched free of the iron control he had on her during their relationship, a stronghold she thought she’d shaken.
He wasn’t going to keep her from making a better life.
“It’s all right, Fern. I promise it’s going to be all right.” He widened his stance like a military commander or maybe a bodyguard.
In time, her tears stopped. She found a tissue in her console and mopped her face. Feeling a bit stronger, she cracked the window. Cooler air trickled in, and she gulped it.
Upchurch didn’t speak to her again, just kept watch. He and Crew were friends, and his solid presence felt like an extension of the man she was starting to have deep feelings for.
Thinking about what she felt for Crew right now, it seemed like terrible timing. But she’d spent an entire winter soul-searching, and she trusted herself. She wouldn’t question herself now.
When Upchurch turned his head, gazing down the road, her stomach dipped. A second later, another Black Heart truck came into view, and with it, Crew.
As he sped toward them, she reached for the door handle. He squealed to a stop behind Upchurch’s truck. When he jumped out, she opened the door and stumbled out too.
He raced to her, his stare locked on hers. She took two steps and fell into his arms. He yanked her against his steely body, holding her tight, his big palm cradling her head to his chest.
“It’s all right now, honey. You’re safe. I’ve got you. We’ve all got you.”
She felt him look over her head and knew he and Upchurch were exchanging a look.
She gripped his shoulders. “Thank you for coming for me. Thank you for sending Upchurch.”
“I’ll always come for you.” He tangled his fingers in her hair and she tipped her face up to his. The kiss he gave her was soft and brief, but it steadied her in ways she didn’t expect.
“Come on. I’ll take you back to the ranch.”
“What about my car?” She clung to the warmth in his eyes.
“There’s a tow truck on the way. They’ll take it back to the ranch. You might have heard of a guy named Gabe. He’s with Felicity.”
“From the bookshop?”
He nodded. “He was in the program with me, but he’s working at the training facility now. He’s also good with cars. He’s going to take a look at yours.”
She nodded and rested her head against Crew’s chest again. He tucked her close and led her to his truck.
Once they were settled, he lifted a hand to Upchurch before turning around and heading to the ranch.
He reached across the console and gently took her hand.
“I thought I was past this,” she whispered. “I thought I was stronger than this.”
His gaze on her was steady, understanding flickering in his eyes.
“I know that feeling. Sometimes you think you’ve moved on…
and then something reminds you. Doesn’t mean you failed.
It means you’re human.” He stroked her knuckles with his thumb.
“We work through it. We find ways to keep moving forward.”
Something eased in her chest, like he’d named a truth she didn’t know how to explain.
They understood each other a little better with every passing minute, it seemed. And that made her feel even closer to him.
When they reached the ranch, several people converged around them. Carson and Theo and Gray, who she hadn’t met yet. After only a few minutes, the tow truck arrived with her vehicle.
“That was quick,” Crew said.
“Benefit of having connections in a small town.” Gray smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. The situation was too serious.
Then an unfamiliar man walked out of the security office. Crew introduced him as Gabe. The rugged man gave her a soft greeting as he walked over to her car and opened her hood while the others talked.
Not once did Crew release her hand, occasionally darting worried glances her way.
Gabe bent over her engine. After only a minute, he straightened, hands on hips. “This is beyond me. I’m not gonna even pretend I know what’s wrong.”
Crew laughed softly. “I’ll send it to the garage in town.”
“The model’s too new for me. Give me an old Ford engine, and I got you covered.” Gabe paused, meeting Fern’s gaze. “You’re in the best hands with Crew. But if you need anything, let me know.”
She nodded.
Just then, a pretty blonde woman rushed across the yard. Felicity, from the bookshop.
She rushed up to Fern, but as she passed Gabe, she stroked her hand over his side.
Fern was beginning to see just how far the Black Heart Ranch spread…and how many people it pulled into its gravity.
Now she was part of it too.
Felicity stepped up to her, her faint brows knit together. “Oh Fern. I heard about your trouble. Are you okay?”
She gave a shaky nod. “I am. Everyone’s been so helpful.”
At that moment, Upchurch drove in and parked at the end of the row of trucks. Crew gave him a single nod, and Fern lifted her hand in thanks.
Upchurch nodded to her in return, a simple gesture that felt as warm as any embrace from a friend.
Fern smiled, something fragile and hopeful blooming inside her. She’d felt alone for so long. Now, standing there with Crew, leaning on his steadiness, and wrapped in the warmth of so many new friends…
She wasn’t alone anymore.