Chapter Eleven
Owen
“How the hell did you get out of the bedroom?” I’ve barely turned the corner into the hallway when I see Birdie opening the side door slowly as though her plan had been to take off before sunlight.
She darts her gaze toward me, then opens the door, sprinting out into the dawn like a hobbled deer who’s caught eyes with a mountain lion.
I tuck into my boots, and chase out after her, slamming the door shut behind me. Part of me hopes that I wake up the guys with the noise. I could use their help right now.
“Go back inside, Owen,” she yells back as she hops toward the gate at the edge of the property. I should’ve grabbed the truck. She’ll tire out sooner or later, and I could’ve thrown her in, maybe save that knee from any more damage. Instead, we’re both going to get exhausted, and I’ll be carrying her back to the farmhouse.
“I’m not going to stop.” Her long hair blows behind her as she tries to get away.
I should be angry. She’s broken free, she’s on the run, she’s still going after this virginity deal like her life depends on it, but I’m not angry at all. Somehow, I love her more. I love this version of her. The version that never gives up. The version that goes and goes with all her heart. She’s committed to something, and she’s not going to quit until the task is complete. That … turns me on. Her hard work always has. She was like that with her flower shop, and I know she’ll be like that as a nurse, as a mother, as whatever she wants in life.
The East wind picks up and spins the rooster on top of the barn in circles. It’s a quiet night right now, but a storm is blowing in. “Birdie, you’re hurt, so I’m going to catch you.” I’m only a few feet behind her as I speak, but she’s still out of reach.
She drags her leg behind her as she rounds into the road. I pick up speed and my fingertips brush her hips. Her feet move faster, but she’s tired, and with two big steps, I’m able to grip her waist and pull her back into my arms.
“Damn, Birdie! Why are you running? I thought we were on the same page?”
She rolls her eyes to the side and squirms back and forth in my arms until I lose my grip and lower her to the ground. “You’re insane!”
“I’m insane? You’re running into the woods in the middle of the night with a bleeding wound.”
She shakes her head. “Owen, you don’t own me! I’m trying not to get you in trouble here, but I could call the cops. I’m sure the sheriff would love to know where I’m at right now.”
Water falls from the sky in slow, shallow drops as the wind picks up, carrying the scent of fresh earth through the air. I roll my eyes and lift her up onto my shoulder, pinning her legs against my chest to minimize the kicking and hopefully the pain.
“Let me down!” she demands, louder this time, squirming against my touch with force as the rain drops fall heavier and heavier, clouding my vision.
I turn left toward the barn, which is only a few feet away now. We could keep running toward the house, but shelter is right here, and I want her out of the weather.
“What are we doing? Just go to the house. I need a shower now. I’m soaked.”
“You’re trying to leave. You’re not worried about a shower,” I bark, tugging the barn door open before setting her down and sliding it closed again.
Standing before me, sopping wet, she stares as though she’s about to exercise a demon. Her hair is hanging, her shoulders are hunched, and her gaze is that of misery and frustration.
“What the hell is going on?” I groan, brushing soaking hair up and away from my face. “I thought we were good.”
She sighs hard and looks away. “We are good. I’m good. Everything’s good. I’m just getting tired of people treating me like I don’t know what I want.”
I lower down onto a bale of hay with a huff. “Sit… or don’t. Do whatever you want.”
She rolls her eyes. “You’re a dick.”
“Oh yeah?” I swallow down a grin. “Is this our first fight?”
“Second. I was pretty pissed when you kidnapped me. You can still make things right, though. You can drive me into town and prove you respect women and they’re right to choose what’s right for them.”
“Don’t give me that bullshit,” I say, laughing under my breath.
“It’s not bullshit!” Her arms cross over one another as water drips onto the concrete floor. “I’m serious. You have no right to tell me any—”
“Do you remember that night we had together before I took over my grandpa’s repair shop?”
She nods shallowly, tracing her thumb against the inside of my palm. “I told you how much I admired that you were the only guy I’d ever known that was rooted so firmly. You had a place where you knew you belonged. You always did.”
“And I told you I didn’t want that. I wanted something wild. A crazy adventure I could look back on when I was old and gray.” I glance toward her. “I did the responsible thing. I’ve been running my grandpa’s shop. I took a small mom and pop and turned it into a place folks drive miles for. But at the end of the day, I still need that adventure, and you’re it, Birdie. You always have been, always will be.”
She rests her head on my shoulder. “I love you, Owen.”
“I love you more, Birdie. That’s why I’m selling my grandpa’s shop to pay the penalty to Fantasy Driver. ”
“What?” She’s standing again, her brows narrowed. “You can’t do that.”
“I can. I’ve got a mechanic who’s interested in the place right now. I’ll have enough left over to send you to nursing school, and maybe even get you some new sketchpads to get drawing again. Paints too. Moose needs help around here, anyway. Let the guys and I take care of you while you pursue the things you love.”
“No.” She reaches for my hands, and I stand, pressing our soaking bodies together. “You’re the sweetest guy in the world to offer that, but I’d hate myself if you sold your shop for me.”
“And I’d hate myself if you went through with this whole thing because you didn’t want to pay the penalty charge.”
“It’s one night. In one night, all this will be over with, and we can go on with our lives and never talk about any of this ever again.” She tips up onto her toes and kisses my lips gently. “Your grandpa worked his ass off to keep that shop up and running. It needs to stay in the family.” A crash of thunder forces her to jump, pulling her body tighter against my chest.
This is what I want. I want to protect her, hold her, and care for her. I want us all to work together to grow a family. I want to give her everything life has to offer and more.
I drag in a deep breath and let it out slowly. I’ve done this all wrong. I kidnapped the wrong person. I should’ve taken the asshole who won the bid .