27. Hunter
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
hunter
I was doing my best to avoid Emma.
It was hard. She was everywhere all the time. It was Monday, almost a week since the two of us had fought, and I felt like she was haunting me. If I went to the bar, she was working with Colt, Cam, or Haley. If I went to the store, she happened to be getting her groceries too. If I stopped by to see Sarah and the boys or Sammy, she was having a beer with them (and would blame her stomach and mysteriously disappear into the bathroom until I left).
Fate was fucking with us, that much was clear. Or maybe I was losing my mind. Maybe both.
The only texts we’d exchanged were if we knew we’d have to appear together.
I hadn’t confronted Josh again the way I wanted to. I had been right about where he was staying. He’d booked a room at the bed and breakfast and with a small tip for the owner, I’d learned he’d booked the place for three more weeks.
Just another problem on top of fifty other things. The Wildflower Festival was getting closer, although everything was on track with that. It was one of the few good things happening.
Despite Emma telling me not to help, I’d decided to ask Bud to have a cruiser drive down Hummingbird Lane a couple times a day, in hopes it would help deter whoever was stalking Emma. She’d been right about them not being helpful beyond that. It pissed me off beyond reason to even think that if she’d gone to them herself, she might have been treated differently.
I was fucking miserable.
Every time we were in a room together, everyone looked at us closely. They expected us to behave a certain way. Meanwhile, I was trying my very best not to even touch her.
If I had to kiss her again, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to stop.
I set my bottle of whiskey on the front seat and pulled out of the liquor store parking lot, taking Main Street towards the cabin. It was late and although I didn’t plan on drinking tonight, a restock had been necessary.
I rubbed my eyes. My entire body ached. I’d been working overtime at the vineyard while actively avoiding my parents. The only reason my mother hadn’t shown up on my doorstep yet to interrogate me again was because she expected me to come to her, and I would. Maybe. Eventually.
The road got darker as I drove out of town. I hummed to myself, taking it easy, keeping an eye out for deer or other critters that could dart into the road.
Headlights flashed behind me, and I scowled as they sped closer. Whoever they were, they could go around me. I wasn’t going to accommodate some asshole who didn’t want to go the speed limit. Perks of having a monster sized truck, I got to decide when to be an ass and when not to be.
They sped up until they were on my tail. I braked a couple times, giving them the equivalent of a driving middle finger. Is that the fucking Lexus? I couldn’t quite make out what the car was, but it looked like Josh’s.
Surely fucking not. He’d have to be stupid to try to run me off the road. My truck would crush his dumb ass.
I cursed under my breath as the car swerved into the other lane and picked up speed. I looked over and shook my head. It was definitely the Lexus.
I slowed as the car jerked in front of me. I gasped as something darted out into the middle of the road, but Josh didn’t slow down.
Instead, he swerved further to actually hit the animal.
“What are you doing?!” I shouted.
I slammed on my brakes, skidding to a halt.
He drove the car to the other lane, taking off. My heart hammered as I saw an unmoving lump on the road.
“What the fuck?” I rasped.
Panic flooded me and I flipped on the hazard lights, immediately jumping out and rushing over.
Oh god, it was a dog. I knelt down, tears filling my eyes. It was still breathing.
“Fuck,” I whispered. “That son of a bitch. Fuck. Fuck .”
The dog let out a soft, crying whine and tried to move. “No, no, buddy. Stay put. It’s okay. It’s gonna be okay.”
I pulled out my phone and immediately called Anna. She was married to Katie Mays, our local vet, who we’d all gone to high school with.
She answered. “Harlow, this better be an emergency. It’s nearly midnight and my wife is waiting for me.”
“Anna, a dog has been hit and he’s… fuck, he’s in bad shape. Something’s wrong and broken, I don’t know. Fuck.”
“Okay, breathe,” she said firmly. “Where are you at?”
“About ten minutes from the farm,” I said. “Should I move him? God, this is fucking awful.” The dog stared up at me, eyes glistening. He continued to cry, and I wiped the tears from my eyes. “I saw the son of a bitch do it and he just fucking drove off.”
Josh was a dead man. A fucking. Dead. Man.
“I’m on my way. Don’t move him, okay? But Hunter, if he’s that bad, he might not make it.”
“Okay,” I whispered. “I’ll be here.”
Luckily, there wasn’t anyone else on the road because it was so late. “It’s going to be okay,” I murmured softly, gently petting his head. He let out a soft whine, his tail giving a dejected thump. “You’re gonna be just fine. You have to pull through because otherwise I’m going to feel obliged to turn that son of a bitch into roadkill.”
I kept stroking the uninjured parts of him, talking to him softly until Anna’s car pulled up. She hopped out and rushed over to me. Katie was with her, too.
“Aw, fuck,” she sighed, kneeling down. “Okay. Katie, grab the towel. He’s a sweet boy, yes, you are.”
Katie rushed over with a towel and Anna took it, wrapping it around him.
“He’s still a puppy. Looks like a blue heeler mix,” Katie said, shaking her head. “Did they hit him on purpose? Should I call the sheriff?”
“He did,” I said. “He had the whole road. And no, let’s leave them out of this for now.”
Anna nodded, crooning as she carefully scratched his head. “I’m gonna pick him up and we’ll head to the clinic.”
“What can I do to help?” I asked.
“Nothing, really. He looks like a stray, and you made the call. Someone probably dumped him.”
I shook my head. “I’m coming with you. I want to know what happens.”
She winced as she carefully picked him up. “Alright. I’ll see you at the clinic.”
“Right behind you,” I said.
I watched as they loaded him up, then got into my truck and followed behind. Holding my phone as I drove, I finally decided to call the only person I could talk to about this.
The phone rang three times before Emma picked up. “What do you want?”
“Josh tried to run me off the road and then he hit a dog,” I croaked.
“Holy shit, what the fuck? Oh my god. Are you okay? Is the dog okay?”
“Katie and Anna are taking him to the clinic, I’m going with them.”
“Okay. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“No, you don’t have to?—”
She hung up as I pulled into the parking lot. Katie hopped out and opened the door for Anna. I followed them to the back door, which Katie unlocked for the three of us.
“Emma is coming over too,” I said.
“Oh,” Katie said, raising a brow. “Your fiancé .”
“Yep,” I sighed.
Anna nodded at the light switch. “Turn all the lights on, I’m gonna get him sedated and see what’s going on. Hunter, honestly, just go sit somewhere. I don’t need you hovering with your pretty-man tears.”
Katie winced and flipped on the lights. “Sorry, she’s going into doctor mode.”
“No, it’s okay,” I said, wiping my face again.
“Katie, come with me!” Anna called.
“Oop. Okay. Um, just go wait up front and let Emma in when she gets here.”
“Thank you,” I said.
“What are you naming your new dog, huh?” she asked.
I opened my mouth to tell her he wasn’t mine, but clamped it shut when Anna called for her again. Katie took off after her.
I went to the front of the clinic. Headlights flashed outside as Emma’s car pulled in. I opened the front door as she got out wearing her silk pajama shirts, a tank top, and fluffy flip flops.
Relief flooded me.
She rushed over to me, her eyes wide. She reached up, her hands clasping my arms. “Are you okay?” she asked.
“Yeah,” I whispered. “Fuck, Emma. He really hit that dog on purpose. He swerved right into it. He’s a fucking monster.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I’m so sorry. This is all my fault and?—”
I reached up, sliding my hand around the back of her neck. “Baby, this isn’t your fault,” I said. “I am scared for you. I am scared he’d try to go after Donnie or harm you.”
“I’ll be okay,” she whispered.
“I think we should go to the police,” I said. “He broke into my house. Then you have all of those letters. And now this? I can’t imagine anyone sane hitting an animal on purpose. There are so few things that make me see fucking red, but animal abuse is one of them.”
She let out a shaky breath. “I don’t want to go to them about this. They aren’t helpful. After seeing what Haley and Sarah have gone through, I just…”
“Just think about it, please. At least so we can start a paper trail,” I whispered. “Fuck. I’m sorry.”
“Let’s talk about that later. I’m just thankful you’re okay and… is the dog…?”
“He’s alive.” My throat burned, and I wiped my face. “Anna has him in the back. Katie is with her.”
“It’s times like this I’m so glad you know everyone,” she said.
“Me too.”
I suddenly became aware that we were touching. And that we’d been touching for a few moments. My gaze swept to her mouth, everything inside me screaming to kiss her. To taste her.
I’d missed her so much it hurt.
“You don’t have to wait with me,” I murmured.
“I’m going to,” she said. “I’m not leaving. I have Donnie in the car, though…”
“My favorite rat,” I said.
She rolled her eyes and pulled out of my embrace. My hands fell to my side as I watched her go back to her car to get Donnie. He was tucked into a special purse meant to carry him, his head poking out. I ruffled his head and locked the door behind us, sighing as I glanced towards the back room.
Anna had told me to stay out of the way, but I really wanted to check on him.
“Are you sure you want to hang around?” I asked. “It’s late and I don’t know how long this will take.”
“I’m sure,” she said.
“Okay.” I was too distraught to fight her. I started to pace back and forth, until I finally decided to ask for an update.
I went down the hall to one of the rooms and poked my head in. Anna glanced up and shook her head.
Fear bolted through me. “Is he okay?”
“He’s okay,” she said. “He’s gonna be just fine.”
I slumped against the door frame. “Fuck, man.”
Katie offered me a soft smile. “So, did you decide on a name? And a budget for surgery?”
“Katie,” Anna hissed.
“I’ll pay whatever,” I said.
Because yeah, even if I didn’t plan on owning a dog, I certainly had one now.
“I don’t care how much,” I said. “And no, I haven’t decided on a name.”
Anna smiled. “I’m sure you’ll think of one. I think he’s a lab and blue heeler mix. He’s about eleven months old and he’s not chipped. He got lucky. His front leg is broken, and it needs to be plated. He’s got some road rash too, but overall he’s in better shape than I thought he’d be. I already called in my assistants and they’ll be over soon. It’ll be at least five hours, Hunter. And this will be pricey. Are you sure you want him?”
“I’m absolutely sure. I don’t care how much it costs. And I’m waiting.”
“I’ll give you the friend discount. And like I said, five hours?—”
“I’ll be in the waiting room,” I said.
She nodded as I ducked away, heading back to the waiting room. I sat down next to Emma and leaned back, my head resting against the wall.
“Any updates?” she asked.
“It’ll be at least five hours. You don’t need to wait with me, sparks.”
“I’m not leaving you.”
I blew out a breath. “Okay.”
“Okay,” she said, relaxing next to me. “Want to hold Donnie?”
“Yeah, actually.”
“He’s good at emotional support,” she said as she unlatched her purse and pulled him out. She plopped him in my lap and he stretched up, putting his paws on my chest. I scratched his ears, fighting tears again.
“When I was ten, my dad and I were driving and someone hit a dog in front of us,” I said. “But we got out to help and it didn’t make it. And I cried so hard, my dad gave me Benadryl to calm me down instead of actually talking to me.”
“What the fuck?” she whispered.
“He’s changed a lot,” I said, sniffling as I kept petting Donnie. “I don’t know. Sorry.”
“You don’t have anything to be sorry for,” she said. “ I’m sorry. I don’t know, Hunter. Sometimes I’m really stubborn.”
“Me too.”
Her hand slid over, her palm turned up. I slid mine against hers, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“I’m glad you were there to save him. I can’t believe Josh did this.”
“Unless it was someone else’s silver Lexus.”
We both knew it wasn’t.
“Have you ever talked to your dad about how he treats you sometimes?” Emma asked. “I mean, I know your dad. He’s so sweet, I just don’t get it.”
“I’ve tried, Emma. When he found out about us, he came over and made it clear I wasn’t right for you. And that I could never be worthy of you.”
She scoffed. “Well, good thing it’s not up to him.”
“He doesn’t understand me,” I said. “He never will. And any time I try to talk to him, we fight. Then I say stupid things, he says stupid things, and it goes in one big circle. We used to manage our differences better, but we had a huge fight right around when Haley came back to Citrus Cove. I ended up leaving for a few weeks to get away.” Come to think about it, that was the last time I’d had a vacation.
“What was your fight about?”
I sighed, thinking back to it. It was stupid, which wasn’t surprising. “I felt like it was time for him to retire. He fucked up one of our expensive pieces of equipment and it was just the final straw for me. That didn’t go over well at all. The farm is everything to him, but it’s everything to me too. I don’t understand why he won’t just enjoy his life.”
“I’m sorry, Hunter. Maybe you could try something else to get through to him? Maybe write him a letter?”
I chuckled, feeling myself relax. “I don’t think that’d go over well.”
“It just could be a way to say everything you need to. Even if you don’t actually send it. I’ve done it a few times when I was mad at my dad. I…” Her grip tightened on my hand. “I’ve taken some time over the last few days to think about him.”
“Did you cry?” I asked softly.
“Not yet,” she sighed. “Not yet. But I am starting to feel a little better. I reached out to the lawyers about Madden Enterprises. I’m still waiting on a response.”
I frowned. The whole situation was still strange to me, but maybe I just wasn’t familiar with corporate procedures. Donnie curled up, making me smile. He fit perfectly on my thigh, such a tiny little thing.
“I know I call him a rat,” I said. “But I really like your dog.”
“Despite the betrayal, he likes you too. Clearly,” she snorted.
Silence settled over us, and she made a soft sound. “Can we call a truce for tonight?”
“Yeah,” I whispered.
“Then can I use your shoulder as a pillow?”
“Yeah.”
“Thank you.”
I closed my eyes, and despite the horror of tonight, I smiled. “Goodnight, sparks,” I murmured.
She let out the softest sigh. “Night, dimples.”