Chapter 2
TWO
SUMMER
Ishould have checked into the Turner Ranch days ago. By now, I’m pushing my luck with their famous rumored compassion, but the note in my pocket burns against my leg.
The Rowdy Raven isn’t the only bar in town, but it sure is the liveliest. I’m going on night three, always the same bar top table with one stool, and the same smiling older woman keeping my glass full and frosty.
“Another one, Miss?” The older woman with long black hair, smiles across the well worn wooden table holding a fresh mug of beer.
Accepting the beer, taking a healthy swallow, and placing the glass on the table our eyes connect once more and her whole face softens. “You alright, sugar?”
Humorless laughter bubbles out of my lips before I can stop it, but her face doesn’t change. Wiping my mouth with my hand, I look away, unable to hold her pitying gaze. “I’m fine.”
She nods and places the items in her hands down on the table. “I’m fine tends to mean different things ‘round here.”
“Yeah, well, where I’m from people say what they mean.” I reply, attempting to stop this conversation in its entirety, before I toss back the glass, finishing with a few pulls. The mug clinks my glasses and I have to readjust them before standing.
She doesn’t seem fazed by my brusque attitude, just winks and picks up the things she previously put down, as I throw some cash on the table and brush past her. The bar’s getting a little too crowded for my tastes anyway.
The sun’s setting low over the hills, casting a soft glow of golden light across the sky. Everything looks better bathed in gold.
I parked my Jeep along the farthest row of cars and trucks, hoping to keep my distance from anyone, but of course, some asshole parked their truck right against my door.
If that wasn’t already a dick move, the truck shifts, and a slight rocking motion starts.
I groan, turning my back and leaning against the grill of my Jeep.
“Come the fuck on,” I mumble, not chancing a look toward the truck.
Dropping my head, I flip my wavy, naturally bright orange hair over my shoulder, and lift myself onto the hood.
I need to shave the bottom part again, my hair is absurdly thick, and with summer about to start it’s more manageable to throw up if there’s less of it.
The night’s gorgeous, with bright stars poking through the deep blue sky as a few clouds roll by. It smells like rain, something I’d grown accustomed to back in Washington.
I’m not equipped for the heat here in Tennessee, God, what was I thinking.
The door of the truck pops open, and the distinct “ding” of metal hitting metal makes my head whip around, and my shoulders rise to my ears.
What the fuck.
“Shit,” a distinctly feminine voice whispers. A tall dark haired man walks around the front of the truck and covers his mouth. Perhaps because he’s trying not to laugh.
“Goldie,” he sighs, still attempting to hide his laughter.
She clamors out of the truck after crossing over to the driver’s door, and rights herself as she joins the man’s side.
“I’m so sorry,” she says, still running her hands through her hair. “My brother can fix that for you, no problem…”
I realize my face betrays my inner thoughts, so there’s really no response required.
“Just tell him Lucy sent you,” she says, scrolling through her phone. “I didn’t realize we’d parked so close.”
Leaning my elbows down on my knees, I gather myself. It’s not their fault my life’s fucked in more ways than one.
“Don’t mention it,” I sigh, looking at the happy couple. The man’s got his arm wrapped around her shoulders while she taps away at her phone.
“Goldspur Gears,” she says, “it’s right near the highway, can’t miss it. Spencer can get that fixed right up, no charge. Again, I’m so sorry.”
Her cheeks pink when she looks up and our eyes meet. “Thanks.” I say, letting my eyes soften. Her babbling is somewhat endearing, and I’m a sucker for a pretty girl.
“I’m Lucy, and this is Reese,” placing her hand on his chest, she looks up at him as he looks down at her and smiles. It’s too sweet, and the paper in my pocket flares once more causing an ache in my chest to bloom.
“Summer,” I mumble, hopping down from the hood and nodding to the truck as I address the man I now know is Reese. “Mind moving that so you don’t also have to visit her brother?”
Reese nods, dropping his arm from Lucy and climbing into the truck. Lucy moves over to my side so he can repark, this time leaving a normal amount of space between our vehicles.
“You’re not from around here,” she says, eyeing me from my t-shirt down to my converse.
I can’t help the chuckle from escaping my lips. “No. I’m not.”
“What brings you to Goldpur Ridge?” She asks, as if making conversation will make this whole ordeal less awkward.
“Work.”
She huffs a breath and twiddles her hands, as if holding herself back from saying whatever’s on her tongue. When the truck’s engine is turned off, and Reese is back at her side, she nods and offers me a little wave as they head inside the bar.
Climbing into the Jeep, resting my head against the steering wheel, I let out a few deep breaths.
The coolness of the leather helps ground me as my mind threatens to spiral.
My whole body hurts from running, from constantly looking over my shoulder.
I need to get my shit together, or this new place will be another blip on my map of forgetting.
Pulling the note I found back in Kentucky out of my pocket, I carefully unfold it and stare at the words written in a familiar, messy scrawl.