Chapter 3
CHAPTER 3
P iper remained quiet as they made their way down her long dirt driveway. Embarrassment did that to her. Chuck saying those things to her was the norm, and it didn’t usually bother her. Today, it did.
Her small two-story house appeared, and embarrassment flushed her skin again. She was proud of her home and did the best she could, but taking care of the place by herself since her Pops had passed away wasn’t easy. The paint was peeling in different areas, the roof needed to be patched, and the grass was overgrown.
The house was dark except for the porch light she left on, which glowed out into the yard. Peeking over at Talon, she noticed him taking in everything.
“You can just lean the bike against the house, "she pointed and then watched him walk over, placing it where she indicated. “Thank you again. It would have taken me a lot longer pushing it with a busted tire.”
“You’re welcome,” he said, then stopped before her, looking as if he wanted to say something more. He gave her a nod, then started walking away but stopped. “Who is this Pops you keep talking about?”
“My grandfather,” she said with a smile. Though sad as it was, the smile was always present when she talked about her Pops. “He died this past Spring.”
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Talon said after a few minutes of silence.
“Thanks, it was a blow for sure. Never been sick a day in his life, and then one minute he was here and the next—” she said, then shrugged. “Guess that’s life for ya, huh?”
Talon didn’t respond to that. Instead, he asked her another question. “Have you lived here your whole life?”
Piper grinned, tilting her head slightly to stare up at him. “I think I rubbed off on you with the question asking.” She laughed when he looked surprised by her response, then smiled. “He raised me since I was six years old. Just me and Pops. He left me this place, plus about fifteen acres. It hasn’t been easy since he’s been gone, but I’m making do. What about you?”
“What about me?” He asked with a cocked eyebrow.
“Are you new here, visiting, or have you just been hiding out in the woods?” Piper asked, wondering why in the world she felt so comfortable with this man. It was like they were old friends just shooting the breeze in the middle of her yard. Then again, this was her typical personality. She could talk the pants off anybody, and if she were being honest, seeing this man pantless would be a total bonus to her day. He was a handsome son of a gun. And the way he handled Chuck was just, wow. Chuck was not a small man by any means, and Talon totally manhandled his ass.
“Hiding out in the woods,” he said, then winked. “Take care of yourself, Piper.”
Piper stood staring at his retreating back, and a feeling of loneliness overwhelmed her. “The least I can do is give you something to drink before you return to your hiding place.” She called out, hoping he would stop, but his steps only slowed before he continued walking.
“Thanks, but I’m fine.” His voice carried to her.
Frowning, Piper shrugged. “Suit yourself,” she whispered, not liking the disappointment she felt. What did she expect, to become best friends with the handsome stranger? She snorted, turning toward her dark house.
Not wanting to go inside yet, Piper sat on the porch of the old farmhouse. Kicking off her shoes, she tucked her feet beneath her as the cool fall breeze rustled through the tall grass she needed to cut. She missed Pops. Every corner of the house, every sound, every smell reminded her of him. He had been her anchor, the one person who made her feel like she belonged, even when everyone else thought she was odd.
Letting out a sigh, she stared at the sky as it shifted from dusk to night, the endless stars making their appearance. It had been months since Pops had passed, but the loneliness still felt as raw as if it was yesterday. It wasn’t just the absence of his presence—it was how the world felt emptier without him in it. She had no one else. Most of her so-called friends had slowly drifted away over the years, especially when she started talking about writing a book about the paranormal. Her Pops had told someone who then told someone else, and before long, the whole town knew about her dream of being an author. That was small-town living for ya.
Everyone had thought she was nuts. Maybe she was. Perhaps they were right. After all, what sane person would believe in Shifters, Witches, Vampires, and...talking cats?
Piper chuckled to herself, though the sound was hollow. Her outspoken nature had always gotten her in trouble. She didn’t hold back her opinions and never played it safe, which made her a bit of an outcast. Even in relationships, it had been the same. The one serious relationship she had was a disaster. He couldn’t handle her quirks and passion for the strange and unknown. He wanted normal and predictable. Piper was anything but those things.
Her thoughts drifted to Talon, the brooding, dark-haired man who had come to her rescue not once but twice. She grinned, thinking about him tossing Chuck down the hill to get her bike. And knocking that asshole Phil out was a bonus. There was something about her rescuer, something she couldn’t put her finger on. His protectiveness made her feel, well, it made her feel like a woman.
“That’s cheesy,” She snorted, wondering if she should start singing Shania Twain’s, ‘ I Feel Like A Woman .’
But all kidding aside, there was something about that man, the way he looked at her with those intense, unreadable eyes as if he could see into her soul. And whoa, was he built. Not too big, but big enough to pick a grown-ass man up and toss him. Yeah, he was a real man, not like the bozo’s running around this rinky-dink town. However, she knew not to get her hopes up. Talon wasn’t the kind of man who would go for someone like her, that’s for sure. The crazy town girl definitely didn’t seem like his style.
“Pity,” Piper sighed, then chuckled at her dumb thoughts. Rubbing her arms against the growing chill, she needed to face the facts. This was her life now, alone on this old farm by the woods, with no one but the wind and trees for company. She was destined to be the crazy woman everyone whispered about—the old woman with the wild stories and impossible dreams.
Standing up, she stared out over the darkening horizon. It was time she let go of the idea of something more. It was time to accept that this was it. Just her and?—
“ Gobble. Gobble .”
“Pecker!” Piper said, hopping off the porch. “I forgot about you. I’m sorry.”
Once she was off the porch, he shuffled toward her, trying to peck her legs, which is how he got his name. Well, that’s what Pops told her, but she knew now that Pop’s calling him a Pecker was better than calling him a dick. Pecker was old, at least twelve, which was two years older than a domesticated turkey was supposed to live.
“I said I was sorry!” She jumped around, dodging his pecks. “Come on and stop being onery.”
Reaching the enclosure, she opened the gate, letting Pecker inside, then followed. She quickly scooped out some food, checked his water, and backed out. He gave her the stink eye as she closed and locked the latch. “I’ll give you a tomato tomorrow. Okay?” She rolled her eyes. “Listen, you could go without a meal or two, buddy. Putting on a little weight makes you look real good to some folks for a Thanksgiving centerpiece.”
He scratched at the dirt, still staring at her, but then fluffed his feathers out as if saying, ‘ fuck you’ and began to eat. Rolling her eyes, she headed toward the house. Okay, so she wasn’t totally alone. She had a pain in the ass turkey with an attitude.
A sudden thought had her stopping, looking back at the enclosure. If a cat could talk, did that mean a turkey could also? Thinking on that for a minute, she frowned. “Nah,” she said, shaking her head with a snort, walking across the yard.