Chapter 13
Arabella jogged along the quiet road. The sun was rising and it was going to be an amazing day.
She couldn’t remember the last time she’d managed to go for a run. After her father died, life had been a blur of meetings and trying to get organized. Then there had been the move here.
She’d been left exhausted.
But running was a great way to the see the town. Yesterday she’d stuck to the streets, but today she’d decided to venture a bit further out.
As she turned a corner, she saw a rundown, old house. Most of Haven was well-kept. The buildings were taken care of, the streets were clean.
Perhaps this part of the countryside wasn’t in Haven’s boundaries. She wasn’t sure where the county line was.
Then she spotted someone standing on the road ahead, staring at the house. He was so still. Large and focused on the sight in front of him.
She recognized him instantly, of course.
He looked like he wanted to be alone. Should she turn around or just jog past? Drat.
Too late.
He had turned and was looking straight at her. Arabella gave him a small wave and a smile.
Pretty pathetic.
He didn’t say anything. Didn’t wave back.
Okay, then. She took a step back, ready to turn and jog back the way she came. But then he held up his hand in a stop gesture.
She froze.
Urgh. What was it with these guys? Why did they have the power to control her?
He crooked a finger at her.
Wait. Was he serious right now?
Then he pointed to the ground in front of him.
Arabella placed her hands on her hips.
Resist. Resist.
He did it again. Crooked a finger and pointed at the ground. Somehow, she knew she was going to be in big trouble if he had to do it a third time. Suddenly she found herself walking toward him and stopping to stare up at him.
“Don’t you know it’s rude to crook a finger at someone? And to point.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I wasn’t pointing at you.”
“It doesn’t make a difference. You were being bossy with your finger.”
“Bossy with my finger?” he said, sounding amused.
“Yes, you have a bossy finger.”
“You seem to think I should apologize for that?”
“Well, an apology would be nice.”
Although she couldn’t see it happening, it was good that he recognized he should apologize.
“Then why did you do as I commanded?” he asked.
“What?”
“If you think it was rude, why did you obey me?”
“Well, I . . . I . . . I don’t really know.”
“Could it be because you know I’m in charge and that you should do as I say?”
“What? No! That’s crazy! You’re not in charge of me.”
He snorted.
Right. Well. It might be time to change the topic of conversation.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Going for a run. What are you doing?”
“Well, I’m running too. But you were staring at that rundown old house. Do you know it?”
“Yeah, it’s where I used to live.”
“Oh. Wow. You lived out here?” Kind of a dumb question since he’d just said that. But he didn’t tell her that. Instead, he nodded.
“Does someone else own it now? I guess it’s a shame it was left to deteriorate.”
He turned to look back at the property, his arms crossing over his chest. “We own it. My brothers and I. And the place can rot to the ground for all I care.”
“Right. Sure. No good memories here?” she asked.
“None.”
“I get that. I don’t have many good memories from my childhood, either.”
He turned to her again. “I don’t like that.”
“I don’t like that for you, either.” She cleared her throat. “So, is there a reason you wanted to talk to me?”
“Yes, there’s a reason. It’s early in the morning.”
“Um, yes, it is.” She watched him closely. Was he all right? Why was he stating stuff that was obvious?
“And you’re out for a run.”
“Yes, I am. So are you. Do you want me to help you get home?” she asked.
He gave her a look like he thought she was crazy.
“And you’re alone.”
“Well, not now. You’re here! Come on, let’s go back to see Eli.”
“Why are you talking to me like I’m a child?” he asked.
“Umm. Sorry. I didn’t mean to. Is there some sort of issue? Problem?”
“Yeah, there’s a problem. You’re out running early in the morning on a deserted road on your own. You don’t even have that dog with you. Can you see the issue with that?”
“Not really. You’re doing the same thing.”
“Yes, but I’m not a tiny woman who could get attacked or hurt. I’m a big guy who knows how to take care of himself. I’m not helpless.”
“Hey, I’m not helpless!”
“Do you know any martial arts? Any self-defence moves?”
“Um, well, no.”
“Do you have a weapon on you?”
“No.” She shifted from foot to foot. She could see where this was going and she didn’t like it.
“Does anyone know where you are?” He moved closer, looming over her.
If he meant to intimidate her, well, he was succeeding. She swallowed heavily.
“They might.”
“Yeah? Who?”
“Mr Johnson. He lives next door to me. Big, buff guy. He’ll come to my rescue if I need him.”
“Is that so?”
“Yep.”
“Good to know. Come on, then.” He gestured with his head for her to follow him and then he started running.
And, okay, he was a fast runner. She was more of a jogger. She did it to escape out of her head rather than to get fit or run marathons like this guy seemed to be capable of.
All too soon, she was exhausted and puffing. It also didn’t help that she hadn’t eaten anything before setting off.
She started to walk, staring at his back. Perhaps he’d just run off and not even notice that she wasn’t behind him.
To her surprise, though, he stilled and turned, watching her.
“You need to work on your cardio fitness,” he stated.
“My cardio fitness is fine,” she said. “You just run like you’re Superman on steroids.”
“Pretty sure Superman’s preferred mode of transport was flying. Perhaps you’re thinking of The Flash.”
“I don’t know. It doesn’t matter. On steroids they’re all super fast. Like you.”
“I was running slowly so you could keep up.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Wait. That was you running slowly?”
“Yes. Like I said, you need to work on your cardio. Do you train much?”
“Um, you’re looking at it.”
“When was the last time you went for a run?” he asked.
Drat.
“That’s a rather personal question, don’t you think?” she huffed as she tried to walk past him.
Unfortunately, he didn’t take the hint that she wasn’t interested in talking and fell into step beside her.
“So it was a while ago. Not only did you set out on a run alone in the dark in a strange area with no one around. But you haven’t run in a long time and could have hurt yourself.”
“Actually, Mr. Know-it-all, I went for a run yesterday.”
And had nearly died. She’d been barely able to move yesterday afternoon. But she figured it was better to get moving today and not let her muscles seize.
Still, she might need another Epsom salt bath tonight.
He just made a low grunting noise. She took that as him giving in because he was wrong.
She started jogging again, hoping he’d take the hint and go away. But he just . . . walked beside her.
Yep, that’s right.
He could easily keep up with her walking while she tried to run.
Humiliating?
Yes. Absolutely.
But did she stop running?
Also yes. Because she was exhausted.
“You really don’t have to follow me home,” she said, tripping.
He quickly grasped hold of her arm to stop her falling.
“Oh, thanks,” she said, breathlessly as he removed his hand. “There must have been a rock or something.”
He glanced back. “There was nothing. You tripped over air.”
“I did not.”
“Yes, you did.”
“It’s not polite to argue with someone over why they tripped,” she said huffily.
His eyebrow rose. “Is that an etiquette rule?”
“Have you taken etiquette lessons?”
He snorted. “No.”
“Then yes, it is. Now, please leave me alone.”
“No.”
Urgh. He was so frustrating!
“I said please.”
“And I said no. I need to make sure you get there safely.”
“Why do you care? Aren’t I just a nuisance?” she asked.
“Hmm, you’re definitely that.”
This man.
She had the very undignified urge to stomp her foot.
“There are people around now.” Well, a few cars had driven past and she was fairly certain that a number of people had been staring at them in fascination.
Nothing to see here, folks.
Just the ex-Governor’s daughter trying to go for a run while a hulking big FBI agent insults her running, her fitness, and her ability to take care of herself.
“I don’t trust them.” He eyed the gray car driving past suspiciously.
“Why? The people here seem nice.”
“Don’t be deceived. Just because someone seems one way, doesn’t mean that’s how they are at home.”
“Oh yeah, I know that. Everyone who met my father thought he was a good man. They all said how tragic it was that his wife had died so young, leaving him a single father. And what an amazing job he’d done raising me.
” She snorted. “That man didn’t raise me.
I spent all my time at boarding school. The only times I left were when he wanted me home for a reason or Pop-Pop came and got me.
If it wasn’t for Pop-Pop I probably would have spent every Christmas there. ”
He glanced down at her and then nodded. “My father was good at putting on a false front too. Everyone thought he was wonderful, raising ten boys on his own. When in reality he was an abusive drunk.”
“That’s so awful.”
He scowled as though just realizing what he had said. They walked in silence down her street. She wasn’t quite sure what she could say to make things better.
He stopped abruptly and she stopped too, looking at where his gaze was aimed.
Oh shit.
The one day Mr. Johnson had to be out watering his azaleas. Horse was next to him. She hadn’t wanted to take him for a run when he was still recovering and gaining weight. Horse glanced over at them with a woof.
He glanced down at her. “Have you had your eyes checked lately?”
“What?” she asked.
That seemed a random question.
“Muscular neighbor who will come to your rescue if you need him?” he repeated her words.
“Yes, well, maybe I exaggerated slightly.”
“Maybe?” he repeated. “Maybe you lied.”
“That’s rude,” she grumbled. “I don’t lie.”
“Every second sentence out of your mouth seems to be a lie.”
She gasped. Wow. Rude. What was she doing talking to this man?
“Excuse me, I need to go and get ready for the day,” she huffed.
“Arabella,” he said sternly.
“Bye!”
“Stop,” he commanded as she walked away.
Her feet froze.
“Traitors,” she whispered to them. It was bad enough that they tripped up over air, but they kept listening to him!
“Who are you talking to?” he asked as he grew closer.
“No one. Myself.”
He stepped in front of her, not touching her but she swore she could feel the heat of his body.
“Look at me.”
She had to hold back a groan of frustration as she gazed up at him.
“Do not go running alone again. If you want to run, call me.”
Was he kidding her?
But he didn’t smile or say that he was joking. Did he really expect her to call every time she wanted to go for a run?
That was nuts.
“You may go now.”
“You can’t tell me when to go. Or when to run.”
“If you don’t listen to me, I’ll have to speak to Jake about your reckless behavior. It is not acceptable to put yourself in danger. Behave.”
And then he was gone.
Freaking Superman.
If Superman was an overly bossy, ridiculously protective caveman.
Arabella stared out of her car window in dismay.
She’d been in Haven for a week now.
And her back was absolutely killing her. So it was great that the bed had arrived.
There was just one problem. She hadn’t been here when it and the other packages had been delivered.
Getting out of the car, a wind whipped around her.
There were several boxes as well as a plastic-wrapped mattress on her front porch.
“What the heck? What happened to letting me know when they were going to deliver this?” she asked.
What was she going to do? She couldn’t leave it out here. There was a storm gathering in the distance and rain would ruin it.
Tears gathered in her eyes, defeat filling her.
Maybe her father was right.
She was useless. She couldn’t do anything on her own. And she didn’t have the intelligence that god had given a fly.
No, no.
She wouldn’t let those words shape her. She could do this. All she had to do was get the stuff inside.
It really wasn’t that hard
An hour later, her muscles were trembling as she pulled the last box inside. A crack of thunder made her jump and Horse howl.
She tugged on the box harder, willing it to move. Grabbing the base, she lifted it. But as she did that something went ping in her back and a cry of pain escaped her as she fell.
Oh hell.
This wasn’t good.