Chapter Two
Thayne
“D o you remember the day I helped you escape from Lindsay Vattel?”
I turn to Mack, who I’ve seen more in two days than I have the last few weeks and he remains resilient. Hellbent on asking me to hire the woman who’s been doing nothing but filling my head ever since she stepped foot into my town.
The town gossip most recently was that she was a runaway bride from London after she killed her rich fiancé with a cake knife.
Well I’d met the woman, and although feisty, I didn’t think that she’d be quite capable of murder, despite her attitude.
And she was about as western as they come with her embroidered Ariat boots and a matching hat that was tied around her overnight bag, one that had stitched flags of countries and names of places I’d assumed she’d been to. There was no United Kingdom flag.
“I said no, Mack.”
“Wrong. Your exact words were.” He clears his throat and puts on his best impression of me. “I owe you one.”
I dropped the hammer in the toolbox, knowing where he was going with this. “That was eleven years ago.”
“Yup.” He grins. “I’m cashing it in.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Cashing it in?”
“Correct. After you do this, you will no longer owe me one.”
“You want me to hire her.” I confirm. For whatever reason, Mack wanted an excuse for Emberli to stay here in Shadow Peaks. I couldn’t see the appeal. Aside from the fact that she was good looking, I couldn’t understand why my brother would want her here, especially with no information on Elijah, which I didn’t buy one bit.
Mack had been tearing his brain apart for the past two years on this investigation, I had no idea why he was blatantly distracting himself now.
Mack nods. “She needs the money, she’s eager to work.”
“No. I don’t trust it. I don’t trust her.”
“You trust me right?”
I glance at him. “Of course I trust you.”
“Then please, do this for me.”
“Does she even have any experience?” I ask, running a hand over my beard.
“No but... “I sigh and Mack speaks again. “But, she can sing. I’ve seen videos and I think you should hire her as a singer.”
“A singer? I don’t do live music, Mack.”
“Odessa’s been telling you to find someone for weeks. The jukebox is fine and all but…”
“This is ridiculous.” I mutter.
“She’s good, Thayne. Real good. And I honestly believe she’s not here because Elijah sent her, but because he hurt her just like he hurt you. Like he hurt us. I want to help her.”
For fuck’s sake.
“Why do you want her here longer anyway? It’s best she and whatever trouble follows her leave this goddamn town and quick.”
“What would be best, is if she stuck around. It would help the case against Elijah.”
“What did you tell her? ”
“Only what she needed to know.”
“And she’s what, she’s happy to just be a sitting duck?”
Mack’s grin only widens.
“What?”
“You. Concerned about others’ feelings.”
I roll my eyes. “I may be a lot of things. But I’m not an emotionless asshole.”
“That’s exactly what you are.” I turn around to the sound of my little sister, who stands there with both hands on her hips.
A visual copy of our mom, only younger. Willow never got the chance to remember our mom. She died months after giving birth to Willow.
Heart attack. I was eight at the time.
Eight when I felt the heavy weight of looking after dad and clearing up the beer bottles he drowned his grief in before Flint or Mack saw, or Colton crawled upon the shards I’d hear shatter late at night. Eight when I was afraid to let my best friends’ parents in to help because I was scared our family would be broken up by child protection services after dad hit me for the first time, that was when he realized I’d poured the beer out and replaced it with water.
If it wasn’t for Aca seeing the bruises I’d developed, if it wasn’t for Sally and Doug swooping in and determined to get dad better, I don’t know what would have happened. I was powerless, unable to really help my family. It’s why I was so driven to protect them now. That extended to Aca and his brother, Ryker and their parents, Sally and Doug, who became our primary caregivers when dad’s liver finally gave up on him when I was fifteen. I was older then and I knew how to lie to the two of them about how great things were at home, how dad had stopped drinking. Truth is, I’d always found it hard to trust people. I think it came with the great responsibility of keeping my family safe. Which is why I took the beatings for Willow, who dad blamed for the loss of the love of his life, mom. It’s why I’d saved up as much money as I could from doing odd jobs for the neighbors around the town so we’d always have an emergency fund in case we needed to run from dad. In case it ever got worse.
I’d always been the protector of this family, and they were always protected because of me. Because I protected them from harm. That wasn’t about to stop now.
“Lovely.” I grumble at the sight of my sister, whose unimpressed expression reminds me of the few times I was scolded by mom. “He’s got you in on this has he?”
But I wasn’t surprised in the slightest, the two of them often teamed up on the rest of us. It had always been the same. Even when we were younger.
“Yes because what has gotten into you? I thought we turned a new leaf with Odessa.”
“Odessa isn’t affiliated with Elijah.” I mention as I stand, dusting my hands off on my jeans.
“Elijah hurt Emberli just as he did you. And I’ve met her and she’s so sweet, Thayne.”
If there was one thing about Willow, it was that she was too trusting.
I sigh. “I’m trying to keep us out of harm's way, and you intend to just dump us straight in the middle of it all?”
“She’s a small pregnant woman who cries when old people sit on their own in diners, Thayne. There is no harm.” Willow says. “And she’s here and needs our help. Please?” I groan at this, could refuse Mack, or my other brothers. But I had a hard time refusing Willow. I had a soft spot for my sister and this wasn’t a secret to anyone. Mack and Willow knew this which is why they were playing on my inability to say no to her.
The two of them look at me all hopeful and I decide that I can’t be the one to ruin it. Not today. If hiring the town's most recent yet talked about newcomer to make my family happy, I’d do it.
“Fine. I’ll do it. Tell her to meet me at the bar tomorrow at eleven.”
** *
Tomorrow comes around quicker than expected, and Emberli sits perched on the wall fifteen minutes early, engrossed in something Billy tells her. I watch as her brows knit together, concern flashing her face as Billy no doubt guides her through one of his famous emotionally manipulative stories about his childhood.
Billy was my first customer when I opened the bar ten years ago and he was a good friend. He was a raging alcoholic like my dad, and at times I thought that he was mocking me from the grave. Perhaps he even sent Billy.
But Billy was different. He was never loud nor violent but spent his days alongside Odessa, who I’d hired full time when she came into town last month.
It was nice to see her merging smoothly into the community. She was quiet at first yet dedicated to work. She’d made sure to tell me that she was only passing through, to build up some money and leave again. I remember asking if she was travelling, she said she wasn’t. I joked about asking if she was on the run, and I don’t think I’d ever forget the quick look of nervousness on her face. Regardless, I didn’t hover. Odessa kept to herself when she could, despite Willow’s numerous attempts to befriend her. She was more withdrawn, something Willow was not. In fact, I’m sure if you searched up sunshine in an image dictionary, Willow would appear.
I’d never understood how, no matter what life threw at her, she remained happy and always hopeful. I think that’s why we were all so protective of her.
“Morning.” The smell of vanilla fills my nose when Emberli glances away from Billy and towards me, her chestnut curls falling off of her shoulders as she smiles.
“Good morning!”
“You’re early.” I state .
“Yeah well, my neighbor isn’t very accommodating.”
That’s right. Mack had mentioned she was staying at The Hollyhead.
I’d imagined it wasn’t the quietest or cleanest for that matter. It was just on the outskirts of town. Those who occupied rooms were usually teen delinquents or married business men who passed through and picked up a local for the night. The people of the town rarely stayed there because of how unpleasant it was. We all knew the state of it, it was just that no one had ever thought to turn it around.
“You could always stay with me, you know. I have a spare room.” Billy mentions and Emberli smiles again.
“Thanks Billy. But I’m… I’m okay.” The look on her face gives off the impression that it pained her to say it and she reaches her hand forward, grabbing Billy’s and squeezing it.
I unlock the door and turn to see Emberli behind me, her shoulders high and tense and a nervous look now replaced on her face.
“After you.”
She swiftly moves past me and into the bar. I flick on the lights and focus on pouring Billy a beer as he takes his usual seat.
“I wanted to thank you for giving me the gig.”
“Don’t thank me yet.” I mutter. “The locals might not like live music.”
It’s a dick move on my side, but she doesn’t even quake. She just shrugs. “It’s not for everyone.”
“I personally love live music.” Billy announces.
“Yeah, thanks Billy.” I grumble. “Drink?” I ask Emberli, who runs her hands over her bump. She wears a similar sundress to the first time I saw her, only this one is a light colour of yellow with daisies swarming over it.
“Water, please.”
I grab a bottle before handing it to her, leaning my hands on the bar as I study the woman in front of me.
She glances around the bar and her eyes sit on Billy before they gloss over slightly .
Fucking hell. Willow wasn’t kidding.
Emberli blinks back the tears frantically and her hand shakes as she raises the bottle to her lips. They’re a light pink colour, though glossed over with specks of glitter and an almost unrecognisable scent of mint.
A scent I should not be focusing on right now.
I should be focusing on attempting to scare Emberli out of town.
“When do you want me to work?”
“Huh?” I blink, bringing myself back to reality before clearing my throat.
“Uh, like what days?”
“Fridays and Saturdays are the busiest. Can you work tonight?”
I didn’t trust this woman one bit. And as much as I should be keeping a close eye on her and what she’s doing due to my siblings’ naive tendencies. I also didn’t want to risk her ruining the business I’d worked so hard for. And quite frankly, seeing her is just a reminder of Elijah and what he did.
“Okay.” She nods. “I can do that. I can do anything.”
“Why?”
She frowns. “What do you mean?”
“Why are you here? Elijah’s not here. So why are you?”
Her mouth opens to speak but nothing comes out for a few seconds. “I just need some money.”
“You can’t go home?”
Her brows tighten once again. I’m aware I’m probably being too intrusive. There’s probably a line that I’m crossing. But I can’t help it. I need to know the real reason she’s here.
“I can.” Her jaw clenches and a small part of me enjoys seeing her so riled up. The way her cheeks flush a light pink color and her eyes fight me with determination. “But I don’t want to go home.”
“That’s a bit selfish. Don’t you think?”
“Excuse me?”
“You need the money. You could solve this all by going home. But you don’t want to. Don't you think there’s more at stake now that it’s not only you you’re deciding for?” I gesture my head down to her stomach and she stands abruptly.
“I didn’t come here to be lectured.” She flings her handbag over her shoulder and I’m quick to round the bar.
Okay. Definitely crossed a line.
“Hey. All I’m trying to do is work out the type of person you are.” I try to tell her just as she spins around, another intoxicating whiff of vanilla flows past me. That scent had trapped me in a chokehold since her arrival yesterday.
“No. You've already decided that, Thayne. I know what you think of me. Okay? And I don’t need your judgement. Forget it.”
Except I told Willow and Mack that I’d help her.
Fuck’s sake.
“I overstepped. I’m sorry.” I call to her and she stops.
I watch her shoulders deflate before she turns around to me.
“Look. This just isn’t a good idea. I’ll find something else.” She turns to walk again and I find myself reaching out, grabbing her wrist in my hand.
“I told my family I’d help. Please let me do that.