Chapter 10
LAWSON
After about an hour, Braxton came into the kitchen. “Hey, Lawson.”
I smiled as I took his biscuits out of the oven. “Hey, boss.”
He narrowed his eyes at me. “What did I say about that?”
I grinned. I couldn’t help it. Totally ignoring his censuring eyes because I felt such affection for him, I said, “It was slow, so I decided to give you a hand.”
Brax didn’t smile often, but when he did, it was a heart stopping moment. “You are a hard worker, girl. I was telling my wife about what you are doing with my books, and how my inventory is now a breeze. She wants you to come to her gallery and do your magic there.”
“When?”
“Now. I hired a new girl yesterday, and she’s experienced, so get outta here and go help River Pearl.”
He handed me a business card with the address on it.
“Okay, boss,” I said, removing my apron with a little giggle and scooting out the door.
I headed to my car and got inside, but as soon as I turned the key, the engine sputtered and then died.
For a moment I sat there, dismayed by the fact that I needed my car to work all the time just in case I had to run.
I closed my eyes briefly and swallowed hard.
I had thought before that I was free, but it hit me sitting here, my stomach churning, panic climbing my throat that I wasn’t free at all.
I was constantly looking over my shoulder, constantly stressed, forever pursued.
I dropped my forehead to the wheel and could barely catch my breath.
If I kept running, I would never get away, not from them and not from myself.
I fingered the butterfly necklace, and it felt warm against my fingers as if what I needed came from deep inside me.
Something yet untapped. Something I hadn’t had access to because I hadn’t taken one moment to consider my future. My real future.
Living in my car, going from job to job, changing my name, hiding out in Texas.
That was my reality! I started to tremble, clutching the butterfly so hard it bit into my palm.
Taking shallow breaths, trying to get in control, real control.
All I could do was direct myself, make my decisions and meet my needs.
I had no control over anything or anyone else.
Maybe it was time I re-examined what the hell I was thinking, and what this meant in the long-term.
Because I was running scared and making decisions on the fly based out of fear.
Only here, in Suttontowne, in this beautiful place had I taken a breath, leaned on someone, allowed people into my life.
Out here, my isolation was my own doing, whereas, in Atlanta, my father had leeched my control, and the abusive men who pursued me for my wealth and status had control of me still.
Had I made a mistake? Should I have stayed and fought no matter the cost?
A soft sob caught in my throat, tears collecting behind my closed lids. I beat back the despair because it wouldn’t get me anywhere. Facing the situation dead on was something I had refused to do. Before I did anything, I needed to get my head screwed on tight.
The rap on the window forced my head up and my eyes snapped open, the leftover moisture from my tears catching on my lashes. My heart pounded, but then settled down when I realized it was Ethan. Dashing at my tears, I rolled the window down.
“Sugar? You okay?”
“My car won’t start.”
He pulled the door open and hauled me right into his arms. “It’s all right,” he murmured, and after everything I was thinking, it was just too much.
I wrapped my arms around his neck. My heart fighting against falling for him, but it just might be a losing battle.
“There’s no need to be upset or scared, sugar.
I got you covered. I can fix your car with my bare hands. ”
“Can you leap tall buildings in a single bound, too?”
“I might need a running start, but yeah, I can.”
I laughed, my face pressed against that beautifully, hard-packed muscled chest. I lifted my head and looked up into his face.
His blue-green eyes pierced me to my soul, the genuine concern on his face and the sincerity in his tone melted my bones. There was no artifice here, no terrible guy lurking beneath a drop-dead gorgeous facade. This was Ethan, pure and simple.
“You don’t have to be scared here, Lawson. You’re with friends. We won’t let you down.”
The lump in my throat got larger and harder to swallow, but I held onto my emotions. “Thank you,” I said, squeezing him before stepping back. “Problem right now is I have to get to Lafayette. Braxton wants me to speak to his wife about her accounting.”
He nodded and said, “Got you covered. I’ll drive you.” He pulled out his cell phone and made a call. “Rory, it’s Ethan. I need a favor, buddy. Could you bartend for me today?” He waited a few beats and smiled. “You’re a lifesaver.”
Fifteen minutes later, a truck rolled into the parking lot and a guy got out.
Wow. Jaw-drop sexy. Tall, dark, shaggy hair, boyish features with a Roman nose and a rangy build, his eyes a startling green.
There were some hotties in this town, including the Outlaw triplets.
I hadn’t met Booker, but if he was as good looking as his attractive brothers that was some hard, rugged males times three.
He shut the door, spied Ethan, waved and walked over.
“Thanks, man,” Ethan said as they shook hands.
“So this is the new girl everyone is talking about.” Rory gave her an open, friendly look. “Can’t go by a street corner without someone saying, ‘Seen that pretty little ole’ thang working at Outlaws? Shoot, I hear she’s from up north. Don’t look like a Yankee.’”
I blanched a bit. Oh Lord. People were talking about me still? I had hoped that would have died down by now. That information sent shivers of apprehension down my spine.
“Don’t look so worried,” he said. “I’m a Yankee and they’ve adopted me. Rory Finnegan,” he offered his hand. I shook, the contact strong, but brief. I noticed the ring on his finger. Understandable someone would have snagged him. Yowza.
“Rory and I were in the Marines together.”
“ Semper Fi ,” he said, knuckle bumping Ethan.”
“Lawson Edwards. It’s nice to meet you, and I’m not a Yankee. From the deep, Old South,” I murmured.
“Ah, yeah, I can hear the twang in your voice. People love to gossip. It’s just the curse of a small town.
You’ll get used to it.” He ran his hand through his dark hair.
“I’d better get to it.” He turned away, then turned back.
“Oh, almost forgot. Savannah wants your sorry ass at our table soon. She keeps bugging me.”
“She getting jealous of our runs?”
Rory laughed. “She enjoys your company.” He shrugged. “Can’t imagine why?” He laughed softly as Ethan took a playful swing at him.
“Let Brax know Lawson’s car broke down, and I’m taking her to Lafayette,” Ethan said.
He nodded. “I can take a look at it for you,” he said.
How many heroes were there in this small town? My heart melted all over again. “Ethan offered.”
“But the more the merrier,” Ethan said. He hooked his arm around Rory’s shoulders and squeezed. “This guy is a genius with anything that runs. Once he got a Humvee working in the desert with some fishing wire and bubble gum.”
Rory smiled and nodded. “This guy…that’s an exaggeration, but it was a small miracle.”
“Saved our asses.”
He looked at me. “I don’t have time to go into detail right now, but bring her to dinner, Ethan, and I’ll elaborate.” Rory glanced toward Outlaws, nodded to them both, then he was jogging toward the bar. “See ya soon.”
We walked toward Ethan’s truck, and he opened the passenger door for me. I got in while he went around the hood and settled in the driver’s seat. He started the vehicle and drove out of the lot. “I have the address.”
“I know where it is. I’ve done some work for River Pearl.”
“That’s what it’s like around here. Everyone pitches in for their neighbor?”
“Absolutely. Not that way where you come from?”
“No, not exactly.”
“I get that.” He was quiet for a moment.
“I could have gone anywhere after my discharge. It would have been easier than coming back here and dealing with my daddy’s expectations, his hope, his pride.
But, truth of the matter is there’s no place like Suttontowne, even with its nosy neighbors, gossip and sticking their noses in everyone’s business.
I just don’t want to be anywhere else. Small towns for all their faults are all about community and pitching in when needed.
I like being part of that. Reminds me of the Marines. ”
“It must be wonderful to find where you belong, to fit in and to enjoy just being…home.”
My voice must have been wistful because he reached over and covered my hand.
“Home is where you make it, sugar. Stone-cold fact. I was home overseas when I was at base, even with the unrest and the danger. I didn’t let that deter me from making the kind of community I wanted to be a part of.
It just means being as open and honest with everyone you meet and inviting them to be the same with you. ”
His big hand engulfed mine, and his words made the guilt twist and turn inside me.
There were so many secrets I was keeping, and I hadn’t been open or honest with him from day one.
But it was out of concern for these decent folks that kept me holding back.
Or was it? Was I hiding even my true motivations from myself?
Was I so worried about falling in love with Suttontowne and its citizens that I would want to stay?
My heart double beat.
And, if I wanted to stay, would that open a whole boatload of complications, least of all facing up to my fears, resolving my conflict and moving on with my life? Could I stand up to them and survive? Could I finally, really be free to make my own choices?