Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
Kim
Take a breath!
The bartender with kind brown eyes takes my trembling hands and surrounds them with steady ones.
“I’m Landon. This is my father’s bar. What’s your name?”
My heartbeat’s pound begins to slow. Squeezing his hand, I plead.
“Don’t tell anyone about this right now. Please. I don’t want to ruin my brother and Dominique’s night. I’ll tell them tomorrow.”
Landon puts an arm around my shoulder.
“Tell me your name.”
“Kim.”
“I won’t say anything, Kim. The guy is already gone. Lex took care of it. You okay?”
“No.”
“Let’s go into the office,” he says, guiding me out the door and through the one across the hall. It is left wide open.
Tears spill onto my cheeks. The trembling bottom lip I am unable to control adds to the ugly cry. For the first time in my life, I don’t give a damn who sees it. I am so tired of the random drama that keeps finding me.
The tender expression on Landon’s face is just what I need.
Opening his arms, he lets me decide if a hug would help.
I’ll take it. One step forward and I rest my head on his shoulder.
I know it is ridiculous looking for this sort of comfort from a stranger, but I ignore my stricter self’s rules of behavior.
Strong arms wrap around my back. The crippling fear goes from a ten to a five.
“Thank you. I’m still a bit drunk. Although if that didn’t sober me up, I may be dead.”
The last word is punctuated by a Fireball whiskey hiccup. I give zero fucks.
“How were you planning on getting home?” he says over my shoulder. “Will you let me take you? Or maybe my dad if you would feel more comfortable. I just want to make sure you get there safely and no one follows you.”
What? I had not thought that far ahead. I pull back and look into his concerned face. What should I do? The decision is postponed for a moment by the arrival of Lex who shows up in the doorway. He is covering the knuckles on his right hand. Was there a fight?
“He’s not coming back. We have friends in high places at the police station.” Then to Landon, “I sent the license picture to Cole.”
“Did you tell my brother what happened?”
“I only said the asshole was lurking by the ladies’ room. I didn’t give any details. You okay, Kim?”
“I’m alright. That was so scary,” I say, getting in control of my emotions. “Landon is going to give me a ride home.”
Our eyes meet and I nod acceptance of the offer.
“Good choice. We can leave out the back if you want. Lex will let your brother know I’m giving you a ride.”
“I already did. I figured the only sober people here are the bartenders and you wouldn’t want to get an Uber.”
“Oh thank you. Did he think it was weird?” I say, knowing my brother would.
“Shit no. I said you lived close to each other. The bride and groom are drunk too. They bought it. But you should tell them tomorrow.”
I look at the man I have been acquainted with for years and the one I just met five minutes ago. There is strength here. Protection. They saved my drunk ass.
“I will. And thank you, both of you. I just want to get out of here.”
The pounding in my head begins.
Landon keeps the conversation going the entire way home, trying to distract me from reality. He talks about the new house in Memphis, and what it took to save for the down payment. He’s proud. And even though my answers to his questions are clipped, he persists.
He is trying to soothe the vulnerability I feel. Not sure a man ever could. Although I am grateful for the attempt. Tears are a constant threat, but I have controlled them since we left Mom's.
“Turn right at the stop sign.”
“Lex wasn’t wrong. My dad’s place is close. Less than a few miles.”
When I don’t respond he tries another subject.
“So what do you do for a living, Kim?”
“For now I’m working part time at Holly’s clinic.”
“Really? So you’re an animal lover. Me too.”
Pointing ahead, I signal to the one-story house on the right. “That’s my place, the one with the swing on the porch.”
“Oh it’s nice. Like the swing.”
I am triggered by the shadows in the night.
Coming to a stop at the curb, a new feeling descends.
The little house has never looked menacing before.
Patterns of tree branches against white stucco look like a scene from a scary movie.
The garden deceptively manicured for the imagined horrors that might be waiting inside.
I am spinning. Landon turns off the car and opens his door.
“Let me look around first. Then I’ll come back and get you.”
He reaches under the seat of the Ford truck and brings out a flashlight.
“I’m just going to make sure. You okay?”
I don’t answer.
“Here’s an idea. Get out your phone. We can be talking while I walk the perimeter.”
My ass is stuck to the seat and my hands glued to each other.
“No?” he says.
“I don’t want to stay here. Can you take me to the Ramada? Oh shit! I’m sorry!” My hands cover my face and I unsuccessfully hide behind them.
He shuts the door.
“Okay. Do whatever feels right. But wouldn’t it be better to stay with a friend?”
I lower my hands and firmly stand by the decision.
“No. I don’t want to have to repeat the story tonight. Anyway, I’d have to wake up the dead. Everyone I know is drunk and probably passed out by now. I just want to go to sleep. The hotel will work fine.”
He considers my words for a few beats. His head turns my way, but my eyes stay straight ahead. It does not stop him from trying to help the girl who has misplaced her bravery.
“What about this. I’m staying with my Dad while I’m in town. He has a very secure compound because of the dogs he fosters and the motorcycles he owns. The locked gates keep people out and animals in. There is an alarm system. You could stay with us for the night and feel secure.”
In the few seconds I have to consider the offer, I weigh the giant pro and lack of cons.
“I don’t know. How will he feel about you offering his home to a stranger?”
He chuckles. “Are you kidding? No man or woman is a stranger to Ronnie Podesta.”
There is no follow up question, so he continues the sales pitch.
“There is a comfortable bed and private bathroom. I think you should say yes. Have one good night’s sleep and tomorrow everything will look better.”
I know what he says is true. The clinic has cared for his dogs, and Holly speaks highly of the father and son.
I shouldn’t get massacred in my bed. And I would have the protection of two able bodied men if needed.
Landon already proved he is capable. Maybe the best bet is to sleep in this virtual stranger’s house.
When I don’t argue the point he takes control.
“Good. I’ll let him know we are coming.”
Grabbing his phone, Landon sends a quick text to his father before I can voice any more hesitations.
“Done. Want to get anything from your house?”
My head turns and takes in the formerly safe haven of home.
“No. I can sleep in these clothes.”
“I think we can find a big t-shirt or something.”
He returns the flashlight, starts the truck and pulls away from the house. A sense of relief comes over me and I take a calming breath.
“Thanks, Landon. You are very kind.”
“This night will fade. You just need a little distance.”
He understands. I know more about his family’s drama than he realizes.
Dominique told Colter and I about the kidnapping that had happened years ago.
How Ronnie and the guys rescued his sister.
Now it makes an even bigger impression because my idea of being afraid has grown.
And I don’t even know how it must feel to actually be taken.
The horror of having no control over your life. Stop living what did not happen!
“Try to think of something else. I know it’s hard.”
My blank stare is the answer.
“Let me tell you about Barney The Wonder Dog. He’s an asshole.”
“I thought he was a wonder.”
“He’s both.
“What’s so wonderful about Barney?”
Landon makes the final turn out of the neighborhood and the weight on my shoulders lifts an inch.
“He gets me out of my head. It’s hard to be angry over some bullshit when his goofy face is staring me down.”
I smile for the first time in an hour.
“And why an asshole?”
“Because as good as I think I am at training dogs, this one has been impossible. Plus, he’s ruining my reputation.”
“What?”
“As a generally pissed off guy. I laugh more with him.”
The admission makes me want to laugh and at the same time admire his willingness to admit the funny flaw.
“What kind of dog is he?”
“The lineage is questionable. Think there’s a horse in there somewhere.”
“I bet he is your baby.”
“Yeah. I love the big jerk, despite his sunny outlook on life.”
“I get it. Every one of them is adorable in their own way.”
“Uh, being adorable isn’t one of his qualities. You’ll see.”
“Oh, he came with you?”
“Of course. And fair warning. He loves meeting new people. And by meeting I mean bowling over. You have to be prepared.”
“Pretty sure I can handle it.”
“Maybe. But Barney is a ladies’ man. Which makes him part hound. He will make sure you know he is interested in a relationship.”
I am holding back a smile.
By the time we drive the few miles and Landon turns onto his father’s property, I began to relax.
The alcohol is wearing off and the pounding headache has become a softer tapping.
We approach a gate and a code is entered.
The imposing iron swings open and as we drive around a curve in the road a house comes into view.
When the truck’s headlights illuminate the scene, my interest is peaked. What a cool looking place.
“Wow. I didn’t expect this,” I say, taking in the wide well-lit porch.
“My father takes care of the property. They bought it in the late seventies. It’s a big job, but he loves the place.”
“I can see why.”