by Erin Bevan
She cocked her gaze back up at him. “You promise?”
“I do.”
Annie blew out a breath. “He promises, Alfred,” she said to the pup, as she slipped her shoes on.
Once they were on, she took a few steps closer and reached her hand for his. In one quick motion he gave her a tug and had her sitting next to him. She gripped his bicep, her nails digging into his skin.
“It’s okay.” He pulled her closer, placing his hands around her shoulders. “I’m not going to let you fall. Would you like to go higher? I can get us up there.” He pointed to a thick limb about six feet higher.
She squeezed his arm tighter and glanced up. “No, I’m not ready for that high. I can’t climb up there.”
“Would you like to get on my back?”
“Your back? No, this is crazy. Let’s get down.” She scanned the ground and the tree, probably searching for a way to get down.
“Hey.” He placed a finger under her chin and lifted her gaze to meet his. “You trust me don’t you?” He’d spent the past week trying to prove to her he was worthy of her confidence. But a woman like her, someone who had been through what she had would need more time. Lots of it. Of course she didn’t trust him. What a stupid question.
Her eyes began to mist, and he dropped his finger from her chin. He’d pushed her too hard. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed—”
“More than anyone else.” She leaned into him and nudged his shoulder with hers. “I trust you more than anyone else in my life right now, Tyler.”
Her words gave him pause. “Good,” he managed to say and took her hand. “We can stay right here if that’s what you’d like. We can still see more up here than we could down below.”
“How about just one more branch?” She eyed the thick limb above their heads.
“You got it.” Slowly, he stood and balanced on the log, helping her to stand. She gripped the limb above them as he gave her a boost. “You good?” He asked as she sat on the log.
“Yeah,” she said, her voice shaky as she smiled.
He climbed and sat next to her.
She relaxed beside him, allowing her legs to dangle freely, holding on to his side. “Wow. Look around. It’s beautiful.” She smiled at him, and his heart inflated a little at the genuine happiness etched in her features. “Look.” She pointed to the left. “Over there. A family of deer.”
He followed her hand. “Yeah, and the good thing is this is private property. As long as they stay on the land, they’ll be safe.”
Just like her. He would keep her safe.
She turned her head to the right. “Look.” She pointed. “You can see the chimney top of my old house.”
“Wow.” He peered where she pointed. “You can. Do you want to go explore back that way?”
“No.” Annie shook her head and stared down at her lap. “Too many memories. I think the house is abandoned. Last I heard the mortgage company hadn’t found a buyer. The house wasn’t in good shape when we lived in it, so I can’t even imagine what it looks like now, after nine years of being abandoned. Still, I had such good memories in that house.”
A time when everything in her life had been perfect, no doubt. She could have perfect again. He’d like to give it to her.
“Living way out here isn’t for everyone.”
“I tried to convince Duke into buying the place. My parents’ rundown home wasn’t good enough for him. But looking back, I’m glad he didn’t. I don’t want to share that place with him.”
“I’m sorry, Annie.”
A silence fell around them, and a nag in his gut told him the happy moment had turned sad.
“This is wonderful,” she said. “How did you learn to climb trees?”
He shrugged, thankful for the change of subject, but this wasn’t the one he wanted to discuss. “Self-taught, I guess.”
“Why? I mean, did you like heights as a child?”
“No.” Tank let out a little chuckle and shook his head. “Quite the opposite actually. I hate heights.”
“Then why climb trees?”
“Just something I did.” He glanced toward the sky. “Sun’s about to set. We should get down and figure out dinner. I’ll go down first, then help you down.” He turned his back toward her, thankful for a reason to change the conversation.
Annie gripped his arm firm, but not with the same intensity as when her fear had kicked in from climbing the tree.
“Tyler.” Her voice turned soft and honeyed. “You can talk to me, ya know? I’ll listen.”
Her words were like a spear to his center. Annie had nothing left to hide about her past. He’d asked her to tell him about her life so he could keep her safe, give her solstice, and here, he couldn’t even so much as mention the name of his father without his stomach rolling.
And even though the sound of her voice wrapped him like silk and made him feel safe, he couldn’t go there. Not today.
“Not now, okay?” He patted her hand.
“Sure.” She nodded.
He shimmied down the branch then helped her down until they were both on the ground. Her loyal companion stood waiting, while their fishing poles sat on the dock, empty of dinner.
“Listen, don’t worry about dinner for me, okay?” she said like she had read his mind. “I’m really not that hungry, and my ribs are hurting a little from all the activity.” Annie gave him a polite smile and turned toward the house.
Damn it. Why didn’t he think about her injuries? Not only did he physically hurt her, he’d made her feel bad. He did everything he swore he would never do.
“Hey, wait.” He ran after her. “Annie, I’m so sorry about your ribs. I wasn’t thinking.”
“No worries, Tyler. It’s not your fault. I had a good time this afternoon. You fulfilled your promise. Thank you.” She turned again.
Damn it. She was distancing herself, pushing him away because he wouldn’t open up to her about his past. They could open up about other things.
Tank chased after her again. “I have some popcorn in the pantry. How about a movie? You can just sit on the couch. I promise I won’t make you do anything physical.”
“A big guy like you is going to survive on popcorn for dinner?” Annie cocked a thin brow. “I’ve seen how much you eat. I don’t think there is enough popcorn in that pantry to tame the beast that lives inside your stomach.” She poked him in the belly.
If she kept poking him like that, it wasn’t the beast in his stomach she needed to worry about.
“So, that’s a no?” He reached for her hand and pulled her closer.
Damn it, he was doing it again. About to do something he shouldn’t. But hell, he was tired of fighting. Her red toes, her tight pants, low cut tank tops, all physical things about her he liked, really liked. But her love of the outdoors, and her desire to stand on her own and take care of herself, he couldn’t deny those traits didn’t arouse him, too. Having her under his roof had been more than he could handle. And while sometimes he felt like that shy boy sitting on the dock years ago, this wasn’t one of those times. He was ready for more…but was she?
“I didn’t say no.” Annie leaned in closer. “Tyler,” she whispered.
Her breath tickled his chin, and her lips parted, leaving just enough of an opening for him.
“Yeah?” He stared at her mouth and bent closer.
He had a sordid past. So did she. They could figure it out.
“You have leaves in your hair,” she whispered.
Leaves?
Tank pulled back, surprised. “What?”
“Leaves.” Annie reached a hand to his hair and pulled out a fat oak leaf.
He scratched his head. Excess leaves fell to the ground. Damn. Was their timing ever going to be right? “I guess I need a shower, huh?”
“Might be a good idea.” She smiled.
“I take a shower, you pop the popcorn.”
“Deal.”
Tank took his shirt off as he headed to the house. H
e gave her a quick glance over his shoulder before he went inside. Her gaze shot toward the ground when she realized he had spotted her staring at him. Her moves weren’t quick enough, and he noticed the redness of her cheeks.
Thank God.
He smacked the top of the doorframe on his way inside. At least his feelings weren’t one sided. But a question still remained. What in the hell were they going to do about their growing attraction? The timing was all…off. Or was it? He’d ended up back in Black Widow at the exact time she needed refuge. That couldn’t be a coincidence. Maybe he was over-thinking everything.
He let out a loud groan and marched into the bathroom. One thing was certain; he was going to need a long, cold shower. A habit he wasn’t crazy about forming.
Chapter Sixteen
Tank woke with a jerk. He panted as sweat soaked his hairline and a searing pain shot down the side of his neck.
A nightmare.
He closed his eyes again and counted to ten, envisioning Annie as a young girl across the water, his grandpa by his side. Anytime he had a nightmare, he tried to push it away with something happy. Something good. The letters he’d received no doubt triggered the nightmare. He’d have to talk to his mom about them, and soon.
He opened his eyes again and tried to move his arm. Stuck. Annie slept soundly cuddled right next to him on the sofa. At least he hadn’t woken her. A grown man having nightmares…that, itself, would be a nightmare to explain.
They’d fallen asleep watching Batman. Scrubbed clean of makeup, and her bruises fading, he could see her beautiful features again. He peered down at the face of the girl he remembered walking barefoot in the creek with her father all those years ago, the worry of the past six months with Duke waning from her features.
Her lips, so full and rosy, sat inches from his. Tempted to steal the kiss he longed for, he decided to slip his arm out from under her head and scoot his way off the couch instead. If they ever did kiss, she would be awake for it. He wouldn’t take anymore from her than she’d already lost.
He hurried to get dressed for work, leaving her to sleep, his furry companion by her side. Tank slipped his cellphone in his back pocket and left her a note.
Sorry to take the phone. Need to call my mom. Father has a phone.
Quietly, Tank eased out the door as the counselor cruised down the drive on his Heritage Softail.
Tank waved to the leader of the pack.
“Morning.” Father pulled up beside him. “Where’s Annie? I brought breakfast.” The man pulled out a package of donuts from his satchel.
“On the couch, being Sleeping Beauty.”
“You’re making a pretty thing like that sleep on your couch?” Father turned off the ignition to Harley.
“No. Normally, I sleep on the couch, but we were watching a movie, and then we both fell asleep.”
The leader’s face split in a wide grin. “Uh-huh, sure. You both just fell asleep.”
“No, it wasn’t like that.” Tank shook his head. “She’s not…it’s not…we’re not…” He fumbled with his words.
“Lord, son. Are you blushing?”
“No. I’m not blushing.” He shook his head again and stared at his boots.
Shit this man sure has a way of busting my balls.
“Yeah, you are. You’re blushing.” Father slapped him on the back. “You better get to work before you’re late, or before Annie comes out here and sees you looking like a tomato ready to gush over thoughts of her.”
He ran a hand over his face. “You’re annoying, you know that?”
“Yep.” The man rocked on his heels, and placed his hands in his back pockets. “Where’s your water hose? I’ve got to wash Harley.” He patted the seat of his bike. “She’s getting a little dirty.”
“Around back.” Tank got his nerves under control and stared back at the man. “Why do you call your hog Harley, anyway?”
“One day, son. I’ll tell you…one day. Where’s your wax?”
“In the garage.” He straddled his own bike. “You might want to see if Annie wants to help you. I think she’s going stir crazy.”
“Yeah, she’s cute. Maybe she’ll wear a white shirt while she does it.”
Tank gave him a hard stare and grimaced. “Not funny, man.”
Father folded in half-hooting with laughter. “Oh yeah, the look on your face is hysterical.” He stood back upright. “Son, I’m kidding.”
“Whatever.” Tank revved his bike. “Behave, old man.”
“No fun in that.” Father hollered over the noise of the engine. “Remember, Bear has court today at three-thirty. Tree’s coming to relieve me here. Are you going to make it to the courthouse? Nate asked about you.”
The court date that could put Bear’s abuser behind bars. He wouldn’t miss it for anything. “I’ll be there. See you this afternoon.”
He drove his bike down the drive to his mailbox. He’d forgot to check it the past few days. Thankfully, a blonde had begun to occupy most of his thoughts. He pulled the door down on the box, grabbed the pile, and flipped through it. A small, white envelope stuck out from the stack of sales papers.
Another one. Damn it. He could no longer put off talking to his mom.
Tank shoved the pile back in the box and drove the ten miles into town, doing his best to ignore the pressure pounding in his chest.
He drove behind Rake’s and parked his bike just as his phone buzzed a jazzy ringtone in his pocket.
Speak of the devil.
“Hey, Momma. I was getting ready to call you. How are you?”
“Hey, Ty, honey. I hadn’t heard from you in over a week. I just got this overwhelming feeling I needed to call you. How are things in Black Widow?”
“Good. Busy. Hey, Mom…I need to ask you something.”
“Must be why I felt like I needed to call. What’s up?”
When his mother found out about his dad, her senses had been on high alert ever since. Tank chalked it up to either mother’s intuition or mother’s remorse. He wasn’t sure which. He just wished she had been so in tune with him before his father had done what he did.
“I’ve been getting letters from the prison. Did you give him my new address?”
A sigh came over the phone. “Yes, I did.”
He grit his teeth. “What? Why in the hell would you do that?”
“He begged me, Ty. He called me one day and begged for your new address so he could keep writing you. He said the letters he sent to your old house were sent back. He even cried over the phone.”
So what? He never cared about all the times he made me cry. The sick bastard relished in his tears.
“You had no right, Mom. You should have asked me first.”
“I’m sorry, hon, but I think, maybe, you should listen to what he has to say.”
“I don’t give a…” One of his coworkers walking through the back door glared at him. He lowered his voice. “I don’t care what he has to say, and I never will.”
“Okay, I understand.” His mom’s voice grew softer on the other end. “I just hate to see you so eaten up inside about…about everything that happened.”
“What would you rather me do, forgive and forget?”
“Forget, no, but forgive, yes.”
The heaviness he carried from seeing another envelope engulfed his chest again. “I’m sorry, Mom. I shouldn’t have raised my voice, but I don’t think I can do either of those things.”
“It’s okay. Let’s change the subject. Tell me about Black Widow.”
He sighed and hung his head. Changing the subject. Yes, that was best for both of them.
“I… I uh…” He wiped his hand down his face. “I went to a meeting of that biker group I told you about. I’ve been doing some work with them.”
“That’s good, hon. Made any friends.”
Friends? He chuckled. No matter how hard he tried, he could never stay mad at his mom. She always talked to him like he was still in junior high. Still her little boy.
>
“Yeah, you could say I’ve made some friends. There is the leader of the pack, Father. He’s annoying as hell, but overall seems like a nice guy.”
“What about a lady friend? Have you made any of those?”
Oh, Lord. Here we go. The I want grandchildren speech. “There is someone, but I’m not real sure yet. I like her. I like her a lot, actually, but it’s too soon to know anything.”
He knew others fell in love, but the notion seemed foreign to him. However, with Annie he couldn’t stop the magnetic pull he seemed to have toward her. Yet the timing, their baggage...it was all so intense.
“Oh, I’m so happy you found someone. I’d like to come visit right after the fourth. I’m on shift work this weekend at the hospital, but I’ll have a few days off after that. I’d love to meet your friends.”
“Yeah, that’d be nice. I may have to work, though, but maybe…” He glanced around to make sure no one overheard. “Maybe my friend can help keep you company.”
“Oh, the girl-friend?” Her voice took on a conspiratorial tone.
“Yes, Mom.” Tank rolled his eyes.
Leona stepped out of her car and tapped her wrist. He was supposed to be inside, ready to work. He nodded to her.
“Listen, Mom, I’ve got to run. I’m supposed to be clocking in right now.”
“Okay, hon. I’ll see you next week. I love you.”
“Love you, too.” He clicked off his phone, and ran into the garage. He’d never introduced his mom to a girl before. None of them had ever seemed like the right girl…
Until now.
Annie turned on her side and opened her eyes as a cool draft caressed her skin. Her vision blurred, and she rubbed a hand over her face. A popcorn bag came in to focus on the floor.
Popcorn. A movie.
She glanced around the room. They’d fallen asleep during the movie. But where was Tyler now?
Alfred snored softly on the floor beside the couch. She lazily rubbed a hand over the dog’s side and glanced around for him. A whooshing sound traveled through the water pipes coming from inside the walls. She stood and stretched, peeking into the hall at the bathroom door. Open. She peered into the kitchen. Empty.