Something Old (Brides of Cedar Bend Book 1)

by Lena Hart

  And he still wanted her.

  A heady warmth emanated from his large body. Despite the hard set of his mouth, there was a slight softening of his eyes as he continued to stare down at her. Compelled by a force beyond her control, Mya reached out to touch him.

  “Guy, I…”

  To her chagrin, he jerked away from her. “Let’s go.”

  She started down the long corridor and he followed behind her, keeping distance between them. She felt the silence swelling up, demanding to be filled, but she couldn’t find any words that didn’t seem hollow.

  How was she supposed to reach him when he kept this hard, invisible wall between them?

  They passed a large chamber that held a man who sat slouched on the bench inside. His hooded eyes appeared bloodshot and his beard was overgrown. Was the man drunk? At second glance, Mya recognized who sat slouched inside and stopped.

  “Is that Jackson?”

  “Yeah,” was all Guy offered. “Keep moving.”

  She ignored his command. Last she remembered, the two men had been good friends. Jackson may have been something of a troublemaker, but nothing that would get him put in here.

  Unless he had done something worth being in a cell for.

  “Why is he in there?”

  “None of your business. Now keep moving.”

  Her back drew up at Guy’s blunt response, but she continued down the hall. Apparently, he had no qualms about having her arrested, and his friends were no exception.

  They made their way back into the station and she avoided looking at the other officers.

  “Wait here.”

  Mya fell into the bench seat along the wall and watched as Guy made his way to Officer Justice. Her eyes were trained on his broad back and rigid shoulders as he spoke to the deputy. He was different. Not that he had ever been the carefree, laid-back type, but he had never been this...detached.

  Guy had a quick discussion with the deputy, who turned to look at her. The man nodded then rose from his desk. They exchanged a few more words before Guy left, not sparing her another glance.

  Mya’s heart fell.

  Was that it? Was he really just going to turn his back on her?

  Like you did him.

  Guilt once again assailed her. She couldn’t blame him for not welcoming her back with open arms. She had messed things up between them and he was obviously still hurt, though he would never admit it. She would just have to find a way to make up for it and fix things between them.

  “Ms. Daniels?”

  Mya started, not realizing Officer Justice was standing only two feet from where she sat.

  “I was able to reach the previous owners and get everything cleared with your vehicle. It’s against county law to drive an unregistered vehicle with expired tags, but we’re letting you off with a warning. The sheriff asked me to bring you by the municipal office, and then we’ll pick up your vehicle.”

  Mya rose to her feet and glanced at the office Guy had disappeared into. “Can I speak to him?”

  The deputy shifted uncomfortably. “He has a lot of work to get back to. Maybe try him again later…”

  Mya noted the pity in his pale brown eyes and her cheeks warmed with embarrassment.

  “Sure,” she muttered. “If it’s all right with you, then, I’d like to leave now.”

  Four

  From his office window, Guy caught a glimpse of Mike leading Mya out of the station. She glanced back at their small building then froze. Through the distance, their eyes met and a bolt of desire shot through him.

  She was still beautiful.

  Her smooth skin gleamed in the late afternoon sun like polished rosewood. Her full lips were slightly parted and all he could think about was how soft and sweet they had once felt against his.

  A stab of longing shot through him and he turned away from the window. He fell into his seat, willing the heavy beating of his heart to slow. Even in the solitude of his office, he couldn’t quite relax.

  The station was strangely quiet, but internally Guy was still reeling from seeing her again. The tense moment in the jail cell replayed in his head. Seeing her hadn’t been enough. He wanted to touch her, taste her. Resisting the urge had been damn near impossible, but he had managed. Barely.

  Guy cursed and leaned back into his seat. She brought up all the old feelings he’d taken two long years to bury. Yet today, he discovered just how weak he was where she was concerned and he hated the feeling. He needed to remember how easy it had been for her to discard her feelings for him, how easy it had been for her to leave him on a night that had been their first time as husband and wife.

  Hell, it had been their first time, period.

  Making love to her that long-ago night was still imprinted in his memory. She, on the other hand, had not felt any of the ecstasy he had coming into her for the first time. He could still remember the way her warmth wrapped tightly around him, the way her breath had brushed against his neck, the sweet sounds of her moans… Guy shifted in his seat, the thought of that night only adding to his discomfort.

  Along with those powerful memories was the one he couldn’t forget—the one when he’d discovered her gone, the mildly cool bed sheet still warm from her nude body.

  Yet even with that reminder, Guy still craved her.

  “Damn it,” he muttered.

  He couldn’t weaken in his resolve. He may not know why she’d returned to Cedar Bend, but he was certain it had more to do with her selfish needs than it did because of her supposed love for him.

  Whatever her reason, Guy wouldn’t be duped again. It had taken him a broken heart to realize they weren’t compatible with each other. She didn’t want him the way he wanted her, and he would be damned if he was trapped in an unhappy marriage.

  Now that she was back, he needed to make time to file for that annulment. His heart twisted at the thought, but it needed to be done. He’d given himself enough excuses these past two years. If he really wanted to move on with his life—move on from her—he needed to put an end to this charade.

  There was also his mother and the risk of her finding out. She would be heartbroken—and pissed—that they had gotten married without involving her. And he didn’t want to hurt his mother. It was a wonder she hadn’t already found out with the constant communication she’d had with Mya.

  Guy straightened in his seat, a small jolt passing through him as he came to a sudden realization. If anyone had known about Mya’s surprise return, it would be his sweet, impulsive, meddlesome mother.

  The two of them spoke—a lot—and yet his mother failed to mention this bit of news to him. Guy didn’t bother masking his irritation when he reached for the phone and dialed his mother’s cell. Maybe now he could find out what Mya was really doing back at Cedar Bend.

  His mother answered on the second ring, and he said without preamble, “Ma, you should have told me.”

  “Guy Gregory Lawson, have you gotten so disrespectful you forgot how to greet your mother?”

  He blew out an exasperated breath. “Hi, Ma.”

  “Much better. Now tell me what you’re going on about?”

  “Mya. She’s in town. Why didn’t you tell me she was coming back?”

  “Well, why should I have? You made it very plain last time I brought her up that you didn’t want me talking about her.”

  “No, I said I wanted you to stop riding me for not answering her calls.” He may have been purposely avoiding Mya’s calls, but it irritated the hell out of him that his mother would accuse him of being unreasonable. “She had her chance to say whatever she needed to say before she left the country.”

  And before she left my bed.

  His mother made a sound of disapproval. “I wish you would let that go. It’s not attractive when a guy your age holds a grudge.”

  Guy gritted his teeth. This was why he avoided talking about Mya when it came to his mother. The two of them had a special bond—much like he had with Mya’s father—and his mother would
naturally assume he was just holding a silly grudge, when it went so much deeper than that.

  “Could you at least tell me what she’s doing back here?”

  “If you know she’s in town, I assume you spoke with her, so why didn’t you ask her yourself?”

  “I did.”

  “And…”

  Guy hesitated. “I didn’t get a straight enough answer.”

  “Well, then if you must know, she’s going to be helping me run the shop. She knows the situation and has offered to help me part-time until I can hire someone full-time again.”

  Guy frowned. So that’s what it was. For a moment, Guy had wondered if Mya told his mother the same thing she had confessed in the jail cell.

  I love you. I’m still in love with you. I came back here for you.

  Maybe telling him what she thought he wanted to hear had been her angle in getting out of that cell.

  But isn’t that what you want to hear?

  Guy shook his head, annoyed by the fleeting thought. If there were any truth to those words, he refused to acknowledge it.

  “Ma, did you tell her you couldn’t afford to pay her?”

  “She knows. We’ve made an arrangement, so don’t you worry. Neither one of us are going to be a burden to you. I’m just excited to have help again, and also have our girl back. So tell me. How is she?”

  “Fine.”

  His mother blew out a loud, exasperated breath. “You haven’t seen her in two years and that’s all you can say. I want to know how she looks. Does she seem happy to be back?”

  “You’ll have to see her for yourself then, Ma. I have to get back to work.”

  Guy hung up the phone, but getting back to his duties proved to be impossible as his mind wandered to thoughts of her again.

  How did she look?

  As stunning as he remembered.

  Was she happy to be back?

  He had no clue…

  If he had to guess, then the answer would be a resounding no. And he would have only himself to blame. Behind those big brown eyes of hers was a sadness that he’d seen before. But this time, he was responsible for putting that look in her eyes.

  Guilt spread through him as he recalled every harsh, angry word he’d spoken to her. Though he stood by much of what he’d said, he resented the way in which he’d delivered them.

  This was why they couldn’t be together.

  Not only did she still wield enough power to hurt him, she also had the ability to bring out the worst in him.

  * * *

  Mya walked into the small auto shop and was assaulted by a faint odor of motor oil and rubber. Behind the counter was a familiar, handsome face that broke into a wide grin.

  “So it’s true. You really are back.”

  Mya smiled. “That was fast. How did you find out?”

  Damian Carson smirked. “Word gets around fast here.”

  He came from around the counter and pulled her into a hug. “Welcome home, Mya.”

  Though she yearned to hear those same words from Guy, it was nice to see that someone other than Gloria was happy to see her again.

  Despite the dirt and grime on his dark blue coveralls, she returned his friendly embrace. This was the homecoming she had been hoping for.

  “Thanks, Damian.” She pulled away from him and glanced around the shop. She hadn’t come into his family auto shop often, but it was apparent that organization wasn’t his priority. “Where’s Pops?”

  “He’s home. Resting. It’s just me running the shop today.”

  “Oh, okay… Now it all makes sense.”

  He cocked his brow. “What does?”

  She waved her hand around the store. “Why does the place look like it’s been hit by a hurricane?”

  The corner of his mouth quirked up and he sauntered back behind the counter. “Hey, if you’re looking for work, I could always use the help.”

  “Sorry. I already have a job.”

  “Already? Didn’t you just get back today?”

  “I did, but I’m going to be working at the boutique again with Gloria. And doing other things. But if you really need the help, you should put up a Help Wanted sign.”

  Damian nodded dismissively. “Does Guy know you’re back?”

  Mya tensed at the mention of him. The car ride with Officer Justice—or Mike, as he insisted she call him—had been uncomfortable enough as it was. Not only did she have the misfortune of meeting Guy’s second cousin under awkward circumstances, she also had an unsettling feeling that he knew more about her and Guy’s situation than he let on. If she hadn’t feared she would say too much, she would have asked him outright.

  Besides, there was no way he knew. Everyone in town may have expected they would get married someday, but no one had a clue they had already made the commitment. Not even Gloria. It had been the hardest thing Mya had been forced to keep from her. Guy had mentioned annulling their marriage. She wondered if that was why he hadn’t told his mother. The thought sent a wave of overwhelming sadness through her.

  “I’m guessing from that look on your face that he doesn’t?”

  Mya blinked, pulling herself out of her bleak thoughts. “No, he knows.”

  “Have you talked to him?”

  “I’ve tried.”

  Damian studied her for a moment. At first she thought he would change the subject, but she should have known better. Damian and Guy had gone to school together and been good friends. Naturally, he would be curious about what led to her leaving.

  “Keep trying. He probably won’t tell you this, but he missed the hell out of you while you were gone.”

  A glimmer of hope sprang in her. “Did he say that?”

  Amusement flashed in his dark face. “If I could ever get him drunk, I’m sure he would have. But we all can see it. He can be a hard-ass sometimes, but don’t give up on him.”

  She grinned. “I won’t.”

  For the first time since she’d left the station, she started to feel better about her prospects in getting her Guy back.

  “Good. Now let’s go get you that car.”

  Damian led her outside, behind the auto shop. Parked beside his large pick-up truck with the faded words Carson’s Auto Shop printed on the side sat her newly purchased, yet very old Jeep Wrangler.

  “When you get a chance, you should bring it back in and let me look at it,” he advised, handing her the keys. “That clanging under the hood doesn’t sound very good.”

  She sighed. Great. “I just bought this today. I was hoping I could get a few months out of it before I needed to get it serviced.”

  “I wouldn’t wait that long, if I were you. Cars should purr, not squawk. And if it sounds like a duck…”

  “It’s probably my Jeep,” she finished dryly.

  He chuckled then turned back to study her car. “Some old things just aren’t made to last forever.”

  Her hand unconsciously came up to her necklace as she studied the car as well.

  But some old things are.

  Five

  The sun was barely peeking from the sky when Mya finally pulled up to her father’s home. She was stunned by the sight before her. She expected the lawn to be overgrown and unattended, but she didn’t expect the house to look so…abandoned.

  The old two-story home looked like something out of a horror movie. Evening was approaching and the large overgrown trees cast eerie shadows around it. There was no sign of life, and worse, it looked condemned.

  Mya climbed out of the Jeep and took cautious steps toward the place, careful to watch her steps.

  What happened?

  Nothing, that’s what.

  And it was her fault. In her haste to get away from the one place she had called home for fifteen years, she had not only abandoned Guy but also left behind her father and his memory. This had been their home since her mother had left Cedar Bend and moved back to England, giving her father complete custody. At six years old, Mya hadn’t quite understood what her mother’s ab
andonment had meant.

  Eventually, she had grown accustomed to not seeing her mother every day. Her father had made a life for them in this old house, and they had been happy. Mya had never wanted for anything, and her father made her feel loved and protected.

  Just as Guy did.

  In turn, she had let her father’s home turn into this—a gloomy, broken shell of its former self…

  Mya pushed the depressing thought aside and walked up the porch, the boards beneath her feet creaking loudly. Inside the house was in better condition, but not by much. There was a stale odor that hung in the air, and every step she took, the wood floors groaned.

  She mechanically flipped on the lights, but there was nothing.

  Of course.

  She didn’t know why she expected electricity. The house was uninhabitable, with absolutely no signs of life. Looking around her old home, Mya realized just how poor a job she had done in preserving her father’s legacy and his memory.

  Was that how Guy felt? That she had turned her back on their love, that she had forgotten and abandon him? Mya sighed. Maybe she had abandoned him, but she had never forgotten him.

  She could never do that.

  Making her way through each room on the first floor, Mya noted the peeling and cracked paint. She stopped at the foot of the stairs. Did she dare go up? The century-old home had always shown signs of its age before, and she couldn’t be sure what repairs were needed now.

  She needed to do something, though.

  This house had been in her father’s family since its construction, and it would have eventually become hers to pass down to her children. Yet she hadn’t given the place a second thought when she’d left for England.

  An overwhelming sense of guilt and loneliness came over her, and Mya rushed out of the ramshackle place. She couldn’t stay here. What was once a home wasn’t anymore. She wasn’t sure if it would ever be again.

  Mya climbed back into her car and sat there, uncertain of her next move. She could go to Guy, but after today, space was what they needed. Once he got used to her being back, she would get in touch with him again.