For the last several months, Neil had watched his brother bend over backward, paying penance for that one night. He felt for him, he really did, but there was nothing more Steven could do. It was over. The woman they both loved dearly wanted nothing to do with them. She had decided that it wasn’t right to date one and not the other, so she had informed Neil that she didn’t want to see either of them.
It was over.
Neil knew when he laid eyes on Ms. Hazel Anne Montgomery last fall she was the one for him. Like with all the women before her, he fell instantly in love. He was overjoyed that she accepted him. Her beautiful personality and flaming red hair was unlike anything he had ever known, and the more time he spent with her, the more he loved her.
Steven, on the other hand, took longer to come around. The two of them were oil and water. They never could agree on anything, and neither was happy unless they were aggravating the other. If it wasn’t for him, he was sure they wouldn’t have gotten as far as they did. Nevertheless, eventually, the two of them came to terms, and learned to talk and deal with each other. Oh, they still had their knock-down, drag-out fights. It was his job to play referee, although much to his consternation, but since last October, everything had changed.
All because Steven fucked up!
Though Steven swore repeatedly it wasn’t what it looked like, Hazel refused to believe him. In turn, that left the brothers in a difficult situation.
Growing up as the younger brother of the most popular kid in school, Neil had always lived in the shadows of his brother. Oh, he didn’t mind, never caring for all the attention. However, when Steven messed up, the fallout generally trickled down to affect him, and that was something he was getting real tired of.
Neil was tired of being punished for his brother’s mistakes.
Sighing, Neil placed his coffee cup in the sink, grabbed his hat and keys, and headed into town. He needed to talk to someone and figure out a way to move on.
Growing up in Treasure Cove, Neil Conner had lived a life most people could only dream about. Loved by two fathers and his mother, Neil was part of a community that devoted itself to free expression. Multiple couples and marriages were the norm around these parts, and along with the neighboring town Celestial, their little part of the earth was beyond his expectations. Since their ranch, the Double Deuce, bordered the town of Celestial, Neil had found himself more there than in Treasure Cove, where most of his family resided.
He liked being set apart from his other family members, and enjoyed the delights of the free spirits in Celestial. That and Celestial was just plum crazy. He knew that whenever he needed a break from his family or from his life on the ranch or his brother’s indiscretions, heading into Celestial would always cheer him up.
Plus, Miz Raven was there with her purple drinks.
Before he knew what he was doing, he found himself parking his truck in front of the Best Lay Hotel.
“What the hell?” he said, looking out the window of his truck at the brilliant, colorful lights shooting up into the stars. At first he thought he was seeing things, but then the strobe lights of red, blue, and green started back up again, and he knew he wasn’t hallucinating.
“Must be a carnival or something,” he said, muttering to himself, dismissing the festivities as he headed into the Best Lay Hotel. The name still made him smile. With the mood he had been in lately, smiling was an improvement.
There really were no words to describe what his eyes were seeing, and if he wasn’t actually there, he would never have believed it.
The small town of Celestial seemed to be on some sort of weird psychedelic trip as some members of the town were dancing and gyrating in the nude, while others were watching and cheering the nudists on. Bright tie-dyed banners, with “Helios and Love” written on them, were posted everywhere. However, it was the couple in the middle of a flower chain that raised his eyebrows. There, for all to see, was a young couple baring all that their mommas gave them, naked as the day they were born!
The music coming from the loud speakers was a trip to say the least. Nothing says free love like dancing nekkid to “Aquarius” by The 5th Dimension.
Grabbing his keys, he walked around some of the patrons of the town and headed into the hotel, but nothing could have prepared him for what he saw in there. “Holy shit.”
“Isn’t it groovy? I just get the best vibes in this place.”
“What the hell has Miz Raven done? I have entered the twilight zone,” he whispered as he surveyed the purple- and yellow-striped walls, with orange polka dots splattered here and there. And just for a splash of more color, the lime-green shag carpeting finished off the psychedelic explosion. The furniture was eclectic to say the least, with a variety of items that could be found at a local garage sale. The only item out of place in this monstrosity was the deer-antler chandelier, which held some sort of focal point right about the reception desk.
Shaking off his shock, he walked toward the woman with blue hair behind the desk.
“May the stars align for your inner peace.” She smiled brightly at him.
“Uh…yeah. Hey, Pandora, where’s Miz Raven?”
“Moon Goddess has been waiting on you, Neil. You know, it’s a good thing you showed up. Moon has been trying relentlessly to get those hornets off her back, but when they threatened her inner sanctuary, she knew the universe would understand. I mean seriously, not many people can patiently wait it out. Goodness knows Moon has the patience the Goddess gave a saint, but last week, those hornets went too far. Poor Moon has been in retrograde for days. You know what I mean?”
Neil just stared at the strange woman before him, wondering if she was all right. Expecting her head to shoot off into space any moment, Neil actually stepped back. He knew she was talking, but he had no idea what it all meant. Curious, she cocked her head to the side, waiting for him to respond.
Hmm…I know her wheel is turning, but damn, I think she killed the hamster!
“Pandora, could you repeat that in English?”
“I will take care of Mr. Conner, Pandora,” a soft, husky voice said behind him. Turning, Neil smiled.
* * * *
The sun beat down on him as he watched the herd slowly move across the open field. Sitting atop his horse, he smiled. This was what he was good at. This was where he felt most at home. He never could understand those who preferred fancy houses and fast cars, the hustle and bustle of city life, all the museums, and parties. This was where he became a man, wanted to get married, and raise his family. This land was in his veins, the dirt running through his blood, the very air in his lungs. This land was home, and at one time, he thought Hazel Montgomery would have been a nice addition to his home, but he had screwed it up.
Steven regretted many things in his life, and hurting Hazel was on the top of that list.
The only problem he was having now was that he couldn’t seem to let go of the anger that was flowing through him. He knew it was his entire fault, and his brother was upset with him. Hell, he was upset with himself, but damn it, he could only apologize so much.
He had never brought her out to the ranch. That was one of the things he regretted not doing. The one thing he was most proud of and he never showed her. Instead, he closed that part of his life off to her, never really talking about it. They had talked about other things, but mostly stuff about her. Though he didn’t understand half of it, he listened, and made snide comments, which generally got her angry.
He was good at doing that. It was also one of the things he had been working hard on trying to fix about himself. He had learned a lot from his time over at the Pleasure Cave, and what he did learn, he didn’t like. He was a jackass and self-absorbed, just like she said.
Sighing, he knew his time with her had come to an end. He was going to miss seeing her, talking with her, fighting with her, but most of all he was going to miss holding her hand.
He would always love Hazel, but he had finally come to terms that just because he loved s
omeone didn’t mean they were going to love him back. It hurt. Damn, it hurt like hell, but he was going to move on, and concentrate on what he could handle, and right now, the only thing he could handle was the ranch. That was, until the soft wind blew and he was surround by the smell of roses. Shaking his head, he knew it was impossible. Roses did not grow anywhere on his spread. Yet, the fragrant smell flowed freely around him. He couldn’t explain it, but something in his gut told him to try just one more time. Turning his horse, he headed south toward town. He wasn’t eager to have his balls handed to him, so he figured he would just ride in.
He knew the town was having its annual Founder’s Day parade. It was going to be packed, with people coming from all over. Taking his truck would only add to the congestion. Nope, he figured that if Hazel refused him again, he needed a quick getaway.
Looking at his watch, he knew if he hurried, he might be able to make it just in time to watch the mayor give his speech.
* * * *
The town of Treasure Cove was abuzz. For the last week, the citizens of Treasure Cove had been gearing up for the annual Founder’s Day Parade, and it was finally here. This was going to be her first town festival since moving to Treasure Cove, and she couldn’t wait.
She had been preparing for this day for weeks, making sure she had everything she was going to need to serve the patrons that were expected. She was told the Founder’s Day Parade boasted several thousand over a three-day period, in the rodeo and the carnival, and well, that was just a whole lot of people. This should have been an exciting time for her and her business. Instead of being happy and enjoying the festivities, Hazel Montgomery sat at her little kitchen table above her store, panicking.
Her day had started out just like all the others, boring.
The alarm woke her every morning at five, and like clockwork, she rolled over and hit the off button. Getting to her feet, she walked into the bathroom and immediately started running her shower. While the water was getting hot, she would walk into the kitchen and hit the on button on her coffee pot.
After showering and blow-drying her hair, she would quickly dress in jeans and a T-shirt, pull her hair back into a ponytail, and go grab her one and only cup of coffee she allowed herself. After a few moments of peace, she would grab her shoes and head down to her bakery, getting the dough ready for the day. Moreover, there she would stay until five in the evening. Come rain, sleet, snow, or blizzard, her bakery was open to anyone from the hours of nine in the morning until five in the afternoon, seven days a week. Nevertheless, today, instead of heading down to start her day, she sat staring at two men across from her, praying she wasn’t hearing them correctly.
Her life in Treasure Cove began just over two years ago. What her life was before that, nobody knew. She kept that part of herself a secret.
A very U.S. Marshal, “it’s a fucking secret or she could die” kind of secret.
Technically, there was one person from the town who knew, but he wasn’t going to say anything. She just couldn’t do it anymore. She hated running. She hated the dingy motels, the never knowing if that day was going to be her last. When she found his phone number in her mother’s belongings, she gave him a call. That was the best decision she ever made. He showed up the next morning and whisked her away. She wasn’t in hiding anymore. She wasn’t running. She was living. Living as best she could under the circumstances.
Except now, Agent Garrett Riley and Agent Zac Phelps sat before her looking like two pissed-off papa bears. Geez, it had been almost two years since she gave them the slip. She would have thought they would have gotten over it by now.
“God damn it, Jessica. Do you know what could have happened to you? If they found you before we did, you would be dead! Dead! There is no coming back from dead, Jessie. Once you’re dead, it’s over. It’s a dirt nap, forever. Lights out. Sayonara, baby, see ya later. Dig the grave, throw in the coffin, and plant some fucking flowers.”
“Geez, Zac, thanks for the descriptive outcome. I see you still have a way with words,” she said, rolling her eyes. “And it’s Hazel, not Jessica.”
“Yeah, we figured that out. You know, using your great aunt’s name was smart. In addition, you can tell Mr. Sexton that the U.S. Marshal’s Service will be contacting him soon about interfering with a federal investigation. His ass is going to jail,” Garrett informed her.
“Yeah, good luck with that,” she muttered, grinning.
“Get your things. You, sweetheart, are coming back to Miami with us,” Garrett firmly said, getting to his feet.
“No.” She was done running. She refused to go back to eating and sleeping in a different motel room every fucking night. She did that for far too long. She was done. After spending the last two years without looking over her shoulder, she started to relax. She wasn’t afraid to walk out her front door and have someone point a gun at her head. She was free to do as she pleased, and she would be damned if they were going to take her back to a place she tried desperately to forget about.
“You can’t say no, Jessie. Forbes made bail two weeks ago,” Zac informed her.
Hazel jumped to her feet. “You said he wouldn’t. You said the DA had enough evidence to keep him locked up until the trial. You said he was never getting out again!”
“Yeah, well, when all the witnesses turned up dead, and you disappeared, the judge granted bail.”
“Fuck!” she yelled, pacing her small apartment. “He could be anywhere by now.”
“He’s still in Miami. We have agents on him 24-7. Look, Jessie, it won’t be long before he finds you. You are the only witness left. If you don’t testify against him, he walks. We need to get you moved to a secure location.”
“I can’t leave! My life is here. This town is in the middle of nowhere. I am safe here. I have been for the last two years. Hell, it took you guys that long to find me, and you’re supposed to be the experts,” she quipped. There was no way they were going to talk her into leaving. She had worked too hard and gotten too far to turn back now.
She didn’t have time for this shit. Today was going to be a busy day for her. She needed to get the bakery open, and she needed time to think. Grabbing her keys, she walked out of her apartment, leaving the two fuming men behind her. She didn’t give a rat’s ass what they did. However, she knew one thing for damn sure. Protective service was strictly voluntary. Moreover, she wasn’t volunteering anymore. It was too late for that now. There was nothing they could do. She knew he would find her. He would come to Treasure Cove, and God help her when he found her, but this time, she would be ready. She wasn’t that simpleton he remembered anymore. She had changed. She had grown up, and she was an expert shot.
After sending off a quick text to Gabriel, she began her day of work.
She would have to figure out what to do about the Marshals later. Right now, she had a business to open up and a festival to prepare for. She didn’t have the time to freak out and panic.
That would come later tonight.
* * * *
The festival was in full swing as the townsfolk and guests waited eagerly for the opening ceremony. Hazel bustled around, filling orders and talking with members of the community. The weather was gorgeous, and excitement filled the air.
Her booth, which was set right outside the front doors of her little bakery, Sweet Treasures, had a line of eager children wanting something sweet and sticky to add to the massive amounts of sugar they had already consumed. With parents following, she smiled, handing out the large chocolate chip cookies she had prepared the day before. However, it was her famous sticky buns that had the biggest impact. Running back and forth to her oven, she was forced to hire some help the week prior to keep up with the demands.
Of course, looking at the help as her purple hair blew in the soft breeze, Hazel wasn’t so sure that the woman was all there. Oh, she liked the young, colorful woman. Hazel attracted more customers in the last hour than she had in the last month. She could handle the constant talking of chak
ras, cleansings, and updates from the universe, but when Pandora started meditating in the middle of a rush, insisting that her inner core bubble was on overload, well, Hazel was about to pop her purple bubble permanently.
“Pandora, we’re out of buns!” Hazel shouted, trying to get the flighty woman’s attention, but when Pandora just sat there in front of the booth, attracting attention for her wailing and cymbal clanking, Hazel just huffed and tried to ignore the woman. She was grateful for Pandora’s help, especially when she waited until the last minute to find someone. Figuring beggars couldn’t be choosers, Hazel sucked it up and went to get the sticky buns herself.
She was coming out of the kitchen with a full tray when the door opened and in walked one of the prettiest men she had ever seen. Now, Hazel knew men didn’t like being called pretty, but damn, this man could actually make some women green with envy. He still had that innate ability to make her knees go weak, her heart speed up, and every brain cell in her body evaporate. The only problem was, he was also the same man who called her a fucking tease.
After that night, she hadn’t seen Steven at all. It was as if he vanished. She knew he still came to town, but their paths never crossed. It was like one minute he was in her life, and the next he never existed. He looked good—different, harsher—but good.
By the looks of him, he had taken to working out, a lot. His typical shaggy caramel locks fell to his shoulders in waves. He stood above six foot three, she would guess, but it was his bulging muscles and dark black tattoos that made him look devastatingly handsome.
When did he get those?
His generally clean-shaven face was now covered with a trimmed goatee. The black T-shirt he wore only accentuated his prominence within the small space. With dark denim jeans and construction boots, he looked more dangerous than she remembered, but when he smiled at her, that did it. Her knees went weak, and her pussy quivered. Heat flushed her face, and she wouldn’t be surprised if her cheeks were as bright as her red hair.
Fighting for Hazel [The Men of Treasure Cove 8] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 3