by Wendy Smith
6
Corey
I held her in my arms.
I’m not sure how to feel since I only just met her, but there’s an unmistakable spark between Constance and me.
I kissed her on the forehead.
I felt her silky-soft hair.
My brain won’t turn off.
I stare at the ceiling with my mind on the woman in the room next door. All I want is to protect her. I’ll be damned if Ash Harris ever has his hands on her again.
For the first time in my life, I’m truly stumped over what to do.
My path has been clear since I became an adult. I have a job I love, my own property, and I can just be myself. I can’t imagine what it’s like for those women next door who have their husbands selected for them. I can’t imagine not being able to choose a woman for myself.
The only time I’ve ever thought about settling down was when I invited Lily and Max to live with me. I’ve had women in my life, but I can take or leave sex. I’m not usually one for one-night stands, but I’m also not one for a long-term relationship.
It’s been months since I was last with a woman. Or was nearly with a woman.
The memory still makes me laugh.
This gorgeous, leggy blonde threw herself at me during Drew’s wedding. I wasn’t about to say no to that. But right when I thought I might score, she fell asleep. That motel couch is the most uncomfortable thing I think I’ve ever slept on.
We didn’t keep in touch.
When I was a kid, I ran with the wrong crowd. And I’m so glad that I did because that led me to the life I have now. The life I love.
And now, Constance.
I roll over. She’s not here permanently. She needs to get back on her feet and work out where she fits in this world.
And I need to tell Graham the truth. If she didn’t look at me with so much fear over what was going to happen, I would have told him she was with me.
Maybe she just needs a little time.
All I know is that I need to protect her.
I get up in the morning to what looks like a different house.
It’s usually clean because I don’t have a huge amount of stuff. I like living pretty basic. But today my living room is spotless.
I’ve clearly slept through the vacuuming, and where the living room carpet meets the dining room, the polished wooden floor is freshly mopped. I washed the dishes last night and stacked them to dry, but the benches are clear of them.
Constance sits at the table, the aroma of her coffee reaching me. She looks up and smiles. “Morning.”
“You had an early start.”
She nods. “I didn’t sleep that well. It’ll take a while to get used to being somewhere else.”
“With a bed that’s not that comfy.”
Shrugging, she takes a sip of coffee. “I can live with it. Sorry for being cranky last night. The last couple of days have been really tiring.”
“I bet. I’ll grab a coffee and join you.”
As the jug boils, I close my eyes. I could get used to this. While I don’t expect her to do anything, it’s sweet that she’s done so much.
“I wasn’t sure where everything went, but I think I worked it out.” Her voice shakes me out of my thoughts, and I turn and smile at her.
“It doesn’t matter. Wherever you’ve put things is probably better than my efforts.”
She laughs. “I just hope you can find it all.”
“I’m sure I’ll be fine.” Wherever she’s put things it’s probably better than my haphazard system of sticking things in the cupboard where there’s a space.
Presuming she stays, I can always ask her.
Although, after the way she reacted when I was dismissive of that cult, maybe she doesn’t want to stick around. Maybe staying with me is at the bottom of her list.
I mix the coffee with hot water. Giving it a quick stir, I head to the table. “I think I need to tell you why I feel the way I do about next door.”
She nods.
Sitting opposite her, I take a sip of coffee and sigh. “Ash tried to hurt someone I care about. My sister-in-law, Hayley.”
Her eyes widen. “I’m so sorry.”
“He didn’t get away with it thanks to some help she got within his little group, but I’m doing what I can to bring him down.”
Her face is so full of emotion, but I am betting that’s for her parents and not for Ash.
“When I was growing up, it was just a group of people who wanted to get away from the stresses of life. People came and went, and things were good.” She sighs. “Things started going downhill not long before Ash’s father died. He was sick, and my parents and I talked about leaving at that point. We should have, but we had nowhere to go.”
I nod. “I understand that. It must be a big change being here.”
“It is, and I haven’t even left your house yet.”
Taking a sip of coffee, I smile at her. “We’ll have to fix that.”
The colour drains from her face. “Do we have to? Can’t I just stay here for a little while?”
“Of course.” I nod. “I’m not expecting miracles. You have to feel ready.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re not under Ash’s control anymore. You can do what you want.”
Her expression is so distant, but a smile slowly crosses her lips. “I like that.”
A few seconds pass and we sip our coffee in silence.
“Let me guess: you’re going to read today.”
“I should work out what to do next. There was no real time to think things out before I left, and I was told that someone would take care of me.”
I grin. “I don’t think they were talking about me, but I still think that you need to take a few days at least to get steady and decide your next move.”
She laughs. “So far my next move has been cleaning the house.”
I chuckle. “It looks good. I might just have to keep you on.”
“I’d like that.” Her eyes widen as if she’s just realised what she’s said. “I mean, thank you for giving me somewhere to stay.”
“You’re welcome. Treat my house like it’s yours.” I lean over. “Besides, it’ll be good to have someone take care of the place while I’m working.”
“You have to work. Of course you do.” Her tone is almost disappointed.
I nod. “I have my own business doing pest control. Of the possum, deer, and stoat variety.”
Constance frowns. “We had someone who used to do that for us occasionally. We went through a period of chicken eggs being stolen.”
“That’s what I take care of.” I take a deep breath. “Unfortunately, it usually means I’m away at night.”
Fear crosses her face, but she sits up straight. “I can handle that.”
“I know you can. You’re braver than most. And if you feel uncomfortable, I’ve got brothers in town and I’m sure you could stay with one of them.”
She smiles, and I’m hit once again with just how pretty she is.
I’m going to enjoy having her around.
7
Constance
I’ve been inside for the past week.
“Want to go for a walk?” Corey extends his hand.
Corey’s offered to take me to his brother’s place, to meet his sister-in-law and get me some clothes. But the threat of Ash has kept me from leaving the house.
Corey makes me feel safe, but fear has kept me on edge.
I don’t know what I would have done without him. He’s always with me, surrounding me with that calming manner that helps soothe my soul.
“Where?”
“Out the back door.”
I stare at him. “But that’s—”
“We’ll stay away from the spot where I found you. I have something to show you.”
I take his hand, using the leverage to pull myself to my feet.
For a moment, my feet won’t move, but I nod and go to the back door to get my boots.
/> “Here you are.” Corey dangles my socks in front of me.
“I didn’t even notice they were missing.”
He laughs. “I washed them the night I washed your dress. You left them on the bathroom floor.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Cinderella. Get your shoes on.”
I grin as he pulls his own boots on and opens the back door.
The sunshine hits me before I step out into it. It’s so warm on my skin, and I close my eyes and bathe in it for a moment. “This is nice.”
“Told you.” He laughs. “I bet it’s good to get some fresh air.”
“It is. Thank you.”
Corey shakes his head. “No need. You just needed a little push. Now, come with me.”
I follow him through his back yard—not that it’s really a yard. There’s a cleared spot behind his house before it goes straight into bush. Trees and ferns are everywhere, and it looks tamed in parts, unkempt in others.
Right before we hit the bush, I pause. There’s a small pile of stones with a wooden cross on it, not dissimilar to the graveyard we have in the community.
“What’s this?”
Corey frowns. “I used to have a dog.”
“What happened?” I place my hand on his arm.
“He came hunting with me. And one day some, useless arsewipe in the wrong place mistook him for a pig.”
My mouth falls open. “Oh, Corey.”
“I brought him home to bury. I haven’t had a dog since. I can’t risk it.”
I nod. “I can understand that.”
He pauses for a moment and looks at the small cross in the ground. The pain is written all over his face. The death of his dog hurt him very deeply.
“What was his name?”
“Brutus.” He gives me a wry smile. “I thought it was appropriate for a hunting dog.”
I nod. “Very.” Slipping my hand in his, I give it a squeeze.
“His grave needs cleaning up. The weeds go nuts when it rains.”
“I’ll help take care of it.” I rest my head on his shoulder. “It’s the least I can do. Do you have any other animals?”
He shakes his head. “There’s never been any point. I’m here most of the time, but sometimes I go away for days. My family might pitch in and help, but I’d rather not rely on them. They have enough of their own crap to deal with.”
“I could do it.” I smile.
I close my eyes when Corey kisses me on the top of my head. “So, you’re sticking around for a while.”
“If you’ll let me.”
He squeezes my hand, mimicking my action. “I’ll let you.”
I look up at him. “Well, I do have all those books to read.”
A contented smile spreads across his face. “I guess you do. And you know I can always find more.”
I place my hand on my heart. “Why, Corey Campbell, anyone would think you wanted to keep me here.”
He chuckles. “Maybe I do.”
We walk for about ten minutes before he points into the distance. “This is what I want to show you.”
I hear the water before I see it. There’s a creek running through his property. Either side is lined by ferns, but there are gaps where you can reach the water.
“Just be careful down here. It’s slippery after the rain.” He holds out his hand, and I reach for him.
My feet slide out from underneath me. Pain shoots up my leg as I hit the ground.
“Constance,” he cries out.
In an instant, he’s beside me. “Are you okay?”
Taking a deep breath, I nod. “I think I twisted my ankle, but it’s my pride that hurts the most.” I widen my eyes as he bends, scooping me into his arms. “I’m covered in mud.”
“I don’t care. We need to get you back home and get that ankle seen to.”
He cradles me in his arms, and I laugh into his neck as we move closer to the house.
“What’s so funny?”
“I’m outside for, what? Ten minutes? And here you are carrying me back inside again.”
His laughter sends shivers through me. Being in his arms is so intimate, and I hate the thought that in a few moments, he won’t be carrying me.
Corey’s boots leave muddy footprints across the polished wooden kitchen floor.
“I just mopped that floor this morning.” I sigh.
“Tough. I’ll sort it out later.” He lowers me gently onto the couch.
“Corey, the couch.”
“The couch can be wiped clean. Your foot needs to be elevated.” He unlaces my boots and pulls them from my feet.
“Wait here, and I’ll get something cold from the freezer to ice it.”
“I’m not exactly going anywhere.” I grump because it hurts, but when Corey returns, he’s got a smile on his face.
“No, and you won’t be for a while.” He lays a tea towel over my ankle and places a bag of frozen peas on it.
“I’ll get you a drink. Want me to turn the TV on?”
The back of the long, checked shirt I’m wearing and my legs are still wet from the mud, and he just doesn’t care. I guess he’s right. It’ll all wash out. It’s not comfortable, but the ache of my ankle overrides my discomfort. “Uhh, sure.”
“I’ll make some coffee. Want anything else?”
I run my gaze from his feet up to his face. His expression is so open and caring. It’s confusing. Maybe because the only people who ever cared for me in this way were my parents.
Shaking my head, I look back down. “Thank you.”
“I should have known better than to go down there after it’d been raining.” He sighs. “And you’re not familiar with the area.”
“No. I should have been more careful. You did warn me.”
For a moment, he just stands there. There’s sorrow in his eyes, and I just want to laugh and tell him it’ll be okay. But I also don’t want to make him feel worse than he clearly already is. “Corey?”
He smiles. “I’ll go and get that coffee.”
I lie back and sigh. For just a little while, the sun and fresh air were so good to feel and breathe again. It just reinforces how much I love living on this mountain. Even if I’m not home anymore.
I wonder how Mum and Dad are doing.
That thought pains me. Ash will know I’m gone.
“Are you okay?” Corey asks, placing a cup on the coffee table.
I shrug. “Just thinking about home.”
He sits on one of the chairs. “I hope you’re not thinking about going back.”
“No. Not at all. But there are people still in there who I love. It worries me.”
He nods. “I’m sure it does. The police will get to the bottom of it. Sure, sometimes I think they couldn’t find their arse with both hands, but I’m sure the detectives are better than that.”
I laugh. “That’s a terrible expression.”
“In my opinion, Ash Harris should be a distant memory by now. But then, what would I know?”
“I think you know a lot about a lot of things.”
His gaze catches mine when I look up, and I blush at the intensity of it. There are times when I catch him looking at me when he thinks I’m not aware of it. But then, I do the same to him.
Those awkward silences don’t last long. But we seem to be circling each other, as if waiting for something to happen.
“You know a lot, considering your limited exposure to the world.” He stretches out. “And you won’t get more exposure if you’re stuck inside with your ankle for a couple of days. Don’t you dare think about vacuuming or tidying or any of that other stuff you’ve been doing either.”
“Yes, boss.”
He grins. “Maybe that’s the way you should respond to everything.”
I laugh, picking up a cushion and throwing it at his head.
“You cult girls. So violent.”
“Oh, shut up.” I laugh again.
He stands and makes his way to the couch. I shuffle ov
er so he can sit next to me. “I just want you to know if I tease you, I’m not trying to be mean. I prefer you smiling and laughing to being grumpy at me.”
“I know. I’m so glad I’m here.”
“You are?”
“I can’t imagine that I’d have so much fun anywhere else. Where else can I injure myself the first time I step out the door?” I grin at him. It’s nice. I feel so relaxed and safe here. Even outside the house.
He looks down at my ankle. “I don’t know if I’d call that fun.”
“You know what I mean. I have a seemingly unlimited supply of books. That’s pretty much all I need. Oh, and then there’s the television.”
Corey shakes his head. “You’ll never leave the house again, then.”
“Probably not.”
He scans my expression, a fond smile on his face as he rests his hand on my cheek. Just like he did the second night I was here, he runs this thumb along my cheekbone. “That’s fine with me.”
I want to close my eyes and revel in his touch, but it’s too much.
“I need a shower. This dried mud is driving me crazy.”
He leans back as I push myself up into a seated position, then moves out of the way so I can stand.
“Want some help getting in the shower?” he asks. His mouths cracks into a smile as I stare wide-eyed. “I didn’t mean … well, okay, I didn’t think that out before I said it.” He laughs.
I roll my eyes. “I think I’ll be fine.”
“Yell out if you need anything.”
I nod. “What I really need is to get all this mud off me. I’m sure I’ll feel better once I’m clean.”
“I’ll sort out the couch. Make it habitable for when you come back out.”
“Thank you.”
His expression softens. “What for? It’s my fault this happened.”
“No, you’re only looking out for me. You were right to talk me into going outside. I needed the sunshine more than I realised.”
His lips twitch. “So, I’m not doing too bad a job after all?”
“What job?”
“Taking care of you. Thought I blew it this afternoon.”
Laughing, I shake my head. “No, you’re doing a pretty decent job.”