Back to my Roots (Montana Roots Book 1)

by Tessa Elaine

  “Sure, you are dear, well if you need anything don't hesitate to ask.”

  “Thank you.”

  I go into the room I have rented and fall onto the queen size bed. I'm exhausted from the drive, and the trip down memory lane. Maybe a hot shower and a nap will make me feel more like myself again. Then I'll grab some dinner and work on a plan for my meeting with Mr. Breck.

  When I wake up from my nap I almost forget where I am. It finally dawns on me and I roll over to look at the clock. Holy shit! Is it nine o'clock already. I didn't mean to sleep that long. I really don't want to get up but I'm so hungry my stomach is trying to eat itself. I get up and put on some jeans, my hoodie, and my sneakers, then put my hair in a messy bun. I thought about going to the local diner but I could really use a beer. Looks like the only place in town is Mac's Bar.

  When I pull up to the bar it doesn't look to be that busy and I'm thankful. I'm not ready to run into old friends and I'm really not ready to see Lucas. I walk in the door and everyone looks up, there are only ten or so people in here. Two older men sit at the end of the bar, a small group occupy the table in the corner, and there are four guys in the back playing pool. Old man Mac still runs the bar and only has one waitress.

  The place is a little hole in the wall, but it's the only bar in town. This is the first time I've been in here, I was too young to come here before. The bar is along the left wall with the kitchen behind it, there are a few tables and chairs in the center, also a couple booths to the right of me, and in the back of the bar are a couple pool tables. Country music plays from the jukebox by the door. This is nothing like the bars in Seattle with their loud music, and so crammed full of people you can't move without running into someone. I walk up and take a stool at the bar, and Mac walks my way.

  “What can I get for you?”

  “Could I get a burger and fries with a beer, please?” If he recognizes me he doesn't say and I'm grateful. This town is so small everybody knows everybody.

  “Sure thing.” He walks back to place my order then brings me my beer. I tell him thank you and down half of it. I need to chill out but ever since I left for this trip I have been wound tight. It's like coming back here has me on edge, I'm just waiting on the next panic attack. I'm already on my second beer when my food arrives. I start to dig in when the front door opens and I hear a familiar voice. Lucas's best friend Wyatt is here with two girls, I'm sure I went to school with one of them. I know wherever Wyatt is, Lucas is not far behind.

  I try to finish my beer and get out of here before they see me. Damn, I should have just gone to the diner and got something to go. As I'm paying my tab and leaving a tip I feel someone walk up beside me. I look up and it's none other than Amber Towel. She was a grade ahead of me but she still managed to make my life a living hell. She was one of those girls that got whatever she wanted, captain of the cheerleading squad, prom queen and Lucas. I used to hate when I would be hanging out with Sarah and her brother, and Amber would show up and hang all over Lucas. Throwing me evil smiles and dirty looks behind everyone's back.

  She knew I had a crush on Lucas, I mean who didn't. When she finally looks over at me she does a double take and I see the recognition cross her face.

  “Elena Brighton, as I live and breathe. I didn't think you would ever show your face here again.” Great, this is just what I need, the queen bitch. I signal Mac for another beer, I'm going to need it. After I take a long drink I finally acknowledge her.

  “Amber.” She's looking at me with that evil smile I remember all too well.

  “So, what brings you back to our little town?” Not that it's any of her business what brought me back.

  “Just here for business,” I answer. She seems to be wondering what kind of business I could have in Eureka.

  “Is this about your parent’s ranch?” Amber asks. I forgot how much her voice grates my nerves.

  “Yes, it's about my ranch,” I say in a not so nice tone, maybe she will get the hint and move on. I don't think I can get that lucky.

  “Well whatever business you have here, hopefully it won't keep you here long.” There's the bitch I remember. I really should just get up and walk away, but for some reason I want to piss her off.

  “I was actually thinking of staying a few weeks” That's a lie but what she doesn't know won't hurt. “I could use a vacation so why not just stay here.” She looks like she might have an aneurysm, and that just makes my night a little better.

  “If I were you, I would be ashamed to show my face around here.” With that little comment my face falls and the guilt comes back. “After you just took off without so much as a goodbye.”

  “Why do you care?” I figured she would have been happy when I left.

  “Oh, I didn't. But poor Sarah's heart was broke when her so called best friend took off. Lucas was so pissed for what you put his sister through.” I don't have anything to say, I just put down my beer and get up to leave.

  “There you go Elena, run from your problems like you always do.” I spin around to give her a piece of mind, she has no idea what she's talking about. She's just running off at the mouth. She hasn't changed one bit. But as I start to tell her to fuck off, I hear a familiar voice and at the same time not so familiar, it’s much deeper and harder.

  “Amber, enough.” Shit, he's here, I put my head in my hands and hear Amber sigh.

  “I'm sorry baby, I just hate how much she hurt your sister.” Baby? Did she just call him baby? I hear a growl from behind me, did Lucas just growl?

  That noise sends a shiver down my spine and makes my stomach warm. Maybe it's just the beer, but he sounds pissed. I'm scared to turn around and see him. I was hoping to avoid this. My hands start to sweat and my head is spinning. Please don't have a panic attack in front of all these people. Especially in front of Lucas and Amber.

  She walks past me and I finally turn around to see her arms wrapped around his waist. I feel a pang of anger or jealousy. I don't have time to think about it, I just need to get out of here. To my relief Lucas pulls her off of him and holds her at arm's length, but he doesn't take his eyes off me.

  “Amber, go sit down,” Lucas says in a hard tone and she stomps off like a two-year-old.

  We just stand there staring at each other not knowing what to say. His eyes have me in a trance, I can't look away. He has always had the most beautiful green eyes I have ever seen. He looks amazing. I don't know if amazing is a good enough description. He is panty melting HOT. He's a little taller than I remember, and a lot more muscular. He definitely filled out, I mean he was big when we were kids but now he's really big. His blond hair is shaved on the sides and long on top, he's wearing a black shirt that hugs his muscles just right.

  He's in dark jeans that hang off him perfectly, and of course his cowboy boots. The first word that comes to mind is yum... I look him up and down and lick my lips unconsciously, I didn't realize I had done it until Lucas gets that smirk on his face. I shake my head to get rid of the thoughts and get back to reality.

  “I was just leaving,” I say as I rush by him, practically running out of the bar. I feel a hand grab my elbow as I step out the door, and spin around.

  “Elena wait,” Lucas says, but he doesn't let go of my arm. His hand feels so nice, strong and warm, calloused from hard work. I hate to look up at his face but I don't have a choice, he has to be at least six four. When I finally meet his eyes, I'm shocked by the pain I see in them, but just as fast as it is there it’s gone. He lets go of my elbow and crosses his arms, now I'm looking at his bicep. I can't help it, when he stands like this they look so much bigger. I just want to reach out and rub my hands over them. I bet those arms would feel amazing wrapped around my body. I push that thought to the back of my head and look back up at his face. What a handsome face, straight nose, strong jaw with a little stubble that says he hasn't shaved in a few days. Damn him, that smirk is back like he knows what I'm thinking.

  “What Lucas?” I don't know why I say it like that
but when it comes out it does not sound nice. His eyebrows go up and a piece of blond hair falls in his face. I want to reach up and push it out of his eyes but that would be a bad idea.

  “What Lucas? That's all you have to say after seven years.” He does not look happy.

  “You're the one who stopped me, I was leaving.” I don't know what he wants from me.

  “Yeah, I see that. I wanted to say sorry about Amber.” Great, now he's apologizing.

  “You don't owe me an apology, Amber was just being Amber.” He looks down like he's not sure what else to say.

  “Look Lucas, I should go so you can get back to your girlfriend.” I didn't see a ring so I don't think they are married. He doesn't say anything he just nods. I turn around to leave and start to walk back to my car, I stop for just a second and look over my shoulder to see that same pain in his eyes. That can't be over me.

  “It was good to see you Lucas.” I open my car door and climb in before he can say anything else. I back out of the parking lot as fast as I can while he just stands there with his hands in his pocket staring at me. I'll head back to the B&B and try and get some sleep.

  Chapter 5

  Lucas

  Holy shit! She's really back, I couldn't believe my eyes when I walked into the bar. Of course, Amber was putting her nose where it didn't belong, what's new. Elena looks even more beautiful than I remember. She still has long brown hair with her natural red highlights, mesmerizing brown eyes, with the perfect heart shaped face. She has grown curvier in the last seven years since I’ve seen her. She's all women now, even under the sweater and jeans, I could see her full breast and round ass. She has the perfect hourglass figure. As soon as she pulled away I went back into the bar to tell Wyatt I was heading home.

  I thought he would have put up more of a fight seeing as I just got there, but he just gave me an understanding wave. Wyatt is one a the few people who knew about my feelings for Elena and how much it hurt when she left. When I was trying to leave the bar, Amber wrapped herself around me and begged me not to go.

  “Come on Lucas baby have a shot with me, live a little.” I might need to “live a little” as she put it, but the last thing I wanted to do was get drunk with Amber. Her voice drives me nuts and I wouldn't have agreed to come out tonight if Wyatt wasn't trying to hook up with Amber's friend.

  “No Amber, I think I'm going to call it a night, long day tomorrow.” She stomps her foot and pouts like a toddler, not cute at all.

  “This is because of Elena, isn't it?” She huffs, wow jealous much? Elena has been gone for seven years and Amber still has a problem with her.

  “Amber I'm not having this discussion, have a good night.” I walk out the door and head to my truck, I feel a pang of guilt for letting Elena think that Amber was my girlfriend. Maybe I wanted her to see what she lost. That I wasn't sitting in this small-town pining over her. Yeah right asshole, I think to myself.

  I drive by the ranch on my way home and I don't see her car anywhere. I wonder where she is staying, and if she made it there safe. I don't know how much she had to drink before I got there, I only saw her down the one beer. Watching her wrap her full lips around the mouth of that bottle and tilting it up to swallow the rest of it had me instantly wishing it was my dick she was swallowing down like that. I'm getting hard just thinking about it.

  I can't go home until I know she has made it somewhere safe. I turn around and head back to town, there's only one place she could be staying and that's the Victorian Inn. It's the B&B at the end of the main road in town. When I finally pull up to the Inn I see her car parked out front and I let out a sigh of relief. Maybe now I can go home and get some sleep, I doubt it but it’s worth a shot. I head back out to my house with thoughts of Elena's beautiful face in my head. I keep thinking about our first kiss, her full lips and soft skin. The little moans she would let slip when I would nibble on her bottom lip. It's going to be a long night.

  I get back to my place and head straight for the shower, maybe this will loosen me up enough to fall asleep. When I step under the hot water to try to relax, I'm still wound tight from seeing Elena again. I wash my hair and move my hands down my body with the soap. At first, I'm just washing up, but then the more I think of Elena the more aroused I get. When I reach my cock I’m almost fully erect, so I pull a long stroke from the base of my dick to the crown. It feels so damn good while I stand here and picture her in the shower with me. Long wet hair plastered to her body, beautiful legs wrapped around my waist while I bury myself inside her.

  I think about kissing her and sucking on her neck as I move down to her tits, while she says my name over and over. I think about how wet and tight she would be when she cums all over my cock, gasping for air. I would swallow every moan with a possessive kiss. I feel my balls draw up tight my legs lock and I cum all over my hand and the shower wall. It feels good but I know Elena would feel so much better.

  I finish my shower, shut the water off and grab a towel. I wrap it around my waist and walk to my room. When I finally climb in bed I start to think about our first and only date we ever went on, it was also our first and only time having sex. Elena never knew this but she wasn't the only virgin that night. I know all the girls at school use to tell stories of me and them in the back of my truck, but that's all they were, stories. Elena Brighton was my first and I was hers, I had planned for us to be each other's last until shit hit the fan.

  I'm not mad at her anymore, I'm just hurt. I wish I meant more to her, maybe she would have stayed and let me help her through it all, let me be the one to pick up the pieces. I start to think about what brought her back here and I'm having a hard time with it. Elena loved that ranch, she would go on for hours about running it one day. All the things she would change or add to it. She lived and breathed that ranch and I admired her dedication and hard work. She never backed down from anything, and always met a challenge head on.

  I think that is why I'm having a hard time believing she would sell something so important to her. Especially to a sniveling weasel like Sebastian Breck. I really want to ask her about it, how much she knows about him and his intentions. The guy has no moral compass, I don't know a single person that has a nice thing to say about him. I did my research when he came sniffing around my parent’s property, now there isn't as much as the Brighton Ranch but it's enough.

  When dad told him he wouldn't sell, Sebastian Breck started making all kinds of threats. Dad didn't take to kindly to someone threatening his home, so he called in a few favors. What he found out was enough to make me run him off mine and my folk’s properties.

  With Elena on my mind I fall asleep and hope tomorrow is a better day.

  When I get up the next morning it takes all of my will power not to drive to the Inn and see Elena, she didn't come back for me. I just need to keep my distance. I'll call Wyatt and see if he wants to go fishing. The phone rings four times before he answers. When he finally picks up I can tell he's still in bed.

  “Rough night?” I ask, he just sighs and grunts incoherently.

  “Not really, after your hasty retreat last night the girls bounced.” Now I feel kinda bad, but I don't think it would have been better if I stayed.

  “I'm sorry man, I know how hard you have been chasing Casandra.” He just laughs it off.

  “It's all good man. I know seeing Elena again had to have been a shock, and I'm not worried about Amber and her friend. Cassandra was just to pass the time.” I wonder what he means by “pass the time,” time for what? Well at least he's not pissed at me. It was a shock to see Elena. I mean I knew she was coming back to town, I just don't think I was prepared for all the feelings I buried so long ago to come back.

  “Thanks man, it was crazy to see her again. I'm not sure what to do about it, do I act like nothing happened or do I confront her on what went down?” I know I can ask Wyatt, he won’t bullshit me.

  “Well man, she looked a little lost last night. Maybe being back here and selling the ranch is hard for he
r. Maybe just try to be her friend again, and if it comes up then tell her what's on your mind.”

  He's right, she did seem out of it last night, like she was lost in her own head. I just don't know if I can be her friend again. I feel way to deeply for her, feelings a friend should not have. I know I've said I'm over her but after seeing her last night I know that's not true.

  “Maybe I should just let her do what she came back here to do and let her go back to wherever it is she lives.” Yea that sounds like the safest plan to me.

  “So, you're just going to let her sell the ranch to that dick bag?” Well shit, no. I want to warn her about Breck but what would she care? She probably wants to sell and run as fast as she can.

  “No, but Breck is her problem not mine.” God, I'm an asshole.

  “No, Breck is this whole town's problem. If he buys her ranch then we are all stuck with the fucker.”

  Damn it! Why did he have to come to our town? Just to build a high-priced resort he could build anywhere. We don't need it; this town is fine the way it is.

  “Yeah, I guess you're right, maybe I can get Sarah to talk to her about it.” Wyatt starts to laugh, I don't think any of this is funny.

  “Sarah is more likely to run her out of town, I don't think she has forgiven Elena for the way things went down.” I have no idea what to do now. Do I go find her and try to talk to her? Last night she didn't seem too happy to see me. But Sarah would probably go off if she did talk to Elena, and none of it would be about Breck or the ranch. My phone beeps and I look to see who it is. Great speak of the devil.

  “Hey man, that's Sarah on the other line, let me call you back.”

  “Sounds good, tell her I said hello.”

  I switch over to Sarah.

  “Hello”

  “Lucas, please tell me you are not dating Amber.” Great, I know where she got that from.