Contents
Cover Credit
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
About This Book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Epilogue
From The Author
About The Author
Cover Credit
Christopher Coyle
darkandstormyknight.com
Thank you for adorning my words so beautifully.
Your talent knows no bounds!
Sandra R Neeley
P. O. Box 1464
Hammond, LA 70404
[email protected]
71,299 words.
WINGS
by Sandra R Neeley
Copyright © 2019 SANDRA R NEELEY
All rights reserved.
Thank you for purchasing and/or downloading this book. It is the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied and/or distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes without express written permission from the author.
Your support and respect for the property of this author is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales, is purely coincidental. The characters are creations of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademarked ownership of all trademarks and word marks mentioned in this book.
For all those who always felt a bit different because they were not the “norm.”
Normal is not always a good thing. Embrace the difference that is you.
About This Book
Rufus Jamisey Claremont, Jaime for short, is the brooding image of a man most women dream of. He’s never known anything other than being alone. Deserted as a child, he’s always felt not even good enough to give away, just thrown away. Raised by his aunt, he’s struggled to keep himself on the right path. That path being one that would keep him far and away from an ancient family prophecy that speaks of fire and flame. And he’s done a pretty good job of it — until now. Now, after all these years, a girl with flaming red hair, a scathing dose of sarcasm, and a body that calls to him on a cellular level comes sauntering into town. Despite his undeniable attraction to her, Jaime just wants her to leave. The wildlife in his hometown is more than a fable, and it can make people disappear. It’s better for all concerned if she just goes.
Ruby Anastasia Parker has only a few months to complete her dissertation and turn it in, then she’s done with grad school and on to the next adventure. She fears nothing and no one. She’s come to a small town in the middle of nowhere to research the local fables and wildlife. She’s alone, and prefers to keep it that way. Her parents managed to keep their distance from her entire life — as a result she’s developed a fear of commitment and setting down roots of any kind. She lives her life out of her suitcase. She spies a tanned, dark-curly haired, muscled up mechanic at the auto repair shop on the outskirts of town. If she’s lucky, she’ll get to spend a night or two with more than one type of local wildlife before she’s on her way again.
For years there’s been a rumor of huge, human-sized bats that nest in the hills of Calabasas, New Mexico. Ruby’s on a mission to find out if they exist. If she’s right, and she can find them, she’ll be famous, able to pick her new assignment anywhere in the world.
Jaime, on the other hand, is desperate to protect the infuriating, red-headed, spitfire from both herself, and the bats she’s convinced herself exist. If they find her, and recognize her for what truly she is — she may never be seen again. And losing her is something Jaime’s found to his dismay, he just can’t live with.
Warning: Intended for mature audiences. This book contains explicit love scenes, some violence, and possibly some abuse both real and implied that may be disturbing for some readers. If you are offended by these subjects, please do not buy this book.
Chapter 1
Rufus Jamisey Claremont, Jaime for short, lifted his head and glanced around the raised dusty hood of the car he was repairing. He wiped the back of his forearm across his brow, swiping both his dark wavy hair and the sweat that streamed down his forehead out of his way. He happened to see a feminine hand lift in a wave through the open sunroof as the tan colored Jeep Cherokee sped past his mechanic shop on its way toward town. Tourist… he thought. He hated tourists. Thankfully, being this far out and in the middle of nowhere, they usually didn’t get many. Only the very dedicated spelunkers or bat lovers ever even bothered to come this far out. Even then after a few days of unsuccessfully attempting to find the caves rumored to be hidden within spitting distance of their very tiny, very private, very unfriendly little town, they gave up and went on their way. Just a matter of time until this one followed suit. He wiped his brow again, managing to smear more black grease across his face than clear it of sweat, and went back to the engine in front of him.
Ruby Anastasia Parker spied the gorgeous mechanic leaning into the engine of the car he was working on as she raced past the outskirts of Calabasas, New Mexico. Well, in all honesty, just as she topped the hill on the lonely two lane highway, she saw the only building within eyesight, and spied his ass wrapped in tight, worn denim raised for her very own pleasure as he leaned further under the hood to fight whatever part of the car he was after. As she sped by, he raised up to watch her go past, and she caught an eyeful of tanned skin, dark wavy hair that fell in an unruly mass just above his shoulders and lots and lots of muscles. Hmm, maybe her down time in this boring, tiny town wouldn’t be as bad as she thought. Once she located the caves, and the giant bats she’d decided to focus her dissertation on were conquered, maybe she’d take a day or two to enjoy the local town folk before typing up her findings. Or, at least this particular local town folk. She shot a hand up through her sunroof and offered a wave as she continued past on her way to town.
Ruby parked outside the cafe and stepped out of her Jeep. She slammed the door closed with her hip while gathering her very tangled, wind-blown, bright red hair into a pony-tail and tugging it into a messy bun. She turned and scanned the almost deserted parking lot and then the countryside surrounding her. Dirt — nothing but reddish brown dirt and lots and lots of dust. It was so hot she could feel her own sweat sizzling on her skin. But she liked it hot. Hot meant she was out on another adventure. She was out making her own way — her way, and nothing her judgmental, broomstick-up-the-ass, stiff, holier-than-thou, bible-thumping family could say or do — would sway her from her chosen life. Just because she had aspirations they didn’t understand didn’t mean she’d end up tattooed and pierced like her sister. She smiled — her sister — the one person in her life that cheered her on. Since they’d gone their separate ways, they didn’t get to see each other very often. But she knew she was out there somewhere, doing her thing, wreaking havoc, driving whomever she was near at this particular time completely out of their minds. Ruby chuckled and inhaled a lungful of dust and humid air, making herself cough a bit. Though completely different, she and her sister were so much alike. She looked around at the dirt and dust, and deeply breathed in the humid air again before grinning to herself at the things she f
ound invigorating and fairly skipped to the front door. She pulled it open and marched inside like she owned the place. “Hi, everyone! How are we today?” she said loudly.
A less-than-impressed cashier that could have been her mother’s age, and two old men smoking cigars and playing chess in the corner booth were all that greeted her — if you could call it a greeting.
The woman raised an eyebrow in her direction briefly before continuing to wipe down the counter in front of her. The old men didn’t even look up. One of them, his back to her, raised a hand in the air in a semi-wave over his shoulder, and the other gave her a mumbled ‘Hot’ as an answer.
“Weeell, okay then,” she said more to herself than anyone else in the room. She approached the counter where the cashier was still lazily dragging a damp cloth across the aged wooden counter top. “I’m Ruby. I called about renting a room.”
“Oh, yeah. Hadn’t had much time to get it ready, what with being so busy and all, but it’s back there behind the place,” the cashier answered, hooking a thumb in the direction of the back of the cafe.
“I’m sure it’s fine. Won’t be spending much time there anyway. Plan to be doing a lot of hiking. Basing my dissertation on the giant bats that are rumored to nest around here.”
“Won’t be here long, then. They’re just that — rumors,” the cashier commented.
“Maybe, but I believe that every rumor has some foundation in truth. So, even if they’re not as giant as a full-grown man, maybe they’re at least a new variety of bat, and I’ll be able to make a name for myself in the scientific community.”
“Hmpf,” the waitress grunted non-comittally.
“That’s my chosen specialty. Chiropterology — the study of bats. I'm going to be a Chiropterologist.”
“Goody,” the cashier said with no emotion at all.
Ruby didn’t let the attitude of the waitress crush her enthusiasm or her happy place. Her bats were her happy place, and she’d spent a long, long time overcoming people who made every effort they could to crush her dreams. The complete disdain of this woman was far more kind than the complete condemnation her own family offered. She looked around the dingy, old wooden surfaces of the cafe, smiling at all she saw. To her it was homey, well-used and well-loved. It spoke of history, and she loved history. “Is there a restroom I can use?” she asked.
The waitress pointed at a door at the back of the room. “The one that says restroom might be a good place to try.”
“You’re right!” Ruby said brightly. “I’ll be right back.” Ruby hurried toward the restroom, a pep in her step. As she passed the two old men playing chess, she couldn’t help but speak. “Hello!”
The one that had waved to her original greeting raised his head and watched her bounce by. “Yep,” he said in reply. A smile gracing his sun-weathered, wrinkled face.
“Pay attention, Clarence,” the other one snapped.
“You pay attention, Francis,” Clarence snapped back. “I’m telling our visitor hello.”
“She don’t care if you say hello or not, pay attention to the game.”
“Way too happy if you ask me,” the cashier commented. “Ain’t no reason for anybody to be that damned happy.”
“Mildred’s right. And bats… why would anybody want to study bats?” Francis asked.
“Well, I like her. She’s got energy. Energy’s good. And they ain't nothing wrong with bats. Bats is good. You leave them alone, they leave you alone,” Clarence said.
“If they’s just bats, maybe. Only what she’s after ain’t just bats,” Francis countered.
“Don’t matter none. She won’t find them, just like nobody else ever finds them. Let her look. Can’t hurt her none,” Clarence said.
About that time Ruby came out of the bathroom and went to stand in front of the huge menu mounted on the wall behind the counter Mildred stood behind. “What do you recommend? Any specialties?” she asked.
Mildred looked back over her shoulder at the menu. It listed hamburgers, hot dogs, the specials they offered each day of the week — every single week the same, and that was about it. “Nope. Not really. It’s Tuesday, so meatloaf and creamed potatoes is what you got today and every Tuesday. Or you can have a hamburger or a hot dog with fries.”
Ruby seemed to be really thinking about it then brightened, a big smile on her face, decision made. “Can I have a meatloaf sandwich?” she asked excitedly.
“I ‘spose. You want a hamburger bun or white bread?” Mildred asked.
“Can I have Texas toast? Do you have that? With lots of butter?” Ruby asked, eyes bright, and her stomach already growling.
“I can do that,” Mildred answered.
“Great! Thank you so much. And can I have iced coffee? Vanilla if you have it,” she asked hopefully.
“We got lemonade.”
“I’ll take lemonade,” Ruby said.
“Good choice,” Mildred said sarcastically, as she walked away from the counter to the open kitchen behind her to start Ruby’s order.
Ruby looked around the little cafe again and chose a seat in the back, near the restrooms. She pulled her phone out and was surprised to find that she had a strong signal. “Oh, wow! You have wifi!” she exclaimed.
“Course we do. What do you think, we in the dark ages or something?” Francis grumbled at her.
“Well, there doesn’t seem to be too much technology around here. So, I was a little worried, but now, I’m relieved.”
“Good for you,” Francis grumbled again.
“Hush, Francis!” Clarence said. “Give the girl a chance. She ain't done nothing to you.”
Ruby grinned at the old man who’d just defended her and then concentrated on pulling up her emails and messages and working her way through them. She’d not bothered to check them in more than a week, and they were starting to pile up. She signed onto her Faceboom page and giggled at some of the memes her fellow bat loving peoples had posted in her group. Not ten minutes later Mildred was headed toward her table with a tray laden with her sandwich, home fries and a huge glass of pink lemonade.
“Here ya go,” Mildred said as she laid it all out for Ruby.
“Thank you, er, I’m sorry, I don’t know your name. Are you the Mildred I spoke to on the phone about the room?”
“Yep, that’d be me.”
“Thank you, Mildred. I really appreciate it.”
Mildred stood back after unloading her tray’s contents on the table for this new girl. Ruby didn’t get flustered no matter who grumbled at her, and her manners were always in place. Other than the ever present bubbliness, there wasn’t much of a reason to dislike the girl - yet. Inwardly she did a mental shrug. Maybe she was okay after all. She’d have to watch and see. “Welcome. Let me know if you need somethin’ else. When you’re done, I’ll show you where you’ll be staying out back.”
“Thank you, Mildred!” Ruby said excitedly. She picked up her sandwich and took a huge bite.
Mildred was halfway back to the kitchen when she heard Ruby exclaim, “Oh. My. Gosh!” just about as loud as you could inside a building.
Mildred turned, prepared to defend her cooking skills. She’d been here forever. Well, not forever, but forty years of cooking in the same damn place was near enough to forever that she felt sure she could claim it. “What’s the problem?” she near shouted.
Ruby took another huge bite and shook her head. “No problem,” she mumbled. She held her sandwich in one hand while she pointed to it with the other and struggled to speak around her mouthful. “Best thing ever!” she said animatedly, while dragging her tongue around the tomato sauce dripping edge.
Mildred actually allowed one corner of her mouth to raise into a semi-smile. She inclined her head in one single nod and turned back around, heading into the kitchen to get everything ready. It was almost lunch time, and everybody that didn’t bring a lunch from home would be wandering in to get their usuals. She did her best to hide a full out smile when she heard Ruby speaking to Cl
arence and Francis.
“This is soooo good! You have to try this!” Ruby said.
Yep. This Ruby gal wasn’t so bad after all, Mildred thought. She just might even be a pleasant addition for the short time she’d be here before she got discouraged and left.
Jaime parked his old beat-to-shit, faded blue pickup next to the tan Jeep that had sped past his place earlier that morning. He peeked inside on his way past and saw hiking gear, a bright pink backpack and matching pink hard-hat. He shook his head. “Unfuckingbelievable,” he muttered to himself as he stomped past it and into the diner.
Mildred looked up at the bell ringing announcing someone entering the diner. It was Jaime, so she just went back to prepping for the lunch crowd. “You hungry already?” she called over her shoulder.
“Yes, ma’am. I can get it though. No reason for you to stop what you’re doing.”
“’S‘alright. I already got one paying customer and a head start on lunch prep. Go get cleaned up and let me know what you want. I’ll get it going.”
“Thanks,” Jaime answered. He started through the diner toward the restroom, speaking to Clarence and Francis on his way. “Clarence. Francis. How you doin’ today? Who’s winnin’?”
“I am!” they both answered.
He looked away from the table the chess game was in full swing at and to the restroom he was moving toward. He stumbled in his usually confident stride. Seated in the back corner, all by herself, was the most obviously out of place female he’d ever seen. She was shoveling in a sandwich faster than she could chew and making moaning sounds of appreciation that had him imagining her moaning over something else. He reached down nudging himself into a more comfortable position, as he stood there watching her.
Wings Page 1