Under the Midnight Stars

by Shawna Gautier

  “See ya, Jack.” She turned and carefully made her way along the thick brushy path to the old run-down farmhouse, shooing away the insects stirring about her face, praying she didn’t step on a rattlesnake. She was glad to have finally reached the front porch, but frowned in dismay at its fragile appearance. She wondered if she’d fall right through it. Carefully, she tested its sturdiness with her white sneaker. Relieved it was sound, she ascended the stairs.

  The front door was slightly agape. She pushed it open, listening as it creaked loudly. Without stepping in, she peered into the creepy abandoned home. It had always given her chills driving past it, especially late at night. Because of its neglected appearance, she’d always assumed it was haunted — that the previous owners had just up and fled their doom one day.

  “Colt?” she called warily, afraid to enter.

  When he didn’t respond she turned and scanned the waist-high jungle for any movement. Seeing no sign of him anywhere, she took a deep breath and stepped into the house.

  “Colt?” she called more loudly, but was still met with an overwhelming eerie silence.

  She began to worry, wondering if the house were either haunted or a makeshift abode for some deranged maniac. Maybe Colt was lying somewhere hurt or unconscious … or dead. She gulped fearfully, eyeing the trashed living space, glad to see no apparent signs of any blood or body parts.

  Standing at the base of the stairs, she eyed the upstairs hallway. Slowly she ascended the stairs. To her immediate right was a bathroom — a foul-smelling one at that. Flies were buzzing around the toilet. Holding her breath, resisting the urge to gag, she quickly shut the door.

  To her left was a large bedroom cluttered with more debris. She continued down the hallway to another door to the right, a larger bedroom, just as littered as the previous. Seeing no signs of blood or bodies, and more importantly, seeing no maniac, she made her way to the door at the end of the hall. Unfortunately, that door was closed. Taking a deep steady breath, with a trembling hand, she reached out and turned the knob.

  The door creaked open slowly. She kicked it the remainder of the way open and peered inside. Its appearance matched the others, including being void of Colt.

  Anxiously she made her way back downstairs. She glanced down the hallway and noticed the open back door.

  “Okay,” she whispered to herself, “he must be out back.”

  She walked down the hallway, toward the kitchen. As she passed the basement door she heard a loud thump.

  She screamed and jumped back against the wall, staring in horror at the door. Then she giggled to herself, feeling silly for being so scared. After all, it was just an old farmhouse.

  “Colt, is that you?” She opened the door, but her smile immediately faded as she stared into the looming blackness of the silent basement. Her heart began to race with fear. “Colt?”

  Suddenly, out of the darkness, a black shape came barreling straight for her.

  She screamed and instinctively guarded her face with her hands, falling backward, her back against the wall.

  A large crow squawked frantically above her before it flew away and out the front door.

  Colt’s heart stopped when he heard a woman’s shrill screams coming from within his house. As fast as his legs could carry him, he bolted through the thick brush, up the back steps, into the kitchen. He saw Brielle sitting on the floor.

  “Brielle?” His breathing was ragged as he rushed to her side.

  “Colt?” She looked relieved to see him as she placed a shaky hand over her heart.

  “Are you all right? What happened?” He grabbed her arm and helped her to her feet. Sweat from his panicked sprint beaded his brow.

  “Nothing, it was just a stupid crow,” she scoffed.

  Colt grinned, partly because she was okay, and partly because he was glad to see her.

  “You think it’s funny?” She glared at him as she dusted off the back of her jeans and straightened her white work blouse.

  He looked down and tensed when he noticed the top button on her blouse had worked its way undone, exposing her upper bosom. The sensual vision of her cleavage and softly mounded breasts partially aroused him.

  Averting his eyes quickly, he met her angry gaze. “No. I wouldn’t make fun of you, Brielle. I’m just glad to see you is all. Are you sure you’re okay?”

  Though she still appeared flustered, she exhaled and her tension lessened. “Yes, I’m fine. So what are you doing here anyway?”

  Colt was surprised by her bold question. He chuckled slightly. “I think I should be asking you that question.”

  She looked away, her cheeks a rosy pink. “Oh, right. Um, oh…” She reached into her pocket and handed him a crumpled ball of money.

  “What’s this?” He stared at the wad of money lying in his palm.

  “Your change.” She smiled smugly. “You forgot it, along with a proper good-bye.”

  As he shoved the money into the front pocket of his jeans, he grinned sheepishly. “Right. I guess I was just anxious to buy the truck.”

  The heat from the early summer day was quickly warming the inside of the house. Colt took off the long-sleeved shirt he wore over his T-shirt and hung it on the knob of the basement door. When he turned back to Brielle, he took pleasure watching as her eyes roamed over his biceps and settled on his chest, before she looked him in the eyes again.

  He smirked. It appeared that he had the same effect on her as she did him. “Do you see something to your liking?”

  Eyes wide, she immediately shook her head. “No! I was just … just … wondering what color blue that was?” Her cheeks flushed pink.

  Colt smiled a half-smile, admiring her modesty. He was used to women who weren’t afraid to show their lust for him. They would’ve simply replied, “Yes.” But not Brielle. She was different. The kind of woman he respected.

  He had a sudden urge to take her into his arms and kiss her. Shaking the thought away, he looked down at his shirt and shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know? Navy?”

  She nodded agreeably. “Well, that’s all I wanted. I’ll see you later … sometime … at the diner,” she blurted awkwardly. Without waiting for a reply, she turned and quickly headed out the front door.

  What? She’s just leaving? Colt chuckled under his breath, amused at the way she handled being caught gawking. He quietly followed her.

  Once she was safely outside, Brielle took in a deep calming breath. She felt uncomfortable at how taken aback she was by Colt, and even more so that she had no control over it. For some reason his touch had sparked an inner desire she’d never felt before. And seeing nearly every contour of his bulging muscles through his shirt heightened those desires. To make matters worse, he’d caught her ogling his chest.

  Way to make a fool of yourself. She hurried down the porch steps. She came to an abrupt stop when she focused in on the tall field of green. Moving only her eyes, she followed the narrow break in the grass and weeds that marked the path to the main road. But her trek wouldn’t end there. It’d continue about a mile down the road through the insect-filled mugginess of the hot Texas summer.

  “Need a ride?”

  Brielle jumped, not expecting Colt to be standing behind her. Pushing her humiliation aside, she turned to face him.

  “I could use a ride.” She smiled lightly.

  Colt grinned and headed down the steps. “I didn’t expect you to walk home in this heat. Follow me,” he said as he passed her and entered the trail.

  She tromped closely behind him through the thick weeds, wondering what she could say to redeem herself. Nothing came to mind that would ease the embarrassment. She decided to swallow her pride and accept the fact that her nerves had gotten the best of her again, and made her look like a dimwit … again. The only thing she could do now was change the subject.

  “So, are you planning on trying to buy this place back from Zeke?” she asked casually.

  “Not trying — I am buying it back from him.”
r />   Brielle stopped dead in her tracks, hands on hips.

  Colt spun around with a curious expression. “What’s wrong?”

  “Zeke’s gonna just sell you the farm?” She was irritated.

  “Yeah, that’s the plan.” He shrugged and shook his head lightly with his brows creased.

  “My dad’s been trying to buy the farm back for years, but he wouldn’t sell.”

  Colt sighed. “Brielle, it’s not exactly like that. After my dad died and the bank foreclosed on the farm, Zeke bought it hoping my mom would stay. But she was too proud for handouts, and she moved us to where she could find work. He held onto it after all these years, hoping she’d change her mind and come back. I guess he got tired of waiting and married, but he just couldn’t sell the farm.”

  Brielle felt awful for challenging Zeke’s reasons. She had no right to assume anything, and she certainly didn’t have the right to force Colt to defend himself, or Zeke for that matter. “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business. I shouldn’t have pushed the issue. I had no right to assume—”

  He shook his head and put his hands up. “No, it’s all right. You were just defending your dad. I understand. Just know that Zeke’s decision wasn’t anything personal — when it comes to your dad anyway. But it was very personal when it came to me.”

  “I’m sorry,” she said softly. “I’m glad you’re getting your home back, Colt. I’ll bet your mom’s happy too.”

  Colt’s expression turned dismal. He cut his gaze across the field of green. “She died of breast cancer about a month ago.”

  Brielle’s heart dropped. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Colt. I had no idea.” It seemed like everything she said had a negative backlash. She felt terrible for her insensitive mistake, especially since she had experienced firsthand the grief of losing a mother. Seeing the look of anguish in his averted gaze, she instinctively hugged him, expressing her condolences, attempting to heal just a tiny piece of his broken heart.

  Slowly, Colt wrapped his arms around her waist and softly caressed her back.

  Brielle tensed when she realized that he wasn’t hugging her back — he was holding her. As she lifted her head to face him, a strand of hair caught on her cheek.

  Illuminated by the bright sun, Colt was gazing at her with the most mesmerizing golden eyes that she had ever seen. Her heart beat faster. She loosened her grip, letting her hands slide from his back to his waist.

  Lifting a gentle hand to her cheek, Colt brushed back the strand of hair. Then he encircled her waist with both arms again and pulled her closer to his body. Slowly, he lowered his head toward hers.

  Taken off guard, Brielle’s first instincts were to push him away — they hardly knew each other. But for some reason she hadn’t the power to stop him. Relishing his touch, her breathing quickened and her heart pounded with anticipation. She closed her eyes as his lips touched hers. They were warm and gentle, sending a fluttering through her chest.

  He pulled away briefly, before tenderly molding his lips to hers again.

  Chest heaving, Brielle relished his soft kisses and the tingling desire it sparked within her. She didn’t want this magical moment to end. As he pulled away again, hovering just shy of her mouth, she eagerly leaned forward for another kiss, pressing her lips to his.

  Colt tightened his grip around her waist, but pulled back far enough to see her face. As their heavy breaths mingled into one, he gazed into her eyes for a brief moment, almost as if he were studying her reaction, before he suddenly engulfed her lips with his again.

  Brielle welcomed his hungry kiss. It instantly sent her mind swirling with drunken pleasure. She relished the sweetness of his tongue as it pushed its way past her lips and entered her mouth, seeking hers. She gave him what he wanted, reaching her tongue out to meet his. The silkiness of them rolling together melted her senses away in bliss. Hungry for more, she let her hands slide up his back and she pressed her body against him, intensifying their passion.

  Gently, Colt placed his hands on either sides of her face and pulled away, breaking them free of their magnetic embrace.

  Brielle lifted her lids and stared into his smoldering eyes. She bit her lower lip, trying to steady her breathing.

  Colt squeezed his eyes shut briefly, before opening them again. With a heavy sigh he lowered his arms and took a step back. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I know we hardly know each other, but I just had to kiss you, Brielle.”

  She didn’t know why he was apologizing. She enjoyed his kiss. He moved her in a way that no other man had. Her mind was still swimming with drunkenness and her entire body ached for more of his touch … for another kiss. Her mother’s voice haunted her thoughts: “You’ll know you’ve met the one when his kiss makes your mind, body, and heart react senselessly.”

  She looked deeply into Colt’s eyes. “Don’t be sorry. I’m glad you kissed me.”

  He let out a relieved sigh and ended it with a slight smile. “I know I’m sort of doing things backwards here … but will you go to dinner with me tonight?”

  Her heart skipped a beat at the unexpected question. She wanted to say yes, but then there was the matter of her date tonight with Billy Collins. She wasn’t raised to go back on her word, and she wouldn’t start now. Besides, this was the only way she could think of to end Billy’s pesky pursuance of her once and for all.

  Filled with regret, she grimaced. “I’m sorry. I already have plans.”

  “Right.” He lowered his head.

  “But I’m free tomorrow night,” she suggested hopefully.

  After a brief pause, the corners of his mouth curled upward. “Then I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

  Brielle was happy about their date, but tomorrow night seemed so far off. She didn’t want to wait that long to see him again — to possibly kiss him again. An idea came to mind. “You know, I’m off tomorrow. I could come over and help you get the place cleaned up.”

  Colt’s eyes lit up. “Thanks, Brielle. I could really use the help.” He reached down and grabbed her hand, interlocking their fingers together. “Come on, let’s get you home.”

  FOUR

  Brielle studied her outfit in the silver-framed mirror next to the front door, hoping it would repel Billy Collins. She usually put some effort into her attire when it came to dates, but this particular one was doomed from the start. She wished she could just back out of it, but she wasn’t about to be labeled as someone who went back on her word.

  Her outfit of a white blouse, jeans, and gray sneakers with white tips was as plain a look as she could muster. She even pulled her hair back into a simple ponytail.

  Her father entered the beige-tiled foyer and headed up the oak staircase to his office. “Going to work tonight, sweetheart?” he asked, not looking back.

  Rather than worry her father about her being alone with a man tonight, she simply replied, “Yes.”

  “Do you need a ride?”

  “A friend’s picking me up.”

  “See you in the morning then.” He stopped at the top of the stairs and smiled.

  “Good night, Dad.” Brielle waved back to him, watching as he unsteadily held onto the railing overlooking the living room while he disappeared down the hallway.

  Her heart grew heavy — he was drunk again. He took to drinking nightly after her mother had died. And he’d become much too overprotective. He wouldn’t even let her drive herself anywhere in the car that she and her mother had shared. He insisted that either he or Jack drive her wherever she needed to go. She knew her father would eventually have to relent and let her become independent. Either that or she’d have no choice but to move away. For now, she secretly didn’t mind not driving her own car — it was the same car her mother had died in. And ever since then, she’d lost interest in driving anyhow.

  Tears burned her eyes, but she blinked them back.

  Just then there was a knock at the door.

  Brielle quickly dabbed at the corners of her eyes with her fingertips and
cleared her throat. Dreading what she was about to do, she stared at the carved panels of the solid oak door, debating whether or not to open it. After all, she and Colt had shared their first kiss merely hours before. It just didn’t feel right anymore, going on a date with Billy when she held such a deep interest in Colt. But then again, it didn’t feel right to cancel her date with Billy at the very last second either. Especially since he’d been trying for years to get her to say yes.

  With a heavy sigh, she forced a smile and opened the door.

  Billy was grinning from ear to ear, holding a bouquet of yellow daisies. One of the daisies still had a root intact. She wondered if they were the same daisies lining the side of her house.

  “Hi, Billy.” Brielle smiled.

  “Gabby.” With a puzzled look, he gave her a once-over. “Are you working tonight?”

  She suppressed a smirk. “No.” She looked down at her outfit, and then innocently back to him. “Why?”

  “Oh.” He shrugged. “No reason. These are for you.” He extended the flowers.

  “You shouldn’t have.” She took the unbound cluster of flowers and laid them on the table next to her small black handbag. “Ready?”

  “Sure.” He turned and headed down the porch steps.

  Slightly irritated that he didn’t bother to wait for her, she quickly snatched up her handbag and stepped onto the porch, pulling the door shut behind her. But rather than to hurry and catch up to him, she decided to teach him a lesson and make him wait on her. Lollygagging, she sat on the steps to untie her shoe and retie it. Then she stood and dusted off the back of her jeans as she headed toward his brand-new maroon 4X4 pickup truck. Maroon was her least favorite color. Just the sight of it soured her mood. She had barely climbed in and closed the door when he took off down the driveway.

  She glanced over at him. He was wearing faded jeans, worn boots, and maroon T-shirt tucked in to show off his oversized silver belt buckle. He wasn’t any more dressed for the occasion than she was. Why, then, was it up to her to dress up for him?