by K. C. Lynn
I ignore her death stare and only focus on Faith. “Hey, Red.”
Surprise flares in her bright green eyes at the use of her nickname. “Hi.”
I push away the warm feeling trying to worm its way in my chest at the sound of her voice. “Can I talk to you a minute?”
“Um, sure.” We both look over at Katelyn and I’m not surprised when she makes no effort to leave. Faith puts her hand on her shoulder. “I’ll meet you at the car, okay?”
She hesitates. “You sure?” When Faith nods, she bends down and grabs her stuff. “I’ll be right over there if you need me.” She points to her car that’s parked on the street. Glaring at me one last time, she walks past me and purposely knocks into my shoulder. She huffs when I don’t budge and continues on.
I quirk a brow at Faith, “I get the feeling she doesn’t like me very much.” She smiles like I hoped she would, and the sight of it makes my heart fucking pound in my chest like a damn teenager. Jesus, I’m fucking pathetic.
“Sorry, she’s a little protective.” I shrug, letting her know I’m not really offended. If anything, I’m glad someone looks out for her.
Her smile fades as silence descends on us, and I don’t like it when she drops her gaze and starts kicking at the ground. “So what did you want to talk to me about?”
Moving in closer, I put a finger under her chin and force her eyes to mine. “Why didn’t you come over with everyone else?” She tries to look away again, but I keep a firm hold of her chin and don’t let her. She licks her lips nervously, and I hope to hell she doesn’t notice my dick standing to attention from it. Of course the fucking thing has to work now…
“I wasn’t sure I would be welcome, so I thought it was best to stay where I was,” she replies honestly, and even though it’s the answer I expected it still makes my chest constrict with guilt.
“You’re always welcome, Red.” Surprise registers again in her expression. Blowing out a breath I tread on. “Look, us running into each other again has been a lot to take in, for the both of us, but I meant what I said. You don’t have to stay away. I want you to be friends with the girls. They’re nice and they will be good to you. If it means we will run into each other more, then that’s okay. I don’t want things awkward for anyone and I especially don’t want you to feel like you can’t go to certain places because I might be there. Okay?” I feel proud of myself for not having that come out wrong, like it did in the truck the other day.
She watches me uncertain, but my gaze never wavers from hers, hoping she knows I mean every word. “All right, thank you.”
As soon as the soft reply comes from her, I get the overwhelming urge to take her in my arms, so I quickly take a step back and shove my hands in my pockets before they can do something stupid. I clear my throat and nod. “That brings me to the next thing I want to talk to you about. I want you to come to the gym for the next self-defense class that the guys put on, since it didn’t happen the other day.”
She tilts her head inquisitively and stares at me for a moment before asking quietly, “Do you teach it?”
“No. I won’t be teaching any of them, unless something happens and I have to. I’m not a real big people person.”
“No, you – not a people person – really? This is shocking news,” she teases with a faint smile, reminding me of what a smartass she is.
“Yeah, Evans thinks I’ll make too many chicks cry.” She giggles and the sound of it shoots straight to my dick again. Jesus, I fucking hate that… Kind of.
“That’s only because you don’t let anyone see the real you. If you did, then no one would be afraid of you.” I stare at her and watch as she shifts nervously and looks away, clearly not meaning to have said that out loud.
“Well, I guess I should get going since Katelyn is waiting.”
When she flips her braid over her shoulder, my eyes move to her chest and I freeze in shock… What the fuck!
“Bye,” she says softly, clearly not knowing where my attention has drawn.
I grab her arm before she can walk away, then reaching out with my finger I trace the swell of her perfect breast and over the small tattoo of a music note. The name Aadil is written through it in script then underneath it is the word Honorable.
At the sound of her breath hitching, my eyes shoot back up to hers and I see tears forming in their depths. She clears her throat and swallows thickly. “I got it done shortly after I got back home. I wanted something to remember him by, and to keep him close to my heart. I researched his name and found out it meant Honorable. It was perfect for him.”
When her voice cracks, I clench my jaw against the pain in my chest. Old shit starts rising to the surface fast, and before I let it drag me under, I pull her to me and press a hard kiss to the top of her head. “Be safe, Red. I’ll see you around.” Then turning around, I get the fuck out of there before I end up fucking shit up beyond repair.
CHAPTER 9
Faith
A few days later I am at the church, helping some of the youth get organized for their tasks, when Christopher comes rushing in, looking frazzled and stressed. A little girl trails behind him, holding his hand. His eyes scan the room and as soon as they land on me he rushes over.
“Listen, I’m really sorry but I needed to bring my sister with me today. I couldn’t leave her at my house… not today.”
I can tell by the worry etched on his face there is a good reason why he didn’t leave her at home. Instead of prying, I look down at the adorable little girl who is dressed in clothes too small for her and has big thick glasses that shield her pretty, bright blue eyes. They take up most of her face¸ and you can tell they have been broken a time or two by the tape that holds them together. She has the same light brown hair as her brother and warm olive skin tone.
I smile at Christopher reassuringly. “That’s no problem, Christopher. I told you everyone is welcome in this church, and that includes your sister.” The little girl peeks around him and smiles up at me.
“Thanks. I promise she won’t cause any problems. She will sit right over there until I am done.” His sister pushes her big glasses higher on the bridge of her tiny nose and scowls up at him, clearly unimpressed to be cast aside.
“I have a better idea,” I say as an idea forms. “I was actually just leaving to go visit my new friend at her bakery, and get a slice of her pie that I’ve heard is the best in the world. Would it be okay if I brought your sister along with me so I have some company?”
The little girl’s face lights up excitedly. “Oh tan I pwease, Twistiphwor?” Christopher looks around unsure, clearly not liking the idea as much as his sister. It’s obvious he’s very protective of her.
“It’s only down the street and we won’t stay too long,” I add, trying to reassure him.
He glances down at his sister’s hopeful face before finally giving in. “All right. Just… don’t be gone with her too long.”
I smile as the little girl hugs him excitedly then comes to stand beside me. She takes my hand right away, clearly not having the same trust issues as her brother does. “Otay, I’m weady.”
I feel my own smile spread. “Perfect. There are just two important things I need to know before we go.” She looks at me inquisitively and waits for me to ask. “Are you allergic to anything?” She glances at her brother who shakes his head. “Good. And the next one… what is your name?”
She giggles and before she can respond Christopher answers for her. “It’s Ruth Jean.” She frowns at me then shrugs. It’s obvious she doesn’t like the name, and I have to admit, it’s… unique.
“Well hello, Ruth Jean, my name is Faith and I am so very happy you are going to keep me company over some pie.”
She beams up at me excitedly, and I look over at Christopher who watches us with concern. I touch his shoulder as I walk by, “I promise I will take good care of her and we won’t stay too long.”
He nods before addressing his sister: “Be good for Faith.”
&nbs
p; She rolls her eyes at him. “I always am.”
He smiles then ruffles her hair. “I know. I’ll see you later.”
After one last wave goodbye, we head outside into the bright warm sunshine and start walking toward Grace’s bakery, that’s only a block away. Ruth Jean keeps hold of my hand and I glance down at her with a smile.
“Tell me a little about yourself, Ruth Jean.”
“Otay. I’m six yeas owd and in gwade one. I have the wost name in the wold betause my mama named me after my gwandma. I tan’t say wots of wods wight, as you tan pwobably tell. I don’t have many fwiends, but dat’s otay betause dey’re mean anyways and I have Twistiphwor. He is my best fwiend and I wuv him a whole wot.” She looks up at me happily; as if she didn’t just list all the things she sees wrong about herself, except for her brother.
“Well, I can understand you just fine and I think there is nothing wrong with your name. It’s refreshing and unique.” She looks at me doubtfully, not believing me, but I ignore it and continue. “I also think it’s pretty special that you love your brother, he seems like a great big brother.”
She nods, “He’s de best. Otay, now yowr tourn.”
I smile and start the same as she did. “Well, I am twenty-four years old, almost twenty-five, my birthday is in a few weeks. I love music, singing and dancing. I am an only child. I always wanted a brother or a sister but my mom couldn’t have any more children after me. And…”
“Why not?”
I shrug. “I’m not really sure. I guess God intended it to be just me for my parents.”
She gives me a soft smile. “It’s pwobably betause yow’re special.”
Warmth explodes through my body at how beautiful this young girl’s heart is. “Has anyone ever told you how incredibly sweet you are, Ruth Jean?”
She thinks about it for a moment before answering. “Nope! Well, maybe Twistiphwor. When odder tids tease me he tells me I’m pwetty, and says not to wisten to dem.”
Hearing that no one, besides Christopher, has told her that has me curious about her parents. “I bet your mom and dad think you’re real special too.”
Her shoulders slump and she shakes her head sadly. “No. Mama weft Twistiphwor and me when I was just a baby betause she didn’t want us no more. And my dad… he’s not vewy nice wots of de time. Espesially to Twistiphwor.”
My heart swells with guilt and I feel terrible for bringing it up. Thankfully, she forgets about it quickly and her face lights back up as she spots the bakery.
“Is dat it?” She points excitedly to the pink and white, Victorian, gingerbread-styled bakery: ‘A Slice Of Hope With A Sprinkle Of Grace.’
“It is,” I reply just as excitedly.
Walking through the doors, I see only a few patrons sitting around having coffee and pie. Grace is clearing tables when she spots me. She rushes over with a friendly smile. “Faith, hi,” she greets kindly and embraces me with a warm hug, “I am so happy you finally came.”
“Thank you, so am I.” After she steps back I point down to Ruth Jean. “This here is my friend, Ruth Jean. Ruth Jean meet my new friend, Grace.”
Grace kneels down and shakes the little girl’s hand. “Well, hi, Ruth Jean. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Ruth Jean gives her a brilliant smile and shakes her hand politely. “You too, Gwace. I wike your name, and I weally wike your dwess.”
I watch Grace’s heart melt before she looks up at me. “Why thank ya, I like your name too.”
Ruth Jean doesn’t believe her, but before she can rush into a big explanation on how much she doesn’t like her name, I speak up: “We thought we would come and try some of the world’s best pie.”
Grace blushes at the compliment. “I don’t know about the world’s best, but my Mama sure had some amazin’ recipes. Come in and have a seat. Your timing is perfect, the lunch rush just left. I will bring y’all the special of the day. Do ya ladies like chocolate and raspberries?” Both Ruth Jean and I nod enthusiastically. “Perfect, go on and find a table. I’ll bring it right over.”
I let Ruth Jean pick our table, and we go sit in the corner, by the window that faces outside. I study the massive picture on the wall behind the counter, of a younger Grace and a beautiful woman that I am assuming is her mom. Above it in script reads: In Loving Memory of Hope Morgan. Katelyn told me Grace had lost her mom tragically a few years ago, and that Sawyer built this bakery for her in her mom’s memory.
“It’s so pwetty in here. It weminds me of de tandy house in Hansel and Gwetel. Do you know dat stowy?”
“I do. It’s one of my favorites, and you’re right, it does look like that.”
A minute later, Ruth Jean’s eyes light up when Grace walks over with two giant pieces of chocolate cream pie. “Here ya go, ladies. It’s on the house.”
“Oh no. That’s okay, Grace. I will pay for it.”
She waves me away, “Nonsense. Consider it a welcome gift. I hope you like it. This is one of my favorite recipes from my mama, it’s called Grace’s First Kiss Pie.” Ruth Jean giggles at the name, which makes Grace and me do the same. An older man pokes his head out from the kitchen and shouts for Grace. She excuses herself then tells the waitress to bring us some drinks.
Ruth Jean and I devour our pie and moan over every bite. I must agree with all the hype, this is seriously the best pie I have ever had, and my mom is no slouch in the kitchen.
As we are eating, Ruth Jean opens up and shares a little bit more about herself. She tells me her and Christopher moved here from Columbia just over a year ago. She doesn’t say what brought them here, but I assume she either doesn’t want to tell me or she doesn’t know. I’d be lying if I said didn’t want to delve deeper into her and Christopher’s life. I’m even more concerned after hearing about their father, but I would never pry it out of her. I will have to wait and hope that Christopher will open up to me one day soon.
As I listen to her start to tell me a list of all her favorite foods, I notice two people walk into the bakery out of the corner of my eye. I know who it is before I even look over, because my heart starts to beat faster and the room suddenly feels smaller.
Glancing over, I watch Sawyer laugh at something Cade shoves him for. My gaze instantly focuses only on Cade and I take everything in about him. From his loose, black athletic pants to his fitted red t-shirt that stretches across his lean, muscular form in all the right places, showcasing only some of the tattoos that I know he bares. His messy, dark hair peeks out from under the black beanie I’ve seen him wear the last few times I’ve run into him, and I have to admit, it suits him.
He looks just as strong and beautiful as always, and for the second time in two years, feelings begin to warm inside of me. Ones I never thought I would ever feel again and that only he is capable of making me feel: awareness and desire.
Both men falter in surprise when they spot me. Sawyer’s easy smile returns quickly but Cade’s expression is hard to read, as usual. I swallow nervously and hope he meant what he said the other day and that he’s okay with me being here. They start over to our table and I watch them both eye Ruth Jean curiously.
“How’s it going, Country? Good to see you again,” Sawyer greets me easily. It’s the first time I have seen him since the gym, and the use of the nickname he gave me that one night so long ago has me relaxing a little.
“Hi, Sawyer. It’s good to see you too.”
I glance at Cade to see him scowling at Sawyer. “Hi,” my acknowledgement comes out a little quieter than I intended it to.
His expression softens when he looks down at me. “Hey, Red.”
Goosebumps break out across my skin at the sound of his deep, smooth voice, and I pray to God he doesn’t notice my reaction. But considering I’m in a tank top, I’m sure everyone does.
“And who’s this pretty girl?” Sawyer asks, breaking the sudden tension while looking down at Ruth Jean.
I instantly feel guilty that I was so caught up in my emotions that I forgot to i
ntroduce her. I have to bite back a smile at the expression on her face. Her head is craned all the way back, her big, blue eyes are as wide as saucers and her mouth hangs open while she gapes at both men.
“This lovely girl is my friend, Ruth Jean. Ruth Jean, this is my…” I pause knowing friends isn’t the right word, “um, Sawyer and Cade.” Oh God! I close my eyes briefly when I realize how that sounded. Thankfully, no one calls notice to it.
Sawyer gives her a charming smile then extends his hand. “Ruth Jean? That’s… different.”
Snapping out of her trance, Ruth Jean pushes her glasses up on her nose then takes his hand. “I know, it’s a tewwible name. I didn’t choose it.”
Sawyer’s eyes flash with surprise and amusement, but he recovers quickly. “Ah, don’t worry about it,” he replies, chucking her under the chin with his fist. “Your pretty face makes up for it.”
Her cheeks turn pink as she beams up at him from the compliment. “Tanks.” Moving her gaze over to Cade next, her smile vanishes as she takes in the tattoos on his arm, before craning her head all the way back to look at his face. Her mouth falls open and her eyes go wide again.
He doesn’t offer her a smile, which I didn’t expect him to, but he gives her a small nod. “Hey, kid.”
She gulps loud enough for everyone to hear. “Hi.” I watch Cade shift uncomfortably as Ruth Jean continues to stare.
Sawyer takes pity on him and calls her attention back to him. “So what do you think of my woman’s pies? Pretty darn good, aren’t they?”
“Gwace is yowr woman?”
He grins proudly and stands a little taller. “She sure is. I’m pretty lucky, aren’t I?”
She tilts her head inquisitively. “So is dis pie named after you? Was you her fwirst tiss?”
Sawyer’s easy grin disappears and a scowl forms on his face. I glance at Cade, to see him watching with amusement while he waits for him to answer. “I’m the only one who matters, kid,” he replies before scanning the room. “Where is my Cupcake anyway?”
“I’m right here,” Grace announces cheerfully as she walks out from the back, having no idea what our topic of conversation is.