Finding Solace: A Small Town Second Chance Romance

by S. L. Scott

  “What?”

  “Together, two broken hearts can be whole again.” I ask, “What’s your confession?”

  “I feel silly telling you this, especially knowing I’m to blame for the mistakes I’ve made.”

  “We all have things we’d like to change. Some we can. Some we can’t. Doesn’t matter as long as we grow from the experience.” I smirk, though she can’t see me.

  After a soft laugh, she says, “I used to fantasize about being married to you and how glorious each day would be. We would have a family and run the farm but go on great adventures around the world. I never even made it to Paris.”

  “I’ve not been to Paris, either. How about we go together?” I turn onto the property and drive up the dirt road to the house. “And there’s nothing wrong with fantasizing about a future together. We were dating, and it was serious; it’s only natural. I had the same dreams.”

  “It was when I was married.”

  Oh. Wow. I shift the truck into park and cut the engine. With my arm draped over the back of the seats, I angle toward her. “Your fantasies are how it should have been.” And how it will be if I have my way.

  “Thank you for never making me feel ridiculous or dumb.”

  Cutler is a fucker.

  Checking the rearview mirror, I watch as Cruise parks behind us. We should go in. Both of us move to get out, but before we do, I say, “I think you’re incredible and so smart. I’ve never seen you as anything less than magnificent.”

  “Jason,” she says, barely above a whisper, “you’re so good to me, good for me. I’m never prepared for your words.”

  “They’re not words, Delilah. They’re the truth.”

  “How did I get so lucky?”

  “It’s not luck, it’s love.” I get out and come around to her side. “Come on. I want to introduce you to my friend.”

  Cruise has changed in the short time I’ve been gone. What he’s gone through has darkened his already reserved demeanor. Guess he has more demons than he started with as well. He’s a quiet guy, but Delilah has a way about her—everyone opens up to her. Laughing, Cruise is on the tail end of a story about getting his ass kicked in an alley by a drug lord and his gang. “King just looks at me and laughs.”

  On the edge of her seat, she is fascinated. “He laughs?”

  Staring down at the bottle of beer in front of him, he picks it up, swirling the liquid inside. “That was before we knew what we had gotten ourselves into.”

  “What had you gotten yourselves into?” Delilah asks.

  His eyes shift from her to me. “We were lucky to have Jason on our side.”

  She knows she’s not going to get the details she’s wanting. Cruise, like me, is a pro at leaving secrets good and buried. Delilah stands and walks behind me. Rubbing my shoulders, she says, “I’m going to bed. I hope you consider staying the night, Cruise. We have a spare bedroom down the hall with clean sheets and a view of the lake that’s beautiful to wake up to.”

  “You drive a hard bargain. Thank you for the hospitality.”

  “It’s getting late,” I add.

  “We shouldn’t let the night slip by without talking.”

  Delilah says, “Well, on that note, I’ll leave you to it.” Bending down, she kisses my neck, then whispers in my ear, “You okay with me going to bed?”

  Tilting up, I see her waiting for me to answer. “You don’t have to ask me for permission.” I wrap my hands around her neck and bring her closer until our lips meet in the middle. “I’ll be up shortly.”

  “I’ll keep the bed warm.”

  As soon as I hear those creaky floors upstairs, I lean forward. “As fun as it is to reminisce, why are you really here?”

  “We miss you.”

  “King doesn’t miss me.”

  “No, he doesn’t, but the rest of us do. I’m here with a job offer.”

  Never saw that coming.

  I’m impressed he found me, in all honesty, and now he’s thrown a job offer on the table. “I’m surprised you need my help.”

  “It’s always good to have backup.”

  “Backup for you?” I can’t help the chuckle. “Saving your ass is more like it.”

  “Right. That’s the job offer.” His sarcasm game is strong. “Saving our asses when our asses need saving.”

  I can match him. “Here’s some advice: stay away from criminals and psychopaths with a vendetta, and you’ll be fine.”

  “I’m told to offer you double your old salary.” The social part of the visit is put to rest, and the business is finally at hand.

  The money is tempting, but I’ve earned more than I can spend in this lifetime. Anyway, Delilah is more than enough reason to say no. “I’m out of that line of work. I’m settling into this life with that beautiful creature upstairs. It’s a slower pace here, but it’s good for clearing my head. And when it’s really quiet, I can hear the cicadas buzzing, frogs croaking, water rolling over the lake, and Delilah’s snores. They’re not loud. It’s actually kind of cute because I just like the sound of her next to me.”

  “I’m not sure what to say to that. I do think she might kill you if she knew you told someone she snores.” He chuckles.

  “Yeah, she might, but it’d be a damn good death coming from her.”

  “I don’t know what’s happened to the guy I knew a few months back, but you’re not him. Whatever this place has done to you is good.” He laughs. “You’re almost tolerable now.” He stands and cracks his neck to the side. “I’m going to bed. I’ll be out of your hair by morning.”

  “You can stay a few days. I have plenty of manure for you to shovel.”

  His laughter gains strength. “I know you don’t know much about me, but manure is not something I’m familiar with or looking to shovel to entertain you. Thanks for the offer, though.”

  “Anytime.”

  He heads for the archway but turns back before he leaves. “You’re always welcome back. Delilah’s welcome, too.”

  “Thanks, but I’m wanting a solid future with her, man. Not sure working for King can offer that.”

  Nodding, he says, “Understandable. Night.”

  “Night.”

  Cruise stuck to his word. He was long gone by morning, leaving Delilah disappointed. She probably hoped she could gain more insight into me if he stuck around a little longer. And she probably could have. I slide my hands around her waist from behind and kiss the nape of her neck. “Now you’re stuck having to listen to me telling you all the stories.”

  “But you hold back.”

  “I don’t hold back. I just don’t share the ugly details you don’t need haunting that pretty head.”

  “I’ve told you. I can handle the truth.”

  “Okay. Here’s some truth for you. I once stood guard outside a dressing room while an A-list actor fucked two women. It took him ten minutes to get off during a fifteen-minute break. He rehearsed his lines while doing it. When he returned to the set, he nailed the scene. He nailed them too, but—”

  “Ew, Jason”—she spins in my arms—“it’s not even nine in the morning.”

  Laughing, I ask, “Is there a better time of day to tell a story like that?”

  “Yes, like when I’ve had wine or at least lunch. Or not at all. That’s not a good story.”

  “I didn’t say they were all good. I said they were ugly. I learned a lot about people and how they operate. How power is used and abused, and the way money twists the human psyche to make them greedy. It’s not like that here. It’s still good. You’re still pure.”

  “I’m not so innocent.”

  “None of us are, but we don’t have to live like it’s the apocalypse either.”

  Rubbing against me, I can tell she’s working up to get more intimate. “I am so glad you came back.” Her hand wraps around my morning erection. “What do you think about—?”

  “Yes. Just like that.”

  “Really? I was thinking my mouth might do a better job.” />
  I still her hand. “Don’t let me keep you then.”

  After enjoying each other for breakfast, we work our way downstairs for actual food an hour later. “What time did Cruise leave?” she asks.

  “I heard him leave around five.” It was good seeing him, but nothing felt quite right with him around. It was as if he carried in a cloud of darkness I thought I’d left behind.

  I start to laugh when I see what he left me on the kitchen table. A sealed envelope propped against a bag of Oreos. Delilah passes me and grabs the cookies. “I love Oreos. Can I have one?”

  “You can have as many as you want.” My gaze goes to the envelope. Taking it in hand, I recognize the name on the front—Eric, my old alias—making me smile. I open it, pull the note out, and read:

  Glad you found a reason to stay.

  A friend once told me that everything is sweeter when you’ve found your reason to stay. She was right.

  22

  Delilah

  Jason and I have been playing house for weeks, happily avoiding the outside world as much as possible. We don’t venture much beyond the property line, except to run errands for the basics or visit his mom. Though it’s been nice when she comes around here as well.

  Billy also hangs out with us, sometimes to help and other times to drink a few beers. It’s a peaceful existence.

  Too peaceful.

  Peeking out the window, I spy just the guy I need to talk to and run into the barn to find Billy. “Billy?”

  He comes out from the area where we keep old equipment. “Yeah?”

  “Have you heard from Cole lately?”

  “Saw him yesterday at the gas station. What’s up?”

  “He doesn’t usually take his ego getting bruised so lightly.” I dig my teeth into my lower lip and look back at the house where Jason is showering.

  Sitting on a stump of wood my dad used for a chair, Billy takes off his cowboy hat and runs a hand through his hair. “Are you talking about what happened at Red River between him and Jason?”

  “Yeah.” I lean against the frame of the open barn door and cross my arms over my chest. “I’ve been worried, living every day like he’s about to strike. Is he?”

  “You don’t have to worry, Delilah. You have Jason around. He’s not going to let Cole step foot on this farm.”

  “I don’t want Jason fighting this battle. I don’t want Jason near Cole at all. It won’t end well. You know that.”

  “Jason can handle himself. I saw him pin Cole to the ground by a neck hold in like two seconds flat. The guy’s got a lethal side.”

  You’re telling me. “When did that happen?”

  “When Jason first arrived in town. Same place. Red River.”

  Jason didn’t tell me. Why? We both look back toward the house when we hear the screen door slam closed. My heartbeat picks up. Pushing off the barn, I point at Billy. “I’m serious. I don’t want Jason and Cole near each other. You’ll let me know if you hear about Cole coming out here?”

  “You know I will.”

  Finding some relief, I smile. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

  Just as I turn, Jason walks toward the barn looking as devastatingly handsome as always. “You sticking around, Billy?” He’s far enough away not to have heard us talking.

  “I was thinking about it. I was also thinking about getting laid.”

  “Billy.” I shake my head and pretend I was tending to the rusted tools hanging on the wall. “Gross.”

  “Really? Are we fifteen? A man has needs, Delilah. I’m assuming a woman does too, so I’m going to go help one out with those needs tonight.”

  Jason’s laughing too hard and smart enough not to get involved in the conversation. I start back for the house, but I stop and go back. “You can’t say stuff like that in front of my sister when she comes to visit.”

  Billy swipes a piece of hay and jabs it in the side of his mouth, smirking. “Why not?”

  I shake my head at his ridiculousness. “Because she’s used to men with class.”

  “Annnnnd?”

  “And,” I say, then huff, frustrated he doesn’t get my drift without me spelling it out. “And do you have a tie?”

  “Delilah.” Now Jason joins in, chuckling under his breath at me. “Leave the poor guy alone.”

  “What? I’m just asking if he has a tie.”

  Billy responds instead, “Yes, I do. Why, are you trying to set me up with Shelby?”

  “Because I like you, and I love her, and I think you guys might work well together.”

  “Your sister has hated me since I was eight. I don’t think she’s gonna go for you trying to set us up.”

  “That’s not a no. Anyway, nobody even remembers you pushing her into the mud.”

  “Except you.”

  And my sister. “Doesn’t matter,” I reply. “We’re not kids anymore. Right, Jason?”

  His hands are up, and he’s backing away. “I’m not getting involved in this one since it predates my arrival in Solace Pointe.”

  Rolling my eyes, I turn back to Billy. “Wear the tie for dinner on that Friday night. Okay?”

  Yanking the hay from his mouth, Billy huffs. “Am I going to church?”

  “No, but if you play your cards right—oh God, what am I saying?” I laugh at myself for setting my sister up like this. Lord help me if she figures it out. “Just wear something nice—not too dressy but not straight off the farm.”

  “Some women like straight off the farm, but I have a feeling your sister is not going to like this setup one bit.”

  “What’s not to like? Four friends getting together to hang out and catch up is all good stuff.”

  “Guess we’ll find out. As for these tools, I think I can clean ’em up and sell them. You don’t use them, and Paul has his own.”

  “If we can make some money, let’s sell them. Every penny counts right now.”

  Jason nudges me. “Speaking of money, I wanted to talk when you have a few minutes.”

  Although I’m curious to know what he wants to talk about specifically, I don’t push for more with Billy standing here. “I’m free now.”

  Billy gets to work, pulling the tools out from the corner, and I join Jason as he walks to the back of Billy’s truck. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you as well, but you go first. Is everything all right?” I ask.

  “Yeah, it’s good. I’m good. You?” This is awkward. Dragging down the tailgate, he motions for me to sit.

  I hop up and let my feet dangle. “I’m good. Since we’re all good, I wanted to ask about the fair again. With Red River not working out how we planned, how do you feel about going?”

  He moves between my legs, covering my bare thighs with his large hands. “I’m fine with it. The reality is we can’t stay holed up here forever.”

  “I don’t want to be controlled by my ex.” The tips of his fingers dip under my cutoffs and then work around to my ass. I’ve discovered he’s such an ass man.

  “I fucking hate that you even have an ex.” Taking me by surprise, he brings me in for a kiss. It’s possessive and greedy, abrupt and lustful. My body’s temperature rises as does my need for him.

  “How do you turn me on from one kiss?”

  “Because you know what follows.” He lifts me off the hot metal and rights me on my feet again. “You want to go upstairs?”

  Looking back at Billy, I debate briefly but decide against it. “He works for free to help me out. I think we should finish the chores.”

  “I’ll wait, but I can’t promise I’ll be good.”

  “Good because I love when you’re bad.”

  His hands span my lower back. I love being engulfed by him. But thinking about him holding me to the fire with Billy, I also respect him. It wasn’t a callout to hurt me or shame me, humiliate me, or demean me in any way. I’ve not held the same level for anyone since my father. “Hold on to your britches, Ms. Noelle, because I put the bad in bad boy.”

  “Bad boys are my weakne
ss.”

  “Then I’m one lucky bastard.”

  I’m the lucky one, but I’ll let him own the title for a bit. “We should finish the chores so we can have some fun sooner rather than later.”

  “I like the way you think.”

  “I like everything about you.”

  The tips of his fingers slide inside the waistband of my shorts, and my body responds instantly to his touch. In the heat of the day, he manages to make me shiver from desire while goose bumps pebble my skin.

  Billy comes out of the barn. “I’m taking off.”

  I back up a few steps from Jason, who says, “Your timing really fucking sucks.”

  “Thank you would be nice. Don’t mind me. You guys can roll in the hay or whatever it is you’re wanting to do. Just don’t tell me about it and don’t make me watch.”

  I close the tailgate for him. “Thanks for helping out.”

  “You’re welcome. About the fair tomorrow—”

  “We’ll be there,” Jason replies, surprising me. “Want to ride together?”

  He shakes his head. “Nah. I’m hoping to bring whoever I meet tonight to the fair tomorrow.”

  Laughing, I say, “You’ve really thought this through.”

  “My needs come with plans. I’m not a love ’em and leave ’em kind of guy, despite what you hear around town.”

  “Noted,” I reply. “Then we’ll see you there around six?”

  “I’ll be there with the football team. I promised to kick their asses at the carnival games.”

  Jason adjusts his hat. “You’re stooping to new lows if you’re betting against high school kids.”

  “They’re big dudes these days. Anyway, I’ll let them win. Builds their confidence before the game this weekend. Also, I got roped into judging the Mutton Bustin’ race.”

  Elbowing him, I tease, “You old softie.”

  “Guess they figure the all-time winning champion in Freeland County will make a good judge.”

  He’s got me in a corner, but then he says, “And cowboys tend to screw up their marriages. I bet there will be a lot of hot single moms there.” And then I’m reminded why we never hooked up.

  “Ugh. I thought you were bringing a date.”