by Elle Wright
Brooklyn shot her friend a watery smile. “I know, and I love you for it.” She pushed herself up on her elbows. “It sucks having a father who doesn’t care about my feelings. It’s like I don’t have any parents.”
It was a hard lesson to learn, but Brooklyn realized she’d lost both of her parents that night. Senior could not be trusted to be the father she needed. He’d shown her time and time again that she didn’t rate with him.
Brooklyn remembered going to him, after her mother’s funeral, because she’d needed his comfort. The warm hug she’d been seeking would never come because she’d walked in on him getting serviced by one of his mistresses in her mother’s bedroom. And he’d had the nerve to get mad at her for interrupting. She never looked at him the same again after that, and he didn’t care. He hadn’t even run after her when she’d bolted from the house that night.
Instead, he’d ordered them all to suck in their emotions and see to the many guests that had come calling once news of her mother’s death spread through their quaint town. They never spoke of the incident again, but Brooklyn had yearned for a conversation. Because despite what he’d done, she needed him. He was her father, and she’d just lost her beloved mother. Through the years, she wanted to love him again, so he could help her get through the grief. She’d dreamed of the day he’d apologize for being absent, cold. But that apology never came, and soon her longing was replaced with ire. Still, she wondered if she’d ever be able to turn him away if he came to her, begging for forgiveness.
“Where’d you go?” Nicole nudged her gently, shaking her from her thoughts.
Sighing heavily, Brooklyn shrugged. “Nowhere.” She stood up and walked to the mirror, grimacing at her haggard reflection. Her hair was a hot mess, and who in the world let her out of the house without her foundation and lip gloss?
Nicole stood up and inched closer to her. “How about we get a pint?”
Brooklyn arched a brow at her friend. “Kyle is not going to kill me for letting his pregnant wife get smashed.”
Nicole giggled. “No, silly. A pint of ice cream.”
Brooklyn barked out a laugh. “Well, how about you get the ice cream, and I get some food? I’m starving.”
“Room service?”
“Let’s go out and grab something. It’s a nice day out. Snow storms one day, blue sky the next. That’s Michigan in a nutshell.”
Brooklyn busied herself by unpacking some of her suitcases. “I don’t know what I was thinking, grabbing this dress.” She held up the long maxi dress with the bright orange lines in it so Nicole could get a look, before she balled it up and threw it on the floor. “This needs to go in the trash.”
“Girl, please. You should have never bought that dress in the first place. I worry about your style sometimes.”
“Says the person who only wears black, brown, and navy blue. You need some color in your life.”
“You know what you need?” Nicole asked. “You need to go out on a date, meet someone. You know, enjoy your twenties.”
Dating was the last thing on Brooklyn’s mind. “No, Nic. You’re not hooking me up with Kyle’s friend. It’s just not going to happen.”
Nicole’s eyes widened. “Brooklyn, he’s a nice guy. And hot.”
Brooklyn giggled. Nicole was not slick. She had been trying to hook Brooklyn up with one of her husband’s friends for weeks. From the picture, the guy was good looking and all, but Brooklyn just wasn’t interested.
“Fine. I’ll shut up about him.” Her friend gasped. “Speaking of hot guys, tell me more about the man who saved your life.”
Brooklyn had given Nicole the quick version of her run-in with the mystery man the night before. Hunching her shoulders, she said, “What’s there to tell? He pushed me out of the way of an oncoming car, and he smelled so good, Nic. You know what the smell of laundry detergent does to me.”
“Girl, bye. You and your Gain detergent. I’ve never met anyone this obsessed with detergent and other cleaning solutions.”
“Hey, I consider it a good sign when any man smells like clean laundry. It means he at least washes his clothes.”
“Or his mama does.”
Brooklyn laughed. “Stop. He didn’t look like the type to live with his mother.”
“A lot of men don’t look like the type, but they are.”
“I don’t know,” Brooklyn said with a shrug. “I just didn’t get that vibe from him. Not that it matters anyway. He disappeared into thin air after I thanked him.”
“I still can’t believe that someone saved your life and you didn’t get his name or anything.”
“Well, he was probably just passing through on his way to Kalamazoo or something. He did his good deed for the holiday season and left.”
“You don’t believe that,” Nicole said. “Besides, if he’s a visitor, he could be staying here. I mean, he was outside of the hotel in a snow storm. And this is the best hotel in good ol’ Wellspring.”
The sarcasm in her friend’s voice made her smile. “If you hate it here, why did you stay?”
Nicole had been talking about leaving Wellspring since eighth grade. Brooklyn had listened to countless lectures on how it was a stupid town with stupid people and nobody cool would ever come there. “Aside from the obvious?” Nicole rubbed her hand over her full belly. “Someone had to stay and keep an eye on you.
“I call BS because I didn’t even live in town when you could have left for Houston, like you wanted. Just go ahead and admit you love this ol’ town.”
“Whatever. Anyway, let’s go find the mystery guy.” Grabbing her hand, Nicole pulled Brooklyn out of the room.
Down in the lobby, Nicole marched to the front desk and rang the bell. Her friend had shared her plan of asking the front desk staffer if they’d had any men check in that fit the description of her stranger, as if she’d already staked some claim to the man. Brooklyn wanted no part of the “mystery-man hunt.” Although it was quite possible that the stranger was staying at Wells Hotel, if he was visiting.
Brooklyn’s gaze zeroed in on the hotel café, which was situated to the left of the front desk. The smell of coffee and bread wafted to her nose and she decided she’d grab something to eat there. She gestured toward the café and told Nicole she’d be over there and walked over. The place was busy, but not overcrowded which was perfect. There was no line at the counter and she walked right up. Smiling at the barista, she eyed the sandwiches in the glass case and placed an order for one and a bottle of water. She scanned the small area for a table, and froze. Mr. Tall, Dark, and Fine as hell was there, sitting in a cozy corner booth.
Nicole walked up behind her. “What did you order, Brooklyn? I think I’m hungry now, too.”
Brooklyn heard Nicole place a complicated order, and tugged on her friend’s sleeve, unable to articulate. Her friend, who was still talking to the barista about extra tomatoes and heavy mayo, swatted at her.
“Nicole,” she muttered. “Nicole.”
“What?” Nicole hissed.
“Look.”
“What?” Nicole asked with a frown on her flawless skin. “What am I looking at? Can’t you see I’m trying to get some information?”
“It’s him.”
Nicole whirled around. “Where?”
Brooklyn pulled her closer. “Shhh. He’s over there in the booth.”
“Oh my God!” Nicole breathed. “He is hot.”
“Tell me about it.”
As if on cue, the man raised his head and their eyes met across the room. She swayed on her feet and absently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Before she could stop herself, she waved at him. I’m such a dork.
“Go talk to him,” Nicole murmured.
“I . . . Okay.” Brooklyn had never been nervous about talking to men. But there was something about him that made her palms sweat and her mind cloudy. Not one to back down from a challenge, she started toward him.
A hand around her arm stopped her in her tracks. Next thing she kn
ew she was face-to-face with Sterling. “Brooklyn!” he shouted.
Somebody kill me now.
“Brooklyn, what is your problem?”
You. She glanced back at the booth. Mystery man was gone. Rolling her eyes, she said, “Sterling, we have nothing to talk about. Now, excuse me.”
His grip on her tightened.
“Let me go.”
“I think we have unfinished business,” he murmured. “You owe me a conversation.”
“I don’t owe you anything.” She yanked her arm out of his grasp. In the process, she lost her footing and tumbled backward into a hard wall. With arms. Quickly realizing she had fallen into someone, she jolted up. “Oh my God, I’m so . . .” The word sorry died on her lips when she found herself face-to-face—again—with the man who had saved her life.
Chapter 4
Carter hadn’t come to Wellspring to be a knight in shining armor. The days of him being someone’s protector were long over. Because I suck at it. Yet, he’d found himself rising to his feet all the same when he noticed the man grab her. Before he could even reason with himself, he was over there, standing like a menacing hitman ready to pounce on a mark.
He glanced down at the woman in question. “Are you good?”
The woman blinked up at him. “Um, I . . .” She nodded furiously. “I’m good.”
Carter glared at the man. “Not that you deserve a warning, but I don’t take kindly to men who think it’s cool to manhandle a woman. Keep your hands to yourself.”
Nothing infuriated him worse than a bully. Especially a man bullying a woman. He’d watched his father berate his mother for years, abuse her physically and emotionally. There was only one word for a man that put his hands on a woman—coward.
“Please, it’s okay.” The woman placed a hand on his wrist, and he gently pulled it out of her grasp, ignoring the spark that passed between them. “Sterling is just mad that I turned down his proposal in front of the entire town.”
Carter’s eyes flashed to the woman. She was no pushover, judging by her stance and the fire in her light brown eyes. Swallowing, he nodded. “Good.”
He started to walk away, but her hand on his back stopped him in his tracks. “Wait.”
“Really, Brooklyn?” Sterling shouted. “You owe me an explanation.”
So her name is Brooklyn.
“I don’t owe you anything, Sterling. You ambushed me in a room full of people. We’re not even a couple. But you and my father don’t care about what I want. So I don’t care about your pride. Leave me the hell alone.”
“You know I can’t do that.”
Carter turned to face the bully. He gave the man the once-over and cracked his knuckles. A fight would definitely release the tension in his shoulders, and it would make him feel better. Only problem was, this wasn’t the “D,” and he didn’t know anybody in town that could vouch for his character if he got arrested for pummeling the bastard.
He didn’t know what it was about the other man that made him itch to teach him a lesson. Carter had learned a long time ago to never judge a book by its cover. Black men had it tough already, especially in the current political climate. Yet, he’d immediately realized he didn’t like the man. Maybe it was the way the guy had strolled into the café like he owned the place. For all Carter knew, this Sterling guy could be the owner. But he didn’t think so. The man had money, that much was obvious, considering he was wearing an Armani suit—albeit one similar to one Carter owned himself . . . last year.
Carter let his gaze travel over Brooklyn quickly before turning his attention back to the other man. I should just walk away. This isn’t my battle.
Brooklyn turned her back on Sterling to face him, holding her hand out. “I’m Brooklyn, by the way.”
He reluctantly took her hand and gave it a quick shake. “Carter.”
“Nice to meet you. This is my friend Nicole.” She gestured to the very pregnant woman standing behind her. He shook the other woman’s hand as well. Carter didn’t bother addressing Sterling. “I wanted to thank you for saving my life. I wasn’t paying attention.”
Carter couldn’t help but smile. Brooklyn was unbothered by the man looming behind her, shooting them death glares. I like her. The thought made him take a step back. “No need to thank me. I’m glad I was there.”
“I’d like to do something for you.” She giggled softly, ducked her head before meeting his gaze again. “Have you visited Wellspring before? Maybe I can show you around? Wellspring isn’t big, but there are a lot of things to do.”
“Like what?” He hadn’t meant it to come out that way, like he was better than the town and its people. Wellspring seemed quaint, quiet. When he’d arrived, he’d noticed the storefront businesses lining the main road. It appeared that the town’s mayor had done a good job of luring business owners to the town, judging by the new construction in the downtown area. Compared to Detroit, though, it left a lot to be desired.
“Well, there’s the new Walmart. We could always walk around there. And the drive-in. We have all the new movies.” Brooklyn’s eyes flashed with amusement, before rolling her eyes. “I’m kidding. Wellspring might not be Detroit, or even Grand Rapids, but we’re nice people and we know how to have a good time.”
Curiosity made him want to say yes. But he didn’t leave his friends and family behind for this. He was supposed to be concentrating on his business. Still, he was conflicted, torn between the need for peace in his life and the desire to get to know this woman standing before him. It was the first time since Krys died that he’d actually been genuinely intrigued by a woman, and he didn’t even know her.
Averting his gaze, he sighed. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m going to have to decline. I have work to do.”
“What do you do for a living?” Sterling asked.
Carter had met men like Sterling before, entitled men who looked down on people who actually had to work for a living. “If I thought it was any of your business, I don’t even think I’d tell you then.”
“Ouch,” Brooklyn murmured.
“I’m not even sure why you’re still standing here.” Carter folded his arms over his chest.
“Do you know who I am?” The other man stepped closer, still behind Brooklyn though. Little punk, hiding behind a woman.
Carter narrowed his gaze on the man, satisfied when Sterling retreated back a step. “I believe the question is, do I care who you are? Obviously, she doesn’t want you around. Yet, you’re still here.”
“Damn,” Nicole mumbled. “I think that would be your cue to leave, Sterling.”
Carter didn’t know why he was engaging. It wouldn’t bode well for his company to get involved in the local drama. Brooklyn, a woman he’d just met, was not worth his reputation. Hell, what if she was the mayor’s daughter or something? She had trouble written all over her tight body. What does her body have to do with anything? Nothing, that’s what. And he needed to stay away from trouble. As it was, they’d drawn the attention of a few patrons seated in the café.
After Krys and Chloe died, he’d shut down, preferring to be alone rather than surrounded by people. He’d reasoned that it was better that way because there always seemed to be an underlying tension in his body that made him feel hostile, and he hadn’t wanted to do or say anything he would regret later. He didn’t drink hard alcohol, or even coffee, because it affected his mood. So he’d spent some time in the gym, taking his frustrations out on a punching bag. Boxing had become his escape, and a way to release the tension.
“Sterling, please just go,” Brooklyn said. “We’ve said all we need to say, and you’re causing a scene. You know how the gossips are in this town.”
That seemed to get the man’s attention. Finally. “Fine. I’ll go, but this isn’t over.” Sterling exited the café, bumping into innocent people on the way out. Another threat. It took every ounce of discipline Carter had not to follow that asshole out into the street and kick the shit out of him. “Does he always threaten you
like that?”
“No. Like I said, I hurt his pride. He’ll be alright.”
Something told him that Brooklyn was withholding important information about Sterling and his motives. Something also told him that the other man was not going to give up. And it would be best if he stayed the hell away from him while he was in town.
“Coffee?” she asked, drawing his attention back to her. “At least let me buy you a cup?”
He glanced over at Nicole before looking at Brooklyn again. Say no. But he couldn’t, not yet, not when she was looking at him with those big, expressive eyes. “I am looking for something other than pastry or sandwiches to eat. Maybe you could help me with that?”
* * *
Brooklyn swayed on her feet. In the light of day, Carter was even more handsome than she remembered. He was built like a wall, tall and hard in all the right places. There was an edge to him. Instinctively, she knew he had a story. He was running from something, or someone. Memories? Or a past that had forced him to leave his life behind to start anew? Maybe both.
But there was something about Carter that made her want to know more. His name alone was so masculine, strong. The way he’d stepped in and basically threatened Sterling with bodily harm had her tingling in places that hadn’t been used in months. No, she wasn’t going to think about her drought. It was unproductive.
The intensity in his stare pinned her to her spot, held her in a trance. This wasn’t her, all shy and tongue-tied. Say something, damn it.
“What type of food are you looking for?” Nicole said from behind her, pinching her back like an old church mother would for not paying attention to the “word from the Lord.”
Next thing she knew, Brooklyn was pushed forward, nearly falling into Carter’s arms. Again. She braced herself on . . . his chest. She tugged at her shirt. “I’m sorry,” she murmured, shooting Nicole a glare out of the corner of her eye. “There is a Panera Bread and you could always go to McDonald’s or Jimmy John’s.”
I’m such an idiot. He was probably from a big city, where there was a Panera or Jimmy John’s and the like on every corner. And those weren’t the type of restaurants that set Wellspring apart from the average city. Since he was visiting, she’d direct him to Wellspring’s best.