Where I Found You (Heart's Compass Book 1)

by Brooke O'Brien

  “Listen, I won’t keep ya. I know you have things to do. Just think about it, about what I said.” Randy grunts. I can tell he doesn’t like my decision, but he won’t say it. He’ll let us work it out like grown men.

  “Thanks for stopping by. I’ll be over early tomorrow morning to wrap up the invoice for the Kroger project. I’ll take a look at the inspection too,” I say, as we turn to walk back up the hill toward the house. We stand around in my driveway for a little while, just shootin’ the shit before he takes off. Once his truck is backing out, I pull out my phone to check the time and see it’s after six.

  “Fuck, I need to get my ass in gear,” I mumble to myself, realizing I’m gonna need a shower and something to eat before I even think about throwing back a few beers.

  Staring down at my phone, I remember the missed text message from Madison earlier as my finger hovers over the unread message. Mad and I have a long history not worth repeating, we’ll just put it that way.

  Deciding to see what she wants, I open the message.

  Mad: In town tonight. Wanna meet up?

  It’s been awhile since I’ve slept with anyone. Hell, since that day at the bus station, I haven’t even been interested in getting close to a woman. The reminder of Ellie has me wondering where she is or what she is doing as my cock twitches back to life. With that thought, I lock my phone and slide it into my pocket as I head inside.

  The floorboards creak beneath my feet as I step out onto the front porch. I quickly check my pockets, feeling for my keys and my iPod before I close the door, locking it. Jogging down the gravel driveway, I head towards the main street heading into town.

  A lot has changed since I moved to Arbor Creek. I’ve started to settle in to my new job at Hudson Grocery. It’s certainly not something I ever pictured myself doing, but I enjoy it. I like the people I work with and the customers who come in regularly. Everyone has always been kind and welcoming.

  It’s the middle of August, and the summer heat is stifling. The smell of the country air and the quiet stillness around me is peaceful. The skies are cloudy and a soft wind is blowing. I know without even checking the weather, a storm is heading our way.

  The thought of storms takes my mind back three months. Back to the parking lot of the bus station. Back to Callum.

  I wish I could say I hadn’t thought about him since then. I wish I could say I hadn’t done a lot of things when it comes to Callum.

  Pulling my iPod out of my pocket, I slide my earbuds in and turn up Sam Hunt. I always look forward to the reprieve I get from music during my morning walk into town. When I get closer to Hudson’s, I follow the sidewalks that lead me past the small shops and restaurants. There is a small bakery on the way I often find myself sneaking into even though I know I shouldn’t. Time always passes by quickly when I walk, and before I know it, I’m turning the corner in front of Hudson Grocery.

  The bell rings as I open the door, and I hear Kinsley before I see her. Her larger than life personality makes her easy to spot, even in a crowd of shouting people.

  “There she is! FINALLY,” she sighs dramatically. I can’t help but want to roll my eyes. You’d think she has been waiting for me to show up all day, yet I’m still ten minutes early.

  “I’ll be right there,” I shout back at her, making my way to the back of the store to clock in.

  I will never forget the day I met the Hudsons. It was the day after I moved to Arbor Creek and I woke up to the sound of pounding on my door and Kinsley’s infectious laugh. Swinging it open, I didn’t bother to hide my tired state or lack of enthusiasm. I’m not sure if it was the fact that my hair was sticking up in different directions or the indication I was still sleeping at one o’clock in the afternoon, but it was clear they were concerned. I’ve never been much of an early riser. Kinsley was determined to fix that as she brushed past me to prepare a piece of banana bread her Grandma June had made just for the occasion.

  Keith, my new landlord and now boss, insisted I call him Hudson as he apologized profusely for waking me. Promising to be out of my hair in a few minutes, he set out to fix my broken sink.

  I hadn’t even noticed.

  Kinsley, on the other hand, was like a tornado the way she moved around the kitchen making herself at home, all while talking a mile a minute. I learned that Kinsley is Keith’s granddaughter who also happened to work at Hudson Grocery, at least while she is finishing up college. Kinsley’s older and strikingly handsome brother, Kolton, was with them. He didn’t bother to introduce himself and instead set out to unload the lawn mower and got to work.

  Although their visit turned out taking more than a few minutes, I didn’t mind. It didn’t take long before I was awake, although I wouldn’t say I was nearly as energized as Kinsley. We ended up hitting it off almost immediately and have been close friends ever since. She is the type of person you gravitate toward; people just want to be around her. Her humor, though, I’ve decided is an acquired taste. I often wonder where she comes up with some of the shit she says.

  Moving to Arbor Creek was my fresh start and an opportunity to open my heart again. It’s a sad reality when everyone in your life has either walked away or betrayed your trust, in one way or another. It forces you to question the intentions of everyone around you. You learn to keep people at a distance, putting up a wall to protect your heart.

  It can be incredibly lonely.

  Kinsley has taken the wall I’ve had up and plowed right through it. She sees through my front and never fails to call me out. I quickly came to terms with the fact that I needed someone like her in my life. Despite all the bullshit life can throw you, she doesn’t let anything get her down.

  I pull my name tag out of my pocket and pin it to the front of my shirt as I prepare for my shift and head toward the front of the store.

  “Good grief, it took you long enough. Did you get lost back there?” Kinsley asks, rolling her eyes. You’d think she was pissed off if she didn’t have a bright smile taking up nearly half of her face.

  “Don’t even start with me, woman. I wasn’t supposed to be here until eleven. I wasn’t even late!” I throw back at her. “Kolton told me all about how you use the back room to work on your homework. I know you don’t get that many breaks. Wait, are you sure you’re not getting lost back there?” I ask, feigning concern as I smother a laugh. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I enjoyed throwing it right back at her.

  Picking up the towel and disinfectant cleaner, I start wiping down the counters. The store is rarely busy, so I like to find things to do to keep myself occupied. It helps make the time go by faster.

  “Watch it, Ells!” she smarts, looking around, making sure no one overheard. “That asshole promised me he wouldn’t tell on me.”

  Kinsley has been busting her ass to wrap up her business degree before the end of the summer, all while preparing for the opening of her new hair salon. I know this because the past two times we’ve had movie nights, she ended up passed out on my couch.

  All jokes aside, I’m excited and proud of her and Halle. The salon has been our main topic of conversation since we first met and has been a dream of hers since she was young. She has worked hard for this.

  “Calm down, your secret’s safe with me,” I say, winking as I continue to wipe down the counters.

  “You’re still planning on coming out tonight, right?” she questions, looking at me with concern on her face. “I promise you have nothing to worry about. Wes will be there and a couple of his friends, Reid and Brannon. They are good people. Hell, while we’re at it maybe we’ll even find you a man,” she says, wagging her brows.

  Throughout the week, I’ve struggled with the upcoming plans to go out to the local bar with Kinsley and her friends to celebrate the opening of their salon. The fact that I’ll be putting myself in a bar, around people drinking, is difficult enough for me. I know I can trust Kinsley, but I still can’t seem to shake this uneasy feeling.

  Putting on a brave smile, I say, “You know
I wouldn’t miss it. Although, I’ll have to pass on finding me a man.”

  Later that night, when I’m home standing in front of my closet getting ready, I kick myself for agreeing to this. Running my palms down my face, I let out a slow sigh of frustration. I don’t have much of a wardrobe, even though Kinsley has been dragging me out shopping with her on more than one occasion lately.

  Settling on a coral and navy plaid button up and my favorite pair of denim jeans, I sit on the edge of my bed to pull on my tan knee-high boots.

  It will have to do!

  Spending a little extra time on my hair, I opt to curl it, leaving it cascading in waves down my back. I’ve never been one to wear a lot when it comes to make-up, so just a little powder, mascara, and lip gloss and I’m ready to go!

  It’s after seven when I start heading into town, wanting to get there before the sun goes down. It doesn’t take long before I’m walking up to the front of Brodie’s where Kinsley told me to meet her. Thankfully it’s close to Hudson’s, not far off my normal path, so it was easy enough to find. Flashing my ID to the guy at the front door, he fastens a pink band on my wrist and waves me in.

  Stepping inside, I stand against the wall needing a moment to look around. Considering I don’t drink nor do I like being around it, I don’t usually find myself in situations like this, yet here I am.

  The entrance is off to the side, toward the back of the room. Tables surround the dance floor with a stage in the back for live performances. People are up dancing as Jason Aldean plays overhead. On the opposite side is a bar, taking up the full length of the room with a wall full of glass shelves holding alcohol bottles. The bar is bustling with people who are ordering drinks and talking amongst each other.

  Spotting Kinsley chatting with a group of people near the bar, I head to where they are standing. In true Kinsley fashion, when she spots me she shouts my name and runs over to me, throwing her arms around my neck.

  “I’m so glad you came,” she shouts in my ear, jumping up and down excitedly. “I didn’t know if you would or not. I mean, I know you said you would, but I didn’t know if you meant it. C’mon, let me introduce you to everyone.”

  With our arms linked together, we join the group of people standing around the high-top table.

  “Hey, everyone! I want to introduce you to my friend, Ellie.” Kinsley shouts over the music. I want to be embarrassed by her excitement as my eyes take in the group of people. That is until my eyes fall on the same blue eyes and dark brown hair that have filled my dreams for the past three months.

  He’s here. The electricity in the room changes as his eyes leave mine, trailing down my body. I can feel the heat of his stare as his eyes make their way down my length, taking me in. When his eyes return to mine, the desire I find shining back at me holds me captive.

  Callum is here.

  She’s here. For a second, I question if my eyes are playing tricks on me.

  Ellie is here and standing in front of me, and she looks breathtaking.

  My eyes travel the length of her body, taking in every inch. Fuck me; she’s beautiful.

  Her hair looks different than the last time I saw her; longer, curled in waves down her back. It’s lighter since I last saw her, making her look like an angel.

  I can’t take my eyes off her.

  Making my way down further, I take in her long legs to the boots that come up to meet her knees. Those legs, damn it those legs. I haven’t been able to get them off my mind since the day she stormed away from me at the Travelodge. I fight back a groan as my eyes follow the path back up her body, drinking in every inch of her until I meet her eyes.

  The look of surprise on her face says she is just as shocked as I am. There is also something else there, a look of heat and, if I’m not mistaken, longing.

  Sweetheart, I am feeling the same way, don’t you worry.

  I’m in the middle of a conversation with Wes and Brannon about my dirt bike as Kinsley introduces Ellie to the group. Immediately drawn to her, I effectively end the conversation as I shoulder past them and amble over to where she is standing.

  “Well, hello there,” I drawl with my eyes focused on Ellie, interrupting Kinsley which has Halle bursting out in laughter. I can’t help it, though, as my eyes remain zeroed in on her. Kinsley does her best to cut in, not liking for a second being overstepped. Little does she know, her introductions aren’t necessary. With a knowing smile, I stretch out my hand in greeting.

  “Nice to meet you, Ellie. Callum,” I say, tipping my head to her.

  Ellie uses her hand, attempting to hide the smile that threatens to break across her face. “Nice meeting you, too, Callum.”

  That sweet as fuck voice has me fighting a groan. I don’t let go of Ellie’s hand or take my eyes off her as Kinsley continues to prattle on to her friends.

  “She works over at Hudson’s with me. Although she can’t show up on time to save her life, so I have no idea why he keeps her around.” Kinsley sneers, with her hand on her hip, earning her a laugh from Ellie.

  Damn, I would give anything to hear that sound again.

  “Is that right, you’re working over at Hudson’s?” I ask, raising my brow with a knowing smirk on my face. So much for her not knowing where she was headed. I won’t hide the fact it makes me happy knowing she has been living here this whole time.

  “That’s what I said, Reid. You gonna let her go sometime soon?” Kinsley jests, referring to Ellie’s hand still wrapped around mine.

  “Yeah, that’s how I met Kins, well, through Hudson,” she replies sweetly. I don’t miss the familiar way she refers to Kinsley and Keith. “How is it you two know each other?” Ellie asks, pointing between us.

  “Oh, Callum and I go wayyy back. I knew him when he was just a wild child, and well, before he turned into such a ladies’ man. He was always easy on the eyes, though, weren’t ya?” Kinsley laughs, throwing her arm around my neck and smacking a quick kiss on my cheek.

  Thomas Rhett starts singing about dying a happy man as Wes comes up behind Kinsley, wrapping his arms around her waist.

  “Baby, why you kissin’ on my friend?” he teases, with his head on her shoulder throwing me a look. Raising my free hand, I shake my head, but he knows better than to think anything is between us.

  “Come dance with me,” Wes says, grabbing Kinsley’s hand, leading her out to the dance floor. Kinsley looks back to where Ellie and I are left standing, her hand still in mine and a huge smile on her face.

  Wes and I have been friends since second grade when he and his mother moved to Arbor Creek. The two of us grew up with Kinsley and our friends, Halle Keegan and Kyle Brannon. Kins and Wes were always crushin’ on each other, but it wasn’t until we were in high school when Wes worked up the courage to ask her on a date. Kinsley may have made him work for it, but we all knew it was inevitable. They are perfect for each other and have been together ever since.

  “Hey, Ellie, you should dance with Callum. He’s more than easy on the eyes. He’s a great dancer,” Kinsley shouts over the music, looking at me with a devious smile on her face as Ellie’s head snaps up staring at me. I catch Kins throw a wink over her shoulder just as Wes quickly pulls her into his arms, causing her to unleash a fit of giggles.

  Looking down at Ellie, I raise my eyebrow to her in question. “Well, you heard the woman. Can I push you around the dance floor sweetheart? I mean, I’m sure you’re just begging to be wrapped up in these arms again.”

  “You know, for a second I was thinking about it, but I believe I’d like to get something to drink now instead,” she retorts, turning as if she’s going to head to the bar, using that sass she likes to throw around like a shield of protection.

  “I’m just messin’ with ya,” I breathe out a laugh, pulling her back to me. “C’mon, baby, let’s dance.”

  I don’t give her a chance to second guess it as I use our connection to pull her closer, leading her out onto the dance floor, keeping my other hand pressed against her lower
back. Turning so she is facing me, I draw her closer until she’s pressed against my front, wrapping her arms around my neck.

  Leaning down, I can’t help but let my nose run along the side of her jaw, taking a second to appreciate the sweet scent of Ellie. She smells so much better than I remembered, like flowers and sunshine.

  “I have to say, seeing you here has to be the best part of my day,” I whisper against her ear. I don’t miss the sudden inhale of breath or the way her eyes dilate when she leans back to look up at me as our bodies begin to sway to the music.

  “You plantin’ roots here in Arbor Creek or still not sure where you’re headed?”

  “I guess I don’t know what the future holds. For now, I’m content with where I am.”

  I’ve thought about this girl more times than I can count since that day at the bus station. The fact that she is standing here before me with this sweet smile on her face, wrapped in my arms once again, has me sending up a silent prayer of thanks.

  We dance for a couple more songs and not once does Ellie move to add some distance between us. At least, not until we’re interrupted.

  “Mind if I cut in?”

  I grit my teeth in frustration, knowing right away who it is based on her voice. It’s like nails on a chalkboard for me. Looking up, immediately my eyes connect with Madison. I should’ve known she would turn up here tonight, showing again how thirsty she can be for male attention.

  “Of course,” Ellie says, taking a step back.

  “Not this time, Madison,” I spit, annoyance clear in my tone as I pull Ellie closer. She should’ve known I am not interested.

  “What, no hug or anything? I haven’t seen you in months.” Shooting her a look, I silently tell her to stop this conversation before it goes any further. The smug smile on her face says it all. She knows exactly what she’s doing, and my reaction is exactly what she was hoping for.