by K. C. Crowne
“Of course. But the thing’s stuck in the mud in a ditch –not goin’ anywhere for a while. We could check to see if any of your belongings are in there.”
I patted my coat, feeling the outline for a car fob that I hadn’t noticed before. I took it out and checked the label. “Honda Accord.”
Wyatt nodded. “Sounds about right. And let me worry about it. I want to get you back to the house as soon as possible.”
“Sure.” My stomach rumbled after I spoke. “Sounds like I’m ready for that home-cooked meal.”
Wyatt smiled, flicking those golden eyes onto me for a brief moment. “Trust me – you’ll never eat better cookin’ in your life.”
What a strange day this was. I’d experienced two extreme polar opposites. The strange and troubled knowledge of having lost my memories and then the comfort and assurance of being greeted by a complete stranger who somehow made me feel at home. How was this even possible?
We drove on, the road winding and leading out of the more populated area.
After about ten minutes, we passed the car Wyatt had mentioned. Yet, I could barely see it since it was so far into the ditch. I felt a chill move up my spine as I observed the scene. Something strange had gone down here and I was determined to find out what the hell that was.
But first, that meal my belly was begging for.
Shortly after, we reached the tall, steel gates to the property. Wyatt rolled down the window and typed in a key code, and the gates opened smoothly and slowly.
Once we were on the property, I was able to gaze in wonder at the sight of the house from a distance. Damn, the place was huge –three stories in total, and a collection of barns and fenced-in areas for animals around it. Wyatt pulled in a small parking area where a few other trucks as big as Wyatt’s were parked. Likely belonging to the three brothers Wyatt mentioned earlier.
We stepped into the house, the delicious smell of chicken and spice and fresh-baked bread greeting me. I stood in front of the door for a moment, allowing myself to get wrapped up in the scents and the warm air.
The sounds of pairs of boots came from my left. I turned to see a couple of men, both as tall and handsome as Wyatt, emerge from the living room. No doubt they were two of his siblings.
“There’s the lady we’ve all been waitin’ to meet,” one of them announced.
“Name’s Silas – a pleasure.” He offered me his hand and I took it. It was warm and rough and strong, just like his brother’s.
“And I’m Travis.” Another firm handshake. Travis was younger –probably in his mid-thirties. I guessed he was the youngest of the brothers.
Silas pulled up a chair for me to sit in. “Wyatt filled us in earlier on your adventure. You must have taken a hard fall, but no need to worry. You’re in good hands. Our home’s your home for as long as you need,” Silas said. “Anything we can do to make you more comfortable, you let us know. And Mama G will make it clear, but you’re welcome to anything in the kitchen.”
“Thank you so much,” I gushed as I took the seat. I knew I didn’t have a memory in my head, but I couldn’t imagine anyone had ever welcomed me so sweetly. “You have no idea how much I appreciate this.”
Before the conversation could continue, a bell rang out from the other side of the house.
“There it is,” Travis said with a smile.
“What is that?”
“Dinner bell,” Wyatt said with a grin. “Time to eat.”
CHAPTER 3
WYATT
My heart filled with pride.
The meal was as incredible as ever.
Mama G had made fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and homemade rolls, a perfect country meal. By the time I was halfway done with my second helping, I was pretty sure I’d be going back for more. Everyone was there except for Travis, who’d insisted on going to check out the abandoned car.
“Damn, Mama,” my youngest brother Chance said from the far side of the farmer’s table where we ate. “You really went all out tonight.”
Mama G offered a wry smile in return. “Of course I did –we’ve got company, after all. And you know what I think about swearing at the dinner table. Hell, you know how I feel about my kids swearing at all.”
“Hell’s a swear word,” Silas noted with a grin, and his wife, Molly, slapped him on the arm.
“Hey, when you’ve given birth to five kids and raised them all up right, you get a few privileges. Swearing when I feel like it is one of em’.”
I smirked at my mother’s words.
For the hundredth time that evening I snuck a glance at our attractive guest. Jessica sat across from me and it made stealing glances at her as she ate too easy to pass up.
It sure was out of character for me. Ever since my divorce, I hadn’t been so taken by a women. But this one – well this one was different.
“How’re you likin’ the chicken?”
She took a big bite before looking at me. “Mfmm,” she said, starting to talk with her mouth full but stopping herself. She swallowed and took a swig of her beer to wash it all down. “What I was trying to say,” she began with a grin, “was that you were right. This might be the best damn meal I’ve ever had in my life.” Her eyes widened as she realized she’d broken the rule about swearing at the table. “Sorry.”
Mama G caught it and grinned. “Don’t worry about it. Guests get certain privileges too.”
Emily, my pretty, dark-haired kid sister, a spitting image of our mom at that age, spoke up. “I still can’t get over what happened to you. You really lost your memory?”
“Really lost my memory,” Jessica replied with a shrug.
“As in all of it? No idea of your childhood? Your family?” Chance asked. She nodded and he added, “Now that’s a heck of a thing.”
“I still have parts. Like, I know what Texas is and remember the taste of fried chicken. But as far as anything about me or what happened…there’s nothing. Just a big blank space.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that,” Mama G sympathized. “But it’s a good thing Wyatt found you when he did. What’s going on outside is nothing you want to get knocked out in.”
“Yeah,” I agreed. “It’s a good thing.”
My expression tightened. It brought to mind the idea of what might’ve happened had I not found her. The idea was enough to make me lose my appetite.
“Well,” Silas said, dipping his fork into a huge mound of mashed potatoes topped with fresh butter made from the cows on the ranch. “We don’t need to worry about any of that. My brother got you, and you’re safe and sound now.”
“And when we’re done, Wyatt can show you to your room,” Mama G added, wiggling her finger. “But don’t get too eager – there’s fresh blackberry pie waiting for you after we’re done.”
“Oh, I love blackberry pie!” she exclaimed. Then her eyes flashed. “Hey, I remember that.”
“Food’s good like that,” Chance commented. “Read somewhere that tastes and smells are attached to the most powerful memories we have.”
“Ain’t that right,” I said. “I can still remember exactly what your meatloaf tasted like little brother. That same feeling of nausea hits me every damn time.”
“Hah!” Chance responded with a grin. “Well even more reason to appreciate Mama G’s cooking. She never disappoints, and her blackberry pie is just the same as I remembered as a kid.”
“That might be because I haven’t changed the recipe in thirty years.” She grinned broadly.
“If all your meals are this good, Mrs. Walker, then I’m more than down to try that out.” Jessica added.
“Don’t worry about that,” Mama G said, waving a dismissive hand. “As long as you’re here you won’t go hungry for a minute. I make sure all my guests are properly taken care of. And please honey, call me Ginny.”
It was clear our guest was as much a fan of Mama G’s food as we were. I loved watching a woman with an appetite like Jessica. She devoured her meal and wasn’t shy about i
t.
Before the conversation could continue, I heard the front door of the house open.
I knew it had to be Travis. All the eyes in the room turned in the direction of the house entrance. Sure enough, he stepped into the kitchen, his cap and coat dusted with raindrops.
“Oh, there you are!” Mama G exclaimed. “I was startin’ to get worried.”
Travis unzipped his coat and took off his cap, setting them aside before plopping down into his usual open chair. He didn’t waste a second grabbing a plate and piling it high with food.
“You know, Ma,” he said as he poured himself a tall glass of milk – also from our own cows. “For once, I think you might’ve been right to be worried. It’s lookin’ like hell out there, the frozen-over kind.”
I was relieved he was back, too. But I was also curious as hell about what he’d found. “What’s the situation with the car?” I asked as Travis took a big, hungry bite out of a drumstick, the skin crunching loud enough for me to hear it.
He chewed and swallowed. Jessica watched him with eager eyes. “It’s stuck, alright. We’ll be able to get it pulled out with one of the trucks, but that’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”
“And did you find anything?” Emily asked, inquisitive as always.
“I brushed off the windows and looked around inside.”
Jessica interrupted. “It was unlocked?”
“Yep.” He chugged some milk, wiped his mouth, and said, “Checked everywhere. Didn’t find anything other than a suitcase you must’ve brought. Hope you don’t mind, but I opened it and took a look.”
“No, not at all,” Jessica said. “I’m glad you did. What was in there?”
“Only clothes, really. Phone charger.”
I shook my head in frustration. “Damn, was hoping for some kind of clue.”
“No such luck,” Travis said. “But at least you’ve got some clothes. I left the suitcase by the front door.”
“Thanks so much for doing that,” Jessica said, sincerity in her voice.
“Not a problem.”
The group continued eating and drinking. I polished off most of my third helping before pushing the plate aside and folding my hands over my belly, totally satisfied.
“Another meal, another knock out of the park,” Emily complimented.
“You know I love to see my kids fed,” Mama G beamed. She turned her attention to Jessica to make sure she was included. “And our welcomed guests.”
We cleared our plates from the table before our mother left and returned with two perfect blackberry pies, the crusts golden brown, the filling glistening.
“This house,” Jessica said as my mother served the pie. “It’s so warm and inviting I love the interior – so charming.”
“It’s home,” I said. “Only place I’ve ever given that name. The kids’ father had a keen eye for detail, and I’ve always loved Gone with the Wind. So when it was time to build our own place, he created my own personal Tara—on the inside anyway. On the outside, it still had to be a rancher’s home. But the inside and décor always bring back a little of my childhood in South Carolina.”
“And all of you live here?” Jessica asked.
“Some in the house, some in their own cabins on the property,” Chance said. “Emily and Logan are out near the riding rings and Silas and Molly have a place out nearer to the pastures. But Wyatt, Travis, and myself like to be close to Mama G’s kitchen.” He grinned and patted his belly.
Chuckling at his silly behavior, we set into our pies, and damn, it was even better than it looked, flaky and buttery and rich. Coffee was served alongside of it, the perfect complement to the desert.
“Now, I don’t know about you guys,” I said, “but I’m thinking a view of the living room fireplace is just the thing.”
“I’ll second that,” Silas said.
“Care to join us?” I asked Jessica.
“You bet!” Her eyes flashed again as she realized she might’ve shown a little too much enthusiasm. But I didn’t mind. I was looking forward to getting to know her.
“Come on.”
We hopped out of our seats and made our way to the living room. As we did, Jessica looked around at the decor of the house.
“I was in here so briefly earlier,” she mused. “And I was not in the frame of mind to notice all the details in here.”
“You’ll get a pass,” I said with a smile.
“You said your dad built it?”
“That’s right – with his own two hands, too. There were a few other pairs of hands helping, of course. But he put his heart and soul into this place. Not all of us had been born yet, but he was definitely planning on a big family.”
We stepped into the living room and I headed over to the bar, pouring the two of us brandies. The fire was still crackling, and when we sat down with our drinks, we said nothing for a time, simply enjoying the cozy fire.
“You said you were a veterinarian, right?” she asked, breaking the silence.
“That’s right. I’ve wanted to be a vet since I was a kid helpin’ my dad with the animals around the place.” I smiled as nostalgia took hold. “Had this old stallion named Duke. Dad loved him like crazy, and he never missed a day taking him out for a ride. But one day, old Duke got sick as hell. We were all worried like crazy about him. None of us could figure out what was wrong.”
I took a sip of my brandy before continuing. “So Dad called the vet, salty old guy named Dr. Sampson. He came, took a look at Duke, and came back with some medicine. He did that, and then what I saw next I couldn’t believe – he talked to him.”
“Talked to the horse?”
I nodded. “That’s right. Not sure what he said, but it must’ve helped. Duke got calmer right away. Anyway, the medicine worked, and Duke kicked around for another few years. But the whole thing left a hell of an impression on me. It was like the guy was magic or somethin’. I’ve always loved animals, and bein’ able to help them live long, healthy lives was a no-brainer for me.”
As soon as I finished speaking, I felt like I was coming out of a spell. Why the hell was I being so open with her? I’d never been cagey or anything like that, but I’d also never been one to spill my guts. This girl was having an effect on me that I couldn’t really understand. Especially since I’d locked myself up so tight after my divorce.
And right in the middle of my thoughts, I felt a light pressure on my hand. I glanced down to see that it was Jessica’s hand. I glanced up and our eyes met. The fire flickered in hers, the glow outlining the damn near perfect beauty of her face.
Something stirred between us, not a doubt in my mind.
“You’ve got a good heart,” she murmured, her voice nearly a whisper. “This whole experience has been frightening, to say the least, but at least I got to meet someone like you out of it.”
Then I felt it – that moment of heat and tension when two people realize they want to kiss each other.
Her lips looked so inviting that I could hardly resist.
But I did. I turned my head, breaking eye contact, and broke the spell. I wanted her, and she wanted me, but it wasn’t a good idea. She was lost and scared and confused, and I refused to take advantage of that situation. Hell, for all we knew, she was married with a house full of kids in Houston.
The thought of that didn’t sit well with me at all.
“Anyway,” I said. “I should show you to your room. You’re probably tired as hell after what you’ve been though.”
“Yeah, that’d be nice.” There was disappointment in her eyes and voice.
We finished our drinks and headed upstairs, me grabbing her bag on the way up. “Your room’s gonna be right down this hall on the east wing.”
“The east wing,” she repeated as she looked around. “Damn, this place just doesn’t end.”
“Dad liked to think big.”
“I can see that.”
We reached the guest room I’d picked for her and opened the door. It was a cozy litt
le space with a 19th century four post bed covered in quilts Mama G had made. I stepped in and placed the bag on the bed. Jessica opened it and dug through it.
“Yep, it’s clothes alright.”
“Just remember that as long as you’re in this house, it’s as much of a home to you as it is to us. Don’t feel like any request is too big or too small.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” She smiled that gorgeous smile.
She sifted through the bag as if looking for something. And as she did, I caught sight of a pair of lacy blue thong panties. The image of Jessica wearing nothing but those flashed into my mind. It was enough to make my cock move in my jeans.
“Alright,” I said. “I’ll let you get to it. “And Jess…” I stopped, catching myself calling her by a familiar name.
She stopped what she was doing and looked at me for a moment with a strange expression on her face.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to be too familiar.”
She shook her head. “No, that’s not it. Something came back to me,” she said with a concentrated stare. “That name…that’s what people who were close to me used. You must’ve had a sense for it.”
“I must’ve.” I still felt odd about the whole thing.
What was going on with me?
“I like it.”
She looked up at me again and the moment of tension returned. And it was much, much harder to resist.
She stood on her tip toes and planted a kiss on my cheek.
Innocent, but enough to send the message. When I pulled back, she regarded me with wide stunned eyes.
“That’s…not a good idea, Jess. You’ve been through a hell of a lot today. You were in some kind of accident, got hurt bad, and now you can’t remember anything.”
“Are you thinking I’m not able to make decisions for myself?” she questioned.
“It’s not that. More that you’re in a vulnerable state right now.” She nodded but she looked confused. “Just so you know, you bet your ass I wanna kiss you back. And not just on the check if I’m being one hundred percent honest. But it just...wouldn’t be right. I’d feel like I was taking advantage of you. And I’m not the kind of man to do something like that.”