What Love Feels Like

by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  “I guess he hasn’t.”

  “Maybe Seren will talk to her and find out?”

  “Maybe? I wonder what he’ll do when he finds out Jade is working here?”

  “Probably what his brothers are doing, pretending they don’t care.” She chuckled. “Colby is the one to worry about. He hardly talks to any of us.”

  “He’s getting better. It’s only been a year since he was shot and nearly died. He’s recovering still,” Kevin said. She nodded as Jade called to her.

  “Colby is in the back if you need help with that list, Jake,” Quincy said to Spence Harrow as he flirted with Jade.

  “I was kind of hoping the new girl would help me. Maybe investigate the best sleeping bags for camping,” he teased.

  “Not my forte,” she replied, and then walked away toward the computer.

  Quincy saw Jake looking at her ass. “Do you mind?”

  “What, Quincy? She’s a sexy little thing and new around here, so I’m just being friendly. Maybe she needs a friend, you know, to show her things, like how to camp, go on adventures.” He was still staring at Jade and licking his lips.

  “Don’t bother her while she’s working here. Now, go on,” Quincy said, and Jake tipped his hat and then walked past Jade, staring at her, but Jade ignored him. Quincy worked in the business end of things and was dressed in dress pants and a button-down shirt. He handled the accounting and finances of the business and was always working on sales and other things, along with his dads.

  Jake was right, though. Jade was stunning, and her hair so long, those blue eyes were mesmerizing, and she smelled really good, too. She had a nice figure, wore dark jeans and a blouse, and he could tell she was well endowed. She was talking to his mom about the computer, and he listened.

  “I was having a problem with that program for a while now. Seren was going to help out,” his mom said.

  “Seren knows about computers?” Jade asked.

  “We all know a bit, but Seren seems to have a knack for them,” Quincy said, and Jade looked up at him. She was a bit shorter, like five-foot-five maybe, but being six-foot-three, everyone seemed short.

  “Have you tried reloading the original formatting tool? Sometimes the system has to reboot and refresh itself.”

  “We didn’t want to lose account information,” Meryl said to her.

  “You won’t, and especially with a back-up hard drive, which you really should have in case this computer crashes. It’s old.”

  “That it is. Do we have an extended hard drive, Quincy?” Meryl asked.

  “No, not over here. Inside I have one,” Quincy said.

  “Maybe we should get one for this computer before we reboot or re-download or whatever that terminology is,” Meryl said, and they chuckled.

  “It’s okay, Meryl. Computers are constantly changing and the software, too. Just when it seems like you understand the programs you are using and feel comfortable, they come up with a new one and you’re forced to upgrade. It’s a vicious cycle, but I think we can make this computer last a bit longer with an extended hard drive. Then, we can try to reboot that program or find a new updated version that’s compatible.”

  “What?” Meryl said, and Quincy laughed.

  “It’s okay, Mom. We’ll handle it. I can work with Jade on this since it seems she knows about computers, too. Where did you go to college?” Quincy asked, and Jade looked shocked.

  She lowered her eyes and pushed her hair behind her ear. “I didn’t finish,” she said, and then started to look at papers on the desk and file them.

  “Where did you go, and what was your major?” his mom asked her.

  Jade took a deep breath and exhaled. “I went to community college down South, and I couldn’t finish because of family issues. A long story, but one day I hope to be able to return.”

  “What do you want to get a degree in?” Meryl asked.

  “Not sure. I love a lot of things.”

  “Like?” Quincy asked.

  “Engineering, computers, physics, I don’t know, so I’ll just wait and figure it out.”

  The phone rang, and she answered it. Quincy locked gazes with his mom, and she looked concerned. He had a feeling Jade had a story to tell. He wondered if Seren knew anything, and then the thought annoyed him. Jade was young and maybe trouble. She was only here a day, and they knew nothing about her. He would make sure she didn’t do anything wrong or step out of line.

  Jade walked into the back room by the main showroom and saw all the cool equipment they had. She was debating about staying here to work for the Fortane family because of Seren. She was trying to stay out of trouble or make her life more complicated than it already was. As she looked around the showroom, she saw the new ATVs and dirt bikes, off-road vehicles, and even hunting and camping supplies. It was pretty impressive.

  She hadn’t been on an ATV in a while, and never mind behind the wheel of a car. She was good at driving, a bit of a daredevil, and had been forced to drive one of the cars in the beginning of the race to get the guys all crazy. Allie lived for doing that and even wore a bikini. Not Jade. She wore short shorts and a tank top, but that was as skimpy as she would go. She never liked dressing like that. She saw herself as classier and more professional. She liked skirts, blouses, designer things she couldn’t afford, but one day, maybe.

  She ran her palms along her jeans and knew she would need a few things to get by if she kept this job. Maybe she could catch the bus to Coldsberry and shop at the bargain store and thrift shop. She thought she read that they had a Goodwill, low prices for struggling families. She gulped but was passed feeling embarrassed and not good enough. She was a good person, and despite her family and their plan for her, she would succeed. She just had to stay on track and remain focused.

  She heard the footsteps and turned to look, spotting a really big guy heading her way. He had a clipboard in his hand, and he didn’t look happy. She wondered who he was. He looked mean. He had a beard and dark hair, and he wore a flannel shirt in green, blue jeans that hugged thick, slid thighs, and even cowboy boots under his jeans.

  “Jade, come on in, and we’ll go over pay and hours you can work,” Kevin called to her, and the big guy looked up, their gazes locking. When his eyes swept over her body, she felt it everywhere. He squinted at her, and she gave a small smile then turned and headed toward the office. She didn’t dare turn back.

  “Colby, Jake is going to pick up that order tomorrow at noon time. That enough time, son?” Kevin asked as she got to the door.

  He must have just nodded, because she didn’t hear his voice. The man probably had a deep, rough voice, just like the way he looked. She walked into the small office, and Meryl and Quincy were there.

  They smiled. “So, what days are you available to work?” Meryl asked her.

  “Monday through Thursday. I work at Harper’s Friday and Saturday.”

  “We need to figure out what days you can use her help, Mom. Definitely on Mondays,” Quincy said, staring at Jade. She felt her core tighten.

  “Whatever you have available is fine.”

  “We didn’t discuss pay, though. I’ll need some information for taxes and things,” Quincy said.

  She felt her face go flush, and her heart hammered in her chest. She knew this was too good to be true. “Uhm, I thought it was off the books. I need off the books, otherwise with taxes and everything, I won’t even get by. I’m sorry for wasting your time,” she said and stood up, but Kevin touched her shoulder. She gasped and stepped back, nearly tripping over the chair. Meryl gasped and stood up.

  “Easy Jade, I’m not going to hurt you. Obviously, there’s something going on,” Kevin said to her.

  She wanted to get out of here. This wasn’t good. Their son was Seren, he was a deputy. They would tell the sheriff, he would ask questions and investigate. She felt her head begin to ache.

  “I appreciate the opportunity, but I’ll have to pass,” she said and slowly moved toward the door.

 
; “Kevin,” Meryl said, and he nodded.

  “You’re in some kind of trouble and don’t want to be tracked,” he said. It wasn’t a question. She felt sick to her stomach.

  She straightened out her shoulders, looking from him to Meryl to Quincy, then back at Kevin. “I can’t work on the books. I won’t explain why, but I’m not a criminal or anything like that.”

  “How do we know that, though? You aren’t giving us anything here to make the decision to pay you off the books. Tell us the truth. Tell us something, and we’ll help,” Kevin said, shocking her. She felt the tears fill her eyes.

  “Sweetie, we aren’t bad people, either, and we like you. I get the feeling being secretive, getting paid off the books, and not divulging information is because you feel you can’t trust anyone. Maybe someone tried to hurt you?” Meryl asked.

  “It has to be that way, Meryl. I can’t let my guard down. I have to remain in control. I really do appreciate the offer. I hope you can find someone to help you so you aren’t working too hard. Thank you for the opportunity.” She reached her hand out to shake Meryl’s and then Kevin’s, and then she turned toward Quincy. He had his hands on his hips, a scowl on his face, and he shook his head.

  “Not good enough,” he said and eyed her over.

  “What?” she asked.

  He was breathing through his nostrils. He was a hard man, a serious one, she could tell. Good looking as could be, and seasoned. He had muscles and more muscles, and she could see them even in his large hands. He walked around the desk and then leaned against it.

  “Give us something so we can trust you, and we’ll work out you working cash only.”

  She didn’t know what to say. A thousand thoughts went through her head. Her family wanted to marry her off for a business deal. An illegal one. Her sister was sold off and now has to share her bed with her husband’s friends. Her father and those same men tried to beat her into submission. What could she tell him? She started to shake, and she couldn’t believe it. Why? She was always strong under any pressure.

  “Tell us something. You can trust us,” Meryl said to her.

  “My family isn’t like yours. Close, caring, honest. Mine was quite the opposite, and without getting into any details, if I stayed under their control and command, I more than likely would be in pain, physically and emotionally, all the time, or dead. I won’t say more. I need to stay in control of my life, my destiny the only way I know how now, and that’s by fitting in and staying undetected.”

  They were silent, and she walked to the door.

  “Be here tomorrow at seven,” Kevin said, and it shocked her. Her eyes widened.

  “The first thing that you’ll learn around here, sweetie, is there are trustworthy people, and we don’t hurt women. Welcome aboard,” Kevin said.

  “Thank you,” she said. Her voice felt like it cracked as she left the office and quickly headed to the front desk to grab her backpack. She passed Shane as he was closing up the garage bays, and she gave a casual wave, then began her one-mile walk toward Finnerty’s and her apartment.

  Chapter 4

  “She said that to you?” Seren asked his parents as he stood in the kitchen.

  “I take it you didn’t know she was running from something?” Quincy asked.

  He looked at his older brother and shook his head. “I need to talk to her. To find out details. She could be in danger, in need of protection.”

  Seren was very concerned. He liked her. A lot. By the way things had gone done lately around town, he was worried danger could come following her.

  “Son, you need to calm down,” Kevin said.

  “Got it bad for her, huh? Shit, this is a situation,” Jake said.

  “Not foreign to us,” Sunny said, and his dads all looked at their mom. Seren knew that their mom had a tough childhood and her father was abusive and an alcoholic.

  “She never let onto anything? The sheriff didn’t question her, ask if she needed anything?” Quincy asked.

  “No, you know how Kane operates. He gives people time to adjust to things, to feel comfortable.”

  “Where is she staying?” Quincy asked.

  “In a one bedroom above Finnerty’s,” Seren told them.

  “John and Keith keeping eyes on her coming and going?” Captain asked.

  “Yes, sir. I already spoke to them when she moved in there.” Seren exhaled and then leaned against the counter. Their parents’ house was a big old farm house with plenty of room. He and his brothers all lived there, had their own extended part of the house out back with a separate entrance, kitchen and everything, but they shared main meals on Sunday up here with their mom and dads.

  “This is what I think you need to do, Seren. Take your time with her. Don’t go interrogating her and demanding answers. We all know how you get,” Kevin said.

  “Well, Dad, I do want answers. I want to know what happened to her, if she needs anything, and, well, if trouble could be coming this way. What she told you doesn’t tell us shit,” he replied.

  “What she told us gave her the opportunity to show a little bit of trust, and now we need to earn more just like we feel she needs to earn our trust. We’re taking a chance hiring her not knowing much but what we saw today,” Kevin said.

  “She knows a lot about cars. More than most women do,” Shane said.

  “I’m thinking she grew up around a shop maybe, or someone who fixed cars. It was a bit beyond basics. Impressive,” Sunny added.

  “It wasn’t that impressive,” Shane stated.

  “You change your mind about your interest? If so, tell me now,” Seren said to Shane.

  “Interest? You met her before today, Shane?” Quincy asked.

  Shane looked at Quincy and Colby. “She’s the reason why he’s been hounding us to hang out at Harper’s. He wanted us to meet her.”

  “Shit,” Colby said and shook his head.

  “What, you telling me you’re not interested?” Seren asked.

  “She’s too young, and if you were smart, you’d go sniffing for action elsewhere. Not robbing the cradle for some kid,” Colby said.

  “She isn’t a kid,” Seren replied.

  “She sure isn’t. Not with that body, and men take notice. Spence Harrow wrote his number down on the invoice for those things he ordered and asked her out like three times,” Quincy said.

  “Jake did that? What did you do? Did you step in?” Seren asked.

  “She turned him down,” Meryl added.

  “She’s pro at that, and now I’m starting to understand why,” Seren told them.

  “I say leave her be. She needed a job to make more money. We agreed to pay her off the books, and that’s what we’ll do. She’ll get more comfortable, and maybe your mamma can get her to open up a little bit more,” Captain said and gave his wife a wink.

  “You know she’ll expect me to ask her questions,” Seren said.

  “Well don’t, and maybe that small action will get her to trust you and explain things,” Quincy said.

  They talked about the shop, about her working tomorrow. He would talk to his brothers’ more later tonight.

  Jade was working on the computer program when Quincy dropped off an extended hard drive. “You sure you know how to do that?” he asked her.