Chirp(20)

When she reached her destination, she collapsed onto a rock and rubbed her arms before she attempted her climb. Her elbows stung from carpet burn, and the first signs of a headache throbbed in her temples. Closing her eyes, she filled her lungs with fresh air. Strange how a house in a tree with no doors or locks felt safer than the farm.

It took longer than usual to scale the ladder because Blaze’s legs were still like noodles. Once she reached the floor, she wrapped herself in the blanket and sat cross-legged. Clutching her stomach, she rocked back and forth. She’d never had a man scream at her or glare at her that way. She wasn’t sure he had seen her, but rather some demon from his nightmare. The pain in his eyes made her think of Perfect Crime, episode 51, the most heartbreaking of the series, where after years of suffering, parents found out their missing child was dead.

She didn’t know how long she sat there with one thought after another swirling in her head. She’d lost track of time. Rance hated her for no reason other than she existed. That wasn’t anything new. Sometimes Blaze wondered if God hated her too. He must, since He’d taken away everyone who’d loved her. Mom, Dad, Dessie.

Despite her father’s wishes, Blaze didn’t belong here anymore. She dreaded having to face Rance again, but she had no choice. No need to wait. She’d return for the things she needed while he slept. It wouldn’t take long to pack. Crawl in the window; grab her clothes, money, computer, and phone; and leave within the hour. Even if she was contract labor, it would be irresponsible not to give the funeral home notice, but she couldn’t help that, unless she stayed at the local motel or Hanna’s.

She’d decide that tomorrow. Right now she’d get her things, and in the morning, with a clear head, consider her job situation. Decision made, she climbed down and headed back to Dessie’s.

Blaze released a long steady breath. Rance’s truck was gone. As she hoisted up a leg and straddled the windowsill, headlights swept over her. She scurried to get inside, but her pajama pants caught on a loose nail. She struggled to get free, but the fabric ripped right along with the skin below it.

The truck came to a halt, and Rance jumped out.

“What are you doing?”

He didn’t sound angry, but she’d seen how quickly his mood could change.

He closed the distance between them, and she froze, expecting him to jerk her back onto the porch.

“Let me help you,” he said, offering his hand.

“I can manage.”

“Are you going or coming?”

“Both,” Blaze answered.

“What do you mean?”

She slid into the room and wiped at her leg. The scratch wasn’t deep. A Band-Aid would suffice. She came to her feet and dragged her duffel from the closet.

He leaned inside the window. “About before. I didn’t mean to scare you. Had a bad dream. I do that sometimes. Prison stuff.”

She turned to face him. “Dessie said you were a good boy.”

Rance ran his palm over his weary face, and she saw regret in his eyes.

“I’d never harm you, Blaze. I swear it. No matter what you think of me, you have to believe that.”

She considered it. He’d used her name, and there was a sadness in his voice she’d never heard before. “I thought you were saying, ‘Help me.’”

“In a way—I was. Can I come in?”

He didn’t sound dangerous. He sounded—wounded. “I guess.”

Within a few seconds, his massive frame filled the doorway. He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I don’t remember if I knocked you over or not, but if I did, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

Blaze believed him, but it didn’t change the fact he wanted her to leave. And she should, because no matter how hard she tried, she wasn’t welcome here.

He sighed and rocked back on his heels as if to get his balance. “Where are you going?”

Blaze moved to the bathroom to gather her toiletries, then came back to the duffel. She didn’t answer, just shrugged.

He pulled his hands from his pockets and dropped them to his sides. “Stay. I won’t badger you anymore about leaving. And the nightmare thing—well, now you know to stay clear when it happens.”

He sounded sincere, and she wanted to stay. Needed to stay. He zeroed in on her leg and took a step toward her.

“You’re hurt. Let me see.”

She backed away and looked down at the stream of blood making its way to her ankle. “No. It’s just a scratch.”

“All right. So, about you staying . . .”

Her elbows burned, her leg hurt, and her heart pounded in her ears. But even with all the tension in her chest, the thought of striking out on her own scared her more than giving him a second chance. “Okay.”

“Okay.” He turned and walked away.

She wasn’t sure why he’d changed his mind, but whatever the reason, she wouldn’t question it.





Rance


Rance didn’t know why he’d asked her to stay. Perhaps it was because she’d witnessed the dark side of his soul and offered no judgment. The fear he’d seen in her eyes affected him in a way he couldn’t explain. He’d terrified an innocent girl, and that scared the shit out of him. And according to Hanna, his grandmother had not only accepted the kid, she’d loved her. Couldn’t dispute that recommendation because Gran read people better than anyone he’d ever known. However, the money he’d found made him nervous. But if she was willing to stay after the monster she’d seen in him that led him to think she wasn’t hiding from trouble, but from danger.