Chirp(40)

Moonlight shimmered across the pond. A coyote howled in the distance. Humid air settled on his bare chest. Scents of honeysuckle and pine floated to him. All the makings for a romantic evening, but there’d been no romance. And he wanted to make it up to her. Show her what a good lover he could be.

He’d climaxed, but not her. He hated that. Especially after he’d discovered it was her first time. One more thing to add to his guilt. He’d taken her virginity, and she’d gotten zip. He drained his glass and poured another. His attraction to her confused the hell out of him. Wasn’t even old enough to drink. But as quirky as she was, there was something about her he couldn’t get past.

He’d already suffered and lost more than most people his age. Finally he had a second chance, but there was still an emptiness inside him from the years when all he’d thought about was self-preservation. Concentrated on making one day at a time. Getting through each twenty-four hours without getting raped, beaten, or killed. When he was with her, he forgot all that.

A splinter. That’s what she was. Worked her way underneath his skin until he couldn’t take it anymore. He knocked back another drink and mentally kicked himself. He was an idiot to tell her no more sex, because he wanted more. A lot more. To make her scream for reasons other than pain.

He’d had too much alcohol. Wasn’t thinking clearly. He held the bottle up to the light. Almost empty. He turned it up and swallowed the last slug, then staggered down the hall and considered acting on the erection straining against his jeans. Still sober enough to know that was a bad idea, he crashed onto his bed.





Blaze


After a sleepless night, Blaze rose early the next morning. She’d made a terrible mistake asking Rance for sex. They’d become friends, and now she’d put that in jeopardy. She’d expected him to storm inside and tell her get out. But he hadn’t.

His door was ajar, so she peeked through the crack. Shirtless, but still wearing jeans, he sprawled across the bed. She eased away and slipped quietly into the kitchen. Out on the deck, an empty whiskey bottle and glass sat next to the lounge chair.

He wasn’t sleeping. He was passed out.

God, she’d been so bad at sex he’d gotten drunk to forget the ordeal. A sharp pain stabbed her chest. She couldn’t stay in this house all day with him and see the anger in his eyes. She grabbed a bottle of water and took off toward Hanna’s.

Even at the early hour, the woods were alive. Birds chattered. Squirrels scampered. Crickets chirped. Chirp. His nickname for her. She got a little tickle in her belly every time he said it. Mainly because he delivered it with the same affection as when Dad had called her Birdie.

Tears pricked her eyes. She’d ruined everything and didn’t know how to fix it.

She neared Hanna’s place. Blaze knew her friend would be with the goats, so she headed straight to the stalls. Sure enough, Hanna sat on a stool milking Sadie.

“Hey, Blaze. You’re out early.”

“Seth and Nick are coming to the festival. They’ll be here Thursday.”

Hanna went almost as pale as the milk. “I was afraid of that. Would you be willing to take over milking duties? I’m going to visit my grandmother. I’ve convinced Mom and Dad to go with me, so you can stay here.”

“Is Seth Noah’s dad?”

Hanna spoke over her shoulder. “Yes. But you can’t tell anyone.”

“I won’t. But why haven’t you told him?”

“Because I thought I meant something to him, and I didn’t. Besides, he had his life planned. So what would have been the point?”

“Don’t you want Noah to know him?”

Hanna resumed milking. “Yes. But I need to make sure Seth’s bride will be a good mother. Easier for me to share Noah if she accepts him.”

Blaze understood that scenario all too well. Her dad had been tricked into thinking Marla was the perfect woman, but the minute she had the ring on her finger, she showed her true colors—a lying, conniving, self-centered gold digger who wanted Blaze out of the picture permanently.

Blaze bit her bottom lip. “I slept with Rance.”

Hanna whipped around so fast she almost knocked the bucket over. “What?”

“I had sex with Rance, and he didn’t like it.”

Hanna set the pail aside. “Did he say that?”

“Not exactly. He said it wouldn’t happen again, and as much as he loves sex that’s all it could be.”

“I warned you. You should have told him no. Those Keller boys take what they want without consideration for anybody else.”

“I’m the one who asked.”

“What?”

“I asked him, and at first he refused, but then changed his mind. I’ve messed up. I bet he’s going to ask me to leave.”

“Maybe not. Tell me everything.”

When Blaze finished the story, Hanna stood, took the milk to the cooler, then turned back. “Why did you ask him?”

“Because I’m in love with him.”

Hanna released a heavy sigh. “Oh, Blaze. That can’t be right. You hardly know him. I understand the attraction. He’s been nice to you of late, and that’s confusing.”

Blaze shook her head. “No. I think about him all the time. I lie awake at night because of nasty thoughts. I wish I’d been better, then he’d still want to be with me. Now he’ll bring women home again.” Blaze stretched her lips tight to keep them from quivering and didn’t understand the urge to cry. But every time Rance came to mind, a knot lodged in her throat.