CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Ryanne
The sun shines bright with promise as I walk hand in hand with Hannah through Oak Park. Nestled at the edge of town with walking trails, water fountains, and monuments, it’s one of Winchester’s most beautiful landmarks.
Thatcher suggested it when Hannah asked if there were any parks close by. As nervous as I was about coming here, I’m glad I did. It’s exactly what my heart needed. Some fresh air and time to think.
Justice was wary to let us go without him but I assured him we would be fine. He needs the time with his brothers, and if I’m being honest, I need some breathing room. Every time I turn around that man is tempting me. Tempting my body, my heart, and my dreams.
We haven’t spoken about our fight from the other night but things are still strained between us and I hate it. Thankfully, he has been smart enough not to broach the marriage and baby subject again but it’s there every time he looks at me. The vow and possession lying in his dark, unrelenting eyes is everything I’ve ever wanted yet am terrified to have.
Terrified to trust.
I believe he cares a great deal about me. I see it in the way he looks at me and feel it in his touch, but that’s not the same thing as love. I also know what kind of man he is, one who takes care of his responsibilities, and that is not grounds for marriage. Not in my books.
On top of all that there are his brothers and the bond they have shared for so long. Can he really leave that behind forever? Will they hate me for it, or worse, resent Hannah?
I find the latter hard to believe. The two have been amazing with her. Even Knox in his quiet, off-putting way. He doesn’t say much but he patiently listens to her when she rambles and allows her to follow him around wherever he goes.
Braxten is more hands-on, constantly teasing her and making her laugh. I have a feeling they are falling as hard for her as she is for them.
Me, on the other hand, is a different story. Braxten is friendly enough and will even strike up a conversation but the resentment is still there. Resentment that I kept his niece from him and hurt his brother. I’m not sure he will ever forgive me for that. Heck, I’m not even sure Justice has forgiven me for it. Just another reason why I am not sure this will ever work between us. It makes me completely heartsick.
“Mama, can I have a penny to throw in?” Hannah asks, stopping next to the large fountain that sits in the center of the park. Its cream-colored marble, intricate detail, and overflowing water is a sight to behold.
“Sure.” I reach into my purse for my wallet and pull out the only penny I have. “Don’t forget to make a wish.”
She closes the coin in her fist and brings it under her chin, her eyes squeezing shut. A smile forms on my lips at how hard she makes that wish, curious to know what’s going through that sweet little head of hers and wondering if I could make it a reality. I’d give her the world if I could.
“Ryanne Lockwood?”
I tense at the surprised female voice and nervously turn around to find a pregnant woman and her daughter walking over to us. When she removes her sunglasses, I see it’s Jessica Bennett, a girl I went to high school with. Someone I would have even called a friend.
“Oh my gosh, it is you,” she says, shock masking her expression.
I paste a smile on my face and nod. “How are you, Jessica?”
“I’m great. I had no idea you were back. When did you get into town?”
“Only a few days ago. We’re just here for a short visit,” I tell her, more for my benefit than hers. “This is my daughter, Hannah.” My hand moves to her small shoulder as I introduce her.
She doesn’t look all that surprised, her smile never wavering. Which leads me to believe word got out after the sheriff’s visit.
“Hi, Hannah, it’s a pleasure to meet you. This is my daughter, Amelia.” She brings the young girl to stand in front of her. With light brown hair and big whiskey brown eyes, she looks exactly like Jessica.
“Hi.” Hannah waves.
“Hi,” Amelia greets back. “Wanna play at the playground with me?”
Hannah turns her face up to mine. “Can I, Mama?”
I hesitate for only a second, the hope in her voice making it impossible to say no. “Sure. Just for a few minutes though, okay?”
The two girls take off, racing across the grass.
“Stay where I can see you!” I order to her retreating back.
She acknowledges me with a wave over her shoulder, her speedy little legs never faltering.
“So the rumors are true,” Jessica says, a note of disbelief in her voice. “You really did have Justice Creed’s baby.” There’s no judgment in her eyes, only curiosity.
I nod.
“I never did buy your parents’ story that you went to California to finish out high school and attend UCLA, but up until a few days ago, I never in a million years thought this is what they were hiding.”
“They had nothing to do with it,” I tell her quietly. “I haven’t spoken to them in years.”
Sympathy flashes in her gaze. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
If people only knew how horrible my parents really are they’d realize I’m much better off without them.
“What about you?” I ask, changing the subject before I’m peppered with too many questions. “I’m assuming you and Barry ended up getting married?”
Barry Enderson was one of Derek’s best friends. He and Jessica dated for most of high school.
“God no. I kicked that cheating bastard to the curb when I caught him fucking Brenda Fabre at senior prom.”
I wince at the information but can’t say I’m surprised. Barry, Dustin, and Derek have always thought they were God’s gift to women. “I’m sorry.”
She waves away the apology. “Don’t be. I came out on top.” She flashes me the diamond on her finger, her smile reaching from ear to ear. “Just call me Mrs. Clemson.”
My eyes widen with shock. “No way! You married Craig?”
He graduated with Justice and was star quarterback of the football team. He was the very definition of golden boy. Last I heard he’s a deputy at the police department. It surprised me he would work for someone as corrupt as Sheriff Toder because Craig has always been one of the good guys.
“Sure did. We got together right after I finished high school,” she goes on to say, love shining bright in her eyes. “It was a whirlwind of a summer. We were inseparable. Spent every night having hot, wild sex under the stars then waking up to the sunrise. It was magical.”
Her trip down memory lane brings a smile to my face.
“It also got me knocked up,” she divulges on a laugh. “So he stuck a ring on my finger, said I do, and we haven’t looked back since.”
“I’m really happy for you, Jessica,” I say, meaning it.
“Thanks. It’s not as exciting as your life but I’ll take it,” she teases, bumping my shoulder with hers.
“Trust me, I’d give anything for stability.” I regret the admission as soon as it leaves my mouth. My gaze drifts away, her questioning eyes boring into the side of my face.
“I don’t blame you for leaving, you know,” she says quietly. “I probably would have done the same thing.”
My attention moves back to hers, her words meaning a lot. “Yeah?”
She nods. “Although, if I had gotten knocked up by a Creed I probably would have brought the three of them with me and locked us all away for an eternity.” She waggles her eyebrows suggestively.
The comment is made in a joking matter but it still has my heart sinking. “Despite what you’ve probably heard, it’s only ever been Justice.”
“Hey. You don’t have to explain anything to me. It’s clear as day who that girl’s daddy is.”
Thank God for that. Hannah’s resemblance to Justice may be my only saving grace in this town.
“She really is beautiful, Ryanne,” she tells me, her smile genuine.
“Thank you. So is Amelia.”
“Thanks. I’m excited to see what baby number two has in store for us.” Her hand moves to her swollen stomach, rubbing soothing circles.
A pang of envy strikes my chest. There’s nothing like feeling another life growing inside of you. It’s something I’ve missed since having Hannah. “Do you know what you’re having?”
“A boy,” she reveals, beaming with pride. “Craig is so excited and so is Amelia. She’s been dying for a sibling.”
I think about what Justice revealed the other night and can’t help but wonder if I had stayed here in Winchester would I be where Jessica is now, pregnant with baby number two on the way?
I can’t deny how much I love that thought but I also know my and Justice’s situation is much different than her and Craig’s. He didn’t share a lifestyle with his family that will follow them wherever they go.
The sound of laughter brings our attention over to the playground. The girls hold hands, swinging side by side.
“Looks like our daughters have become friends,” Jessica says.
A smile touches my lips. “It seems they have.” My heart warms. Hannah loves it out at the farm but I know she must miss her friends from school.
“Why don’t y’all come to the dance tomorrow night?”
“Dance?” I ask.
“Yeah, it’s been an annual thing for the past three years. It’s at the old red barn on Boone Mills road. There’s gonna be barbecue, drinks, and games for the kids. It’s always a good time.”
“I’m not so sure that’s a good idea,” I tell her hesitantly.
“Why not?”
“I don’t want to chance running into my parents.”
Among many other people.
“Are you kidding? They won’t be there. None of them come, well except Gwen. She’s on the council so she helps plan it but she’s never been like them. You know that. Not even the good ol’ mayor and his stuck-up wife will be there. It’s for all us common folk who aren’t good enough to hang out with the likes of them.”
I chuckle at the thick twang she uses while painting an accurate description of what pretentious snobs they all are. She’s right, my parents would never show up to something like that.
“I heard Derek and Lacey got married,” I say casually.
She snorts. “If that’s what you want to call it.”
My brows rise in question.
“Girl, they can’t stand each other. She travels every chance she gets and when she’s not she’s fooling around on him as much as he is on her. He’s just more discreet about it.”
I’m not surprised to hear it. Derek has always been a slimeball and Lacey always had quite the reputation of getting around, especially back in high school. Something she used to be proud of and flaunt whenever she could. It seems some things never change.
“Come to the dance, it’ll be fun,” she presses, bringing the subject back to the matter at hand. “Hannah and Amelia can hang out and get to know each other better while you and I tear it up on the dance floor. Just like old times. What do ya say?”
I glance over at the girls, watching them having so much fun together, but am still hesitant. “I’ll think about it,” I say noncommittally.
“I’ll take it.” She pulls me in for a hug, one I reciprocate, and I feel my throat tighten.
“Thanks for the invite,” I whisper.
“I really hope you come. I’d love to catch up more.”
“Me too.”
I mean that. Running into her has been nice. It’s been a really long time since I’ve had any kind of friend.
Afterward, we exchange numbers then I grab Hannah and head to the drug store for a few things. I considered going to the next town over, unsure of whom I could possibly run into since it’s right in the center of town but then I decided against it.
Seeing Jessica opened something inside of me, penetrated some of the fear I’ve been holding onto. Maybe Justice is right and it’s time I start facing this town and the demons that come with it. Hold my head high while I stare them all in the face, because if there is one thing in my life that I am proud of it’s my daughter.
Despite the inner pep talk, I still find myself a bundle of nerves when I enter the pharmacy. Thankfully, the place is mostly quiet, only a few customers that I don’t recognize wandering the aisles. I do, however, run into Mr. Dickson and am delighted to see he’s still the pharmacist here.
“Well I’ll be, if it isn’t little Ryanne Lockwood,” he greets me, his smile as kind as I remember.
“Nice to see you, Mr. Dickson.”
“You too, darlin’, and who is this beautiful little girl you have with you?” he asks, bringing his attention to Hannah.
Before I can make the introduction she steps forward and extends her hand. “Hannah J. Creed. Nice to meet you, sir.”
He looks up at me, impressed. “Beautiful and well mannered, just like her mama.” He takes her small offered hand into his and shakes it. “Nice to meet you, Hannah J. Creed. How would you like a lollipop?”
“Yes, please!”
He grabs the glass jar, allowing her to choose her own color, and even sneaks her one more for after dinner. Warmth invades my chest, remembering all the times he did the same for me, even though my mother was always nothing but rude to him.
By the time we walk out of the pharmacy, my heart is light and filled with more hope than when I walked in. Unfortunately, my newfound peace is obliterated within seconds.
“Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in.”
The arrogant male voice has my spine stiffening and stomach plummeting. Turning around, I come face-to-face with a man I never wanted to see again.
Derek Lancaster.
“Hello, Ryanne.” His greeting is smug, his sleazy eyes sweeping down my body from head to toe.
I remain frozen, imprisoned by fear as I remember the night he tried to tear my clothes off, his unwanted hands touching me in places I didn’t want to be touched.
When he receives nothing from me but stunned silence, he brings his attention to Hannah, kneeling before her. “Well, aren’t you just a pretty little thing. What’s your name, sweetheart?”
It knocks me out of my paralyzed state. Reaching down, I pick her up and open the truck door. “Come on, baby. Time to go.” My hands shake as I belt her in, feeling Derek’s eyes on us the entire time.
“You all right, Mama?” she asks, her small voice scared and uncertain.
Closing my eyes, I gather my composure and paste a reassuring smile on my face. “Everything is fine. I’ll be just a minute, okay?”
At her nod, I press a kiss to her cheek then close the door and turn to face Derek. This time I don’t let my fear control me and back him away from Hannah. “You stay the hell away from me and my daughter, you son of a bitch.”
The warning doesn’t deter him, a chilling smirk lifting his lips. “Still as feisty as ever I see.”
I slide across the tail of the truck, my back pressing tightly to the hot metal as I try to escape him, but with every step I take, he follows.
“I have to admit, Ryanne, you have more guts than I thought, showing back up here.”
“I mean it, Derek. Stay away from me!”
“Or what?” he asks. “What are you going to do about it?”
“It’s not me you have to worry about, it’s Justice.”
“Is that so?” he asks smugly.
My chin lifts. “That’s right. He won’t think twice about killing you, especially if I tell him what you did to me that night. I wonder what the people of Winchester would think about their mayor forcing himself on women.”
The threat wipes the amusement off his face and replaces it with fury. Panic infiltrates my chest when he cages me against the truck. “Do you really think anyone is going to believe a dirty slut like you?”
My eyes remain on his, refusing to cower. “They have no reason not to.”
“They have every reason not to.” He points to where Hannah sits. “That child makes you no different than the others. You’re just another one of their whores.”
My teeth grind, tears building behind my eyes. “You know nothing about me or my family.”
“I know more than you think I do. I always have.”
That statement, along with the knowledge in his eyes, makes my blood run cold.
“Everything okay over here?”
My gaze snaps past Derek to find Knox, his hard eyes assessing the situation I’ve found myself in. Relief swamps me and I use the opportunity to step out of the corner I’ve been backed into.
“No. It’s not,” I tell him, hating how shaky my voice is as I come to stand next to him.
He positions his body in front of mine and the buffer has me breathing a little easier. “Harassing innocent women, Mayor?”
“We were just having a conversation is all,” Derek lies, straightening his jacket before turning to face Knox completely. “It’s unfortunate what happened to your daddy’s land. Hopefully not too much damage was done.”
Knox’s stance is calm but a silent fury radiates from him. A fury only a stupid person would provoke. Derek has never been smart.
“Nothing we can’t handle,” he relays calmly, too calmly.
“Any idea who did it?”
“Yep.”
Derek cocks a brow. “Mind sharing?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.” The threat in Knox’s voice rings through the air, loud and clear.
A new tension fills the air, the unforgiving truth hanging between them.
A knock on the window penetrates the heavy moment as Hannah waves excitedly at Knox. I hold up a finger, indicating one more minute. She nods and turns back around in her seat.
“She’s cute, Creed,” Derek remarks. “Which one of you does she belong to? Or do you even know?”
Knox lunges for him, his fingers wrapping around Derek’s throat as he pins him against the back of the truck.
“You have never known when to shut that fucking mouth of yours, Lancaster.” He leans in closer, his voice lowering dangerously. “Stay away from my family, Ryanne included, or I will cut out your fucking heart and feed it to you.”
A chill crawls down my spine at the threat. I have no doubt Knox would do exactly that.
Derek struggles for breath, his eyes bulging as he claws at the ruthless hand stealing his air. I begin to think he’s not going to make it out of this alive but Knox finally releases him with a shove.
Derek stumbles back, heaving for oxygen as he massages his throat. “You made a big mistake, Creed,” he wheezes out.
Knox isn’t the least bit fazed. “Get the fuck out of here before I change my mind and finish you off right now.”
Derek is finally smart enough to listen.
Once he’s out of sight, I’m finally able to release the breath that’s been trapped in my chest, my hand resting on my queasy stomach. I look up at Knox to find him watching me. A million words dangle in my throat, all of them evading me as our gazes become locked on one another.
The moment is broken when Hannah knocks again. Walking over, I open the door for her.
“Hi, Uncle Knox!” she greets him, completely oblivious to everything that just happened.
He walks closer. “Hey, kid.”
“What are you doing here?” she asks.
“Just came to pick up some stuff for our target practice.”
Excitement dances in her eyes. “Y’all are going shootin’?”
“That’s the plan.”
“Cool. We’re heading back home right now too.”
His gaze shifts to mine. “I’ll follow you home.”
I nod, still having a hard time speaking.
“See ya there, kid,” he says before walking away and heading for his truck that’s parked on the other side of the lot.
After closing Hannah’s door, I finally find my voice. “Knox!” I call out to him.
He turns around.
“Thank you.” There’s so much more I want to say but it’s all I can seem to manage at the moment.
He doesn’t acknowledge my gratitude but I didn’t expect him to.
When he continues to his truck, I climb into Justice’s. The entire way home my mind reels with all the events that took place within the last hour. From my run in with Jessica, to that jerk Derek, but above all else, the way Knox came to my defense.
Was he just doing the honorable thing? Or does he not hate me as much as I thought he did? I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hoping for the latter.
Justice and Braxten are both out in the yard when we pull up, Knox parking right next to me. Something Justice doesn’t miss by the way his assessing eyes take in both of us as we climb out of the vehicles.
Dread twists my stomach as I think about him finding out about Derek but I know it’s unavoidable. There is no way Knox won’t tell him. He’s going to be furious, especially when he didn’t want us to go alone in the first place.
Hannah runs ahead of us, barreling straight into Justice’s arms.
“Hey, baby. Did you have a good time at the park?” he asks.
“The best. I even made a new friend. Her name is Amelia.”
“We ran into Jessica Clemson,” I jump in to explain. “I had no idea she and Craig were married.”
“Yeah, they have been for a while now.” It’s all he says on the subject, his knowing eyes shifting from Knox to me. “Everything okay?”
“Yep.” I offer quickly.
Knox makes no move to back me up on that and awkward silence settles over us all like a heavy blanket until Hannah breaks it.
“Uncle Knox says y’all are shooting. Can I come?”
“No!” I answer before he can.
A scowl adopts his face at the quick response. “Why not?”
“She’s too young.”
“There’s no such thing,” Braxten says, inserting himself.
“Yes, there is,” I argue. “I mean it. I don’t want my five-year-old daughter around any kind of guns.”
“Come on, Mama. Please?” Hannah pleads.
“Yeah, please, Mama?” Braxten mocks, taking her from Justice’s arms. He holds her out in front of him, squeezing her chubby cheeks together with one hand. “How can you say no to this face?”
A smile twitches my lips. “Nice try.”
“Let her at least come and watch,” Justice says. “I won’t let anything happen to her.”
“Please?” Hannah pleads again.
Between all of them, I find myself unable to say no. “Fine,” I relent. “But no shooting. Only watching.”
“Yay!” Hannah cheers.
Braxten situates her on his shoulders. “Come, grasshopper, we shall start your introduction to the world of ‘don’t mess with a Creed or else…’”
Her laughter trails through the air as he strides away. The light moment is quickly forgotten when the three of us are left alone.
“Someone going to tell me what happened?” Justice asks, cutting right to the chase.
“It’s not a big deal,” I start but get cut off by Knox.
“I caught Lancaster giving her shit outside the drugstore.”
Justice’s furious eyes snap to mine. “What did he do?” His dark voice has my pulse skipping nervously.
“Nothing I couldn’t handle.”
Knox grunts, calling me out for the liar I am.
I shoot him a narrowed look, not appreciating how much more difficult he’s making this.
“What did he do, Ryanne?” Justice asks again, his tone even harder.
“He was just being an asshole, all right!” I snap, having enough of his attitude.
“No, it’s not all right! This is why I wanted to come with you.”
“Look, you’re the one who said I need to stop hiding. That’s exactly what I did. Knox showed up, but if he hadn’t I would have dealt with it on my own like I always have. So back off!”
His jaw ticks in frustration, our glares locking as tense seconds pass.
“Right…I’m gonna go ahead and finish getting my stuff together,” Knox mumbles. “I’ll meet up with you.” He walks to the garage, leaving the two of us in tense silence.
Justice’s angry eyes never waver from mine. “Did he touch you?”
The rage and fear hardening that one question has my shoulders deflating. “No,” I whisper, knowing it’s only half the truth because years ago he did touch me in a way I never want to be touched again.
“Tell me what happened.”
“Exactly what I told you would happen. Insults and accusations were thrown around.” I swallow thickly, tears clouding my vision.
“I’ll deal with him.”
“It’s not necessary.”
“I said I’ll take care of it!” he snaps.
“You can’t fight all my battles for me, Justice.”
“Watch me.”
His protectiveness does all sorts of things to my sad heart. I’ve never had that. Never had anyone care enough about me to fight for me, I’ve always done it on my own. Always been alone.
“Until things cool down you don’t go anywhere without me. Understand?” His bossy tone grates on my nerves but after what happened I know he’s right.
I nod my agreement.
He leans down, his arresting eyes holding mine until the very second our mouths align and become one. The heated touch is powerful like always, penetrating every one of my wounds and righting all the wrongs between us.
Moaning, I wrap my arms around his neck, my heart trying to climb out of my chest and be one with his. His strong arms come around me, lifting me off my feet as we become lost in the world only he and I can create.
It’s a perfect world.
By the time he severs the connection and places me back on my feet, I’m gasping, my lungs reaching for air.
He swipes his thumb over my swollen lip, a ravishing hunger raging in his eyes along with something else, something I can’t name but it has my heart dancing in my chest.
Before I have too much time to think about it, he flashes me a cocky smirk that does all sorts of things to my insides and walks away, leaving me standing alone like a lovesick fool.
The man is beautifully infuriating.