Chapter 5

It took Shay about twice as long to return to her cabin because she couldn’t run back. The cut had finally stopped bleeding, but the soreness in her knee made it hard to even walk. She hobbled up the steps to try to find something to clean up the cut. She didn’t have any medical supplies, but she managed to clean it with some soap and water as best she could until she picked up some bandages and antibiotic cream in town. First on her list of supplies would definitely be a first-aid kit.

She changed into a fresh set of clothes and headed down the dirt road back into town. It was a bit slow going with her bum leg, but she enjoyed the leisurely walk taking the time to appreciate her surroundings and the sounds of the birds chirping and the squirrels chittering as they scampered across the forest floor. She sent a text to Dee when she finally got a signal just after she crossed the bridge.

Shay: Can you meet me at the market in about half an hour? Need a ride home. Long story.

Dee: Sure.

Shay: Ok, I’ll be outside waiting.

The market wasn’t big by any standards, but it had a nice selection of local produce and homemade products. Shay wasn’t one to indulge, but she loved the way the orange citrus shea butter soap smelled, so she bought some. She also picked up the matching lotion and bath oil. She had the nice big claw-foot tub in her cabin so she might as well put it to good use.

Since Dee was going to give her a ride back, she decided to get more than just a few essentials. Even though it was just her, Shay loved to cook, so she made sure to stock up on spices, baking goods, wine, and plenty of meat. After she paid for her groceries, she wheeled her cart out the front door and waited for Dee. She had only been waiting for a few minutes when she heard a loud whistle and turned her head in the direction of the sound.

“Hey there beautiful,” Lucas said walking up to her.

“Hi, Lucas.” His smile was infectious, and she found herself returning the smile.

“Need a lift?” He asked looking at the groceries in her cart.

“No, I’m good. Dee is on her way to get me. But thanks for the offer.”

A look of disappointment flittered across his face, but it was gone as quickly as it had come. He flashed another grin of perfect white teeth. “A few of us are heading out to Whitepoint tonight to have a few drinks. You should come.”

Shay looked at Lucas and smiled again at his persistence. He looked to be in his mid-twenties and had a smooth charm about him that would make any woman go weak in knees. He had a tiny scar at the bottom of his chin that only added to the charm. His full lips were slightly parted as he waited for her response. She watched as his tongue slid out and ran across his bottom lip when she finally looked up to his light green eyes and said, “Well, I was actually planning on going to see Dee there tonight for a little bit. She’s tending bar.”

“Well, do you need a ride? I can pick you up.” He replied in a hopeful voice.

Shay wasn’t sure what to say. She didn’t want to lead him on; however, given the status of her leg, she wasn’t looking forward to the long walk into town again. Once had been enough for today. Before she could answer, Dee pulled up in her truck. She eyed the two of them speculatively but said nothing as she hopped out of the truck and started grabbing her grocery bags from the cart and sitting them in the back of the truck.

She watched Lucas grab the last few bags and place them down on the back seat before turning to her. “So, how about I pick you up around 8pm?”

Shay watched Dee smile back at her as she climbed into the driver’s seat. Put on the spot and with no real good reason not to accept the offer she turned to Lucas and said, “Sure that sounds great. I assume you know where my place is, considering it belongs to your family?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He said revealing the deep dimples in both cheeks.

As Shay put the cart back in the corral, he walked around the front of the truck and opened the door for her. Apparently, chivalry wasn’t dead after all. She hopped in the truck and let him shut the door after her. He gave her a tiny wave before he turned and walked away. Shay pressed the button to roll down the window and stuck her head out. “Hey, Lucas.” She called out.

He turned to look back at her. “Yeah.” His smile was so expectant; Shay couldn’t help but smile back.

“Please don’t call me ma’am. You're making me feel old.” She laughed.

He let out a chuckle and walked away.

“Don’t even start,” Shay said looking at her friend as they drove off and headed back to her cabin. She could read her friend like a book, and she could tell that Dee was barely keeping it together. Shay watched as her best friend burst out in laughter and said, “Someone’s gonna get laid.”

Now it was her turn to laugh. That was definitely not happening.

They unloaded her groceries in the cabin. By the time Shay had made the trip up and down the porch steps twice with her arms full of groceries, she was ready for a break. She quickly put away the cold stuff before making her way into the living room. The rest of the groceries and supplies could wait. She limped towards the couch and sat down gingerly. Dee looked at her funny. “What’s wrong with your leg?”

Shay propped her leg up on the coffee table and rolled up her track pants. She looked down at her knee. It had started bleeding again. She must have broken it open while bringing in the groceries. “Jesus Christ.” Shay hissed. “Can you pass me the peroxide and Band-Aids? They should be in one of the bags on the counter.”

Dee hurried back into the kitchen. Shay could hear the rustle of plastic bags, and she searched for the first-aid kit. “Found it!” She hollered as she hustled back into the living room. Dee knelt down and poured some peroxide on her knee and then dabbed at it with the cloth.

“Ouch! Not so hard.” Shay said and grabbed the cloth. She hissed through clenched teeth as she began to clean the dried blood around the wound and poured more peroxide directly on it.

“What the hell happened?”

“I tripped over a damn rock when I took my run this morning. I ended up in this field that was off that path you showed me by the river. You know the one that runs by that farmhouse. I was getting ready to head back to the trail when two black horses almost trampled me to death. So I’m actually lucky this is all that happened.” She said pointing down at her knee. In all reality, it could have been a lot worse. She would be good as new in just a few days.

Dee sat in the little armchair and just shook her head. “You have the worst luck. You know that right?”

Shay just looked up at her curiously. She wasn’t sure what she was referring to.

“You ended up on Jaxson’s property.”

“Yeah, I kinda figured that out for myself. Thanks.” She scowled remembering the not so pleasant exchange. “He told me to get the fuck off his property. Those were his exact words.”

Dee laughed out loud. “Holy shit. I’ve never had the pleasure of exchanging even two words with the man, and you’ve been here less than twenty-four hours and already had two conversations with him. Lucky girl.”

“I wouldn’t call it luck so much as cursed. That asshole is lacking some serious social skills.”

“Think you can stay out of trouble for the next few hours?” Dee asked as she stood up to go. “I have to get home and get ready for work.”

“Yeah, I’ll be fine. I’m going to put away the rest of my groceries and then soak my leg in the tub for a while. I will see you later tonight.”

Shay watched Dee head to the door. “Well, now you know not to walk that trail I guess. I’ll see ya tonight.” She said as she walked out.

**

Shay had finished putting away her supplies and was indulging in an extra-long soak in the antique claw-foot tub. It was the kind with the feet that were actually carved into claws. It had a lot of character and was fast becoming one of her favorite features of the house.

She had used some of the fragrant bath oil in the water. Initially, she had worried that it would sting her cut, but surprisingly it didn’t. The essential oils provided a healing balm for the abrasion. She had been in the bath so long the water was starting to cool. That was her cue to get out. She pulled the chain on the drain and waited until most of the water had drained out before getting out.

She toweled off, careful to dab at the cut. She quickly reapplied the Neosporin and then a fresh bandage. She grabbed her favorite pair of jeans that fit like second skin and a white lace button up shirt. She may not have been interested in getting involved with anyone, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t look good.

She looked in the mirror and decided to do up one more button, or her boobs would spill out. It wasn’t her fault that she had been blessed with an ample bosom, but she didn’t think they needed to be on full display tonight. She fingered the long dark locks of her hair until she was satisfied with the way it looked. She was never one for a ton of hair spray or any kind of hair product for that matter. She loved her naturally thick hair. It was all one length, and she would always let it fall naturally around her face.

She’d never been considered classically beautiful. But she liked the way she looked. Her blue eyes were her best feature, but they were set a bit wide on her face. Her nose was too broad to be called dainty or cute, but it suited her face. She had high cheekbones and full lips that gave her a bit of an exotic look. According to her parents, she had a bit of Native American DNA coming from her great-great grandparents. She liked that it made her a bit unique, although kids had teased her a little in school about looking different, but she hadn’t cared. People always commented that she looked like an exotic beauty and they had just been jealous, especially when she had snagged the star quarterback right from under their noses. But she wasn’t going to think about Kane right now.

She dabbed on a bit of concealer to hide the dark circles under her eyes. Sleep had not come easily to her over the last year, and she was really hoping that this move would provide the rest and relaxation that she desperately needed. She pulled out a deep shade of coral lipstick and traced her full lips, so it gave them a pinker look. Next, she coated her lashes thickly with dark mascara which always made her blue eyes pop. She never wore eyeliner. She didn’t like the way it felt, and she always woke up looking like a raccoon in the morning.

Taking one more glance in the mirror, she was finally satisfied with the mostly natural look and headed out to the front porch to wait for Lucas. She shoved her I.D. and forty dollars in her jeans rather than bring her purse. She hated lugging that thing with her.

“Hi, Shay.” She heard the familiar voice of her next-door neighbor. She looked over at Sue and greeted her, “Hi Sue.”

“Why don’t you come over and join an old lady.”

She watched as Sue patted the seat next to her on the swing. Shay walked next door and up the stairs, grabbing a seat next to her.

“Would you like one?” Sue asked holding up a bay breeze.

Shay laughed and looked at her watch. She still had about twenty minutes before Lucas arrived. “Sure. I’d love one. I have a few minutes.”

She watched Sue get up and enter the house and then return with a cold bottle and handed it to her.

“Thank you,” Shay said as she twisted off the top of the fruity beverage.

“They’re my favorite,” Sue said. “They keep my ticker going.”

Shay laughed again and took a swig. “So have you lived here long?”

“All seventy-three years.” The old woman smiled.

Shay’s head twisted and examined the woman for a moment. “You’re not seventy three!” She exclaimed incredulously.

Sue smiled and said with a hint of pride, “Well I actually feel about sixty, but unfortunately, my birth certificate says otherwise.”

Shay laughed at her response. “You honestly don’t look a day over sixty. You look amazing for your age.” She wondered what her secret to staying so youthful was. She would have to ask her someday when she had more time.

“Thank you, honey. You’re a real beauty yourself. Going out?” She asked, nodding to Shay’s outfit before she took a drink.

“I’m meeting my best friend at Whitepoint. Her name is Dee. You might know her?”

“Oh, of course. Nice young woman. A little loose lipped for my liking, though.”

Shay almost spat out her drink and brought her hand up so none would drip down her chin. “I’m sorry. She kind of says what’s on her mind. She’s been that way since we were kids.”

Sue looked over at Shay and eyed her curiously, “Is someone picking you up?” There was a wicked gleam in her eye that Shay chose to ignore. She didn’t want to give Sue any wrong ideas.

“Yes. Lucas Avery.” She said evenly. Speaking of Lucas, Shay looked at her watch and realized it was almost that time. She took another swig trying to finish her drink before he pulled up. As if right on cue, a moment later Lucas pulled up in a full-size black pickup truck. That seemed to be a theme around here. She may have to look at getting a truck in the fall.

Shay didn’t want to give Lucas an opportunity to get out of the truck, nor did she want Sue to have a chance to interrogate Lucas, so she held up a finger for him to wait just a second. She stood and took another quick drink from her bottle and looked at Sue. “Thank you for the drink. Where did you want me to put this?” Shay asked looking around.

“I’ll take it, honey. You have a great night.” She smiled with a knowing twinkle in her eye.

Ignoring the look, Shay passed her the empty bottle and rushed down the porch steps to the truck and jumped in.