The quickness of her stride stirred the crowd slightly as a few eyes watched her cross the short distance to the third row.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Summer asked. Her voice was in a hushed whisper but the longer she stood there, the more her nerves became worked up.

Regan’s eyes widened, and her thin lips parted as she took a step back.

“Excuse me?” Robert Downing, Regan’s husband said. His arm protectively wrapped around Regan and he pulled her to his side with a frown.

Summer didn’t respond to Robert, only stared Regan down.

“We should go,” Regan said tugging Roberts’ arm.

“Why should we go, we have every right to be here as she does.”

Summer’s eyes cut to Robert, and a hand landed on Summer’s shoulder. She turned to see her mother.

“What’s going on?” Patricia asked.

Summer ignored all of their query’s, and her focus was turned back to Regan.

“Leave,” Summer said. “Now.”

Regan tugged her husband’s arm again. “Let’s leave; I don’t want any trouble.”

“No. We’re not going anywhere. We’ve known Ada longer than she has, hell no one’s seen the girl for a decade, and she thinks she has the nerve to come back and kick people out. No!”

“Stay out of this Robert,” Summer said finally showing him some attention.

“I’m in it the moment you put my wife in it. Now listen here,” Robert stepped closer to Summer getting right in her face. “Maybe you should be the one to leave, because like I said we’re not going anywhere.”

“Maybe you should take a step back, Mr. Downing.”

The voice came from Aiden and the minute Summer heard his thunderous vocals the madness she felt thawed slightly, and her focus was stolen. He stepped into the ring and landed a heavy hand on Roberts’ shoulder giving him a nudge back.

“Don’t put your hands on me boy,” Robert said. “This little cunt needs to mind her manners and show some respect to her elders.

Summer snapped back to Robert and sent a sailing palm across his face in a harsh stinging slap. The group gasped, and Robert pulled back to return her assault when Aiden grabbed a fist full of Roberts shirt and shoved him backward. The crowd all moved at once just as Robert tripped over his own two feet falling over the chair into the spread of grass.

“No! Please, we’ll leave,” Regan said dropping to Roberts side.

Bewildered, Robert held a finger out to Aiden.

“Someone call Sheriff Mullin! I’m pressing charges on you!”

“No!” Regan shouted.

“Excuse me?” Robert said disconcerted.

“We’re not pressing charges, this is Ada’s funeral. Let her rest in peace.”

Robert went for a rebuttal; but Regan silenced him.

“Please,” she said.

Robert’s wide eyes flipped from Regan to Aiden and Summer standing at Aiden’s side. “This is not over!” he promised getting to his feet. Robert stomped through the crowd with Regan scurrying behind him. Everyone watched them trail to their car then get inside and argue as they pulled away from the cemetery. Instantly Aiden’s attention was turned to Summer and so was everyone else’s.

Summer glanced around quickly then her eyes settled on Aiden.

“What was that about?” he asked.

Hearing his voice directed at her sent a cacophony of chills flying down her skin. Again, Summer glanced around then without saying a word she walked away treading through the crowd headed back to Jeremy’s Outback. Aiden glanced at Patricia and Patricia shrugged her shoulders. When Aiden’s gaze cruised over at Benjamin Greystone, the old man only stared back with distaste written across his face. Aiden’s frown was slight before he swiftly went after Summer.

At the Outback, Jeremy shuffled over, and both he and Aiden acknowledged each other with a head tilt before addressing Summer.

“Summer,” Aiden’s easy voice grooved.

With her back to him, Summer exhaled and turned around. Their connection met and held.

“I’m sorry… Aiden,” she paused. “I didn’t mean to pull you into anything. I didn’t know there would be anything for you to step into alright.”

Her voice did the same to him as his did to her. Hearing it was like unlocking Pandora’s box and releasing everything he’d thought was put away for good over the last eight years. He watched her turn to Jeremy.

“I’m sorry Jeremy if you’ll open the trunk I can get my things and head over to Chandlerville Inn.”

“How will you get there?” Jeremy asked.

“Why are you staying at Chandlerville Inn?” Aiden interrupted.

Summer glanced over at him. “Because…” she said, “it’s where I want to stay.”

Jeremy lifted the trunk and Summer reached in for her suitcase when Aiden’s hand covered hers. He’d moved in on her so fast before Summer could blink Aiden was at her side. A potent spicy fragrance wafted from him, and her eyes roamed up his athletic chest, to his masculine throat. His Adams Apple bobbled and with Aiden came a shield of warmth; it was like a slow crawling buzz that shook up her nervous system and made her heart skip an extra beat.

“If you want to leave I’ll take you to the cabins, but you’re not staying at Chandlerville Inn,” Aiden said.

His voice close up had grown more profound and the heat from his mouth tickled her skin. Summer swallowed thickly and struggled to pull her eyes from his straight-forward gaze.

“Fine,” Summer said, easing back a step.

Aiden swept an eye over her then clutched her luggage and removed it from the trunk. Right behind him, Summer gathered her handbag, “thank you,” she said to Jeremy.

“No problem,” Jeremy responded.

Aiden walked towards his Dodge Durango, and Summer caught up to his side.

“You know, I could’ve gotten a taxi. It’s not necessary for you to take me anywhere.”

Aiden unlocked his doors and opened the passenger for her.

“Get in,” he said.

Summer hesitated and was caught staring at his mouth.

“Well, are you getting in or not.”

His voice was smooth and even; showing no reaction to her statement. Summer hesitated a moment more before slipping inside. Aiden shut the door and added her luggage to his truck then found his way into the driver’s seat. He put the car in reverse and drove out of the cemetery headed toward the cabins.

“What is your deal with Chandlerville Inn?” she asked. “I don’t’ know anything about the cabins.”

“And you know about Chandlerville Inn?”

His point was made, and the car became silent as Aiden drove. His posture was relaxed but his jaw not so much. The few times Summer glanced at him she could tell his jaw was locked. So much for slipping in and out of town unnoticed.

“I’m sorry,” Summer said.

The unexpected apology caught Aiden by surprise but didn’t resolve the anger that had risen to the surface.

“Why are you sorry?” he asked.

Summer released a long sigh. “I’m sorry for leaving the way I did. I never meant to hurt you.”

“Okay, well that settles it then.”

“What do you want me to say?”

“Nothing. You don’t’ owe me an explanation.”

“You expect me to believe the frosty way you keep locking her jaw means you didn’t want an explanation.”

Aiden smiled, but it wasn’t because he found something funny.

“It’ll take all of twenty minutes to get you over to the cabins. You’re welcomed to ride in silence. There’s no need for an apology, or anything else. I didn’t want you to stay at the Inn because there’s been illegal gambling over by the brewery. The cabins are in a better part of town.”

Summer stared at his face. “I said I’m sorry.”

Aiden pulled to the side of the road and put the car in park. He turned his complete attention to Summer, and she shifted back with angst of how he would respond.

“Why do you want to have this conversation Summer?”

“There’s no need for us to pretend like we’re okay with each other.”

“Who’s pretending? I’m trying to get you to your destination, but you are trying something else.”

“You needed to hear it. I’ve had several conversations with myself about how I would explain my sudden departure.”

“Why? To make yourself feel better? Well, go ahead. Tell me why you left. I would hate for you to wrestle with sleep at night.”

He was being a smart ass, and Summer knew she deserved it.

“I wouldn’t have left it if wasn’t necessary,” she said.

Aiden waited for her to go on.

“Something happened that I couldn’t get over and I needed to leave. I didn’t have a peace of mind while I was in Chandlerville. It had to be done.”

Aiden didn’t respond waiting to see if Summer would say anything more. She didn’t. It appeared as if she wanted too, but her words lodged in her throat.

“Are you done?” he asked.

Summer stared at his blue eyes. There was sadness there; hurt, and something more. Regret. Besides that, Aiden’s boyish features had transformed into a strong structural face, along with his toned arms that were noticeable in his thin button down and cut waist. He was model material. Summer could imagine them doing an editorial spread together. Even his hair was perfect for the occasion in a high quiff fade with short sides.

“I didn’t expect you to understand or accept my apology,” she said.

“What did you expect?”

Summer opened her mouth to speak, but only a rushing breath came out.

“How about we change the subject because there is no end to this conversation that makes what you did, acceptable.” Aiden turned back to the steering wheel and put the car in drive. “I’ve got an idea. Why don’t you tell me why you forced the Downing’s to leave the funeral? What was that all about?”

He re-entered the boulevard and headed down Main Street. Summer didn’t respond causing Aiden to smile again.

“Or you could ride in silence.”

“I don’t want to stay at the cabins.”

Aiden exhaled a languorous breath.

“I mean it, Aiden, I am sorry. Look, I was in love with you okay.”

Aiden pulled to the side of the road again. He released the steering wheel and sat back against his seat with his eyes watching the street in front of him. His aura began to brood, and his lids dropped an inch.

“You don’t know what love is, Summer.” His voice held depth in an agonized strain. He shook his head once then looked over at her. “How can you talk about love when the definition eludes you?”

Summer’s throat clogged, and her heartbeat sped up.

“Love is patient, love is kind,” he said beginning to quote the bible. “You, are none of those things to even begin with.”

Her heart broke.

“So, don’t talk to me about love.” Aiden tried to reign in his anger pulling his gaze away from her back to the street in front of him. He inhaled and collected himself and his voice was gruff when he spoke again. “I’m taking you to the cabins. If you decide to catch a taxi from there and go to Chandlerville Inn then so be it.” Aiden reached for the gear shift and Summer opened her door and quickly stepped out, and twirled around.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

Defiantly, Summer stared him down. Then without a word, she slammed the door and stepped onto the sidewalk. Aiden put the car in park, and a few curse words slipped from his lips as he removed himself from the vehicle.

“What is your problem?” he said marching upon her. Summer stood her ground with her arms crossed.

“I don’t want to fight with you Aiden.”

“Well, Summer, you are not doing a very good job at convincing me.”

“I never meant to hurt you,” she said.

“Would you stop saying that.”

“No.”

“Why would you do this now?” He said. “You wait eight years then come back to tell me you never meant to hurt me?”

“I came back to Chandler County because my grandmother died Aiden! I hadn’t planned to see anyone but especially you because I knew you hated me!” Summer’s eyes misted over. “But I am sorry! And regardless of what you say I do love you!” A tremor beat through Summer’s chest and a rushing wave of tears spilled from her eyes as thoughts of her betrayal, mixed with the heaviness of her grandmother’s death weighed on her.

The many times Summer caught herself daydreaming about this moment didn’t come close to this actuality. She dropped to a squat and shuffled her fingers through the black strands of her hair; tears falling as she wept.

Standing before her Aiden’s gut tightened, and her sadness shook his makeup. Seeing Summer threatened his sanity the second their eyes met in that cemetery. It had taken strength to stay focused on the reason he was at the funeral. But when Mr. Downing threatened her by stepping to close, Aiden’s attention was thwarted and a protectiveness he hadn’t felt in years resurfaced. The next thing he knew they were in the car together because no matter how bad she broke him, Aiden would always do what was right for her. Realizing that made him angry, it was past time that he got over Summer, she was no good for him. And yet, he mourned with her inwardly for the loss of her grandmother.

Maybe, he’d been too harsh. Aiden dropped down to a squat, his thick arms circling her waist. She leaned into him and allowed herself to be comforted by his embrace. Aiden’s knees touched the ground, and he pulled Summer closer to his chest.

“I’m sorry. You’re right. I’ve made this about us, and you should be focused on her grandmother.” He paused as Summer’s tears stained his shirt. “And I don’t hate you.” He sighed. “I could never hate you.”

They held there for a long minute.

“It would be best if you could get yourself checked in. Then we can talk about it if you want.”

It was the best he could do. Aiden was Summer’s friend first, so he needed to put aside his anger toward her and be a good friend. Summer sniffled then pulled her face up to look at him.

“Take me to your place,” she said.

Aiden froze and even his breathing could no longer be heard. Summer studied him, knowing she’d caught him off guard.

“I don’t want to go to the cabin’s, or Chandlerville Inn. I want to be with you.”