The remainder of the drive was silent. Whatever had been happening between Luka and I was clearly gone. I had managed to destroy any kind of friendship, spark, whatever, by mentioning the land. I couldn’t understand what it was about the question that had changed everything and I was afraid to ask.

Just like everything else in my life, I had managed to take this fun-filled day and turn it into crap. Not even the sleeping puppies in my arms could pull the weight of disappointment from the dredges of my stomach.

I sat in silence as Luka pulled up to the feed store in town. I waited in the car as he went inside to gather the supplies we would need for the pups.

While I sat in the truck waiting, my mind tried to think of why asking about the land had upset Luka so much. Was he really a squatter afraid of being kicked to the curb?

He seemed to know the layout of the land and the towns better than anyone who was just passing through. He also knows people in the area, Max and the vet. It made me sick to think that perhaps he wasn’t the squatter but more likely, I was.

But that didn’t explain why he reacted the way he did. Surely, if I was indeed the squatter, why would he be so upset about me finding out? It just made no sense.

The sight of Luka coming out of the feed store with two large sacks of dog food slung over each shoulder stole my breath. The bands of muscle along his biceps flexed, taut muscles binding and coiling. My mouth salivated at the sight.

Wordlessly Luka slung the bags into the bed of the truck. A tall slender man followed, his arms loaded with paper sacks. I watched through the side mirror as the man handed the sacks to Luka who in turn placed them in the bed of the truck. With the shake of hands the tall man turned to leave. Passing along the passenger’s side of the truck the man shot me a wink.

What the hell was that for? My brows furrowed with confusion as I watched the man’s retreating form.

Luka climbed into the driver’s side wordlessly. The drive back to the house remained the same, not a single word uttered.

Both puppies woke the moment the truck stopped. Without a moment’s waste, I opened the door to the truck and climbed out. The puppies squirmed in my grasp begging to be released.

Giggling I set them down, allowing them to explore their new home. The two puppies took one look at me before bouncing off to sightsee. I watched after them, afraid they may go too far and get lost. Trailing behind them slowly, I couldn’t help but smile as they clobbered one another, both pups so eager to discover their new surroundings they kept running into one another.

Behind me I could hear Luka unloading the truck, the heavy footsteps trailing from the truck to the house and then back. I tried to ignore the hollow feeling taking up residence in my stomach. What was it about this man that made me want to climb into his arms, to feel his body wrapped around mine.

Why did I feel so dejected the moment he removed his hand from my thigh? I didn’t know the first thing about him, yet I couldn’t stomach the thought of him not liking me or wanting to be around me. I knew I needed to fix this. I needed to explain myself.

  I tried not to let it bother me. I tried to ignore the feel of Luka’s eyes on me. I knew he was watching me. I could feel his eyes burning into my skull. It was now or never. I could feel the heat of his body a mile away. I could feel him now, the slow steps he took in my direction.

As much as I hated opening up to someone, anyone, I hated having to open up to a stranger, a stranger that made my heart pound in my chest and wicked thoughts cross my mind.

It was go time, it was now or never. I would lay all my cards on the table. There was no easy way to do it.

“In Florida I was a social worker. It was hard work, but I loved it. I know people think we’re out to destroy lives, but we’re really not. All I wanted to do was to help people, to help families.” I swallowed hard against the lump in my throat that threatened to choke me.

“I bought land for fun, as investments. It was kinda my thing. I never planned to go visit any of them. I just wanted to have them, a safety net of sorts, just in case.

When I closed on the last sale, my closing attorney asked me out. He was sweet and attractive. I had always had a crush on him so I figured, why not.

We hadn’t been dating long. It was nothing serious. It was just one of those things, a case of like not love.” My thoughts were scattered all over much like the story I was telling.

I wasn’t sure if he heard me or not but I continued on either way. 

“Emily Davidson was a case I had. Her husband would get drunk and beat her and every time I would put her in a shelter along with her three children. No sooner would her wounds heal, she would be right back at home with him.

It killed me, watching her go back time after time. But it was my job. I couldn’t make her stay away.” I could feel the tears burning the back of my lids but I refused to let them fall. 

“I was supposed to go meet Sam out at the club. Sam had been engaged for over a month and I still hadn’t met her fiancé. I had promised I would. When I answered the door, it wasn’t Sam, but a badly beaten client of mine, Emily.” The tears I fought against pelted my cheeks at the same time a strong pair of arms wrapped around my waist.

Absorbing his strength I continued, allowing the tears to fall.

“I had no clue what to do. Emily refused to let me call the police. I should have. I should have ignored her and called them.” I inhaled deeply, needing to get everything out.

“I called Devon; he was the only person I could think of. Devon made a call to his sister confirming she would allow Emily and her children to go there until we could figure out what to do about Bob, Emily’s husband. Emily wasn’t sure how she wanted to handle the situation. Even though calling the police was the logical solution she was still on the fence, despite my pleas to do so. Devon rushed over and loaded Emily and her children up in his truck. I knew then. I knew by the look on his face, we were done. It was as though he had completely checked out. He looked at me as though I were the bad guy in the situation.” Luka wrapped his arms around me tighter.

“The next day Devon called and told me Bob was after me. He told me to pack my things and come out here, to Nevada, to the property I just bought. I didn’t think, I just responded. I loaded my car and found a cat, dead, blood smeared across my car. There was a message written in blood that said I was next. At first it pissed me off. I wasn’t afraid until he called.

He told me he had seen me in the alley the night before at the club and that he had been in my home. I had hit my head that night and wasn’t sure if the night in the alley had actually happened or if I had just dreamed the whole thing when I had been knocked out.

By that point I was too scared to stay. I got in my car and drove. I only stopped for gas the whole way here and a few hours to sleep on the side of the road.” Luka spun me around in his arms, melting into him I fell apart.

“He – Bob- he burned down my house. I called Devon to let him know… he was in bed with Emily. I want to hate her, to hate him. But I can’t. I shouldn’t.” I sobbed.

“I’m afraid; I’m terrified that I was duped and that all my money went to purchase imaginary land. I’m terrified of what the attorney will say.” I admitted.

Luka’s hands rubbed small circles along my back. Rocking me gently in his arms, he soothed my tears.

“Ducky, no matter what happens, or what the attorney says, this is our home, mine and yours.” His sweet words only made me cry harder.

Here was this kind thoughtful man, willing to give up his home and share it with me, a perfect stranger. I had no idea how I had gotten so lucky or what I could do to repay this man in my arms. He listened, let me tell my story, bought me puppies, and soothed my fears. I would keep him if he would allow it. If I could allow it.

“How about you go take a long hot shower and I’ll round up the pups and bring them inside.” He whispered, laying sweet kisses along my tear-stained cheek.

Nodding my head, I removed myself from his arms and made my way into the house.

I knew he said this was our house and I should relish in the fact but I still couldn’t. I couldn’t accept that things were going to go well. I couldn’t accept something that was not my own. My life was on a downward spiral and I seemed to be helping it along with all of my poor choices, why not make another. It seemed to be the only thing I was good at.