Page 14 of Hearts at War

I almost smiled but huffed instead. There was a welcome, after all. I hadn’t been expecting one, but now that my cousin uttered it, I couldn’t help but feel touched. We weren’t close, and I doubted we ever would be, but it was something.

“Thanks, Eric. Goodnight.”

He lifted his hand in a wave and left.

Bringing two bags inside turned into transferring all the bags from the backseat. I didn’t want to. I planned only to bring in what I needed, but I forgot where I packed my contact cleaning solution.

Later that I anticipated, I had showered in the world’s smallest stall, was in my pajamas, and nestled in a surprisingly roomy yet mildly too-hard full-size bed. As I lay down and stared up at the cracked ceiling, physically and mentally drained, I waited for sleep to come.

Oddly, it didn’t. Being back in Burton had me wired, and I sighed heavily.

Is coming back here a mistake?

I wasn’t prone to being superstitious or looking into “signs” or anything like that, but I wondered if arriving to find my expected apartment broken into was an omen. A warning. A clue from the beyond that I shouldn’t stay.

“But where else would I go?” I whispered to the darkness.

I could’ve started over anywhere. Yet, the only destination that came to my mind and stuck was here. Burton. This little town was home. I hailed from this area, and somehow, it seemed fitting to return so I could get in a better state of mind to prepare for my future again. Somewhere. Somehow.

Ever since I was a child, I faced the criticism my mom and dad earned. While a lot of it went over my head, I was mature enough to realize that they were a laughingstock. A joke. Those earlier memories of feeling in a rut here with no hope or brightness to look forward to, I latched onto a soul-deep need to find my place, to belong, somewhere far from here.

And I’ll try again.

Chicago wasn’t an option anymore. But once I saved up a little to relocate again, I could find another city to strike out on my own and be happy.

I relaxed to that goal, knowing that being here wasn’t a final sentence on my life. I left once, and I could leave again.

And not just because this is a ‘bit of country.’

I snorted a laugh, recalling Roarke’s taunt near the bar.

He didn’t know what he was talking about. He didn’t know me, and I wasn’t in any position to let him any closer.

All I understood about that tall man was that he was new.

Imagine that. Someone wanting to move here.

I closed my eyes and let my humor fade as drowsiness crept in.

What the hell could have made someone willingly move here?

It wasn’t my business. And I wasn’t about to make it my business either.

I was here for myself. To get back on solid ground so I could launch again—far from home.

Chapter 6

Roarke

Early the next morning, I stood outside my front door. Before sipping my coffee, I held the mug up to my face and let the warm steam waft up to me. Half of the wakeup power was in the scent alone, and nothing made me snap to attention better than the aroma of a dark roast.

I gazed out at the darkness, feeling small, which was no easy feat with my height. Under the navy sky, as stars faded from sight, it was easy to feel like nothing more than a speck at the end of the universe. That I was truly alone, the one person out here.

But I’m not.

I squinted, trying to make out the shape of the other cabins out here. Not one stood out, but I knew they were here, closer to the ranch buildings.

With a fleeting flicker of intrigue, I wondered if Heather had managed to stay the night. It was no concern of mine. She shouldn’t even be on my mind, yet the question popped up.