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“I’ll do it, but thank you.” I nodded at him. “Go up to the main house and get something to eat.”
“Thank you.” He smiled. “Grace made brownies.”
“They’re all yours.”
“Thank you for being so understanding with him,” Luke said as Anthony took off for the house. “I’ll make sure he understands that we can’t have intruders on the property.”
“Speaking of intruders.” I pointed to the identification card. “I want to know everything there is to know about Miss Emmie Jaxon. Who she is, where she comes from, what brought her here.”
“What has you so captivated?”
“She ran from me.” I gazed into the night. “I want to know why.”
Chapter 3
Emmie
My heart raced as my legs took me as fast as they could through the woods and away from the house. Away from the scary man with the beautiful green eyes and perfectly sculpted jawline.
I was tired and wanted to stop, but I forged ahead, propelling my legs to get me away. I took quick, deep breaths as I glanced over my shoulder, looking for the muscular god with the distinguished grays sprinkled throughout his hair that was neatly piled on top of his head and in his beard. Even with the dim lighting in the stables, I could appreciate him.
What if I’m not ready for you to go?
His voice was low, but held authority. From the moment he spoke, I was a captive audience, waiting for his next question.
I had never seen such a superb man before. The artist in me craved to sketch him, to accentuate his features, and study his face, but my instincts forced me to run. There was something dark in his expression. Something that intrigued me, but I knew it shouldn’t.
After a few minutes, I slowed to a walking pace. I didn’t hear the dog or anyone behind me. With each stride forward, I stepped on leaves and twigs, creating a crackling beneath my feet. The ominous sky generated an eerie sensation in the cover of the autumn night. It was difficult to get my bearings now that it was so dark. I did not want to get lost out here.
A chill darted down my spine when a light wind ghosted my flesh. I missed the horses and the blanket. That was the safest place I had been in a long time. All good things come to an end. As I leaned against a tree, I reached for my…
Shit!
My backpack. I left it behind.
Calm down…calm down. Do I really need it?
My identification, my birth certificate, my social security card, my last ten dollars.
FML!
I turned back, taking my time on my way to the house. The fall foliage snapped under each unhurried step I took. What were the chances that the backpack would be where I had left it?
Slim to none.
I had to put my big girl panties on and knock on the front door. I would apologize and ask for my bag. There would be no reason for him not to give it back to me. In ten minutes this would all be over.
Why couldn’t I catch a break? Homeless, unemployed, on the run… Could anything else happen to me? I wanted to do the things other girls my age were doing. Like going to a trendy coffee shop wearing a cute jacket and maybe a hat with a furry ball on top. I wanted to play on a phone and take silly pictures and post them to social media. Wouldn’t it be fun to have a few friends to hang out with? Buy makeup and an occasional ice cream cone?
Stop feeling sorry for yourself.There would be plenty of time for misery once I got my stuff back. Right now, I had to be brave. I needed my things.
I went back to the stables and lurked in the shadows for a few minutes before mustering the courage to go inside. I didn’t bother climbing through the window this time, because someone had left the door ajar. The horses stirred as I hurried inside. As I suspected, my bag wasn’t there. Only one option left…
Two hundred and fifty-seven.
That was how many steps it took to walk across the property. As I closed in on the porch, my strides became shorter. It wasn’t in my nature to confront people or ask for help. I kept to myself. Lately, that task became increasingly difficult thanks to the deadbeat.
My legs became heavy as I approached the stone path along the side of the driveway. The magnificent house waited for me, but I was too afraid to continue. I was so small, so unworthy in comparison.
