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One day, a group of bikers stopped at a light. I’d been with my sisters of the flock. We lowered our gazes submissively when faced with such devilish men. I peeked, though, and that’s when I realized one of the tatted men was Ike. He was as handsome in the sunlight as under the moon.
I’d stared right at him, tossing aside expectations and behaving fearless against the punishment I’d suffer later.I had to make Ike see me.
And he did!
Ike Mooney looked right at me before riding away with his biker friends.
My heart broke as his taillight disappeared into the distance. My mother whipped me herself that night when I wouldn’t stop crying.
“You’ve fallen into hysterics!” she hollered.
I was devastated. Ike was more than a path to freedom. He wasn’t only a handsome biker. He was a sweet fella who talked to me like a real person and let me dance without fear of scorn.Ike Mooney was mine.
However, that magical night was obviously a lie. Or he really was too drunk to know reality from fantasy. Either way, no inked knight was coming to save me from my prison.
I’d been terribly sad after my realization with Ike. But meeting Jarin Johnson lit a fire in my gut. I would never marry such a man. He shushed me, even when I only sighed. His lustful gaze on my body made me want to shower. I hated everything about him, from his giant pores to his crooked smile.
That’s why I planned to run away to live as a hermit! I’d become a girl version of Zeb Earlham.
But first, Jarin Johnson wanted to show off his wealth by taking my family to Cracker Barrel. I’d enjoy one fancy meal before I ran away to live off scraps.
As Jarin’s presence swallowed up my hope, I noticed homesteaders enter the restaurant. They seemed so free while I felt chained to a monster who kept mentioning he hoped to have many children.
“A dozen would be ideal,” he said while eyeing the menu. “Nine would be acceptable.”
I held horrified Anouk’s gaze. I’m number nine myself. My birth nearly killed my mother, leaving her all torn up inside. Her near death was the only reason my parents stopped having kids they could barely afford to feed.
That would never be me!
My life as a hermit wouldn’t allow for children. Zeb Earlham lived in a house when he had his son and daughter. I’m well versed in the old man’s life story. Most people in Tumbling Rock are since he’s been here for so long. Zeb’s also very loud and rude, but no one dares challenge him.The rumor is he’s crazy.
One day, I would be the crazy hermit everyone feared. I was ready to run away right that moment.
Then, I spotted Ike Mooney in the group of homesteaders at the restaurant’s waiting area. Even surrounded by other large, attractive men, he glowed with intoxicating masculinity.
In the woods, he promised he was strong enough to carry me if my feet got tired. Ike said so many silly things that night. He was drunk, though. That’s why the words meant nothing.
Even knowing that night was a lie, I left my chair without thinking. I moved toward him, drawn to the power of his bright light in a dull world. Before I ran to the woods and lived as a hermit, I needed to know why Ike never came back to me.
His gaze was confused when I appeared before him. I explained that if he wanted me, I was on a time limit. I heard my family ordering me to return to the table. Jarin barked at me to obey. A homesteader threw a drink at my cousin.
As the restaurant went wild around us, Ike stared at me like I was a stranger.He really didn’t remember our time together!
My heart broke all over again. Though I wanted to believe I was past most of my feelings for him, I could never really let go. Our hours together in the woods were the best time of my life. Nothing would ever be as good.
But Ike remembered none of it!
Then, suddenly, his deep blue eyes widened, and he called out, “My ghost!”
Trapped between the pressure of his family and mine, I couldn’t even comprehend what happened next. Words lost their meaning. All I could see was Ike smiling at me over an angry woman’s head.
My heart demanded I take his hand and run away with him.
That’s why I’m riding on the back of his motorcycle with the wind in my hair. Ike said we could get married so no one would take me from him again. He’s freeing me from my prison and offering a sinful future.
I’m overjoyed.
And terrified.
