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“That’s Max,” Frankie replies, not being asked. “Actually, I think you two live near each other.”
“He’s super friendly,” Haven hastily adds. I wonder if she thinks he looks like a hot, older geek. “He’s been helping my dad around the church.”
I nod. Trying not to watch him too closely, and force myself to give the ladies my attention back.He’s nothing but another church-loving person to occupy this town.I almost laugh at myself for making him out to have tattoos. That was my old life, and yet, the need to escape becomes stronger. What if the MC has someone looking for me? He could look like one of them. If you ditch the glasses, straighten his posture and paint his skin…stop!
Disappointment builds in my gut and I realize this town is growing on me and I want to stay, for at least a little bit. I glance over at the man, seeing him trip over a goat. He obviously hasn’t grown into his length. My paranoia has to stop. No one knows I’m here. I’ve never considered any place home, and part of me wanted this to be it.
“Apparently, he transferred here from Kansas. He came with glowing references from his previous church,” Haven tells us.
Yup, not from the MC.
“I need to work on my renovations. Thanks for having me.” I step away, needing the safety of my home.
I’vekeptmywindowsboarded up. It makes me feel safer. I’ve replaced the deck boards that have rotted with new ones. Now I’m attempting to make the inside more comfortable. I’ve painted the main room a bright yellow. It brightens up the place since I have no natural light streaming through.
Each time I hear the sound of crumbling rock and dirt crackling from the weight of a vehicle, my ears perk up, listening to see if they’re turning into my long, secluded driveway. The sound from the road stops and it has me walking outside. I can see a car stopped at the top, and my pulse begins to race.
My eyes search the forest. I hadn’t known there was another house near mine. I should have done a better job searching it out. I wonder if he would be able to hear me scream. My gaze flicks back to the unmoving car.
My fingers twitch, wanting to go inside to grab a weapon, but I don’t want anyone to sneak up on me. After a few moments, the car drives away. It’s only then I’m able to take a deep breath.
I place my bear spray and knife in my purse and decide to go back into town. I’ll be safer there for now. I lace up my hiking boots. Each day I’ve been trying to get the lay of the land by walking through the heavily-forested area until it thins out to where the start of town is.
Abellabovemyhead rings as I step into the local pub. It’s one of the few places without the Crash name.
“Take a seat where you want,” a male’s voice calls out as I walk toward the long counter of the bar. A low growl catches my attention, pulling my eyes down to see a large German Shepherd lying on the ground, showing its teeth at me.
“Don’t take him personally. That means he likes you.” The bartender tosses a treat up and the dog stops paying attention to me. It sits up, catching the treat in his large jaws.
“Shouldn’t the guard dog be outside?” I raise my brow as I take a seat.
“He guards the counter when I have to run to the back. It’s not an issue during the day, but if I leave this unattended at night, it’ll be free beer for everyone.”
“What if someone is allergic?” I question.
He shrugs. “Then I guess they suck it up or they don’t come in. I haven’t had any complaints yet. Did you want to put one in?” He gives me a smirk and I laugh.
“You might have to loan him to me when I walk home tonight.”
“I was just about to offer that, he’s all yours when you leave. I’m Elliot Eldrige, by the way.” He extends his hand over the counter.
“Sienna.” I shake his hand, looking around. “Why is this bar one of the few places not to have the name Crash in it?”
He lets out a booming, deep laugh. “I just bought this place and had the same question when I moved to town. My only answer is because Crash Jennings doesn’t own it.” He raises his hands in front of us and I can’t help but think he looks quite charming. “What can I get you?”
“Whatever you have on tap.”
He grabs a frosted glass. “A beer girl. You’ll fit in alright here.”
I look around the worn place and can’t help but think it reminds me of home. “When do you get busy?”
He slides my drink over to me and places his elbow on the counter. “It’s Sunday. You’ll be my only customer.”
“Their loss is my gain,” I flirt. Just as I say it, the hair on my arm rises. My head turns toward the door and the tall nerdy guy from earlier walks in with a thick textbook in his hands.
“Looks like there will be the two of you now,” Elliot says, grabbing another glass.
I watch as the stranger sets his book on the counter and takes out a pad of paper with writing already on it. Elliot pours him a drink without a word being spoken. My first assessment was right. He’s a nerd through and through.
