Page 3 of Rescued

The truck is parked a few spots down on the right, and though I’m desperate to get home, I see Mrs. Robinson walking toward me. I swear the woman has a closet full of floor length skirts with long, wool cardigan sweaters. She’s always wearing them whenever I see her, along with her signature blue knit cap.

I love Mrs. Robinson. Everyone does, but I’ve had it with small talk tonight, and I want to head home.

“Why, if it isn’t big ole Gentry? How are you, sweetheart?” She reaches her arms open for a hug and holds me as tight as herfragile frame allows. I have no idea how old the woman is at this point, but her skin is paper thin.

“Oh, I’m makin’ do. How are you? You pull a good harvest from your garden this year?”

She swats at my shoulder playfully. “Oh, honey. That’s not what I’m worrying about. What I’m thinking about isyou. I’ve been wondering how you’ve been managing Kelly Bruin being back in town.”

My heart stalls and my breathing picks up as I stare toward Mrs. Robinson. I’m not sure if she notices this subtle shift in my breathing or not, but her soft, wrinkled hands land on mine.

I cup my opposite hand over hers, attempting to warm her as I keep my tone steady and say, “I’m sorry, what?”

She tilts her head to the side. “Her mother died a few weeks back. She’s been here cleaning up her cabin. Pretty sure she’s headed back to San Diego tomorrow.”

How has the woman I’ve been fantasizing about for years beenhereinmytown for three weeks and I didn’t know?

Fuck!

My body reacts, and despite the cool air, I’m sweating.

“You okay, dear? You don’t look okay. Do you need to sit? We don’t need a big giant like you going down.” Mrs. Robinson holds me as tight as she can. “Not sure how we’d get you up.”

This woman is sweet as hell, and she should be honored as a community treasure. “I’m okay. Yeah… it’s all good. I’m sorry to hear about her mom.”

It’s true. Iamsorry to hear about Kelly’s mom. I’m devastated, actually. I’m sure all the burden is on her shoulders. If I remember right, she’s an only child. That has to be tough to manage all by herself. Then again, she could have someone next to her.

Grow the fuck up, man. You know there’s someone next to her.

“Well, I know you’ve thought about her over the years, so now’s a good time to catch her. Her mom’s place is over on Moose River Avenue.”

This is a small town, so news travels inordinately fast, even faster when it happens at the bar. I told a man down there about the security business opening up, and by noon, everyone in town was talking about it.

I drag in a deep breath. “Good to know. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Mrs. Robinson leans against my chest and offers me a hug. “Trust me, honey, I know how complicated the heart stuff is.”

“It’s not complicated,” I groan, kissing the top of her head. “I don’t know why everyone thinks I’m still hung up on this. I’m not. It was a long time ago. I’ve moved on and so has she.”

“Did you, though?” Mrs. Robinson looks up at me. “You’re alone, and I know you. You wish you had someone.”

“I don’t, though. I’m happy alone.” It’s true. I am happy alone. Happier alone than I would be faking a life with a woman that isn’t Kelly, andmuchhappier alone than I would be knowing she officially rejected me.

God, I need help.

I know it isn’t normal to fixate on a woman this long. Truth be told, I didn’t feel the time passing. One day, I was falling in love on a bar stool. Next thing I know, ten years have passed, and I’m still thinking about her. There was no plan for that. It just happened.

“Well, dear, if you want to talk, you know where to find me.”

I lean into Mrs. Robinson and kiss her head. “You need help getting to your car?”

She eyeballs me like I’m crazy. “You get your butt out of here, mister. I can find my own car.”

I know she likes to be independent, so I hop up in the truck and start up, watching her until she’s safe in her vehicle. I think Mrs. Robinson is a second mom to everyone in town. She’s watched over everyone for years and her personality is the type that molds to meet every individual person. With someone like Kelly, she’d be softer. With me, she’s gruff and aggressive because she knows that’s what I respond to.

Trouble is, she’s always right. I don’t know how I got stuck on Kelly, but everything about her is perfect. She’s sweet, mouthy, funny, loves dark humor, and she wore a little black dress like no one else. Her hips are wide, and her ass is thick and round. She’s curved and gorgeous, with long dark hair and plump, pink lips.

She was engaged at the time, and I knew nothing could come out of that night. Deep down I knew that, but there was a part of me that wondered what would’ve happened if she weren’t engaged. That’s why I sent the letter. I needed her to know how I felt before she tied the knot.

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