Page 18 of The Blue Rose
Tugging her over to my other vehicle I open the door and allow her to climb into the green Dodge Ram before jogging around the hood and jumping in.
“Nice truck.” She looks down, an impish look in her eyes. “I hope you’re not compensating.”
All I do is smirk as we make our drive out to my shed.
We pull up to the shed a few minutes later, and I help her down, before escorting her to my work space. She hesitates, looking at me as if I was going to kill her.If only she knew.
“What’s so special about… this?” She motions at the little house, clearly not impressed.
Reaching over her head, I open the door and smile down at her, ushering her in. “This is where all the lambs go for slaughter.”
She looks up with confusion in her eyes, but before she has time to process what I just said I slide the needle into her neck, quickly injecting the ketamine. Her eyes roll into the back of her head, and she falls into my arms without so much as a scream.
I shut the door behind me and begin to play.
It’s wellinto the night by the time I’m through. Instead of my normal routine, preparing my lambs to be displayed, frustration won over. I burned her. Every piece was set to flames.
Presenting her just didn’t feel right when I already had a new lamb lined up. I need to see her, but she’s bringing feelings out in me that I don’t understand.
I pull out my phone, searching for her name, even though I don’t know her last name, yet. I find her pretty easily. She posts her whole life on social media.
Not the smartest, we’re going to have to change that. Looks like she’s staying in tonight. I click the video she just posted, smiling as I watch her.
She’s in overalls, paint is smeared on her cheek, she looks completely enamored by the piece she’s working on.She paints, just like me.Loving that we have that in common, I do a deep dive into all of her accounts I can find.
I need to see her again.
Hopping back in my truck, I speed towards the house, ready to find out where she lives. I come to an abrupt stop.What am I doing?Completely dumbfounded by my actions, I close my phone, and decide I can’t see her anymore. No matter how badly I want to lay her on my table, I can’t.
Walking back into my house, I lay down in bed. Closing my eyes, I dream of the northern sea, and red waves.
SEVEN
SERENA
It’s been two weeks since I met Aster at the bar, and still no word from him since the goodnight and good morning texts he sent. I texted him back each time, but he never responded after he first reached out. After the amazing conversation we shared and his hero act, although I’d call his heroic act more of a villian protecting the one he loves. Like in one of my books. Hero’s never kill for anyone, but villains would kill everyone to save the one they love. Those are the vibes that Aster was giving me. I thought he would ask me on a proper date, but the question never came. I stopped texting, not wanting to seem needy.
Even though I've had commissions to keep me busy, my mind can’t stop thinking about those teal green eyes. I even went to a candleshop to find a candle that smells like sandalwood and mint, very hard to find by the way. I did find it and bought three. I’ve been burning it nonstop just to be reminded of him.
It’s crazy, we met once, I shouldn't be this obsessed with a guy who won’t even text me back. That spark we both felt, that’s what keeps that line of hope still open. The reason why I can’t forget about him, among other things. He felt it, too. He was the one to mention it first, but now he’s ghosting me.
I’m going to be pissed and petty if he reaches out again. Who am I kidding? I know I’m going to fall at his feet the moment he smiles at me.
I'm hopeless.
I place my paintbrush down, after putting the finishing touches on my latest commission piece.
It’s a portrait piece of my client, her family, and their golden retriever. She requested an outside setting. So I painted them in a field with wildflowers, of blues, pinks, and purples surrounding them. There is a tree off to the right, a swing coming from it, and her children are playing together on the swing, both of them laughing with smiles on their faces. Makes me wonder what it would have been like to have a brother or sister growing up. Being an only child can be lonely, no one to tease, talk to, or share secrets with. Makes me envious of those who do have someone to share a life like that with. Someone by your side, who will never leave.
Their dog is running through the field, sprinting across the meadow chasing a butterfly. My client and her husband are standing behind their children, his arm around her waist. You can see the love in their eyes as they watch their children play. Their family carefree and enjoying the sun. I start to picture me and my future husband with our children, enjoying life so freely like that. I smile, staring at the painting for a few more minutes, when Aster’s face starts to take the face of the husband, I shake my head, clearing it of the idea.
He won’t even text you back, there's no way he’s going to marry you.
I stand up to grab my phone, snap a picture, and send it to my client to see if she wants anything added. I get a response immediately.
Kelsey
It’s perfect, better than I could have imagined! Thank you so much!
