Page 48 of Moon Blind Hearts
I can’t help looking at the pearl necklace when Oak opens my door for me.
Pieces of the puzzle that make up the large man slide into place. The reason he’s so protective of the others. The way he makes sure everyone else is comfortable. The very much dad energy, I realize, that he’s always had. I couldn’t ever imagine losing Genie and my heart hurts knowing that he’s experienced such loss. I understand why he doesn’t ever take the necklace off now.
It takes us about an hour to get everything set up for the farmer’s market. Ivy ran off as soon as we got here, claiming she had someone to visit, leaving me to help set up all the cheeses. I don’t mind though I wonder who it is she’s running off to see.
Once we have everything set up and ready for the market, Sawyer takes a seat and gestures for me to take the one next to him. It’s only as I’m sitting with him that my eyes get to search around the square and see strange things. What look like small holes in the brick, many buildings still in the midst of repair, signs everywhere that say “Stagborn Strong” on them.
“Did something happen to Steele?” I ask, thinking it could be a tornado or something. Do they get tornados in the mountains even? I don’t think they do.
“Remember that wild west shoot out we mentioned?” Cash asks. “The one with Valerie Decatur.”
I blink. “I honestly thought you were kidding about it being a real shoot out.”
Cash laughs. “Nope. Not kidding. Steele was the location for it. These streets have come a long way since it happened. Valerie Decatur and her bestie Sheriff have really helped during the cleanup.” He smiles at me. “She’s from White Stag Pastures by the way. That’s where the Stagborn stuff comes from.”
“That explains the posters,” I nod, looking around. “But why was this specific city attacked? It seems like a relatively safe town.”
“It’s hard to explain, and we aren’t from the area originally so we don’t know the full story,” Oak adds. “We only know that the matter was settled with a very public livestream and the tenacity of the town. The people that brought trouble this way made a deal with Valerie and took their leave. We’ve been rebuilding ever since.” He looks around. “We helped rebuild that gazebo over there. Someone thought it was a good idea to bring grenades to a gun fight.”
I smile. “Wow. This place seems pretty tight knit.”
“We may not have grown up here, but this city has accepted us like family,” Sawyer explains, nodding. “Here, everyone takes care of their own, so they all took a stand together. We helped as much as we were able to.”
Cash meets my eyes when I fall silent. “You could be a part of that.”
I blink in surprise. “It’s a cute town, but . . . I can’t.”
“Why not?” Cash asks seriously, taking my hand. “You can choose to do anything you want.”
I lean back, taking my hand away from him. “I thought this was just supposed to be business, remember? I know we’ve spent time together outside of that now . . . but I can’t stay here.”
They all look at each other, some silent communication passing between them. It’s Oak who sighs and meets my eyes next.
“Maybe I was wrong,” Oak admits. “Maybe . . . this isn’t just business. Hell, just maybe, things can be different if you let it.”
I jerk back like I’ve been struck. “What?”
“We like you,” Cash explains. “Like, I’m halfway to loving you already.”
Oak snorts. “Halfway my ass.”
Cash shoots him a glare. “What I mean to say is, we’re not asking you to profess your love for us or anything. Though that’s always welcome.” He wiggles his eyebrows. “Just enjoy yourself. Stay a bit longer. That’s all.”
I glance between them, my heart beating wildly in my chest. I stand before I consciously make the decision and stumble back. “I don’t know how to feel about all of this.”
“We’re not trying to pressure you,” Sawyer says, sensing my panic. “And it’s your decision.”
I take another step away. “I . . . need some air.”
“Want company?” Oak asks.
“No,” I fire back too quickly and wince. “No, I need some air and some alone time.”
He nods, not insulted. “Understood. Whatever you need.”
And then I leave them to stand there, watching me as I rush off. My chest is so tight, it takes everything in me to force air in. I’m hyperventilating before I’m aware of it, and only just manage to round a corner where they can’t see me before the panic attack takes hold.
Chapter 27
