Page 30 of The Secrets We Keep

“I was ready to throw in the towel on the case and let Ms. Ross know I could be of no help. Suddenly, I’m sitting at the dealership and you pulled out your license. Evie, it was such a shock to see Eleanor Ross printed on your license. I couldn’t believe I was sitting next to the woman I was searching for. Everything started to hit me at once, the familiar face. The walls you have placed around you. I started to connect the dots and then came the fact that we were together. Evie, if that’s what I should even call you, I felt it was all lies. I felt like what we had wasn’t real.” Landon exhales. He looks pained revealing all of this to me.

I realize that he had a right to avoid me. I get it now and it makes me feel like such a shitty person. I was only worried about myself without knowing all the facts or thinking about anyone else.

“I want you to know though, I’m so sorry about how you found out. I wanted to tell you myself, I was just stuck on how to tell you. Fuck, you mean a lot to me. I never wanted to hurt you.”

I feel the threat of tears and try to keep it together. I squeeze his hand again and this time he squeezes back and pulls me towards him. I get a whiff of his cologne. Gosh it smells so good. It puts my body on high alert. How can he have this effect on me, especially at a time like this. It’s as if I could forget about all of this and get lost in all things that Landon Miller is.

“Evie, I know you are upset with me and I’m sorry.”

I shake my head to remove those thoughts and try to focus. I think about what he’s saying and I know he’s being honest with me in explaining all that he has. He deserves the same from me.

Looking up at him I begin, “I came to this town on a whim. I ran from home because I had been threatened, my life had been threatened and if I didn’t leave my sister would have been in danger too.”

I feel Landon tense at this admission and it makes me feel terrible for keeping him in the dark.

“I left with just a duffle bag. Left everything else behind. I came here, shortened my name for safety reasons and grew my hair out, changing the color too.”

“What, why didn’t you go to the police?” Landon asks, sounding pissed. I look over to see the tic in his jaw. Yup, he’s angry.

“Chet knows people. He has connections. I couldn’t risk staying. I couldn’t risk Sarah being hurt because of me. Leaving was easier, safer.” The words come out in a rush as I let a few tears fall as I look away from him.

“Who the fuck is Chet? A guy threatened you? What the hell?” Landon’s raised voice causes me to jump a little. I steal a small glance at him and his face is red, nostrils flared.

“Chet is my sister’s boyfriend, fiancé… whatever. I caught him with another woman and the rest you can put together.”

Suddenly Landon’s arms are on my shoulders and he’s looking me in the eyes. It’s intense and I can feel the anger rolling off of him.

“Did this guy put his hands on you?”

The words come out of Landon’s mouth as if they are disgusting to say. I squeeze my eyes close and fear what comes next.

Keeping them closed I reply, “Yes… he did.”

I don’t even want to see the look on his face. I hear him suck in his breath and curse. He lets go of me and I feel him stand suddenly. The loss of his touch leaves me feeling cold, so I take a chance and open my eyes. Landon is pacing, fist clenched at his sides. Standing quickly, I go to him. I grab his fists.

“Hey, it’s okay.” I have no idea what else to say to make him less angry. He’s still tense and doesn’t release his fists.

“Evie, it’s not okay. It’s never okay to touch a woman, especially my woman.” He growls the words my woman. “That guy is a piece shit. Not only did he put his hands on you but he was also cheating.” Landon spits the words out before continuing on his rant, waves of anger rolling off of him.

“We are going to the police. This is absurd that you would run and hide.”

Whoa, what did he just say? I’m taken aback. I wasn’t expecting Landon to react this way. He’s still red in the face and the vein in his neck is clearly visible. I rub my hands down his arms, “Landon, please calm down. I didn’t know what to do at the time. Running was my only option and I finally did go to the police. Jessy took me.”

He sighs, “It’s not okay. I’ve given your sister detailed information on you. Is she still with this jerk?”

“She is. She has texted me a few times since returning home. My replies are very short. I know I’m causing Sarah pain by being short however, I don’t know where Chet is or if he’s checking her phone.”

If I’m being honest, those thoughts alone make me want to run and hide. I don’t tell Landon this part though. It’s much easier than living in fear and being hurt. My emotions are all over. Part of me just wants to go home with Landon and curl up in bed and shut the world out. That won’t solve much, just my desire to have him. Pushing those thoughts aside I must focus on the mess in front of me.

“Landon why don’t we take a walk and maybe grab a bite to eat?”

His expression softens a little as he looks over at me. “Okay, ya… I think that might be good.”

He holds out his hand to me and the minute I place my hand in his, he pulls me to him and holds me tightly. It is then that I realize just how much I’ve missed this. Him… his touch.

Walking with Landon through the park is just what I need. The landscape and flowering bushes are a delight to look at, almost soothing.

“Evie I need to ask you a personal question.” Landon asks quietly, pulling me from thoughts of the beauty surrounding us. My nerves kick up a notch wondering what he wants to ask.

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