Page 6 of Follow Me Down

Chapter Two

Fallon

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“She lives!” Link boastsfrom the kitchen as I stumble into the living area just after ten in the morning.

It took me forever to fall asleep, but once I did, I slept like a rock.

“Good morning,” I grumble, my voice still thick with sleep.

“I’m making some biscuits and gravy. Are you hungry?” My eyes go to the cast iron skillet on the stove where he’s vigorously stirring.

“Starving,” I admit, my stomach protesting its emptiness when the smell of food fills my nostrils.

“I figured you would be.” He grins, tilting his head toward one of the bar stools. “Sit. It won’t be much longer. I didn’t know what you liked, but I thought biscuits and gravy was a pretty safe bet.”

“Well you were right. It’s one of my favorites.” I can’t help but smile at him. “I wouldn’t have pegged you as someone who could cook.” I nod a thank you when he abandons the skillet to set a glass of orange juice in front of me.

“My grandma raised me. She insisted I learn how to cook. Said it was the only way I’d ever keep a woman.” He chuckles, turning to remove the skillet from the burner before grabbing an oven mitt.

“And did it work?” I ask, taking a long pull of orange juice. It tastes so good I nearly moan before I drink more.

“Did what work?”

“Keeping a woman.” I point toward the oven as he pulls out a tray of piping hot biscuits. My mouth instantly waters. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I ate.

“Well, that would imply that I’ve found one.” He grins, setting the sheet pan on top of the stove next to the skillet. “But alas, I’m still waiting for the right tulip to sprout.”

“The right tulip?” I snort out a laugh.

I know I don’t know this guy, but I already can’t help but like him. How could I not? He’s charming and funny. Clearly caring. He had the forethought to find me some undergarments last night. Most men aren’t that thoughtful. And now here he is, making me breakfast, referring to women as flowers. It doesn’t take much to realize that he and Titus are polar opposites.

The thought of Titus causes the little hairs on the back of my neck to stand and I instantly turn and scour the room, not able to believe that I didn’t think to do so before now.

“He’s not here.” Link seems to read my sudden shift in demeanor. “Had a few errands to run in town this morning,” he says, retrieving two plates from the cabinet before setting them on the counter. “I know he seemed like a real hard ass last night, but he had some shit going on that has nothing to do with you. He’s actually a pretty good dude. And when push comes to shove, I promise he’s someone you want in your corner. Don’t let him scare you.”

“I’m not scared of him.” Link gives me a look that says he’s not convinced. “What town did he go to exactly? I didn’t see much of anything on our way here.”

“Probably because you rode in from the opposite direction. Leary is only six or seven miles from here. It’s a pretty rinky-dink town but it has the essentials.”

“Which are?” I inquire, watching him drop two biscuits on each plate before smothering them in gravy.

“You know, grocery, pharmacy, hardware store. The usual stuff.” He slides a plate in front of me before he grabs forks from the drawer.

“I see.” I nod. “So the town’s name is Leary?” I take the fork he extends to me.

“Yep. Leary, South Carolina.”

“South Carolina?” I gape.

“Where did you think you were?” He chuckles, standing across the counter from me as he slides a heaping bite of biscuits and gravy onto his fork and shovels it into his mouth.

“North Carolina.”

“You’re not far. We’re only about ten miles from the state line.” He pauses. “Where are you from, anyway?”

“Raleigh.” I drag my biscuit covered fork through gravy.

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