Finding Pride (Pride Series) (6 page)

It had taken her about half an hour, after Lacey had left, for her to find some walking shoes in her suitcase. She found one of her brothers heavy coats hanging in the closet and donned that as well. Setting out with the keys in her pocket, she took her time walking the winding path that Lacey had pointed out.

Wild flowers and tall grass grew along the path covered with small round pebbles, even in the cold the flowers were flourishing. It took her less than five minutes to wind around the trail and come to the clearing which housed the first cabin.

This was the smallest of the five, and the farthest from the beach. Walking up to the small wood porch, she noticed the bright red number one sign hanging on the bright blue door. Taking her keys out she used the blue key with that number on it. Matt had always liked brighter colors.

The place smelled of fresh paint and varnish. The empty room echoed with each foot step she took on the freshly varnished oak floors. Not only was it very clean and fresh looking, she could see the potential that it held. The walls were painted a warm honey color accentuating the warm oak of the floors and trim. The windows were large and gleamed in the sun light.

Walking towards the back she opened the heavy wood door into a small room that she imagined would easily fit a double bed and two night stands. Turning to the left she walked through another door into a small bathroom with no toilet or tub; she was sure there were places for them, but none sat there.

Yes, there was a lot of potential here.

It took her almost an hour to go through all five cabins. Each one larger than the one before, until finally she reached the fifth and final cabin. It was not only the largest, but the least completed. Its large windows actually overlooked the beach and ocean. Just a short walk down a hill and across a small field of sand covered in tall green grass and you would be down to the water.

The last two cabins; both consisting of two bedrooms, were not only unpainted, but the floors, trim, and doors still needed to be sanded and stained. All of the cabins had no appliances. Where the first three were small with just a front room, a small bedroom and a bath, the last two actually had two bedrooms, larger bathrooms and small kitchenette areas. The counter tops and cabinets needed replacing or sanding.

Yes, she could definitely see why her brother wanted to start a business renting these out. The buildings were made to have families, friends, and/or lovers enjoy them. Standing on the large front porch of the last cabin, she imagined lovers, possibly honeymooners, having a romantic dinner out here, or a family eating a picnic after a day at the beach. Imagined them playing volleyball just a few feet away on the net she knew she wanted to put up in the field on the way to the beach. She could envision a few picnic tables along the path, all painted to match the brightly colored doors her brother had taken the time to paint.

Yes, her brothers dream, was slowly becoming her own.

For the first time since arriving, she stood in her kitchen making her own dinner. Thank goodness there had been several cans of tomato soup in the pantry. She even found an unopened box of wheat thins. Not only was this one of her more elaborate meals she knew how to make, but one of her favorite. In the last few days she had enjoyed having people stop by and visit. She knew they meant well, but she had missed the quiet of being alone.

After setting a large bowl and a plate of crackers down on the white table cloth; she enjoyed a quiet meal, all the while thinking how quiet it was.

Could she really get used to people; strangers, coming and going around the place? She understood that she had a skittish personality, but it hadn’t always been like this. There had been a large portion of her life with Matt that she hadn’t been scared. She knew people were generally good, and it appeared that the people of Pride took care of each other.

When she finished rinsing her dishes, she saw Lacey’s sedan drive up and park in front of the garage. Going to the back door and opening it she waited for her friend, but when Todd stepped out of the car, she tensed slightly. Forcing herself to put a smile on her face and relax, she welcomed him.

“Hi Megan, I hope you don’t mind, but I needed to pick up some paperwork from your brother’s office. While I was here, I figured I would take a look at the downstairs bathroom sink. Lacey said the handle was loose last time she was here.” He said as he grabbed a tool box from the back of the car.

“Oh, I don’t want to bother you, I’m sure I can figure it out myself.”

“No trouble, I helped Matt install that sink less than a year ago. If you’re busy, I can come back later.” He said looking up the three stairs at her.

She realized she was blocking the back door and quickly moved aside.

“No, I’m sorry, please.” She ushered him in.

“It will only take me a few minutes, then I’ll be out of your way.” He headed down the hall towards the bathroom.

She walked into the living room where she placed another log on the fire. She started pacing in front of the fireplace. She felt tense and uneasy, waiting for him to finish up. After about ten minutes of waiting she sat down and picked up the book she had started earlier. She knew she shouldn’t be reading a Stephen King book, especially with her nerves, but she just couldn’t put it down.

Not only were there monsters, but ones that always seemed to jump out when she least expected it. It’s not like she didn’t know that vampires didn’t exist, she’d always loved a good scary story. Probably her brothers doing.

Just then the floor board behind her creaked, and she found herself jumping once again.

“I’m sorry.” Todd said with a reassuring smile, “I was just going to tell you, that I was done and heading out.”

She couldn’t, just couldn’t look him in the eyes. So instead she bent over to pick up the book that had been dislodged from her lap. Instantly she winced from the pain. Her bruised muscles that ran from her shoulders to her lower back were flaming up again. Grasping, she starting to reach for something, anything for support.

Todd was next to her in a second, “Easy.” He murmured. “Did you hurt your neck? Here now, let me see,” he said walking her backwards towards the couch. At the same time he took a light hold on the neckline of her baggy shirt to reveal her slender neck.

“It’s nothing, just…” Megan tensed again and started to pull away, but his hands remained lightly on her shoulders.

“I’m not going to hurt you. Let me help you, your shoulders must be sore, carrying the weight of that cast around all day,” he said in a soft voice, holding her steady. “I just want to help you, trust me.” She turned slightly and just looked up into his eyes. Seeing his concern, all she could do was nod in reply.

He lightly tugged her shirt to the side, exposing her neck and half of her right shoulder. She heard his gasp, and looked back over her shoulder at him. When she saw his raw emotions flash across his face, she started to tense. It was a look that could easily snap bones. Pulling away, she backed up until the backs of her legs hit the couch.

“I, I’m sorry.” She started to move away.

He just stood there, and closed his eyes. Taking several deep breaths to calm his temper. When he opened his eyes again, she could see that his emotions were back under control.

When Todd had looked down at Megan’s skin he’d been shocked. Where her skin should have been a soft creamy color, the same as her lovely neck. Instead, it was covered in deep purple and green bruises that crossed her entire shoulders.

Reaching out with just his fingers, he gently played them over her neck and shoulder, like whispers on her skin.

Getting control again, he masked his face from the anger; he wanted to rip someone apart. Knowing he had to keep his emotions under control for her sake, he kept them tightly tucked inside. She’d turned around and not taken her eyes from his face. He could tell she was waiting for his next move.

Walking over to her, he slowly pulled the opened button shirt from her shoulders. Removing it over the cast gently, he bunched it up and tossed it on the couch.

When she started to object, he just cooed. “Let me just look, I won’t hurt you. Just let me see.”

Megan was trapped in his eyes, she felt like her feet were glued to the floor. She could no longer see anger in his eyes, just concern.

Pushing the light strands of her white tank-top aside, he exposed more colored skin. Lightly he took her shoulders in his hands and turned her around so he could view her back.

She leaned her head farther down, exposing all of her neck to him. The bruises started at each shoulder and went below her shirt. He could see deep purple and blackish green skin through the light material. Large ugly colored bruises ran down the back of both her arms.

After about a minute of silence, he stalked from the room leaving her alone facing the fire.

Never had anyone made her feel like this – her stomach was in knots, she couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. Not until she blinked did she realize she had tears in her eyes.

It was important to her, she realized, what he thought of her. He had said that no one would harm her here. Why did she feel like he meant it? The shame and embarrassment flooded back to her. Just as her shoulders started to slouch forward in defeat, she heard him walk back into the room. She didn’t turn around this time, but quickly blinked away her tears.

“No wonder you’re on edge, reading this,” he said bending and picking up the discarded book. Looking up he noticed her tears.

He stood in front of her as she kept her head down looking at his hands. He had nice hands, not too big. She didn’t like big hands. His nails were short and clean. He had a small scar on his left hand just below his wrist. He had a book in one and bottle of dark liquid in the other.

Dropping the book on the couch, he put his fingers under her chin. Pulling her face slowly up until their eyes meet. “Here now, don’t,” he said looking at the tears, he used his fingers to wipe them away gently.

“I’m…” She started to apologize.

“Don’t. Please. Will you let me help you? This will help with the sore muscles and bruises.” He held out the bottle, letting her see the label. “Trust me; I’ve had plenty of both.” He smiled a little.

All Megan could do was nod again.

“
Come on then, sit down here,” he said pointing to the couch.

She followed him and sat at the edge of the couch with her back to him.

“Lay down Megan,” he said softly. His voice was husky and rich and she couldn’t stop herself from obeying.

He lifted her shirt to the point that half of her back was exposed. She heard him take a deep breath and started to tense again.

“No, don’t, it’s alright.” He said trying to get himself under control.

She could smell the ointment as he warmed it on his hands. He started working on her shoulders first. The muscles screaming from the contact however feather light.

“Take deep breaths,” he said in a soothing voice feeling her tension.

“When I was about thirteen, I decided I was man enough to help break one of my dad’s horses, Thunder, it was a Appalachian. It had been terribly mistreated before we got a hold of him. Needless to say, I snuck into his pen one day thinking I would just jump right up there, and we would be best of friends.”