“Oh, here.For your brother.”She sidesteps and grabs a small box of soaps from a shelf, sitting among papers and crayons and a myriad of other things.The whole setup should give me anxiety.Nothing is in place, most things in disarray, yet I feel more at home here with her than I have in a long time.
“Thanks for dinner,” I say as we both head toward her front door.
“Of course.Thanks for the company.”Her cheeks pinken, and I bite the inside of mine.She’s cute when she’s nervous.I quickly look over at Kevin who hasn’t moved.
“Bye, Kevin.”
I get a grunt in return, his eyes not moving from the TV.
Once we walk out the door, Annabelle stands on the porch as I walk down the steps and look around.The darkness almost shrouds me, and a chill runs up my back.Aside from the lights of the house creating a glow around Annabelle, it’s darker than I’m used to experiencing in the city.I listen for any sounds, but there are none.Her neighbors are so far away, they wouldn’t even hear her scream.
“Are you sure you’re alright out here?”I turn to look at her, not really wanting to leave her.
“We’re fine.”She swallows and plays with her hair again.My little liar.
“Have you got your phone?”I walk back to the porch, taking the steps two at a time before I’m right back in front of her.
“Ahh… sure?”She looks confused as she pulls it from her back pocket.
“Unlock it.”It’s more like a demand, so I clarify.“Just in case you need anything or just if you want to talk.”
Quirking her eyebrow, she unlocks it and hands it to me.I put in my number before handing it back.
“You going to rush back from the city to little ole me?”she jokes, and I grit my teeth, not liking the fact that I wouldn’t be here, even if she did call.
“My jet’s pretty fast; you would be amazed at how quickly I could be here.”
“A real-life Superman, then.”
My smile doesn’t meet my eyes, because I don’t like leaving her out here alone.She looks up at me, and I lean down, my body moving before I really think about it.I press a tender kiss on her cheek, so close to her lips, all she would need to do is turn her face and her lips would be on mine.
I hear her sharp intake of air, but I pull back just as quickly, seeing the flush to her cheeks as she smiles.Biting my bottom lip, I step away from her, walking backward to my truck.
“Thanks again for dinner, Annabelle.”I can’t remember the last time I had a good time on a date and was so hesitant to leave.
“You’re welcome, Sawyer.”Her voice is so soft, I almost dash back to her and take her lips with mine.Instead, I grit my teeth and force my feet to move away from her.And as I jump in the truck and drive away, my stomach feels heavy.I tell myself it’s because she’s out here alone and it isn’t safe.But the truth is, even if she lived on the busiest street in New York, I still wouldn't want to leave her.My eyes flick to the rearview mirror as I make my way down her driveway, seeing her silhouette on the porch, watching me the entire way.This is the second time I’m seeing her this way, and I like it a little less every time.
11
Annabelle
“Boys!We need to go!”The school rush of the morning is usually fraught with speed, due to the few farm chores we need to complete before we even start getting ready for school.But we all slept in a little more than usual, the busy weekend obviously catching up with us.
“Coming!Have you seen my shoes?”I hear Kevin yell from down the hall as I dig into my bag to find my keys and open the front door.
It’s a beautiful day.The sun is shining, and I’ve been feeling good ever since Sawyer stopped by and had dinner with us.He’s the first man I’ve taken any romantic interest in, in a long time, and I’m still not sure that’s smart.My initial thoughts on him have tempered, and while he’s still immaculately dressed without a hair out of place, we found some common ground.
I tried to keep things professional, keep things friendly.I mean, it was dinner, but I assume it’s okay to have dinner with a client.But then, when we were in my kitchen and he pushed back my hair, I was almost scared to breathe.When I flinched, his gaze of surprise turned angry pretty quickly.I know he wouldn’t hurt me; I feel it deep in my bones that he’s a good guy.But old habits are hard to break, and the last time a man touched me, he almost broke my jaw.
I haven’t had a man touch me as gently as Sawyer did, ever.Steve was somewhat charming when we first fell in love, but we were both teenagers, our movements clumsier.I can’t even remember the last time I orgasmed.I touch my cheek now, still feeling Sawyer’s soft touch, my skin tingling at the memory, wondering what it would be like to kiss him.
“They’re here at the door!”I yell back to Kevin as I dash outside to start the car.I think about when Sawyer left the other night, watching his truck slowly drive away, his taillights getting smaller and smaller until I couldn’t see them anymore and the darkness consumed me once again, making me feel alone.Stupid, really.I hardly know the guy, and I’ve lived here alone most of my adult life.But there’s something about him that puts me at ease.For a country girl like me, a lawyer from the city should be the last person who makes me feel safe, yet he does.
As I get to the car, I go to open the door to throw my bag in but pull up short.The world around me tilts a little, and I wonder if I’m seeing things.
“We’re coming,” I hear Kevin say from near the front door, Noah giggling right next to him, but I don’t look up.Instead, I look at my front tire, the one that has a big slash across it, and my nerves spike.
“Ummmm… We have a flat.Let me just… Um…” My pulse races, and I try to keep it together, but panic, fear, and disbelief all rush through me.The same feelings that my husband used to evoke when he’d come home late at night, after having too many drinks at Whiteman’s Bar with his buddies.Knowing what would happen when he walked in the door is exactly how I feel right now.I look up and around, trying to see something, someone, anything.But as usual, there’s nothing and no one.Everything else is as it should be.There are no tire marks in my driveway, no damage anywhere else.
