“Your hat smells like you.”
I nearly tripped hearing her speak so suddenly, even if it was in a low whispered voice. “What?”
Lucille raised my hat enough to look at me, her hair burning like fire in the sun, making those damn eyes of hers look like they were glowing honeycombs. “Your hat. It smells like you.”
I smirked. “Saying I stink?”
She scrunched her face. “No…the opposite.” I tried to not blush at her words. “I’m sorry…again.”
“For what?”
Lucille sighed. “Being a mess.”
My smirk only grew as I continued to carry her home. “You might be a mess, but I like getting my hands dirty.” I noticed a pink hue in her cheeks as she looked away, making that damn thump in my chest return.
I cleared my throat. “You shouldn’t worry about me, little viper. I’m tougher than I look.” Lucille didn’t respond. She just laid her head against my chest and played with the thin material of my shirt.
“What scars are you hiding?” she asked. My smile fell, and I didn’t answer. “You said you also had scars you kept hidden away. What are they?”
I stopped, seeing the house just in the near distance. “Let’s just say, I have a dark past myself. One I hope to forget one day, even though I’ll never be that lucky.”
“I guess we’re both unlucky in that way.”
My smile returned. “I guess we are.” I resumed walking, carrying her down the hill towards her home.
The sun began to set as I stepped onto the porch of her family home, the boards creaking as I slowly walked towards the front door. Lucille tried to hop down, but I refused to let her go and carried her inside all the way to her bedroom.
“You didn’t have to bring me all the way in here,” she whispered as I carefully sat her on her bed. “I could’ve walked from the porch.”
A light laugh breezed past my lips. “What kind of a gentleman would I be if I just left you out on the porch like that.” I pointed to her pants. “Besides, Cooper would have my head.”
Lucille threw a blanket over her leg, hiding her scar. “A gentleman doesn’t walk into a ladies room without permission.”
I knelt down right in front of her. “And do I have your permission, lady Lucille?”
She blew a raspberry, shoving me playfully. “Knock it off.” I noticed the faintest smile. “Here.” She took my hat from her head and returned it to mine. “Thanks.”
“That’s the third time you’ve said that to me now.”
She crossed her arms and huffed. “What’re you keeping track now?” I tried not to laugh, grinning at her little attitude. “Yeah well, don’t get used to it. This was just another fluke.” She paused. “You should head back and help them with Reaper. I’m sure everyone is waiting on you.” She almost sounded a little sour.
“Alright. But try to get some rest, okay?”
She snarled. “I appreciate your concern, but you’re not my fucking dad, Forsythe. So quit acting like it. I can take care of myself.” I stopped in the doorway of her room. “You don’t need to worry about me.”
Yes, I do. Because I made a promise. And I intend on keeping it.
Chapter Six
Lucille
A warm breezeblew along my face, guiding my hair as it danced along my skin and tickled me faintly. The sounds and smells of my sweet Bone Ridge wrapped around me like a warm hug, pulling me into a nostalgic moment that left me feeling nothing but comforted. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, basking in it all as I sat in the rocking chair.
Home.
The screen door squeaked open and slammed shut as my mother’s voice followed.“Here you go, baby.” I looked up to find her wearing a warm smile, looking down at me with nothing but love. She held out a large cup of iced tea in one hand while offering me a couple of pain killers in the other. “These should help.”
I took them both from her. “Thanks, Mom.” She watched as I tossed the pills back and washed them down with a mouthful of tea. It was sweeter than I remembered, taking me back a little.
