Flames and Feathers Book 1

What eles can go wrong?

"Emma, you must have gotten a bit distracted and dropped the bag of pies. I think they are okay, looks like they are still in one piece.” Hunter held out plastic bag, it made a swishing sound as it moved in his hands.

“ Oh I am sorry, it has been a long couple days, day dreaming... silly me. ” I looked up into his deep blue eyes and took the bag from him and for a moment, I thought I could see my own in the reflection of them. Stepping back, I thank him, for saving our pies, it would have been a total travisty, if they had not made it in to the sanctity of my tummy.

These visions, or " day dreams," were begining to become big distractions, it's like trying to chew bubble gum and walk at the same time.... the two don't go well together but I couldn't get them out of my mind either, which was also very distracting.

Hunter as a business man was pretty sexy I must say but I admit, him being, well himself, was hot enough for me.

“So, are you excited about the horseback ride this afternoon? We should have at least five or six people going, I actually need to get back soon, so I can get the horses ready. “ Nearing the end of the block where his truck had been parked, I nodded to Hunter and replied with a smile.

“I think it should be a fun experience, concidering I have not been on a horse in forever. ” I pushed aside a piece of hair that blew into my face and put it behind my ear.

" I'd always wanted a horse, I mean what little girl didn't? But, my parents were both taken from me at pretty young age and pets, such as a horse, were out of the question when I lived with my aunt. Her husband, Ben was allergic to everything with hair and dander... So silly, he wouldn't have had to take care of it, I would have done it gratefuly, but he said that had nothing to do with that. " Frowning I lifted my arms in the air and let them fall abruptly.

Hunter said nothing as we approached his charcoal grey pickup truck, it was parked just outside of a rock shop. I guess I had parked alot futher then I had originaly thought.

Of course, I had to be abbsent minded once again, I stopped mid curb and tripped over my own foot falling straight onto my behind.

Flushed and red faced I huffed and sat for a sec, sort of humiliated, half pissed off. Man, I’m such a dork!

Grabbing me by the arm, Hunter helped lift me up from my now sore bottom.

“Emma, are you alright? I’m sorry I thought you were right beside me!” Concern raced across his face as he looked me over, as I was busy dusting off my butt.

“It’s okay! I was right beside you until I realized I had totally forgotten where I had parked my jeep and I wasn't paying attention to where I was walking..

I think, I parked two blocks away, near a cute little jewelry building, I think.”

  I shook my head looking up and down the street, in utter frustration...and I pulled my fingers through my hair pulling my bun free.   I let my hair fall free down my back, it was still chilly but I fell alittle sweat on the back of my neck.    Control yourself, Emma... I comanded myself.  Don't make a scene....

Hunter then drew my attention to his face, taking my hand into his he made me calm instantly.

Warmth flooded me, my belly tightened and his kind words touched me.

“ I’d never hurt you Emma, You’ll always be protected when you are with me... Clumsy and a foodie, what eles shall I learn about the beautiful Emma... Don't know what your last name is yet... " Muttering into my hand which was still clasped into his, he gave me a soft kiss to the hand.

" Let me, now be your knight, In denim..my lady.. I will keep you protected from tripping over your own two ....feeet.... for now on.." Bending at the knee he teased me... I gently smacked him on the arm...

I couldn't help that I was a little clumsy and well.. a dork at times.. if was in my nature... 

I blew him a rasberry and made no other response.

" Stop sulking Silly lady.... We will find your Jeep, this town isn't that big...Loosing something like a car, would be an amazing feat... "

Hunter pulled me forward towards the next street over called Pinetop ridge lane and we walked down it, still hand and hand. My face was probaly red and flushed but I can blame it on the cold... not that I was the least bit cold with my hot, very hot... cowboy prince, beside me.

We walked for awhile... silly enough I had infact... lost my truck... even a clumsy, piggie like myself.. could also have other tallents. .. loosing a green jeep in a tiny town.. being another one...

“Don’t worry I’ll drive you to your vehicle, we’ll find it together. If you said it’s near a jewelry store, I know a few places, down the road, that might be where it is located. " Hunter insisted... I was too anoyed at this point to try and object.. I followed him without hesitation.

“I like your truck, it suits you.” I closed the passage door and clicked on my seat belt. Hunter climbed up beside me and pulled the truck in reverse. The music that was playing on the radio was low and peaceful as we drove down the street. I had my window down letting the cool wind hit my face, it was blowing my hair all about, and it would be a crazy tangled mess before too long. I didn’t care, it felt good against my very warm flushed skin.

“Emma what color is your jeep again?

I think I see one across the street from the trinket shop down there! “ He pointed up the street near a log fence next to a small lamppost. Sure enough, that’s where I’d parked, I could see the dirty tail lights from here and the faded dark green paint. Yep that was mine!

I nodded, “ Yeppers, that’s mine, it’s a little old and a little dirty but it’s all mine. We’ve been a lot of places together.”

As we drove closer, my face paled and I let out an obscenity. The right passenger front tire was completely flat. Crap, that all I needed.

The look on Hunter ’s face said it all, he was either displeased with my choice of words, that I refused to repeat, or he was at loss for words. I politely apologized for my use of blasphemy, and explained I normally rarely said such things. I actually felt kind bad after I did it and I hoped I hadn’t offended him.

My lack of sleep, that or of friends, must have really screwed me up... darn it... he doesn't curse.. I've disapointed him somehow..

He said it was fine and he didn’t mind, although his frown made me think otherwise.

The truck slowed as he pulled up next to my jeep, keeping his voice low and calm he said, “Let’s go see what's going on here.”

When he turned off the ignition, we quickly jumped out to assess the damages.

I fumbled out of the door almost missing the stepdown.. of course I did....

I was sort of grateful because I got a really good view of his bootie from this angle as he bent down to check the tire.

Woohoo, I can honestly say that a sight like that could lift up any girl’s spirits! My terrible mood was healed, miraculously!

    He wore his blue jeans low on his hips, and they highlighted all his Very Amazing traits. The country definitely did his body good!  Made me want to sing a country song about cowboys and horses.... Emma.. I thought silently to myself!  Get... your mind out ...of the gutter....  but gosh, that booties got it going on... I like big ....  HUnter interupted my thought just then... His face staring up at me, in his eyes, I felt he was laughing at me, but his facial exspession was telling me a totally differnt story..

“Want to know the good and bad news? “ I just shook my head up and down, looking over his shoulder at the flat.

"Well good news is, I think it’s only a nail, bad news is, it is Sunday, this is a small town, and the tire place is closed. Unless we want to take a two hour drive to nearest city, the best I can do right now, is put the spare on for ya, sweetie.” I crinkled my nose and turned the other cheek, knowing fully well that I didn’t have one. I blew a tire on a drive, back when I still lived in Washington.

“Well, that just perfect!” I smacked my hands loudly on my legs, causing them to sting a bit.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have a spare right now. I feel like a big dumb dumb, but at the time it did not seem like an important item to replace. I had a flat back home, and never put the spare back. That was a bad decision on my part. ”

Of course, I couldn’t fully explain in detail why I hadn’t replaced it. I left quite abruptly and I only grabbed hand full of things . I would have never even thought about it then... I could have died that night... I had to leave as quick as I could... spare tires were the last thing that was on my mind at the time.

With a look of confusion he let out a long breath “Well, we are going to probably have to leave this overnight.” He wiped black oil on to his pant legs and pushed up off his knees until he was standing beside me. Brushing off dirt from his pants, he walked me back to his truck and opened my door for me. Before I got in I had to grab a few things from my jeep.

I was not pleased to hear this and I let the frustration show as my face flushed up red again. It was not my day! I hope I don’t fall off a horse next, or perhaps, lose my wallet, or any of the other more wacked out things that could happen!

Hunter squeezed my arm, and gave me a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, I know the lady that owns this store. She lives up above it in a loft apartment. I’ll give her a call and let her know what happened. She will keep an eye out on your truck, we will make sure nothing happens to it. Don’t worry too much Emma.... " He blinked.... "We will get this fixed up, I promise.”

I bit the bottom of my lower lip and hesitated for a minute but then agreed that it made sense, there was nothing else that could be done. I made sure the windows were rolled up just in case it rained, didn’t look like it but then again, you never know and I locked the truck.

I picked up my ball cap that was laying in the back seat. Double clicking the lock, I heard the beep twice and knew there was nothing more that I could do, and jumped back into Hunter ’s truck.

Pulling my hair through the back hole, I placed my favorite pink camo hat on top of my head. It felt snug and comforting to me, like a warm blanket, with my favorite vanilla coffee in hand.

“I like your cap, it's cute.” He grinned as his beautiful sapphire eyes looked down at me through the reflection in the rear view window. “Sorry about your Jeep! It happens though! " Turning his attention back to road he added. "I’m what you call the king of flats! I’m always getting something in my tires. “

I beamed at his comment and for the fact that he was trying to help cheer me up. I bet he is the king of something, but I am quite certain it wasn't flats…

“ I hardly believe you get a ton of flats, more like lots of girls lining up for your number. You’re the King of jealous girls, perhaps, but not flats. Kind of like, Kelsie, the pretty little waitress from the café.”

I could see his eyes in the rearview, they shifted to me and then back to the road. His expression was hard to read, I couldn’t tell if I had insulted him or flattered him, but then he busted up laughing.

“That’s funny Emm, Kel doesn’t like me like that, and she is my niece, my sister Angie’s daughter. "

My face instantaneously turned red...ooops..

"She might come off that way but she is, just very over protective of me. You’re new to this town and she doesn’t trust new people. I’m sure with time she'll grow to trust you.” He paused for a minute before continuing and he patted me softly on the sleeve of my sweater.

“You can stay you know, make a life here, you’d never have to be alone again. I’d help you, you know...." He hesitated but then continued.. " get you back on your feet! " Looking out from the corner of his eye he looked at me and then back to the road.

" I know my uncle would allow you stay in the cabin, and I am also almost certain, Grandma Alice, would give you a job at the cafe'. You could get to know.. my niece... she isn't that bad.. I promise you will like her, once you got to know her."

Coming up to our turn Hunter guided the truck around the corner at some abandoned fruit stands on the corner of the street. It was not season for fruit sales...

” I turned to face twords him stunned, not quite sure how to take any of this conversation.

His Grandma? Was the whole town related to him?

I let my gaze fall to the floor, watching as my feet dangled at the floorboard.

“ But you don’t even know me! I mean I would be grateful but how do you know I’m not a robber, or an escape convict? How do you know can even trust me? Maybe Kelsie is right, what if I am no good?” I held my arms tightly to my chest and instantly felt cold.

Hunter took his hand off the wheel while the other keep the truck straight. Without hesitation he brushed a piece of my hair from the corner of my face and brushed my cheek with the very tips of his fingertip. Looking down at me he puckered his brow and sighed as he pulled back his hand to the steering wheel. “ I may not know you , but I know you’re a good person. I don’t need to know you, to know that! I trust you’re a good person Emma.”

He looked down at me and then back to the road, as we finaly came up to the cabins front parking area. A felt a slight shiver run up my back and a tingling warm sensation where his touch had left my skin. Warmth and calmness flowing through me.