Forever My Home (The Aster Lake Series Book 1) Read online

  Archer took a step back and grinned at her. “Come downstairs at eight for breakfast.”

  He left before she managed to say anything else.

  Chapter 12

  I didn’t sleep much last night. Thinking about not only what Rudd said, but how he kissed me kept me awake. However, I didn’t mind. His lips were soft and gentle even when he kissed me harder. The kiss at the station was intense, but the last one, well that meant something. There was some kind of connection and not just an attraction to each other. I felt it was much deeper than that. Rudd Archer didn’t strike me as the sentimental type and his words hit me hard.

  He knew. He already knew what my decision would be.

  Rudd was right. I wasn’t leaving. I wasn’t taking the chance of starting over. The beautiful town of Aster Lake was growing on me. Everyone was polite and welcomed me with open arms, especially Madi. I loved her and if I could pick a sister, I’d want her to be mine.

  I was upset with Rudd for investigating me, who wouldn’t be, but in all fairness, he was just doing his job. He didn’t know me; he didn’t know what kind of trouble I could bring this town, or his family. He was curious and I wanted to stay mad at him, but I couldn’t. He wasn’t the bad guy. Not only did he want to protect me, but he also wanted me. Maybe just maybe, this was how it was supposed to work out. I wanted him, which I knew for sure after last night, and somewhere along the line, I realized I also needed him.

  Glancing down at my necklace, I reminded myself that this was my chance. This was my chance to do something with my life. He made me feel brave, and I was ready to take the leap and get my life back. That wasn’t enough for me though, to just have my life, I wanted to start living.

  I headed downstairs a few minutes early in hopes to talk to Rudd before breakfast. Madi scheduled me to start work at ten a.m., so I had plenty of time.

  Coming around the side of the house, I saw Rudd standing on the porch with a plain white coffee cup in his hand. He was barefoot, wearing only a pair of faded jeans. Every muscle that formed his eight-pack was sculpted perfection, and that was him looking perfectly relaxed. He had no tattoos and the sun was glistening off his deep tanned chest.

  A corner of his mouth turns up in a smile even though he wasn’t looking at me. “Adalyn.”

  “Hey,” I said stopping on the second to top step, staring up at him. “Where’s Bailey?”

  “Shower.”

  “We need to talk.” I stepped up on the porch and stood next to him. I’d never tire of looking at this view. The sky was clear and bright blue, the lake calm and refreshing as there was no wind blowing through the air.

  “You okay?” he asked, neither of us taking our eyes off the lake.

  “Yes, I’m fine, but I need to get something off my chest.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “What you did was wrong. It was an invasion of my privacy.”

  “Adalyn…”

  “But,” I tilted my head to look up at him, “after staying up all night thinking and arguing with myself…I forgive you.” He raised an eyebrow but allowed me to continue, “I’m not dwelling on it because if the situation was reversed, I would have done the same thing.”

  “Thank you,” he said, talking a drink of coffee. The smell of coffee lingered in the air and made my mouth water.

  “You’re not off the hook that easily.”

  He grinned this time. “I’m still listening.”

  “I’ve never had a boyfriend. I don’t know how to play games, but I promise to be honest with you.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  “And in return, you have to be honest with me.”

  “Not a problem.”

  “With everything. No more investigating me behind my back.” I wasn’t sure what he already knew, but if he shared that information with me, it might help me figure out what’s going on. Maybe he knew where my parents were.

  He moved and leaned against one of the posts. “We can talk about your parents later tonight, when we have more time.”

  “That makes sense, but there’s more.”

  “Hold on,” he said and moved inside the house a few feet, then came back out. “The shower’s still on.”

  “Right...well…the morning I left my house, my parents told me I was brave. They wanted me to start a new life; one that I’ve never lived before, so everything I’ve experienced in the last few weeks has all been new to me.” I paused. I had thought about what I was going to say all morning. I had it all prepared, and even practiced it in the mirror. Now I was nervous because I actually had to say it to him, and not the imagined Rudd I concocted in my head this morning. He didn’t ask me to be his girlfriend, so what if I was assuming things and embarrassed myself. He saw my nervousness and came to me. “It’s okay,” he whispered and put a hand behind my neck. “Just spit it out.”

  “I’ve never had a boyfriend,” I murmured. “I’m not sure how much you overheard the other day, but I’m not a virgin. It was only one time and it was awful. My body feels like I’m ready, but honestly…” His eyes completely mesmerized me, causing me briefly to lose my train of thought. I took a deep breath and steadied my voice, I wanted him to believe the words I was about to say. “You make me feel brave Rudd, and as much as I want to do things, I’m not ready for anything more than what we’ve already done. I really do want to explore these feelings I have for you.”

  He squeezed the back of my neck. “When you’re ready,” he said low, glancing down at my lips.

  That made me smile. “I thought you were impatient.”

  “I have you, Adalyn. That’s what I want; the rest will come with time.”

  I sighed and dropped my head to his warm, smooth chest. Knowing that Rudd’s chest was bare had me wondering if he kept his whole body just as smooth and groomed.

  “What about Bailey?” I asked nervously because she was a major game changer.

  “I have a feeling Bailey will be just fine.”

  I slowly lifted my head so I could gaze at his body and then tilted my chin up at him. “For now, can we keep this to ourselves? I don’t want the attention or questions, and maybe it will help ease Bailey into the idea if I’m around more. You know, as friends. Or neighbors, I guess.”

  “I think that’s a good idea. One day at a time.” He placed a kiss on my lips but Bailey’s voice echoing throughout the house interrupted us. He stepped back, grabbing his coffee cup, and I moved a few feet away. She barreled through the doorway and skidded to a stop when she saw me.

  Her smile was bright and infectious. “Good morning.”

  “Morning.” She pulled on the sides of her dress and spun around in a circle showing it off. “Don’t you love it!” Her sundress was pink, very pink, with tiny white flowers that lined the shoulder straps. Her sandals were white, which helped balance out all the pink.

  “You’re beautiful,” I said and she went to stand by Rudd.

  “My dad said he’d braid my hair today.”

  I looked up at Rudd. “He did.”

  “Yep,” Bailey said and I glanced back to her. “He watched a video on the computer. The first time he did it, it looked funny, but he practiced and now he’s perfect!”

  She spun around and looked up at him. “Right, Daddy!?’

  “It’s close enough.”

  “I think it’s perfect.” She wrapped her arms around his legs and Rudd rubbed her back. Not a second later, she was off running inside the house. “I’m hungry!”

  A few minutes after we started eating, Rudd’s phone rang and he answered it.

  “Archer…Yeah…Shit.” I glanced at Bailey who shrugged her shoulders and then remembered that she didn’t care. She took another bite of eggs and washed it down with orange juice. “I need to drop her off, then I’ll head up there.” He tossed his phone down and looked at Bailey.

  “Do you have to get the bad guys now?”

  “Yes. I’ll drop you off at Miss Sanders on the way.”

  Bailey put her
hand out and said, “Wait. I have an idea,” She turned to me, smiled, and batted her long black eyelashes at me. “Adalyn Anderson could take me. I’ve never been in her car before.”

  Rudd’s fork paused halfway to his mouth as he looked at me. I opened my mouth to say something but Bailey beat me to it.

  “We should have a girls’ day. Not today, but later or something. ”

  A girls’ day did sound like fun. I would invite Madi also. “I’d love to take you to daycare.”

  “You sure?” Rudd asked after he finished his food.

  “Absolutely.”

  I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but this was a good way for us to get to know each other.

  “I’ll put the carseat in your car after breakfast and let Miss Sanders know you’re dropping her off.”

  “Thanks, Daddy!”

  ***

  “Oh and guess what else.”

  Bailey hadn’t stopped talking since we got in the car. She was telling me everything about daycare. “I have a friend!” she squealed. “Probably my best friend, his name is Danny.”

  “That’s good.”

  “Yeah, I don’t like the other girls that much.”

  “Are they being mean to you?”

  “No. They were already friends from school.”

  “Oh, well I’m glad you made a new friend.”

  “Thanks. He’s only been there a few days, and he doesn’t talk to anyone but me.”

  I listened to her rattle on as I followed the directions Rudd had given me. It wasn’t that hard to find. She had a small yellow house with red shutters. A metal chain fence surrounded the property, and there were various toys, ranging from large plastic playhouses, bikes, and baseballs and bats, scattered throughout the yard. I parked on the sidewalk, Bailey and I walked up the drive way and a young woman met us halfway. Her blonde hair was up in a ponytail and she looked like she was around my age.

  “Archer called, said you’d drop her off today.” She put her hand out and I shook it.

  “Adalyn.”

  “The kids call me Miss Sanders, but it’s Nicky. Either one is fine with me.”

  “Okay.”

  “Bye!” Bailey yelled over her shoulder. She skipped the rest of the way up the driveway, her bright pink dress swaying as she went. She unlocked the fence and went inside the yard.

  “So that’s it?” I asked.

  “That’s it. However, I’m closing early today. I told Archer, but he didn’t mention who would pick her up.”

  “He didn’t say anything, so I’m assuming he is.”

  “Sounds good,” she said turning away. “Have a great day!”

  “Thanks!”

  I got back in the car and looked around the yard for Bailey. She was sitting in the corner of the yard talking to a little boy, who had his back to me. I assumed it was Danny. I smiled, because I was happy she made a friend and I’m sure she would make plenty more. She was very likeable and outgoing for her age.

  I started the car and headed to work.

  An hour after the store opened, Madi’s neighbor came into the store and headed right towards me. He was wearing suspenders and was carrying something in his hand. When he got to the register, I greeted him. “Hello.” I didn’t want to call him Old Man Jacobs and I wasn’t sure if just Jacobs would do.

  “I need one of these.” He shoved a small light bulb at me and I lifted it up to inspect it. There wasn’t anyone else in the store so I locked the register and asked him to follow me. All the light bulbs were in one aisle, and my plan was just to match this one up with the one that looked similar. I could call Madi out from the back, but I didn’t want any problems between the two of them. I knew she was cutting wood and working on some frames, so it was probably best if she just kept at that.

  I checked the numbers on the light bulb and then started searching the shelves for one that would match it.

  “They didn’t have it last time,” he said standing next to me as I continued to search for it.

  “What’s it for?”

  “Deep freezer.”

  “Did they special order it last time?”

  “Madi said they would keep it stocked for me,” he said agitated and I slowly twisted my head up to him. “The freezer is old, but I need it.” He looked down the aisle and I stood up and passed him saying, “I’ll get Carol.”

  “The truck got stuck in a storm and is running a day late,” Carol explained a few minutes later. I was back behind the counter helping Rocco who had come in for a bunch of nails.

  “Did you buy all the nails in the store?” I asked slightly teasing. Sixty dollars worth of nails seemed a bit excessive to me.

  “Remodel,” he said sliding his card through the credit card machine. “Making more room above the bar.”

  “Sounds like fun,” I replied placing all the nails into a plastic bag. The closest I’ve come to doing a remodel was moving pictures around the house with Mom.

  “Your face looks good.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Sorry it happened.”

  “It wasn’t your fault. Just people being drunk and stupid.”

  “Trust me, I deal with worse than that, but still, you shouldn’t have been hit like that.”

  “It’s okay, Rocco.”

  “I’ll buy you a shot next time you come in.”

  “Oh okay.”

  A smile grew large on his face. “As long as you bring Madi.”

  Out of nowhere Madi came sliding around the corner, covered in wood chips. “Adalyn!” She pulled her goggles off and ran to the counter, not paying attention to who was standing there.

  “We’re going to Six Flags!” she yelled with enthusiasm right in to my face.

  “What?”

  “I won tickets!”

  I handed the bag and the receipt to Rocco and he slid his eyes to Madi.

  “Hello beautiful.”

  She quickly looked at him, then turned back around to me. “Six Flags, Adalyn!”

  I nodded and watched Rocco slide his arm around her shoulders. “I see you’re wearing white today. You’d look good in a wedding dress.”

  Her white dress peeked out from underneath the heavy tan apron, which was a requirement to wear whenever someone did any woodworking. She glanced at Rocco’s hand that was hanging low over her left shoulder, brushing slightly over her breast. She smirked at me, dipped low, and slid out from underneath Rocco.

  “Can’t run forever, sweetheart.”

  She popped up on the counter and crossed her legs. “Not running, Rocco.”

  “Well then, what are you waiting for?”

  “Not you,” she said pointedly, and I watched Rocco’s smile die. His grip on the plastic bag tightened and he shook his head.

  “Rocco,” Madi jumped off the counter but he put his hand out. “I’ll see you around.”

  “Rocco,” she said putting her hands on her hips.

  “It’s all good.” He told her then popped his eyes to me. “I’ll still buy you that drink.” He turned and left, and Madi just stood there and watched him. Carol was gone, which I hoped also meant that Jacobs was gone.

  Madi spun around, ripped her goggles off the counter, and stormed off. I tried to stop her but she just kept walking. I’m not sure if Madi meant it the way it came out, and Rocco, well, it’s obvious he has a thing for Madi. I wished she would consider him though; he’s a catch for sure. He was handsome and funny. Plus, he owned his own business.

  I felt bad for both of them. I thought about them the rest of my shift and wondered if there was anything I could do for them.

  Chapter 13

  Archer heard his cell phone ring and answered it without looking.

  “Archer.”

  “It’s Tiffany.”

  Tiffany worked dispatch in Elk Hills, a town about thirty miles east of Aster Lake. He left the police station about ten minutes ago after he interviewed a witness from the gas station robbery. He just finished filling up his truck a
nd was more than ready to get home to his girls.

  “You still in town?”

  “If I say no, would you believe me?” He was serious but she just chuckled at him.

  “Can you check out a domestic for me? It’s on your way out of town.”

  Archer had a long day and the sun was already setting, but it was hard for him to say no.

  “Address,” he said pulling up the GPS in his truck. She gave it to him and he was relieved that the house only about half a mile away.

  “Thanks,” she said sounding relieved. “I got Henry on his way but he’s still about ten minutes out and it sounds pretty bad.”

  “I got it,” he said then hung up and turned his lights on. He splurged and had the hidden lights built into his truck, something the station wouldn’t cover. It was worth it though; he didn’t want that crap on the top of his truck.

  Despite having to make this extra stop, Archer was still in a good mood. The last two weeks with Bailey and Adalyn had gone remarkably well. They fell into a routine after that day on the porch when they cleared the air between them. Adalyn came to breakfast every morning, and Bailey asked Adalyn to take her to daycare every chance she could. Which Adalyn did, unless Archer wasn’t working. Some nights Adalyn joined them for dinner, other nights it was just him and his daughter.

  His relationship with Bailey was going smoothly. She adored him, loved him unconditionally, and she rarely complained about anything. She kept her room clean, helped with chores around the house, and was always happy. She thanked Archer every day for random things, and he loved her more than anything in the world.

  A few days after their initial talk, Adalyn told him everything she knew about her parents and their life. He was surprised that she was so sheltered, but at the same time, it finally explained her behavior around other people, and around him. The information also made him worry more about what her parents were running from. It wasn’t much, but he relayed all the information to Ian in hopes of finding out what was going on. He wanted to keep her safe. He also wanted to try to find her parents so he could help them out as well. Adalyn teared up a few times while talking about them, and he knew she missed them tremendously. He also got the impression that if her parents came back, she would leave. He hoped with time, and their new relationship, that she wouldn’t want to leave. He wanted her to be in their lives forever. His feelings for her grew deeper with each passing day, and there was no doubt in his mind that he was in love with her. Every night after Bailey fell asleep he would go upstairs and spend time with her. Usually they just talked, but she never let him leave without a kiss. Sometimes it was just a kiss, sometimes it was more, but he never went any further than he had that night two weeks ago.