N. Walters - Legacy Found

“Why?” His voice was even and unthreatening, but she sensed the underlying anger in him and put one hand on the door handle just in case.

She wasn’t sure why he was angry with her. “Because it’s not right.”

He laughed, but it was a bitter sound with no pleasure. “What’s not right is you having nothing but a few ragged dresses to wear.”

Her face heated and she knew her cheeks were red with shame. “It’s all I had.” She squared her shoulders, refusing to be embarrassed by her clothing.

“I know.” He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

“Maybe I should leave.” Her hand pulled the handle and the door popped open.

James leaned across her and yanked it closed again. His large body was pressed against hers. He was too big. Too close. Her chest tightened and she couldn’t drag enough air into her lungs. She grabbed her throat, unable to breathe. The blood vessels in her temples pulsed until her head felt as though it was pounding. Her hands shook and her eyes began to water.

She was having a panic attack.

James jerked back and took in the situation at a glance. He cupped her face between his large, calloused palms and gently spoke. “You’re okay, Shelley. Everything is okay. Just calm down and take a deep breath. You can do it.” He kept up the patter, speaking softly until she was able to suck in some air. “That’s good,” he crooned. “You’re safe with me. I will never hurt you.” He rubbed his thumbs over her cheeks in a circular pattern. “Just breathe, honey.”

Another wave of humiliation washed over her. It seemed she was always going to be at a disadvantage around this man. She felt mortified by her lack of control. She’d thought she’d passed this stage several months ago.

James hooked a loose lock of hair behind her ear and smiled. “Feeling better?”

She nodded. “I’m sorry.” She still felt lightheaded, but not as though she was in danger of passing out. “I don’t know what came over me.” That wasn’t quite true, but she wasn’t about to go into details.

“Nothing to apologize for. These things happen.” He eased back and Shelley felt bereft when he was no longer touching her, which was crazy. She didn’t want him touching her. Did she?

Neither of them spoke and she took those few minutes to compose herself. She swiped at the tears in her eyes and took another deep, cleansing breath. Her heart was no longer racing, but her headache was getting worse. She needed time to think, to make a plan.

Her entire life had been unexpectedly turned upside down only a few hours ago. No wonder she was emotional and off-kilter.

“I really think you should come to Wolf Creek with me.” He held up his hand before she could object. “No, listen to me. You can stay with my daughter and her husband and take a few days to figure out your next plan of action.”

He shifted and something crunched beneath his thigh. He swore softly as he yanked out the money she’d tried to give him. “I can’t take this. If anything, I owe you. I cost you your job, remember?” He caught her wrist with his free hand and pressed the money into her palm, closing her fingers around it.

His hand was warm where it touched her. It was also gentle. She wanted to go with him, but couldn’t take a chance. She didn’t trust anyone. Couldn’t afford to.

She shook her head. “I can’t.”

Rather than get frustrated or angry, one corner of his mouth kicked up in a wry grin. “You’re a stubborn little thing.”

She just gaped at him, knowing her mouth was wide open. She really didn’t understand this man at all. He wasn’t reacting like any other male she’d ever met. That made him unpredictable.

He yanked on his seatbelt, put the truck in gear and pulled out of the parking spot, merging into traffic. “Buckle up. I’m going to stop for gas, then we’ll leave town. You think about my offer for a bit longer before giving me your final answer.”

Shelley pulled at the belt and realized she was still clutching the money in her hand. She stuffed it back into her pocket for now and then snapped her seatbelt into place.

James was such a strange man. He’d bought her clothing and food, refusing to let her repay him for it. Nor did he seem to want anything in exchange for his kindness.

Not yet anyway .

She hated the mistrust that ate at her, but she couldn’t stop it. Nothing in her life thus far had disproved her theory. Nothing was free and men always wanted something from her. If she didn’t give it, they took it.

Fear nibbled at her psyche, but she shoved it back. She would not give in to it. She’d faced her demon and come out the winner. She was alive. The demon wasn’t.

But that didn’t mean her ordeal was over. There were men out there looking for her. She knew it as well as she knew the sun would rise tomorrow morning and every morning after. It wasn’t fair to drag James into that mess.

She’d get him to drop her in some town with a bus depot once they left Tennessee. She could buy a bus ticket to California where it was sunny all the time.

For some unknown reason, the thought depressed her.

She rubbed her finger up and down the soft denim of her jeans and snuggled into her warm coat. She’d never owned such fine clothing before, clothing she’d picked out for herself. Okay, maybe she hadn’t chosen the coat, but she couldn’t fault James’s taste. She loved the leather jacket. It was stylish and the lining was warm and cozy, like a soft blanket.

She didn’t want to leave him.

That was the bottom line and the problem she was struggling with right now. James made her feel safe. But that was just an illusion. She had to take care of herself.

She hadn’t been paying any attention to where they were going, but she focused on their surroundings as he turned off the road. The sign announced it was a gas station.

“I’ll just be a few minutes.” James shut off the ignition and climbed out. He’d left the keys. It would be so easy for her to steal the truck and drive away. If only she could drive. She’d never learned how, but he didn’t know that.

There was so much she didn’t know how to do. But she was learning. Watching the battered, ancient television in her apartment and observing other folks had helped. But she still felt like a child in many respects, blindly trying to find her way. She’d never used a cell phone or a computer or had a bank account.

She straightened her shoulders, staring straight ahead. She refused to feel shame. What had happened to her wasn’t her fault. She hadn’t chosen to be abandoned by her family. She hadn’t chosen her heritage. She hadn’t chosen to be held captive for all those years. Those things simply were. But she was working to make her life better.

A knock on the window yanked her from her thoughts and she jerked around. James moved his hand, making a cranking motion. She fumbled for the handle and rolled down the window. The pungent smell of gasoline made her wrinkle her nose.

“I’m going in to pay. You want anything to drink or eat?”

She shook her head, feeling slightly exasperated. The man had to stop offering to buy things for her. “No, thank you.”

“Back in a sec.” He strode toward the small brick building to pay and she couldn’t help admiring his long legs and the way his jeans cupped his firm butt.

Heat suffused her cheeks as she quickly put up the window and, this time, it had nothing to do with shame and everything to do with desire. She fanned her face, grateful James wasn’t here to see her blush. The last thing he needed to know was that she was attracted to him.

Her hand went limp and dropped to her lap. She was attracted to James Riley. Only a day ago, she would have said that was impossible. There was no way she’d ever feel that way toward any man.