Her CEO Stalker and Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 33

Carter

“They are going to love you just the way you are.” I told her as I thought, just the way I am, finding myself falling, or maybe I had already fallen?. I couldn’t fathom anyone not instantly, at least, liking Briar. I hadn’t told Martha and Henry everything I had found out, just that she claimed to be Jake’s niece and a basic description, along with the fact that Jake left her the house. Martha had looked at Henry with tears in her eyes. “Do you think it could be?” Henry just looked at me and tried to get more information I didn't know yet, or I wasn’t willing to part with. Some things were Briar’s story to tell, and some things I had to keep to myself, until all the pieces landed in their respective places.

Seeing Briar all smokey eyed and red lipped, her hair twirled up in those adorable buns, did something to me. She was a sweet, wounded heart, with a hard edge, and I loved the contrast; besides the wounded part, of course, but I couldn’t change that for her. She’d have to come to terms with it all, eventually. In the meantime, however, I was gonna be there for her in whatever way she needed, my other duties be damned. I stepped back as she finished fluffing her buns, letting her leave the bathroom as I trailed her down the hall.

“Are you taking me home after?” she asked.

“Rosie jumped up on the bed, rousing Tucker, who was sleeping on the pillows, as she entered the bedroom she was staying in. The cat stretched, rubbing against Rosie on his way to Briar, who pet him, and he curled his tail around her hand.

I scratched the back of my neck self consciously. “I can if you want,”— I didn’t want her to go— “I sorta hoped you’d stay, at least, till you got power. I figured you’d be more comfortable here, feel safer here, at least, not being alone. Not to mention, Rosie seems to enjoy your company.” That last part was me grasping for whatever straws I could to convince her to stay.

“I don’t want to impose on you. You’ve been far kinder than you need to be to a stranger.” Her response kinda hit me in the chest.

“You’re not imposing, and it’s nothing. I have to say, I enjoy your company, too.” I admitted. She bit her bottom lip and that did something to me, as I leaned in the doorway trying to ignore my dick. I found myself biting my own lip when I thought about how sexy she was.

“Okay,” was her only, coy response, but she glanced at me out of the corner of her eye knowingly. I was nothing, if not honest. I’d keep my distance, for her sake, and let her heal from this trauma, if that was possible. But I wouldn’t lie to her either. I had forced myself not to call the house phone all morning and early afternoon to check in, to hear her voice, to know she was okay. Mazzie would get a piece of my mind later. All the info I had requested wouldn’t be back for a few days, so we had some time to spend together, doing whatever. I was high as a kite right now, knowing she would stay. Maybe I’d convince someone to call in sick for a few days so we would have longer. I knew I’d be beside myself when she did go back, and that it was inevitable, but I’d make the most of the time she’d be here with me.

“You ready?” I asked.

“I guess, as ready as I’ll ever be. Uncle Jake didn’t talk about them. I didn’t even consider they were still alive,” she said.

Seems Jake was hiding secrets from everyone. I sighed. “Let’s get going then,” I said, clearing the doorway, letting her exit and following her out of the house. She let me open the truck door without a fuss and help her in.

“You took the brace off?” I asked, as she winced, gritting her teeth as she got into the truck.

“Aesthetics,” was her only response.

“Women,” I mumbled, under my breath before closing the door.

When we were both in the truck she clicked her seatbelt on, she asked,

“Can you tell me a little about my grandparents while you drive? I feel ashamed I know nothing about them.”

“Of course,” I said, before telling her about Martha and Henry. From funny stories to serious ones, letting her know what good and grounded people they were, and how excited they were to meet her. She just leaned her head against the window and listened, taking it all in. I knew Martha and Henry would keep the ruse up for now. I’d told them she had been through a lot without going in too deep. They knew something they didn’t want to say out loud, so tonight would be interesting, to say the least. Martha had a way of knowing things about people. I was counting on that to tell me a few things I needed to know. She was the only one I knew who could sympathize with Briar’s predicament.

Pulling up to the small cabin out in the wilds of the woods surrounding Divide, Briar rubbed her palms over her jeans. She was nervous. She glanced at me unsure and I just gave her a reassuring smile. If Briar belonged here, it was Martha and Henry’s reaction that would pave the way to whether I had a crumb to stand on, to allow her to remain. Not even he could deny family. 

I got out and jogged around to help her out. The sound of a screen door opening had us both turning to the old woman with wise blue eyes and a long silver braid over her shoulder. I took Briar’s hand for support and she allowed it, settling something inside me as we approached the porch.

Martha stared up at Briar, those eyes studying her features. She cupped Brair’s cheeks, “You look just like your mama, but your eyes, there’s more to them…just like your daddy’s, she said, before smothering Briar in a hug. A pained noise escaped Briar, her clear emotion at Martha’s admission, replaced with a grimace of pain.