The Violet Hour (The Violet Hour Series) (7 page)

I wasn’t planning on driving; he just didn’t know it yet.  Without a word, I opened the door, walked around the car, locking eyes as I rounded the front end.  My heart began to race.  I opened his door and crookedly grinned down at him.  He stood up, our faces and bodies mere inches apart. 

“Ma’am,” he offered, gesturing for me to sit.

His sculpted body lightly brushed against mine as he stepped aside.  His touch was like electricity, sending mini shock waves across my skin.  I sat and took a deep breath before he got back inside.  We were going a hundred before I could blink again.  I smiled, realizing how comfortable I felt with Luke.  I had never let Brody drive my car.  Not once.  I giggled under my breath as my mind trailed off. 

“What’s so funny?” he asked quietly, interrupting my thoughts.

“Nothing,” I said, trying to act coy.  He must have seen right through me because he didn’t say another word, just smiled.  His smile and laughter left me curious.  He seemed to be always thinking about something more than what was going on around him at any given moment.  A part of me wanted to know what that something was, secretly hoping it was me. 

Luke exited the interstate and descended into downtown Sheridan.  The town seemed bigger than it really was, spread out over several miles, but with a population of just over 28,000 according to the city limit sign.  I couldn’t believe I was sitting in my $100,000 car, wearing a $2,000 leather jacket, and carrying a $1,000 purse in Sheridan, Wyoming.  The only thing I had going for me was sitting in the driver’s seat.

Though the rain had subsided, the skies were still overcast.  I was sure there was an umbrella in the trunk with a designer logo splashed over it, but wasn’t about to flash it around in public.  I already felt like an outsider and hoped the rain would hold off during the parade.   

Luke pulled into a parking spot a few blocks away from downtown.  For such a petite town, herds of people organized along the building-lined streets.  Flower petals fluttered like butterflies across the sidewalks as I caught the scent of caramel corn.  I took a deep breath, inhaling my surroundings. 

“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked.  “We can go somewhere less crowded if you’d like.”

“No, I’m fine.  I just don’t want to cause a scene if people recognize me.” 

Luke chuckled. 

“Plus,” I paused, looking to him for reaction, “I wouldn’t want to ruin our date.”

“We’re on a date?” he asked, eyes glittering wildly.

“I don’t know – are we?”

“We are.”

Andrea Wells – The Violet Hour

Chapter 8

As Luke got out of the car to open my door, I was surprised to realize two things.  One, I was happy.  Really, sincerely happy.  Two, I was nervous.  Jittery, butterflies-in-the-stomach nervous. 

Outside the car, Luke pulled on his jacket and reached for my door. 

I was truly happy for the first time since my mom had passed.  I’d had brief moments of hope, but this was pure serenity.  Looking at Luke standing outside my door about to open it for me simplified things.  Before him, a gesture like that was an expectation.  Now, I was flattered by the act.  Flattered because it was him. 

Luke opened the door and offered his hand to guide me out.  As we walked down the sidewalk, I noticed people staring.  Even though I had spent the past ten years of my life in the public eye, this was different and I felt nervous.  From the moment we arrived in California, my mom was the star of every room she walked into and Richard had showered us with money.  Growing up in the spotlight made it easier to
be
in the spotlight, but this was the first time I’d stepped into public again since her death.  I felt out of my element.

With perfect timing, Luke squeezed my hand and reminded me I wasn’t alone.

He led me down the sidewalk toward Main Street.  The road was lined with lawn chairs and children racing around with plastic grocery bags to collect candy.  Luke let go of my hand when we stopped in front of
Jackie’s Boutique
.  Jackie smiled from the window and waved at me as Luke brought out two chairs.

When we finally sat down, I grabbed my phone from my clutch to check the time.  Six new missed calls from Brody since the last time I checked, which was right before we left the house.  I deleted his name and voicemails without another thought.  After I tossed the phone back into my purse, I looked up to see a younger teenage girl impatiently waiting in front of me. 

“You’re Logan Keller, aren’t you?” she squealed, turning other heads to stare at us.

“I am,” I replied, reaching for the pen she held, “What’s your name?”

“Shelly,” she said as she handed me a glossy tabloid magazine.  It was already opened to a photo of my mother and me shopping in L.A.  I couldn’t catch a break.  Luke put his hand on my back as if he knew exactly what I was feeling.  The day the photo was taken, my mom had bought a new outfit for me.  As I signed my name over the photo, I decided it would be the outfit I’d wear to school my first day.  

Not wanting to draw further attention, I quickly handed the magazine back with a smile.  She took off across the street as I scanned to make sure no one else was coming.  I relaxed back into my chair, but when I looked at Luke, his expression was questioning.

“I’m fine, Luke, really.  I just didn’t expect that in Sheridan, Wyoming,” I shrugged with slight irritation.  I was used to it anywhere else, but reality had slapped me in the face, reminding me that this
was
anywhere else.

“I just want to make sure you’re okay.  I promised your dad.”

“You promised my dad?” I questioned.

“I promised him you’d be okay.”

I frowned weighing his words.  Sharing my feelings with Luke was one thing.  Sharing my feelings with Luke who was sharing with my over-protective father was another.

Before I could protest, he added, “Plus, I care about you.”

Butterflies filled my insides as breath escaped my lungs.  I wasn’t sure what reasons he had to be so sweet, but I felt desperate to find out.  

The marching band started, signaling the parade had officially begun.  I looked at Luke’s arm draped around my shoulders.  I had always felt like a guy’s arm around me in public was an unflattering show of ownership rather than a mutual companionship between two people.  Luke stiffened when I pulled his arm off but relaxed after I laced my fingers in-between his.  Luke and I were different – I didn’t know what we were, but we were different.  We watched the parade in silence as my mind raised a million questions.

When the last float passed, Luke pulled me up with him and pressed his body up against mine, blocking me from the crowds that had begun leaving.  His lips were mere inches from mine and his eyes dilated as I leaned in closer. 

“Let’s go inside,” he said, letting the sweetness of his breath wash over my face.

Luke grabbed the door behind us and I ducked under his arm to escape inside Jackie’s shop. 

“Did you enjoy the parade?” Jackie called from the back of the store.

“We did,” I answered for both of us.

“You look much better today, Logan,” Jackie said as she stepped into view, retrieving the chairs from Luke’s hands. 

“Thanks for letting us hide in here while the crowd disperses.  It’s good to see you again, how’s Old Man Charlie?” Luke asked.

“Well, still old.  Should be back later this evening.  He had to run to the Big Horns yesterday.  How are your brothers?” she asked.

“They’re good.  I haven’t seen a whole lot of them this past week.” 

“Getting it out of their system, I suppose,” Jackie interrupted.

“Getting what out of their system?” I inquired.  I knew I was missing something. 

“She…?” Jackie started and then paused, not finishing the question. She kept her eyes locked on Luke, like a hunter watching its prey.  The hairs on my neck stood up and I felt the sudden urge to step back.

“Jack and Jesse are big hunters.  They were out hunting every night before you got here,” Luke answered keeping his eyes locked on Jackie’s. 

“Right,” Jackie agreed, but I wasn’t convinced.  Before I could push the issue, Luke reached out and ran his fingers lightly down my arm.  The caress surprised me, momentarily rendering me speechless.

“We should get going, it looks quieter outside,” Luke said as he guided me toward the door.

I knew they were hiding something, but I hadn’t the slightest idea and my loss for words kept me from investigating.  Pity, I was sure I could have gotten answers from Jackie.  Luke was another story.

“I’m going to close the store in a couple minutes.  If there’s something you need, I’d be more than happy to help you before you go,” Jackie said, looking directly at me as if encouraging me to stay and give myself a chance for the questions to come out.

“That won’t be necessary, we’re heading out now,” Luke answered before I could.  Maybe
they
weren’t hiding something from me.  Maybe it was just Luke.

He took my hand firmly and we left the store.  As soon as we were away from the boutique, I slowed my stride and squeezed Luke’s hand.

“What was that all about?” I asked, intertwining our fingers.

“What?”

“That conversation with Jackie.  It was weird, like I missed something.”

“I told you, my brothers are serious hunters and so is Charlie,” Luke replied casually.

“Are you
sure
that’s all?  I feel like you’re hiding something from me.”

He pulled me closer.  For a moment, I thought he was going to tell me until I realized we were only slowing for a crosswalk filled with people.  I looked at the ground disappointed until the light changed to green and the crowd started moving again.

“I got the same feeling yesterday, when we saw that wolf,” I said.

Luke slowed his stride for only a moment and I knew I was onto something.

“It’s nothing,” he finally spit.

“If it’s
nothing
, that means it’s most likely
something
,” I argued.

Luke stopped, giving me a grimacing look. 

I glared back.

“Are you hungry?” he asked.  Once again, I hadn’t been paying attention and it took a moment to realize he’d stopped directly in front of a restaurant.

“Sure,” I lied.

              I was still full from lunch with Kate, but wasn’t about to let the night or our conversation end just yet.  I’d sign autographs all day if it bought me time to get the answers I wanted.  Luke released my hand and walked to the hostess through the lines of people standing in the waiting area.  I kept my head down and waited by the door so we could leave when they told him it was going to be a ridiculously long wait.  Luke returned and silently grabbed my hand, guiding me to follow the hostess to a table in the very back. 

              “How did you get us in?” I asked.

              “I told them who you are,” he said with a crocked smile.

              “What?  Are you kidding me?” I said, angry, though I’ve used the same move to get into most places my entire life.

              “I’m joking, Logan.  Has anyone ever told you that you have a quick temper?” he laughed.

              “Tell me you didn’t use my name to get us a table.”

              “No, I didn’t.  Be serious,” he said confidently. 

              I felt like an idiot for snapping at him.  I had to admit, it was nice having someone around who didn’t attempt to use me every chance they got.  The BMW Brody was driving a year before it hit the showroom floor was a recent case-in-point.  I looked down at the large menu pretending to read it intently, skimming back and forth through the pages, wondering what my first day of school was going to be like.  I wondered if Luke was going to treat me the same way at school.  It was typical for people to be phony around me in public, but I didn’t think Luke was the type.  I wanted to believe he respected me more than that.

Our waitress came and I ordered soup and salad, making Luke frown.  I could fake my way through eating soup and salad though.  While Luke ordered, I thought about how to bring the whole ‘Jackie thing’ back up.  It was still bothering me, mainly because it was the second time he’d acted weird around me and when confronted, brushed me off.  I was investing a great deal of trust into this person and couldn’t afford to have him let me down.

The waitress left and I glanced at Luke, catching him staring at me.  Or – staring at the wrinkle between my eyes.  I smiled and rolled my eyes playfully. 

“What did you order?” I asked, proving his point I had been lost in thought.  He didn’t answer.  He was staring at me with a tortured facial expression, but said nothing. 

“Luke, what’s wrong?” I demanded, now worried.

When he didn’t respond, I realized he wasn’t looking at me.  He was looking past me.  I turned my head to follow Luke’s gaze.  A man was effortlessly darting around people and tables, quickly closing in on us, his fierce stare locked with Luke’s.  My body went rigid and I couldn’t have moved if I had wanted to.  And I wanted to.  I wanted to ask Luke what he’d gotten me into, but couldn’t move my lips.  Luke finally got up, walking to my side and placing his hand protectively on my shoulder.  I reached up, locked my fingers in his and looked into his eyes, questioning, though he didn’t return my gaze to offer any answers. 

“Don’t say a word,” Luke hissed in a low voice.  There was no time to ask why. 

“Good evening, Alexander,” Luke said snidely to the man standing before us.   

“A good evening it is, Luke.  Did you enjoy the parade?” the man replied.  He seemed only a few years older than us, but talked with an accent from another time and had clothing to match.  His eyes were bright green and penetrating.  I couldn’t look away.

“I did,” Luke answered, “I didn’t realize you were in town.”

“You know why I’m here, Luke.  Xavier and Raphael sent me a couple days ago and it wasn’t hard to pick out a sweet, youthful new face in town.  They will be pleased when I tell them Logan is with you and doing well.”  I flinched when he said my name.  My instincts told me this was one person I shouldn’t feel flattered by the fact that he knew who I was.

  “She’s not here with
me
, she’s staying with Kevin and Kate,” Luke hissed, acting as if he barely knew me.  Suddenly, Alexander was the one flinching away.

“Logan, I’m surprised to see you looking so happy, so quickly, after…”

“Get on with it!” Luke growled, cutting Alexander off, though I wanted to hear more.  I couldn’t begin to imagine what Luke had gotten me involved in, but I deserved to know more.  Luke’s temper didn’t seem to faze Alexander who stood quietly, as if deciding whether or not to press his luck.

“Please, don’t let me interrupt your lovely evening any further.  My work here is done.  I’ll be on my way.”

I breathed a sigh of relief.

“I think that would be best,” Luke growled in a low sharp voice.

“And Logan, it’s been a brief pleasure meeting you.  I look forward to seeing you again soon,” Alexander said as he reached out to kiss the back of my hand.  A chill fell down my spine as Luke stepped between us, blocking my view.

“Luke,” I heard Alexander say, “it’s always a pleasure.”   

When Luke finally moved again, Alexander was nowhere in sight, though he left behind infinite questions.  Luke avoided my eyes as he sat back down.  I said nothing, waiting for him to speak first.  As if to prolong the silence, our waitress returned with our meals.  I’d fully lost my appetite and so I sat back in my chair, waiting.  Stared and waited.  When Luke finally looked up from his plate, I knew he wasn’t about to tell me what I wanted to hear.