Thunderstruck (Providence Family Ties 3)

8.17am…

Waking in a strange place was never a good thing. Even though I’d done it a lot throughout my life, I still struggled with it now. I’d also had something happen to me three years ago in San Diego that’d made the situation feel worse for me, even now, so it was no wonder that I jerked and shot up out of bed, looking around for a stranger waiting to skin me alive.

As I took a panicked step forward, something crinkled under my foot, and the sensation of the change in texture from the material I was standing on registered.

Paper? More specifically, paper with my name on it.

The strangest things can snap people out of their panics—and that was what worked on me at that moment, as everything from last night and the memory of where I was hit me.

Unfortunately, it also meant something else registered.

“Oh, my God,” I breathed, covering my mouth with my hand as I scanned the room. “I slept with him on the first date.” Shoving my hands in my hair and ignoring the chunk of my bangs that flopped down almost immediately, I cried, “I’m a first date pecker picker. Shit!”

Granted, I knew I hadn’t had sex with him, but did sleeping together and kissing still count?

Blowing out a breath, I focused on my breathing to calm myself down. There was no use in worrying over ‘what ifs.’

Remembering the paper under my foot, I plucked it up and unfolded it to see what he’d written.

A, My job starts at the butt crack of dawn, otherwise I wouldn’t have left you alone. Thank you for the best first date. I was nervous yesterday about it sucking, but for me, it absolutely didn’t.

One of the hands, Santana, is working near the house today, so she’ll give you a ride home. The road’s covered in water and mud, and I don’t want to risk you getting hurt if you walk down it and fall.

Text me when you wake up so I can say good morning properly, and let me know when you’re free next.

M x

It might not have been poetry or an essay about feelings—something I hoped I never did because it sounded a bit stalkerish—but his note hit me hard.

He’d obviously thought about my feelings waking up alone and had taken the time to write it. He’d also thought about my safety and had arranged for me to get a ride home. Furthermore, he said it was a woman named Santana and not Marni who was giving me a ride home, so I wouldn’t have to suffer spending time with her. He might not know about my feelings toward the woman, but still.

I took five minutes to fold up the duvet and blankets and stacked them with the pillows and cushions on the couch before nipping to the bathroom and smiling when I saw he’d laid me out a new toothbrush in its packaging and a fresh towel. I couldn’t shower here because I didn’t have my stuff and men’s shampoo was a hell no for my hair, but I appreciated being able to go home with clean teeth.

I appreciated that small thing even more when I walked out of the house and caught sight of Santana. Even before she jogged over and introduced herself with a smile, I knew it was her. She suited her name perfectly.

With long mahogany colored hair tied up in a ponytail, well-worn jeans, and a black t-shirt, she looked…normal. Marni had been wearing a more stereotypical outfit when I’d seen her two days ago, but Santana stood out for miles in comparison. I didn’t even know what her personality was like, it could be as shitty as the other woman’s had been, but I instantly had respect for her for just being herself.

“Hi,” she said shyly as she stopped in front of me. “I’m Santana. You must be Adrienne.”

“That I am.” I held my hand out for her to shake and smiled brightly at her, hoping she’d feel less shy around me. “You can call me Addy.”

She smiled gratefully. “I’ll do that. Marcus asked me to drive you back to your house.”

Looking over her shoulder at the empty yard, I asked, “I’m not putting you out or taking you away from what you’ve got to do, am I?”

Her eyes crinkled this time when she smiled, something that’d been missing initially. Did that mean this was a more genuine smile?

“No, I’m here watching two of the pregnant mares who’re just about to give birth with Remy. He said he’s good watching them while I do this.”

“You mean, they’re about to have horse babies now?”

This time when she smiled, I got teeth. Progress!

“Yeah. The foals are due any day now, but they’re the mares’ firsts, so we’re keeping a closer eye on them.” Correctly reading my excitement, she asked, “Do you want to see them before we go?”