Saving Dallas (Saving Dallas 1)

“I wasn’t going to say you were crazy. It just surprised me that you would own something with such a tragic significance,” he said, still looking at me like I had lost my mind.

“Well I think it’s a lovely place and when I purchased the company, the house came as a bonus. When I went to look at it I couldn’t help but feel like it was a part of me. If it makes you feel any better I learned of the tragedy only after I decided to keep the house,” I said defensively.

“I’m sorry if I offended you. If it’s a part of you I’m sure it’s amazing,” he said, smiling and knocking down my walls once again.

“I’d really like to get my car first, and then you can just follow me out there.”

“You don’t need your car,” he said with finality in his tone that let me know the subject was not negotiable.

“Yes I do,” I replied. Not wanting him to think he had complete control over me, although I knew he did.

“No, you don’t. I’ll get someone to bring it to your house later. You already agreed to be with me this evening anyway.”

“I don’t want someone I don’t know driving my car and coming to my house,” I said, getting more than a little aggravated at his proposition.

“Do you not trust me babe?” he asked, giving me a daring look. “Well, I really don’t even know you,” I snapped back at him. Where had that come from?

“Well we will just have to work on that won’t we,” he said, never letting his eyes leave the road.

For some reason, I didn’t argue. I had agreed to join him this evening and just the thought of not seeing him caused my heart to ache. So, if that meant giving a complete stranger access to my car and home, then it was a risk I was willing to take, because I did trust him. I just didn’t want him to know how much. Not yet, anyway.

We drove the rest of the way in complete silence. Luke never asked for directions. He knew exactly where we were going, which wasn’t uncommon considering the history of the place. We pulled up to the gate and I gave him the key code to let us in. Not wanting to ruin the rest of our evening, I turned to face him.

“I’m sorry I snapped at you. I’m just use to always being in control. I do trust you,” I admitted.

“It’s cool babe. I’m sorry too. I just assume responsibility and control over everything. It’s my nature. I’ll try to be a little more lenient in the future,” he said with a heartwarming smile that made my chest swell. “Wow, this place looks amazing,” he said looking out at the property.

Most of the property had been cleared of any trees giving you a full view from just inside the gate. The left side looked much like an open field which ran all the way to the tree line adjoining the neighbor’s property. The massive black wrought iron gate stood tall all along the edge of the field. The grass was a lush green color and cut short. The right side, where the paved driveway curved around, was landscaped with seasonal flowers and shrubs. A stone garden patio equipped with a fire pit, swing and small fountain sat near the fence. It was slightly hidden from view by crape myrtle trees giving it the feel of a secret garden. The house loomed big before us. The red brick was slightly faded and the weathered shutters gave it an old look. We pulled under the open carport at the back of the house and Luke’s eyebrows shot up at the sight of the old Ford pickup truck parked next to us.

“To haul things with,” I said. He still looked at me quizzically, not fully convinced. “Seed, mulch, fertilizer, the dog… Did you think I would put that stuff in my car?”

“You just don’t appear to be the type that would do all this on your own,” he said, almost like a question. I could tell he was trying not to offend me.

I laughed. “Yeah? Well you don’t seem much like the hard core biker type either. I’m not even fully convinced you are a biker. Don’t they usually ride motorcycles?”

“True,” he replied, laughing with me, but not elaborating further. We got out and were immediately greeted by Neo.

“Hey big boy!” I said, patting his head and allowing him to jump all over me. He soon left me to go sniff out Luke. Trader. I got my things out of the truck, digging the keys out of my clutch to unlock the door. As soon as I walked in I closed my eyes and inhaled the scent of the room. It was covered wall to wall in old books. It had originally been a library and when I bought the house, I couldn’t change it. The only piece of furniture was an old couch that sat in the corner and swallowed you when you sat in it. The overstuffed cushions were a tan color and homemade quilts and pillows were piled high all over it.