For the Love of Anna (The Town of Pearl 1)

“If you’ll excuse me. I need a few minutes alone,” she said then stood up.

“I’ll come with you,” Ben stated, rising from his seat.

Anna put up her hand to stop him.

“No. I need a few minutes…please?” Then she walked toward the porch door and headed across the yard into the night.

The sound of the door slamming seemed to echo in the quiet night.

* * * *

“Fuck! I don’t think she should be alone.” Charlie expressed his concern as he stood and began pacing.

“She needs a few minutes, Charlie. It’s understandable,” Wyatt replied.

“She showed no real reaction. I don’t know what thoughts were going through her head, but she looked so numb,” Ben added.

“I think she’s confused. It was only recently she learned that her father didn’t really love her. She had spent years taking care of him and providing for them. Now, he’s been killed, and she probably doesn’t know whether she should be happy or sad,” Stacy added as she stood up.

Everyone was silent.

“Let’s give her a few minutes then I’ll go talk to her,” Stacy replied, and the men agreed.

* * * *

Anna walked a good distance before she realized just how far she had walked. The river where she had told Stacy her story had already held special meaning for her. The moonlight glowed above, casting some light across the fresh, sparkling water.

She hugged herself, waiting for the tears to flow, but they never came.

She couldn’t shed a tear for the man who broke her heart and nearly ruined her faith in ever being able to trust. Hank Parker was a mean old son of a bitch. He had been abusive, dishonest, and didn’t give a damn whether she lived or died just as long as she provided money. He gave her away the first chance he had.

Yet, one small part of her felt empty. Perhaps it was because her father was the last living relative she had. That thought brought tears to her eyes.

But then she thought about Stacy and the men. If it weren’t for her relationship with Stacy, she would have been all alone out there and never would have met Wyatt, Charlie, and Ben.

A smile formed on her lips as she wiped the stray tears and took a deep breath.

Her senses kicked in after a moment, and she could have sworn she smelled men’s aftershave.

Another quick inhale and her chest tightened. It was the same cologne as the man from New York. She looked around, didn’t hear a sound, and the smell seemed to disappear.

A few seconds passed of her listening to her own heartbeat and the sounds of nature around her when she finally relaxed. It was just her imagination playing tricks on her. Her father was dead, and her past life in New York was over officially.

She was going to be just fine. She had the men, a new job, a place to live, and she was in love. She had been in love the moment she allowed herself to get to know each of her men. She had known it and pushed it off as inexperience and the fact that her men were cowboys. They were gorgeous, sexy, and rugged. Never mind demanding, especially in the bedroom.

“Anna!”

She heard Stacy calling for her in the distance. Taking a deep breath to answer, she turned just as a large, solid hand covered her mouth while another wrapped around her waist.

Instantly, she knew it wasn’t one of her men.

* * * *

“Hey, gorgeous. We’ve been waiting for you,” he whispered against her ear as he rubbed his erection against her back. She instantly smelled the cologne. It was real, and he was here to take her back.

Anna was so frightened. She remembered that voice. How did they find her?

She struggled in his arms, and he tightened his hold. She heard Stacy getting closer. Oh, God, no! The baby. She couldn’t let them hurt her.