Pierced Hearts (Southern Charmers 1)

“I know,” she replies sadly.

“Can you do me a favor and work from home today?”

“Yes, I can’t stand in the bakery all day.”

“Good.” I snatch my phone from the floor and shoot off a quick text to my dad, detailing what I need. He responds quickly that it’s taken care of. “They’ll be here around eight-thirty.”

“Who’s they?”

“My dad and what I’m guessing is a small crew. They’re going to set up a temporary ramp on your porch stairs to make it easier for Runner to get up and down. You can’t lift him all day.”

“Thank you.”

Another text comes through, this one from Edward saying he saw me outside, and he and Annie are ready to head over when Darby wakes up.

“Your parents want to come by.” I show her the message.

“It’s not even fully daylight. It’s too early to deal with my mom.” She pouts.

Normally, I’d agree that it’s too early for morning visitors, but today, I want Darby covered in case she needs anything. “Tomorrow morning, I’ll push them off for a later hour, but today, I’d feel better with them helping until the ramp is built and Runner is more comfortable.”

“If you’re going to leave me here with them, you better get the coffee started.”

“Not a problem.”

“My mom has no business trying to get him up and down stairs or a ramp. Make that clear because she won’t listen to me.”

“I’ll handle it.”

“Fine, tell them to give us fifteen minutes.”

I send the message back and help Darby off the floor, taking the time to look her over. She’s wearing one of my t-shirts and a pair of panties that, at any other time, would be in a heap on the floor by now, but the scrapes and bruises marring her legs are a painful reminder that I have shit to handle.

She heads to the bathroom while I start the coffee and go to her closet to get dressed. The first thing I notice is the large void where the box of her personal items sat. I yank on my jeans and a shirt, taking inventory of other things missing. The ache in my chest returns with the reality staring me in the face. She’ll be moving soon. I have to fix things before she leaves.

She waltzes in, her face freshly washed, hair in a ponytail, and slides on a pair of frayed jean shorts, tucking my shirt in the front. I’m taken back in time, years of memories assaulting my mind. But now, my eyes zero in on the ring on her finger, a ring she should have been wearing back then.

I go to her, curling an arm around her waist, and brush my lips across hers. “Keep the shorts on until I get back here. I’m having flashbacks I’d like to recreate.”

She grins against my lips in response.

I hurry through my routine in the bathroom, and when I get back to the kitchen, Annie and Edward are already here. Runner snores loudly on the dog bed, unaware of all eyes on him.

“That shaved butt and cone head make him look like a space alien,” Annie says.

Darby’s eyebrows fly up, and she narrows her eyes, sending me a silent message that it’s my job to deal with her mom.

“I need to get to my parents’ before the kids wake up. There’s a crew coming to install a ramp for Runner. Annie, I don’t want you attempting to carry that dog or get him down the stairs. Let Edward handle it.”

“Don’t boss me around, Pierce Kendrick. I’m fit as a fiddle,” she sasses.

“That won’t be a problem. I’ll handle it.” Edward cuts his eyes to her in warning.

Darby hands me a travel mug of coffee, tipping her face to mine for a quick kiss. “Good luck today. Check in when you have a chance.”

I say my goodbyes, hiding my amusement at Annie’s scowl. Darby may not want to admit it, but she’s a lot like her mom when she doesn’t get her way.

When I walk through the door at my parents’, I find them in the kitchen waiting for me. “How are things?” Mom worries.

“Good. He’s sleeping and most likely will be all day.”

“How’s Darby?”

“She’s sporting some nasty scrapes, cuts, and bruises, but she seems fine.”

“Is she still shaken up?”

“She’s Darby. She calmed down, processed what happened, and we worked through it.”

“She didn’t dump you again, did she?” Dad throws in with a chuckle.

“She’s learned she can’t get rid of me.” I leave out the fact she slipped the ring off her finger. “If I could get away with it, I’d kidnap her today and marry her.”

Mom gasps. “If you steal this occasion from me, I’ll never forgive you.”

“I make no promises.”

Feet pound on the stairs, Cole sprinting into the kitchen and straight to my side. “How’s Runner?” is the first thing out of his mouth.