Seven Roses (Haremworld)

“I met a few people today...” Her lip twisted as she was contemplating her thoughts and she looked around the bar. “...and the only women I met were...old.”

“Welcome to Granite Falls.” I let out a sigh.

Thanks, Blue—you mother fucking asshole.

Blue’s revelation pretty much killed my shot of landing a kiss on Samantha’s beautiful lips. I tried a bit of romance, but even after a couple of beers, she didn’t seem to be buying it. Blue wandered by a couple of times and refilled our drinks, but the crowd kept him busy. Most of the guys in the room were too busy looking at Samantha to drink, but there were enough orders to keep him away. The date was an absolute bust. I killed twice as many beers as she did and she was clearly not going to get drunk enough for something filthy. She didn’t even let me walk her to her car when she decided the night was over. I kicked the edge of the door frame as I watched her climb into the driver’s seat and leave. She was so damn gorgeous and I wanted a fair shot at her. The only option I had was to go home and jack off because I clearly wasn’t getting any pussy. I needed something to drink that wasn’t going to cost me an arm and a leg so I hit up the liquor store and headed home.

Fucking Granite Falls.

Chapter 5: Samantha

I wasn’t beautiful. I wasn’t important. I was just convenient. That was how I felt when I left The Water Barn and ended my date with Axe. There was only one

hotel in Granite Falls and it wasn’t exactly high class, but it was better than trying to spend the night at my grandmother’s cat infested house. I was able to get a few hours of sleep and then I headed to the local church where my grandmother’s ashes were being kept. It seemed like the local preacher was also the mortician—and the coroner. I pulled into the church parking lot and stepped out of my car. I was ready to be done with Granite Falls. My father didn’t tell me anything about population balances or a serious lack of women, but after hearing what Blue said, I started to take note—I didn’t see a single other woman that was anywhere near my age. I walked into the church and hoped I could get my grandmother’s ashes and hole up in my hotel room until I could get my tire fixed. After that, I could be out of Granite Falls forever. My father could deal with the rest when he was better.

“You must be Samantha Grant.” I saw a man walk out of the back room of the church when I stepped into the lobby.

“The fact I’m the only woman you’ve seen in months give that away?” I could feel a bit of a bite in my tone, but I couldn’t help it.

“I’m sorry about your grandmother.” He motioned for me to follow, ignoring what I said. “We took care of the cremation as your father asked, and I have the ashes back here.”

I followed the preacher into the back room of the church which was set up as an office. The name on the desk said Luther Madison and I assumed it was him since he was the only person in the church. He walked over to a table in the middle of the room and picked up a copper colored urn. I had never really put much thought into what would happen when I was gone from the world, but cremation seemed like a strange way to spend eternity. There wasn’t going to be a ceremony, so the only thing left for me to do was to make a trip to the courthouse, sign some paperwork, and then be on my way once my tire was fixed. There was something about Luther that caught my attention when he handed me my grandmother’s urn. His eyes were almost tortured and the crow’s feet around the edge of them looked like it had been put there by some fairly rough days. The pictures along the edge of his desk were of him when he was much younger and there was a woman with him, but I noticed he wasn’t wearing a wedding band.

“That’s my Bonnie.” He saw me staring and walked to the edge of the desk. “She was beautiful.”

“Was?” I blinked a couple of times as I saw his tortured eyes reflect sadness when he picked up the picture frame of them in wedding attire.

“Cancer.” He twisted his lip with a grimace and put the picture back down. “She was young too. I lost my faith after she went to heaven, but God wouldn’t let me stray forever.”

“I’m sorry...” I clutched my grandmother’s urn close, immediately feeling sorry for the man in front of me.

“You mentioned that I probably knew who you were because you were the only woman I’ve seen in months.” He turned towards me. “I guess someone has spilled the beans on Granite Falls.”

“Yeah...” I muttered and shook my head. “I should have known I wasn’t lucky enough to have so many nice people looking at me like I was some kind of princess.”

“God works in mysterious ways. You can’t discount that. When I was lost after Bonnie passed, I swear he sent an angel from heaven to tell me that my days of getting lost in the bottle wasn’t going to get me any closer to her. It might have just been the liquor in my system, but I haven’t touched a drop since.” He smiled and his face seemed to get a little calmer. “You didn’t come to Granite Falls by happenstance. It’s all God’s will.”

“That seems a little hard to believe. I’ve never really bought into the whole faith thing.” I looked at the cross above his door. “Not that I’m actively denying it.”

“You don’t have to believe—just have an open mind.” He walked behind his desk and took a seat. “I’m sure we’ll see each other again.”

“Maybe...” I started towards the door. “It was nice meeting you.”

“You too.” He smiled one final time before I headed back towards the chapel.

THE ENCOUNTER WITH Luther was strange, but I shrugged it off when I got back in my car. I put my grandmother’s urn in the passenger seat and wrapped the seatbelt around it. It was strange to think that her whole life was condensed into one tiny urn. I drove back towards the middle of town where my hotel was located and started thinking about the strange town of Granite Falls. I had never been the center of attention before. I had met guys who were interested in me, but the men in Granite Falls seemed to have a hunger on their breath that was different. I replayed the encounters I had with Axe, the sheriff, Blue, and even the guys at the repair shop. I made it about halfway to town when I saw lights flashing in my rear-view mirror. I had been so consumed with my thoughts that I didn’t notice the car behind me and when the lights came on, I was a bit surprised. I slowed down to a crawl and then pulled to the side of the road. I had no idea why I was being pulled over. I leaned against the door and saw Sheriff Jesse James approaching my vehicle.

“Is there a problem?” I rolled down the window.

“The mayor wants to see you. I can escort you to City Hall or put you in the squad car.” His voice was rather cold and I was taken aback.

“He wants to see me? Why?” I looked up at him.

“Don’t know.” He shrugged. “Are you going to follow me or do I have to arrest you?”

“I’ll...” I felt my heart rate rising. “I’ll follow you.”

I watched as the sheriff went back to his car and waited. I cranked up my car again and turned back towards the road. My heart was still beating hard in my chest. I hadn’t done anything wrong as far as I knew. I definitely didn’t know why the mayor would want to see me or why he would send the sheriff to get me. I drove to City Hall, which was more of a small trailer shaped building than an actual hall. Once my car was in park and I was sure my grandmother’s ashes were secure, I stepped out of my car. Sheriff James parked behind me and got out as well, pointing towards the entrance. It was more than just a little concerning that I was being summoned like a criminal, but I wasn’t being taken to jail, so I considered that some sort of relief. I walked up the steps to the front door and Sheriff James passed me so he could open it. I stepped into the building and followed his extended finger towards a door that had the mayor’s name on it. When I stepped into his office, I saw Mayor Danvers behind his desk. He immediately stood up when I walked inside.