Pierced Hearts (Southern Charmers 1)

“I do.”

“Then you’ll understand that I’ve had that burn scorching through me for a very long time. Not a day goes by that I don’t want to strip that pain from my daughter.”

“No offense, but you need to remember what happened back then.”

“I know what happened. All of it. Every word exchanged, every tear that fell, every cry of regret, and even every drink you consumed to try to run from the heartbreak.”

I’m shocked at the last part of his statement. “Why does everyone keep insinuating this was all my fault?”

“I don’t think it was your fault. Sure, there were some things you could have done differently, but we all make mistakes.”

“Is that why you’re here, to throw my transgressions in my face?”

“Nope, I’m here to tell you I walked into a room this morning where my Darby Rose was tearing herself apart again, and it has to stop.”

He’s glaring at me with such fierce determination my chest hurts. “I’m not sure what to say to that.”

“There’s no telling what the future holds, but Annie and I know for certain Darby had an alternative reason for coming home. She loves her mom, but she’s come for forgiveness and closure. Only then can she truly move on.”

“What the hell is it with the Graham family? Why are all of you talking in circles around me? Someone needs to spit out what you all want to say.”

“I’ll tell you this. Darby left you for a good reason. A reason Annie and I supported one hundred percent. Evin wanted to go with her, and we practically had to tie him down to stop him from smothering her. She went away to get help.”

“Help?” I force the word out, my heart now racing as the pain in my chest intensifies.

“Do you still love her, Pierce?”

I rock back at the bluntness of his question. “How can you ask me that?”

“I’m not going to lie. I thought you two were entirely too serious at a young age. Annie made me see reason. What I saw this morning was a glimpse of that spirit Darby had. She’s sure as shit still in there somewhere, and I’m scared you’re the only one that can bring her back. Hate to say it because I’d slay dragons for my daughter, but it’s not me she wants to slay those dragons.”

“I can not believe you are laying this on me. How can my life take such a fucked-up turn?”

“Remember, I said it took eight years for Annie to take me back?”

I nod, wondering what that has to do with anything right now.

“Eight years of hell, Pierce. It wasn’t about getting my spot back in her bed. It was about getting my spot back as the man in her life. I did everything in my power, and it finally worked in my favor. There’s no way to tell how this is going to play out with you and Darby, but I pray you don’t have to go through eight more years.”

“How screwed up would I be to walk back into the fires of hell that burned me so badly the first time? I don’t know if I want her back.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, I know they’re a lie. My feet stumble to the chair, and I fall helplessly into it. “Fuck me. How did this happen?”

“It happened because there is only one Annie for me. There is only one Jill for Warren Kendrick, and I suspect there’s only one Darby for Pierce Kendrick.”

I scrub my hands over my face, unable to look at him.

“I think I’m going to arrange to have those horses returned in a few weeks. You around to help?” He asks the question with such ease as if he didn’t just make me admit a life-changing realization.

“Huh?” I swing my eyes to him, dazed.

“Need help getting them back stabled and acclimated to our place. You around to help?”

“I’ll let you know,” is all I can find to say.

“I’ll let myself out.” He goes to the door and stops, twisting back to me. “For what it’s worth, I’m pulling for you.”

Then he’s gone.

And I’m left waiting and wondering… again.

Chapter 8

Darby

“Mr. Baldwin, I understand your urgency. If you can give me one week, I’ll have an answer for you.”

Did I just give a self-imposed timeline on my decision about joining Brasher Resorts? Shit!

“It’s not that I want to pressure you, Darby, but we need to come to a conclusion on the building. If you want to buy it, the deal still stands,” my landlord tells me.

“It’s a very fair offer that is still under consideration, but there are a few things I must get straight first.”

“Maybe I should call Evin,” he wavers.

“No. Not unless you need to chat with him about something else. Evin helped orchestrate our lease agreement because I was in North Carolina. I’m here now, so there’s no need to get him involved.”