Chapter One
When she walked out the door of that two-story log cabin, she vowed she would never look back and that she would never have anything to do with Ty Bridge again. Now she was back in Bragg Creek with a renewed spirit, a new attitude and she was not about to let Ty walk back in to her life and ruin it. She was not going to back down this time, she was not going to let him harm her again, and she was not going to let any man near her heart. She pulled her red pickup into the nearly vacant parking lot of the Navajo Rug. She gathered her books and her brief case and headed in.
The place smelled of bacon and grease when she opened the door. Old Man Jackson and Mr. Mackenzie sat in the back playing checkers. As far back as Rochelle could remember, they would be in here playing checkers, talking about the weather and being cantankerous about one thing or another. She remembered thinking they were old when she was young “Now they must be ancient.” she thought.
She took the second table closest to the door so that she could work under the light of the sun and not the harsh fluorescents in the diner. She ordered a coffee with the special and continued working on her story that was due by the end of the week. She had to meet the dead line this time or else. She did not want to think of the consequences, all she wanted to think about was getting this done and finishing her other one, so that she would be one up on her boss.
The keys clicked away feverishly on her lab top as ideas flooded her mind she had to get it done before she lost her train of thought. She faintly acknowledged the bell chiming as someone entered the diner she nodded slightly as the server brought her, her coffee.
“Hey Sally want to fetch me a coffee when you get the chance?” the stranger’s voice inquired.
Rochelle could feel the chills run down her spine. That voice did not belong to a stranger. In fact, it was familiar to her, too familiar. She looked up from her lab top at the man who now sat across from her. Her face went white, her mouth went dry, her knees went weak, and her palms began to sweat as her mind went blank. There he was and she had nothing to say, no smart remark to shoot at him, no words of revulsion to say. She had nothing.
“Well, well little Elle May all grown up! Been what two and a half years since I saw you last? It looks to me like you’ve grown up and in all the right ways too!” the man teased.
“Three years!” she corrected.” And it’s Rochelle!”
“I beg your pardon Rochelle! So what’s the little hellion been up to lately?”
“It isn’t any of your concern what I’ve been doing with myself. The day I walked out your door was the day that my personal life was no longer your business!”
“Nice to see you have not lost your spunk, Elle. Too bad you could not be like that in bed.”
“Too bad I was not desperate like the other women you played. I was the only one smart enough not to sleep with you.”
“Played? Excuse me, but I did not play anyone Elle! I loved you and you walked away from me!” Ty slammed his fist down onto the table.
“I walked away from you? I do not think so! You walked out on me first and straight into the arms of another woman. I merely left so I was no longer in the way.”
Rochelle closed her laptop, and began to gather up her things. She did not have to listen to what he said.
“Damn it Elle! How many times do I have to tell ya? I was not sleeping with Cassie!”
“Whatever Ty! All I know is that I am better off without you.” Rochelle stood up, arms full.
“You know what Elle? You are going to regret that you ever left me by the time you leave here. You’re going to wish you never walked out on me.”
“We’ll see about that!”
Ty finished his coffee threw a dollar on the table and stormed out of the diner. Rochelle looked around and realized that their quarrel had been the center of interest. She sat down with a heavy sigh and dropped her things back onto the bench.
Sally brought Rochelle her breakfast and went about her work as if nothing happened. The men went back to playing their checkers game and Rochelle sat there in disbelief.
After Rochelle finished her meal, she decided to head over to her sister’s house. The hot summer sun was causing heat waves to rise off the pavement; the temperature was thirty-eight degrees outside. According to the thermometer at the Navajo Rug.
She pulled her pick-up up along the curb and came to a stop outside a two story blue house with white shutter’s and a white picket fence. She grabbed her things out of the truck and began her trek up the stone walkway to the front door. She knocked on the door and waited impatiently for her sister to answer. Inside she could hear the footsteps coming down the stairs before the door swung open.
“Rochelle what a surprise! I did not think that you would make it on such short notice. “Her sister said cheerfully.
“Well, I was always full of surprises now wasn’t I?” Rochelle laughed.
Her sister welcomed her in. Her long blonde hair was pulled back in a ponytail and she had a piece of cereal stuck to the back of her shirt. Tara had not changed one bit. Rochelle pulled the cereal off her sister’s shirt and headed up the stairs.
She let out a small laugh, as she reached the top of the stairs. Her nieces attacked her leg wrapping themselves around them and were not moving. Rochelle laughed at the little girls clung to her leg and slowly began dragging them across the hardwood floor to her bedroom.
“Auntie Rochelle! Can we go to the park?” Isabelle giggled
“Yeah I want ice cream!” Evelyn replied.
“Now, now girls let auntie get settled in first and then we’ll see.” Her sister replied.
“Tara you never told me you were pregnant again.” Rochelle said in shock as she noticed her sister’s small but growing belly.
“Yeah Seth and I are hoping for a boy this time around.” Tara blushed.
“Well good luck with that does mom and dad know?” Rochelle questioned.
“Not yet but Dallas knows and so does Scott, I told them not to tell mom and dad. I want to surprise them. They will be here in four days. Dallas and Scott will not be here for another week yet. They claim they have some big surprise planned and it has to be timed impeccably.” She explained quickly.
“Well you know the boy’s! It’s probably a new truck or a new toy.” Rochelle laughed.
Tara led her to the guest room where she would be staying and showed her where everything was, and then left her to her own devices. Rochelle slowly unpacked her things, this was her vacation after all, and she only had herself to blame for not doing her work. She sat on the bed and took a deep breath she could tell that this was going to be a long two weeks; she knew that the moment she ran into Ty at the diner. How dare he accuse her of leaving him as though he did nothing to provoke it?
She hated that man with every ounce of her being, but why did he still make her weak in the knees and her heart skip a beat? She could still remember the smell of bay rum after he shaved. The deep content of his blue eyes. The way that he smiled, even the small scar above his right eye. She could remember everything about him and that is what she hated the most. No matter how hard she tried to stop thinking about him, she just could not get him out of her mind. If only she had not loved him so much maybe just maybe, he would be easier to forget. She was already over him, she kept telling herself she had to be, but if she was why could she not get him out of her mind.
She pulled out her lab top and started where she left off maybe work could get that man out of her mind. Until Tara knocked on the door, Rochelle had not realized how long she had been working. She ate supper in silence and quietly thanked Tara before heading back to her room. She had to finish this story and she had to get Ty out of her mind, she had to prove him wrong. She continued on her work until late into the night, typing and re-writing bits and pieces until she was almost done.
“I just need to close it off and that’s it, I will be done and be able to send it into the editor tomorrow.” She sighed in relief.
She crawled into bed with her mind exhausted, and her body relaxed. Slowly she drifted off into a restless sleep.
The sun shone brightly through her bedroom window with the birds singing their morning song. Rochelle slowly opened her eyes yawned and then stretched. She pulled herself out of bed and brushed her long dark hair before getting dressed. She headed for the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face. As she went down the hall, Rochelle noticed the clock on the wall read 7:30 am. She began grumbling to herself as she went about her morning routine. Rochelle walked to the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee, and made herself a bagel with herb and garlic cream cheese. Rochelle went back to her room grabbed her purse and left a note for Tara saying that she was going up town and would be back after lunch. She did not know what she would exactly be doing but she knew she needed to keep herself busy for a little while.
The town was busier than Rochelle expected but she dealt with it. It was easier to hide behind a crowd of people than in an empty room. Rochelle pulled up in front of the arts and crafts store and got out of the truck. She figured some painting would appease her frantic mind. She looked around a bit until she found some acrylic paints and her favourite type of brushes. Rochelle walked over to the counter and paid the clerk before heading back outside. Her next stop was the hardware store for some decorative pieces of wood that she could paint. After that Rochelle headed to the clothing store across the street, she needed a new sundress for Saturday and she needed some clothes that she could wear while she painted. The store was empty except for the young female sales clerk behind the desk doodling on a piece of scrap paper.
“Excuse me I was wondering if you could help me? I need a sun dress for my parents anniversary party Saturday and a pair of overalls and a plain white button up shirt if you have them.” Rochelle remarked softly.
“I have just the thing for you; you must be a?“ the clerk paused “what size five? That is great! I have the perfect little number that would look just fabulous on you.” The clerk babbled.
Rochelle followed the clerk towards the back of the store where there was racks and racks of dresses. The clerk reached for a little red dress that had thin straps, a v-neck and was form fitting to the hips then flowed softly to the knees. Rochelle grabbed the dress and went to the dressing room to try it on while another customer entered the store. She tried the dress on, the sales clerk was right it was perfect. It fit her firmly in the bosom, and flowed down to hang loosely around her long slender legs. Rochelle decided to come out of the dressing room and go look at herself in the full-length mirrors. She twirled and smiled at how comfortable she felt in it. Although it had been three years since she last wore a dress she was not regretting a moment of being in this one. Rochelle closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she dreamed of going for a walk along the riverside in this dress. All of a sudden, Rochelle felt two hands cup her shoulders and her eyes flew open.
“You look stunning!” The clerk smiled.
“Thank you!” Rochelle replied.
“So will it be cash or credit card?” The clerk questioned.
“Cash!” a voice, responded.
Rochelle turned around to see Ty standing there looking at her in amazement.
“I had almost forgotten how beautiful you look in a dress Elle.” He responded tenderly.
“Quit it Ty nothing you do or say is going to change my mind about you or us. So live with it or get out it is your choice I’ve already made mine.” Rochelle snapped as she stormed off to the dressing room.
“Come on Elle? Can we not have a civilized conversation just once?” Ty begged through the dressing room door.
“Now why would I want to give you that satisfaction?”
“We both know that you never could stay mad at me that long.” Ty teased.
“I tried to forgive you for what you did to me Ty but I could not and I still can not.” She explained as she opened the dressing room door with her dress in hand.
“C’mon Elle just hear me out. Just an hour of your time that’s all I am asking and if I can not change your mind by then well then I guess I will leave you alone.” Ty pleaded as they walked to the front desk.
“Give me one good reason why I should trust you Ty?” Rochelle shot back as the girl placed the overalls and a white shirt on the counter.
“Cause I know in the stubborn head of yours, that you still love me!” Ty claimed.
As Rochelle paid for her purchase. She froze and for what seemed like an eternity, she just stood there thinking and searching her heart. Rochelle’s heart began to ache and butterflies began to flutter in the pit of her stomach. Could he be right? Could she still have feelings for him that she had locked away in some tiny room of her heart?
“Fine Ty you win. You can have an hour of my time.” She whispered.
“Good!” As Ty led the way out of the little clothing store.
Rochelle grabbed her bag and followed Ty, as they headed out the door and down the street to the little café on the corner. Since it was such a beautiful sunny day, they decided to sit out on the patio. Rochelle ordered an iced tea while Ty had his usual black coffee. Rochelle’s stomach grumbled she looked at her watch and realized it was lunchtime so she ordered a small garden salad and a bowl of soup.
“Since when have you ever eaten healthy?” Ty questioned
“Since I left you, I decided I should start making smarter choices.” She remarked coldly.
“I suppose I deserved that.”
“Damn rights you did.” Rochelle snapped.
“Elle I’d like to explain to you what happened that night you left. I never cheated on you with Cassie you have to believe me when I say that.”
“Then why did I get those pictures in the mail along with that letter? Why did you not defend yourself? Why did you let me walk away with out a fight? None of it makes sense Ty if you did not cheat on me then why didn’t you do anything to make me believe otherwise?”
“Because I know you Elle once you set your mind to something its impossible to change it. I told you where I was that night, I told you exactly what I did that night.”
“That’s still no excuse Ty you knew how much I loved you.You never explained the photos, you didn’t deny any of it. Also if you would have just paid attention in our relationship you would have realized that none of this would have happened. I did not just leave you because of Cassie. I left you because it felt like you were ignoring me, like I did not matter to you anymore.”
“Oh Elle I never meant for you to feel like that I was busy at work and making arrangement’s for things and trying to make sure I paid stuff off in time.”
“That’s no excuse Ty work and lives are not excuses for ignoring your girlfriend. You would come home and you would not even tell me that you loved me or that you missed me. You would not kiss me anymore, you would not even look at me the way that you used to. You’d come home and look right through me as though I was invisible.”
“Elle if only you knew how bad I felt for doing those things to you, if only you knew the things I wanted to do for you but I never got the chance.’
“You know what, you keep saying all these things about how you felt back then and what you were thinking but I do not want to know those things. If you wanted me, then why didn’t you do anything about it? You let me walk away Ty I wanted you to come running after me but you never did. When you didn’t do anything I knew in my heart that everything I believed about you was correct because you did nothing to prove it to be wrong.”
“I told you Elle I couldn’t.”
“I do not believe you Ty, you just let me walk away.”
“Why do you keep persisting? Why can’t you let it rest Elle? Why can’t you live with the fact that was the reason that I let you walk away?”
“Because I know that you would not let me walk away so easily you would have fought for me. The only way that you would have let me walk away is if you actually did not love me, so what is it Ty did you quit loving me? Or was there another motive for letting me walk away so easily?”
“I never stopped loving you Elle you have to believe that. I would never do anything like that to you.”
“But you did Ty you hurt me, and if you can not tell me the truth then you are just wasting my time.”
Rochelle threw a twenty-dollar bill on the table and walked away from the café with her head held high. She walked over to her truck crawled in and drove off, never looking back to see if Ty ran after her. ‘Of course he would not, he did not run after her the first time she walked away from him. Why would this time be any different?’ she thought to herself. She drove back to her sister’s house with a sense of indifference towards Ty. He deserved to be lonely; he did not deserve to love any body because he seemed incapable of telling the truth. ‘He is more of an idiot than I thought if he could let the love of his life walk out the door with out a fight’ she thought to herself.
She gradually made her way up her sister’s walkway, and then up the stairs, by the time she got to her room she just wanted to have a nap. She collapsed on her bed and drifted to sleep for about an hour. When she awoke, she felt refreshed and decided to go and see what her sister was up too. She walked out on to the back deck to find her sister and her two nieces playing on the swing set in the back yard. She went back in grabbed herself a glass of iced tea then went and sat out on the deck. She did not hear her parents arrive until they were right behind her.
“Surprise” They announced.
“Mom Dad what are you two doing here you weren’t supposed to show for another three days.” Rochelle cried.
“Well we decided to cut our trip short and come spend some more time with our girls.” Her father declared.
“When Tara told us you made it down, and that was when we had decided to come down early.” Her mother confessed.
“Well I am glad you guys are here now, it gives me more time to tell you about my new book and the one I am just about finished. I hope the editor likes it, it took a lot of work and time but I finally pulled it off.” Alison said with glee.
“Congratulations honey!” They replied in union.
“Mom, Dad, I also have some great news, Seth and I are expecting another little one.” Tara announced happily.
“When are you due honey?” her mother asked.
“Well let’s just say Santa’s not the only one delivering presents on Christmas.” Tara replied with delight.
“Awe a Christmas Baby oh honey that’s so sweet.” her mother replied.
“Just do not name it something stupid like Noel just because it is Christmas.” her father interjected
“Daddy” Tara cried
“I think what your father meant is that just because it is a Christmas baby does not mean that it should have a Christmas name that’s all.” Her mother intervened.
“Well I am sure whatever Tara decides to name the baby that it will be wonderful.” Rochelle retorted quietly.
“Anyone for some iced tea and sandwiches?” Tara said changing the subject.
Everyone went inside to the kitchen and sat around the table as Tara served iced tea and sandwiches. Emily and Lucas talked about their trip and the things that they saw in their travels. Tara talked about the kids, Seth’s new job and how their planning to move to accommodate their small but growing family. Rochelle talked about her newly published book. The kids talked about what they wanted for Christmas, and that they were excited about school being over for the summer. They also included the fact that babies were too small for toys but they were not.
Emily tied into Rochelle about being single and not having any children. Tara came to the rescue by diverting their mother’s attention to the baby kicking. After they finished their little mid-afternoon get together, Emily and Lucas went about unpacking their things and Rochelle went back to trying to finish her book. Soon Rochelle lost herself in thought just typing away it only seemed like a few brief moments until her mother came to the door and reminded her that supper was in half an hour.
“So what is the real reason you came back to town?” Her mother pressed
“Look mom if you think for one second that I came back to be with Ty then you are sadly mistaken. He is a lost cause; he will not even tell me why he let me walk away. Now the way that I see it is that if you love someone as much as he said he loved me then why would you deceive them and let them walk out of your life so easily?”
“I am sure he has a good explanation as to why he did what he did honey but
you can not let some tall tale stand in your way.”
“No mother it was not just one little lie, he cheated on me with Cassie, I saw the pictures of them together. Besides that he ignored me, he looked through me as though I was invisible. What kind of a man would do that to some one he loves?”
“I am sure there were other more important things on his mind honey, maybe you were just thinking too much into it.”
“Over doing it I do not think so mother he admitted that much to me. He said he lost his job and that is why he let me walk away. He said he did not want to live off daddy’s money. I told him that it would not have been that way but he did not believe me he still thinks that I am nothing but a trouble maker.”
“Oh honey I do not think that’s what he meant.”
“Well whether he meant it or not that’s what he said that I was a hellion and he did not want to live off your money like me.”
“Oh honey you two just need to sit down and have a good heart to heart and I am sure it'll make things all better you two deserve each other.”
“If you like Ty so much mom, why do not you marry him then? I, sure as hell, am not.”
“Well no matter what you may think I invited him to the dinner this Saturday. So you two will have no choice but to talk even if I have to lock you two in a room until you work things out.”
“Why won’t you just give up mom? Ty and I will never be together again and that’s final.”
“I do not want you too to get back together that will be up to you two. All I want is for you two to put the past behind you and move on who knows maybe then you two will be civil to each other.”
“Ty and I will never be able to get along, why won’t you wake up and realize that?”
“Well whatever you decide to do honey think before you speak it’ll save you a lot of heartache in the long run.”
Rochelle’s mom left back to the kitchen while Rochelle took a moment to take a deep breath. She walked into the kitchen without even a smile towards her mother. Seth was home for supper so her mother and father were interested in how work was doing and what he thought about the new baby on the way. Rochelle was not interested in their idle chitchat so she dismissed herself from supper and went back to finishing her book. Her mind was blank except for the thoughts of Ty running through her mind. Maybe her mother was right maybe they needed to reconcile the past so that they were able to move on. Part of her still loved Ty she had to admit that but for the life of her she could not figure out why she still loved him. Rochelle knew what she loved about him, but that was all dead with the past. Memories of them laughing together, dancing together, and cuddling in front of the fireplace on those long cold winter nights, all of it was just a distant memory.
Rochelle remembered the first time they kissed, it was a slightly cool summer day, they were taking a walk along the forest path by the cabin, and you could barely make out the sunset through the rain clouds. Ty mumbled something as the rain began to sprinkle down. She looked up at him to ask what he said but before she could speak, he tilted her head to the side and slowly bent down for a kiss. It seemed to last forever as his tongue gently explored her mouth, making her knees weak and causing her to become putty in his hands. Ty’s one hand gently roamed the small of her back while the other cupped her face as he kissed her. She slowly reached her hand up and ran it through his thick black hair, while her other hand rested lightly on his arm. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she remembered that night and the way that she felt when he held her. Rochelle closed her lab top when she realized that she was not going to get anywhere tonight.
Rochelle quickly showered and pulled on an old pair of faded blue jeans and tight little brown tank top. Through a quick brush throughout her hair and sprayed on her favourite perfume. Tonight she was going to do everything it took to forget about Ty, even if it meant having to crawl home from the bar. She walked out the door making sure she did not disturb anyone. She decided to walk to the bar, that way she knew she would not have to leave her truck. The night was surprisingly perfect temperature wise and other than the bugs, the walk to the bar was not as bad as she thought that it would be. She realized that the Double Diamond was busy as she walked through the door. The loud country music playing made it hard to hear what anyone had to say. The bouncer at the door recognized her right away but it took her a few seconds to realize who he was.
“Little Rochelle May well I will be damn girl when did you get back into town?” Tim asked loudly.
“The other day” She shouted back making sure that she was heard over the loud music that was blaring.
“Well make your self at home I will let the boys know you’re back in town.” He yelled as he bent down and kissed her cheek.
She nodded her head in agreement then headed to the shooter bar, she needed a drink and she needed it now. She ordered rum and coke, and two shot’s of Jose Cuervo, skipping the lemon and salt. She slammed back the two shots; they felt warm going down her throat. Grabbed her drink and scanned the dance floor, trying to find a noticeable face.
As she walked over to the DJ booth, she ran right into Cassie Shultz. Cassie’s smile was one full of venom. Rochelle so wanted to knock that crooked smile right off of her, but knew that she would not get any great satisfaction from it. She wanted her dead for what she had done to her. Therefore, Rochelle just shot her a cold glare and continued along her way.
She walked up the steps to the DJ booth and waited patiently as Robbie switched CDs. He smiled and gave her a hug and she did the same in return. They talked for a few minutes about the past, the present, and the thing that might have been. As they finished talking a hand reached up and grabbed Rochelle’s arm she spun around to find her self face to face with Ty. He pulled her down from the DJ booth and out on to the dance floor. He pulled her close as they began to dance and it was closer than Rochelle liked.
“What do you want now Ty?”
“You know what I want Elle and we both know what you want. I just don’t know why you think that coming here, and trying to drown it, is going to fix it.”
“Because it has fixed a lot of other things before. It never stirred me wrong, so I honestly do not see a reason as to why I should stop now.”
“Drinking never fixed anything Elle and my father was proof of that. I thought that you were better than this.”
“Well you obviously you thought wrong Ty.”
“Oh really then why don’t I let you get back to trying to drown your memories of us, but just so you know Rochelle they will still be there when you wake up in the morning.”
“Why do you care what I do Ty? It never seemed to cross your mind before what is so different now. In addition, what makes you think that I am here to drown my memories of us? Maybe I am here to relax and unwind so that I can concentrate more on my work and not be so stressed.”
“You know damn well that that is a bold face lie. As for knowing why you’re here well let’s just say I can see it in your eyes, remember Elle you never could hide your feelings all to well.”
“So maybe I did come here to drink you away but that is my business not yours. So if you do not mind I’d like to get back to what I was doing before you so rudely interrupted me.”
With that, Rochelle pushed herself away from Ty and headed back to the shooter bar. She ordered two more shots of tequila and a shot of Jack Daniels to chase it down. She began to feel the effects of the alcohol as she remembered that she skipped supper. She decided to hit the food stand in the corner by the ATM. Rochelle grabbed a hot dog and devoured it, she was not sure if it was the hot dogs or the way that they were cooked but she found them dangerously addicting. She finished her hot dog and decided she needed to wash it down. As she turned to head to the main bar, she stumbled a bit as she collided with Ty. Rochelle moved around him and headed for the main bar, she could feel him following her.
“Is this the way that things are going to be now Elle? When things get bad you’re just going to drink.”
“I told you to leave me alone Ty? What part of that can not you seem to understand?” As Rochelle slammed down another shot and placed her order for another.
“I am not going to leave you alone Elle even your mother agrees that we should talk.”
“My mother now there’s a back stabbing bitch if I ever saw one but she does not even come close to Cassie in that standard.”
“You know what ElleI think you have had too much to drink.” As Ty made a grab for Rochelle’s arm.
“I’ve had too much! No, I do not think so; I have yet to have enough. In addition, just who do you think you are to tell me when I have had enough? I don’t recall you having the power to cut me off.” Slamming back yet another shot.
“I may not have the power to cut you off, but I do have the strength to carry you out of here. “ He shouted as she ordered another shot.
“I am not going anywhere with you.” She screamed as she reached for the glass
“We’ll see about that.” He yelled as he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.
Rochelle reached down, grabbed the shot glass, and slammed the drink back as he began to walk away. She handed the glass to Tim and waved goodbye as Ty carried her out the door. He placed her in his truck but as he walked around to the driver side, she crawled out. Causing him to go back around and pick her up again, this time putting her in on the driver side.
“Damn it Elle what the hell is your problem?” He shouted.
“Do not shout we are not in the bar anymore Ty and I am far from being deaf but after that I just might be!”
“Why do you do this to your self? Have not you learned anything the past few years? Or did being with me mean nothing to you?”
“It meant something to me Ty too bad it never meant anything to you.”
Tears started to swell up in her eyes and one was dangerously close to falling down her cheek. She hated being drunk it made her too damn emotional but then again being with Ty made her emotional too. Ty could see the tears in her eyes and as he reached for her a tear rolled down her cheek. He gently wiped it away and pulled her closer towards him, his lips were inviting. Without another thought, Rochelle leaned in and kissed him gently at first, taking in the sent of him. She remembered that he always smelled good, even after he came home from work, all full of horsehair and manure, he still smelt good. Her tongue softly pried his lips open slowly slipping her tongue inside his mouth. At that moment, Ty pulled her right against him and he kissed her back with the passion she had missed over the last three years. Rochelle’s hand began roaming all over Ty’s masculine body. She brought her hands up to his face, knocking off his cowboy hat; she ran her fingers through her hair. A low moan escaped her throat and it made him want her even more. Rochelle took a sharp breath in and pulled herself away still a little dazed.
“I think that I should go home now.” Rochelle whispered
“Damn Elle! I didn’t mean to take advantage of you and your situation” Ty pulled away from her
“There’s nothing to forgive Ty I kissed you and that’s all that happened now if you please I just want to go home.”
Ty started the truck and headed for Tara’s house the short ride felt like forever because of the unsettling silence between them. He pulled up to Tara’s house and shut the truck off as he turned towards Rochelle. She had moved away from him and was looking out the passenger side window. He did not know what to do; a thousand thoughts ran through his mind. Now he knew how she must have felt every time she was around him. Ty slowly reached out and softly stroked her arm and she did not even flinch.
“Elle, please look at me.”
“Ty please I do not want to talk about this right now I just need to go inside and have a cold shower and go to bed.”
“We need to talk about this Elle we can’t ignore what just happened.”
Rochelle changed her position so she was looking directly at Ty, while keeping a safe distance between the two of them. “It was just a damn kiss, what’s there to discuss.”
“There’s tons that we need to discuss and I want to discuss now!” Explained Ty, while slamming his fists onto the steering wheel.
“No I am not discussing it with you. Not now! Not ever.” Rochelle opened up the truck door and stepped out.
“Whatever Elle! One of these days, we will talk whether you want to or not. It will happen.”
“Goodbye Ty!” Rochelle closed the door and turned back towards the house.
As Rochelle approached the door, she paused and turned around. Ty was still sitting there, watching her walk away. The man must be obsessed with watching me walk away. Rochelle thought to herself. She entered the house and closed the door, not stopping to look back.
Gradually Rochelle made her way up the stairs to her bedroom. She decided to skip the shower until morning right now she just wanted to crawl into bed and get some well-deserved rest. Rochelle closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep with no thoughts of him and no dreams of him either.
