Beautifully Unnatural: A Young Adult Paranormal Boxed Set (111 page)

“Come on, Gabby. It’s time to go.” Sammy tugged on her arm before she noticed Alexander charging at them, his eyes narrowed and fists clenched tight.

“Yeah, I think you’re right.” She grabbed her bag and headed toward Alexander.

Forras and Gremory stood behind them on the field, laughing and heckling. “Sure is a spunky little girlfriend you’ve got there, Alex.”

Sammy grabbed Alexander’s arm and pushed him toward the candy apple red 1967 Mustang waiting beside the field.

Alexander opened the passenger door and Sammy jumped in the back seat before Gabby could say anything. Alex pushed the seat back straight and waved her in then closed the door. The seat was hot to the touch and she had to tug her shorts down as a barrier between the vinyl and her skin.

As she fastened her seatbelt, Sammy clutched her shoulder. “Gabby, you were great.”

Alexander slid into the driver’s seat “What did she do?”

“She threatened to shoot Forras if he ever—”

“I didn’t threaten him, exactly.” Gabby toyed with a string on her shorts.

The tires spun out on the gravel beside the field. Once the car got traction he straightened it out, and they headed for Highway Nine.

“Well, still, you told him.” Sammy slapped the back of the seat.

As he pulled to a stop in front of her home, the engine still idling, Sammy mumbled something then pushed the passenger side seat forward, slamming Gabby’s head into the dashboard.

“Owe,” Gabby cried. Rubbing her forehead, she tried to follow Sammy but the door slammed shut, leaving Gabby and Alexander alone in his car.

“Sorry!”

What was with these two? Hot and cold, both of them. Heck, they were at
her
home and she was in the front seat, so why was Sammy so anxious to get out first?

She gripped the door handle. Part of her wanted to stay in the car and confront Alexander, but then she’d have to admit she thought there was something between them. There was, though. Wasn’t there?

She mentally sighed. She needed her mother. Someone to talk to. Maybe she
was
crazy after all and should have stayed on her meds.

“Are you really that good with a gun?” Alexander asked.

She let go of the handle. Her heart sped up at the realization they were so close, in a car, alone. “Yeah. My dad taught me at an early age. There are several in the house.” Idle conversation meant she could spend a few more moments with him, instead of being alone in her empty house.

“Are you scared being out here all alone?”

“No, I’m fine.”
I’m used to it.
“It does get lonely sometimes though. I wish my dad would stay home more.” Sadness ebbed its way in.

“Sammy and I are always around. All you have to do is call us.” He eased out of the Mustang, came around and opened her door. He took her hand and pulled her up until she stood inches from his face. He looked at her, as if weighing a decision.

Then his arm snaked around her waist as he captured her lips with his. Her muscles tensed and her legs went weak. She swayed and fell against the car. His hand moved to the small of her back, pulling her against him. Manly cologne, mixed with fresh cut grass, filled the air. She melted into him. His mouth toyed with hers in a gentle sweeping motion, sending tingles down her arms and legs.

The kiss deepened and a fresh cinnamon flavor coated her tongue. Close…intimate…connected. Things she’d never felt.

She kissed him back and the sensation of drinking a dozen Red Bulls at once jolted through her body.

He pulled away, leaving her breathless.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Alexander’s body stiffened and he quickly put distance between them, shattering her world once more.

Chapter Seven

Alexander rubbed the ears of the mutt. He’d finally broken down and decided to care for the creature. The dog’s eyes had looked lost and in need of love, just like Gabby. After hanging in the tree all night, he knew he needed some help. It was torturous remaining outside her bedroom window all night listening to her sleep, not being able to see or touch her, with only the thoughts of her soft lips to occupy his mind.

He shook his head, opened the car door and snapped his fingers for the emaciated animal to follow him. This was perfect, a way of keeping Gabby safe without getting too close to her. The dog would be an early warning system, and he’d be able to stay in the shadows.

He approached the front steps but the house was still quiet. It was early, but he knew Sammy would already be awake and dressed.

“It’s the dog. We’re keeping him?” Sammy squealed when Alexander approached the front porch with the animal.

“I thought it was time he had a home.”

Sammy ran down the steps to pet him. “Mom! We’ve got a dog!”

“Don’t get too excited. We’re not keeping him.” Alexander wrapped the leash around his hand.

Grace joined them on the porch, wiping her hands on the dishtowel tucked into her apron. “Well, isn’t he sweet.” She placed her hand on the banister as she knelt next to the dog. Alexander took her elbow, easing her to the ground so she could get closer.

The last year she’d been struggling with the human aging process. His heart ached, watching her body deteriorate. She did so much for Sammy and him. They’d be lost without her.

“Why not?” Sammy nuzzled the dog. “He’s adorable.” She looked up at him, understanding dawning in her eyes. “Oh, I get it. The dog’s for Gabby.”

Alexander didn’t like the way Sammy enunciated Gabby’s name.

“Yes.” He helped Grace up and kissed her cheek.

“You should take him to Gabby’s and get him settled, but be home by dinner. I’m making your favorite, son. Lasagna.”

“Grace, you shouldn’t—”

“It’s no trouble. I wanted to.” Grace shooed him away. “I’m not in my dotage, you know.” She shuffled back inside.

Alexander faced Sammy. “Come on. You need to go work your magic and convince her to keep him.”

“Oh, I’ll go, but only because I want to see how you spin this one.”

****

Gabby opened the door to find Alexander, Sammy, and a dog with a bright red bow around his neck.

“What’s this?” she asked, her voice tense.

“A present. I hope your dad doesn’t mind. He needed a home and I thought he’d be good company for you at night.”

Were they serious? This mangy rust colored mutt was a gift? Sammy and Alexander looked so excited though. How could she say no? “What’s his name?” Gabby asked, bending down to pet him.

“Patronus,” Alexander squatted next to her.

“How obvious,” Sammy muttered.

“What?” Gabby looked up at her, noticing Alexander’s glare. The animal appeared malnourished and in need of some major TLC.

“Nothing,” Sammy said.

Alexander scratched the dog’s ears. “It means protector in Latin.”

“What kind of dog is he?” Gabby tried to sound excited, but all she could think about were the fleas and ticks he probably had crawling all over him.

Patronus flopped on his back for her to rub his belly. Okay, maybe he wouldn’t be so bad.

“The guy at the groomers said he was a beagle-terrier mix. He also has some whippet in him, so he’ll run fast.”

Yep, a mutt, just like her. Gabby ran her hand down his belly, feeling all the bones in his ribs. Hadn’t he ever been fed? He reminded her of the dog from the Haunted Mansion ride at Disney World she’d been on once as a little girl.

“I’ll have to ask my dad, and get some dog supplies.”

“The supplies are covered.” Alexander got up and retrieved several plastic bags from his car.

“I’ve gotta get home. Stacy’s due in a few.” Without another word, Sammy took off through the woods, waving goodbye over her head.

Alexander followed Gabby inside. As they stored everything in the kitchen, he said, “Why don’t we take him with us to work on the boat, then I’ll drop you at practice later?”

“Hope he doesn’t chew anything up.”

“Patronus is two, so I doubt you’ll have a problem. But if you’re worried about him chewing furniture or something, I can keep him with me while you’re at practice. Figured I’d pick you and Sammy up after anyway.”

“Wonderful.”

So, he’s gonna be lukewarm today, is he?
And just yesterday, she thought she’d melt from the heat of that kiss.

Mother, if you’re up there can you help me out? Explain to me why sometimes he seems so close and at others so distant? Coming over with a picnic basket, but leaving without a reason. Taking my hand when we walked but dropping it quickly as if I had the plague, planting unexpected kisses. Bringing a dog as a gift. Are all guys this confusing?

In one breath, she wished her mother would answer, but in the next she was thankful she didn’t hear her voice…or any voice in her head.

“You okay? Whatcha thinking about?” Alexander led the way to the boathouse while holding the leash, but Patronus kept twisting his head around, watching her.

“Nothing much.”

He didn’t ask again. Instead, they walked in silence, only the sounds of twigs breaking under their shoes and birds chirping overhead interrupting them. For the first time since yesterday, the tension in her shoulders melted away, and a glimpse of peace welled up inside. Every time Alexander came around, the darkness dissipated like the dew on the leaf in the morning sun. She hadn’t experienced this much freedom from the beastly swirls of insanity since her mother was by her side. At the same time, he kept her guessing about everything, which was exhausting.

Patronus pounced inside the boathouse and grabbed a twig. Growling and twisting his head, he played tug-o-war alone in the corner. Gabby walked over and twirled the handle to open the cracked and chipped window slats. Spider webs and bug carcasses hung along the wire meshing. She maneuvered around some old boxes and stood next to the boat resting on an old trailer.

“I think the temperature’s cooler in here today, maybe a chilly ninety-two, or ninety-three.” Alexander grabbed a hammer from the toolbox. He crouched under the motor, which he’d propped up on two wooden planks. She looked inside the boat and started hefting old boxes out from the seats and floor.

Patronus nestled into a corner, panting as they worked.

“How long do you think it will take to fix the engine?” Gabby hoped it would take weeks or better yet, months. Maybe they would even have to order parts and wait for them to come in. The longer it took, the more time she could spend getting to know Alexander.

“I don’t know yet. Depends on how much we find wrong.” Alexander hammered the propeller blade two more times, but it bent the other way instead of straightening. “Ugh.” With his hand held out he asked, “Can you hand me the needle-nose pliers please? His bicep flexed as light reflected off his bronze skin.

Gabby grabbed the pliers, handing them to him. As he took them, he squeezed her hand, sending a ripple of tingles up her forearm.

“Phillips screwdriver,” Alexander called out.

She handed it to him, and once again, he squeezed her hand.

Alexander slid out from under the motor for a second and smiled. “You know your tools.”

She shrugged. “Father taught me at a young age. When I was nine, we restored an old Mustang together. Mom would bring us out lemonade while we changed the oil or cleaned spark plugs.”

The sun rose high in the sky as Alexander tinkered with the propeller. Gabby grabbed a wrench and removed the main bolt holding the head on then whacked it until she knocked it lose. Removing the head, she discovered the condition of the motor. “Hey, there’s a lot of corrosion. Do you have any sandpaper?”

Alexander slid from underneath with a funny look on his face. “You do know a lot about engines.”

“You want to take a look?” Gabby stepped to the side to allow Alex room to stand.

He leaned over the engine at her side and nodded. “Yeah, it does.” He scratched his head then patted her shoulder. “You are definitely handy.”

His touch sent a warm sensation deep to her core.

Alexander stretched his arms out and arched his back. His t-shirt rode up, revealing tight ab muscles and more bronze skin. He caught her staring. She averted her gaze and hoped the heat of the room would mask the flush in her cheeks.

Alexander wiped his hands clean on a towel. “Let’s break for lunch.”

“Here you go.” Gabby turned to hand a sandwich and some fruit to Alexander.

He propped up next to her on his elbow and tossed a grape in her mouth.

She stifled a nervous giggle.

Even with her hair pulled back in a ponytail, sweat poured down from her temples. Yet, Alexander sat next to her, looking cool and comfortable.

“How come you never seem to sweat?”

Alexander patted her forehead dry with a napkin. “I’m used to the heat, I guess. You said you lived up north for a few years, right?” Gabby nodded her head in confirmation. “You’ll probably be used to it by the end of summer.”

“You mean just in time for it to get cold?”