Hart of Gold-Hart to Heart Series

Chapter 2 Rachel gasped at seeing the man's face clearly. Though the hat covered his hair, she knew it was dark brown, just as she knew his eyes were icy blue with a speck of gold in them. Adam Hart. She had met him when she moved to Portland. Her roommate had dated one of his friends, and whenever Adam was on leave from the Army he came to visit. She had always looked forward to his visits, as infrequent as they were. Last she had heard he was getting out of the Army and becoming a police officer in Portland. Of all the places, why did he have to be here? This was one part of her plan she hadn’t accounted for. Seeing Adam again. She was surprised he even remembered her. As a group, they had gone out for drinks with her roommate and boyfriend, but she had never seen Adam outside of their group. She had always had a crush on him though. “Hello, Adam.” Was that her voice? It sounded deep. Almost seductive. What was wrong with her? This was Adam. A friend of a friend who never saw her more like one of the gang. She couldn't talk to him like that. He wasn’t interested in her. Rachel cleared her throat and tried again. “It's been a long time.” There. That sounded better, more casual. Not excited and breathless seeing him again. “I never thought I’d see you again. Not after...” His words trailed off as he stepped toward her. Like a magnet pulling them together, Rachel found herself walking toward him and stopped when he was only inches away from her. He was at least four inches taller than her five-foot-eleven height. She remembered the first time she met him. She was shocked; she almost had to look up to meet his eye. She had been excited to be able to wear heels when he came to town and not feel like a towering giant over her friends. Adam didn't need to finish the sentence for her to know what he left unsaid. After her father showed up at the apartment, threatening her to come back home. Rachel’s roommate or Adam’s friend must have told him about it. Her father wanted her back under his thumb, but she refused. She had been embarrassed when her dad showed up unannounced at the apartment and tried kicking her roommate and friends out. Rachel told them to stay and that her father didn’t have anything to say they couldn’t hear. Her roommate, Ashley, knew about her dad and Rachel’s dislike for him. She supported Rachel as her father told her what a failure she was and needed to come home. Rachel had kicked him out and packed up her things and left that day. “I hadn’t planned on coming back.” She never thought to ever come back to this place. And she most definitely hadn't ever planned on seeing Adam Hart again. Seeing Adam again brought back all the old memories of all she once had and all she lost. A close friendship and happier times. It wasn’t that she didn’t have friends in Miami, but she always feared her dad coming after her again, so she kept her distance, ready to pack up at a moment’s notice. Something about her dad scared her; it always had. Kids weren’t supposed to be scared of their parents, but she was of him. Something dark and sinister always lurked behind his eyes. He always thought himself better than everyone else. She had always hated him. Her mother’s persuasion never worked, and eventually, she stopped trying. That’s when she disappeared. Famous Sheriff Little could never find her. She hated him that much more because of it. Living in Portland had been the highlight of her life until he came and ruined it. She didn’t doubt for a minute if given the opportunity, he would try to force her back to Latourell. Now she didn’t have to worry about it, but that didn’t mean she wanted to come back and live here again. She had a good thing going in Miami and didn’t want to give it up. “Are you staying at the cabin?” he asked, distracting her. “I am.” The words almost choked her. It was too much. Being back in Latourell. Seeing old friends. Memories she long thought buried came flooding back. It was overwhelming. Emotions churned in her so fast she felt lightheaded. Rachel needed air. She had to get away. She needed to escape. Rachel was about to excuse herself, needing a moment to compose herself when Adam asked, “Is that your car out front?” Caught off guard, Rachel blinked several times before she could respond. It was an odd question, but it helped her gain control of herself again which she was thankful for. “Yes, why?” Rachel winced at her harsh tone. She hadn't meant to be so brash, but he was using his police voice, a voice her father used on her when he was scolding her. She hated it. She needed to get away, but Adam was blocking her from escape. Rachel wanted to hide in the cabin and forget everything or better yet get back to the airport and forget this stupid trip ever happened. “With the storm and how far the cabin is, I don’t think it will make it. You should stay here in town until tomorrow when the storm clears.” Rachel had come to the same conclusion, but to have Adam tell her what to do incited her. How dare he. She hadn’t seen him in five years, and after a brief moment of reintroduction, he thought he could tell her what to do? It wasn’t going to happen even if a voice in the back of her mind told her he was right. No one had told her what to do in many years, and she’d be damned if it was going to start now by the man who had starred in all of her fantasies for years. Her car was not built for the off-road trail it took to get up to the cabin. Add over a foot of snow on top of that, and the trek was near impossible, but she wasn’t about to admit that out loud. “I’ll be fine. Thank you for your concern.” Her gaze caught the star shield pinned to the left outer breast pocket of his jacket. She knew what it was instantly. Her dad used to wear the same badge. Adam always talked about becoming a police officer, it looked like he became a Sheriff. She was happy for him that his dreams had come true, but that didn’t mean she wanted or needed his protection. He was always looking out for others, it was what had made him such a good friend, but she didn’t need it now. She’d been taking care of herself just fine for the past several years. That wasn’t about to change now. Adam’s face contorted with anger like he was about to argue before smoothing out into a mask that was unreadable. “Have it your way, Rach.” She didn’t believe him for a moment. Adam never just let anything go. He was up to something, she just didn’t know what. She expected more of an argument. Something. She studied him a moment trying to discern what he was up to, but she might as well be studying a wall; he was that unreadable. Not wanting to waste any more time and prove him right about her car in the snow, Rachel walked past Adam with her head held high. She made sure not a part of her brushed him. Damn him and his high handedness. She got enough of that from her dad growing up. She didn't need Adam trying to swoop in like a knight. She didn't believe in any of that anymore. “Fran, I’m ready to check out,” Rachel said politely as she took her paltry items from the cart and placed them on the counter. Fran looked between her and Adam but didn't say anything which Rachel was thankful for. Fran rang her up quickly and placed her items in a paper bag. Rachel couldn't remember the last time she saw someone use paper bags but didn't question it. It would be safe in the car and not get wet from the snow. “I also need firewood. Is the pile still on the side of the building to the right?” She could feel Adam stand closely behind her, but she ignored him. A few more minutes and she would be on the road and wouldn’t have to see him again. At least she hoped the road was still there. the snow really had been coming down, and she had been in the store for a little bit. This stop could be the difference if she made it or not to the cabin. It couldn’t be helped now. “It is,” Fran answered, “if you can find it. I placed a blue tarp over it to keep it dry.” If it wasn't, Rachel would be sleeping in the cold. The cabin’s only heat supply was the fireplace. An image of her body being found tomorrow frozen to death came to mind. Nope, not happening. If she couldn't find any dry wood, she wouldn't have a choice but to find someplace to stay in town. She could just hear Adam saying, ‘I told you so.’ He would love that. She may not want to admit he may be right, but she wasn't going to freeze to death to prove a point. Rachel took her bag after paying and stopped in front of the door bracing herself to face the bitter cold again. She couldn't see her car from the window the snow was blowing so hard. She felt someone come up behind, making the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. She knew it was Adam without turning around or seeing his reflection in the glass despite the bright Christmas lights highlighting the window. Why did he have to keep standing so close behind her? And why was she letting him get to her? It was this place, it was making her crazy. Another reason she needed to leave here. Back home, she was always calm and in control. Here memories swamped her. The good and the bad. “It’s not too late to change your mind.” His tone was concerned. She understood why. The chances of making it to the cabin was slim, but she didn't feel she had many options. Hearing Adam says the highway was shutting down she couldn't get back to the airport, and the hotels along the way were probably not an option. They'd all be full before she could make it there. Her only choice was to stay here until morning and hope the roads cleared off. “You can stay at my place for the night, or I can drive you up to the cabin,” Adam offered. His tone gentle and caring, no longer a police officer making demands. Rachel was tempted by the offer to stay at his house, but she didn’t know where he lived and wanted to have access to her car to see the lawyer and get back to Portland tomorrow. She didn’t want to rely on someone’s generosity. The cabin was the best place to go. She didn't want to reply to him for a ride up there. Then he'd have to come get her in the morning to get a ride back her car. She couldn't put him out like that. “Thank you, but I’m good.” “It’s okay to accept help every now and then.” There was an edge in his voice, signaling she was irritating him. Again. She wasn't trying to. She just wanted to be left alone, he just couldn't seem to get the hint. “I’m not afraid to ask for help. When I need it. In this case, I don’t.” Rachel raised her head high. Not wanting to spend any more time with him, Rachel reached for the door handle, but Adam grabbed her wrist before she could pull the door open. “Stop being so damn stubborn,” he growled. “There is almost a foot of snow on the ground and more to come. That car will never make it. John would have your hide if he knew you were going to try and make it up there with that car.” It was the wrong thing to say to her. Using her father against her. She didn’t give a s**t about him. How could Adam not know that? She’d never made her anger toward her father a secret. That man was responsible for every misery in her life. Adam had a better chance of using her mom to plead his case. “But he’s not here, is he?” She lashed out. “You can’t protect me from the world, Adam. I don’t need your protection or your help.” She didn’t need anyone. She couldn’t rely on anyone but herself. Everyone eventually ended up leaving her anyway. “If John-” Adam tried again. “No,” she yelled, whirling on him, jabbing a finger in his face. “Don’t try to use him against me. He means nothing to me, he never has. John Little is dead to me. You had a better chance of using Ashley or my mom.” Without a word, she turned back and yanked the door open. The cold air didn't faze her as she stomped to her car, ignoring Adam calling out behind her. She jumped in her car, slamming the door and locking it behind her. Adam knocked on her window, but she ignored him as she started her car. When she put it in reverse, it didn’t move. Oh no. Not now. “Rach, come out,” he said calmly. Against her better judgement she looked over at him. He didn’t look angry but concerned. What she was doing was foolish. Ashley would, in fact, yell her head off at her if she could see what Rachel was about to do. Her mother was probably rolling over in her grave. If her car would only move, she knew she’d make it to the cabin. She tried drive and reverse several times, which only caused the tires to spin, if only the tires could get some traction so she could get out of here and end her humiliation. “Rach.” He tapped her window with a gloved hand. When that didn’t get a reaction, he tried opening her door. “Dammit, open the door!” he shouted using his fist this time. The thud startled her, making her scream and push on the gas sliding her back an inch. She sighed in relief and would have cheered did she not have an angry Sheriff attempting to break her window to get her out. She knew she was being stubborn by declining help, but she never expected Adam to go to such lengths to get her to not drive, even if he was just trying to do his job. “Rachel Madison Little, you turn off that car this instant.” His voice was commanding and made her shiver. No, that was from the cold she chided herself, not the man. Her car had sat long enough the interior was cold; she could see her breath. She willed the heat to turn on faster and turned on the wipers so she could see out of the windshield. She didn’t respond to his calling her full name, how he knew what it was she didn’t know nor care at the moment. Escape. That was the only thought that kept repeating through her mind. She pushed gently on the gas and slowly crept out of her parking space. The back windshield was completely covered, but there wasn’t a chance she was getting out to clear it off. Who knew what Adam would try if she was out of her car? She wasn’t willing to risk it and find out. She didn’t fear he would hurt her, far from it. Adam didn’t have a mean bone in his body. She was scared of herself. She had always liked him, and even though she was angry with him for trying to command her she still liked him and didn’t trust herself alone with him. “Are you insane?” he yelled at her, following her as she crept back to the road. Yes, she was, but it wasn’t going to stop her. What she was doing was reckless and could get her, if not someone else, killed, but desperation had her doing it. A need clawed at her to get away from Adam, and that’s what she was doing at the risk to herself and others. She rolled down her passenger window, dumping snow on the seat and over her groceries so she could see if anyone was coming and maneuver around Adam’s Chevy Silverado. A vehicle that could make the trek up to the cabin much easier than she could. She turned the wheel, hoping Adam had the smarts to get out of her way. She was too focused on making sure not to hit his car and make sure no one was coming down the road to see where he was. She didn’t hear him calling out to her anymore. That could mean he either gave up on her, which she doubted, or he was coming after her, that made more sense. Once she thought she was clear, she put the car in drive and cranked the wheel to the left. She sighed in relief when she didn’t see Adam standing in front of her. Not that she could see anything in front of her anyway. She turned on the high beams, making the drive almost worse and eased on the gas. The front tires slid trying to gain traction. Turning the wheel in the opposite direction she got the car back under control and eased back onto the road that had another couple inches of snow on it from when she went in the store. Great. “What am I doing?” She felt like she had asked herself that a lot lately, and it was probably true. This plan was worse than deciding to go to Oregon in the first place. A few more miles and she would be in the cabin. Her hands ached from the death grip she had on the steering wheel. She should have turned around a million times over the past fifteen minutes she’d been back on the road. What had she been thinking to dash off as she had? It was insanity. She was going to get herself killed. Finding the turnoff to the cabin would be next to impossible. She huffed a deep breath shaking her head at herself, causing her hair bun to come loose and her curly hair to fall free tickling the end of her nose. She reached up to bat it away and felt the car lurch to the side. She quickly returned her hand to the wheel, jerking it in the process. The car started to spin to the right, heading straight for a row of trees. Without thinking, she pulled the wheel hard to the left causing the car to spin out of control. She felt dizzy as her body whipped around in circles for what felt like minutes when it was more like a few seconds until the car came to a stop with a hard thud throwing her headfirst toward the steering wheel. The seat belt had locked up, protecting her from fully colliding with the wheel, but had given her an instant headache. “Great,” she muttered. Just what she needed. Rachel gripped her head and did a mental body count, but didn’t feel any injuries, which was good. The wind wailed outside the car, rocking it slightly, reminding her of her predicament. Why oh why did she have to prove she could do this on her own. She knew it had been a mistake thinking she could do it in her car. There was over a foot of snow on the ground. The front of her car was already buried under the snow. It never would have made it up to the cabin. She should have accepted Adam’s help when she had the chance. She could hear him in the back of her mind ‘told you so.’ She had only been driving for fifteen minutes, and she had only been going about twenty miles an hour. Fran’s store couldn’t be that far behind her. She was closer to Fran’s than she was the cabin given the uphill climb. If she could make it back to Fran’s, maybe she would let her stay there for the night. If she’s even open. Adam’s offer to let her stay at his place came to mind. Ugh, she scolded herself. Why did everything have to revolve around Adam now? Rachel pressed on the gas pedal. The engine revved, and she heard the tires squeal under her, but she didn’t feel the car move. She put it in reverse with the same result. Great. Now she was stuck. Told you so. She ignored the voice thinking about her limited options. Staying in the car wasn’t one of them. The temperature kept dropping. She would freeze out here in the elements when the car battery died. A check of her cell phone showed a low battery and no signal. Things were just getting better and better for her. She’d have to run for it for Fran’s. That was her only choice at this point. Unless she wanted to try and find the cabin in the dark. Her stomach grumbled, reminding her how long it had been since she ate. It had been morning. Her nerves on the trip up had distracted her from food. Now it was letting her know that had been a mistake. She rummaged through the bag, looking for something to snack on. Most of what she got was canned soup. A hot bowl of soup sounded great but without fire that wasn’t happening. She also lacked a can opener. Ugh. No can opener, and she forgot to get the firewood. “I’m doomed.” She sighed, resting her head against the headrest. She glanced out the window at the storm. The news reported that it was supposed to go on all night as it swept over the state. Staying put wasn’t an option, she had to get going if she didn’t want to freeze to death. Rachel prepared herself for the journey back to town. She wasn’t going to worry about the groceries. Just her purse, identification for the body, she tried joking with herself. She was pumping herself up when she saw red and blue lights in her side mirror before headlights emerged. “Adam,” she whispered. He came for her. She couldn’t stay mad at him. He came to rescue her. Even if it was from her own stupidity. Her anger with him evaporated, not that she had anything to be angry at him about. He had only been trying to keep her safe. If anything, she was angry at herself and had taken it out on him. Rachel owed him a big apology and thank you.