On Steady Ground (The Walker Brother's Series) (4 page)

She had fallen asleep an hour ago. Looking down into her beautiful face, he twirled a strand of soft blonde hair around his finger. He has always liked her, more than he was comfortable with. It started in high school and he stepped back for his brother. They rarely liked the same girl, but he would never risk his relationship with his brother for any girl. The day Lizzy put Grant in his place for cheating on her, that was the day he realized that Lizzy was something special. Not the air head, giggly girls that frequented high school. She was not only stunningly beautiful, but she was strong and smart. Now this girl was barely dressed laying in his lap. He wanted to push for more with her, knowing she was just to vulnerable at this point in time. He didn’t want to be her rebound guy. Always wanting to do the right thing, this time was killing him. He wanted this woman, more than he’s wanted any other woman. One other problem, Grant wanted her to. Swinging his gaze to the grandfather clock that chimed it was two o’clock. She moved to her side, hair falling into her face. Gently stroking it back, he pulled the blanket back on top of her to cover her chest. There was only so much a man could take, and he was only human. Telling himself again that Grant wanted her. Cussing under his breath, he laid his head back and was soon asleep himself.

 Waking up startled, I didn’t recognize the voice until it came closer.

“Hey little brother, you ready for breakfast?”

Sitting up quickly, the blanket fell to my lap and Ian sat up shirtless glancing in Grants direction, head in his palms. I knew it looked bad, seeing the instant hurt on Grant’s face. I always dismissed him as the uncaring, womanizer. Now knowing with just one look, that couldn’t be further from the truth at this moment. I didn’t mean to hurt him, I didn’t want anyone having any sort of feelings for me. With that, comes responsibility. I didn’t want more responsibility.

“Well I can see why you didn’t want to have dinner with me.” He spat out, before turning to walk away.

“Grant. Come back, it isn’t what it looks like.” Looking back at Ian, he started to get up, “I’ll go fix it Ian.” Standing up and running after him, I caught him before he made it to his car. Ian looking on through the kitchen window.

“Grant. Grant, please hold on a second.” My hair blowing in my face, my gown lifting up, trying to smooth it back down.

Grant spinning around, looking at me with fire in his eyes, “Why didn’t you just tell me you had a thing for my brother?”

“Grant it’s not like that. I was scared, I got threatening phone calls from my ex and he was just being nice.” Trying to make him see reason.

“Yeah real nice. Why didn’t you call me? I would have came back and picked you up if you were scared.”

Shaking my head, “I don’t know Grant. I didn’t think about it.” Shaking my head. “I don’t want this. I can’t handle any of this Grant. It’s to much. My life is just to much right now.”

Striding forward in two steps he took my face in his hands. “I’m here Lizzy. Why can’t you see it? I’m right here.” Bringing my face in forcefully, kissing me briefly before pulling away again.

Ian, turning from the window, his heart plummeting. He couldn’t see any more. He didn’t want to hurt his brother, but he cared for Lizzy. More so than he cared to admit to.

“Grant, you shouldn’t have done that. I’m not ready for any of this.”

Pulling me into his arms, “Whether you’re ready or not, I’m here. You can’t choose when it happens Lizzy. I’m not giving up.”

Shaking my head in aggravation, “Why are you being so stubborn about this Grant?” Now almost admiring his tenacity.

“Because I want you Lizzy, and I always get what I want.” Grant said smiling down at me.

“I’m not a contest you can win Grant, and I’m not some sort of goal you have to meet, only to toss me away later.”

“No, I didn’t mean it like that.”

Shaking my head, “We’re done here.” Walking away quickly to the house, hoping Ben was still asleep. I really did not want to talk about the events of the morning already.

“Lizzy, please wait.” He said coming after me, hurrying up the steps I shut and locked the door quickly. Ben sitting on the counter, legs propped up, coffee in hand with an arched eyebrow.

Shaking my head in disgust, “Don’t ask.”

Throwing his hands up in surrender, he smiled.

Heading into the bedroom I slammed the door shut. Looking at myself in the mirror, “What are you doing Lizzy?” My hair windblown, pulling it back into a pony tail and sitting down on the bed. I could hear Grants car start up, and I cussed to remember my purse and bag was still at Ian’s. How could I ever face him now? Throwing my head into my hands, I just wanted to cry all over again. Never think your life couldn’t get any worse, because that’s usually at the point where it does. How could one perfect night with such a handsome guy end up in complete turmoil?

Walking to my closet, I pulled out a form fitting skirt and a tank top. Looking out the window, it was going to be a warm, windy day. Opening my room door and heading to the bathroom Ben looked up smirking at me.

“Oh come on Lizzy. Give me something?”

“Use your imagination Ben.”

Smiling widely, “Oh you don’t want me to do that.”

Shaking my head, I went into the bathroom to take a shower and get cleaned up. I know what I have to do. Afraid to face Ian, guilty about the turmoil I caused between brothers, I have to go face him. Finishing quickly, I just wanted to get it over with. Passing Ben laid out on the couch, he barely noticed me this time being absorbed in the television instead.

Fishing in my closet, I was able to locate some flat sandals. Slipping them on, I glanced one last time in the mirror. Making my way across the yard, the guilt and stress was weighing down on every muscle, making me tired. Knocking on the door and waiting, Ian finally opened up pulling his shirt over his head. His wet hair wild around his face.

Looking into his eyes, “I’m so sorry Ian. I never meant to cause trouble for you. I’m so sorry.” Apologizing profusely.

Shaking his head, “Come in Lizzy.” Leaning up against the counter, he crossed his legs at the ankles and looked at me, neither one saying a word for to many uncomfortable seconds. “Looks like you and Grant made up.” He said staring at me, waiting for my reaction.

Shaking my head, “Hardly. I told him that I am no ones conquest.”

Smiling, “You just made it even better for him. Truth of the matter is, my brother is a ladies man but as much as it pains me to admit, in your case…” Pausing, looking almost in pain. “In your case, it’s different with him.”

Shaking my head, “It doesn’t change the fact that I’m just not ready.”

“You kissed him.”

Looking at him, unable to gauge his emotions. “He kissed me.”

“Did you like it?”

“Ian where is this coming from? I’m going to get my purse.” Starting out of the kitchen, and up the stairs.

“You didn’t answer the question.” He said just above a whisper, his ego shredded.

Did I like it? I don’t know. I barely had a moment to to understand what had happened, the events of the morning moving so quickly. I knew one thing, I liked laying down with Ian, my head resting in his lap. I liked looking up into his face in the dark of night. I liked the way he looks at me when I smile back at him. I like how kind and generous he is. Grant? I don’t know. The man is only proving to be a source of aggravation for me. Walking into the bedroom, I quickly remade the bed and grabbed my things. I didn’t want things to be weird with Ian. Caring so much about this man already, I didn’t want him turning his back on me so soon.

Entering the kitchen, he looked like he hadn’t moved, eyes focused on the floor now. “I don’t know what else to say Ian. I can’t lose your friendship, in only a couple of days it already means so much to me.”

Eyes connecting with mine, “No worries Lizzy. If you need anything I’m still here.” Flashing the best smile he could muster.

Nodding my head and reaching for the door, “Thanks again, for last night.”

“Welcome.”

Nodding, “Bye Ian.”

“Bye.”

Trudging back across the yard, I couldn’t help but feel like things had changed between us. I don’t know what they were before, but the situation definitely had shifted. Telling myself it was for the best, that I didn’t need any possible romantic connections in my life right now.

Stepping into the kitchen to the phone ringing on the wall. It had been so long since I had seen a home phone I had to look around at first. “Ben?” I yelled looking for him.

“In the shower.”

Picking up the phone, “Hello?”

“Hi Elizabeth.” Craig chimed with a voice of satisfaction.

“Craig, how did you find me?”

“It wasn’t so hard honey, I knew you would go running to Ben.” He said almost to calmly making my blood run cold.

“You need to leave me alone Craig. It’s over.”

“No, it’s not Elizabeth. You are my wife and if you don’t come home now, I’ll come and get you.”

“Leave me alone Craig. The divorce papers have been sent.”

“Oh I know, I got them this morning. You know I won’t sign them. You’ll have to come to court, drag your precious name through the mud. Just come home. I won’t hit you again.”

Laughing in hysterics, “No. it’s not my home. You need to move on.”

“You are mine Elizabeth. I won’t let you go so easily, there is no where you can hide and if you’re sleeping with Ben I’ll hurt him to.”

“I’m not sleeping with anyone Craig. Leave Ben alone, he was just helping a friend.”

“I’m coming for you Elizabeth, I’m almost there.”

“Leave me alone, or I’ll call the cops.”

“I haven’t figured out your address yet, but I know where you work. See you soon honey.”

Hanging up the phone, my hand was shaking. I knew it was only going to be a matter of time, although I expected a little more time. I should have known better, this is Craig. What he views as his, he will not waste time getting back. Looking towards the bathroom door, now I was afraid for anyone around me. Still not believing he was so messed up as to kill anyone but he wouldn’t hesitate to use physical force to get me back, his ultimate goal.

Walking out onto the porch and sitting on the step, my body felt numb. My mind screaming at me to run, run fast and run far. My heart telling me to stay, that I needed the few friends I had. I don’t really know how many hours passed, I vaguely remembered Ben leaving. I think I might have heard Ian’s truck start up at some point and him leaving also. I had to be back at work on Monday. I knew that was going to be the day I was going to come face to face with him again. Touching my face, my bruise starting to fade now it was still a harsh reminder of the kind of man I was dealing with. The sun was moving across the sky and my stomach was complaining at me. It was no use, I was still scared and tied in a million knots.

“Lizzy. Lizzy. Are you alright? You’ve been out here all day. You’re going to burn up.”

Breaking my inner turmoil, Ian was towering above me. “I’m fine Ian.”

“Obviously your not. Your pale as a ghost and that’s saying something considering you’ve been outside most of the day. He got in touch with you again didn’t he?”

“Who?” Thinking he was speaking of Grant.

“The ex douche bag of yours.”

“Oh, it’s fine. I’ll be fine.”

“That wasn’t the question Lizzy.”

“Yeah, he got a hold of me.”

“Should I be worried?” Ian asked sitting down next to me.

Shaking my head, “Everything is fine.” Flashing the best fake smile I could muster.

“I don’t know if I’m comfortable with you staying here.” Ian said looking at me concerned.

My heart crushing, “You want me to leave?” Having no where else to go, my panic set in.

“No. No. I don’t want you to go. I mean, Ben is hardly ever home. I don’t like you being here so much by yourself.”

My color coming back to me, “I’ll be fine Ian. Besides you’re right next door.”

“When I’m home, otherwise there isn’t any help for miles. Why don’t you call my brother and stay with him a couple of nights? I know you’re scared to be in the house alone at night.”

I was pretty sure the color drained back out of my skin again. I didn’t want to stay with his brother, why couldn’t he see that? Anger boiling to the surface, I felt like I was being tossed around, my nerves were now completely shot. “If I wanted to stay with your brother I would. Don’t worry about me.” Spitting out, standing and walking into the house slamming the door shut. Locking the deadbolt, I grabbed some peanut butter off of the counter and a spoon and retreated to my bedroom.

Flopping down on the bed, I could only take a couple of bites before my stomach was rejecting it. Getting tired of playing the victim I thought about cutting him off at the pass. Wouldn’t do any good, he would just kidnap me. Probably lock me down in the basement. Now my mind running away with me, nothing seemed to be out of the realm of possibilities with Craig. Turning my head and looking out of the window Ian was working out in the pasture feeding the animals. Why couldn’t I have someone like him? Am I to bad of a person to deserve such a wonderful, sexy guy? My thoughts now turning to Grant. I couldn’t ignore him forever, he wouldn’t let me. The last thing I needed was another dominating man in my life. Maybe that was another reason why I was so attracted to Ian. He had a way of calming a situation with just one word. Never seeing him mad, I imagined once he did you probably would want to clear out. Never believing he would harm anyone unless they harmed him first.

A knock on the door pulling me out of my thoughts, I was instantly scared. Looking out into the driveway it was Grant’s car. I gave thought to just acting like I wasn’t home. Knowing I had to face him eventually, it was as good of a time as any. My foul mood only getting worse as the day goes on. Unlocking the bedroom door, I smoothed out my skirt and hiked up my shirt to cover everything before opening the door.

Standing on my doorstep looking relaxed in a nice pair of pants and a polo stood Grant with roses in his hand. “What do you want Grant?”

“I owe you an apology. Several actually. Can I come in?”

Standing firm in the door way, “I’m listening.”

“Okay. I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions about you and my brother. I’m sorry I kissed you. Okay, I’m not really sorry about that. I’m more sorry that you didn’t enjoy it as much as I did.” Smiling up at me hopefully, making me choke back a laugh.

Sighing, “Grant, I don’t know what you want from me, but I don’t think I have anything to give.”

Shaking his head, “I don’t want anything from you Lizzy. I like you. I like you a lot. I don’t think I have ever stopped liking you in all these years.” Looking at him, it was hard not to notice the sincerity in his voice. Handing me the roses, I took a step back allowing him to come in noticing the smile on his face. Looking out at the pasture, Ian was hard at work our eyes connecting before I shut the door.

Turning, Grant was leaning against the counter watching me. Placing the roses on the counter I was out of vases and my patience was running thin.

“Do you accept my apology?” He said walking towards me, his body only inches away from mine.

“Did you apologize to Ian also?”

“Yes, I went to see him first.” Placing his hand on my chin to look at him, he then placed his palms on my hips bringing me in close. I’m not going to lie, getting the right sort of attention from an attractive man felt good. Especially, after the day I have had. I knew I should pull back, but I didn’t. Leaning in and kissing me softly on my cheek, “I’m sorry Lizzy.” Looking into my eyes before bringing his mouth back down on my neck, bringing me back into time when we were in high school. My body reacting my hands starting to embrace him before I snapped out of it and pushed him back.