"I've ignored you. I didn't know you were downstairs when I was sulking," I tell him. "If I'd known, maybe I would've…."
"That's why your dad didn't tell you. You had to come here on your own, Ry. I couldn't persuade you. That wouldn't have been fair."
"But you're so good at it." I blush, hearing myself say it. "Persuading me, I mean."
The relaxing sound of his laugh eases my nervous tension. "How's it you're over here? Your parents?"
"Mom said an act born from love is instinctive. My instinct led me here."
Chase sighs and looks me up and down, the jovial tone in his voice gone and replaced with the hoarse whisper I was hoping I'd find. "I've always loved your mother," he comments. "Now come here."
"One condition," I declare, as serious as I've ever been.
"What's that?"
"I want to drive your truck."
Chase doesn't answer; instead, he laughs so loud I'm sure every person in Summer's Bay can hear.
About A.C. Bextor
AC Bextor lives in a small town in the Midwest. When she’s not writing she can be found reading or watching her favorite sports teams. She enjoys spending time outside fishing, swimming, or camping.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AC-Bextor-608704002555686/
Website: https://acbextor.com/
Also by A.C. Bextor
Kept – A Second Chance Fairy Tale
The Vengeance Duet
#1 Dirty
#2 Truth
Lights of Peril
#1 Holding On
#2 The Way Home
#3 Toxic
Devil’s Despair
#1 Ace's Redemption
#2 Hayden's Verse
#3 Travis's Stand
Blind Faith by Teresa Gabelman
Chapter One
Julie could hear the raised male voices coming from the large house as she exited her car. She hoped the slamming of the car door would inform them someone was there, but the yelling and cursing continued.
Slowly, she made her way toward the house, her eyes scanning the area, taking everything in. So this was where the famous Marshall brothers lived. It was a typical Texas ranch, except she saw no cattle, which was no surprise. The Marshall ranch was known for its horses. Even though she had lived in Woodland, Texas, all her life and gone to school with the Marshall brothers, she'd never run with their crowd. She hadn't run with any crowd in high school; her studies always came first and she had too much responsibility at home to run anywhere with anyone.
She climbed the steps and brushed those thoughts away as she stopped in front of the massive wooden front door. The noise inside hadn't stopped, but instead of two masculine voices she heard only one now. The rage and bitterness coming from inside the house made the hair on the back of her neck prickle. Taking a deep breath, with a prayer that she had the strength to see this through, she knocked three times loudly before stepping back quickly.
Julie waited patiently, but no one came to the door. Again she raised her hand, but instead of knocking politely she hammered the door with her fist, in hopes of being heard over the yelling. On the third swing of her hand, the door opened and her fist landed on a solid chest.
Surprised, Julie yanked her hand to her own chest as her eyes rose, meeting the cold stare of the oldest Marshall brother, Clay. His eyes were narrowed as he glared down at her, his mouth slashed in an angry scowl.
"What?" His voice boomed, making her jump back.
"I, ah…." Julie cleared her throat, reached deep inside for any courage she could find, and cleared her throat again. "I'm, ah… Julie Daniels. I have an appointment with you and your brother, Bo."
Recognition flickered across his face as he stared at her, and it softened slightly. Raising his large hand, he ran it through his raven-black hair, his light blue eyes closing for a second. "I'm sorry, Ms. Daniels." His deep voice rumbled from his chest. "It's been a rough morning. I'm glad you're here. Please come in."
Julie passed him as he stepped aside, allowing her into his home. She glanced around briefly before turning toward Clay. "I'm sorry about your brother," Julie said keeping her voice low, knowing that one of the male voices she'd heard shouting was the younger brother, Bo. "How's he—"
"Not good," he replied, his eyes flickering toward the steps leading upstairs. Turning, he led her into another room and shut the door.
"Have a seat." He nodded toward two chairs sitting in front of a large desk cluttered with files, papers, and beer bottles. Clay didn't walk around to sit behind the desk; instead, he cocked his hip on the edge of the desk as he stared down at her. "He is refusing any help at all. I don't know the last time he was out of his room. He just lies in bed."
Nodding, Julie sighed. "That is typical and not unexpected," she replied, happy to be on a subject she knew something about. Clay Marshall had always made her nervous and the only thing she had ever said to him was "hi" as they passed in the halls of Woodland High, and that was maybe twice in the two years they attended high school together. He had been a junior when she was a freshman. "How long has his sight been completely gone?"