Lawson by Crystal Daniels
Willow
The light from the TV casts a glow over the small hotel room I'm currently staying in. I've been staying at Graystone Inn for several months now. It's not so bad. I like the owners Vera and Walter. They're constantly checking up on me and making sure I'm okay. They have been nothing but kind and welcoming since the first day I arrived.
Some might find living in a hotel odd. I've seen the looks the people I've come to know give me, but thankfully, nobody asks why.
I purposely keep to myself to avoid having to explain my circumstances to anyone. The only person who knows everything about me is my best friend, Addilynn. I met Addilynn Blackstone a couple years ago. She attends a ballet school back in Houston and would frequent the coffee shop I worked at. One day, she struck up a conversation with me, and it didn't take long for us to become good friends. I don't trust easily, and I don't know what made me take a chance on Addilynn, but I'm glad I did. Over time, our friendship grew, and I soon found myself confiding in her, telling her things I have never told anyone else before. It is because of Addilynn that I'm here now. She helped me escape the nightmare I was living and drove me to Graystone.
My phone vibrating on the bedside table draws me out of my thoughts. Reaching over, I snatch it up. Only one person has this number. After I moved here I saved for weeks and was finally able to get a cell. Smiling, I answer, "Hi."
"Hey, you. How's it going?"
"Good. Just got off of work thirty minutes ago."
"Yeah? And how's work going?" she asks.
During my first week here in Graystone, I applied to be a cashier at GiGi's boutique. I didn't provide much information about myself or any past work experience, but the owner, Genesis, took a chance on me anyway. I've come to really like my boss. "Work is great. I almost have enough money saved to get that car I was telling you about. I talked to the old man selling it, and he agreed to hold onto it for a couple more weeks."
"That's great, Willow. I wish you'd let me help."
"You've already done enough, Addy. I can't ask you to loan me money."
"Willow." She sighs. "I don't like knowing you're walking everywhere you need to go. Especially at night."
"It's only for two more weeks. Besides, Graystone is about the safest town you will find."
"Maybe, but you're still a beautiful young woman walking home from work alone at night."
"Not always," I huff. "Sometimes, my coworker Lilly gives me a ride or Genesis. It's not that big a deal. The walk to work is only a couple blocks."
"Willow," Addilynn tries again.
"Two weeks, Addy. Two weeks and I will have my own car."
"Fine," she relents, then decides to change the subject. "Have you spoken to that lawyer you were telling me about?"
"Yes, I talked to the lawyer yesterday. I'm going before work on Friday, so I'm going to see him then."
"That's good." Her voice goes soft. "You can do this, Willow. I know you're scared, but you're strong." Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and fight like hell to push away thoughts of him. "Have you given any more thought to going to the police?"
"No!" I'm quick to say. "No police."
"Willow…"
"No," I cut her off. "I can't take the chance of pissing him off further."
"You know not all police are like him or his asshole friends, right?"
"I know." I sigh. "I'm trying to play this safe. I don't want to take any chances."
"I know you said he hasn't approached you, but I still get an uneasy feeling with his presence there in Graystone," Addilynn voices.
"I don't like it either. I don't know what he's trying to accomplish by showing up here every few days. Especially since he hasn't tried to speak to me."
"You think he wants you to come back?"
"Doesn't matter. I'm never going back," I say vehemently. "He can play all the mind games he wants, but it won't do him any good."
"Just promise me you will be careful, Willow. And if that asshole starts harassing you, go to the police."
"I will," I tell Addilynn.
"Okay. I understand you want to be cautious, and I will support you however I can."
God, I love my friend. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Addy."
"Well, you'll never have to find out. I'll talk to you soon, okay?"
"Soon."
I hang up with Addilynn wearing a smile on my face. When I said I don't know what I'd do without her, I meant it. Addilynn tells me all the time I'm strong, but the truth is, her friendship gives me the strength I need. I want a new life. For the past three months, I have been working hard to achieve it.
* * *
It'slate Sunday morning when I decide to venture out of my hotel room and make a trip to the grocery store. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I slip on my tennis shoes and lace them up. I then grab my purse and the key to the room and head out. I pass Mrs. Vera, who is tending to the potted flowers that sit at the office entrance. "Hi, Vera. How are you?"
"Oh, good morning, Willow. I'm doing just great. It's such a beautiful day, isn't it?"
"Yes, ma'am, it is. Where's Walter this morning?"
"He's fixing the air conditioner down in room twelve. The darn thing is giving him trouble."
Vera and Walter are in their late seventies but still insist on playing a role in tending to the hotel. Graystone Inn is not the fanciest hotel, and it's old, but it has character.
"Well, I'm off to the store. I'll see you later." I wave to Vera.
"Alright, dear." She smiles back at me.
Luckily, the hotel is in the center of town. My job is two blocks one way, and the grocery store is three blocks the other. As I make my way down the sidewalk, I pass by the coffee shop, and the smell of fresh brew mixed with vanilla assaults my senses, making my mouth water. The owner of the coffee shop, Caroline, is a good friend of my boss, and she treats us to coffee at least once a week when she comes into GiGi's. That is the only time I allow myself to have the good stuff.
Since I have to scrape every penny I make to save up for a car, and hopefully, one day get out of the hotel, I can't afford to indulge in things like a five-dollar cup of coffee.
Keeping on course, I continue past the local diner. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot the very man that, ever since the first time I laid eyes on him months ago, makes my tummy flutter. Lawson Masterson. Lawson Masterson is one of three bounty hunters that take up residence here in Graystone and one of the local firefighters. He runs Gray Wolf Corp alongside my boss, Genesis' boyfriend, Ransom, and another man named Gideon. I don't know the Gray Wolf trio very well, but they've been nice to me the few times I have been around them.
It's Lawson who evokes something in me, a feeling I can't explain. And right now, he's sitting in a booth beside a gorgeous woman with long, sleek black hair and the kind of cheekbones I'd kill for. It is not lost on me the reputation Lawson has made for himself. He is the definition of a playboy. When I see Lawson's head turn, and witness him smiling at the woman sitting beside him, a knot forms in the pit of my stomach, and something resembling jealousy rises. Lawson's attention snaps in my direction, and those blue eyes land on me through the window. Only then do I realize that I've been gawking like a complete idiot.
I cast my eyes downward and unstick my feet from the pavement. God, he must think I'm a creeper, watching him like that. I'm so embarrassed and feel my cheeks blazing.
Without looking back, I quickly turn the corner at the end of the block and keep going until the grocery store is in sight.
After walking into the store, I grab a basket. Living out of a hotel with only a mini-fridge and not having a vehicle, I'm limited to what I can buy. I look forward to the day I have a stove and can have a home-cooked meal. I'm most looking forward to baking. I miss pie and cake like you wouldn't believe. I'd kill for some spaghetti, too. I sigh. Some microwave noodles will have to do for now, though. Once I have tossed some noodles in my basket, I make my way toward the bread but stop when I spy the cookies. Snatching a pack off the shelf, I go to place them in the basket with the noodles when my hand pauses midair. "Do you really think you should be eating that, Willow?" I squeeze my eyes shut as his voice works its way in. "You could stand to lose a few pounds, Willow." My fingers tighten around the pack of cookies, and I feel them crumbling. "I'm embarrassed to be seen with you, Willow. I mean look at you for fuck's sakes."
Taking a deep cleansing breath, I open my eyes and notice I'm getting a few curious glances from some other shoppers. Ignoring them, I look back down at the cookies still in my hand. I refuse to let him win. I drop the cookies into the basket. Without a second thought, I add a second pack of chocolate chip cookies for good measure. So what if I have gone up two pant sizes in the past couple of months? I love my curves. In fact, I've always loved my curves. It wasn't until I let that asshole get inside my head that I started changing everything about myself. Well, no more. That son of a bitch might get inside my head from time to time, but that doesn't mean I have to listen.
I make my way up to the checkout, and the cashier offers me a friendly smile, and I offer one of my own. That's one of the things I love about this town. Everyone is so lovely. When I left Houston, I had planned to start over in Florida. There was no particular reason why I had chosen Florida, other than maybe wanting to see the ocean. But when Addilynn and I stopped in Graystone for an overnight stay before getting back on the road, I found myself drawn to the small town. I couldn't put my finger on it at the time. I just knew I had found my new home. So far, my feelings have been proven right. I like the people here, and I like my job. There is something about a small town that appeals to me. I spent my whole life in Houston and never did like the hustle and bustle of living in the city. Things seem to flow at a slower pace here in Graystone. The people here are not in a big hurry, and I like how everyone knows each other. Small town folks genuinely care about their community.
Growing up, I didn't have people around me who cared. I don't know who my father is, and for as long as I could remember, it was just my mom and me. If you can even call her that. By the time I was seven, I was taking care of myself. While my mother was off chasing her next high, I cooked my own meals, washed my own clothes, and walked myself to school. Then by the time I was ten, I learned how my mom made the money she used to feed her addiction. When she was home, a string of strange men came in and out of the house. Then there were the times where I'd wake up, and she'd be gone. My mom would sometimes disappear for two weeks at a time. At the age of ten, I also learned how to horde food and pocket any loose change she'd left lying around the house. If I didn't, I wouldn't eat during the times she did go off on one of her benders.
Once I have paid for my purchase, I set off back toward the hotel. As soon as I turn the corner, I see Lawson coming out of the diner, and with him is the woman I saw him with earlier. For a split second, I think about turning around. Instead, I lower my head and try to walk pass without being noticed.
"Hey, darlin'," I hear Lawson's rumbly voice call out. Pretending I don't hear him, I keep a steady pace down the sidewalk. "Hey," Lawson calls out again, and still, I ignore him. "Willow."
It's not until a large hand clamps down around my arm, halting my chances at fleeing, that I stop. When I lift my gaze from the ground, I'm met by a concerned pair of blue eyes. "Oh, hi, Lawson."
Lawson frowns. "Did you not hear me calling you, darlin'?"
"Did you? I…I must have been in a daze or something," I lie. "Sorry." I go to step away when Lawson's grip on my arm tightens but not painfully.
"Why don't you let me give you a lift?" Lawson gestures toward the bags in my hands.
"That's okay. I don't need a ride." I try to walk away a second time, desperate to get my racing heart under control.
Ignoring my protest, Lawson tugs on my arm, and I have no choice but to follow him. "Lawson, really, I can walk. It's only a couple of blocks."
"I know how far it is, Willow. I'm still giving you a ride."
"But—" I try digging my heels into the pavement.
"Here, let me take those." Lawson uses his free hand to grab some of the bags I'm carrying. And as we make it back to the woman he left standing in front of the diner, I don't miss the scowl on her face.
"I got something I need to do, Tara," Lawson says to the woman.
"What? I thought we were going to hang out today." The woman pouts.
"I can't. I'll call you," is Lawson's curt reply.
Tara turns her attention toward me then proceeds to eye me up and down before letting her lip curl. Not wanting to get in between a lover's quarrel, I go to grab my bags from Lawson. "Look, I really am fine. I don't need a ride."
"You see, baby." Tara takes a step forward into Lawson's space and runs her fingers down his chest. "Your little friend here said she was fine."
Lawson lets loose of my arm long enough to remove Tara's hand from his chest. "Sorry, sweetheart. Maybe some other time. I'll give you a call when I'm ready to hang out." Lawson takes the rest of my bags from me then sets them over in the back of his truck before opening the passenger door. "Willow." He looks at me expectantly.
Wanting desperately to escape this awkward situation, I climb into his truck. Once I'm tucked inside, Lawson gives Tara one last nod before making his way around to the driver's side and climbing in. As he fires up the engine and pulls away from the curb, I keep quiet.
Lawson's gaze drifts back and forth from the road to me on the ride to the hotel. It's unnerving. Not only that, but the intoxicating smell of his cologne also fills the cab of the truck. Those two things combined are making me have a difficult time keeping my rapid heartbeat under control. It's just a stupid little crush, Willow.Get a grip.
"You alright over there, darlin'?"
I jump at the sound of Lawson's voice. "What?" My head whips to the side to look at him.
He chuckles. "I asked if you're okay. I heard you mumbling to yourself."
Oh, my God. Did I confess my crush out loud?"Oh. Yeah, I'm fine," I say awkwardly, then go back to staring out the window.
To my relief, the drive to the hotel is short. The second Lawson parks his truck, I make a hasty retreat. "Well, thanks for the ride." I quickly push open the door and jump down.
"Hold on, and I'll help you," Lawson offers, meeting me around the back end of the truck. And he's much quicker than me because he's grabbed my bags before I have a chance to. "Lead the way," he orders in a way that leaves no room for argument.
On the way to my room, I pass Vera sitting in a chair outside the office. "Hello again, Willow. And Lawson, what brings you by?"
Lawson tips his head. "How's the prettiest girl in all of Graystone?"
Vera brings her weathered hand up to her chest and giggles like a schoolgirl. "Such a charmer." She gives Lawson a million-dollar smile. "What are you doing with our sweet Willow?"
"Lawson was kind enough to give me a ride," I supply.
"Oh, such a gentleman too," Vera adds with a wink.
Chuckling, Lawson continues to follow me to room ten. Using my key, I unlock and swing the hotel room door open. Lawson walks in behind me and sets my bags down on the small table beside the window. "Uh…thanks for helping me carry my bags up. I'll uh…see you around," I say, fidgeting with the strap of my purse.
Lawson stands inside the door for a beat, staring at me, and I can't help but gaze up at him through my lashes. Lawson stands at 6 feet 2 inches tall, has sandy blond hair that he keeps cut close to his scalp, a square jaw with a few days' worth of stubble, and the most crystal blue eyes I have ever seen. My gaze travels the length of his body. From the tips of his cowboy boots all the way up until landing on his full lips. Lips that are currently lifted in a smirk.
Bringing his hand up to the brim of his cowboy hat, Lawson tips his head. "Anytime, darlin'."