Here With Me: An Ex-boyfriend’s Dad, Age Gap Small Town Romance (Sugarland Creek Book 1)
Here With Me: Chapter 29

I haven’t seen Noah in two days unless you count parking outside her house and sleeping in my truck all night like a stalker, but I don’t think it does.

That first night away from her, I couldn’t stop thinking about how Craig could come onto the property to mess with her or even break into her house. It made it impossible for me to sleep at home, so I drove over at midnight and watched her house from a distance until I passed out.

I did the same thing last night, except I didn’t even bother trying to go to bed. Just came over at ten and stayed until her mom and Gramma Grace showed up at eight.

“Rough night?” Landen asks.

I’m in the middle of trimming a hoof when he approaches me. When I look up, his arms are crossed, and he wears an amused grin.

“No. Why do ya ask?”

He shrugs, but amusement is written all over his face. “You look tired, is all.”

“Nah, I’m fine.”

He steps toward me and puts a hand on my shoulder. “I’ll put a small air mattress in your truck for ya. Should fit in the back and be a helluva lot more comfortable than your front seat.”

I keep my head down as I continue working, then clear my throat. There’s no point denying it since he seems to know anyway. “Thanks.”

“I appreciate you watchin’ out for her. She’s stubborn and will probably tell you she doesn’t need the help.”

“Yeah, I’ve noticed.”

“And if something’s goin’ on between y’all, you better come clean before my parents replace out on their own.”

“There isn’t.”

I keep my focus on Ranger’s hoof. Ellie asked if I’d keep an eye on the infected hoof and clean it out. I suspect he’ll be ready for training again in a few weeks.

Landen chuckles. “Alright, man. Have a good one.”

When he walks away, I look around to see if anyone else was listening. Luckily, we were alone. I don’t blame him for not believing me, even if it is the truth, but I don’t need anyone else getting suspicious.

Even though I’m not staying with Noah, I told her to let me know if she needed anything. She texted earlier asking if I’d run to the store and grab a few things. I was happy to do it for her, and it gives me an excuse to see her.

After finishing up for the day, I go home and clean up before heading into town. I look over her list and freeze when I see the word condoms. And if that isn’t bad enough, next to it in parentheses is the biggest size there is.

She has to be messing with me.

Regardless, like the whipped man I am, I grab a pack of Magnum XL.

When I arrive at her house, Jase’s truck is parked in front, and I contemplate returning later. But the perishables in the bags could go bad, so I suck it up and get out.

He knows I’ve been helping her and how guilty I felt when she got hurt on my watch, so he shouldn’t suspect anything. I’ll keep my distance, put her food away, then get out.

“Hey,” I greet, walking in with my hands full.

Noah’s on the couch, and Jase sits close next to her.

“Hey, old man. You lookin’ extra nice today. You got a hot date tonight or what?” Jase’s snarky tone has me grinding my teeth so I don’t say anything I’ll regret.

“Nah, just changed after work so I didn’t come smellin’ like a barn.” I set the bags on the counter and start unloading stuff.

Jase continues talking to Noah about work and closing on his house next week. Then he asks if she’d help him pick out furniture and decor. She tells him about Pinterest and other websites to look at for ideas, but if he wants her to go with him, it’ll have to wait until she’s more physically stable.

When he goes on about other random stuff, I try to tune them out instead of eavesdropping. I know they’re friends now, but I still wonder if he’ll eventually want more.

Once everything’s put away, sans the condoms, I head toward the door to leave. “If you need anything’ else, Noah, just let me know.”

“Thank you, Mr. Underwood. I appreciate it.” She looks at me like she’s staring into my soul.

“No problem.”

“I was gonna attempt to make her supper,” Jase chimes in. “You wanna stay?”

My gut tenses at the thought of another awkward dinner. “Maybe another time. I’ve got some errands to run. You two have fun, though.”

With a forced smile, I walk out and blow out a breath.

The only errand I need to do is take a long-ass nap before returning tonight.

I wake up disoriented at ten o’clock with a couple of missed calls and text messages from Noah. Fearing the worst, I return the call without reading her messages first, but then it goes to voicemail.

NOAH

Why are there condoms on my kitchen counter?

NOAH

Magnum XL?!

NOAH

You must think very highly of yourself.

NOAH

Either that or you think I should be sleeping with a man of such size. But considering I needed you to carry me to the bathroom and wash my hair, I can guarantee you I’m not letting XL anything near me.

I’m confused as hell, considering it was on her list.

And I’m not a fan of her little dig, but I let it slide.

FISHER

I tried calling, but you must be sleeping. I don’t understand. You put that on your shopping list.

When I get to my truck, I pull out the air mattress Landen left for me. Once it’s blown up, I get it situated in the bed of my truck.

It’s not until I park in my hiding spot does she return my text.

NOAH

What’re you talking about?

Ten seconds later, she sends another one.

NOAH

Oh my God. I’m going to kill Magnolia!

NOAH

She had my phone when I was rambling off the things I needed, and she added it because she thinks she’s SO funny.

I chuckle because Magnolia’s car is here, which means she’s spending the night. I can only imagine the way Noah’s scolding her.

FISHER

Perhaps she wanted them for herself. She’s after Landen, ain’t she?

NOAH

Ha! I can’t believe you bought them. Didn’t you think it was odd of me to have that on my list?

FISHER

Honestly, yes. But I figured it wasn’t my place to ask.

NOAH

I can’t even put weight on my foot, you think I’m over here taking massive dick?

I chuckle, wishing we were talking on the phone or in person because I miss hearing her snarky attitude.

FISHER

Again, wasn’t my business.

NOAH

Don’t do that.

FISHER

What am I doing?

NOAH

Acting like you have no right to know about my life or what I’m doing. Just because we’re not together doesn’t mean we can’t be involved in each other’s lives as friends.

FISHER

I don’t want to keep hurting you, Noah.

I grab the pillows and blankets I set in the front seat and bring them to the back. As much as I love talking to her, I know it only makes it worse. Someday, she’ll replace someone who’s right for her. When that day comes, I’ll wish her the best and drown myself in a bottle of whiskey.

NOAH

I’m going back to sleep. Night.

FISHER

Good night, Noah. Sweet dreams.

I feel like I’ve let her down by not agreeing with her, but it’s for the best. I can love her from a distance and give her room to move on.

My phone goes off just as I doze off.

A camera notification.

I look around and, in the distance, see the security light on at the family’s barn.

There’d be no reason for any of Noah’s brothers to be out there at two in the morning unless this is another Wilder adventure I keep hearing about.

When I look on the app, no one’s in view, but I won’t be able to sleep without double-checking.

I walk over, looking around for any disturbances and listening for noises. There’s rustling in the bushes, and I wonder if an animal is what caused the camera to go off.

“Hello? Anyone out here?”

A clinking sound echoes from the barn. I open the door, then pull out my phone for a flashlight since it’s dim lighting. The horses squeal as if they’re on alert, and now I know something’s off. Their intuition is never wrong.

A shadow running in the distance catches my attention. I smell the scent of gasoline as I walk toward it, and the horses continue neighing as the smell gets stronger.

“Hey, motherfucker!”

I spin around to a person in a hoodie and see a glimpse of a metal rod before he rams it into the side of my head, and I go down.