Page 52 of Halfway to Hell
Chapter Twenty-One
Late in the afternoon,Sunday arrived at the house after working at the restaurant. The episode from earlier had distracted her all day. Now, all she wanted was a hot bath before everyone came over for dinner.
Taking off her boots by the back door, she left them there and walked into the kitchen. That’s when she realized she’d forgotten to put the chicken in the blasted crock-pot.
Disappointed she’d have to cancel dinner, she headed towards the bedroom. As she walked down the hall, Sunday noticed the light on in the spare bedroom. Looking in the room she saw Texas laying on the floor amongst photo albums, boxes, and a blanket of some kind. Next to him was a note.
Panicked he done something to himself, Sunday ran in calling his name. As she crotched down his eyes fluttered open, she fell back on her ass relieved he wasn’t dead. Shoving the heels of her hands into her eyes she struggled with the overwhelming emotions that had washed over her thinking something was wrong with him.
Rolling over Sunday got to her feet and that’s when she looked at the photo album that lay open. She saw it was his wedding album. Sunday felt a sudden sadness for Texas and knew she couldn’t compete with a ghost. “Sorry, I thought you were hurt,” Sunday said as she headed for the open door.
Texas opened his eyes hearing his name being called. Opening his eyes they felt dry and tired. He watched an alarmed Sunday fall backwards and pushed himself up onto his elbow. Before he could do anything else, she was up and heading for the door.
He didn’t want her to leave. “Sunday.”
Sunday stopped in the doorway, her hand holding on to the wooden frame. “Are you okay?”
“No.”
“Can I do anything for you?”
“Yes, you can come back to me.”
Sunday reached into her pocket and pulled out the small gold letter S charm she’d bought at the general store. The trinket had cost her thirty bucks. Staring at it she knew the gold overlay would one day rub off or dull like his memory of her would fade into the recesses of his mind. Somewhere in her mind she had to know this wouldn’t work. That he’d come to his senses and realize she wasn’t anything important.
She’d never been important. Never been worth anyone’s attention or love. If her mother couldn’t, wouldn’t love her, why should anyone else. Even Monday’s love was limited and came with entanglements and rules.
Turning around she walked back to Texas. When he looked up at her, Sunday wanted to cry for him, for them, she didn’t. She just held out the tiny charm. “I thought you could add this to your chain and think about me now and then after I’m gone.”
Texas held out his hand and looked at the charm. “Sunday…”
“I should have listened when you said you weren’t interested in me. I should have been strong enough to stay in Montreal. Unfortunately, I didn’t do those things. Instead, I came here and fell in love with you, your family, and this entire place. It felt like… home.” She pulled a smile from somewhere deep inside of her. One just for Texas.
Staring down at the open photo album a tear fell from her eye, landing on a picture of him and his wife. Wasn’t that fitting she thought? “I forgot to put the chicken on,” she said, feeling defeated and walked out the room.
Texas watched a tear hit his wedding picture. Closing his eyes he silently told his wife he loved her and always would, then he shut the photo album and got up. Part of his heart would always be hers, but the other part belonged to someone else now. And he needed Sunday to know that.
Getting up he went to the door and closed it as he stepped into the hall. He didn’t pack up the chest because he wanted to tell Sunday about his old life so he could have a new one with her.
Noise from his bedroom let him know where she was. He stopped right inside the room seeing her packing her worn out back pack. “What are you doing?”
“I think it’s best if I find somewhere else to stay.”
“Like where? Just two weeks ago you saw …” Sunday cut him off with a hard look.
Texas wouldn’t be that easily deterred. “You’re not going anywhere Sunday. This is your home now. With me.”
She stopped packing and turned to fully face him, she didn’t care if her eyes were red and puffy. She didn’t care that he knew how she felt. What she did care about was why. Why did he want her to stay? “Why?”
Texas moved across the room so quickly Sunday almost stepped back in fear. It was the look in his eyes that kept her in place. There was no anger in them just something else, a look she didn’t understand. Holding her ground Sunday waited for an answer. What she got was so much more.
Texas stopped when he was toe- to- toe with Sunday. Her long white hair was in a mess, piled on top of her head. Her soft, big eyes were full of emotion stared up at him. Reaching up, he pulled the messy bun down wanting to see her hair falling over her shoulders. Combing his fingers through the long strands, Texas slid his hands into it, then gently brought Sunday’s head back.
He didn’t have the words, not yet. They were still making their way from his heart to his head. Leaning in, he drew her up where his lips could touch hers. He could show her his feelings, make her understand his heart.
Shoving her things out of his way, Texas laid Sunday down on the bed, she was beautiful laying there breathless, flushed and wanting him as badly as he wanted her. Taking his time, he started undressing her. First her shoes hit the floor, nexthe tugged her jeans down her legs and tossed them aside. Her shirt came off next leaving her in a pair of panties and a bra. Texas thought why she’d bothered buying them, he preferred her without them. He enjoyed knowing she was completely naked under the shirt of his she still slept in.
Crawling onto the bed he kissed her. His lips grazed along her neck; a little nip on the collar-bone had her moaning. He enjoyed hearing those little moans. Running his tongue along the edge of her lacy bra had her arching into his mouth. Texas knew she was as ready as he was. More than ready, but he wanted them to enjoy every moment. For weeks he’d dreamed about this moment and wanted it to last.
