Fated Hearts(In Deep Editing)

Chapter Two

Aubrey's POV

Walking through town in my black knee high boots that I just had to have, I search through my bag. If one thing is missing I'm taking it out of this Kane guy's ass. My wallet is opened as if looked into, but my cards and cash remain. Pepper spray, a bit of candy and deodorant is all I had in my satchel along with my sketch book. My blank sketch book. I was hoping that once I got somewhere permanent, I could find inspiration again. Its been so long since I had some chalks, and my heart hurts for what I let happen.

Stop, Aubrey.

I give my self a mental shake and stop to gather my wits and direction and try to form a plan. First I need to grab some food, then a place to stay. I walk over to the diner at the end of the street fixing my hair and clothes on the way. Entering the door, I immediately smell hamburgers being cooked and my stomach growls.

Walking hesitantly up to the middle aged woman behind the counter. Her hair is a pretty blonde pulled high in a pony tail that frames a round face and big brown eyes. She greets me warmly. "Well hello there! What can I get you?" I shift on my feet. "I actually heard you need some help. Dr. Williams sent me." She smiles brightly, clapping her hands. "Oh, my goodness, yes! We heard about that nasty crash. Im so glad you're alright!" She walks away from her station towards me clasping my hand in a friendly manner.

"Stacy, my employee, left for her honeymoon for a whole month! I could definitely use you. Have you waited tables before?" I shake my head grimacing. "No but I have bar tended for a couple of years." I suggest with a shrug.

She waves it off. "Doesn't matter, its not complicated. If you can bartend, you can pick up a few plates." She says with a wink. "I'm Lucy Daniels, I own the diner." I grin. "Aubrey Allen." I wave a hand in the direction of the counter. "Can I get something to eat and then check on my car first? I literally left the clinic coming here first." She nods in understanding. "Absolutely, hon! Jonathan!" She calls to the back.

A young boy no older than seventeen peers through the pick up window. "Can you whip up one of those garlic bread burgers you made for me once?" He smiles nodding. "Sure thing Aunt Luce." He ducks his head out of sight. "That's my nephew, he's the cook."

"Sounds good! I've never heard of Garlic bread buns on a burger before." She shrugs. "We took a trip to North Carolina once and got one that a restaurant served. Holy smokes it was great!" She rolls her eyes in her head, making me laugh out loud. We chat and joke around as I eat my meal in between her taking other customers orders. I reach in my old wallet to pull out some cash, when she declines. "Girl from what I can tell you could use a good meal. First meal's on me. You're doing me a favor."

She didn't know me. I could rob her blind if I wanted to. How the hell could two people in the same day show me so much kindness? I feel my eyes water. "Thank you." I manage to utter quietly.

"Oh honey don't cry. I'm a firm believer no one cries alone! There's a place above my shop I can rent out to you. It needs cleaning out, but I would charge you four hundred a month. How does that sound?" Again I'm floundered. Four hundred a month is nothing compared to what I looked into paying in Washington. Seems like the universe is pointing here. I've traveled far enough I think. I hope.

"Its sounds wonderful." I reply. She comes around the counter and shakes my hand."Well then I'll expect you here for the lunch shift tomorrow. Do what you gotta do to get settled. Tomorrow is Monday and that's when the real work begins. I'll leave the key under the register when you get back." I thank her profusely as Jonathan hands me my food and i walk back into the wintry cold.

I tilt my head back to face the sky and inhale deeply. The the snow has began to fall again. Small swirls of snowflakes are falling gently in my hair; I pull my scarf closer to my neck, looking around the area. I spot the mechanics shop across the road. Trudging through the snow, I'm almost to the door that has a sign that reads office, when I see a black shadow move from in front of it.

Stopping in my tracks on the sidewalk, I hold completely still as the large, black dog approaches me cautiously growling. It's head is lowered, his gums raised to show sharp canines. Slowly I moved my hand to my paper satchel. Slipping my hand in, my fingers close around the small bag of fries.

At hearing the paper rustle, he immediately shoots his head up, ears erect. With the snow falling over and around him, he's truly a magnificent animal. Lowering myself to a crouch, I hold a fry out to him. He slowly stalks near, gently taking the fry from me. Backing up to eat his treat, I stand once more.

The dog stalks to me again, this time sniffing and smelling my legs and feet. "Are you done yet?" I ask him, chuckling. I have always loved animals of all kinds. He sits next to my leg, looking up at me. Taking the hint I gave him another fry, which he takes this time with a wagging tail.

I gently stroke behind his ears, making him lean into my leg. I crouch petting him in earnest now. "Such a beautiful boy." That earns me a lick to the face, his whole body whiggling. "Come on, boy." I walked to the door allowing the dog to enter first. It is his home after all. He immediately goes to a side door propped open. "Hello?" I call out. I go through the open door, to almost run into a wall.

Looking up into warm, brown eyes, I feel the urge to run. Or hump his leg... Stepping back I stare at the stranger I ran into. He reminds me of a viking. Dangerous and wild. He has long coppery hair that was shaved on the sides, but at the top is pulled back into a hair band with tiny braids woven into the strands. He has a thick beard, but what is holding my attention are those lips. I had never seen a man with lips like that; they were made to be kissed.

Said kissable lips are currently holding a scowl. "Your car isn't going to be able to be fixed. You might as well sell it to the junk yard to buy another car." I flounder for something to say. Think, Aubrey, think! "Uuumm... C-can I see it? I have some of my belongings still in there." He shrugs his massive shoulders, turning aside for me to walk into the garage. I pass him in the small doorway, attempting to refrain from flinching away from his presence.

"Be careful," he says from behind me, "Grim bites." Grim? Oh, the dog. I see him sitting beside my almost unrecognizable car. Smiling I walk right over to him bending to scratch his ear. "He's a big softy!" I straighten turning to find the mechanic right in my personal space. "You're Kane, right? The man who helped me?" I inquire backing up from his intimidating, albeit lickable, frame. Christ, he smells so good!

"I am." He obviously doesn't talk often. It's like he's out of practice. I study his eyes. They are beautiful. They reminded me of honey and whiskey, with dark golden swirls around his irises. I smile up at him. "Thank you. That was really good of you to come to my rescue like that." He just stares at me like he really wishes he were somewher, anywhere, else. I clear my throat. "How much do I owe you for the car?" I ask motioning to the bent frame. "How about thirty for the towing fee. I didn't do anything to your car except look at the motor." He quietly rumbles.

I pull out two twenties from my satchel, noticing Grim scootch closer, rubbing his paw on my leg. "Oh, you. Here." I throw him another fry. A deep rumble came from Kane. I look his way to watch him chuckle at his pet. "So that's why he likes you so much."

I shrug innocently. "Here. The extra tens for the gas. Thank you again for taking me to the hospital. I'm Aubrey." I hold my hand out to him, which he takes in his own. Immediately a wave of heat flows up my arm. I can't seem to look away from his eyes.

I watch mesmerized as his eyes dilated and a soft rumble vibrates from his chest. Oh, dear God, I'm gonna need new panties. I break out of our little world, looking at my feet.

I clear my throat. "Do you think you could give the junk yard a call for me? I'm not sure I'll have time tonight, and tomorrow I start work..." My chin is lifted by a large finger. My eyes meet his once again and I find it hard to look away. "Where are you staying, angel?" I blink suddenly not remembering my own name. My heart is hammering in my chest. Somehow I choke out some words. "Lucy is renting out to me. I start work tomorrow afternoon." He nods releasing me, backing up. I take the opportunity to grab my duffel from my back seat. Slinging it on my shoulder I turned wearily eyeing Kane's large frame.

"Thanks again, Kane. I'll see you around." I duck around him practically running out the door, my heart beating heavily in my chest.