The Thunder Rolls

Chapter 21

I could feel the tears forming in my eyes. One betrayed me and stung it's way trailing down my cheek. I glanced up at Ron who had his eyes on me, He nodded at me.

"We'll be fine girl. Go ahead." He said.

I ran toward the door. I don't know how Dean had perfect timing today but he was walking in the shack as I was running out, I ran straight into his arms. He turned and walked outside with me tucked under his arms that were wrapped tightly around me. We walked toward his truck where Logan was on the phone.

"It's all going to come crashing down" I mumbled into his chest.

"What's wrong?" He leaned me back looking down at my tear streaked face

"Austin" was all I could manage before I started bawling again.

Dean looked around for a face he had never seen before. Logan pulled the phone away from his face and looked across the truck at him and mouthed
' everything ok?' Dean shook his head no, Logan hung up and walked over.

"Harlow, is he here?" Dean asked sternly

"No but He will be" I sobbed all I could think about was Stella.

"What the heck is going on?" Logan whispered

" Wait a minute Logan. Harlow, how do you know? What happened?"

" The picture, the paper, my name, the town, everything. He will see it."

" The what? What do you think he'll see ?"

He had no idea what I was even talking about, He hadn't seen the paper today. I knew Austin, it had been almost 6 months since the annulment and custody battle was over and even though I wanted to believe he had given up wanting to control me, I knew he would have spent the time hiring a private investor to search for me. They would be searching for me everywhere, searching for my name.

"Our engagement, it's in the paper." I felt helpless, completely deflated

Realization spread across his face, Logan was still lost.

" why is that a problem?" Logan asked

" Come on, we can go home, I'll go back out later and get Stella. Logan will you drive her truck home." Dean said, his voice still in a authoritarian tone.

"Yea, I'll see you soon." Logan said with a wave

" I'm gonna stop at the dollar store and talk to Elle, then we'll be home." He told Logan then walked me to the passenger side door and shut the door.

I didn't know how to feel. I knew no matter what if Austin did show up Dean would be there to protect me, our baby and Stella. I just wanted that chapter of my life to be over, I knew for Austin It probably never would be. My mind was racing and I hated that, since I'd been with Dean that had stopped, Austin hadn't consumed my thoughts, I wasn't happy that was back.

We pulled up at the dollar store and Dean leaned over and kissed my salty face. He left the truck running and locked the doors. I watched him jog inside and stop at the counter talking to Elle for a minute then they both walked back outside to he passenger side door. I unlocked the door and opened it.

"I posted your engagement picture in the paper dear it's a tradition around here, I didn't even think to ask, but Dean said that there is a problem. Did I over step?"

"Harlow I can explain it if you want but I didn't want to without asking. I just wanted to find out first"

"No, it's ok, I can do it, I know you hate even hearing it." He reached over and grabbed my hand. " Elle I want to thank you so much for doing it, I know you had no idea, I never gave you any idea that my past was an issue. I lived in New York before I came here and I was married, I annulled our marriage, my ex signed over his rights to Stella and I disappeared. He was a very controlling and abusive man and I'm sure he's been searching for me ever since. If he or a private investigator, that I'm sure he hired right after I left, can find my name anywhere, he will come for me. He doesn't care about Stella but he will use her to hurt me."