Because of you, I'm home

Chapter 3 - Harsh words...

"Come back soon, Claire." Billy waved displaying a crinkled smile that made Claire's heart flutter. She liked Billy and his sneaky sense of humour; it was just unfortunate that not all the people in this town had the same light heartedness.

Waving goodbye to the old man she race outside after the familiar dark haired male who'd brought her good night to a sudden end. She had just finished playing her third or fourth song when tall, dark and handsome asked – well more like ordered – her to stop playing and get in his truck. At first she'd thought he was having her on, that was until he'd snatched the guitar from her and pointed to the exit like she was some fourteen year old being reprimanded by her father – jerk!

The ride back to Maggie's was awfully uncomfortable, the tension in this cabin almost tangible. Though Claire had been less than impressed by the males initial attitude, she'd opted to give him a second chance and hold convocation of sorts. That idea was short lived though, with the male merely grunting and glaring at any attempts at casual banter. Half way back to the large estate the blonde had given up and sat arms folded in her seat, acting like the child she felt she was.

The slam of the front screen door brought the attention of the three individual's playing cards by the fireplace of Maggie's living room. Both Maggie and Ally scampered to the lobby in time to see Jarrod storm up the stairs, leaving a wide-eyed Claire staring after him, mouth agape.

"Daddy?" Ally's melodic voice called, worry evident in the small girls tone.

It was enough to halt the male momentarily, his face softening as he saw his pride and joy watching him with crease lines between her brow. But as he shifted his gaze to his loving mother, the scowl soon reappeared on the man features. Jarrod knew he was coming across as immature, or perhaps he was being immature but he would be damned if he was going to let some flighty blonde come into his family's home, have everyone fall for her and then break everyone's hearts when she left again. Marching up to his room on the third floor, being sure to make his foot falls as heavy as he could; Jarrod made it a point to ensure his daughter didn't get any more involved with the blonde than she already was. After all, Ally didn't need to suffer the loss of yet another woman in her life.

Alice focused her eyes on her grandmother who seemed to support an identical expression on her features; confusion, shock, worry and a little disappointment.

"Claire, dear. Are you alright? What happened?" Maggies sparrow like voice chimed.

The blonde just shook her head, her chocolate brown eyes holding a masked sadness and fury. She was disgusted at how the male had barely recognised her presence, and saddened by the sheer fact that she did not know what she had done to deserve it.

"I... I'm not sure." That seemed to answer both of the older woman's questions, only causing Maggie to frown more. Honestly her son – as much as she loved him – had been weighing on both her and her husband's tolerance as of late; his attitude and lack of presence for Ally gradually increasing.

"... I think I'll just call it a night." Claire brought the older from her thoughts.

"What about dinner, love?"

"Nan made chicken pot pie." Ally added, a slight smile adorning her sweet face. Any other night and Claire would have jumped at pot pie, but all the excitement had resulted in a loss of appetite. "Thank you... but I'm awfully tired."

Maggie nodded, sympathy oozing off her as she guided her granddaughter back into the den.

Slowly Claire dragged her tiring bones to the third floor and for the first time she found herself wishing she had chosen a room with fewer stairs. Sure the view was beautiful but at that point the cons of floor three outweighed to pros. She was sharing a floor with a male that obviously disliked her - passionately.

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Starring at the ceiling of her current bedroom, Claire decided it was time to drag herself from the covers and face the cool crisp morning. The night before threatened to invade her mind once again and spoil a new day, but the brown eyed girl refused to be beaten by the antics of a moody man. Gathering a few things she quickly dashed the bathroom, splashing her face with cold - or rather freezing – water, brushing her teeth, and changing into a pair of blue slim fit jeans, a white tank top and a long-sleeved plaid cover shirt.

"The past is the past, today is a new day!" Fixing her lengthy blonde hair into a sloppy ponytail, Claire officially felt ready for the day.

At least that was until she was halted on the last few steps of her decent. Her watch read 6:00 am, which explained why the voices coming from the dining room were somewhat hushed but evidently aggressive. Though she had been taught better than to eavesdrop on other peoples convocations, the blonde found herself gravitating toward the dinning room opening but being sure not to alert those beyond the entrance.

"This is ridiculous Jarrod..." Maggies voice sounded so tired, as if the convocation was exhausting her.

"Mother." Hissed the males voice, "I am her father and if I do not want her around someone, I expect to you follow those wishes."

Claire's brow knitted together, who could he not want his daughter around? In the two weeks she had stayed with the couple Claire hadn't seen any other visitors except for... the young woman formed and 'O' shape with her mouth as she realised they were talking about her.

"You may be her father but this is MY home and you are MY son." The older woman bit back. "I do not know what you problem is with the dear girl, but it is unwarranted and unwanted."

Jarrod scoffed and Claire was almost sure he was giving his mother the same disgusted look that she had received from him the previous night. "You should know better than anyone not to get involved with customers..." the males tone seemed cocky and it rubbed Claire all the wrong way. "... especially foreign ones."

Maggie reminded quiet at that comment and although it shouldn't have, the blonde felt a little hurt by the woman's silence. A hand lightly clamping down on her small shoulder soon diverted her attention as her brown eyes practically bugged out of her head, reflexively spinning to find Mr McMoore right behind her, a glint of mischief is his faded blues. If it wasn't for the fact she was snooping, she probably would have squealed at the shock.

Honestly she thought she had been busted and was in for a bucket load of trouble but the elder male place a finger over his lips indicating for her to keep silent. Well that was surly a surprise, she hadn't pegged him for being the cheeky type. Trying to suppress a chuckle, the two of them continued to listen to the mother and son bickering just on the opposite side of the wall. Most of the comments being thrown around just rolled of the girls back while Al shook his head at his sons blatant rudeness and disrespect of both their visitor and his mother.

"Enough!" Jarrod gave up on keeping his voice hushed. "This family doesn't need another flighty floozy to mess with it!"

At that moment, Al rushed into the doorway folding his arms as he eyed his flesh and blood with a silent fury. Maggie's little gasp could be heard as she took in her husbands form while their angered son remained quiet.

Worry framed Claire face as she watched the male, he seemed a lovely old man, quiet and stern but with an underlying gentleness; the expression he held now though was anything but gentle. The older male glanced back at Claire, still hidden from the others, apathy briefly flashing through his features before he spoke his family.

"Jarrod Lucas, you owe your mother..." grabbing the blondes arm Al brought Claire into view causing the older woman to gasp in horror and embarrassment "... and Claire and apology!"

Jarrod balked, he could not understand why his father would be defending the girl. In all his life he had only seen his father defend one woman – his mother. Except for this girl both he and his mother didn't involve themselves with others who passed through, he knew their reasons why and it just made the current situation all the more confusing for him.

"Sorry for raising my voice, mother." His eyesnarrowed at the blonde next to his father and he almost snarled at her,shocking both Claire and his father. "But I will not apologies to HER." Hiswords sent cold shivers down the blondes back; she was momentarily scared ofthe brute of a man as he stormed past her. "And stay away from my daughter!" 

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Edited 16/11/17