Chapter 2:

Felicity resisted the urge to take a picture of the small "Welcome to Charming" sign as she passed it on her way into town, and a few minutes later she was pulling into the Teller-Morrow mechanics shop. She couldn't help but feel a little nervous, but she shook the feeling off, telling herself this was one of the first of many things she would have to face by herself.

She pulled her small car, packed to the brim with everything she still owned, into a parking spot and noticed a man walking towards her. For some reason, she felt the need to check the mirror and make sure her long red hair was in place before hopping out.

The man was handsome, no doubt about it. He definitely was different from any of the clean-cut farm boys she was used to seeing in Illinois. He was tall, about 6'4, with long, sandy hair, a beard, and multiple tattoos peeking out from the black and leather he was wearing.

"Snap yourself out of it!", Felicity told herself. "You're here to work, not to oogle over some tall, handsome stranger.

"What can I help you with?", the man asked Felicity.

"Well, I just drove here, straight from Illinois, and I noticed about an hour ago this light was on in my car. I wanted to make sure nothing was wrong", Felicity said with a nervous laugh.

"Here, let me take a look", said the man, while climbing into the drivers seat. He had to move the seat back in order to fit, his legs were so long.

"Illinois, huh? You here on vacation?"

"Actually, I'm moving here. I'm about to start teaching Kindergarten in Charming in about a month. I needed a change, and figured if I didn't just pack up and move now, it would never happen".

The man looked up and down her small frame, obviously impressed someone who looked so feminine and breakable had the guts to head across country by herself.

"Where are you staying?", he asked her.

"Actually, I don't know yet", she replied. "Any suggestions? I just need something small. Everything I still have is in this car. I was hoping to rent a little apartment or something. I'm going to be living by myself, so I just want to make sure it's safe". She didn't know why she was telling him all of this, but for some reason, his smile made her trust him.

"Actually, I know of a little house nearby that just opened up. It's close to the school too, and should be reasonably priced. With a car like this though, I'm not sure that'll be an issue for you", he said with a smirk.

"It was a gift from my mother before she died", Felicity said blushing. "I would love to stay somewhere that doesn't take all of my paycheck each month".

"Come on in to the shop with me and I'll call the guy I know and see if it's still available and maybe you can take a look. I'm Opie", he said with a smile.

"Felicity. It's very nice to meet you. I don't know anyone here, so I appreciate your help. Is my car okay?", she asked.

Opie laughed. "You just need a little air in one of your tires. Come with me and I'll fix you up".

Felicity blushed again, embarrassed at her lack of auto knowledge. With her fair skin and freckles this tended to happen a lot, and she silently prayed Opie wouldn't notice. She didn't know why, but for some reason she was extremely attracted to him. She was 5'8, so maybe it was the fact that he was one of the few men she had met that was a lot taller than her. Maybe it was the fact that he was so different from anyone she had met before, from the leather to the tattoos. Maybe it was the fact that she knew her father would have had a heart attack if she brought home a man like this. In all actuality, it was probably his smile. Whatever it was, Felicity told herself, she needed to get over it fast. He probably had a girlfriend, and even if not he was probably attracted to someone sexy and badass, not someone like her.

After he made sure the air in her tires were all the same, she asked him how much she owed him.
"Absolutely nothing", he replied. "It was a nice break from all the work I'm usually stuck doing to talk to a pretty girl for awhile. Let me call that friend of mine and see if the place is still available. If you're interested, that is?"

"Definitely. I truly cannot tell you how much I appreciate it".

"Do you have any big plans in Charming yet?", Opie asked.

"You mean after I unpack my two suitcases and blow up my air mattress? None!" she laughed, "Do you have any recommendations on things I should try?"

"Sweetheart, if you were expecting a glamorous California adventure, you shouldn't have picked Charming", he replied with a smirk. "Well, actually….umm, this probably wouldn't be something you would be excited about, but if you get bored tonight and you need to get out, the club is having a sort of welcome home party for some guys tonight. If you want to come and maybe meet some locals, let me know. Here's my card, just give me a call".

"Club? Like a country club?" Felicity asked.

This time Opie let out a loud chuckle. "Motorcycle club".

"Oh!" Felicity replied, blushing again. "Do you have a motorcycle?! I've always wanted to ride one!"
"Well if you decide to come tonight I'll pick you up and you'll have your chance" Opie said smiling and handing her a "Teller-Morrow" business card with his name and number on it.

"Thank you, 'Opie Winston'", Felicity said. "I'll let you know what I decide".

Opie smiled and began to dial his friend with the available property. After a few brief minutes discussing details, he handed Felicity a piece of paper with an address written on it.
"He's heading there now if you want to take a look. And don't feel obligated to like it at all. I just thought it might help to give you an option".

"Thank you so much! I'll head right that way!" She smiled at Opie and headed towards her car, with a little skip. "I'll call you tonight if I can get settled quickly", she turned and added, with butterflies in her stomach, shocked at her own unusual boldness.

"I'd like that", Opie said with a grin.

As he stood and watched her drive off, Opie's father Piney came up behind him.

"You better watch yourself, boy. She's not like us. Not sure what you're thinking, but be careful".

"There's no way I'll hear from her again, Pops. She was probably just being polite".

Piney turned to Opie with a stern look. "You better hope so. For your sake and hers".