Here's the next chapter of Runaway.
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Marianne couldn't quite explain it, but something about Randy Orton had intrigued her. It was nice to have attention of a gentleman again. It reminded her of the way Phillip had behaved before she discovered the truth about him. Perhaps that was why Marianne had been so short with Randy, expecting him to be another crook. She felt like she owed him an apology if they ever met again. The New York native found her thoughts interrupted by those piercing blue eyes for the rest of the afternoon.
Mickie came over for dinner, which gave Jack and Marianne the opportunity to fill her in on the situation with Heath. As far as the perky brunette could remember, the redhead had not been at the Inn that night, nor had she known of any fights breaking out. Marianne was still bothered by how Heath had ended up beaten, but Jack continued to shrug it off, claiming that he knew what the younger man was like. Mickie made arrangements to have Marianne help her with the horses again, which was when the New York native planned to ask her own questions, including some about Randy Orton.
"How are the ribs?" Marianne asked Heath as she sat on the end of his bed that night.
"Not as tender." He shrugged.
"You finished?" she asked him, motioning to the unfinished dinner she had brought up to him.
"Yeah." The redhead nodded.
"Did Jack tell you about Layla and Stu?" she asked him.
"No, what?" he frowned.
"They're having a baby. Layla's expecting." Marianne replied.
"That's good news. They'll be good parents." Heath nodded.
"Is Stu a good friend?" Marianne raised a brow.
"He's one of the only people who didn't laugh at me after what happened at the wedding." Heath nodded.
"You have to get better soon. Jack's driving is really getting to me!" she joked.
"The whistling too?" Heath asked her.
"Oh yeah." She nodded.
"You ever driven a truck" Heath asked her.
"No, not even a car, never mind a truck." Marianne shook her head.
"I'm gonna teach you." He smiled, making his brown eyes light up.
"Are you sure?" the New York native raised a brow.
"Yeah. I know these roads like the back of my hand." The redhead replied.
"Hey, do you know a guy named Randy Orton?" Marianne asked him.
"Why do you ask?" Heath frowned, as the light disappeared from his eyes.
"He started trying to talk to me while I was fetching Jack's mail. Asking my name and stuff." Marianne shrugged.
"Marianne, promise me you won't go near him again." Heath spoke in a serious tone.
"Why? Who is he?" she asked him.
"Don't ask questions. Just promise me you won't go near him again." Heath repeated.
"Don't worry, I won't." the New York native shook her head.
"Good." He nodded, relaxing slightly.
"Try and get some sleep." Marianne told him, picking up the unfinished dinner and walking out of the room.
When she passed his room on her way to her own room, Marianne saw that Heath was already asleep. Smiling to herself, the brunette crept into the room and pulled the sheets up to tuck him in, careful not to knock his wounded ribs. Brushing a strand of copper hair from his face, the New York native leaned down and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Goodnight Heath," she whispered before leaving the room.
"Goodnight Marianne." He whispered as he heard her climb the stairs to her attic room.
Seeing to the horses the next day with Mickie was a welcome escape for the New York native. It was a sunny day and the sky was a bright shade of blue, filled with fluffy white clouds. The horses grazed happily, although a few seemed content to hang around under the shelter of the trees on the other side of the field. Stopping for a break, Marianne seized the opportunity to quiz Mickie about a few things.
"Do you believe that Heath got into a fight, like Jack says?" Marianne asked her.
"Just cause I don't remember any fights, doesn't mean that there wasn't one." Mickie shrugged.
"I'm sure that someone deliberately beat him. You haven't seen those wounds." The New York native shook her head.
"You're not going to let this go are you?" Mickie sighed as she sipped water from a flask.
"There's got to be more to it, Mickie." Marianne frowned.
"You seem pretty close to Heath now." The older brunette raised a brow.
"We are closer, but nothing more than friends." She replied, seeing Mickie's expression.
"No guys have caught your eye out here then?" she asked her.
"There is this one guy. I met him yesterday, but he's from out of town." Marianne shrugged.
"Oh, do tell!" Mickie grinned.
"He's from St. Louis and his name's Randy Orton. He's tall and dark haired with these amazing blue eyes." The New York native sighed.
"Oh, I've met him before. He's supposed to have a reputation with the ladies." Mickie replied.
"Heath told me to stay away from him. That's probably why." Marianne nodded.
"Yeah, or he's just jealous." Mickie grinned.
"I don't think of Heath that way." The younger brunette sighed and shook her head.
"Fine, if you say so." Mickie chuckled.
After Mickie had driven her back home, Marianne was surprised to find Heath sitting in the kitchen. Jack was reading the newspaper in his armchair with Rex at his feet. Entering the kitchen, the New York native sat down opposite Heath at the table. The redhead looked up from his empty dinner plate and gave her a small smile. He was fully clothed from the waist down, but his bare torso was only covered partially by bandages. The once purple bruises had now toned down to an off yellow colour, although they had not reduced in size.
"What are you doing up?" Marianne asked him.
"I was hungry. Besides, it don't hurt as bad now." Heath shrugged.
"That's good." She nodded.
"I'm gonna teach you to drive my truck tomorrow." Heath gave a genuine smile.
"Are you sure you're up to that?" Marianne frowned a little.
"It's gonna do me good to get out." He nodded.
"Only if you feel up to it. But I'm glad you feel better." Marianne smiled.
What do you think?
Does Heath have a soft spot for Marianne?
How will the driving lesson go?
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