A/N: I just want to take a moment to thank everyone that favorited and followed this story. I got much more of a response than I was expecting. To everyone that reviewed, thank you. I may not always respond back to individual reviews, but I do read and appreciate all of them.

I'm so happy so many of you are liking this story so far.

Happy reading.

2. Evermore

And I was catching my breath
Floors of a cabin creaking under my step
And I couldn't be sure
I had a feeling so peculiar
This pain wouldn't be for
Evermore

- evermore, Taylor Swift

I don't know how long I walked. All I knew was that it was long enough for it to go from dusk, to full dark. The rain had mercifully let up, now just a light mist, but it was still enough to chill me to the bone. It was early October, so it wasn't that cold, but the rain felt icy as it hit my skin. My jacket was soaked through, which didn't help when the shivers started.

No cars passed me as I walked, so different from Cary where there were cars everywhere, all the time. It was starting to really sink in just how in the middle of nowhere this place was. Out on this road all on my own, it was eerie.

As I came to the top of what felt like the hundredth hill on my journey, breathing heavy, thigh and calf muscles burning, I saw lights. I'd made it and the relief and elation that I felt in this moment made me feel like crying.

The building in front of me wasn't much, essentially a shack, a roadside dive bar. The metal roof was rusting, definitely having seen better days. A satellite dish was perched precariously on the back corner, being held up by gravity itself and pure will. The facade was a fading green color, the neon sign above the entrance reading Billy's. It was paradise.

Using the last of my strength, I jogged across the street, not even caring that I stepped in another puddle and that both of my feet were now drenched. I'd found sanctuary, and that's all I cared about in this moment.

Pushing open the door, I was greeted by the smell of greasy food and stale beer. A classic rock station was playing loudly over the speakers, a song I vaguely recognized as one by John Mellencamp, singing about pink houses.

It was about what I had expected based on what the outside looked like. It reminded me of the bar my friends and I frequented in college, only much cleaner.

The floor was cement, indicating that this building had once housed something else, possibly a hardware store, or something equivalent. There seemed to be a permanent haze in the air, like all the bars I'd been to in my early twenties seemed to have, even though no one was smoking. The low light didn't help.

There were tables spread around, patrons occupying some of them. A waitress came from the kitchen, her red hair tied back in a high ponytail that swung rapidly back and forth as she carried two plates of burgers and fries over to one of the tables, where two men in camouflage and jeans were seated. A pool table was located next to the door, where a man and a woman were playing a game, the sound of a ball smacking against another one rang in my ears.

The bar was directly in front of me, made of dark wood, but I couldn't tell what kind. A man with long, dark hair stood behind it, wiping the surface with a towel. He was tall, with warm, russet skin and a Guns N' Roses t-shirt.

I made my way over, taking a seat on one of the stools, shedding myself of my soaked jacket that clung to the fabric of my t-shirt as I removed it.

"You look like you've had a day." The man said, his voice a deep rumble.

"You have no idea." I replied, placing my jacket and purse onto the stool next to me.

Up close, he was older than I had originally thought. His dark hair was streaked with the occasional gray and there were laugh lines around his eyes and mouth, proof of a life spent smiling. His brown eyes were warm as they looked at me, a fatherly aura exuding from him, and I could imagine that a lot of people poured their heart out to him. He just seemed to be that type of person.

"What can get you?"

"Bourbon on the rocks."

"Oh, you have had a day."

He pulled the bottle of Maker's Mark from the shelf behind him, filling a tumbler with ice, and pouring some of the amber liquid into it. I thanked him when he slid the glass across to me.

I brought the glass to my lips, taking the first sip; I only coughed a little bit as the liquid went down. It had been a while since I'd had bourbon. I still remember the first time I had it. I was twenty-two and was having a bad day, close to the end of my senior year of college, and I'd gone home because I just needed my parents. I can't remember now what was so awful, but I do remember my dad taking me into his office and pouring me a glass of Maker's Mark.

We spent time just the two of us, talking about any and everything. He'd been the only one to be able to make me laugh that day, the memory filling me with warmth. I ended up spending the night at their house afterwards because I was too tipsy. The next morning I'd had a hangover and I learned the valuable lesson of pacing myself when consuming alcohol, even though I hadn't always followed it.

My phone pinged several times in quick succession, finally getting service again. I dug it out of my bag to see several notifications from social media apps and texts from my sisters in our family group chat from a few hours ago.

Leah had sent out a picture of her and Jessica's two Maltese, Lula Belle and Romeo, in matching rust colored sweaters with leaves all over them. The two of them shared an apartment together not far from the Duke campus. They were a glutton for punishment. Mom and I were sure that they would kill each other one day.

They really did have the cutest dogs and not for the first time, I wondered if I should get a dog of my own.

The texts that followed had me chuckling.

Jessica: I told you to take those sweaters off them. They're going to overheat!

Leah: It's only SIXTY DEGREES!

Leah: And they're soooooooo cute!

She sent another picture, this time with the two dogs curled up together on their couch, asleep.

Jessica: Leah, I'm serious. Take. Them. Off.

Leah's only response was to send a smiley face with its tongue sticking out, and to send yet another picture of the two dogs in their matching sweaters.

Their bickering match went on for several more texts and I rolled my eyes as I made my way through them. It devolved into them arguing over who did more chores and at that, I switched over to Google to find a place offering roadside assistance or a tow truck, but the only place offering 24-hour service was an hour away. Black's Auto Repair, located in Fontana town limits, had already closed for the day, and didn't have an emergency number to call. If I couldn't find a tow truck, I highly doubted that I'd be able to find an Uber.

Those feelings of failure were making themselves known on the periphery, but I mentally shoved them aside. I hadn't failed yet. I would figure this out.

I was so absorbed in my search and my slight internal freak out, I barely registered that someone else had sat down at the bar.

"Haven't seen you in a while." I heard the man, I assumed was Billy based on the pictures hanging behind him, said to the other patron that was now sitting two stools down from me.

"Been working nights." Replied the stranger with a velvety smooth voice.

"Your usual?" Billy asked.

"Yes, please."

Frustrated, I set my phone down harder than I meant to, placing my head in my hands. It was getting harder to believe that I had this when I kept coming up empty handed.

"Bad day?" I could hear the smile in his voice, and I finally looked up.

Even with the corners of his eyes dipping with exhaustion, they're still the most mesmerizing green I've ever seen. They're the deepest emerald, with flecks of gold around the irises, surrounded by thick, full lashes, that are just criminal. I've never found it fair how men always have the best lashes. It's just not fair. There's a small scar above his right, perfectly arched eyebrow. He has high cheekbones that lead to a sharp jaw. I've never found that area on a man or woman particularly arousing, but there's something about his that makes me want to lick it. His full, pink lips are lifted into an amused smirk as he awaits my reply to his question.

It felt like the world stopped momentarily when our eyes met, and I couldn't explain it. This moment felt heavy, like it was supposed to mean something. He looked at me with an unreadable expression and I wondered if he felt the pull in that moment like I did, like a string being tightened. It felt as if the air was charged, I could almost feel it crackle.

"Flat tire," I replied, biting my lip.

At that moment, Billy placed the drink he ordered in front of him, and he finally broke eye contact with me to thank the bartender, but he didn't pick it up. Instead, he looked back at me.

The pull was still there.

"Jack and no tire?" His voice sounded a little deeper than it did before, but just as smooth. It felt like a physical caress, making goosebumps rush along my arms.

I swallowed thickly, "Tire and no jack."

He chewed the inside of his lip, "Is your car the black Ford Focus parked a few miles outside town?"

"Yeah."

He chewed his lip again, "I have a jack in my car. I can help you change your tire."

"You don't have to do that." I told him even though on the inside I was relieved to have a solution.

He smiled and my mouth went dry. It was bad enough he looked the way he did, but did he have to have dimples? He was so gorgeous it hurt, and it made me hate him a little.

"I would be happy to help. Besides, without me, you could be waiting hours." His words confirmed what I had already suspected. "My name's Edward by the way." He stuck his hand out for me to shake and I took it.

It wasn't a spark I felt when my hand is enveloped in his, but a warmth that burned. It singed every nerve, crackling as it settled in my chest, where it glowed, bright and unrelenting.

"Bella and I'd appreciate it."

"Nice to meet you, Bella." I'd never heard anyone say my name like that before. It sounded sensual the way his voice wrapped around it and a shiver zipped up my spine.

"You, too." When his hand let go of mine, the warmth that had invaded was still there.

In the next moment, he stood from his seat, and I was struck by how tall he was. He was easily several inches taller than me. 6'2 at least. He had a lean, but muscular build and he held himself with a self-assured confidence that I found insanely attractive. He took his wallet from the back pocket of his jeans, throwing a few bills down next to his untouched drink.

"Wait," I protested, pointing to his glass, "aren't you going to drink that?"

Edward smiled again and it left me just as breathless.

"If I'm going to drive, I probably shouldn't. Besides, I have a damsel in distress I need to help."

I felt my cheeks flame.

I started gathering my things, taking my wallet out of my purse, but Billy shook his head.
"On the house."

"Thanks." I gave him a smile as I got up to follow my savior outside.

-IS-

His car was nice, much nicer than my Ford Focus, and smelled brand new. I'd never been in a Volvo before, and the heated seats had me considering an upgrade.

The rain had thankfully stopped, though the occasional drip hit the windshield from the tree branches above. It was quiet in the car as he drove, the only sound was the radio quietly playing. We didn't talk as we made our way down the road, and it should've been awkward, considering we'd met less than twenty minutes ago, but it wasn't. It was comfortable.

That freaked me out a little.

When a country song I knew by heart came on, I froze. Visions of my dad walking through the house singing this song, dancing with me in the living room when I was kid, flashed through my mind. Pain slashed through me, and I didn't even think, I just reached over and turned it off.

"Sorry." I apologized when he looked over, giving me a strange look.

"It's okay. You don't like country music?"

"No." I didn't elaborate, and he didn't ask, which I was grateful for.

It didn't take long to make it back to where my car was parked, much shorter than on foot, Edward coming to a stop in front of it.

"Would you mind holding the flashlight for me?" he asked, taking his seat belt off. His question amused considering he was the one doing me a favor.

"Not at all."

I met him at his trunk that he already had open, watching as he shifted things around to dig out the jack and flashlight. The white lab coat with Dr. Masen stitched on the breast pocket caught my eye. He was a doctor. Somehow that seemed fitting.

It didn't take long for him to change the tire. He made it look easy and I felt silly standing there holding a flashlight while he did all the work.

"That should do you for now. I would get that tire replaced as soon as you can." He took a business card out of his wallet, handing it over to me. It was for Black's Auto repair. "Go there tomorrow and ask for Jacob. He'll take care of you."

"Do you always carry business cards for other people?" I teased, handing him his flashlight.

He smiled, flashing me his dimples. "Only for my friends."

"Thank you again for doing this," I motioned to my car, "you really didn't have to."

"I wanted to." That unreadable expression was back, and I was struck again by that feeling that I had back at the bar. That this was supposed to mean something. "I couldn't in good conscience leave you at Billy's all night when I could help."

"Well, just know I appreciate it." I shoved my hands into the pockets of my jeans, trying to warm them.

His eyes were soft as he looked at me, "Have a good night, Bella."

He'd already started to walk away when I noticed it.

"Hey! You left your jack!" I called after him, but he kept walking.

"Keep it."

-IS-

The cabin was much like I remembered from my childhood. Back then, I thought that it was so big, which to a child it probably was. It was two-story with an open concept first floor. There were couches in front of a stone fireplace, a scuffed-up coffee table between them. The kitchen was along the back wall with a window above the sink that looked out toward the woods at the back of the house. A simple dining table took up space next to the living space, a lantern style light above it. There were two bedrooms upstairs with queen beds in each. My parents had gotten the place equipped with Wi-Fi when they started renting the place out when I was in college, so it would be easy for me to get work done.

Walking in here was like taking a step back in time. I could remember the nights that my sisters and I spent in front of the fire playing Go Fish, staying up way too late and spending all day out on the water. I could see Dad standing in the kitchen making breakfast, singing along to the local country music station. Some many memories were within these walls, and they all came rushing back at once, leaving me a little breathless. It was a gut punch being back here, but also a balm to a part of me that had been aching for months.

Dad was all over place.

I didn't have the energy to go up the stairs, so I dropped my bags as soon as I made I through the door, making my way over to one of the couches while I dialed Jessica. I'd promised to call as soon as I got in.

"Hey, how's the woods?" Jessica asked when she answered.

I laughed, sitting down, exhaustion settling into my bones. "Better if I hadn't gotten a flat tire."

"Is that Bee? What did she say?" I heard Leah's voice from the other side of the phone. "Put it on speaker."

"She got a flat tire." Jessica filled her in.

"That wasn't worst of it," I kicked off my shoes, curling my legs underneath me. "I apparently left my jack at home, and I didn't have any cell service. I ended up having to walk the last few miles to town."

"That sucks." Jessica replied. "How did you get to the cabin?"

"I met a guy at the local bar who drove me back to my car and helped me change it."

"Wait," it was Leah this time. "You got into a car with a stranger?"

I suppress a groan. Leah had always been the most cautious of us. When we were kids and Jessica would climb the tallest tree in our back yard, Leah would stand at the bottom, yelling up at our sister that it was dangerous and that she'd break her neck if she fell.

"I'm fine. Nothing happened." I insisted, trying to placate her before she went on a rant that was rivaled only by our mom.

"Was he cute?" Jessica interjected before Leah could chastise me more.

I bit my lip, remembering the god of a man that had helped me tonight and my heart did a little flutter.

"Yeah, he was cute."

"You should hit that." Jessica quipped, followed quickly by the sound of a smack. "Ow! What you hit me for?"

"You were being crass." Leah scolded her and I smiled. I really did love them so much.

I yawned, "Look, I'm really tried and going to call it night. I'll call you guys tomorrow and give more details, then. I just wanted to let you know I got here safely and not in a ditch."

"Good night!" They replied in unison.

I hung up, but not before Leah yelled: "Get some pepper spray!"

Leaning back against the couch, I looked around, taking in the fact that I was here, that I'd made it. I hadn't failed.

This was going to be good for me.