Page 5 of Fortune’s Control (Fortune’s Creek #1)

I slept horribly and woke with a weight on my chest. After dressing, I left my borrowed garage apartment and stepped into paradise.

The previous night’s headlights from Shane’s truck illuminated a sign and palm trees lining a long driveway, but the late hour meant the rest of the property didn’t earn my notice.

Now it left me breathless. It was big, with a capital B, with oaks, crepe myrtles, and more.

The promised swimming pool beckoned me, although using it didn’t feel right.

Shane offered to rescue my car without suggesting a time. I could knock and ask, except last night’s questions painted an awful picture. A woman determined to make her many problems his. Give me the chance, and I’d find a few more. I’d go swimming and break his pool.

I waited on a deck chair as, other than some bird chirps, the silence enveloped me. No motor engines or people, just me enjoying the quiet. I tapped my sandal to create some noise and played with the cuff of my jeans.

“I could sing and chase the pretty birds away. Snap out of it, Delilah Mayberry. You’re safe, and a delicious man came to your rescue.

You may be a giant imposition in his life, but it’s not all bad.

You’ll find your grandmother and enjoy a pleasant vacation before finding a new job.

Plus, you can make him cookies.” I grimaced. “That sounds sexual.”

I jumped to my feet to stick my hand in the cool water, and Shane appeared, as if my splashes were a summoning spell.

“You have a lovely home,” I said, rising to my feet.

“I’ll give you a tour when we get back.” Shane’s already deep voice was more guttural than I remembered, while his damp hair told me he had recently showered. Naked .

“It’s big enough to require a tour?”

“It does if you want to see the brook and spring. Let’s get this done. Aiden volunteered my time, and I promised to be there this afternoon.”

“Aiden?” I remembered their names, but not which was which. The weight on my chest pressed down.

“The one who placed us in this situation. Are you ready? We’ll stop by Willard’s gas station before collecting your car.” He waved towards his waiting truck.

*****

Willard’s grease-stained sign let me know the gas station was now open. The other sign reminding me that credit cards weren’t allowed, sat next to it. I rummaged through my purse, hoping some missing change would appear. It didn’t. “I need to go to the bank.”

Shane pulled a red gas can from his truck bed. “I have cash.”

I cringed and added another favor to the growing list in my head. “That’s unnecessary. I’ll pay you back.”

“It’s a favor. Let me do you a favor.” Shane filled the can without waiting for a response. “I’ll be right back.”

Curiosity about Willard filled me, who refused credit cards and believed in conspiracy theories. Did he invent new ones or discover some from old history books? Maybe humans descended from aliens. I followed him.

Gold and silver hair, with wrinkles around his mouth.

I pictured Willard in an aluminum foil hat, but that was unkind, as he wore a plain gray button-down shirt and faded denim pants.

Willard was also busy writing out a receipt.

An older model cash register, inaccessible to the Internet, sat beside his receipt book.

I checked out the small store, letting my eyes roam past the cold drinks and snacks to the world map over Willard’s head. It looked familiar, with one strange difference. “Is that…” I le aned forward to read it. “Atlantis?”

Willard glanced behind him. “They recently rediscovered it. Apparently, they discovered new technologies and all sorts of things. We’ll all benefit if they allow it.

I read online that people have lived there for thousands of years, cut off from the rest of the world.

It’s tragic because we all know they’ll hurt the Atlanteans. ”

My mouth opened as I struggled for words. Who were they?

“Invite them here to Fortune’s Creek,” Shane said, beating me to it. “We take care of our people. They’d be safe.”

Willard considered Shane’s suggestion with obvious approval. “We beat those gators.”

“Well, we owe Dean Taggart for that. They almost succeeded.” Shane shook his head. “We’re lucky he came in time.”

“Indeed.” Willard’s warm smile settled on me. “You must be Lilah Mayberry. I heard about you over breakfast at the diner this morning.”

“You did?”

“Diane said Shane took one look at you and fell in love. We expect a wedding. Also, tell him to run for mayor. The whole town expects him to run. How would you like to be the mayor’s wife? Fancy title, isn’t it?”

The weight slammed into me. I looked at Shane, hoping for rescue, and saw only indifference.

A bell dinged, and a woman entered.

“Shane Wilcott. I just came from the garden club and heard the news,” she said.

I braced myself since I was the news.

“Hello, Mrs. Ramirez. It’s good to see you,” Shane said.

She touched his arm. “It’s good to have you back. Here in town, and truly back. Is this the blushing bride?” She offered her hand.

I took it. “Lilah Mayberry.”

“Lilah Wilcott, if the rumors are true,” she corrected.

“They’re true,” Shane said, saving me from a panic attack.

“What about your honeymoon?” she asked.

Shane answered, smoother than I could have. “A private honeymoon at home, only the two of us. If you’ll excuse us, we have newlywed plans.”

Willard raised his hand goodbye. “Be careful at night. They’re back in the skies.”

“I’ll watch out. Thank you,” Shane said.

“What is in the skies?” I asked once we were outside.

“Probably aliens or a wormhole.”

“Does he truly believe all that?”

“It’s a part of who he is, and I won’t take that from him.”

I hopped into the passenger seat with him holding the door open, and both of us at eye level. Shane’s simple comment hit me, although I don’t think he meant to.

“I’ll pay you back for the gas and rent.” My bank account had money, and I could get a job. “I’ll correct everyone about our situation moving forward. It’s not your responsibility to rescue me or pretend because I’m the one who created this problem. Don’t create new ones for yourself on my behalf.”

Shane cupped my cheek, stroking with his thumb. “Let’s get your car, Lilah, and worry about the rest later.”

*****

I parked beside him, listening to the slow tick of the car engine as it cooled. A wave of loneliness hit as I covered my face and buried it in the steering wheel. My wavy hair had turned drab and frizzy, and I forgot to eat breakfast. I should give up and return to Atlanta.

Shane knocked on my window and motioned for me to roll it down. “Are you all right?”

“Is this the part where you ask if I need help again? You must be tired of that question.” I shut the window and opened the door.

Feeling sorry for myself wouldn’t solve any problems or endear me to my new husband and brave savior.

I survived Wilson Skane; I could manage polite concern from a decent person.

“That was rude of me. I’m sorry. Thank you again for this morning. ”

My stomach growled, loud enough for both of us to hear it.

“You’re hungry. Have you eaten?”

“No.” The word squeaked out of me.

He glanced up at the garage apartment. “There isn’t much food, is there? I’ll take you grocery shopping tomorrow, and in the meantime, help yourself to my kitchen. Don’t starve because of an imagined imposition.”

I winced at his accurate callout. “Thank you. One more request. Do you have a phone I can use? I promised my friend Emma that I’d call her.”

His eyes narrowed. “What happened to yours?”

“It’s broken. I broke it.”

He handed it over. “Set it on the back porch when you’re done.”

*****

I considered calling Sarah Jane and decided against it. She didn’t even know I was in Fortune’s Creek. My promised phone call to Emma was next. I dialed her number, hoping it wouldn’t go straight to voicemail.

“I don’t buy things from strangers on the phone. Also, you should reconsider your life choices. Is this really what you want?” An infamous Emma greeting.

“It’s me.”

She shrieked into the phone. “I was so worried when you didn’t call yesterday.”

“There were a few mishaps, and my phone broke. Also, I did something stupid.”

“You moved back in with your mother.”

As if she’d allow it. I was in the way as a child; it would be the same as an adult. “Worse. I got married.”

She shrieked again. “Are you in Vegas?”

“No, I’m in Fortune’s Creek. What should I do? Tell me because I am freaking out.”

“First, tell me what happened. Detailed. A painful amount of detail.”

I relayed the previous night, almost down to the second, right until the moment I called. “So what do I do?”

“Is he around?”

“Shane?” I rose from the deck chair and faced the house. Suspicion said he was watching me right now. “He’s here.”

“Then let me talk to him.”

“If you insist.” The back door opened before I could knock. “My friend wants to talk to you.”

Shane stepped outside. “Is this Emma?” Her muffled voice sounded through the phone. “Shane Wilcott. Yes, I noticed.” He offered me a half-smile, went inside, and shut the door so I couldn’t hear.

My stomach growled again, offering me an excuse to follow him. I hugged myself instead and waited.

It took two eternities and a week for Shane to come back outside. In an odd coincidence, the sun slipped out from behind the clouds, and the day brightened.

He handed the phone to me. “Hello?”

“I like him,” Emma said without preamble. “Call me tomorrow, and every day. No matter what. Like, even if a zombie attacks you, still call.”

“That’s it?”

“Enjoy your vacation, Lilah. I love you.” She ended the call.

“Thank you for letting me borrow your phone.” I handed it over. “Did she speak to you?”

“Yes. ”

“Will you tell me what about?”

“No.” My question amused him. “Sit down on the porch so I can bring you something to eat.”

For me, a porch implied a slab of concrete and a couple of lawn chairs. Shane’s porch wrapped around his house and came with rocking chairs. I picked one out and tapped my foot on the floor to hear the soft creak as it moved.

“The diner’s cinnamon rolls are a local secret. I picked some up yesterday.” Shane handed me a small plate with a piece of baked heaven on top. My mouth dropped open. “There’s more inside. Eat up.”

I took a bite. “This is amazing.”

Shane leaned against the porch railing and watched me eat. Yesterday’s trucker hat was gone, and stubble covered his face and neck. He stretched so his faded red shirt exposed a sliver of skin. He faced the yard, shifting to put most of his weight on his right leg.

“Yesterday, I figured you had a thing about refusing charity from strangers, so I let you be, until I decided not to.” Shane’s voice stayed even. Easy, like one might discuss the weather. “I made the correct decision, Lilah, so let’s start your vacation with that promised tour.”