Page 2 of Stay With Me (Griffin’s Den #2)

TWO

Noah- Six Months Before Luna's Birthday Party

I pull into the parking lot at The Bar, thankful I found a spot tonight. With the farmers’ market getting busier every week, traffic at The Bar has increased as well.

It’s been great for the town. Seeing other people come to love my little town is amazing, but with crowds comes an uptick in work for us at the sheriff’s department.

“The text I got from Farmer Joe mentioned that Brian was bothering the girls and that he stepped in,” I say as I throw the truck into park.

“He’s given me the creeps from the moment I met him. I don’t know how he got a job at the sheriff’s department,” Sam says.

“His dad was the former fire chief before he retired a year or two back, and he and the former sheriff were best friends. I can promise you Mike would have never hired him, but he’s also never done anything that’s gone on record and could be used against him to get rid of him.

” I look over at Luke, whose jaw is ticking.

“Listen, I’m sure Am is fine. I know he’s been bothering her, but Joe and Sarah would have called the department if they felt it was bad enough. ”

“I know. I just hate that she had to deal with it at all. I hate when men don’t understand that no means no,” Luke says.

“Don’t make me arrest two of my best friends tonight,” I say.

“Awww, we’re your best friends?” Sam says with a smirk.

I roll my eyes and open my door, and Sam asks Luke, “Are you going to stay at Am’s house tonight, or are you going to come home?”

“I’ll probably crash on her couch,” he says as we walk toward the door.

Sam bumps my elbow. “Are you going to make a move on Luna?”

“Nah, man. She’s the kind of girl you make sure she knows what she means to you first. That I’m not just here for a quick roll in bed,” I tell him honestly.

From the moment I met her last year in the diner, she took my breath away. Since then, we’ve spent time together in groups with either Joe and Ann, or when I see her at the farmers’ market, I make sure to do some of the shopping, or if I’m working, I’ll do some of my rounds with her.

It isn’t a lot, but those moments have pulled me out of the dark funk I’ve been in since Jenna left.

That day at the diner when I met her was the day my mom told me she wanted to start traveling now that she had retired. While I was happy that she was ready to do something for herself, a selfish part of me was mad.

I moved back to Griffin’s Den after my dad died to help her and be closer to her with my now ex-wife. Who left me because she didn’t like the small-town life.

I’ve fallen into a routine since she left, feeling more alone than I ever have.

Then I met Luna, and she brought a light to my life I hadn’t seen in a long time.

I’ve been taking my time. I don’t know her full story, but I can tell she’s running from her past. She thinks she hides it well, but I see the glances over her shoulder and her lack of commitment to future plans.

She won’t leave Ann and Joe in a bind, but sometimes I wonder if each Saturday at the farmers’ market will be my last seeing her.

Once inside The Bar, I spot Joe and Ann at a table and walk over with Luke and Sam on my heels.

I stick my hand out to Joe. “Thanks for the call.”

He shakes my hand. “It’s my pleasure. I’m sure the ladies could handle it on their own, but it will be a cold day in hell if any of my family is picked on by that dickhead.”

I cross my arms and turn my head to look at Brian, who’s sitting at the table right behind the girls.

When his gaze meets mine, anger flashes before his eyes soften and a smile takes over his face.

I’ve always known he was a little off, since he’s always been a bully since school.

He’s never taken to being told no. Well, unfortunately, unless one of the girls files a complaint about what happened tonight, my hands are tied.

“Thanks for helping, Joe. I’m going to take Amelia home now,” Luke says before walking toward the girls’ table.

“Anytime.” He turns back to Sam and me. “If you need me to, I can drive Luna home.”

I look over at him. “No, I’ll take her home so you two can enjoy your night out. You guys don’t get out and treat yourselves enough.”

Joe smirks at me while Ann reaches over and pats my shoulder. “Thank you. We’ll see her when we get home.”

I give them a nod and make my way over to the table. A chuckle escapes me when Sam complains to Luke about his very public claiming kiss of Amelia, which in a small town will let everyone, including Brian, know who she’s with.

A soft laugh catches my attention, and I look down at Luna, who has a blush trailing down her neck. When she looks up at me, my breath catches as it always does with her beauty.

“Are you sure you don’t mind driving me home? It’s not out of your way, right?” she asks.

“Of course I don’t mind. It’s on my way home.” Mostly a lie. I pass my mom’s house on the way to the bed-and-breakfast where she lives. I’ve been meaning to stop by and pick up her mail and mow the lawn, so I can crash there and do it in the morning.

“Okay, if you’re sure.” She gives me a shy smile.

“I am. It’s no trouble at all.” I reassure her as everyone gathers their things. “Do you know if the tab is paid?” I ask Am.

“Yeah, it’s all taken care of.” She waves me off.

We make our way to the exit, and when we get to Am’s car, Pam and Amelia pull Luna into a hug. She looks to me, and I point to my truck.

She turns and starts to walk that way and stumbles a little on the gravel. I grab her elbow to steady her. “Whoa there, are you okay?”

“Yeah, must have just lost my footing a little.” She giggles.

My hand slips from her elbow and comes to rest on her lower back, guiding her as we walk to the truck.

I help her get in and make sure she is buckled in before I shut the door and hop in the driver’s side.

Backing out of the spot, I see movement out of the corner of my eye.

Looking over, I see Luna has turned toward me.

“Are you sure this isn’t out of your way?” she asks again.

“I promise. This is not an issue at all.” I reassure her.

“Okay. Thank you for driving me home . . .?I mean, to the bed-and-breakfast.” She quickly corrects herself.

“If you live there, it can be your home. Home is where you make it and not an exact place. At least that’s what my parents taught me,” I tell her as I turn down Main Street.

“They sound nice. Do they live here in town still? I don’t think I’ve seen your mom since the day I met you at the diner.”

“Technically, yes, she still lives here. She’s just been traveling. My dad passed a while back.” I turn into the bed-and-breakfast’s long driveway. “Which cabin do you live in?”

“Four,” she tells me.

I make a right and follow the signs to cabin four, pulling up and wishing I had more time with her. “Wait for me to come around and help you down,” I tell her as I put the truck in park.

“Okay,” she says softly.

Once on the passenger side, I open her door and offer her my hand. I hear the soft click of the seat belt disengaging before she places her hand in mine.

The moment her eyes meet mine as she hops down, I know I’m well and truly fucked. I will follow this woman to the ends of the earth. I’ve only spent a handful of moments with her, but it’s like my soul recognizes her on a level that I can’t even begin to explain.

I let go of her hand and place it on her lower back, guiding her to the porch. Feeling like a teenager on his first date, I stop in front of the door, and she starts to fiddle in her purse for her keys.

“So, um, would you like to go out to dinner sometime?” I ask her, running a hand through my hair.

“Um, yeah, I think I would like that. I’m just not sure when or if I will have time since things are picking up here at the bed-and-breakfast.”

A smile splits my face. “We can figure it out. Sleep well, okay?”

She nods. “Thanks again for driving me home.”

“Anytime. I mean it. If you ever need anything, just holler,” I tell her.

She nods again, and I lean in, and her breath catches. Knowing I’d like to actually kiss her but not sure if she’s ready for that, I kiss her cheek.

“I’ll see you soon, Luna,” I say as I walk sideways down the steps.

She watches me get in the truck, and I wait for her to fumble with her keys again before going inside.

I wait a few more minutes to make sure she’s okay, and I back out of the drive and head to my mom’s house. Feeling happier than I have in a long time.