Megan’s face lit up. “Oh, you like that? It’s one of my favorites. My friend Sarah did it. She’s crazy
Laura moved closer to get a better look. “It’s beautiful. The colors are so vibrant.”
“Right?” Megan agreed enthusiastically. “Sarah says she tries to capture emotions in her paintings, not just Images. This one’s supposed to represent joy, I think.”
Laura studied the painting, letting herself get lost in the swirls of color. It had been a long time since she’d thought about art. In college, she’d taken a few art history classes and even considered minoring in it before deciding to focus on her business degree
“Do you paint?” Megan asked, pulling Laura from her thoughts.
Laura shook her head. “No, but I used to love going to galleries. There’s something about art that just… takes you out of yourself for a while, you know?”
Megan nodded. “Totally. That’s why I love having these pieces here. Brightens up the place, and sometimes it sparks interesting conversations. Like now,” she added with a grin.
Laura found herself smiling back. For the first time since her world had fallen apart, she felt a small spark of something other than pain or anger. It wasn’t quite happiness, but it was… interest. Engagement. A reminder that there was still beauty in the world, still things to discover and appreciate.
“So, what kind of art do you like? Megan asked, seemingly glad to have found a topic of mutual interest
Laura thought for a moment. “I’ve always been drawn to impressionism. There’s something about the way it captures light and movement that just speaks to me. “
“Oh yeah?” Megan leaned forward, clearly intrigued. “Any favorite artists?”
CHAPTER SX–FORMER FLAME
“Monet, of course,” Laura replied. “But I also love lesser–known artists like Gustave Caillebotte. Have you ever seen his ‘Paris Street; Rainy Day‘? The way he captures the light reflecting off the wet pavement is just incredible.”
Megan shook her head, “I don’t think I have, but it sounds amazing. I’ll have to look it up.”
As they continued to chat about art, Laura felt some of the tension she’d been carrying start to ease. It was nice to talk about something normal, something that had nothing to do with her failed marriage or her uncertain future.
Their conversation meandered from famous paintings to local artists, from classical sculpture to modern installations. Laura found herself getting more animated as they talked, remembering visits to museums and galleries she’d almost forgotten.
“You know,” Megan said after a while, “there’s a pretty cool little art gallery in town. Nothing fancy, but they showcase a lot of local talent. If you’re gonna be stuck here for a bit waiting for your car, maybe you could check it out?”
Laura considered the idea. She hadn’t planned on staying in this town any longer than necessary, but the thought of immersing herself In art, even for a little while, was tempting.
Before she could reply, the bell over the door chimed Laura turned, expecting to see Megan’s father returning. Instead, she saw two barly men in leather jackets swagger in
“Well, well,” one of them said, his eyes fixed on Laura. “What do we have here?”
Laura tensed, her brief moment of peace shattered. She turned back to the counter, hoping the men would just get what they came for
and leave.
But as she heard heavy footsteps approach, she knew it wouldn’t be that simple. The smell of leather and cigarettes filled her nostrils as one of the men leaned against the counter next to her.
“Hey there, pretty lady, “he said, his voice rough “What’s a fine thing like you doing in a dump like this?”
Laura kept her eyes on her coffee cup. “Just passing through,” she said curtly.
The man chuckled. “Well, ain’t that a shame. Maybe we could convince you to stick around for a while.”
His friend joined in. “Yeah, we could show you a real good time.”
Laura’s grip tightened on her cup. “No, thank you,” she said firmly. “I’m not interested.”
But the men didn’t seem inclined to take no for an answer. The first one leaned in closer. “Aw, come on now. Don’t be like that. We’re just trying to be friendly.”
Megan, who was watching the interaction with a worried
“I said I’m not interested,” Laura repeated, louder this time. She glanced at Megan,
expression.
The second man laughed. “Feisty one, ain’t she?I like that‘
Laura felt her heart racing. She’d dealt with unwanted attention before, but something about these men felt more threatening, Maybe it was the isolated location, or the fact that she was already feeling vulnerable, but fear began to creep in
“Look,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady, “I appreciate the offer, but I really just want to be left alone.”
The first man’s expression darkened. “Now that’s not very polite. We’re just trying to have a conversation here.
He reached out to touch Laura’s arm. She jerked away, nearly spilling her coffer. “Don’t touch me,” she snapped.
The man’s face twisted into an ugly sneer. “Who do you think you are, bitch? Too good for us?”
Megan stepped forward. “Hey, gays, come on Leave her alone”
The second man turned his attention to Megan. “Stay out of this, sweetheart. This is between us and the lady here.”
Laura felt panic rising in her chest. She was acutely aware of how isolated they were, how easily the situation could escalate. She glanced towards the door, wondering if she could make a run for it.
Just as she was about to bolt, the sound of a car pulling up outside caught everyone’s attention Through the window, Laura saw a sleek black car come to a stop in front of the station
The back door opened, and a man stepped out. As he turned towards the store, Laura felt her world tilt on its axis.
She knew that face. Those eyes. That confident stance.
Her lips formed the name before she could stop herself, a whisper of disbelief and recognition.
“Ryan?”
CHAPTER SEVEN – KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR
CHAPTER SEVEN – KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR
Ryan Callis stepped forward, his confident stride belying the tension in the air. Laura’s heart skipped a beat as she watched him approach, his presence both comforting and electrifying. The two bikers, still high on their own bravado, turned to face Ryan with sneers plastered across their faces.
“Gentlemen,” Ryan said, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of authority. “I believe it’s time for you to move along”
The taller of the two bikers scoffed, taking a step closer to Ryan. “And who’s gonna make us, pretty boy?”
Laura held her breath, fear and anticipation mingling in her chest. She wanted to call out, to warn Ryan, but the words stuck in her
throat.
Ryan’s lips curled into a small smile, not of amusement but of certainty. With a casual snap of his fingers, the scene transformed. Three men emerged from the shadows of the luxury car, their presence sudden and imposing. They moved with practiced ease, flanking Ryan on either side.
The bikers” bravado evaporated like mist in the morning sun. Their eyes darted between Ryan and his companions, a new wariness replacing their earlier cockiness. Laura watched in amazement as the balance of power shifted palpably
“As I was saying,” Ryan continued, his tone unchanged, “it’s time for you to leave.”
The bikers exchanged glances, a silent conversation passing between them. Without another word, they turned and stomped back to their motorcycles. The roar of engines filled the air as they sped away, leaving behind only a cloud of dust and the lingering tension of
the confrontation.
As the noise faded, Laura let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Ryan turned to her, his expression softening
eyes met.
“Laura,” he said, his voice warm with recognition. “It’s been a long time.”
She nodded, suddenly feeling self–conscious. “Ryan, I… thank you. For stepping in like that.”
He waved off her thanles with a gentle smile. “I’m just glad I was here. Are you alright?”
their
Laura nodded again, her mind racing. Here was Ryan Callis, looking even more handsome than she remembered, swooping in like a knight in shining armor. It was almost too much to process.
“I’m fine,” she managed. “just a little shaken up.”
Ryan’s brow furrowed with concern. “What are you doing out here alone? Is everything okay?”
Laura hesitated, the truth of her situation pressing against her lips. But she couldn’t bring herself to unload her marital problems onto Ryan, not here, not now. “My car broke down,” she explained, gesturing vaguely down the road. “I was just trying to figure out what to
do next.”
Ryan’s eyes followed her gesture, then returned to her face. “Where were you headed?”
Another moment of hesitation. Laura’s mind scrambled for a plausible story. “New York,” she blurted out. “I’m supposed to be meeting a friend there.”
Ryan nodded, accepting her explanation without question. “Well, we can’t leave you stranded here. Why don’t you let me give you a ride?”
Laura’s heart leapt at the offer, even as her practical side tried to interject. “Oh, I couldn’t impose like that,” she protested weakly.
Ryan’s smile widened. “It’s no imposition at all. I’m heading that way myself. And I can have one of my guys arrange for your car to be towed and looked at.”
Laura found herself nodding before she’d even fully processed the offer. “That would be… really helpful. Thank you, Ryan”
