Shifting I hit the gas, I needed to get home. My new home. Gramma lived in Montana, a freaking cold ass state in the winter. I had visited her a few times a year, just to make sure she was alright. Now with no where else to go, I was going on less happy terms. Driving threw the night, and into the early morning I hit the boarder. A few feet of snow had yet to melt, as I passed the welcome building. Yawning and feeling empty, I pulled into a gas station. Filled both me and the car up, mine a light cream color with a hint of sugar. While baby girl took the good stuff straight up.

    Pulling out I went threw ideas to get my life back in order, nothing sounded good. The cute small white farm house with bight blue shutters, called to me. Smiling as I pulled into the driveway and saw the small one car garage open. She came out of the house, wrapped in a robe. Looking like she’d been making calls all night long. Opening my door, stepping out her smile made me cry.
    “Its alright Raydance” Hugging me tightly, before grabbing my shoulders.  

 
    “Now hid her” Pointing to the car. Nodding I backed my baby into the garage. Covering her with a tarp and a few boxes holding Christmas décor. Sighing, I kissed my fingers touching the green paint. Closing the garage letting her sleep. Walking into the house, I sat down at a small round table. Handing me a cup of coffee, I greedily drank the overly hot liquid. As if to save my life, I begged for another one.

    “How long have you been driving?” She asked pouring me another cup.
    “Over 24 hours” Sighing as I take the cup, drinking it a little slower.
    “Oh honey” Shaking her head, making herself a cup. Sitting across from me. Her eyes were soft like always, a deep brown. While her hair had lost a little color, going to a very light brownish. Smile lines were her biggest feature.

    “Sorry gram, I know I messed up.”
    “Not to worry love. Shit happens” Shrugging. God I loved this woman.
    “So lets start at the beginning shall we?”
    “Sure” I let my words fly out, as I told her what happened. She frowned when she heard of the short notice deal.
    “Have you learned nothing?”
    “Yea I know, never take a short notice deal. They only spell trouble.”
    “And what did this get you into?”
    “Trouble” Feeling like a scolded child. Glaring at me over the table, I kept my eyes peeled to my coffee.
    “Alright, enough. Go get some sleep.”

The farm house was a lot smaller then you think it would be. Only sporting two bedrooms, and a bath. The garage had been an add on, along with a smaller house off to the side of the farm. Its where I would be staying. I loved it, I was close enough to gram; but still had my own privacy.
    “Ohh, Raydance.”
    “Yea” Picking up a bag I had.
    “Your going to have to share.”
    “Huh?”
    “The house, I rented it out”
    “What? To who?” I never heard about this.
    “His name is Dalton. He works off the board for me. Doing odd end jobs”
    “When were you going to tell me about this?” Huffing, as my bag hit my back.
    “Now” Looking like it wasn’t a big thing.
    “Wonderful. Love you to gram” Pushing the screen open. Stepping out into the decently cold weather, I groaned as I already missed NYC. Pulling the front of my leather jacket closer to me, seeing my breath as I pushed open the door to the two bedroom house. It smelled like guy, and dirty clothes.

    “Fucking Fabulous” Growling out. Kicking off my shoes, I dropped my bag on the couch, before turning to the wood stove. Tossing in some woods, I pulled out my match and twisted a few pieces of paper before lighting them. Watching as the dry wood caught, like a gasoline covered car. Closing the door and sighing. The place didn’t change to much, well except for the god awful smell. And the dirty clothes and plied high dishes.

    “Gees what a slob.” Walking over to the dishes. Cleaning all that was there, letting them air dry. I grabbed a large blanket before curling on the couch. Passing out was perfect for me, as I hadn’t slept in well a whole damn day. The heat from he stove pushing closer to me, deepening the sleep. It only felt like minutes when a cold chill, flashed around my body. And the sounds of heavy foot steps, made my mind snap awake. My eyes on the other hand, stayed closed. Slowly my hand slipped into my pocket, pulling out a butterfly knife.

    A heavy sigh before the person noticed me, taking  step closer I heard the floor boards creak. His hand came down touching my shoulder. In that second I grabbed him, pulling his body over the top of the couch and dropping his stalking ass onto the floor. Jumping on top of him, butterfly flipping out before coming to a stand still at his throat.

    I thought I would of had the upper hand, you know being a surprise attack and all. However I found myself, flipping over and being smashed into the hard wood floor. His huge pressuring body over mine, holding both my hands above my head. Those tiger like eyes, glaring at me. Frightened I froze, holding even my breath. His size was impressive, maybe a 6 foot 3. Face as hard as stone, a jaw line that could crack asphalt. Morning stubble looking like tiny dangerous razors, ready to strike out.
   
    “Who are you, what are you doing in my house?” His words a deep roar, as he pushed down harder on my wrists.
    “I…I..” Surprised I was even able to chock that out.
    “Answer me” I swore he was turning into a beast before my very eyes.
    “Ray, sandy’s grandchild” Gulping. His grip softened, as he searched my face.
    “Your Raydance?” A little lower. I nodded, unable to speak again. With a grunt he pushed off of me.
    “I wasn’t expecting you till tomorrow. Your room isn’t ready” His eyes flickered to me, just to see if I was listening. Rubbing my wrists, slowly sitting up. I nodded again. As my body warned me to keep quiet, he disappeared into the back room. Sighing I felt better without him around me. For a cowboy he sure was rough, I think I need to stop watching those black and whites.

    Adapting to new things, was something I was use to. He was just another rode block, as far as I was concerned. Climbing back into the bed, I went back to sleep. Either I didn’t hear his lumber jack size come back out, or he preferred to stay away from; as much as I wanted him to.
    The next morning, I got up took a quick shower. Keeping in mind he was sleeping, and it was Sunday. Fixing the old coffee pot, I had walked into grams house taking some coffee grounds. Back in the two bedroom house, I made fresh hot coffee. Feeling the need for some comfort. Sighing as I sat at the small table, my eyes strained from the lack of really sleeping. And the drive. I would need to go into town, gather supplies. I don’t think this Dalton fellow, really cared what I did as long as I stayed out of his way.

    Grabbing my boots and leather jacket, I finished off my cup; placing it in the sink. Closing the door, as the chill morning air grabbed my long hair tossing it about. Town was a good walk out, and starting now would get me there around noon. Taking my car was out of the question, and Gram had mentioned something about selling her Truck when Dalton moved in. Guess he was taking care of everything, even taking her to the stores.

    The walked helped clear my head, giving me my bearings back. Charles had burned me, labeling me as a risk. The news was probably flying all over NYC. That stupid little spit, he’s probably still pissed cause I wouldn’t date him. Being I had a reputation of bring a wild child, and being with some dangerous men was norm for me. But lately I didn’t care, just bored of the whole thing. I didn’t feel full anymore, a large void was missing and I just couldn’t seem to fill it with all the normal things.

    Maybe I should take this as a blessing and quit. My concessions was giving me her usually pep talk. This had become something we did, when we were alone. And walking down a cold dirt filled road, was a perfect time for her to voice up. No sooner did I start talking to myself, did a white pick up fly by. Kicking up dust and snow. Grumbling as it tossed some my way. The break lights kicked on, as the whites of the taillights, signaled it was going to back up.
    Stepping forward as I reached the passenger side window. I about fell over when I say, Derek behind the wheel.
    “Kay Kay?” His big blue eyes wide.
    “Derek” Leaning on the window.
    “Damn girl, you look good. You back in town?” Derek was a big flirt, loved him some ladies. He was cool as far as men go, but we were just friends…as far as I was concerned.

    “Yea for a little bit” Nodding.
    “You headed into town?”
    “Yea” Looking the way into town.
    “Hop in, I’ll give yea a lift.” Pushing the door open for me.
    “Thanks” Climbing into the warmer truck.
    “Damn you look good” Grinning like a fool, as he hit’s the gas.
    “Still a ladies man I see” Chuckling.

    “Hey what can u say.” Shrugging. Derek had features to make any woman blush. His sexy cowboy body and southern twang doing most of the work. If that didn’t do the trick, he was a hell of a lay…or so I’ve heard. Within a few minutes the decent sized town came into view.
    “How long you need?” He asked, pulling into a feed lot.

    “Maybe an hour or so” With a nod, we agreed to meet back at the truck. Dropping my feet to the ground, I headed for a clothing store. Warmer clothes were a must, even if it was only for a few more months. The weather here was different then NYC, and what I had wouldn’t be enough. It was a little odd how most of the folks here remembered me. Although my Gram was a big part of this town, so I guess it isn’t to odd. See Gram is a somewhat of a big deal. She had been dating the chief of police here for the longest time, till they broke it off for some unknown reason to me.

    Now when Gram wants or needs anything he makes it his job to see to it. Talk about ending things well. The woman is like a god to these people, and I am her offspring from heaven. Yea right if they only knew. People sometimes call me a heartless bitch, well there right to a point. See I will become that overly bitchy woman, when you mess with the people I love. Its not like I don’t have plenty of money, or a few nice cars. But family and close friends don’t come easily. Loyalty is a bitch to gather and in this day and age, its becoming somewhat rare.

Trish and Josie have been with me for years now. I ended up seeing Josie at a bar I went to a long time ago. She’s stunning which made the men drool along with a few other things over her. Long golden locks, with the hypnotizing blue eyes. I called her a witch when I first saw her, and she hated me as well. Somehow our fates crossed when I saw her at a coffee show, typing away and doing amazing things. She is a hacker, and a good one to boot. Keeping in mind we weren’t on good terms, I left it alone. No matter what kind of crazy job you do in NYC a hacker is a great tool.