Episode 7

It is 10:00 am when I finally lift my head off the pillow, the crisp white cotton damp from my drool. Groaning, I push the remainder of my body into a sitting position and stretch, my mind still fighting the pull of sleep as I blink several times trying to recall my dream from last night.

Memories hazy, I struggle to hold on to anything tangible, the only reason why I know I had dreamt of something or someone is the warmth I feel between my legs. Squeezing my thighs together, the pressure sending a little spark of pleasure to my core, I sigh and stand, tiptoeing along the wooden floorboards to the chair where my robe and slippers are sitting waiting for me. Wrapping the soft fabric around my body and placing my naked feet in the wool skin uggs, I make my way downstairs, raising my hand to my throat which is a little swollen and tender, the skin feeling warm to the touch.

Swallowing to relieve the ache, I go over my plans for the day, which are to wash the linen, read a few chapters of one of my books and bathe, leaving plenty of time before driving to Brady's at 6:30 pm.

Opening the fridge to grab milk for my coffee, I notice that the leftover cottage pie from last night is no longer on the first shelf.

I only had 1 bottle of wine, right?

Moving to the sink to run water for the pot, I find the small white bowl which contained the missing pie, now sitting rinsed and stacked and ready to be placed in the dishwasher.

Did I sleep eat?

Placing the now full pot on the burner, I try to recall my movements from last night after I responded to Erin.

I can remember closing my eyes and then I pretty much passed out, dreams hazy, just the sensation of being warm, then waking up.

As a child, I did on several occasions sleepwalk, when I was in strange places, maybe I was just having one of those episodes?

Yep, that must be the most likely answer.

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Early evening, the sun now moving towards the horizon, the linen is washed and back on the bed, house cleaned, and my hair has been dried into long curls that are hanging in soft waves down my back with gentle makeup applied to my face to highlight my features.

Standing in front of the mirror, I take the time to admire my outfit, I have decided on a floral blue and green dress resting just above the knee, matching black tights, belt and boots, and a long white coat. I do not want to give Liam the impression that I am easy, but a girl also likes to look good.

Smiling at myself one last time, I move towards the bath and close the bathroom window, before exiting and making my way downstairs.

Locating my bag from the counter, I turn off the lights, leaving the only the porch lamps on, and close the front door locking it behind me.

The drive back down the spur is smoother than the past 2 evenings and I am grateful that my confidence with navigating the steep terrain has gotten stronger.

Indicating, I pull my car into the rear parking lot at Brady's. Taking a deep breath, my heart rate lightly increasing at the anticipation of seeing Liam, I pull my coat tighter around myself and head to the entrance.

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I smile when I see that Liam is seated in a booth waving for me to join as I walk in. Dressed in a fitted black shirt showing off his broad shoulders and muscular arms, I cannot help but admire the man in front of me.

Damn girl, he is fine!

Looking around the bar, I notice that the crowd is thinner tonight, with no one on the pool tables and only a smattering of locals are sitting around the bar on their leather stools.

"You made it." He grins as I take my seat.

"You had your doubts?"

"Never!" Passing me a menu he adds, a dimple appearing in his cheek, "I recommend the steak, brought in fresh today by one of the local farmers and a real treat."

"I would love me a bit of steak." I joke, putting on a poor attempt of a western accent.

Nodding, his grin widening, Liam stands and heads to the bar, relaying our order to the cook, then looking back to me, "CC & Dry?" He shouts.

"Yes please."

Whilst Liam is behind the bar, busily preparing our drinks, my eyes land on one of the television sets mounted above the bar, the report from before with the blonde news anchor is playing, relaying the events of the two bodies found deep in the forests of the Spur.

"Horrible news that is," Liam sighs, shaking his head and placing our drinks on the table.

"Did you know the guys?" I ask my gaze moving from the screen to his face.

"Aye, they were local to the town, so yeah, I did know them." He replies, a frown forming on his handsome face.

"Oh, I am sorry for your loss." placing my hand on his. I give it a gentle squeeze.

Turning his palm, he encases my smaller hand in his, offering me a sad smile, "do not be love," he sighs again, the warmth from his hand sending little thrills down my body, "those lads had a habit of getting into trouble, they did not like being a team player if you get what I mean."

Nodding, I bite the inside of my cheek, "yeah, I have to admit, I am a bit of a nomad myself," my mind picturing Erin who is my only real friend. "I kinda stick to myself as well, so not really a team player, but I do try to stay out of trouble."

Moving his thumb to stroke my skin he grins, his dark eyes flashing with mirth, "maybe you just have not found the right team to play with."

Laughing, I remove my hand and sit back, the cool leather soothing my lower back which has started to ache. "Do you know what happened?" I ask taking a sip of my drink.

Eyebrows crinkling Liam hums, the grin vanishing from his face. "They do not know the full details yet, my guess is they slipped and fell, but with the condition of the bodies or what was left of them, it is hard to tell the true cause."

"The animals must have had a field day, there isn't much left of them." he continues, running a hand through his light stubble, then looking at me, he blinks a few times, "sorry lass, too much information," he finishes sheepishly.

"It's fine Liam, I am not squeamish," I reassure him as our meals arrive.

"Still it is not the kind of conversation I want to be having with a stunning lass."

He is so flirting, little corny, but hey it is nice to actually have a conversation with a guy before he tries to send me a dick pick! Erin would eat him alive...

Taking a bite of one of the fries I laugh, batting my eyelashes, "I bet you say that to all the girls?"

Getting no response and looking towards his feet, I throw my napkin at him as he returns my laugh hands held in front pleading defeat.

"Of course not, but the look on your face is priceless."

"I bet it is," I grumble, taking another fry from my plate, and shoving it into my mouth.

Thoughts drifting back to my naked stranger and his sudden disappearance, I ask Liam if he has seen or heard anything unusual happening in the town over the past 2 days.

"Unusual like UFO sightings? He laughs, dimples appearing again, "or like the recent animal killings which are also in the news."

Twirling my finger around one of my curls, I lick my lips. "More like any accidents on the Spur or maybe," I try to figure out the best way to word this without sounding guilty, "I don't know, or maybe like, someone hanging around town that looks like they have been in an accident?"

Raising a thick eyebrow, and tilting his head to the side Liam pauses, a look of contemplation crossing his features before shaking his head. "I can't say I have love, but there is plenty of strange things that happen out at the Spur, so that would not surprise me, but no, I have not heard anything or anyone for that matter."

Swallowing back the crispy potatoes, I am both relieved and disappointed in his reply. Who are you and why did you leave?

Focusing back on my plate, the steak looks perfect, medium-rare, causing me to groan as I slice through the tender meat, the aromas making my mouth water.

Watching me as I take my first mouthful of red meat, Liam smirks, giving me a knowing look. "Good isn't it, fresh kill today makes the meat very tender."

Swallowing the tasty morsel, he continues cutting into his own steak, "so Ava, do you ever get the feeling that we have met before, and NO love, that is not supposed to be a pickup line."

I understand what he is saying, I feel it too, a sense of something familiar that I cannot quite place, but it is so comfortable to be around him, natural even.

"Maybe." I reply, taking another bite of my meal and swallowing, "my family and I used to come up to the Spur when I was little to visit friends," I smile as Liam's eyes soften, "actually, we used to visit Brady's all the time, so maybe we met then, but I think the owner was a little older..."

"Aye lass, that would be me Pa, retired now from running the bar, he is now living a life of fishing and hunting on the family ranch," Liam replies pride shining in his eyes. "One day, I will be just like the old man, pop out a couple of kids to take over the bar, and then I'll also be spending my days hunting and relaxing with my woman, just like my folks.

"And this woman," I enquire taking another mouthful of my steak, the rich juices coating my mouth as I swallow, "Does she agree to this plan of yours?"

Looking directly in my eyes, one eyebrow raised, he leans forward, "Well I would promise her that if she would live that life with me and become my ONE, that I would not forget to water her plant, and thus 'Droopy' would live to see another day."

Laughing when he finishes he leans back before I can take a swipe at him, his mouth lifted to reveal perfectly white teeth, setting a perfect contrast to his 5 o'clock shadow.

"So Ava, how are finding life on the Spur?"

"I am actually enjoying it, I have forgotten how much I love being in nature."

"How so?" He prods, his voice filled with curiosity.

"I don't know," biting my lip, I look up at the wooden ceiling, then back to Liam, admiring how his dark curls are perfectly pushed back from his face. "I just feel more at peace, you know. I love being in the city, but there is something about this place that makes me feel..."

"Like home?"

The words sounding right, I offer him a nod, his eyes crinkling and smile widening at my response.

We continue our meal discussing his life in town, and my job back home. In my bag resting beside me, I can feel my phone pinging with messages, that I know are from Erin wanting updates.

Liam clears his throat. "Ava, I was wondering if you were free tomorrow, and if you were interested in seeing some of the spectacular views that the Spur has to offer?"

"Are you trying to ask me out for a hiking date, or is this an invitation for a more leisurely stroll? I will warn you I am not a fan of inclines." I state, raising an eyebrow and pointing my fork towards him almost accusingly.

Taking the fork from my fingers and placing it down safely on the table between us he grins, "I will take it you do not like hiking very much, that or you just had a sudden urge to stab me with your closest weapon?"

Blushing I drop my eyes, hand on the table, and mumble. "Okay, so I may not LOVE the idea of walking up steep hills and sweating like a pig, but I not afraid of a little walk."

"But you would make such a lovely little pig," he laughs.

Placing his hand over mine before I can attack him again, he continues, chuckling, "love, I promise you that it will be a gentle walk only, we will drive most of the way and if you get tired then I can always be a gentleman and carry you."

Liam is soooooooo charming, the way he pronounces my name, 'Arrrva" rolling the 'r' makes me all gooey. Again, I can hear Erin making vomit sounds in the back of my head.

"Ok," I tell him, why not...

"Ok," he confirms, grinning. "Well, that was easier than I thought."

"But be prepared to piggyback me and the first sight of a hill," I warn, my face breaking into its own smile.

Laughing again as we finish our meal, discussing our plans for tomorrow, we determine that Liam will come by the cabin to collect me.

"12:00 pm and I will drive."

Getting up to leave, I go to offer Liam money for dinner, who waves my hand away in mock disgust. "Do not be silly lass, your money is no good here."

"You sure?"

"Positive."

"Well Liam, thank you for a really nice evening, I guess I will see you tomorrow."

Walking me to the door, I look up, his dark eyes bearing into mine, and his hand moving to a loose strand of hair, removing it from my face, his voice deep, "I look forward to it."

"Me too."

Leaving still feeling Liam's touch I shiver, warmth spreading to my lady parts as my tummy flutters with butterflies.

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Navigating my car into the driveway and arriving back at the cabin, I groan when I climb the stairs and notice another shape on the welcome mat.

What in God's name?

This time it is too big to be another bunny, but it is also defiantly not human.

Inching closer I am hit with the smell, whilst surprisingly not unpleasant it is unmistakably blood, the metallic tang filling my nostrils.

Looking down I am greeted with the fresh body of a raccoon its neck ripped out.

"Again?" I shout to no one in particular.

It is like I have a fucking cat, leaving its little gifts at the front door.

Walking over the dead animal I move to the kitchen and grab another pair of tongs and a rubbish bag. Quickly disposing of the raccoon, placing it in the trash along with the rabbit, I take a deep breath, my heart pounding at the second animal I have had to dispose of today.

Closing the lid I jump when I hear a rustling coming from the bushes, turning but not seeing anything I get a sudden sense of being watched.

Shuddering at the thought, I walk with my back to the house, facing the noise, and quickly make my way inside, locking the door behind me and heading straight for bed.

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My eyes fluttering, my mind drifting as if in a dream...

Warmth, delicious heat.

Strong arms, encasing me.

Pressure on my neck, pleasure.

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