Clashing Sparks

Hello?" I called, walking into the Green Mechanics shop, rubbing my hands together to try to warm them. Wrapping my thin jacket tighter around my body as a gust of cold wind blew past me. Of course, it had to be as freezing in here as it was outside! "Hello? Anyone?" I called again, wincing as the heavy metal door slammed shut.

My uncle had told me to come to the shop after I finished breakfast at the small café to get a ride back to the ranch. I still wasn't used to the small town of Pine Hollow, but each day, I found myself missing LA a little less. I liked the cleaner air, and the people were nicer than in the big city. The only thing I missed was my parents, even if they were the ones who decided to send me away for my senior year.

It's only nine months. Your dad and I have some things to settle anyway. Those were the last words my mom said to me before putting me on a plane to go to a new place alone. Before that, I had only met my uncle a few times, and though he was nice, we were still complete strangers.

I pressed my lips together, observing the interior of the building my uncle was super proud of. It had a high ceiling with rectangular lights that flickered faintly, making a buzzing sound. Tools were hanging on the wall and scattered all around, which was no surprise. The faint smell of oil reached my nose, making me wrinkle in disgust. I had always hated that smell. There were only two cars, but my uncle said they usually had four or five needing to be fixed. Apparently, they were pretty busy living in a town that only had a population of a little over two hundred.

I remembered my uncle had said he would be in the office when I stopped by, so I headed for the wooden door, which I was guessing was the office. I knocked a few times and patiently waited for a response. When I didn't get one, I tried once more, getting the same results.

I bit down on my bottom lip, grabbing the doorknob and slowly turning it, surprised when it popped open. "Uncle Malcolm?" I called out, peeking my head into the small office, my eyes glancing around, trying to make out the dimly lit room.

I swallowed before pushing the door further open, getting a full view of the room only to find it empty. A large desk sat in the middle with papers splayed out on the top and a computer covered with sticky notes placed on the left corner. The only other pieces of furniture in the room were a black office chair behind the desk and a gray filing cabinet in the furthest corner. In my opinion, it looked exactly like a male's office without a hint of a woman's touch — not even a picture hung on the chipping dark gray walls.

My uncle had said it was only him and a few boys that worked here, so that explained the poorly decorated office and messy shop. I had heard my aunt used to help out, but she had passed three years ago, leaving my uncle a single dad with three kids — now four, including myself. He seemed to be a really good dad, though, and wasn't the clingy type, which I was happy about.

Walking toward the desk, I was not sure what I was doing or why I was even still in here. My eyes moved over the sheets of paper, which looked to be bills, statements, and paperwork. I wasn't sure what I had expected to find, but I shook my head, silently berating myself for being nosy.

Turning around, I gasped as a dark, imposing figure stood in the doorway. I met his gray eyes that were cold enough to make my pulse race.

"Who are you?" His voice was rough and short as he stared right through my soul, making my heart race.

"Liberty, uh…" I stuttered, my mouth suddenly feeling dry and my tongue feeling heavy, making it hard for me to speak.

What was wrong with me? Why was I so scared? I asked myself, trying to shake myself out of it. Maybe because there’s a guy looking at you like he wants to kill you. Okay, maybe that was a bit harsh.

He raised an eyebrow, aggravation deepening the already unpleasant frown on his face. "Your name doesn't give me much of anything — only a name to give the police when they take my statement."

"Police?" I whispered, feeling my eyes widen in fear. "There's no need to call the police. I'm his niece," I said, watching confusion fill his eyes at my words. "Malcolm Green’s — the owner," I clarified.

Recognition flashed in his eyes before they turned stormy again. "What are you doing here?"

"He told me to meet him here to get a ride back to the ranch. He told me this was where he would be."

The guy looked at his watch, then back at me. "He usually goes home around this time. Do you need a ride?"

I pressed my lips together, wondering if I should accept his offer. It was pretty chilly outside, and the ranch was a mile away. A ride would be the better choice, but I didn't know him, and what if he didn't actually work here?

"I don't drive fast, and I'm heading there anyways," he assured, obviously sensing my internal struggles.

"I never caught your name."

He took a few steps forward, making me lean my head back more to meet his eyes. He had to be at least six feet. Those eyes seemed even more stormy up close, and the way they seemed to see right into my soul… "Hayes. I work here with your uncle."

I sucked in a deep breath. "Nice to meet you," I muttered, forcing a small smile before crossing my arms across my chest.

Hayes ran a hand through his jet-black hair that was already disheveled and nodded toward the office door. "I just have to grab something, then we can leave," he stated, walking out of the room and leaving me alone.

What are you doing? Riding off with a complete stranger, what would your parents think? I pushed the last thought away. Why did I care what they thought. Weren’t they the ones that sent me away for three-fourths of the year? I probably didn’t even cross their minds. Okay, I knew that last thought wasn’t true.

Exiting the office, I almost ran right into Hayes, who grabbed my arm to keep me from falling on the ground. I could feel the warmth from his hand seeping through my jacket as I steadied myself. "Thanks," I said, taking a step away from him.

"Sure," he grumbled before walking out the door without another look back.

Letting out a deep breath, I tried my best to calm my nerves, hoping it wasn't obvious he was affecting me. I cleared my mind before hugging my jacket tighter and walking back out into the torturous weather.

“So, what’s your story?” I turned towards him.

“My story?” I asked, furrowing my eyebrows. “I’m not sure what exactly you mean by that.”

He faced the road again. “Like, where are you from? Your uncle only mentioned you, never really said anything about you.”

I turned my attention back to the passing trees. Should I tell him? I didn’t really like telling people about myself. I guess I could give him a short version, what…..

“You’re always in your head aren’t you?”

The sound of his voice made me jump, pulling me back into reality. Had I really been in my head that long? Can he read my….

“You’re doing it again.” he stated with a humorous laugh, making me blush, ducking my head.

“Sorry, I’m used to being alone.” I admitted peeking over at him to see that he was giving me a look of concern.

“There’s no need to say sorry, I actually find it cute.”

I felt my eyes widen at the word cute, but turned my attention out the window so he couldn’t see my reaction. What was wrong with me? I never blushed or apologized for no reason.

“You never answered my question.”

I bit down on my lip. “I’m for LA. My parents thought it would be good for me to spend my senior year here. Truthfully, I think something else is going on with them, but neither one of them ever talk to me. Sometimes, I think they still think of me as a little kid, even though I have been practically taking care of myself for years.” I explain in one breath, snapping my jaw shut, peeking over at him.

He had interest in his eyes before he diverted his attention back to the road, his jaw becoming tight. “That…..sounds like it sucks.”

Not wanting to speak again afraid I would once again embarrass myself, I just nodded and turned back to the window. Why had I just spilled my internal struggles to him? I have never done that to anyone! I just started and then couldn't stop. It actually felt good to finally let that all out into the open.

Familiar pasture came into view, making my shoulders drop with relief that we were finally home. Home... when did Hope Ranch become my home? Is that what it was now?

“What are you thinking about now, Libby?” Hayes asked as he parked in driveway beside my uncle’s prized mustang.

Libby?

“Libby!” I repeated facing him with raised eyebrows the nickname sounding foreign on my lips.

“Thought it suited you.” he said with a shrug, giving me a heart-stopping smile that made me swallow.

“I don’t do nicknames.” I said, giving him a forced smile.

It wasn’t really I didn’t do nicknames, but my parents didn’t. I never had a problem with them. For some reason, though, I didn’t like the thought of Hayes having a specific name for me.

“Well, I do.” he said before hopping out, slamming the door behind him, making me jump.

Rolling my eyes, I opened the door to see that the truck was higher off the ground than I remembered. I gripped the door and sucked in a deep breath before hopping down. My feet hit the ground, making me let out a breath of relief. It was too soon, though, because as soon as I let the door go, my left ankle turned, and I was on the ground.

“Libby? Are you okay?” Hayes was all of a sudden at my side, a hand placed on my shoulder.

I sat up, letting out a groan when pain shot through my ankle up my calf. “Fine, only a twisted ankle.” I said

He helped me stand and kept a hand on my arm as we slowly made our way to the house. “You should’ve told me you were clumsy.” he joked with a small laugh that made me give him a glare.

“You should’ve told me that your truck was as tall as a mountain.” I said as he awkwardly helped me up the porch steps.

“You got in it yourself at the shop.”

I realized he was right, I should have been paying more attention to the vehicle I had gotten into. “I wasn’t paying attention.” I confessed.

We walked into the house immediately being met by my running, screaming twelve year old cousin. I hobbled over to the wall to brace myself, recognizing who her target was.

“Hayes! You came!” she screamed, launching herself at him in a hug that he reciprocated his strong arms wrapping around her.

Strong arms? Where did that come from? It wasn’t a lie, though. He looked to be really strong. My gosh, I needed to get away from him.

“Of course, it’s fajitas Friday. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” he explained, stepping out of Emily’s grip.

My eyes widened after processing what he had just said. “Your staying?”

His eyes met mine, and a humorous smile spread across his handsome face. “I usually stay the night.”

The night! How was I supposed to survive this?