Page 32 of Searching for Bristol
Shaking his head, Rocky rolled his eyes at himself. He was being ridiculous. Seeing his brother and Zeke find women who were so perfect for them had made him mushy. Bristol was only here until she was back on her feet. Then she’d go back to Kingsport.
But a small part of Rocky objected. Wanted to make her love Fallport and being around him and his friends so much, she wouldn’t want to leave. It was unlikely, but not impossible. Lilly had decided to stay.
With that thought in mind, Rocky reached for the remote and turned on the TV. He kept the volume down so it wouldn’t wake his guest, and relaxed as he found a baseball game. Time would tell what would happen with him and Bristol. And if all that happened was that he’d found a new friend, he’d do his best to be content with that.
But at the back of his mind, he couldn’t help but think about the connection they had blooming into more.
* * *
“Where is she?” the man mumbled to himself as he sat in his car outside of Bristol Wingham’s house in Kingsport, Tennessee.
She’d left almost two weeks ago, and not knowing where she was ate at him more with each passing day. She hadn’t packed more than a large backpack, so he’d assumed she wouldn’t be gone long. Now here it was, nearly two weeks later, and she still wasn’t home.
Worse, the man who’d picked her up, Mike Moran, had returned nearly a week ago—without Bristol. He lived not far from Bristol’s place, and the man had been watching for his return, as well. Had he hurt her? Done something to her? It made no sense that she’d leave with him, but not come back.
He felt his heart rate increase. Worry for Bristol almost overwhelmed him. But under that was anger, as well. Howdareshe leave without telling her customers when she’d be back. How dare she worry him like this! If she was his, he’d make sure she never stepped foot out of the house without telling him where she was going. It was a safety issue.
He couldn’t protect her if he didn’t know where she was.
He was her most loyal customer. The first time he’d seen one of her stained-glass windows, he’d known she was meant to be his. People might call him crazy for thinking so, but he didn’t care. Her art had spoken to his soul, as if she’d made the piece just for him.
He’d bought it on the spot and became obsessed with learning as much as he could about Bristol. He’d even moved to Kingsport, just to be closer to her. Eventually, she’d realize she was meant to be his, and she’d want him just as much as he wanted her.
He was certain he’d bought far more of her beautiful creations than anyone else. Jewelry, sculptures…he’d even pretended to be the pastor of a church and had commissioned a large stained-glass window, which was now his greatest pride and joy.
He needed to find her. Had to know if she was all right, if she was safe. And when she came back, he’d make sure she understood she shouldneverscare him like this again.
It was time.
Time she knew how much he loved her.
That he’d do whatever it took to keep her safe from all the crazies in the world, from anyone who might want to hurt her.
But first, he needed to find her.
CHAPTERSEVEN
Bristol sighed in frustration. It had been four days since she’d gotten out of the hospital and moved into Rocky’s guest room. When she’d first arrived, she’d been overly optimistic about how well she’d be able to get around. Probably because the painkillers she’d been given in the hospital hadn’t worn off.
But now that they had, she found moving to be extremely painful.
The morning after her arrival, she’d insisted on attempting a shower. It had been fast and awkward. Rocky had placed her on a plastic stool beneath the shower, with her leg propped on the side of the tub, before reluctantly leaving her to do what she needed to do—though he’d hovered outside the bathroom, ready to burst in if she needed anything. By the time she’d dried off, dressed herself, and called out for Rocky, she’d been almost lightheaded with the pain from the throbbing in her leg and regretted trying to do so much on her own.
Meanwhile, Rocky had been the perfect host…and friend. He hadn’t gone back to work yet. Had been sticking to his apartment, making sure she was all right and keeping her company. She’d had a steady stream of guests too, which was surprising, but they made her feel really good.
This morning, however, she was cranky. And extremely frustrated. She wanted to be able to get up and go to the bathroom without having to be carried. She wanted to stand in front of the sink and brush her teeth instead of doing it while sitting on the toilet. Wanted to go out into the fresh air. Wanted to wear real pants instead of ones with only one leg.
So when Rocky knocked on her door that morning and cheerfully called out, “Good morning,” Bristol wanted to tell him to go away so she could wallow in self-pity. But that would be rude. He was doing her a huge favor. If she’d gone home to Kingsport, she would’ve been in big trouble. She couldn’t get around on her own until her leg healed up a bit more. The doctor estimated two weeks before she’d be able to get up and hobble around with crutches or a knee walker.
Rocky poked his head inside her room, and the second Bristol’s gaze met his, she felt her impatience and irritation rising. She didn’t want to be someone this man had to babysit. Didn’t want to be a patient. She wanted him to see her as…more. In fact, the thoughts running through her head were startling…yet not. The connection they shared had been there from the moment they’d met in the woods.
This wasnothow she wanted to spend her time with Rocky.
She felt grubby, pathetic, and angry.
“What’s wrong?” he asked as he came into the room.
Figured he’d be able to tell she was in a bad mood. “Nothing.”
