Heart of the Hunter by Chance Carter Page A

one.”
    I took a big hit of booze and Kelly shot across my mind. I needed to get far away from her and whatever hold she had on me. It was no good for me and was fucking awful for her. She was burned into my mind. The memory of her, with her green eyes looking at me like a savior, her sweaty body writhing under me as she moaned with every thrust of my cock, her nails raking my back as I came deep inside her. She didn’t deserve a goodbye. She didn’t deserve to meet me in the first place. I was a fucking animal and I had devoured and claimed an innocent girl. That was it. That was all that had happened. It was time to walk away. I never had an issue leaving a chick before and this time wouldn’t be any different. She didn’t need me fucking up her perfect little life, and I sure as fuck didn’t need her slowing me down.
    “Figured as much,” Deacon laughed.
    Well, Kelly. You get your fucking life back, sweetheart. The big bad wolf is leaving town. You’re welcome.

Chapter 19
    Kelly
    G RACE GENTLY KNOCKED ON THE screen door so she wouldn’t wake Lucas.
    “Hey, baby,” she whispered as she smiled and waved from the porch, holding a brown paper bag full of groceries in her other arm. “Open this door and let’s get this show on the road. This is far too late for an old girl like me to be thinking about eating dinner.”
    I was so happy to see her. Grace gave me a warm feeling in my stomach whenever something was wrong. I felt like I was about to cry tears of joy just from hearing her voice.
    “You’re not old and it’s not that late,” I whispered back, slowly opening the door for her. “It can’t be more than nine, Grace.”
    “I know,” she said softly. “Other folks my age ate hours ago and have tucked themselves in for the night like little Luke. How is the dear? Keeping his grades up? Still working his charm on the ladies?”
    “How did you know about his little ladies?” I asked with a laugh.
    “I have my sources, honey. Don’t you worry that pretty little head of yours. Plus, I’m his Grandma Grace, remember? We have ways of prying things out of our little guys.”
    “Yes,” I smiled back at her. “This I know.”
    Luke had taken to calling Grace Grandma when we started living with her. All our grandparents had passed away before we were born, so we never knew them. I think he just assumed that Grace was it. And she was. She had fought the name briefly, but as soon as I gave it the okay, she was fully behind it. She would never admit it, but I knew the joy it brought her every time he called her that. It warmed my heart to hear as well. It made both of them very happy and that was all I wanted.
    “So, what’s for dinner, Grace?” I said as I walked into the kitchen and realized what a mess it was. I was going to get an earful.
    “Well, that is up to you, my dear. You’re the cook. My goodness, child. It looks like a tornado blew through this kitchen.”
    I knew she was talking about the dishes that had piled up since I made Lucas dinner, but a part of me was afraid she could see signs of Hurricane Hunter. I could still smell him, could still feel him, and I hoped that she couldn’t too. Or at the very least, I hoped I wasn’t wearing my feelings on my face.
    “I know, Grace, I know. With everything that happened today at the diner, I just didn’t get to cleaning up like I normally do. I’m sorry.”
    “Goodness, Kelly. It was an interesting day, but I still managed to clean my diner up just fine. And your kitchen didn’t have that bull come charging through it. I know he was trying to help, but my Lord. I’ve never seen such a disgusting display in my entire life. Such violence. Not very becoming of a young man.”
    I breathed a sigh of relief.
    Grace hadn’t seen Hunter leaving with me, and had no idea he had been here or what we had done. It was better that way. Much, much better.
    “You’re right Grace. I have no excuse. I’ll get it cleaned up and then I’ll make you a