Scarlett The Devil's Daughter by S J Crabb

just aren't enough to dig us out of the hole
we've dug." I look at her with a thoughtful expression. "What about
Drakes grandparents house. Can't you sell that to raise some
money?" Kitty looks horrified. "Oh no that isn't an option. We all
love the place; it would be like selling our soul." I smile at her
gently. "It's a special place alright. You know I admire you all.
You are finding things tough but you still keep upbeat and don't
give up. That says a lot about you as a family. You will find a way
you know, things may be bad now but I have always found that things
have a habit of working themselves out." Kitty smiles and stands
up. "You're a sweet girl Scarlett. I am just sorry that you will be
leaving soon. I haven't seen Drake this happy in months." She heads
back to the bar and tears fill my eyes as I think about what she
has said. I want for everything to work out for them and for them
to be happy again but more than anything I don't want to leave
Drake. I have made myself not think about my inevitable departure
but hearing her voice it out loud brings home the reality to me.
The trouble is now that I have let love into my life I don't want
to ever let it go.
     
    The place soon fills up and I watch as Drake
gets ready to sing. I love watching him perform. He is in his
element when he is singing and playing his guitar. I laugh as I see
his usual fan club arriving. They don't worry me anymore. Drake
makes me feel secure and loved and I know that they mean nothing to
him. Once again we are rushed off our feet. Listening to him sing
distracts me from the noise of the bar. It is as though he is all
that I can hear and his voice fills my soul. Taking a minute I lean
against the wall and watch him play. He gets that far away look in
his eye as if he is transported to another world. Every so often he
finds me and stares at me with so much love that it brings a lump
to my throat. How can I leave him? My heart will break I just know.
Suddenly I am aware that someone is standing next to me also
watching him. Looking across I groan inwardly as I see that it's
Taylor. She fixes me with a cold stare. "Better make the most of it
Scarlett. The clock is ticking and soon the next semester will
start. It's just a shame that long distance romances are doomed to
failure. It's a long time to be apart from your summer love, soon
the winter will set in and Drake may well decide to move on with
someone else, shall we say a little closer to home." Willing myself
not to rise to her obvious desire to start something with me I just
smile sweetly at her. "That may be Taylor, but you see I may decide
to stay after all. You see I have that choice. Either way it will
be fine, you see when you find true love nothing gets in the way of
it, not even a jealous old flame that has long burned out. Anyway
I've enjoyed our little chat but I have work to do. If you'll
excuse me." I move quickly away but not before I see the alarm on
her face.
    Once again it's been a good night and the
takings are up. Dylan takes his mother home and leaves Drake and I
to lock up. Pulling me towards him Drake kisses me deeply. Pulling
away he says huskily, "Come to the house with me Scarlett. I want
to spend every minute with you that we have left. The thought that
you will be gone in a few weeks is killing me inside." I can feel
his despair and I share it. "Come on Drake. Let's go to the house.
You're right we need to make the most of the time we do have." Hand
in hand we walk to his grandparent's house. I fully intend on
spending the night with him tonight and I don't care what my father
thinks.

Chapter Eighteen
     
    We wake up early in the morning and I smile
to myself as I see him lying beside me. He is the sexiest man that
I have ever met and I trace the tattoo on his arm. He looks at me
sexily and pulls me against him. He kisses me gently and pulls back
looking deeply into my eyes. "I love you Scarlett, you are my
world, you know that don't you?" I kiss him and then