On Steady Ground (The Walker Brother's Series) Read Free

short list of lawyers. My heart breaking for what my life has come to. When I got married I truly believed it meant forever. Looking up, I watched the car haul ass down the gravel lane. Sighing, and shutting the book I laid it beside me. The sun was now setting low and I started my long walk down the lane. Admiring the light playing through the trees as I slowly walked. Giving up on my heels I slipped them off and took to the grass. Swinging them back and fourth as I quickly got lost in my thoughts. I didn’t really realize I was back at the house until I was back in the yard concentrating on my thoughts and looking at my feet I didn’t see him until he spoke.
    “Hi Lizzy.”
    Looking up onto the porch the face attached to that familiar voice stood Ian. My tongue attached to the roof of my mouth, I felt like an awkward teenager again. Seeing him up close I couldn’t image any guy more handsome. Those butterflies I used to feel in high school gazing upon him were back full force fluttering nervously in my stomach. Brown thick neatly cut hair, it was styled nicely with the front spiked up neatly. His clothes consisted of jeans, t-shirt and lace up work boots. He looked just as mouth watering fantastic now as he did six years ago. My eyes swinging upwards to his stunning blue eyes, his mouth went into that charming smile I always admired.
    “Lizzy? Do you remember me?”
    Shaking my head and smiling, “I’m sorry. Yes Ian. I remember you.” Duh? How could I ever forget about him. Even when I believed to be happily married he still occasioned my thoughts from time to time. Walking up the steps and to him I quickly embraced him. “You look great Ian.”
    Looking me up and down, “You do to Lizzy. You haven’t changed much.”
    Laughing nervously, “Well I don’t know whether to take that as a compliment or insult.”
    Flashing me a smirk, “It’s a compliment.” Changing the subject, “Is Ben around?”
    “No. I’m sorry. He went to go get him hottie number two and hottie number three.”
    Shaking his head knowingly, “Who is hottie number one then?”
    Raising my hand, “Um yeah, I have been dubbed hottie number one.” Laughing.
    “Lucky you.” Reaching down and grabbing my hand, looking down at it. “I thought you had gotten married?”
    Dropping my hand and taking a step back quickly, “Um. Complicated.” Tears burning behind my eyes, the events of the last twenty four hours starting to hit me in the gut.
    Looking at me concerned. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…well I’m sorry.” He said, unsure of what else to say or think.
    “It’s okay.” Wanting to run away as quickly as possible, mortified. If this was the reaction I was having to such a simple question what was going to happen when everyone starting asking? “Um I have to go.” Stumbling over a loose board he caught me with one arm before I fell face first into the door. My body reacting in a frightening way, I didn’t want him to let me go. “Sorry. Thank you.” I said as I breathed in and caught his scent, cussing myself. Damn it, he is still handsome and smells great. This was a problem I didn’t need to have living next door. The always unattainable Ian. Not that I wanted to attain him, I had much bigger fish to fry. Like a violent ex-husband to divorce. Pulling out of his grasp and opening the screen door, I stepped in quickly. “Bye Ian.”
    Shutting the door behind me, I had full intentions of running towards my new bedroom.
    “Lizzy?”
    Turning and looking at him through the screen door. He towered above me and I caught the scent of his cologne again.
    “You’re still as beautiful as you were in high school. That is what I meant.” Smiling and walking down the steps and back towards his house.
    Looking at my finger where my wedding band sat only hours ago, the pain in my heart was unimaginable. The skepticism in my soul now even more apparent. A man tells me I’m beautiful and my first thought is, “what did he do