20 Ghost From My Past

...Austin POV...

At this time of year, we all get lost in reruns of The Grinch, that god ugly man that comes to steal Christmas. But then there is Scrooge, the ghost of the past, the present, and the future. Well, the question here is, did she come to steal Christmas, or is she a ghost of my past? Whichever one, she is definitely not welcome. My present is firmly in place, and the only woman I see in my future is Summer. Yeah, I am being a bit optimistic, but we have become fairly closer tonight...Until now...

And then my present becomes even more real, for she has spotted me and is now making her way over here. I guess if I went and hid away, someone would have told her where to find me anyway. I am just relieved that Summer did not see her with me, but then again, it is quite a nasty thing to do, given who she is. My father would have frowned at my behavior and told me to play nice as he always reminded me so very often.

Then she is finally right in front of me. I need to remind Billy by lifting a single brow that there is an obvious ring on his finger.

"Good evening Austin."

"Don't know so much about good, but yeah, hello, Rebecca."

"How have you been?"

"Can't say better now that you are you here. What brings you out here? But even more importantly, how did you know I am here?"

"I got the details of the shop you use to send the flowers from."

"Ah, of course. It is only you that will do that."

Now I see myself as a true gentleman that does not disrespect a woman in any way, but, ya, Rebecca brings out the best of the worst side of me. We have not quite played well together since from a very early age. I think we were just civil for my father's sake, but nothing keeps me from being a bit irritated at her.

"So what brings you out to these parts of the world? This is a bit below your standard, is it not?"

But then I notice Billy still eagerly waiting for me to make the introduction. I swear I will slap that smirk off of his face.

"Billy, this is my sister, Rebecca."

And as I watch her with her own stupid smile on her face, I realize the mistake I have made.

"Sorry, make that half-sister. I do not want to give her the idea that I like her any more than yesterday."

Well, that smile quickly drops, as Billy still stands in shock. That will be a discussion with him for another day, but first, I need to know what she wants and, most importantly, how long she plans to stay.

"So, how long are you gracing us with your presence?"

"If you don't mind, there is something I wish to discuss with you in private."

"I don't have secrets from old Billy here, so please go ahead."

"Is there not somewhere less...crowded that we can go?"

"I assume you are inviting yourself to my place?"

And ya, I should not have said a thing for her next words I walked right into myself. She always has had a way to turn your words against yourself.

"I was hoping that I can stay at your place tonight. I am not setting my foot in one of these dirty hotels."

"Who says they are dirty? But then again, nothing is good for little princess, is it?"

Well, it seems that it is only funny to me, so I guess tonight's fun has come to an end. And as we drive back to the ranch, the mood in my truck is fairly quiet. I really do not want her here, but what can I do, she is family.

And seeing that she is staying over, I might as well leave this conversation for tomorrow then. My day has been quite eventful; I do not think this heart can take any more excitement for today.

With that said, I do not get a very peaceful night of sleep. My dreams are riddled with Summer and the way her brother treated her. I am afraid to think about what he would have done if I did not come to her rescue immediately. There is something seriously off with that family of hers.

But talking about family, mine is downstairs waiting to break whatever news she has forme. And as I get downstairs, she has already taken my kitchen over.

"Don't you have any decent coffee in here?"

"There is nothing wrong with my coffee. But then again, we are talking about you."

"I saw a coffee shop there in town. Can we go there?"

"I actually have plans, but if it gets you out my hair, then let's go."

So we find ourselves outside the coffee shop twenty minutes later. I do hope that Summerwon't be there yet. But looking at Rebecca, she seems to have a lot on her mind. We might be here for a while, and then Summer is going to see me with another woman. I hate to think about what she is going to think. And then...

"What the fück, did you just hug me? What was that for?"

"The coffee shop, oh goody gumdrop, they make hot cocoa here!"

"Oh my god, I have never seen anybody so excited over a damn coffee shop. I hope it is not contagious what you have."

But then I see her out the corner of my eye, she is rushing to her car, and she seems to be very upset.

"Dammit! Summer wait!"

...SUMMER POV...

I can't wait to see Austin, but at the same time, I'm so scared as to what I'm going to say when he asks me what happened last night. But all that aside, I really want to feel his protective arms around me again, and I want to hear his sexy deep voice.

I watch the door very closely as everyone pitches up except for one handsome cowboy. I can't believe that I'm already so head over heels for someone I barely know. I should really get my mind on the right track. I've fallen for guys before that had me believed they were better than the rest, and every one of them has failed me so far.

The minutes tick by and a half an hour and then an hour. I don't understand why he's not coming? He was very adamant about seeing me the next day. I'm sure he wanted to see if I was found okay.

I stand up and move towards the door. I guess I must've read the situation wrong. I open the door and walk to my car. Then I see Austin heading this way.

My heart skips a beat at the thought of seeing him again, but then I see another beautiful woman walking by his side.

I quickly hide from their sight, and it's clear that they know each other. Then she proceeds to hug him, and my heart sinks into my shoes. Oh god! He has someone. I then run as fast as I can to my car and feel tears falling down my cheeks involuntarily.

I don't understand why Austin has such a hold on me. I dry my tears and start the car. I almost bump into someone as I speed away. I just keep on driving, trying to somehow run away from my thoughts.

I find myself stopping in front of the only sanctuary I know, the cabin. I get out of my car determent to know who stole my sanctuary out from under me. I walk toward the cabin, and then I hear a familiar voice behind me. I turn around, and there he stands before me breathless.

"What do you want?"