Chapter 4

• Tiana laughed, clutching her arms around Wilder as they roared down a dirt road at high speed. They were both wearing helmets, something Wilder insisted on. He wore a leather jacket over a black shirt and jeans. The motorcycle sped up and down the road a few more times, only picking up speed for a few minutes at a time, because he worried about how good his judgment and balance were after a year of sitting, out of tune with his senses.
• It made Wilder feel good to get out and feel the power and exhilarating speed once again. Better, there were arms wrapped around him and a female body pressed against his back, trusting him. Of course, if anything happened, and she was injured, he was sure she could probably heal herself and be fine. Even with that thought, he took care, not pushing things too far.
• Wilder pulled into his neighbor’s driveway and rolled up to park in front of a large, old farmhouse, similar to his own. Tiana slid off and wobbled. Wilder caught her by the arm before thinking about the fact she told him not to touch her. He held on, waiting for her to yell at him, that was the typical response he received when doing something nice for a woman.
• “My legs are vibrating!” Tiana laughed, grabbing onto his shoulder. “But it was fun!”
• “We can do it again another time.” Wilder let go of her hand and pulled a thick wooden cane out of the pack behind the seat. He knew he had to keep up pretenses in town, or there would be questions he didn’t want to answer. Pretending to use the cane would work well enough.
• “Wilder Smith!” An older woman with dark brown hair and tan skin walked onto the porch. “What are you doing making all that racket? My chickens won’t lay eggs for a week with all that noise!”
• “Good morning, Mrs. Wellington. Is Fergus available for a trip into town?” Wilder used the cane to walk closer. The woman stared at him.
• “Are you having a good day, Wilder?” She glanced at Tiana. “Who is she?”
• “A rare day, yeah. This is Tiana. She’s my guest for a week and I need to go into town and do some shopping.” Wilder leaned on the cane, peering at Mrs. Wellington.
• “Oh, you have a lady friend?” The woman chuckled and smiled at Wilder.
• “No, it’s not like that,” sighed Wilder, lowering his gaze, trying to keep the blush stinging his cheeks from showing. “Not at all.”
• “I’ll get Fergus.” Mrs. Wellington nodded and went inside.
• * * *
• “Wilder! You’re walking!” A young man in overalls and a red t-shirt, with the same complexion as Mrs. Wellington, burst through the front doors and ran down the stairs. He ran a hand through his thick, spiked up black hair and circled Wilder and Tiana.
• “This is Fergus.” Wilder smirked, motioning to him. “Fergus, this is Tiana.”
• “Hi!” He greeted her, holding out his hand. Tiana stared at the hand, then reached out to take it. What a strange young man.
• “Fergus, we need to go into town and I want to discuss hiring you to tend to my house and garden in the future.” Wilder took a step back.
• “Nice to meet you,” stated Tiana, attempting to get her hand back.
• “I’m sorry, pretty…women make me nervous.” Fergus winced and let go, a worried look passing over his face.
• “It’s okay,” sighed Tiana with a smile.
• “About the job?”
• “Oh, right, thank you so much, Wilder! Mom’s been on me all winter about finding a regular job.” Fergus clasped his hands and grimaced. “And a girlfriend.”
• “Join the club.’ Wilder rolled his eyes. “Okay, enough talking. You know how much I hate town. And people.”
• * * *
• Riding in a car was a strange experience. Wilder told Tiana what she needed to do when she got in, so she wouldn’t raise any suspicions. He would help her if she had any trouble. She didn’t. Pulling the seatbelt out and strapping it over her shoulder and waist was easy. What wasn’t easy was tolerating a binding that held her down. She didn’t like that at all and squirmed around for a few minutes until the car started.
• Holding back her momentary fear at being trapped in a moving box was difficult. Tiana grimaced and threw her right arm out, smacking Wilder in the chest, then she dug her fingers into him.
• “Uh, are you okay?” Fergus stopped the car, glancing back at the panicked look on Tiana’s face.
• “She’s fine. Motion sickness.” Wilder reached up to place his hand over Tiana’s, trying to lightly pry her fingers out of his skin.
• “Okay,” Fergus stated, not sounding convinced that was what was going on.
• “Relax,” Wilder leaned over and whispered, folding his fingers over Tiana’s hand.
• “I’m trying,” she whispered back, clenching his hand as the car began moving again. “I don’t like this.”
• “It’s the same thing as the motorcycle.”
• “No, it’s not. I’m inside the thing.” Tiana clenched her teeth and gave Wilder a plaintive look.
• She did not enjoy the ride, cringing at every bounce and jolt. The ceiling was too close, and it knocked her around. It was like her ability to balance was gone. Cars were awful. Why did humans travel in these things?
• * * *
• Wilder watched Tiana with concern. She looked absolutely miserable, and he wanted to comfort her, but the only thing he could do was hold her hand. Her short nails dug into the palm of his hand, breaking the skin, she was that upset.
• “Stop at the first clothing store on Main, Fergus.” Wilder began giving instructions. “When we’re done there, we’re going to walk down the street. You can meet us at the Eatery at noon for lunch. My treat. Then we’ll do grocery shopping and head home. Sound good?”
• “Yup. I have some things I can do,” Fergus replied cheerily.
• A few minutes later, Fergus pulled into a parking space and Wilder opened the door to get out. He intended to go around to the other side and assist Tiana, but she shakily scrambled out to follow him.
• “I hate that thing!” She hissed, circling around to put Wilder between her and the car.
• “I can tell,” chuckled Wilder, leaning on his cane.
• “It’s not funny!” Tiana fumed, stamping a foot down on the pavement. Her ankle turned, and she yelped, kneeling to keep from falling.
• “You get used to them.” Wilder smiled, motioning to the nearby clothing store called the American Closet. “We’re going in there. Let’s get you some shoes that fit and something to wear. You’re staying seven full days?”
• “Yes.” Tiana stood and wiggled her foot. “I’ll leave on the 8th morning from today.”
• “Then I want you to pick out seven outfits so you can wear something new every day. My treat.” Wilder began walking, not attempting to look like he needed the cane. There were few people on the street at the moment. “Something to sleep in, uh.. Whatever else you need.”