Here with me (Lily, Gene)

[Lovely]

October 1, 2010
early evening


Lily pushed her toes against the rough boards of the porch, moving the swing she sat on in a lazy rhythm, a light breeze chilled her skin now and then. Her blonde hair pulled away from her face and cascading with curls and waves down her back. She wore just a simple pale colored dress, thin straps and a short flouncy skirt, for most it would seem to chilly for such an outfit but she was comfortable. She twirled a finger in a lock of hair and watched the driveway, front yard, and the sky as it changed colors with the sun going slowly down. The swing creaked softly and she looked up wondering how long the bolts or the boards they were screwed into would hold? They seemed strong right now but so much damage had been done to the house from years of neglect and squatters. They knew now that a guardian of sorts had done his best to watch over the house and if not for Garrett, the very boy who spurred the family's departure years ago, the house probably wouldn't be standing at all. He'd sunk his time and probably some money into trying to keep it up, he chased off squatters but it was time for the family to return and do their part to save and restore the home. Wesley had made it clear how she felt about him without even trying and the rest accepted him for the most part. He seemed loyal and probably as smitten with Wes as she was with him. Why else would he spend like twenty years watching over her old house? Lily smiled thinking that was sweet and hopelessly romantic but doubted she'd ever find such a prince charming of her own.

A line of rising dust at the top of the hill turned pink in the low sunlight, marking the path of the old pick-up coming up the road. As if spying the girl on the swing from a distance, the headlights flicked on like opening eyes intent on seeing her up close. The truck moved slowly near each service turn, moving on to the next one, then the next, lurching along as the driver looked for the right one, or for something that might come out of any of them though there were only a few and each still quite visible. Once the truck passed the last one it sped up toward the farm ahead, slowing again after coming up the drive. The driver stopped a distance out, opting to walk. Small towns had big guns and many folks didn't like strangers, especially city boys, truck or no truck. The man climbing out was rail thin and shaggy headed, turning as he walked, obviously lost and possibly concerned that a bear might grab him or his truck if he didn't keep watch. His hands were in his back pockets of his dark designer-like jeans, his jacket open and free of any firearms. Hopefully the tenants of the house would notice that much. He turned back again as he got closer and saw the girl on the porchswing. She didn't look dangerous, at least. "Hello! I... don't suppose you would help me out with telling me where I am, would you?"

[Lovely]

Lily looked up as the truck started coming up the driveway, before that she only half paid attention to it with the cautious nature that was instinctual as well as learned from the attack that had left her family ripped apart. Her body tensed when the truck stopped and a man stepped out, but as he got closer her smile became slightly amused. He looked so much like Tripp it was clear they were brothers even before the breeze carried his head spinning scent to her. She captured her lower lip in her teeth and it was all she could do not to lunge at him and tackle him to the dusty driveway, lick his neck and nip at him. "Hello." Her voice was sweet, her smile sweeter and she beckoned him with one finger to come closer. "I might if you come sit with me.."

He wasn't sure he heard her right at first, his head turning sideways a little with the confusion. He looked around the windows for angry parents, then glanced back again. The place hardly looked lived in at all which made him more confused. "I... I'm not sure that's a good idea. I'm trying to find the town and maybe a motel before dark," he said, coming closer to the porch, bargaining his way to the information if he needed to. She was a very pretty girl, so different from the tight-jeaned, high-heeled, iPhone pilots he was accustomed to at home. He smiled as he stopped at the edge of the porch.

"I'm sure it's a very good idea." She licked her lips and patted the empty seat next to her, pouting out her lower lip a little. "I'm all lonely.. I won't bite.. unless you ask very nicely." She giggled a little, not really much of a flirt but trying to entice him closer. She would have been extremely jealous of Jaime if Tripp wasn't so.. dark.. mean. She brushed a wisp of hair away from her face and leaned forward a little, her curves were more gentle but maybe he liked normal sized girls and not plastic dolls who were far to big on top?

He chuckled a little. Country charm had just swatted him ever so lightly and he didn't seem to mind. Her eyes were focused on him like she knew him but he couldn't place her. Alright. He shrugged and harumphed softly, looking back at the still-running truck, then stepped up on the porch to sit with the girl. He couldn't help but stare, trying to reassure himself that they hadn't met. His phone, his keys, his music... everything was down the driveway in the truck and he wasn't used to having nothing in his hands to type or scroll. He gripped the edge of the swing by his legs, appearing tense and impatient despite the friendly smile. "So. Sitting... here," he pointed out, still watching her eyes.

He was most definitely not his brother, it was a bit refreshing to find a face so close to Tripp's but to not have that malice shining in his eyes, this man seemed uncomfortable with her lame attempt at flirting. "Mmmhmm.." She agreed with a smile and a nod of her head. She tested him a little more by leaning in and nearly resting her chin on his shoulder as she whispered warmly to his ear. "Now I can tell you where you are. You're here.. with me.."

[Lovely]

He tensed more as she rested against him. "With you," he chuckled, repeating her words while he grew more concerned about his welfare. He didn't want to be mean, regardless of the thoughts about how some people disappeared in the country and were never found until the spring planting season. He swallowed hard. "Although.. we don't know each other and I'm quite sure that's not a good idea," he said, gently nudging her from her nuzzling touch on his shoulder so he could seek out the understanding in those sea-colored eyes. "I mean, that's quite nice, but I need your help... first, okay?" He pleaded to any sense of mercy she had. "I need to find my brother and I'm nearly out of daylight tonight. Do you want to help me?"

She sensed the subtle tension in his body and how it made his scent change, crinkling her nose slightly as she was nudged back. Her mouth turned down in a slight pout and she sighed, easing back against the swing and looking at him with a sliding sideways glance. "I thought men weren't supposed to be the shy ones.." Lily drew a lazy circle over her thigh lifting the hem of her dress a little higher. "You won't make it to town before dark.. might as well stay.. why are you looking for your brother?"

"Heaven knows," he said absently, his attention diverted to the motion of her fingers on her leg and the consideration of being kept for the night with her sort of hospitality. The girl was genuinely trying and very nearly succeeding in distracting him completely. He chuckled. "Sorry, I mean I need to find him. He's been missing several days, not answering his phone. We don't get along famously, but still, all in all, he's my brother and he's quite skilled in finding trouble, or making it... but I shouldn't bore you with details," he paused, not sure giving her any details would be wise. He looked up at her face again and the recognition that he'd seen, perhaps she'd seen his brother, thinking they were the same person. What had his brother done before he'd arrived, if so, he wondered, casting a glance back to her doodling fingertips. "Hey, look. Maybe you've even seen him. He looks very much like me, actually. Easy to mistake us if we're not together, I think. Although I'm better looking," he grinned.

Lily bit her lower lip but it didn't hold in the soft giggle that still escped as she turned her face to look at him more directly, she didn't say anything for a moment as she pondered over what he'd told her. "Mmm yes, I'd have to agree.. you are better looking and much warmer than he is." Her tongue started to play where her teeth had just captured her lip and she eyed him like she was trying to think up all sorts of naughty things.

His relief washed some of the tension from his shoulders. "You HAVE seen him?! You knew! Pat's here, isn't he?" He wanted to scold her and kiss her at the same time. Her expression was nearly as mischievous as Pat's tended to be, though, and he looked at her sideways. "What are you up to? More what's he put you up to, hm?"

"I might have seen him." She began with a teasing smile but it faded into a pout and she almost glared at him now. "More like put me out.. of my room, had to move down the hall since he's been here. I don't think my sister will give him back to you." Lily explained with a shrug, doodling a heart on her leg with her finger tip. "..and the only thing I'm up to is trying to get a kiss from you.. but I guess you don't want to kiss me."

[Lovely]

"Why do you say that? I did say I needed to find him first, which I have. Then...," he said, pausing to put a fingertip under her chin. "I can stop worrying, not that I was really, and take time to get to know you, I think. Thank you for your help," he said, dispelling the myth of his shyness as he reached to kiss her cheek if she didn't turn to let him kiss the lip she'd been nipping so sweetly.

Lily wasn't normally the bold one, such a shy sweet little kitten, but since he'd stepped out of the truck she'd been feeling more playful and flirted with him. Now as he leaned to kiss her, she couldn't resist the temptation to turn and taste his perfect lips. She wasn't timid but didn't attack him either, keeping the contact gentle and exploring.

The kiss he'd meant as a simple thank-you was returned far more warmly and enticingly than he could ignore. He let his finger drop from her chin and reached for the hand she'd been tracing with as he moved back and sat back against the swing. "Too far to town before dark, hm? Then, it appears tragically that I may be forced to accept your offer to stay. Where should I park the truck. It's motor can't stay running all night," he teased.

"Mmm much, much too far.." She teased him back with a light smile and eyes that danced with her delight. Lily glanced to the truck and gave another shrug of her slender shoulder. "You can pull it up closer to the front of the house if you like." She gestured with her free hand to the open space. "We haven't done any landscaping yet to worry about. Or if you'd rather you can pull around the back toward the barns."

"Front is fine," he said, not sure still that hiding his whereabouts as well as his brother had was a sound decision. He hadn't seen Patrick's car, but the way she described being ousted from her own room sounded every bit like something he was more than capable of doing, even to a sweet girl, and proof enough for him that Pat was with her sister. "I will guarantee you, though," he clarified as he slowly got up to go tend to the idling truck. "That I will not share a room with my brother. We haven't since we were four. For the safety of your home and future landscaping, I highly recommend against it, or having anything sharp or flamable near either one of us for long."

"Wasn't going to ask you to share a room with him.. I think I can safely say that he and Jaime are quite happy in there by themselves. It's a huge house with lots of rooms, though I have lots of sisters. I'm sure many of them would love to have you.. but I was hoping I could tempt you into the room I've taken up in?" She looked at him from beneath sweetly lowered lashes, with that tiny playful smile peeking out. Lily hoped he would accept the offer... otherwise she just might have to drag him there!

"Lots of sisters aren't sitting out here on the swing drawing hearts," he pointed out with a delighted grin. "Hold that very thought," he said, trotting off to the truck to move it to the front and side of the house. He somewhat hoped the growl of the tires over the gravel would get Patrick's attention, but he had no idea what room in the large house he'd taken over. Gene pulled his belongings together into the satchel he'd rummaged into disarray during the drive and slung it over his shoulder, returning to the front porch. "At least let me know how I can help with a dish or something in return."