Hell Hounds MC: Welcome to Serenity

Chapter Six

Eleanor sighed as she stretched, feeling refreshed and content. It had been a week since she arrived in Serenity. She hadn’t intended to stay this long and every day she promised to find herself a car and leave, but every day she found an excuse to delay her departure. Grabbing a towel, she headed to the bathroom for a quick shower before breakfast.

After her shower, she stood wrapped in a towel in front of the full-length mirror on the back of the door. After a moment of hesitation, she wiped off the steam-covered surface to finally gaze at her reflection. Her bruises looked a lot less angry. Some were even fading to yellow. Her ribs were still tender, but otherwise didn’t cause her much discomfort.

Eleanor was also surprised to note she had gained some weight and was slowly filling in her figure. She had a long way to go, but she was already feeling much better. Donna was such a sweet person and her cooking was delicious. She was constantly serving up extra helpings, fretting that Eleanor wasn’t eating enough. It was quite a change from meals Eleanor had in the past where she endured constant belittling.

Donna had taken Eleanor shopping and insisted she add her number immediately to her new phone. Though there was more than a ten-year age gap between them, Eleanor was happy to call her a friend, a real friend for, perhaps, the first time in her life. She hadn’t seen Rubble since the day he introduced her to Donna, but Eleanor thought of him often.

Every time she saw or heard a motorcycle her thoughts would drift to her rough-neck, guardian angel. One day, she would figure out a way to properly thank him. She still had the business card he gave her and even inputted his number into her phone, though she stopped short of calling him.

Returning to her room, she dressed and headed down to the dining room. There, she found Donna was already busy in the kitchen making breakfast. No matter how early Eleanor emerged, Donna was always awake. She smiled as she took out the place settings.

“Eleanor, you’re looking rested,” Donna cooed. “Sleep well? No bad dreams?”

Eleanor shook her head. Ever since making her escape, her nights had been plagued by nightmares of Arthur finding her. Yet, after settling in at the B&B, her nights had become more peaceful. Though she was sometimes restless at the beginning of the night, she would catch the sound of a motorcycle driving by and would feel much better. It was almost as if her guardian angel was there, reminding her she was safe and in a good place.

“Can I help?”

Donna chuckled, “Of course, why don’t you grab the silverware?”

Eleanor retrieved enough for three settings before following Donna around the table as she put the plates down. Afterward, she grabbed glasses while Donna organized the breakfast buffet. Filling their plates, they just sat down when Donna’s other renter joined them.

Donna smiled sweetly, to which he only grunted before filling his plate and sitting down. Though Eleanor had been there for a week, she really didn’t know much about him. His name was Justin and he was nearly forty. According to Donna, he was a writer. The few times Eleanor passed by his room she heard the rattle of a typewriter, so perhaps Donna was correct. He didn’t seem particularly friendly, so she didn’t try to make small talk.

“So Eleanor, any plans for today?” Donna asked.

Every day she asked the same question and every day Eleanor had given her the same answer: no plans. Donna then invited her to help in the garden or join her while she ran errands. While Eleanor didn’t mind the menial tasks, they weren’t particularly fulfilling either. They did allow her to relax and reflect, however, and perhaps that was exactly what she needed. Now, she felt ready to face her new reality.

“Actually, I thought I’d start looking for a job,” Eleanor said after a moment.

“Really?”

“I can’t live off my savings forever,” Eleanor shrugged.

“True,” Donna smiled, “so does that mean you’ll be staying in Serenity?”

“Umm, yeah, for a while at least.”

“Good. I’m glad. I’d miss you if you suddenly up and disappeared,” Donna chuckled.

Eleanor awkwardly smiled. She couldn’t help but think of her family and wondered if they even cared that she was gone. They were probably angrier that her engagement to Arthur was over.

“So, what kind of work are you looking for?”

“I was an accountant before, so maybe something along those lines?” Eleanor hesitated. “It might also be nice to try something new, so I’m not sure.”

“It’s good to keep an open mind,” Donna agreed.

“I was thinking about going for a walk downtown and seeing the area a little bit before I make any decisions.”

“It sounds like an adventure,” Donna laughed. “Well, have fun and keep your eyes open.”

“I will.”

* * *

After breakfast, Eleanor headed out not sure where she was going, but full of anticipation nonetheless. She wore a simple pair of leggings and a tee-shirt under a short, blazer-style jacket. Her phone was tucked in her pocket, as well as her wallet and room key. Since the bruise on her face wasn’t quite healed, she used some of her new concealer to camouflage it. She didn’t want to collect people’s pity, and she preferred not to draw attention to herself. If she was going to make a life here, she didn’t want to start off on the wrong foot.

Serenity was a larger town than she originally realized, but most everything she needed was still within walking distance. Though Eleanor started out with the best of intentions, after thirty minutes she was beginning to regret her impetuous decision. For years, she had walked New York City streets with little regard for any dangers, yet here in Serenity she couldn’t help but constantly look over her shoulder. Was it the public she was afraid of or was she really expecting Arthur to suddenly appear?

By her estimation, he should have returned from his business trip days ago. He would have been expecting her to meet him at their door, take his coat and listen to him prattle on about the difficulties he faced. Then she was expected to give him her body to do whatever degrading thing he wished to do to it, as if he hadn’t indulged his urges the entire time he was away. It was the same play they had acted out so many times. He wasn't satisfied if it wasn’t done completely to his satisfaction.

Then there was also the mess that had been left behind. He had refused to employ maids or cooks since she moved in as it was her duty as his soon-to-be wife to take care of the house and cooking herself. Of course, he rarely came home for meals anyway and Eleanor usually ended up ordering something.

She could only imagine his rage at finding everything still broken a week later. No doubt, he would go to her parents' first, expecting her to be hiding there, but he wouldn’t find her. A small part of her feared he would take his rage out on them not that she really owed them any consideration.

When that lead didn’t pan out, he would resort to looking back at her credit card purchases and her cell phone’s location. Hopefully, the kids who helped her had already gotten rid of them. After that, he would enlist the police and, when they couldn’t find her, a private investigator. What he would do after that, she wasn’t sure. If one private investigator failed, he would probably hire another.

She had done her best to cover her tracks, yet she couldn’t help but worry someone would somehow find her. So, there she was, fearing the specter of her ex. Her first thought was to keep running, but where would she go? And how far was far enough? More importantly, she found she didn’t want to leave Serenity. It was a nice place. What would it take to make it feel like home?

Lost in thought, she didn’t realize how far she had walked until a chorus of barks pulled her out of her circling thoughts. Eleanor stopped to see she stood in front of a small storefront: Healing Hearts Animal Rescue. In the window was a small play area, allowing passersby to see some of the animals available for adoption, in this case a handful of retriever puppies.

Eleanor shook her head. Her future, especially her future in Serenity, was still uncertain. Now was definitely not the time to get a pet. And yet, she also couldn’t just walk away. She had always wanted a dog. Every birthday and holiday her secret wish was for a puppy, something that would love her unconditionally. But those wishes never came true.

Maybe now?

But it wasn’t the right time.

When would it be the right time?

While she carried on with her internal debate, she stepped up to the door and made her way inside.