I know, it’s been way too long. But if you are still patiently reading after all this time here’s the next chapter. Thanks Nicole @romanoffsbite for this awesome cover. Also to @katieb373 and @megansarah11 for your commitment to my story, it means the world. If you don’t know the story, you can read from the beginning HERE
Synopsis: After a messy break up Caroline Forbes decides to take up a job in small town Texas not expecting to cross paths with arrogant cattle ranch owner Niklaus Mikaelson. Although on closer reflection she realises there’s much more to him than meets the eye.
Southern Comfort: Chapter 19
8:59am, September 25 2016, 44 days till the US General Election
Caroline pushed the paper cup of horrible, burned, coffee aside and hit her head against the nearby wall in frustration.
She was never the most patient person but the last seventeen hours had taken their toll. And even the tears that had fallen in a steady stream in that time were now non-existent she was that drained.
She looked around the empty halls. She’d started her journey in the waiting room and had actually managed to get past the dictator nurse at some point and was now sitting up against the wall, his room taunting her from its close proximity. She wasn’t family so had no visiting rights but being closer to him was all that mattered.
That’s all she cared about.
When she’d heard he was riding in the Rodeo, Caroline was immediately worried. Apparently he’d done it the past few years without injury but it didn’t make her feel any less unsettled.
After their altercation before the fair, Caroline was convinced nothing could save what they had or could have had. He’d gone into protective, shut-down mode, his walls up so nothing she said could penetrate.
She wanted to hate Nik for it, but for some inexplicable reason it made her love him even more. He was obviously hurt and broken which was understandable but all she wanted was to be there for him.
As heartbreaking as it was, Caroline realised she couldn’t help him, he needed to do that himself. When he pleaded with her before the rodeo, Caroline saw a glimmer of hope that maybe he was beginning to realise that he didn’t need to hold onto all that grief or at least he knew he could share it with someone else.
But he faltered and she’d unleashed hoping that tough love would make him realise just how much people cared for him.
How much she cared for him.
But the moment was lost and here she was sitting in the stands gingerly, her fingernails digging into her palm anxiously. Lexi, noticing she was upset, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
She’d never forget the moment he came out to rapturous applause. He looked gorgeous, not that she was surprised in a blue shirt the exact colour of his eyes. His gaze held hers briefly before he tipped his hat and resumed his position.
The fleeting moment of happiness she felt was fast replaced by one of fear and anguish as her eyes took in his lifeless body. She attempted a scream but nothing came out. And suddenly the world went dark.
“That floor can’t be very comfortable,” a voice offered. She looked up tiredly, recognising the Younger Mikaelson.
“I’m okay out here,” she swallowed nervously, the last thing she needed was having to explain her feelings for Nik after everything that had transpired.
“Between you and me, the coffee isn’t good enough for a day long stretch in this place,” he murmured knowingly.
“Why don’t you come inside and find out for yourself?”
“Given our loose definition of family, I’m pretty certain you’d take top honours but the fact he’s asking for you, darling, doesn’t hurt either.”
She wasn’t quite sure how to react and what to say, especially on the spot. But it was obvious she had no choice. She stood up gingerly, dreading what was to come.
He was lying on the bed. Caroline’s stomach felt queasy as she approached. Her eyes flickered towards Kol and Rebekah who were standing nearby, obviously privacy wasn’t a family thing.
“Caroline,” he breathed, his dark, blue eyes staring into hers earnestly. She resisted the urge to run her hands through his damp, blonde curls. “You came.”
“Of course I did,” she bit out, unable to meet his gaze.
“Are you?” She couldn’t help herself, even after all their conversations he’d been far too cocky for his own good and had almost died on her which didn’t sit well. Kol and Rebekah, obviously sensing the tension, chose that moment to disappear.
“I’m not used to people caring about me, I haven’t had the best track record.”
“Probably cause you’re such a stubborn ass,” she murmured. Maybe it wasn’t the best thing to say to a hospital patient but right now she didn’t care. “What the hell did you think you were doing, Mikaelson?”
“You scared me to death, and that it makes it difficult to reconcile” she scolded. “And I’m not quite sure I can forgive you for that.”
“That’s rich coming from you after all the lies,” he shot back. Her eyes narrowed, angry that she’d sat in the hospital for hours only to have him revert to his arrogant behaviour before his accident.
“I’m so done,” she muttered, moving towards the door. “This pathetic ‘nobody loves me’ act is wearing really thin. Look around you, there are so many people who care about you but you’re too busy feeling sorry for yourself.”
Before he could respond she’d left the room. The idiot had made her think the worst for hours then had the nerve to act like it was all her fault. The sooner she got out of this country town the better, it was beginning to mess with her head.
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