Chapter 5 First Sight

Devin guided me to a little cafe with an outdoor eating area. The weather today was oddly warm for Wallace even reaching record high numbers. It was somewhere in the mid 60's so we decided to eat outside. The towns people were out and about doing what they usually do but most of them gossiped about last nights series of events.

People gathered at the diner, or the library and all spoke the details to each other which were all trickled down to them from someone else. I shook my head at the madness and took a sip from my iced tea. After about ten minutes alone, Devin was walking back with our trays of food and sat down at the table.

"So they're saying they shut the mines down!" He said with such enthusiasm that I was thoroughly confused.

"Rebecca that is huge! That is this towns primary source of income. They produce the most amount of silver in this country, maybe the world!" Now that he explained it to me I understood.

"Why did they do that?" I asked.

"I guess to see if the dog ran into the mines after the attack. I don't really think anyone really knows what happened. I just know that it must be a big deal if they were shut down." He took a bite of his sandwich I picked up my wrap and bit into it as well and went back to looking out at the town.

"So were you serious about the dance thing? I mean you don't have to go with me or at all if you don't want to." he asked.

"Yes, of course. I may not like most of the people in our school and they may not feel so happy about me either, what matters is making sure no one fucks with you. You deserve a good time just like everyone else." I said before taking another bite of my wrap. Devin smiled and seemed even more excited now.

We began discussing what to wear and what time to meet up but our conversation quickly ended when a sleek black Lexus turned off the highway and drove down the main street where the cafe was located. This was no normal Lexus however. It was like a concept vehicle that was ripped out of a car show. Whoever was behind the black window tint was very rich. Everyone who was outside seemed to have stopped what they were doing to watch the beautiful car slow down to a stop.

"Oh ... my ... god... It can't be!" Devin said.

"Who is it?" I asked while still staring as the car came to a stop at a red light. The vehicle was so shiny and shimmered in the sun light. I looked at it up and down and expected for the person behind the wheel to reveal themselves but the cart sat patiently at the light.

"He must have come because of the mines being closed."

"Devin, who?" I asked again.

"Heath DeBordaux. He is like, the richest man alive. A billionaire maybe. How don't you know who he is?" He asked as he stared at me in shock. I looked at him then back at the car as it still stood in its spot.

"Rebecca, he OWNS the Mining company here in Wallace." With him explaining that it then made sense why his presence in town was such a big deal.

The light turned green but the car didn't move. It stood in its spot as I stared at it and suddenly I felt a weird feeling cover my body. That almost eerie feeling as if your being watched. The window of the car suddenly began to lower. Devin gasped at the chance to see him in person but I was too stuck on the situation to even focus on anything he did. Just as the window reached a level that would expose the drivers face, the car behind him began beeping for him to move.

I didn't get to see his face or much of anything. Only a silhouette of him but he seemed like he was interested in something that was in our general direction. The black Lexus pulled off and sped down the street. I would have to definitely do some research on this Heath fellow if he is as important as people are making him out to be.

"What kind of last name is that?" I asked.

"It sounds french or something but who knows. What matters is that he's loaded and gives a lot of money to this little town." Devin explained.

"Hm. Is he old?" I asked.

"No! He's super young, people guess on his age but we think he has to be at least almost thirty. Maybe 27?"

"27 and a billionaire? Must be nice" I said as I shook my head and secretly typed his name into the memo pad app on my phone. I may not show Devin that i'm interested in knowing who he is but something has piqued my interest.

"So do you dance?" Devin asked now changing the subject.

"No" I replied sharply. The look of disappointment painted across his face.

"Aw man, what is the point of going to the school dance if were not going to have a good time!?" he asked.

"No... I do... I just, thought you meant...never mind" I said now feeling embarrassed for my overreacting. Maybe people were right about my dancing, and that my attitude towards it was becoming an annoyance. I haven't danced since the day of the accident and I could only imagine how stiff my bones and muscles have become since then. What if I ended up liking the dance program that I'm being forced to do at school? What if it hurts too much? Not just physically, but emotionally.

"Rebecca... hello?" I heard Devin say suddenly. I snapped out of my solo thoughts and looked back at him.

"Oh ... sorry" I said now realizing that he had been talking this entire time.

"I was asking what you thought I meant?" He asked.

"Nothing. I do dance. I enjoy a night out dancing like theres no tomorrow, so you won't have to worry about anything. We'll have a good time. I promise" I said as I reached over and took the untouched pickle off his plate. He smiled and we went back to planning Fridays events.

As I pulled into the driveway of my Uncle's house, I noticed that he was not home yet. He did mention he'd be home late so this should not have come to a surprise to me. As soon as I opened the screen door, Spud leaped up from the porch swing and stretched as if he'd been laying there sleeping all day.

"Hey there! Enjoying the nice weather?" I asked as I crouched down and rubbed his head. He licked my face and whimpered at the screen door behind me. I opened it up and let him run to his favorite tree where he could handle his business.

As I waited for him to finish, my phone vibrated and made a quick alert noise. I pulled it out my pocket and looked at the notification. The weather advisory warned of a large snow storm that was to come Friday. I shook my head in disappointment and looked at Spud who was now finishing up and kicking sand on his special area.

"Well Spud, hope you enjoyed the nice weather, because Friday it will snow." I said.

He huffed and walked by me into the house. I walked into the living room, placed my bag on the couch and walked over to the kitchen. On the table was the money that Chris left for me to 'order out' with. I looked at it and shook my head. If I was going to live here I wouldn't be able to do the eating out thing everyday. That would have to change asap. I took the money and put it in my pocket then grabbed my bag and left. I got into the car with the grocery store as my main destination and headed out. Driving out of the neighborhood and into the town where Harvest Foods grocery store was only took about 7 minutes tops. Thats with having to stop at stop signs, one red light and possibly to let a family of ducklings cross the street.

Though very short, the drive was not without stunning views. No matter where you were in Wallace you had a glimpse at the beautiful mountains that surrounded the town as well as the endless amount of trees that engulf every inch of space on those mountains. Dissecting the town the way I was at that moment really showed its simple beauty. Even the very large highway that stands a top of large columns and is seen from anywhere in the town had its own subtle beauty to it.

That same towering highway was directly across the street from the grocery store and housed a parking lot underneath it. Something about parking underneath a bridge like highway didn't sit well with me so I pulled into the very tiny parking lot in front of the store itself. Luckily for me there was one spot left and I nabbed it before some old lady could. Was it wrong to take a spot over an old lady? Probably however she's most likely more accustomed to using the parking lot of terror across the street then I was.

I got out and walked into the store and expected to be able to shop without being stared at however I forgot where I was. It seemed as if everyone stopped what they were doing to look at me as I entered and grabbed a cart. I should have been angry however I smiled at them, flipped my hair back over my shoulders in my best attempt to look like one of those models in an Herbal Essence commercial then moved on with my shopping.

I first tackled the produce section and grabbed the needed vegetables for the dinner I was going to make. After a few seconds I decided to just combine both the money he gave me and the money I had and just do a full out grocery shop. He is doing a big thing by allowing me to live with him so maybe I should just do him this one tiny favor. I stocked up on the needed produce and moved on to the meat section. Like in most Grocery stores, the meat was located towards the back section of the store which from where I was standing was a little bit harder to get to. It seems like they were doing some work on the floors so I would have to go around the other end of the store to get there.

I Decided to just go down the seasons isle and grab some of the spices I would need for dinner, then cut over to the butcher. As I turned down the isle I notice a lady chasing after a can that she had dropped. Judging from the fact that the can was rolling away from her and towards the back, meant that there was an unwanted slope in the stores foundation which is probably why they were doing ground work. After she got the can she turned around and smiled in embarrassment.

"Careful, the ground slopes" She said as she pushed her cart by me.

"Thanks" I said with a smile and moved on toward the spices. I planned on making a grilled salmon with a ginger honey glaze over some greens but then I realized that this meal wasn't just for me. My Uncle would be eating too and judging by the size of that burger he ate the other day, he can really tear down into some food. So with that thought in mind I changed my mind and decided to make a maple glazed pork chop with garlic mashed potatoes and steamed veggies. He should appreciate that I think.

While choosing the right rubs and spices, I over heard a few whispers coming from around the store. The ladies seemed to be all hyped up over something that was going on in the front and some even look to be blushing as I watched them peek around the corner of the isle. Still placing my items in the cart but not looking, I too began listening very closely to what they were watching.

"Is it him?"

"Why is he here"

"What is going on?"

Were among the whispers being heard. While being nosey I hadn't realized that I was pushing my onions out of their bags. It was the thud and the rolling of one that caught my attention.

"SHIT!" I said as I too found myself chasing after a food item that was rolling down a sloping grocery isle. Just like the lady before me, embarrassment washed over my face but I had to act like it didn't bother me. It wouldn't have if I then didn't crash into a fast moving grocery cart that was being pushed from the opposite direction. The impact sent a pain down my left side starting from my shoulder straight down to my hip. That pain was masked however once I crashed into a display of cans and they rolled down on top of me.

I wanted to lay there forever. Never to come up and face everyone who was probably now staring at me but I couldn't just do that. As I went to press my hand on the sloping floor to get up, I felt myself being lifted up off the ground by very massive hands. I gained my footing and found myself staring into a wall of chest. I slowly looked up from the fine pressed suit that was attached to that wall and searched for the face that helped me up.

It was the light blue eyes that had my attention more so then all the amazing features in his face. They shined so bright that it felt as if I were staring at a blue diamond display in a jewelry store. His shoulders were as wide as three of me standing next to each other. I could only imagine how much it cost to get a suit made for shoulders that large. Let alone such an expensive looking suit. It hit me then that who stood in front of me was the person that everyone was focused on. It was the person that everyone wanted to be near or associate with, it was the person driving that beautiful shiny Lexus earlier.

Heath DeBordaux.

He stood at a clean 6 foot 5 and was built completely of muscle. There couldn't have been a single ounce of fat on him. The way the suit fit his body and molded at all the right places showed that he was definitely a person who is fond of the gym. His face looked like that of a stone statue of a god and had a very warm tan to it. The facial hair did everything for him and he kept it tight shaved to his face. His long, dirty blond, almost brown hair was pulled back into a pony tail which normally wouldn't be attractive to me but it looked good on him. He was perfect in many ways. Even the stray strand of hair that fell in his face looked like god himself picked it out of his pull back hair and place it where it sat now. Next to those incredible shimmering blue eyes. The cherry on top of this wonderful man sundae would be tattoos.

"Are you okay?" His deep voice sent a complete chill down my spine and even to places that chills should be felt.

My focus then went from those eyes straight to the almost fake looking white teeth. His breath smelled of mint and just natural goodness. I wanted to lick the shine off his teeth. What was wrong with me in this odd moment? I suddenly realized that he still had his massive hands wrapped around my frail arms and I paid attention to the hear that permeated through them and onto my skin.

"Well ... Are you?" He asked again.

"Am I what?" I managed to reply. He smiled gently flashing those beautiful teeth again and shook his head. He moved his massive palm from my arm to my hair, moving it away from my face and analyzed my head like he was looking for something.

"Did you hit your head or anything?" Again his voice trembled throughout me.

"I don't remember?" I said suddenly. Where the fuck is my brain and why am I speaking without filtering the dumbness out.

"I'm incredibly sorry, I wasn't expecting for someone to come running down the isle after an onion, I would have slowed down."

"MR DEBORDAUX! Is everything here ok? Are you hurt in anyway" The stores manager was there suddenly ignoring the fact that I had been run over by one of his shopping carts. Heath looked at him like he could snap his neck if he wanted to. Judging by the size of his hands, it probably wouldn't be hard to.

"I'm not the one who was hit by a fast moving cart ... Phil ..." he said to the manager as he read his name badge.

"Oh ... my apologies, ma'am are you okay? Did you hit your head?" He suddenly switched his attitude up and asked me with a ting of fear attached.

"She doesn't remember" Heath said with a smirk on his face.

"Well, my head doesn't hurt, but is there a mark? Am I bleeding?" I managed to get out. Mr DeBordaux Reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a white silk handkerchief. He didn't hand it to me like I thought he would but instead placed it on my forehead by my hairline.

"It's just a little cut, nothing too serious. You have the most beautiful red hair Miss ..." he started saying but waited for me to give him my name.

"Rebecca, Rebecca Rhodes" I said.

"Ah, Miss Rhodes. I do apologize about this incident. Are you sure your ok?" he asked.

"Y-yes. I am pretty sure I'm fine and you can call me Rebecca." The store manager was suddenly handing Mr DeBordaux a bandaid and he took it. He smiled as he took the bandaid out of the wrapper and placed it on my forehead for me.

"Are you done your shopping? I will be paying for your entire cart in hopes that you can forgive me" he said as he looked at my cart.

"That won't be necessary Mr DeBordaux, really I am fine"

"Heath ... You may call me Heath." He said with a big smile on his face and in a mocking tone. "What else were you here for?" He asked

"I just needed to get some pork chops and some regular groceries" I said even though I didn't want to answer him.

"Paul ... gather up what a normal person would by for groceries and load it up in her cart please." Heath said to the store manager.

"Its ... it's Phil sir" The manager corrected him. Everyone including Heath turned back and snapped him a look that would have made a child pee. Heath's mouth was turned into a wide grin now and he took a step toward him.

"And PAUL, make sure your butch slices her up the best chops you have back there? Got that?" I want to bone him. Right here, right now.

"Yes sir" Phil said as he scurried off with two employees behind him.

So, Pork chops? Are you planning on cooking them?" he asked. I looked at him in disbelief and nodded my head.

"Are you a fan of steaks Miss Rhodes?" He asked.

"Rebecca ... and yes. Just cant really afford them until I get a job somewhere in town." I realized that I just corrected him. Would he treat me the way he treated poor Phil? He smiled again sending my knees into a shutter.

"My apologies. Here, how about you take these off my hands." He reached into his cart, which was filled with all types of meat from the butcher. In fact, there was nothing other then meat in there.

"I was craving them and was going to have my chef cook them for me, but he wont be in until tomorrow. They're all yours." He said as he handed me two of the most beautiful T-Bone steaks I have ever seen.

"Mr DeBordaux I really couldn't and in fact you can tell Phil not to worry about the groceries. It is unnecessary" I tried to say but he placed his very long index finger on my lips to shut me up. What I'd give to take that whole finger in my mouth.

"It's Heath and I insist Rebecca." I smiled and looked down to hide my blushing. At that point, Phil or Paul as Heath was referring to him as had returned with my cart, which had all the groceries bagged in it. He even took the package of steaks from my hand and placed that in another bag that was handed to him from the butchers counter.

"Your all set sir and your total is ..." Phil began but before he could finish, Heath shot him a look and slammed his credit card into his hand.

"I'll help you to your car. Paul if you could just ring up my purchases as well and have them bring it to the car, I'd appreciate it" Heath said as he grabbed my cart. We began walking outside and everyone in the store just stared at us as we did. Even in the parking lot, all of the customers were just in shock as we walked out to my Oldsmobile.

"You really don't have to do this, I can unload it myself." I tried again but he smiled and shook his head no.

"All you need to do is unlock the trunk please so that I can unload." He said. I did as I was told, which was something rare and new to me, and opened the trunk. The weather definitely turned and there was a brisk chill in the wind. I shivered a little bit but tried hard to hold it back. Unfortunately for me, Heath saw it and took his Suit jacket off and wrapped it around me. I didn't bother to protest because I feared he might give me a scolding so I just accepted it and allowed the very large and wonderful smelling jacket to warm me up.

I watched on as he loaded up the car and something caught my eye. His dress shirt was beginning to ride up at the wrist, exposing the skin underneath them. What I saw then was enough to make me gasp. TATTOOS! And from the look of it, he had full sleeves. God dammit he WAS perfect. I hadn't realized my gasp was so loud that it had caught his attention so quickly I turned it into a fake yawn. He smiled at me and placed the last bag in my trunk.

"So, are you going to be in town for long?" I asked as we walked the cart over to the cart coral.

"There are some important business things I need to take care of. Starting with with the reopening of the mines. Then there are some other, smaller things. I do plan on paying for all three of the funerals of the workers that have passed. I'm also funding the dance this friday for the school so I'll be here for a few weeks" He explained.

"Are there even hotels here in Wallace? I feel like I've seen only motels." I said trying to keep up conversation.

"I actually own a house right outside of town so I'll be ok." He explained. I nodded my head and walked over to my drivers door.

"I'm guessing its probably huge, with a lot of rooms and stuff." I said poking fun at his wealth. He smiled at me and played back.

"Only thirteen." We giggled a bit and I unlocked my door. Like a gentleman he opened it for me and waited for me to sit down. I did and removed the jacket, checking the label before handing it back to him. I did it just quickly enough for him not to see it.

"Well, again Thank you for everything today, You didn't have to BUT ... I appreciate it. It was really nice meeting you." I said.

"The pleasure is all mine." He said as he handed me a card with his number and personal information on it. "Please feel free to call me if you need anything. Also when yo art applying for a job, feel free to shoot me an email with the name of the place you applied and I'll be sure to call and give you a good referral." He said. I smiled again and nodded my head. I wouldn't do that at all but just to avoid "the look" I just agreed.

"Take care of yourself Rebecca. See you around town" He said.

I rolled up my window and put the car in reverse. He stood in the same spot and watched as I pulled away from the parking lot. Still in shock that I just met a billionaire and he just paid for all my groceries, I drove the rest of the way home in silence. Now how was I going to explain this to Chris? How would he feel about it? How does he feel about him? Who knows? One thing was for sure, I'm sure he'd be happy to hear that Heath... Mr DeBordaux had plans to pay for Dylan's Funeral, something I'm sure his family couldn't afford.

Today overall was an odd day. It made my views on this town change a lot and now I am actually interested to see where things might go or turn out for me in the end. Only the big man upstairs knows what might happen here in Wallace. For now my main worry is to get home and get these T-Bone steaks cooking. The thought of eating such a good meal today made me even more happy and totally forget about the injury I had sustained at the grocery store. Thank You Mr DeBordaux ... I mean Heath... Thank you.