It was a moment that I hadn't ever wanted to stop.

Caleb was right with me, twirling and swaying along with me.  Who would have known that the guy could dance?  Underneath his business suit and cuff links, he was a man that could open up and have fun.  I had learned that today, and as we swayed I just wanted to stay in this moment and savor the feeling of his hands on my hips.

Songs came and went and we were coated in sweet sweat, my head feeling light from the beer coursing through my veins.

When was the last time I had this much fun with a man? Had this attraction?  All these thoughts came and gone through my mind when I realized he was no longer dancing with me.  I turned on my heel to see why he had stopped, but then wish I hadn't.

I felt the blood in my face disperse as I looked over his shoulder to the smoldering eyes of the man that turned my life upside down.  Jimmy Turner.  He was ignoring what ever it was that Caleb was saying and came for me.

I shuffled two steps back to avoid his grip, but he had my elbow in the hand of steal I had known for too long. 

"Jimmy!  Get your hands off of her.  You are supposed to be under house arrest."  Caleb's voice was firm and controlled, switching from the fun loving guy I had seen to the attorney I knew him to be.

Jimmy's eyes looked over me then released me slowly. I took another step back and he put his hands into his pockets.

"I was able to talk them into letting me have the night.  After all, its the county fair.  Thought Id see my kids."  With those words and the smile he plastered onto his handsome face I couldn't stop myself from my actions.  I reached out and slapped him across the face as hard as I could.

He stumbled back and put a hand on his cheek where it was already starting to welt.  Good.  I had been waiting years to do that.  I wanted to kick him in the side, I wanted to spit in his face.  I didn't care if it was lady like, or if I could have charges put on me.  Those words were what set me off.

Strong hands came around me then and I calmed realizing that it was Caleb.  I don't think I could have swatted him away if I wanted too.

"What was that for Princess?"

"Don't, you dare, call me that.  They are no longer your children.  Lucas years ago, and Peyton when you sign those papers to hand over full custody."  And god I hopped that would be soon.

"He did."  I heard Caleb say next to my ear.  "Yesterday.  That was a condition with getting house arrest for his actions."  I still wasn't clear on what his actions had been, but I wish they had kept him behind bars.  He was standing up straight now, and I noticed the music had stopped playing.  Everyone was watching us and my face grew hot.  I had never acted out like this in front of anyone....what would everyone think of me?

"My actions?  Your the one with your hands on my ex sir."  His smile was mocking and I could feel the grip of Caleb's fingers tighten.  His face was still composed, but I knew what Jimmy was meaning.  This could look very bad...

"There is nothing bad with having some fun with someone whom you enjoy having near you." Caleb smiled then and looked over me.  "Speaking of fun.  Sheriff!"  Caleb waved over a tall man, and I saw that Jason Mitchell, our Sheriff, was making his way over noticing the distress in the crowd.  Everyone knew why I never went near or saw Jimmy.  And everyone knew, that this was not where he was supposed to be.

Coming to stand next to Jimmy, I noticed that he never took his eyes off of me.  The way he stared making me feel uncomfortable; all the hair on my skin standing in alert of danger.

"Jimmy Turner.  Your under house arrest, what are you doing here?"  He was friendly like he always was, but I could see the tension riding under his mustache.   His lip always twitched when he was faking it.  The funny things you learn.

Jimmy sighed and held out his wrists as if he knew it was already going to happen.

"I persuaded Priscilla to let me go for tonight.  Wanted to see the kids."  He smiled and winked at  Jason and fire filled his eyes.  No doubt he would have a word with his female deputy. Everyone knew that Priscilla was one of many woman that Jimmy had treated to his bed.

Slapping the hand cuffs on behind his back Sheriff Mitchell started to read him his rights for having violated his parole and various other things.  But the ease on Jimmy's face told me that he didn't really care for it.  He thought he was on top of the world.  As he started to take him away he looked back at me and winked.

"It was nice seeing you again, Princess." I balled my hands into fists and turned to run out of the barn, but then realized I was still being held in protective arms.  Caleb's face was like a solid stone as he watched him walk away.  Not letting go of me until he was clear from sight.

"Are you alright?"  I couldn't speak. The only thing I could think about doing was running away like I had wanted to the day I found out the truth about Jimmy.  I wanted to ball up in the marsh and let nature take me...but I knew I couldn't.  I was stronger then that.

"I'm o-"

"Oh my god, Harp, are you alright?"  Maggie was by my side in a flash then, not caring if she got into Caleb's space and looked at me head to toe.  Making sure all fingers and body parts were in tacked she took a breath and backed up to give me room.

"I'm okay."  I said it and looked at them both, then over to the other people standing and watching.  I wanted to leave.  "But I feel...like I have ruined everyone else's fun...so, if you could all bid me goodnight, have fun for me."  I rung myself out of his arms then and headed to the door, not caring if someone tried to stop me.  I was humiliated.  Shamed. All over again...

Would it never end?

All I had ever wanted was to live happy.  Was that to hard to grant as a wish?  Happiness without the man I once had?  

Shacking my head I passed the booths, the stray teenagers making out, rides, and headed for the parking lot.  Only when I got there, I remembered that I had let my mother take the truck with the kids.

Ringing my hands threw my hair I fixed myself up and sat down on a stump that outlined the lot.  The flashing lights of the squad cars were starting to fade in the distance, but I had never thought that he would come seek me out like this.  It was something I couldn't fathom.  He didn't want to see the kids.  He had come to see me.  

"Harper."  A soft voice from behind me made me jump, and I turned to look seeing that it was Caleb, slowly approaching me like I was the cat and he the mouse.

"I'm sorry for ruining your fun Caleb."  My voice was horse, and I cleared my throat hopping to sound more stable.  "I hadn't expected that to happen."  He came and sat next to me on what little space there was and put an arm around me.

"I don't think anyone did.  But I should have known he would try something like this."  Tucking my head into the crock of his arm we sat there for a little while.  The silence stretched, but it wasn't awkward. It was comfortable between the two of us.

"I guess we should head out.  Its a long drive to my place."  I found myself say after a while.  I didn't really want to go.  But the night had to end some time.

"How about..."  He let out a long breath then chuckled, releasing me from his hold I looked up to see his other hand running through his hair and messing up the always so perfect strands.  "God, would you believe me if I told you that I have never been nervous to ask a woman to come home with me before?"  Laughing myself now I stood and tugged on his hand.  Rising I saw a glimpse of the insecurity he just spot of and stopped myself from the comment I wanted to make.

"You serious?"  I knew that we both had the chemistry, but I hadn't expected for him to want to take me home.  His home.

Reaching up he cupped a side of my face gently in one of his hands while the other slid to my lower back.  His eyes focused on mine he drew me in closer, slowly, giving me a chance to say no.  But I didn't. I didn't fight him, I didn't try to pull away.  I let him.

Every sense the night at the bar where he had given me a simple peak on the cheek I had wondered what his lips felt like.  How they tasted....it was like nothing I would have expected.  When his lips met mine I felt my eyes go heavy and my hands went up around his neck as if trying to bring him closer.  It was a soft kiss, but powerful, skilled, and everything I could have wanted it to be.  The lingering taste of beer came from his lips as he parted them, coxing me to do the same.

I couldn't resist having already been lost to him and let him in, his lips moving over mine.  I wanted to put my hands in his hair, to ruin more of that perfect image, but it had ended as fast as it had started as he pulled away from me.  His lips flush from the kiss he kissed my nose.  Then again my cheek, and then down to the hollow of my neck.

"I am dead serious."