The open house was held at an extremely large barn house, it reminded me of those 90's movies that I watched as a high schooler.

It was filled with most of the locals, if not all and many of them dressed as cowboys or cowgirls. Luckily, I stuck to the theme and dressed in leathers.

I couldn't get a pant since it was impromptu so I settled for a mini skirt and an oversized flannel and I tied around my waist, revealing my toned stomach.

Thank goodness I went for that extra tan last summer. It added more to the allure.

"Well, damn girl!" Sandy howled, leaning forward to hug me. "If I wasn't straight, I would've hit on you, and can I say I love the new hair color!"

I smiled, thanking her and she winked at me. I wasn't entirely comfortable with the way people were staring earlier so I decided to dye my hair blonde.

Getting a new name might help but I needed to alter my looks too.

I wondered why I didn't think of that at first but the damage was done already.

Tracy rolled her eyes, grabbing a beer from one of the coolers. "You say that to every hot girl you see."

"Everyone but you," she shot back with a wink and I chuckled at their banter.

"Um, Tara?" Chuck was beside me, shuffling on his feet.

"Yes, chuck?" I quizzed, offering him an encouraging smile.

"You look beautiful," he said, his entire face turning red as soon as the words came out.

Before I could respond, he zipped into the barn and Tracy yelled out after him.

"Don't stay out late! It's school night, remember!"

I smiled at his sweetness and turned to look at the parking spot behind us.

Suzie climbed down from the truck and slammed it behind her, muttering about the engine that needed changing.

She gracefully offered to drive all of us down here. Since the rest of the tenants hadn't returned, it was just me, Tracy, her brother Chuck and Sandy.

"Thank you for giving us a ride, Suzie."

She smiled at me, and gently pinched my cheek. "You're a sweet girl, aren't you?"

I smiled at her and something flashed in her eyes, but it was gone as quickly as it came.

"Come on," she said, moving away from me. "Let the open house begin."

We walked into the crowd, my arms linked between Tracy and Sandra as they explained what the open house meant.

I was truly invested at first but the more we walked, I couldn't shake off the countless eyes staring and the fingers pointing.

Tracy caught my discomfort and gently nudged me. "Don't mind them, it's only because you're new."

"I hope so," I muttered under breath.

It was either that or somehow they knew who I was and my parents would be here any minute.

No. No negative thinking tonight!

I threw that thought out of the window. I was far away from them, with a new name and life. I'd even dyed my hair blonde.

They would never find me, that much was certain.

"Come on," Tracy gently tugged at me, "let me show you already."

Sandy clapped, "that's a fab idea! I'll just go look around and hunt my next prey for tonight."

Tracy made a disgusted face, quickly steering us out of there but I just laughed under my breath.

"The open house has been a tradition for years. It was originally to celebrate a bountiful harvest but now we do it every harvest season, whether good or bad."

We stopped in front of the grand statue of a man holding an axe in one hand a pail in the other, smiling brightly.

"This is Niall Ferguson, our founding father," Tracy said with a hint of pride in her voice. "Not many people know this but he's the actual founder, the one who discovered the heart of Elko."

"And that is?"

"Community," she said with a smile. "We're a people made for our people. I'm for you and you're for me."

"That's beautiful," I admitted and she bobbed her head, releasing a breath. "I'm glad I found this place."

"Me too."

"Hey, ladies!" A thick voice interrupted us and Tracy groaned under her breath as three brawny men stopped in front of us.

"Who's the blonde with you, McCoy?" the larger one in the middle asked, eyeing me like a snack.

I rolled my eyes but Tracy had a better answer. "Look for someone else to bug, Anders. I'm not in the mood to speak stupid today."

The other guys with him chuckled and I couldn't hold back my laugh either.

Anders didn't seem to like it because he puffed his chest, stepping closer.

"Well if you won't answer then I'll just ask her myself." His green eyes flickered towards me. "Hi, darling. I'm Anders, you?"

"Tara," I responded flatly and he smirked.

"You look like a city girl."

"Wow, you must feel like a genius," Tracy fired in a bored tone but he ignored her, leaning towards me instead.

"I'm sure you've heard about our southern hospitality. I'll show you the roughness your city boys aren't used to," he tugged the front of his jeans sexually and I nearly puked in my mouth.

"Back off, Anders," Tracy growled, grabbing my hand and we walked away. "I'm sorry about that, the boys here can be real stupid sometimes."

I smiled but didn't say much. The open house was less interesting than I expected and halfway through, I was already wishing I just stayed home instead.

Tracy had to leave to meet up with her friends after reassuring her for a thousand times that I would be fine on my own.

"I wish Chuck wasn't home right now, I would've told him to escort you instead," she had said and I told her in response.

"I think I'll survive ten minutes without you, Tracy."

She left but not without handing me a pepper spray and saving her number in my phone. In my opinion, she was worrying too much.

It was like Anders or anyone would do much in a crowd like this.

I found the food court instead and helped myself to a generous serving of hotdogs. It was incredibly tasty and I couldn't stop myself from eating.

"You made this?" I asked the girl behind the table and she nodded. "Oh my god! This has to be the best hotdog I've ever eaten."

She chuckled, "thank you."

I shook my head, wishing I could explain the feeling exploding on my tongue. "No, I really mean it-"

"Hey, darling."

I didn't need to look back to recognize that voice and I hoped he would get the memo and leave but he stepped forward.

"Are you ignoring me, city girl?"

I glared at Anders, my fingers tightening around the hotdog stick.