by Barb Shuler
“Hi, sweetie. My name’s Shelby, can you tell me what your name is?” I asked her.
“K-kait-lyn,” she stuttered out in an almost whisper. I kept my smile up as I moved closer.
“Well, Miss Kaitlyn, it's nice to meet you. I like your name. A pretty name for a pretty girl.” I pulled on a pair of blue exam gloves as I stopped right before her. “How old are you, Kaitlyn?” I asked her. She held up her other hand and played with getting her fingers up.
“Fwees. Me bids dirl,” she said, nodding her little head. I chuckled because she had four fingers up.
“Three? Wow, you are a big girl. And a brave girl, too. I'm just gonna look at your arm, okay?”
“Otays… Me habs boos deres,” she said softly. Thanks to spending the last ten or so months with Dani Lynn, Kristol and Anna’s kids, I could somewhat understand her.
“Okay, I'll be gentle, I promise. Can I see your boo boo’s?” I asked and she nodded softly.
Her mom made a face before she pulled the shirt sleeve up the girl's arm. I froze. There was extensive bruising and I could see there was a break. The radius was slightly bowed. Hopefully it was a clean break and I could set it. If not, she’d have to go to the ortho clinic in Lufkin. Dr. Crosse was the best in the field around here. Something told me that would be a very hard sell to her mother though.
I gently took Kaitlyn’s hand and put two fingers in it. “Can you squeeze my fingers, princess?”
“No’s dats hurtsins,” she said pulling back slightly. Her palm had a green tinge to it. Another bruise. I bit the inside of my cheek and counted to ten. This could have been an accident. I wasn't going to jump to conclusions just yet.
“I'm sorry,” I said as I leaned down closer, getting a good look at her arm. I pulled the sleeve up more and before I could stop myself I looked at her mother. My glare was sharp as was my voice.
“This didn't happen from a fall!” My words made her look away from me. I looked back at Kaitlyn and tried to give her a bright smile.
“She fell, you can fix her, yes? We need to get back home,” her mom said nervously. I glared at her again. She fell, my Aunt Fanny. What a pile of horseshit.
“I need to take an X-ray, to make sure there isn’t some damage I can't see,” I said as I looked down at the little girl. “Can I lift you up and carry you to the next room? There's a big machine in there that will take a picture of your arm so I can see how bad your boo boo is.”
“Ams herds me?” Kaitlyn asked, her lips wobbling. It took all I had in me to not turn and grab her mom up and demand that she tell me who did this to this baby.
“No, baby girl, it won't hurt you, not at all. You'll just lay there so I can take a picture, okay?”
“Otays,” she said and stood up on the table. I carefully pulled her to me and nodded to her mom.
“I'll leave the exam room door open. We’ll only be a few minutes.”
I walked out of the room and to the X-ray room. I sat Kaitlyn on the table and pulled out the plate that held the film. I told her what I was doing with each procedure. I didn't want to scare her. Smiling, I put the light in her arm that laid across the plate. Once she was lined up I stepped out the door and hit the button on the wall. Ten minutes and three x-rays later I was taking a few pictures of her arm with my phone. One with her face in it. I'd save those to use later if need be.
I took her back into the room with her mom and examined the films. I was looking at a definite break in her arm. It didn't seem to be major break. I could put a cast on her and she should be fine in a couple of months. I'd talked to her mother, gotten all the paperwork filled out and I'd leave it for Papa.
“Alright, Miss Kaitlyn, you have a big choice here. What color do you want your cast to be? We’ve got blue, purple, red, green, um, I think this is just another shade of red, and this camo one. Which color do you want?” I asked as I pulled out the other supplies and brought the bucket of warm water over with me. I cut the sleeve and pulled it on her arm while she thought.
“Um…” I grinned as she thought about it.
“Just give her one. We need to go,” her mom snapped. Kaitlyn frowned and ducked her head.
“With all due respect, I have to get this on her first. She has time to pick a dang color,” I said.
Was I being professional? Hell, no. Papa wouldn’t be pleased, but I didn't really care right now. I knew someone had broken this baby’s arm. The fingerprints around the bruising confirmed that. That's why I'd taken some pictures so I had proof. If it happened again I was going to the Sheriff.
Once her arm had the protective sleeve and the proper amount of padding wrapped around it I looked at Kaitlyn. “What color will it be, princess?”
“Dis ams ids!” She said pointing to the purple one.
“Purple? You sure?” I asked, grinning.
“Me lites purdles,” she said, nodding her head up and down. I grinned as I ripped into the package. I dropped it in the bucket of warm water and moved the tray with the others out of the way. After a few squeezes it was ready.
Twenty minutes later I was waving goodbye to them and hoping that little girl was going to be okay. I hated the thought of her going back into a bad place. What was I supposed to do here? I was still a new face around town. Did I go to the Sheriff? Should I just stand by and wait to see what happened? I needed to talk to Papa - then I'd know what to do.
Until he got back I'd tackle that dang storage closet - ugh. So much to do. So little time.
4
Marry Me?
Charlie
Finally, this day was almost over. Tonight is mine and Shelby’s date night, but hopefully it would end better than it started. I had something extra special planned for tonight. I only hoped like hell that she would love it and say “I do” by the end of the night. It’s only been about eleven months that we’ve been dating, but she is the one. I know it in my heart.
I've already talked to Doc G and had the “I’d like your permission to marry your granddaughter” talk. It was a long talk too. He gave me the “if you ever hurt my baby, I'll rip your balls off” talk and then to add insult to injury he’d added “I can kill you and make it look like natural causes.” No doubt he meant every word of that speech. I'd never hurt her or him in any way. I loved Shelby with every beat of my heart.
She'd walked in and swiped the rug from under me. Her sweet personality, baby blue eyes, and her heart of gold. She was the total package.
But something about that talk with Doc had me wondering about a few things. Each time I replay it, my stomach does a flip. I know there’s more to what he was saying, more in what he didn't say.
“You make sure you take care of my sweet pea. She's been through a lot in her short life. Things that could have broken a weaker person. She's good at making her exterior look hard and impenetrable,but she's like a cloud. Everything gets absorbed, but only a little gets pushed back out.
She bottles things up. What I'm saying is, you're gonna have to be the one to make her talk. Get her to ease her fears and just be there to hold her when she breaks down.
I shook my head and scrub a hand over my scruffy face. One hour and counting until I got to see my girl.
I can't help but grin while walking up the stairs to the back of Doc’s house. I took a deep breath, moved my hand behind me and rang the doorbell. The moment the door came open I felt my heart start to race. Standing before me was an angel, right down to her white strappy sandals. I leaned in and kissed her blushing cheeks and pulled the flowers from behind my back and presented them to her with a small bow.
“My lady,” I said with a wink before straightening back up. The giggle that escaped her made me grin so big. Was I cheesy? As a fucking heart attack, but only for my girl. I'd do anything to make her smile like she is now.
“Good Sir,” she said, her eyes sparkling as she gave a little bow.
“Shall we depart, my fair maiden?” I asked as I held my arm out for her. I heard chuckling from inside and Shelby
cut her eyes at Doc when he came up and took the flowers from her.
“I'll put these in water for you. Now, go on and have fun with your beau.” Her grin grew as she hugged his neck.
“Night, Papa,” she said, wrapping her arm around mine.
“Night, Doc.”
“Goodnight, sweet pea. Night, Charles,” he said, giving me that look. I chuckled a little nervously as we walked down the stairs. I leaned in and kissed her cheek, inhaling the sweet scent that was Shelby Grant.
“Ready for our night out?” I asked, my brow raised as we made it to my car. Her eyes lit up when she saw my 1965 Pontiac GTO. I was a bike man, nothing beat my Harley, but my car, this was my baby. Dad and I had rebuilt her from frame on up. Piece by piece. Our blood, sweat and even some tears went into this beauty. She was painted black, black leather inside and a lot of attitude came from her powerful engine. She was almost as sassy as Shelby.
“Hmm… I love this car,” she nodded and turned to give me a sultry look.
I moved closer to her and pressed her back against the door. “I know you do, baby,” I said before leaning down to capture her mouth with mine.
My kiss was demanding and I only pulled back when she moaned. If she kept that up I wasn't going to be responsible for what happened. Her hands moved to my chest and I couldn't hold back my grin as she shifted on her feet.
“We should go…” she whispered.
“Back to my place or to dinner?” I asked, smirking.
“Why, Mr. McKenna, are you trying to get into my unmentionables?” Her lips curved at the corners and I leaned in, my lips brushing hers slightly. My body pushed against hers and I know she felt my answer before I could speak it.
“Always,” I said before I once again captured her mouth in a searing kiss. I pulled back when we needed air and kissed her nose. “But, I'd like to wine you and dine you before I feast on you.”
“Damn, I love when you say things like that,” she said, a grin playing at her lips. “Let's go have dinner then.” She stepped into me and I opened her door.
Once she was settled I got in myself and we headed up the road. I had everything planned out for us tonight. A picnic dinner was waiting for us down at the park. I'd had help with the prep work, and by now the boys and Lana should be cleaning up and leaving the food in the heated bags for us.
When we pulled in I caught sight of Derek’s Jeep leaving out the other entrance. I parked under the trees and walked around to help Shelby out. The water trickled from the fountain and the nightlife was making itself known. I took her hand and led her over to the beautiful quilt on the soft grass.
“My lady, please kick off your sandals and join me,” I said as I kicked my shoes off. Her grin was so big. I knew she would love a picnic, even at night.
I sat down facing her after she picked a spot. I gave her a wink before I opened the bag closest to us. I pulled out the small tray of cheese and crackers, and then the tray with the fruit. I grabbed the other bag and smirked as I pulled the still warm tray of mini smokies and meatballs. They each had toothpicks in them to make eating easy.
“Your feast awaits, my lady,” I said with the slightest of bows. She giggled and I looked up as she shifted. Her lips met mine and then she was popping a meatball into her mouth. A minute later she sighed.
“You, kind sir, are truly too sweet,” she said with a flourish of her southern accent. I groaned internally as she bat her lashes, her hand going to her chest.
“I do aim to please,” I said.
I grabbed the last bag and pulled out the chilled bottle of sparkling grape juice and the flutes. A piece of paper floated down and I grabbed it up before Shelby saw it.
Good luck tonight! Don't forget the ring!
xox, L
I chuckled and slid Lana’s note into the bag. I had the ring, I knew what I was gonna say. I think I was sort of ready to make her mine. The forever kind.
Shelby
Tonight was magical. Charlie pulled out all the stops and I'll be honest, this was the reason I had fallen in love with him. He made me laugh, smile, and allowed me to be myself. As I watch him tonight I can't help leaning in and capturing his gaze with mine.
“You're too good to me, Mr. McKenna,” I said softly, before popping yet another of those little smokies into my mouth.
I'd eat the whole tray full if I could. Those meatballs were right on the money as well. So moist and flavorful. Heaven in my mouth. Oh, can't forget the tray of beef tips he’d pulled out. Seriously, heaven in my mouth. He knew exactly what I loved. Meat. Any kind as long as it was yummy. I'm healthy, I eat fruits and veggies but I'm a meat whore. Uh, and potatoes. Okay, so I was a meat and taters kind of girl. This is why I ran five miles a day. If not, my ass would be the size of my house.
Charlie held up a skewered piece of meat and I opened my mouth, using my teeth to pull it from the toothpick. I grinned at him as he watched me. I licked my bottom lip and winked at him.
“Nothing you don't deserve, Doctor Grant,” he said and then captured my mouth in a searing kiss.
I shifted closer and smiled as he pulled back and cupped my cheek. I leaned into his touch and just melted. I, Shelby Rae Grant, was never letting this man go. It was then, at that revelation, that the darkness tried to take me again. I pushed it back and just watched him fidget where he sat. I took a sip of my grape juice as he shifted to his knees. I watched as he pulled a box from his pocket, and I tell you, my heart took off racing like it was an engine in the Indy 500.
“Shelby, sweetheart… damn, this is hard,” he muttered. I don't think I was supposed to hear that. I giggled and he looked over at me with a cheeky grin. “Shelby Rae Grant, I love you. I never knew I could feel - well, this way. My heart chose you the day we first met. I know that sounds cheesy and cliche, but it's true. You stole my heart and I don't want it back. I want you to be mine, forever, and only mine. Will you do me the honor of being my wife? Will you marry me?”
I blinked back tears and nodded slowly. The lump in my throat grew as I jumped to my knees and wrapped my arms around his neck. My lips met his and I groaned as he pulled me tighter against him. He pulled back and brushed my tears away.
“Is that a yes, sweetheart?” he asked as he watched me. “I need to hear it.”
“Yes!” I whispered, kissing him again.
When I pulled back he pulled my arm to rest between us and slid the most beautiful ring I'd ever seen on my finger. I covered my mouth with my other hand as a sob tore from me. My heart was bursting with happiness.
“I love you, Shelby,” Charlie said with a big grin.
“Oh Charlie, I love you too,” I smiled up at him.
“Thank you for making me the happiest man alive. You’ve changed me in all the bestways.”
“Oh Charlie,” my voice cracked and I kissed him again. I wasn't sure what to say. He was melting my heart.
“I got us dessert…” he said, again, his cheeky grin was right there for me. My heart thudded hard as I raised a brow.
“You did? And what pray tell would that be? Hmm…” I batted my lashes. He reached behind him and pulled out a small clear container of cheesecake with strawberries. I may have squealed, but just a little. I wasn't a person who liked a lot of sweet things, but cheesecake, oh, I'd make myself sick on it. I have been known to eat a whole one, on a bad day. Which is why, when I buy it, I get one slice, maybe two at a time. Again, this is another reason I run and workout.
“You're gonna make me fat…” I trailed off as he popped the top to the container.
“Never,” he said.
He shifted to grab a fork, the tines slowly sliding through the deliciously decadent dessert. My mouth watered as he held the fork out and fed me the first bite. The sweet, yet ever encompassing flavor of the strawberry sauce and cheesecake sent a thrill through me. I moaned softly, closing my eyes.
“Damn, that's just fucking sexy,” he growled out. I slowly opened my eyes and grinned at him.
“I cou
ld bathe in that stuff…” I said, a giggle escaping me as he groaned.
“Now I want to know what it tastes like-” he leaned in and kissed my lips before he continued, “when I eat it off of you.”
Oh, fuck me.
“Take me home, and you can find out,” I said, biting my bottom lip.
Before the words were fully out of my mouth Charlie was packing things up. I finished off my drink and my glass joined his and everything else in the bags. Once we were on our feet he pulled up the quilt and led me back to his car.
Tonight was about to get a whole lot more interesting.
5
Not Again
Shelby
It’s been three weeks since I agreed to marry Charlie McKenna. My heart still fluttered like a drunken dragonfly every time I looked down at the princess cut diamond on my hand. Our days are full of work, and the nights are full of talking about our wedding. Simple, sweet and fast, as Charlie would say. I was scared, though. I tried to hide it from him but - what if I became like my father? Or God forbid, like my mother? What if I got pregnant and it all changed? Would I be like them? It was beginning to be too much.
My head was starting to pound so I laid back in the hot water Charlie had filled the tub with while he fixed us breakfast. I didn’t sleep well last night, worrying myself into nightmares I couldn’t escape. Hopefully, being with Charlie today would help me get my shit together. My eyes closed and it took no time to drift off.. right into a nightmare.
I was laying on my bedroom floor, coloring in my book when Daddy came barging in. My door slammed back against the wall and my heart started to boom in my chest. He stalked over to me, his boots smashing the crayons lying on the floor into nothing. I got up and jumped back. Daddy flung a piece of paper out at me. I saw the rainbow I’d made for him on the back of it. I thought it would make him smile, not make him angry.
