Justin just waved when he noticed all of them looking out at him unaffected by all of the attention.
“Ladies, hello?” I snapped my fingers to get their attention again. “Do I take him home and keep him?”
Their reaction was a good indication that I’d picked the right guy to be rescued by.
A lady in her early 50’s came back and took her seat at Dollie’s station.
“Honey, any one of us would do him in a heartbeat. All he would have to do is give the signal and we would be all over that.” Her statement was followed by a chorus of uh-huh’s and oh yeahs echoing around the room.
Now, that the story was out, I hoped the ladies would excuse any mistakes I made in their orders over the next few weeks. They could chalk it up to being in love, but that wasn’t the case.
I waved goodbye to everyone. Glad the delivery was over with. Having put the story out there, it would be a few hours before the entire town knew the ‘real’ story behind the attack.
“See you next week.” I closed the door in relief ready to get some food with Justin.
“Whew, that’s done. Can we go back to the Double G Ranch now? I’m exhausted and that’s all of the urgent deliveries.”
Justin snickered. “Did they give you a hard time about me?”
I wasn’t sure if I should tell him about all the older ladies who had the hots for him, it couldn’t hurt him to know he was popular.
“Those women would have mobbed in you in a minute if they thought they had a chance. I do appreciate all you’ve done for me, but I have to release you. There are so many others you could be hanging out with. I’m sure if you didn’t want them, they’d have a granddaughter for you to settle down with.” While I was teasing, part of me was serious as well.
“I mean for reals, I’m here taking up your whole day to run my business errands and you seem absolutely fine with it. How could you want to be with someone like me?”
Justin had driven straight to his apartment, and I hadn’t even noticed.
“Trouble seems to follow me around, and I don’t know how to make it go away. It’s part of the reason I’ve never dated much. I don’t trust other people or their motives.” I finished up my tirade as he parked.
He picked up my hand.
“I’m not sure where all this self-doubt is coming from, but I do know that we’ve been brought together for a purpose. I’ve enjoyed my single years, but it’s nothing compared to the past three days of getting to know you better. Without sex clouding up the getting to know you process, it’s taken some of the pressure off of having a relationship.”
He studied my face as if hoping that I was listening to what he said.
“Don’t misunderstand me, I’m a guy. I always want to do “it”, but I like getting to know you. What makes you tick?” He grinned, “I liked you at the bar before any of the other stuff happened and wanted a date then, remember?”
Letting out a deep breath, he leaned over and kissed my forehead.
“So, when you’re ready for a dating relationship, all you have to do is say the word. Until then, I’m going to take you to the house to relax before we get ready for dinner. Then I plan to use my evening to figure out what makes you so mysterious.”
He hopped out of the truck and came around to my side to open the door for me.
I smiled and took his hand to climb down but landed right against his chest. His arms gathered me close to help steady me.
There was chemistry between us, and it wasn’t nearly as horrible as I’d imagined it could be.
“Dinner sounds nice, and we can get to know each other better. With all that’s been going on, I’m not sure I’m ready for playing in the bedroom, but I’ll let you know when you have a green light.”
His arms held me firmly as he studied my face.
“I’m good at being patient, so don’t think you can get rid of me when I’ve finally found a snoring partner with no demands.” Releasing me, he grabbed my hand making me walk side by side up to the front door.
“Why don’t you think about the five life-changing things that are important to you and I’ll make a list as well. Then we can discuss them over dinner. How does that sound?”
Justin only grinned at me and turned the alarm off.
“This could get serious. What if you’re one of those girls, who leave the toilet seat up? You might even squeeze from the middle of the toothpaste tube instead of from the end?” He wiggled his eyebrows up and down at me, “Those could be deal-breakers.”
He checked the house to make sure no one was inside while I waited.
“I think you could use an hour to yourself since it’s been days. It’s hard when you aren’t used to it. My gun is just behind the door if you need it.” He kissed the tip of my nose.
“Thank you for being so understanding about stuff I haven’t even realized I needed yet. Even a short time alone will be wonderful. Besides, I have a deal-breaker list to compose.”
He just chuckled at me.
“Shoo, go. Bye.” I closed the door behind him but could hear his remark.
“She sure is a firecracker of a woman.”
Chapter 20
Mike
Laying there in the hospital bed, I could only look at the ceiling and moan in pain.
No one had been to see me all weekend and even when I’d tried to call the number that had been left by who I assumed was J.D., there had been no answer.
I’d given up hope of visitors when he appeared in the doorway.
“Man, you look awful.”
His greeting left something to be desired. I grunted in response.
“If I hadn’t been looking for you, I wouldn’t have recognized you with all of this covering up your good looks.” He pointed to the bandages that graced the top portion of my head.
“It’s a good thing you were looking for me because I need some answers about how I got here. My brain has been so foggy.” The massive purple bruising on my face and head might have been the reason.
“Well, Bubba, I’d ask how you’re feeling, but I think I’ve already figured that out.” J.D. stood back from the bed as if he thought I would hurt him.
“I was beginning to think you’d left me here to rot. What took you so long and when can I get out of here?” I joked wanting to get a reaction from my long-time friend.
“Um, Bubba, the doctor told me you have some serious internal issues because of your broken ribs. It tore up some of your intestines and will take a while before you can be back on your feet. They’re suggesting that you go to a rehab facility for your extended care since there’s no one to care for you.” He looked uncomfortable with my injuries.
“Also, it might be the best way to let the heat die down until you’re able to finish what you started Friday night. Everyone is on the alert. You would be caught the minute you showed your face anywhere in the county.”
“You’re just going to abandon me here to whatever tortures the doctors want to do to me? What if they decide that I need to go home? What will I do then?” In my anger, I moved and let out a few choice words. “Why is everyone looking for me?”
“You don’t remember?”
“Would I be asking such a f**king stupid question if I knew?”
“You attacked Allie the woman who helped your wife leave you. Then you stabbed Julie, a fellow officer. She almost died.” J.D. scratched his head as if unsure of what to do.
I rubbed a weary hand over the only spot on my face that didn’t hurt…my chin.
“It was a nightmare. I thought I’d dreamed it all. How on earth did she have the gumption to do it?” I couldn’t believe what my ears had heard.
“Uh, well, you sort of beat the living snot out of her. Then you tried to kill her while she was in the hospital recovering. Are you saying you’re proud of her for leaving you?” Bewilderment crossed his features as he waited for my answer.
“Of course not, dummy. I’m surprised that she would try it after all these years. I�
�ll have to make her come back. If it means hurting those helping her, then so be it.” Bits and pieces were coming back. Flashes pushed aside from the pain as if I couldn’t have dealt with it before this.
“I’m really sorry that Julie had to get hurt. When you protect scum like Allie, then that’s the consequences. At least she isn’t dead, but this way she won’t get hurt again while I take back what’s mine.”
“There’s the Mike I know.” J.D. chuckled in relief. “I’ve told the nurses to contact me when you’re able to leave. I’m not abandoning you, but I have to be careful because they’re watching all of us in case we’re helping you. They think there’s a mole in the department feeding you information. It won’t help either one of us if we’re both thrown into jail.”
“The wife is going on a big shopping trip with her sister for antiques and I think I can come up to get you moved somewhere more comfortable if the doctors can release you.” He held out a burner phone. “Just message me if you think of anything you’ll need before I get back.”
“Uh, clothes would be nice.” Sarcasm dripped from my tone. “I don’t want to leave the hospital in a gown with my ass showing.”
“See if you can set up a private nurse to watch over me instead of the rehab center. I’m not old enough to go anywhere near a place like that.” I demanded.
“Sure, Bubba. I’ll see if I can work something out. I don’t have a lot of cash to get you a nurse or anything though.”
J.D. always did whatever I asked even when we were little kids. The problem was that his wife balanced their checkbook and would notice if money was missing.
“If you go behind my house and dig up the rosebush directly beside the shed, you’ll find a bag of cash I’ve hidden there. It should be more than enough to get me a room at one of the extended-stay places here in town. With enough left over to pay for a nurse upfront. If I have to leave in a hurry, I won’t have to worry about paying her.”
Even though I’d committed what some might consider being horrible acts, I was still honest. If the nurse showed up then it was worth paying her to take care of my grumpy ass.
J.D. started to leave.
“Hey, if I find out that you’ve betrayed me, just know that I’ll come for you. I do know where you live and sleep. Don’t think you can take my money and leave me here. Even hurt, I’ll be your worst nightmare.” I winked as I delivered the warning. “Just a friendly reminder in case you were thinking of getting some ideas for how the money could disappear.”
“That’s more like the Mike I know.” J.D. nodded with a smile.
He raced out of the room as if he didn’t want to take a chance, I might change my mind.
I needed to get better. Nobody was safe from the vengeance I was going to bring on those who wronged me. Thankfully, J.D. didn’t have the guts to cross me. He’d seen me in action too many times.
Chapter 21
Justin
The line at the restaurant wasn’t terribly long and I took a seat at the bar to wait for them to cook our order.
It might not have been a bad idea to go out to eat, but when I’d suggested a night in instead, Allie had beamed at me.
Girls had always fawned over me and even the past few days, I hadn’t managed a smile for any of them. I was only interested in one—Allie.
A committed relationship hadn’t crossed my mind until this week. I’d always wanted to sample all the different flavors in the world, but now I wanted one flavor and the whole carton all to myself.
Allie was a flavor all of her own, though. She is so confident in so many ways yet doubts her self-worth constantly.
I smiled as I thought of her attributes.
She jumped in to help her friends and when they needed it without a thought for her own well-being. Her business is built by helping others as well. Knowing that she could improve their lives, yet she closes down when I mention I like her enough to stick around.
Something in her past made her skittish. I wasn’t even sure if she’d ever had a family, or someone to love her before. It’s as if she thinks someone is going to stab her in the back at any moment.
Which is ironic because this week that could be true. I just shook my head as they called my name to pick up the food.
I had never considered long-term, but after just three days I’m so intrigued that I want to know more about her. I haven’t been bored yet and for some reason, I don’t really think that is even possible with her in my life. I’ll have to take things slowly, but even the thought of beginning fifty years of married bliss didn’t have me running for the hills.
The next few days could start us down that path, or I would be left wondering what if for the rest of my life. That sounded more horrible than it had only days before.
Back home Allie greeted me with a kiss on the cheek. Things were certainly starting to look up if she was doing things like that now.
“Should we eat at the bar, or sit at the coffee table? Neither one is very fancy, I’m afraid.” I wasn’t sure how to make this feel more like a date.
“Coffee table. I have balance issues. I’ve been known to fall off a barstool before. I break all the laws of physics.”
I must have looked skeptical because she giggled and walked the drinks over to the table without spilling a drop.
“Yes, it really happens. No, I have no idea how I do that, it’s just always been that way.” She slid to the floor and leaned against the couch as support.
I took the rest of the food and sat down across from her.
“Oh, thank goodness. You got the chips and salsa. I’ve loved eating the different types of salsas but here in Texas everyone always makes it so hot that I can’t eat much of it. Sam’s is one of the few with a mild version for non-Texans like me.” I wasn’t sure if her rambling was because she was nervous about what I might bring up or just a real love of salsa.
Not to be deterred from asking hard questions, I started with a light one to help her be less nervous about it being a date.
“Are you one of those Yankees we hear so much about?” I winked at her, “But really, you’re not from Texas originally?”
“No, I lived in the state of New York as a foster child. I’ve seen all types of family situations over the years. The longest one I think was about two years before they moved me to another home. I’ve moved about thirty times, adulthood included. I’ve been in Texas for about two years now. It’s really growing on me.”
“I can’t imagine leaving everything I know and just up and moving to a new place. Not having friends or family nearby wouldn’t be something I could handle.” I shook my head no, “What made you want to come to Texas?”
“Um, you know the game you play when you’re kids? The one where you spin the globe and see where you land?”
“I had a map and threw darts to see where I landed next. I didn’t have the family ties you do and trying something new sounded like a good idea at the time.” She shrugged as if it wasn’t brave to move and start all over again.
“The furthest I’ve been from home was when I went to college at UT in Austin. The first semester, I came home a lot. Once I got adjusted and made new friends it was easier to stay there. By summer, I had a job, so I didn’t come home nearly as often.”
“I’ll bet GG hated that since you’re a close-knit family.” Allie dipped her chip in the salsa.
“When I stayed for the summer, she contemplated renting an apartment there because I was her baby. She didn’t want to lose me.” I sighed, “I know it was hard on her, but she decided that if I was going to be any kind of normal adult, she had to cut the apron strings and let me go.”
“Why didn’t you move back to the ranch after school?”
“It was time for me to move out of the nest. I wasn’t some overgrown child and didn’t want to feel dependent on my parents.”
“How many times a week did GG drive over to wash your clothes and clean your apartment for you?” She teased me because she had it figured out.
“She did come once a month and stock my fridge with easy cook meals. I have done my laundry for years, but it was nice to know she cared.” I sighed. “I needed a place of my own, but I wanted to be close enough to help Dad manage the ranch. He can do it on his own. I just want to be able to help.”
Turning the tables on her, I didn’t want to pry, but I was curious about her family.
“When did you go into foster care? Were your parents always out of the picture?”
“My mom and dad were killed in a car crash when I was only one. They couldn’t find any relatives who could or wanted to take me in. I wish I could have known my family, but once in the foster care system I never had any contact with them.” She said in a matter-of-fact way not asking for sympathy.
“I would have wanted you.” I reached across for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “What happened when you turned eighteen? Did you have to leave your foster home, or did they let you stay?”
“At eighteen, I was turned out on my own. I had a few scholarships because of my high grades. With those, I attended a junior college to get my associate's degree.”
“Now, I’m curious. What did you get your degree in?” I was beginning to see why she had such commitment issues as she told me more about her life.
“Business management. I’d planned to start a business of my own, but then with trying to make ends meet, it hasn’t quite worked out yet?”
“What type of business? Automotive? Dance? A supermarket?” I wanted to lighten things up and see her smile.
“You’re so funny. A supermarket, really? No, I was thinking along the lines of a boutique type of venture once I found out what the area needed.”
Her food was disappearing in between explanations, and I was happy that wasn’t shy around me.
“Instead, I met Mrs. Pat at the sports store in the mall. She got me started selling Nova products. I work less now than I did at the store, but with the commission on what I sell, I make more. It’s been a great way to meet new people and really get to know them. I’ve only been selling for two months, but I’ve gotten into a routine that seems to be working. The next step is to grow a team and train them on how to work their business successfully.”
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