by Cyndi Raye
Rusty sighed. “She’s alright then?”
When the nurse nodded, he stood up. “Well, then what are we doing out here yacking. I want to see my grand daughter!”
Nurse Ellie stood. “I was not going to let you go in there in your frame of mind. You needed to know how to approach her. If she doesn’t stir much, do not get excited. She needs quiet. I’ll only allow one person at a time see her. Five minutes tops. Then you need to let her get some rest.”
“Okay, I’ll be quiet. I promise.” Rusty pushed open the door, lifting his hat off before entering. When the door closed, Adam turned to the nurse.
“You’re not telling him everything, are you?”
She shook her head and sighed. “I’m afraid when the sheriff brought her here she was dehydrated. I don’t think she has had anything to eat or drink in the past few days.”
Adam was confused. Why wasn’t she eating? “What about Tommy? Is he alright?”
She smiled. “Tommy is fine. He mentioned some disturbing things about his father.”
“Oh? What did he say?”
“That he’s a lyin’ cheatin’ no-gooder.”
Adam closed his eyes. “Where’s Miss Addie’s boarding house?”
“Right across the street. You can’t miss the small sign on the porch.”
“This won’t take long. I’m going to see Tommy, let him know we’re here while Rusty is with Melody. You sure she is going to be okay?”
Nurse Ellie stood in front of him. “She will be fine as long as she gets rest and drinks plenty of fluid. I believe she got dizzy from not eating or drinking. She needs to keep up her strength.”
“We will make sure she does, thanks for taking care of her.”
“It’s my job. Adam?”
He turned back, one boot on the ground. “Yes?”
“She also had a bruise on her cheek and temple in the shape of a hand print. It is one of the other reasons she needs to stay quiet. The doc wants to make sure she recovers from both incidents.”
Adam was speechless. A growing anger filled him up so fast he was too horrified to say a word. He swallowed. Nodded. He began to walk away. Adam heard the door close behind him.
He walked down the street, past the boarding house. Past the church and the small café near the hotel. He began to walk faster, his strides now longer, his hands still fisted at his side. The pent up anger had to be dissolved before he exploded. The hand mark on her face had to be from her husband. There was no other explanation.
Had Tommy watched? Questions flew through his head like a bull taking the fence post head on. Knowing he had to get a grip and find out exactly what happened before Rusty went off the deep end when he found out turned him back towards the boarding house. Rusty loved his family more than life itself.
Adam needed answers. He also wanted to see Melody. Sweet Melody. A woman who had his heart all along. His knock was answered by Miss Addie herself. “Mr. White, I think there is a young man who will be happy to see you.”
“Adam!” The little fellow came flying through the house until Miss Addie scolded him for running.
“We don’t run in the house, young man.” Her stern voice didn’t stop him from flying into Adam’s arms. He actually jumped from the threshold and wrapped his little arms around Adam’s neck, clinging on like a branch on a tree.
“We are having supper, would you like to step inside and join us?”
Adam felt more than saw Tommy’s whole body begin to shake. His face was stuffed tight into Adam’s neck. Adam shook his head. “I think we’ll sit on the porch for a bit if it’s alright with you?”
“Certainly. I’ll check on you both in a spell.”
Adam sat on the swing sitting against the wall. Tommy still clung to him, finally letting the tears flow, leaving a wet spot on Adam’s shirt. He didn’t care. The boy had been so scared.
“It’s going to be okay, Tommy. Your Mommy is recovering and will be fine in a day or two.”
He sniffed and pulled his head from Adam’s neck. Little sad eyes stared into Adam’s own troubled ones. “Promise? Daddy hit her hard.”
Adam tried to keep himself composed. The boy wasn’t supposed to see such things. “I promise she will be fine. Your mommy just needs to rest. Why did he hit her, Tommy? Can you talk about this?”
Tommy swiped the back of his hand over his runny nose and sniffed. “I was a bad boy.” He began to cry again, his little cheeks puffed up.
“That’s no reason to hit someone, Tommy. Why were you bad?”
“I was eating my breakfast and when I looked up he was grabbing my Mommy’s arm so I jumped off the wagon and ran as fast as I could.” His little body shuddered and he bit his lip. His little fists went into the air.
Adam hated the fact the boy had to relive the incident but they all needed to know what had happened. “Then, the lyin’ cheatin’ no-gooder went like this,” he raised a hand in the air, “and called me a little brat and almost hit me with his hand, but, Mommy, she stopped him!”
Son-of-a-gun! Melody threw herself in front of Tommy to protect her son.
Tommy bounced up and down on his lap. “When I grow up, I’m going to go back and do this.” The boy raised his fist up and slapped at the air.
He didn’t blame the boy. He wanted to go there right now and tear that man into a million tiny pieces.
Rusty closed the door to the doctor’s office, searching up and down the street for the boarding house.
Tommy waved and yelled. “PaPa Rusty!”
The old man saw them and commenced to cross the street. When he approached, Rusty cried out. “My boy! There you are! Why don’t we take a walk to the church? I was told by Nurse Ellie they are having a service tonight with some singing. Would you like that, boy?”
Tommy slid from Adam’s lap and took Rusty’s hand. “Hi, PaPa Rusty. Can I sing, too?”
The front door opened. Miss Addie sure had perfect timing, as if she was listening to every word. Yet, there was no way for her to hear through the thick wooden door. “Well, hello, Rusty! You’re just in time to have some dinner. There’s a seat at the table for all of you if you’d like to eat.”
“Don’t mind if I do.” Rusty bent down to Tommy. “How about we have some supper and then go to the church after?”
Tommy jumped up and down. “I am hungry.”
Rusty patted Adam on the shoulder. “She’s sleeping but go see her.”
Adam didn’t have to be told twice.
“Mr. White, wouldn’t you like to eat first?” Miss Addie’s presence at the front door intimidated many, but Adam needed to see Melody more than eat.
“I’m sorry, ma’am but I have to make sure Melody is okay. The nurse is allowing us in for only five minutes.”
“I understand. I have one room available for Rusty and Tommy to bunk in. I’m afraid we are filled to capacity. You are welcome to rest yourself on our settee.”
Adam ran a hand through his hair. “I doubt I’ll sleep. Thank you for the kind offer.” When Adam turned away from the boarding house his heart began to pound. Melody was right across the street.
He had longed to see her again even though she had been married. He knew it wasn’t right but what the heart wants made it difficult for him to stop aching for her.
Even if his Ma had ordered a mail order bride he would always want Melody.
How was he going to stand living his life with someone else when all he wanted to do was love and protect his best friend?
Even so, whatever he had to do to keep her safe, he would do. Adam was sure Ma would let her stay at the ranch, even help to protect her from her husband if necessary. The law may be one way in the city but out here in the country they had their own way of doing things until they didn’t. The coward would never step a foot on White property if he knew what was good for him. He prayed to God above she wasn’t foolish enough to take him back.
Even if he had to go to Dallas to show that lyin’ cheatin’ no-gooder he wasn’t goi
ng to get away with hitting on a woman, he’d find a way to let the coward know what he did was not tolerated in this neck of the woods.
Adam took a deep breath as he opened the door to the doctor’s office. Nurse Ellie was in the exam room, cleaning up.
“Hi.”
Nurse Ellie turned. “Good evening, Adam . She’s in the parlor. We set up a cot for her in front of the fireplace. It can get cool some nights and we don’t want her taking a chill. You go on now. It’s over there.”
Adam followed her pointing finger. He nodded and left, standing at the door to the parlor, which was open a tiny crack. He stood there, looking in at her sleeping form, the fire crackling as it reflected shadows in the room.
He pushed open the door slightly, making his way to her bedside. There was a chair by the cot but he didn’t sit there yet. Looking down as he stood over her, she looked like an angel.
Her beautiful hair was tied back, a long braid over her one shoulder. He reached for the locks then stepped back, afraid if he touched her he would disturb her sleep.
He didn’t have the right to touch her, she belonged to someone else.
Anger so strong struck him like a lightening rod. A red hand print on her cheek darkened her features. The glow of the fire lit up her face enough for Adam to see it clear as daylight.
The realization of what she had gone through had forced him to sit down. Flexing his hands into fists, a vengeance burning somewhere deep inside his soul rose up. He wanted to leave this moment to find the one who did this to her. Now that he saw the evidence, it was worse than he imagined.
The coward will pay.
A soft moan had Adam leaning forward. Melody’s eyes fluttered right before she opened them. “Whose there? Tommy, are you here?”
Adam sucked in a deep breath trying to compose his anger for her sake. “Tommy’s fine. He’s with Rusty at Miss Addie’s boarding house.”
Her eyelids fluttered closed. “I’m glad. Adam.” His name was but a whisper on her lips. She tried to lift a hand towards him.
“You should stay still, go back to sleep. Everything is fine. I’m here now.”
He took her hand in his, pressed his lips to her palm.
“My best friend.”
“Always, Melody. Best friends forever, remember?”
A slow smile spread across her face, barely audible but Adam knew she was remembering the time they poked their fingers to draw blood, claiming it made them friends forever. A simple act as kids would hold them together always, even if she was married to someone else.
She took her finger and brushed it over his as if that alone would make it real again. “I missed you,” she whispered before her lids drifted shut.
Adam sat there, staring at her as she slept for the longest time. He knew he had been there well over five minutes when Nurse Ellie came to check on her patient.
After spending several minutes making sure Melody was comfortable, the nurse turned to Adam. “You may stay. She seems to be more relaxed with you here. I’ll go across the street and let the others know. It isn’t proper to allow a man to stay here but everyone knows the two of you are like family. I’ll be here to alleviate any gossip. The only reason I’m allowing you to stay is to help my patient. I only allow this in certain circumstances.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Joy filled him up. He hadn’t wanted to leave her and now he didn’t have to. He’d sit here all night if it helped her recovery.
The nurse left the room, leaving the door ajar. She spoke quietly to someone out in the hall before the front door closed softly. Adam settled back in the rickety wooden chair, his finger still entwined with hers.
Her trust in him eased his heavy heart. As his eyelids got heavier, Adam dreamed of earlier years with his best friend.
Chapter 5
Melody knew Adam was in the room even if his hand hadn’t been holding hers. How could she not recognize these working hands, the tough callouses on the insides of his fingers? Last night as she dozed off she sensed his presence, calming her spirit. They had always been best friends. She remembered right before she fell back to sleep the urgency to touch him, to know he was truly there.
If only she had told him how she had felt years ago. Yet, it was impossible to do after what she knew. When she had overheard a private conversation between the three brothers that day so long ago, Melody had known she’d never have Adam as a husband. The three brothers vowed to never marry, to never allow another woman on the farm.
They held a secret close to their hearts, promising never to reveal it so Nora would never know.
They thought they were the only three who knew.
They were all so wrong.
She knew the secret.
That’s why Melody had married someone else. She knew there would never be any chance for the two of them. They had been best friends, still were as far as she was concerned. Because she loved him so much and respected his wishes to never fall in love, she had forced herself to back away as they got older. It still puzzled her that Luke had gotten married after making the promise not to. Did Abigail know the secret?
Melody had promised herself she would never reveal what she had heard. She had tried hard to keep a distance, to never let him know how she felt about him.
Except for the one time he had kissed her under the tree by the creek. It had been a mistake and yet it had felt so right. After a lazy afternoon of swimming, the two were relaxing on the bank drying off. It was a warm Texas summer, a slight breeze rippling across the meadow.
Melody had lain on her back in the grass while the sun dried her clothes. She loved the times when Adam took her away after a run with the horses, how they always wound up splashing and laughing in the creek. That time had been so different.
She had peeked over at his profile. He was on his back, his own clothes pretty wet. He had reached for her hand and she let him take it, not thinking anything more of the simple gesture. She had just turned away to look up at the beauty of the sky, staring at the white, fluffy clouds. “This is perfect,” she had said.
He had moved, turning on his side, his hand still holding hers. Adam rested on his elbow, and she felt his eyes on her. When he spoke the intent in his voice had startled yet excited her. “You’re perfect,” he had said, his voice, low, husky.
She turned, knowing full well he was going to kiss her.
Melody didn’t try to stop him. She no longer cared about the private conversation she had heard earlier that week. She was curious how his lips would feel against hers. Even though she knew nothing would ever become of the two of them, she wanted this moment. For him. For her. For the two of them to take with them wherever they wound up. She remembered so clearly how the ache so deep in her belly had made her shiver.
He dipped his head at that very moment, moving even closer. His warm lips had stilled, pressing against her own as if asking permission to continue. She pressed hers against his mouth as an answer, reaching up to touch his hair.
Melody had heard a soft moan and to this day she didn’t know if it had been her or Adam. They had spent a long time by the creek kissing, laughing and kissing some more until his crazy brothers showed up hooping and hollering, teasing Adam when they found them. She grinned, remembering how Samuel had started making kissing motions with his mouth, hugging himself and smacking his lips together.
That’s when Adam thought his brother needed reprimanded and jumped on him, starting a wrestling match that had all three of the brothers rolling around the meadow like three bears in a Barnum and Bailey circus. Melody had laughed so much back then.
It seemed as if Adam had been at her side through every single part of her life. When her parents moved away to Montana a week after she married, Adam was there to see them off with her because her husband had been in the city working. She had sobbed into his chest as he held and hugged her, wiping tears and making her laugh afterwards.
When Rusty had gotten hurt on the ranch and they didn’t think he would make it thro
ugh the night, Adam travelled to Cooper’s Ridge in the middle of the night so she was able to be by her grandpa’s side. Every move he made had always been one of caring, of trust and respect.
Something she hadn’t ever known with Thomas. Looking back, the only good from her marriage was Tommy. She wouldn’t trade what she had gone through if it meant not having him. He was her life, her world. She was lucky, most women were not able to keep their children after a divorce. Most women were not granted a divorce.
Adam had been here since last night. As always, he stood by her side, forever friends.
Thomas had hated Adam, always trying to keep her from coming to the ranch. If Thomas had truly cared for her, he’d have been grateful for Adam’s friendship. Instead, Thomas would come fetch her in the middle of one of her visits and cart her back home acting as if he wanted to be with her. After a few times, when Thomas left her to go back to the city the next day instead of spending time with her and Tommy, she had thought he was jealous and it made her feel good because he had never paid much attention to her. How wrong she had been!
It took her awhile to figure things out. Turns out it wasn’t jealousy but a strange need to own her and not allow anyone else near. Because if anyone got too close, Thomas would be found out. She had been such a fool!
Regret at ignoring Adam and placing their friendship aside was uttermost on her mind. She needed to tell him how sorry she was.
Because he was so faithful.
Loyal.
Even now, Adam was here. By her side.
“My brother Luke would say, a penny for your thoughts?” His voice brought her back to the present.
She turned to him. “I have so much to say.”
He brushed two fingers over her mouth. “Shush, don’t try to say too much right now. Just heal, get better. I’m here for you, always.”
“I know, Adam. You’ve always been my best friend. I’m sorry I’ve let our friendship go.”
He pressed his mouth to her temple, the same spot that was blotchy and red. “I want to kill him,” Adam said, his voice filled with retribution.
