Finding Happiness

by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  “Pleasure to meet you, Autumn. You here visiting or sticking around a while?” the sheriff asked her, and he looked her over, squinted, and then glanced at Bridget.

  Bridget placed her hand on Autumn’s shoulder. “She’s considering moving here. She’ll be staying in the apartment at our place.”

  “I see. Well, welcome, and please, you need anything at all, you come see me at the department, or have one of Bridget’s men get in contact with me. I’m sure Bridget explained how things work around here, so we’ll catch up sooner or later,” he told her.

  “Understood, sir, so nice meeting you all,” she replied, but that uneasy feeling filled her gut. This place wasn’t normal. At least not anything like where she lived in Connecticut. They turned around and headed to the counter, and an older woman greeted them.

  “Bridget, this must be your cousin,” the woman said and came right over, wiping her hands on her apron. She looked Autumn over.

  “My oh my, aren’t you stunning, and a petite little thing, too. You done this kind of work before?” the woman asked.

  “Yes, ma’am, mostly short-order cook for a time, but I waitress just fine,” Autumn told her and she smiled.

  “Well, if you’ll learn anything real quick around here, it’s that Cherry Hill is a family. We all pitch in when anyone is in need or looking for a job, or whatever. You, my dear, will be drawing in a crowd. You sure you want to be waitressing?”

  “I’m sure, ma’am, and of course if you have the room for me. Don’t want to step on anyone’s toes.”

  “Not at all. I lost two waitresses recently. One too far along in her pregnancy to continue, and one who came into town looking to pick up men and have a good time. Knew she wouldn’t last. I can give you some hours on Monday and Wednesday to start. See how you do and see if you like it. The menu’s pretty simple, and most people tend to stick to the same things and of course some of the specials.”

  “Well, I appreciate the opportunity, Mrs. Forester.”

  “Oh please, call me Molly.” She looked past Autumn with a big smile on her face. “What are you doing here?” she asked, and Autumn turned around and looked way up at the tall, blond deputy with gorgeous blue eyes. He was built, and she actually took a step back. She remembered him. She almost ran him over when she first got into town. Oh God, he was good-looking.

  She heard Bridget chuckle, and apparently as she stared at the deputy he stared at her, looking her over, and boy did she feel it. She was going to turn away, but then Molly began to speak.

  “Autumn, meet one of my sons, Aldreck. As you can see he’s a deputy in town,” Molly said, and he stepped closer, reached out his hand.

  “Autumn,” he said to her and she reached her hand out. His was so big compared to hers that she gasped from the size difference and pulled back. She lowered her eyes, pushed her hair behind her ear, and then cleared her throat.

  “New to town huh? Y’all planning on sticking around here?” he asked, with one hand on the butt of his gun and the other on his utility belt. She knew that look, that expression, and she wasn’t going to fall for any man in uniform again.

  “Maybe,” she replied.

  “Well, if you do, remember to go a little slower, especially by the crosswalks.”

  “Sorry you didn’t see me coming and stepped out.”

  “I was already walking across, and you need to slow down. Now let’s leave it that,” he said in a snappy tone. She felt like flipping him the bird, but instead she turned her back toward him.

  “Well, it was nice meeting you, Molly. I’ll let you know about the job offer.”

  “What do you mean let her know?” Bridget asked. She gave a nod toward the deputy, and Bridget chuckled.

  Molly gave her son a look then looked back at Autumn. “Don’t you mind my son. He can be a bit rough around the edges. I’m sure that little situation was no big deal, and you’ll be more careful. Make sure you get here to start by 5:00 a.m. We open up about 5:15 for customers. I have a new apron in the back, so maybe wear black pants or a black skirt, comfortable shoes because you’ll work 5:00-4:00. Then the night crew comes in for early bird and dinner.”

  Autumn wasn’t too sure, and she glanced back toward Aldreck who was talking to the sheriff but kept looking at her.

  “Go on. This will help you learn about Cherry Hill and help you make a decision about staying here,” Bridget said to her, and Molly smiled wide.

  “Okay. I’ll be here on Monday morning.” She reached her hand out to shake Molly’s, and then she and Bridget went to go sit at a table. But then other locals were asking who she was, and more introductions were made. She was shaking, and when she went to go sit down she felt the ache to her ribs.

  “Are you sure you’ll be okay to work the long hours right off the bat?” Bridget asked her.

  “I’ll be fine, plus I was working as soon as the visible bruises were gone or what cover-up could cover,” she said to Bridget.

  “Jesus,” Bridget said and shook her head. “I don’t know why my cousin didn’t call me sooner. I mean seriously, the connections my men have alone could have probably helped.”

  “It was a bad situation. One I got myself involved in and it was easier to just disappear than work things out from there.” She swallowed hard as the waitress came over and introduced herself.

  “I’m Leeann. Molly just said you’re going to start working on Monday.”

  “That’s the plan, Leeann,” Autumn said, and Leeann smiled wide.

  “What can I get you to drink?” she asked.

  “Sweet tea for me,” Bridget said.

  “I’ll do the same.” When she walked away, Autumn looked at the menu. It was easy enough to memorize, and Autumn was really good at that. She was good at bartending too which was the last job she had, but that brought even more attention to her and of course creepy guys.

  “So tell me about the sheriff and their woman. She looked a little pale.”

  “Oh, she’s still recovering from injuries she sustained when she was abducted by these men, but her men saved her.”

  “What?”

  “It’s a long story, and I don’t have all the details, but she is lucky to be alive. Athena came here on the run, and was in hiding from some men the government were after, or something like that. Anyway, I’m afraid her story is similar to a lot of us.”

  “Of us? You mean you, too?” Autumn asked as Leanne brought over the sweet teas and took their order.

  “Mine was a bit complicated. I was working for my parents at our bakery in South Carolina when I met Richie. He was good-looking, older, a businessman, and well, I fell for his charms and manipulations, and the next thing I know I’m in an abusive relationship and he’s trying to force me to stop baking, stop pursuing my dream of a pastry shop or something. It was a long vicious cycle, and I didn’t get out of the relationship until I found out he was cheating on me. I was devastated, and he blamed me. Broke my arm in three places, beat me up so badly I wanted to die from the pain in my body and my heart.”

  Autumn wiped the tear from her eye before it fell. Bridget covered her hand, squeezed it, and gave her a small smile. “My mom showed up when I said I was sick and couldn’t come into work. She knew the routine, that more than likely my boyfriend beat me up again. It was embarrassing, but then she asked me if I wanted a better life. If I didn’t want to feel pain again. Or if I was willing to let him continue to take away my identity, my soul, and eventually kill me. I knew the answer and I said no, but I was scared. Oh God, was I so scared about what he would do when he found out I left. My mom told me that this was the only option. That they had a friend and a town that was more special than anything I could have imagined, and they sent me here to Cherry Hill. I left everything behind me, every ounce of clothing, of dreams for New York, and wound up here. It was a bad few months. I didn’t trust anyone but Molly. Her mom knew my mom, and Molly has a huge heart.”

  “How did you deal with the fears? With knowing in the ba
ck of your head that at any time he could find you, could drag you back or even hurt you right where he found you?”

  “I don’t think I really got rid of that feeling right away. It took time. Even years later I could smell something, like a cologne or a cigar, and I get a flashback, or a sensation like fear, but it’s so small now. My men were amazing, and they saw me through it all.” Bridget smiled and looked away a moment.

  “Weren’t you scared to get involved with another man, never mind three?”

  “Scared is an understatement. I was a panic, but as they continued to show me compassion, respect, and a gentleness from men I knew nothing about, it just happened. I fell in love with them, and they became my world.”

  “They’re big men, very attractive, and seem capable. I know it’s only been a week, but I catch Shay watching me closely, almost like he doesn’t trust me.”

  “No, that’s not it. He’s afraid you’re going to run off. Afraid you’ll let that control Connor had over you send you back to the abuse and the danger.”

  She was quiet a moment. Then Leeann brought over their food.

  She looked at the meal, and it was huge. Chicken salad on toasted rye bread with fries, but the bread was huge.

  “I thought about going back. When I was driving for the past six weeks. When I was going into these towns and not knowing how to not stand out, how to survive. Night time was, well, is the worst.”

  “But you called your aunt, and that was the best thing you could have done.”

  “I knew I couldn’t go see her. Connor can find out about her, which was why I worried about even contacting Aunt May.”

  “She knows to take proper precautions, and her sons are nearby if anything were to happen or Connor showed up there. Plus I wouldn’t put it past my cousin to take out her shotgun and take Connor out if he tried to break in or threaten her.”

  Autumn shivered and then rubbed her hands on her jeans. Connor, being a police officer and a soldier, used to threaten her with his gun, and even the hunting knife he had. He thought it was funny when she cried and begged for him to not come close to her with them, and he would laugh.

  “Hey, Autumn, it’s okay, just breathe. Relax your mind, focus on something in the café, focus on me, and breathe,” Bridget whispered, and Autumn felt the wetness against her cheeks, then turned to the left where Molly was standing as if blocking the view from the rest of the restaurant as she smiled.

  “There ya go.” Autumn looked at Bridget. “No, no, no, don’t say a word, don’t even think about it. We got you,” Bridget said.

  “Yes we do,” Molly said and then turned around and headed back to the counter. Autumn caught the sheriff’s gaze and Aldreck’s gaze, and she quickly looked at Bridget.

  “We should go.”

  “No need to. You need to eat. You haven’t been eating three meals a day, and working here waitressing is going to be hard if you aren’t fueled properly. Have you thought about the classes at the dojo in town? The sheriff’s brother Culter owns it and runs things.”

  “No, I don’t think it’s worth it.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because even if I could do some moves I wouldn’t stand a chance against men like Connor, hell, like the men around this town.”

  “That isn’t the point, and you would be surprised at what self-defense can teach you. It also builds up your self-confidence.”

  “I’ll see.”

  She took a bite of the sandwich and felt her belly tighten and that sensation of not wanting to eat, of feeling full, began and got worse three more bites into it.

  “You need to do better than that.”

  “I’m full. It’s fine. I’ll bring the rest home for dinner.”

  Autumn wasn’t sure how she felt about this town, although Molly’s move to block anyone from seeing Autumn zone out a moment did say a lot. She liked the woman, and she hoped this worked out well.

  Chapter 2

  Kane leaned back in his chair in the sheriff’s office while Shay Hayes stood next to Manderine Forester and Deputy Aldreck Forester.

  “Been two weeks, got men asking about Autumn left and right. Myself and Aldreck have noticed her favoring her right side and holding it as she walks to her car. I think I’ve given enough time for you, for Autumn herself to come talk to me. Hell, more than enough time,” Kane said to Shay.

  Shay narrowed his eyes at Kane. “Who’s been asking about her?” Shay asked.

  “Who hasn’t is more like it. She’s a stunning young woman. You can see her coming from a mile away with that platinum-blonde hair,” Kane replied.

  “I tried talking to her several times, and she gives me the cold shoulder,” Aldreck stated.

  “Well, things started off a little badly with you, Aldreck, and the whole situation of her nearly running you over in town,” Shay said and Kane chuckled.

  “Maybe he was staring at that platinum-blonde hair of hers,” his brother Manderine teased.

  They all snickered, and Shay exhaled.

  “I’ve known you men for years. Manderine, Aldreck. Your mom and dads helped Bridget when she first got to Cherry Hill, so I know what this town stands for and what you’ll all do to help protect Autumn.”

  “She’s in danger then?” Kane asked.

  “Well, my brothers are doing their part to hopefully get the heads-up if the man who caused her injuries and pain, the man she’s hiding from, was to head this way looking.”

  “Shit,” Aldreck said and then looked at his brother Manderine. Kane had a feeling the Forester men were taking an interest in Autumn, but it was really too early to tell and as he knew personally if Autumn was hiding and fearful, she wouldn’t let that guard down any time quickly.

  “What can you tell us, Shay?” Kane asked.

  “Autumn isn’t too happy about having to come see you, Kane. She’s intimidated by several things, and it isn’t just because she’s a petite woman,” Shay said to them.

  “Go on.” Kane nodded.

  “She sustained a lot of bruising, which has healed in the last six weeks, but the broken ribs are taking longer to heal.”

  “Broken ribs? As in more than one?” Manderine asked with his nostrils flared.

  “Afraid so. She has them wrapped up still, then after work she soaks in the tub from what Bridget found out yesterday.”

  “Maybe she needs to see Doc Shelton?” Kane suggested. Shay shook his head.

  “Ain’t gonna happen. It’s going to be hard for her to accept help from any cop or soldier around here. We’re lucky she has allowed us to do a little, not much, but a little,” Shay told them.

  “Why is that?” Kane asked.

  Shay took a deep breath and exhaled.

  “Shay, you can trust us. We won’t say a word, and it will help us understand her state of mind,” Aldreck said to him.

  “Her ex, the guy that beat her up, was abusive for over a year and a half, was a soldier and a cop.”

  “Fuck,” Manderine said.

  “Jesus, no wonder she’s always looking at men around here like they could hurt her or worse. What do you know about the guy and where he’s at?” Kane asked.

  “Ken and Brady used their resources, being careful not to divulge information of course, and he’s on probation from the police department in this small town in Connecticut. He has to go through anger management counseling and some other bullshit. He doesn’t lose his job, and since Autumn’s aunt contacted Bridget—they’re cousins—and sent her here, there were no charges filed and pushed through. She would have had to go to court, and meanwhile he would be roaming free. They had an apartment together and all her things were there, and she left it all,” Shay explained.