Sheltered Love

by Mj Williamz

“So, wow. That’s a tough business you’re in,” she finally said.

  “It has its moments.”

  “Are all cases as bad as Phoebe?”

  “Some better, some worse.”

  “I’m sorry. Would you rather not talk about work when you’re off the clock?”

  “I’m never completely off the clock, and I’m fine talking about it. I’m very passionate about what I do.”

  “I can tell. I really admire that about you.” She felt awkward, so quickly added, “I really appreciate all you did for Phoebe today.”

  “Well, I can tell she appreciated you, too, Boone. You were very good with her.”

  “I was just happy to be able to help her. I could kill my brother for what he did.”

  “I was a little surprised that she came to you, what with you being the abuser’s sister and all.”

  “I was, too. But I’m glad she did.”

  “What do you think your brother’s going to do? Will he try to find her?”

  “Does that happen often? Do they find women at your place?”

  “Never. I’ve never had that happen. Don’t worry, Boone. Phoebe is safe with us.”

  “My brother was pretty pissed off,” Boone said.

  “You mean when he did that to her?”

  “No. I mean he was at the bar when I got back this afternoon. He’d seen her car there and thinks I know where she is.”

  “I hope you denied it.”

  “I will ’til my dying day.”

  They ate their dinner, keeping up a constant flow of conversation.

  “So, where’d you go to school, Grey?”

  “Oregon State. You?”

  Boone laughed out loud. Of course.

  “U of O.”

  Grey laughed, too.

  “So we’re sworn enemies, huh?” Grey joked.

  “After our first meeting, one might have thought so.”

  “I suppose I owe you an apology for that,” Grey said.

  “No. I get it now. And it scares me. I wish I could do more to help.”

  “You can. Get involved. Or at least post signs in your bar. Not now, of course. That would be too obvious to Phoebe’s husband and he might get violent with you.”

  “Let him try,” Boone said.

  Dinner was finished and Boone took out her credit card.

  “Put that away,” Grey said.

  “What? Why?”

  “I asked you out, remember? This is my treat.”

  “Actually, the treat has been mine,” Boone said.

  “Aw. Thank you. But I do insist on getting the bill.”

  “I’ll get it next time,” Boone said without thinking.

  Grey looked at her, but said nothing.

  They walked out to their cars and Boone didn’t want the evening to end.

  “Thank you for tonight. That was really nice,” she said.

  “Thank you.”

  They stood in the parking lot in silence and Boone couldn’t resist. She pulled Grey to her and hugged her tight. The hug lasted longer than she’d anticipated, but she didn’t mind. Soon, she was stroking Grey’s back and caught herself, knowing she needed to keep things in check.

  She turned to kiss Grey’s cheek, but Grey turned her head slightly and their lips met. It was brief, but wonderful. Boone felt her heart race and forced herself to stand up straight.

  “Can I call you?” she asked.

  “I don’t think that would be a good idea,” Grey said.

  “When are you going to realize I’m not a monster just because I own a bar? Tell me you didn’t have a good time this evening.”

  “I did, Boone. I had a wonderful time. But it doesn’t change the fact that what you do contributes to everything I’m against.”

  “But I’m not an abusive type. And neither are my patrons.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  Boone was frustrated. It wasn’t fair for Grey to judge her because of her line of work. What was she thinking anyway? Grey wasn’t going to be up for a quick tumble in the sheets. That much was clear. Anything more wasn’t worth the effort.

  “Well, will I see you tomorrow when I go visit Phoebe?”

  “Maybe. I might be busy. I do have to see clients tomorrow.”

  “Okay. Well, I’ll be there.”

  “I’ll probably see you then.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Grey arrived at the shelter the next morning, and the first thing she did was check in with her night help to see how Phoebe had fared. She learned that she had spent most of the night in her room, only coming out to use the facilities. Grey made her way down the hall to her room and knocked on the door. She heard muffled cries from within.

  “Phoebe, honey, it’s Grey. Can I come in?”

  The door opened and Phoebe stood there, still in the same clothes from the day before, looking rumpled and much the worse for wear.

  “Good morning. Did you sleep last night?”

  “A little.”

  “Would you like some breakfast? Some coffee maybe?”

  “It would hurt.”

  “Honey, you have to eat something. You have to take care of yourself. And let us help with that. Why don’t you go take a shower, then I’ll take you to the kitchen and we’ll find something for you to eat.”

  Phoebe padded down the hall to the showers, and Grey went to her office to check her messages. She listened to them and jotted notes in her computer. She tried to focus, but kept flashing back to the brief kiss the night before. It had been so tender and so sweet and she wanted more. She hated admitting that to herself. Boone Fairway was not going to happen. End of story.

  She made her way back to Phoebe’s room and got there just as Phoebe was coming down the hall in her bathrobe.

  “Okay. Doesn’t that feel better?”

  Phoebe nodded.

  “Now you get dressed. I’m going to my office. Do you remember where that is?”

  Phoebe nodded again.

  “Good. After you’re dressed, come find me and I’ll show you to the kitchen before I start my day.”

  She was working on paperwork when Phoebe appeared in the door, dressed in a fresh pair of shorts and a T-shirt.

  “You look very comfortable. Let’s get you some food and I’ll take you as my first appointment today, okay?”

  She watched Phoebe grimace as she ate some oatmeal and drank some coffee. Grey was sure it had to hurt, but she also knew Phoebe needed nourishment. When she was finished, Grey led her to her office.

  “Go ahead and have a seat on the couch.” Grey closed the door behind her. “Let’s talk about your relationship with your husband. Has he ever been abusive to you before?”

  Phoebe looked at her shoes and nodded.

  “It’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Grey said. “It happens to many women. Men, too.”

  “I should be like Boone. I’ll never be with another man,” Phoebe said.

  “It happens to lesbians, too, Phoebe. And gay men. No one is immune. You’re not alone.”

  Phoebe just stared at her, seeming not to comprehend what she was hearing.

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  “No, violence and abuse is universal, Phoebe. We are all at risk. It’s something we have to educate people about. No one deserves to be battered or verbally abused. You’re one of many, Phoebe. Do you want to tell me how long this has been going on?”

  “It started almost immediately after we got married. Nine years ago.”

  “That’s a long time to put up with it,” Grey said softly.

  Phoebe nodded.

  “So, are you convinced this time that you’re through with the abuse?”

  “I am.”

  “Good. I would prefer you not go back to him.”

  “I can’t. He’s going to be madder that I left him. Imagine what he’d do to me now.” She visibly shuddered.

  Grey was pleased at the long answer she had gotten from Phoebe. It was a good sign.

  “Do you
have a job?” Grey asked.

  Phoebe shook her head.

  “Have you ever had a job?”

  “I worked for my dad in high school.”

  “Doing what?”

  “I kept the books for his lumber yard.”

  “Oh, good. That’s great that you have a skill set. We have a job counselor here who can help you find a job so you can support yourself.”

  “Can’t I get alimony?”

  “That’s something we can discuss. We also have legal volunteers who come in to help women with that. Are you sure you want to divorce him?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Hold on to that thought.” She knew women often felt that way when they first arrived at the shelter, but changed their minds later on.

  They went on with their session and Phoebe agreed to meet with Connie to discuss job options.

  “I’ll check on you later today and I want another session with you tomorrow, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  *

  Boone got through her morning work on autopilot; her mind was on Grey Dawson and Phoebe. She wanted to get out of the bar as soon as she could to go see how Phoebe was doing. And she couldn’t lie to herself; she hoped to run into Grey as well. She was a pain in her ass, but the kiss they’d shared said something more could happen. And Boone wanted something to happen with Grey. Just one night and she’d be happy. She planned to make that happen.

  When the lunch rush was over, she helped clean up, then left the bar in the capable hands of her staff. She drove over to Serene Pathway and showed her card to the guard at the gate. She parked and knocked on the door. It was answered by a short, gray-haired woman.

  “Can I help you?” the woman asked.

  “Hi. I’m Boone. I’m Phoebe’s sister-in-law. I don’t know the rules on visiting.”

  “You’re welcome to visit, Boone. I’m Cecilia. I’m Grey’s right-hand woman. Come on in. Would you like me to go get Phoebe for you or at least let her know you’re here?”

  “I know where her room is. I don’t mind walking down there.”

  “I’ll take you,” Cecilia said.

  She led Boone down the halls to Phoebe’s room. Boone tried not to look around too much, as she wanted to afford the other residents their privacy, but she really hoped to catch a glimpse of Grey.

  When Phoebe opened her door, Boone had to tamp down her reaction. The bruises looked worse than they had the day before.

  She turned quickly to Cecilia then regrouped and focused on Phoebe.

  “How are you doing, today, Phoebs?”

  Phoebe shrugged.

  “You still hurt, I bet, huh?”

  “Yeah.”

  They sat on the couch.

  “I’m so sorry, Phoebe. I hope you know how sorry I am.”

  “I do.” She was silent for a while, then looked Boone in the eye. “Have you seen him?”

  “I ran into him yesterday.”

  Phoebe nodded. Boone was unsure of what to say. She probably should have gone over this with Grey the night before. How much was she supposed to share?

  “Did he say anything?”

  “He didn’t tell me what happened, if that’s what you mean.”

  “What did he say?”

  “He’d seen your car at the bar yesterday, so he thought I knew where you were.”

  Phoebe’s eyes grew wide.

  “What did you tell him?”

  “I told him I hadn’t seen you.”

  “Was he pissed?”

  “Yeah,” Boone said. “He was pretty hot.”

  “He scares me when he gets like that.”

  “Well, you don’t ever have to worry about that again.” When Phoebe didn’t say anything, she said, “Right?”

  “Right.” Phoebe stared out the window for a moment. “Will he find me, Boone? Can he get to me here?”

  Boone took Phoebe’s hands in hers and looked her square in the eye.

  “No, Phoebe. Absolutely not. You’re totally safe here. Will you promise me you’ll relax and allow yourself to be cared for?”

  “I’m scared,” Phoebe whispered.

  “Don’t be. You’re safe. I promise you. Grey won’t let anything happen to you here.”

  “I heard my name,” Grey said from the door. “What did I miss?”

  Boone stood, taking in the professional Grey who had walked up unnoticed. Grey looked sharp in her business suit. Almost as nice as she had in her blue dress the night before, only in a different, more professional way. Suddenly, it was hard to find her voice.

  “I was just reassuring Phoebe that she’s safe here,” Boone finally said.

  “Yes, Phoebe. You’re very safe here. Boone, please sit back down. I didn’t mean to interrupt. I was just coming to check on Phoebe, but I see she’s in good hands.”

  “Still, you’re welcome to join us.” Boone wanted to spend more time with Grey. She felt like a heel, but reminded herself she really did care for Phoebe and would be there even if Grey wasn’t.

  “Maybe for a few minutes.” Grey sat in the wingback chair and crossed her shapely legs. Boone wanted to kiss her, starting at her ankles before moving up to other parts. She shook the thought from her head.

  “So, Phoebe,” Grey said. “What are you most worried about?”

  “I don’t want him to find me,” Phoebe said quietly.

  “Your husband? Oh, he won’t. We’re very secretive in our location. We’re unlisted and closely guarded. This is an extremely safe place. Please don’t worry.”

  Boone saw the tears in Phoebe’s eyes and wished there was something she could do to help ease the fear. But she guessed it was only natural after what Phoebe had been through. Boone hated her brother more than ever. How dare he lay a hand on sweet Phoebe, who would never hurt anybody?

  “Boone? Are you with us?” Grey’s voice broke through her thoughts.

  “I’m sorry. What were you saying?”

  “We were talking about how you’ll always be here for Phoebe and she needs to learn to trust you and me and then we’ll work on her trusting other people.”

  “Right,” Boone said. “I’m sure that’ll be a hard lesson to learn, but we’re here for you and that’s a start.”

  “I trust you, Boone,” Phoebe said. “I do.”

  “I’m glad. You need to trust Grey, too, though.”

  “I’ll try.”

  “Good.” She stood. “Now, it’s time for me to get going. Is there anything you need me to bring you tomorrow when I come by?”

  Phoebe shook her head.

  Grey stood as well.

  “I’ll walk you out.”

  “So, tell me,” Boone said when they were out of earshot. “How’s she doing? I have nothing to compare this to, so I’m kind of freaking out.”

  “She’s doing okay. She needed to be reminded to shower and eat this morning. But that’s not unusual. This will be a long process, Boone. And it’s just started. She’s got a long road ahead of her. It’s nice that she has you to help keep her positive.”

  “She asked me about Tanner,” Boone said. “I wasn’t sure what to say.”

  “Be honest. Always be honest. She needs to be able to trust you, like we were saying.”

  Boone nodded as they arrived at her truck. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, wanting desperately to ask Grey out, but not wanting to appear desperate. She decided to bite the bullet.

  “I’d like to see you again,” she said.

  “I thought we covered this last night.”

  “Look, I’m not asking you to marry me or anything. I just thought another dinner would be nice.”

  “I realize this. But I don’t want to lead you on or give you any false hope. There’s no chance of anything happening between us.”

  “You’ve made that perfectly clear. Let’s just say I want to thank you for helping Phoebe.”

  “It’s my job, Boone.”

  “I get that.”

  There was an awkward s
ilence.

  “So, no chance of dinner?”

  “I suppose one more dinner wouldn’t hurt. But that’s it. Just one more.”

  “Really?”

  “Really,” Grey said.

  “Great. I’ll look forward to it.”

  “Don’t get your hopes up too high.”

  “How could I? Where shall we meet?”

  “Why don’t you pick me up at my place?”

  “Sounds great. Where do you live?”

  She told Boone her address. “Do you need me to write that down?”

  “I got it.” Boone opened her glove compartment and wrote down the address.

  “Great. What time will you pick me up?”

  “Six o’clock again?”

  “Sounds great. I’ll see you then.”

  *

  Grey finished up her day with an anxious stomach. She couldn’t wait to see Boone again, socially, but she was nervous about her feelings. She didn’t usually feel such a strong attraction to a woman immediately. Yet there was something about Boone that drew her to her. At first, sure, she was attracted to her physically. Who wouldn’t be? But now she could see there was more to her. She was caring, compassionate, intelligent. All traits Grey admired. She had to admit to herself she was really looking forward to getting to know Boone better. Although she knew better than to allow herself to get too close. Because Boone was off-limits in a big way. Looks and everything else aside, Boone was the wrong woman for Grey to be looking at. Still, she couldn’t deny the physical need that overcame her every time she thought of her.

  She got home and took a quick shower to freshen up. She dressed in a red peasant skirt and yellow blouse, knowing bright summer colors wouldn’t be appropriate much longer. She applied light makeup, eyeliner, blush, and lip gloss and called it good. She was ready with fifteen minutes to spare and had nothing to do those last minutes but feel the butterflies in her stomach.

  Boone showed up five minutes early, looking dapper in chinos and a blue golf shirt. She smelled good, too. Her cologne was soft and sensual, and Grey knew she could nuzzle that neck and inhale it all night if things were different.

  “You look great,” Boone said, openly admiring Grey’s attire.

  “Thanks, so do you.” Grey wanted to tell her she looked and smelled delicious, but fought the urge.

  “I hope you like Mexican?” Boone said.

  “I love Mexican.”