Double Mocha, Heavy On Your Phone Number

by June Kramin

  “I told you not to shoot, you asshole!” She heard Nate shout.

  Nick sat up laughing and rubbing his chin. “But it has at least fifteen points.”

  Ellie had reached them by this point and leaned down and punched Nick in the arm. He could only laugh.

  “It’s not deer season, you idiot. You scared Nancy and me to death!”

  He still only chuckled.

  Nancy still didn’t know what was going on, but carefully dropped into Nick’s lap when she reached them. She wrapped her arms tight around his neck. “Are you okay?”

  He was surprised, but wrapped his arms tight around her waist, seeming to enjoy the rare moment of affection from his sister. “Hell yeah, I’m okay. Your brother punches like a girl.”

  “He punched you? Why?”

  He pointed over at the deer and she frowned. “I’ve lived in Europe for the past three years and even I know it’s not deer season.” Nancy punched him in the arm. “Shame on you, Nickolas Jason.”

  Nancy stood up then went over to Nate for a hug.

  “Nice to have you back, kid.” He gave her back a strong rub. “Can you make it out okay?”

  “I think so.”

  He turned around and kneeled down. “Hop on.”

  She giggled. “You haven’t given me a piggy back ride since I was eight.”

  “Then I’m overdue.” After she climbed on he turned to Nick. “Go kill that fire then help Ellie out. You can come back for that thing later by yourself. I’m not getting busted for you.”

  “I can walk fine,” Ellie insisted.

  “I don’t care.” He leaned into her and kissed her cheek.

  They made it to the car a little quicker than they got there. The boys were big into hiking. Even with the added weight of the girls, they were faster than when they had followed Ellie. Nick called Holly at the hospital and let her know they were on their way. There was a doctor to look her over as soon as they got there, then he checked out Ellie just to be sure. The doctor told them Nancy could probably leave in a couple of days, as long as there were no more escape attempts. Doctor Grant was happy to get his car back and declined pressing charges.

  Bix walked into Nancy’s room and surprised Ellie.

  “What are you doing here?” Ellie asked.

  “Nick called me. You sure you’re okay?”

  “Positive.”

  Bix turned to Nick. “Thanks for the call but no, I’m not helping you with that deer.”

  Three days later, there was still no word from the authorities about Shawn. Ellie was antsy to get back to her house, but Bix was adamant about not moving in there yet. She wished there was more work to do around the house; she was getting bored. Things were as spotless as they were going to get. The house was ready for Nancy to move in when she was released tomorrow. The walls needed a fresh coat of paint, but Ellie would help her repaint in the spring. Bix had taken her to the hardware store to pick up a bunch of samples. He knew she needed something to occupy her mind for a few hours, but he still wouldn’t let her go alone.

  As happy as Ellie was to finally be getting along with Nancy, she really wasn’t ready to be living downstairs with her upstairs. She would have to convince Bix it was time to move back to her place. Shawn had to be long gone or they would have found some leads by now.

  Ellie woke up that Friday morning and snuck out of bed without waking Bix. As she got dressed, she let out a sigh. She was sick of wearing the same few things that Bix had brought her. Knowing he would only fuss, she quickly scribbled a note to him and left for her house to grab some new clothes.

  Chapter Sixty

  Ellie unlocked the house and walked in, refusing to let herself feel any fear. Again she convinced herself Shawn had to be long gone. Being afraid of him showing up for the rest of her life was out of the question. She changed her clothes in her bedroom, putting on her thick fleece pink and black plaid lounge pants and a large black sweatshirt. The house was chilly from the heat being turned low. Still chilled, she went over to the thermostat to turn it up. As soon as her back was turned, she felt another presence and Ellie spun around, but she was too late.

  Shawn slammed her into the wall. She cried out as her back hit the thermostat. “That was a dirty trick, Ellie.”

  “I didn’t play a trick on you,” she said, groaning through the pain.

  “You never told me you were a twin.”

  Ellie shot back defiantly. “I don’t recall you asking.”

  “I wish I had. I would have loved a three-way.” He licked his lips and eyed her up and down. “If it wasn’t for that whole surgery thing, we would have had a great time.”

  “Great time? You almost killed her!”

  “Don’t put that crap on me. She wanted it. I called for help when she blacked out, didn’t I?”

  “And you left her to die alone.”

  “It wasn’t my fault.” He squeezed her arm tight. “And I wasn’t going to stick around and take the blame for it.”

  “Let me go!” She screamed and tried to kick him, but he moved before she made contact. He took the back of his hand and cracked her hard against the face.

  “What did you make me do that for? You’re not making this easier on yourself, Ellie, although fighting a little is going to make it more fun for me.”

  The front door opened up and Bix froze when he saw them. “Let her go!” he yelled.

  Shifting his grip and holding Ellie’s neck with one hand, Shawn reached behind his back and pulled out a small gun and quickly aimed it at Bix. “Heroes don’t live to see another day friend. You better stop where you are.”

  “This is insane. The whole state is looking for you, along with half of Europe. You won’t get away with this! Let her go!”

  “Half of Europe, huh? Now that’s impressive.” He pulled the trigger. Bix stumbled backwards, hitting his head hard on the table. He fell to the floor and didn’t move. Ellie could see blood welling up on his coat. There was so much blood she couldn’t tell where the bullet entered.

  “Bix!” Ellie screamed and flailed trying to get free. Shawn yanked her hair and pulled her with him. “No!”

  “Call me when all of Europe is on the chase, okay?” he said to Bix’s lifeless body. “Now that would be interesting.” He pulled Ellie out the door.

  “You killed him!” Ellie cried as she flailed, trying to hit him and break herself free of his hold. He slapped her face so hard, it sent her into a snowdrift.

  “You bastard!” Instead of running, she jumped at him. She no longer wanted to run, she wanted to hurt him. Shawn caught her by her wrist and wrenched her arm behind her back. Screaming in pain, she dropped to her knees.

  “Calm down there, cupcake. You won’t have any energy left for love making.” He pulled her to her feet and went to the shed where he had his car hidden.

  Shawn had taken a pretty relaxing break while waiting for her to come home. Her refrigerator had been stocked and her water pressure was perfect. He enjoyed long showers, thinking about having sex with her when she came home. He had grown attached to her bed where he dreamed about all the ways they would make love. She’d be sorry she hadn’t stayed that night with him at the Hilton in Minneapolis. He knew she’d be begging for more as soon as she had her first taste.

  He was sorry now that they wouldn’t be using her bed, but any bed would do. Hell, his hard-on ached for her so badly; he thought he might just have to pleasure her in his back seat right there in the cold. He held her in front of him with her arm still behind her back as he lifted the latch of the shed.

  Ellie heard a loud crack, then fell against the door when Shawn’s weight landed on her. She rolled out from under him and looked up. “Bix!” He was standing there holding a log from the firewood pile outside her door. She jumped to her feet and threw her arms around him. He let out a cry and she went back flat to her feet. “Let me look at it,” Ellie said as she opened the side of his coat. His shirt was soaked with blood.

  “Leave it!” h
e yelled. “Go get some rope or duct tape.”

  “You’re bleeding badly! Let me — ”

  “Now, Ellie! Before he gets up.”

  She opened the door to the shed and came out with a roll of red duct tape. She went to hand it to Bix, but he looked pale. She knelt down, put Shawn’s arms together and quickly bound them, wrapping the tape around several times.

  “Do his legs, too.”

  She bit at the tape to sever it then checked Shawn for a pulse.

  “He’s fine! Tape the bastard’s feet, Ellie.” Bix removed his cell phone from his holster and called 911. He gave Ellie’s address and said, “We caught Shawn Teidelman. Send cops…and an ambulance.”

  She had the tape wrapped around his legs a few times when she heard a thud behind her. “Bix!” Rushing to his side she shouted his name again. “Bix!”

  Chapter Sixty-One

  Bix slowly opened his eyes and looked around. Everything around him was still white, but he was no longer cold. His mind began to clear and he realized he was in a hospital bed. He tried to move his left arm, but cried out in pain. It was slowly coming back to him — he had been shot. He remembered Ellie binding Shawn’s hands, but nothing more. He instantly was worried about her, but Nick appeared in front of him before he could call for a nurse.

  “Way to steal my thunder, dickhead.” Nick chuckled then tousled Bix’s hair. “I wanted to be the one to plug the asshole. Ellie says you have a great swing. Nice job.”

  “She okay?” Bix barely recognized the raspy voice as his own.

  Nick pointed to a chair in the corner. Ellie was curled up in it and asleep. “I’ll wake her.”

  “No. Don’t. Let her sleep.”

  “You remember any of it?”

  “Bits and pieces.”

  “You see Elvis or anyone interesting while you were out?”

  “Elvis? I didn’t die, asshole.”

  Nick laughed. “Too bad. I could have buried you ass up so I had someplace to park my bike.”

  Bix tried moving again and winced in pain. “Fuck me.”

  “Only for that Stingray.”

  “What exactly happened to me anyway?”

  “You were shot in the shoulder, you pussy. Get over it.”

  “You’re all heart.” Bix tried moving again and sucked in a deep breath, fighting the pain.

  “Want me to get the nurse?”

  “No. I’m all right. Is my mom here?”

  “Mom and dad both. You were in surgery for a long time. Want me to go get them?”

  “Not yet. I changed my mind. Will you wake Ellie up?”

  “You got it. I’ll tell them you’re up and okay and ask them to give you a minute.”

  “Thanks.”

  Nick barely touched Ellie’s shoulder, but she bolted awake. “What? Is he okay?” The words rushed out.

  “He’s awake.”

  She rushed over to him and Nick left. Flopping on his right side, she began to cry.

  “Hey, babe. No tears. I’m fine and apparently that’s thanks to you.”

  “I thought you’d left me.” She sobbed and buried her head deep into his neck.

  “Not a chance.” He pulled her close. “You’re not getting rid of me so easily.”

  Two days later Ellie walked in to visit with Bix. She had just been in with the hospital administrator. They were more than thrilled to give her the same training position she had when she left over a year ago. When classes started up again, she was going to finish and get her nursing degree. She brightened up when she saw his parents in there as well. She received kisses hello from both of them then she went over to Bix.

  “Hello, my love,” she said with a kiss.

  “Am I looking at the hospital’s cutest nurse?”

  “I don’t know about that, but yes, I’m hired.”

  “Come here.” He motioned for her to lean down for another kiss. “I love you.”

  “I love you too, Bartholomew.”

  “How the hell? Damnit, Mom!”

  “Sorry. It just slipped out. Honestly.”

  Seven months later, Bix and Ellie stood at the front of the church staring at each other with large grins on their faces. The altar was decorated beautifully with fresh spring flowers in stunning arrangements. Family and friends eagerly waited to hear the words, “You may now kiss the bride.”

  Bix winked at Ellie as he watched his mother and father kiss. Her belly flip-flopped as she returned the wink. Her best guess was they wouldn’t be far behind, but that wasn’t the only reason for the butterflies.

  At the reception, they held each other tight as they slow danced, oblivious to everything around them. Nancy came bounding up to them and wrapped an arm around each of them.

  “Guess who’s engaged?” Nancy held up her left hand, showing off a modest diamond solitaire.

  “Let me guess.” Bix began singing, Duke of Earl.

  “No, silly.” She playfully slapped his arm. “Jackson.”

  “Jackson? The mechanic?”

  “Yes!” She gave him a big kiss on the cheek then gave one to Ellie. “Who’da thought, huh?” She shrugged and ran off then jumped into Jackson’s arms. He came over for a hug from Ellie and a handshake from Bix then they wandered over for more champagne.

  Bix returned his attention to Ellie and began to sway again to the music. “So…When are you gonna make an honest man outta me?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Don’t play coy with me. You’re three weeks late.” She stopped dancing and looked up at him. “Like I don’t know your cycle, Ellie. Hello. I have to know when to come home with chocolate.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck again and continued to dance. “I don’t even know for sure yet.”

  “I don’t care. Marry me anyway.” He reached in the pocket of his tux and pulled his hand out. There was a princess cut, one carat diamond ring on his pinky. “I was going to go for a computer chip, but I thought you may like this better.” He took it off and held it up to her finger. “So?”

  “Yes,” she answered, leaning up for a kiss. He placed it on her finger and gave her a strong hug.

  “Maybe we’ll honeymoon in Hawaii and go visit Glenn and Nani.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “You want to go tell Nancy?”

  “No. I don’t want to steal her thunder. We’ll tell them later. Let’s go give your dad his present.”

  They walked over to Bix’s parents who were dancing just a few feet away.

  “Dad?” Bix called out, getting his attention.

  “Yeah?”

  “A little wedding present from me and Ellie.” He held out his closed fist and his father opened up his hand. Bix dropped the key to the Stingray in his hand. “Welcome back to the family.”

  Acknowledgments

  Celina & Liz, thanks for beating this to the pulp that it deserved!

  Thanks to everyone that I mingle with that has made their way into this novel without knowing it. Too late to be careful, you’ve already made it into my novel. You’re lucky I didn’t kill you off.

  Thanks to hubby for the computer acronyms that will never go away and eyeballs for the military and “man thing” corrections.

  Hooey, you are superwoman. (Thanks, Owen, for lending me your mom for a long haul!)

  Stewie for the grabbed, shot, handed, flopped, & hollered giggles.:)

  Quickie & cray for the T-shits and anything else remotely smart@ss.

  Eunice for introducing me to Quiddler.

  And Liza my text-a-nurse and your other half, Jay, for Nanya. :)

  About the Author

  June, who prefers to go by Bug, was born in Philadelphia but moved to Maui, Hawaii when she was four. She met her “Prince Charming” on Kauai and is currently living “Happily Ever After” on a hobby farm in a small town in Southern Minnesota.

  She enjoys riding her Paint horse, Ringo, around the small ghost town they are playfully reestablishing with the neighbors, making gifts
for her friend’s children with her embroidery machine, and playing in Photoshop. Her son and daughter are her greatest accomplishments. She takes pride in embarrassing them every chance she gets.

  http://www.junekramin.com/