Starting Over

by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  She glanced back to see Jeb staring at her, and she quickly looked away.

  “She’s a tough one that’s for sure.”

  “What do you mean?” Jeb asked John. She seemed quick to end the conversation and move along. Not that he really cared—he wasn’t exactly friendly. It was just her comment about meeting his brother Rhett. Rhett had a worse attitude than Jeb did.

  John glanced around them. “I don’t think she really wants people to know who she is, but I can tell you she’s a hero though. Her injuries are from gunshot wounds.”

  “What? How the fuck could she sustain gunshot wounds?”

  John just stared at him and then exhaled. “You know we’re going to find out anyway.” Jeb pushed.

  “Yeah, you can go online and read it all, I suppose. She was a detective in the NYPD. There was a drug bust, and two officers didn’t wait for backup, she and her partner were closest to the scene, got there, the three cops were shot and killed, and she took out all four criminals, but not before taking two hits. One to her arm and one to her upper leg and hip. That’s why she has the limp and is in physical therapy.”

  “Holy shit. When did this happen?”

  “Four months ago or so. She left New York to start over here after they only offered her a desk job.”

  “Shit, that sucks and can be frustrating.”

  “Kind of like Everett’s deal. How is he doing anyway?”

  “Same.”

  “Well, I’d better head to the café. I only have a little bit of time.”

  “Enjoy,” Jeb said and then thought about what he learned of Adalee. He was shocked and also impressed.

  When he got inside, he saw the multiple deputies meeting her, and Jeb watched her and then approached the sheriff’s office. He dropped off what he needed to and then went back out the door to work.

  Once again, Adalee was caught off guard by another good-looking man, the sheriff. He was tough, she could tell, and confident. She immediately liked him, felt like she could respect a man like him in his position, and he did his homework. He knew who she was and what had happened in New York, and his first question was “How are you feeling? Do you need any assistance with doctors, physical therapy, counseling, anything at all?”

  She smiled. “Thank you, Sheriff. I truly appreciate the offer.”

  “Kane, please, and it’s always nice to gain another retired law enforcement officer to the community.”

  “I appreciate that, Kane. I just wanted to come in and introduce myself, see if you need anything else from me as my concealed carry has been transferred and also the serial numbers on my weapons I have in my possession.”

  “I believe everything is in order. We do require a run-through shooting exam like you usually have to do to recertify.”

  “Not a problem. I’ve been cleared medically.”

  “Except for the minor concern of post-traumatic stress disorder. It was listed in your file.”

  “Yes, it’s minor, I suppose typical of a person who was caught in a situation like I was. That was six months ago, and things are definitely better.”

  “We have counselors.”

  “No, I’m good, really.”

  He stared at her eyes and squinted. She smiled. “Believe me if I thought I was a threat to society, I would be in therapy,” she said.

  “Not a threat, but a concern that an episode could occur?” he asked.

  “No episodes, Sheriff.” This time he raised his eyebrows at her. She chuckled. “Kane, my file should tell the minimal effects I sustained. I was cleared. I could be doing the job again if it weren’t for getting shot in my hip and needing therapy.”

  “I read the file. I just want you to know you have my support. This town is special, which I’m sure your mom has explained.”

  “In detail, and I realized pretty quickly how friendly everyone is. I just want to blend in, move on, and get my hip to the point that I can work out, train, look for the next adventure,” she said, and he laughed.

  “Do you have plans for work, or are you looking for anything specific?”

  “Not really. I think I’ll give it some time and see what pops up. My mom can use me in the boutique, though I’m not sure how long that will last. I like to keep busy and move around a lot. Looking forward to checking out the shooting range.”

  “Great. How was your first session in therapy with Bailey? She’s fantastic.”

  “It went well. It isn’t too far to drive into Central Valley, so that’s a plus.”

  “There’s a bus too if you don’t feel liked driving,” he told her.

  “I’m good. So do you need anything else?” she asked.

  He stood up, and so did she. “I don’t think so. Again it was a pleasure meeting you, and I’m certain I will see you around town.”

  “Thank you, Kane, and have a great day.”

  She shook his hand, and he walked her out of the office. She could see some people looking at her, and she quickly got out of there.

  “How was therapy?” Coda asked Everett as they all gathered around for dinner together.

  “Good,” Everett said to him.

  “What time did you have that today?” Rhett asked and placed the baked chicken onto the table. Everything else was already on the table.

  “Ten,” Everett said, and Coda could tell his brother wasn’t in the mood as usual.

  “I heard that Layla’s daughter, Adalee, is going to that place, too,” Rhett said as he dished out vegetables.

  “Adalee?” Jeb asked.

  “You met her, Rhett?” Everett asked.

  “I met her the first day she came into town. Kind of pissed her off, I think. She has an attitude,” Rhett said to them.

  “I didn’t think she had an attitude at all,” Jeb added.

  “You met her, too?” Everett asked.

  Coda got a funny feeling in his gut as his brothers looked at one another, and they appeared angry.

  “Who is this woman?” Coda asked.

  “Layla’s daughter from New York. She has a stuck-up attitude, kind of got mad because I offered to show her around town since she was new here, and she didn’t want to hear about rules or how women are watched over. All independent I guess,” Rhett said.

  “She was a cop. A detective in the NYPD,” Jeb told them.

  “What? How did you find that out?” Everett asked, and now even Coda was curious.

  “She went to see Kane today after therapy. Is that where you saw her, Everett?” Jeb asked.

  “Yeah, kind of hard to miss her,” he said, and Rhett and Jeb mumbled in agreement.

  “What, is she ugly or something?” Coda asked.

  “Hell no, she’s gorgeous. Has jet-black hair to her midback, these stunning royal-blue eyes, thick eyelashes, and her body…Jesus, she is a head turner, but like I said, attitude,” Rhett stated and then took a bite of chicken.

  “I didn’t pick up on her attitude, and knowing you and your attitude, you probably said or did something to anger her,” Jeb said.

  “You had to have because she was actually nice to me. We even talked after the therapy session. She saw I was in pain and angry over the fucking thing, and she made a comment and we talked.”

  “Holy shit, you guys never talk about women, and all three of you met the same one at different times and obviously were affected by the encounter.”

  “You would be, too, Coda. She’s gorgeous and has a way about her. She sure won’t be single long. Should have seen the guys drooling over her, and she was wearing a T-shirt and sweats,” Jeb said.

  “They were tight sweats, and they revealed her belly and a hint of a tattoo on her hip, left side, plus that top. She has a great body,” Everett said.

  “That’s true. She made sweats look sexy,” Jeb said and then chuckled.

  “Well, what do you know about her besides that she sounds hot?” Coda asked.

  “She’s getting therapy for her hip. She has a little bit of a limp,” Everett said.

 
; “She was a detective in the NYPD, was involved in a shootout. A drug deal, two cops went in, she and her partner were first on scene following them when the first two cops were shot and killed, then her partner was killed, and she took out four men before taking two hits. One to her arm and one to her hip,” Jeb said.

  Everett put his fork down and just stared at Jeb. Rhett leaned back in his chair in shock, and Coda could tell they were all affected by the information after meeting her. Now Coda wanted to meet her, too. What exactly was going on here?

  “Holy shit. I didn’t know that. It explains her toughness, her resistance to being watched over as a woman,” Rhett added.

  “Yeah, that’s definitely a way to piss off a woman like her,” Jeb said to him.

  The table got awfully quiet as they ate, and it seemed to him that their thoughts were on this woman and nothing else mattered. They ate in silence until they were done and ready to clean up.

  Jeb walked outside to talk to Everett. Rhett and Coda were inside.

  “How are you doing really?” Jeb asked Everett. He felt guilty, being able to still work in law enforcement while his brother wanted to but couldn’t. Everett was pushing himself too hard to get better and to be able to shoot again. He understood Everett needed to know he could hold a gun and shoot. Jeb got that but didn’t know how to help him.

  Everett shook his head and exhaled. “Frustrated.”

  “You seem a little less frustrated than usual—does that have something to do with Adalee and meeting her there?”

  “What? No. Why the fuck would you say that?”

  Jeb exhaled as he gripped the railing on the porch and then turned to face his brother. He held his gaze.

  “She affected me.”

  Jeb squinted.

  “She’s good-looking, got it all to offer a man. A perfect man or men,” Everett whispered and looked away.

  “Fuck that bullshit. You’re a good man, and you’ve got a lot to offer any woman.”

  “Don’t bullshit me, Jeb. I’m the weak link here. I just turned forty. You and Coda being twins are right behind at thirty-eight, and Rhett is forty-three. She looks to be early twenties. Donny was staring at her ass and kept inhaling when she walked by at the therapy session.”

  “And you didn’t inhale her perfume, or stare at her ass, or feel an attraction? She’s twenty-six, I found out today.”

  “Fuck, she’s young.”

  “But her experiences and profession make her more of an equal when you think about it. She could be a good fit, could make you happy.”

  “Me? Don’t fucking go trying to act like this is a scheme to get me laid or some shit. I do just fine.”

  “I know you do. I mean, you met her once, and your expressions are different. I felt it, too, and obviously Rhett did. He’s so fucking quiet right now, and his eyes have remained narrowed since dinner.”

  Everett shook his head. “You saw her, probably saw men checking her out.”

  “You telling me you lost your touch, man?”

  “Me? Why are you putting this on me?”

  “Because you’re going to see her Wednesday,” Jeb replied.

  “I didn’t say I want to pursue this or her. I’m not in the right frame of mind, man. Just leave it alone.”

  Everett got up and walked back inside, and Jeb turned and looked out into the darkness of the night. The moon was shining, and he felt a mix of emotions. Was this what happened to some of their younger friends when they met their women? Was it instant? Like what he felt, something different from just admiring a good-looking woman with a nice figure? Hell, in his position, women threw themselves at him all the time, young and old. He didn’t need to settle down. Didn’t need a commitment, yet deep down, or maybe not so deep down, he knew that was what was missing in his life and in his brothers’ lives. They were grumpy most of the time, set in their ways, and lonely for the most part.

  Again he thought about seeing her. Hell, he spotted Adalee before he even put the car in park. Her onyx hair, the casual attire, and then close up those royal-blue eyes, Jesus, she was hot, and every guy was looking. A jealous feeling began to simmer in his belly. Maybe she was out of their league? Too old to gain her attention, too aggressive looking. They were demanding men. It had been years since they shared a woman, and when they did, they never took a woman together but one after the next. Even Elise had just been looking for a good time, no strings attached, and she wasn’t the kind to do commitments. She wanted to travel, to see the world and spend money. Can’t spend money you don’t have, not on a soldier’s small salary and then as a cop. She was all wrong for them, and they figured it out fast. She had become monotonous and steady because they really thought of her as nothing more than a sexual partner between tours of duty and the chaos of their lives.

  After Elise, they went their separate ways when it came to sex and satisfying any urges. Seemed like that became monotonous, too. He took a few more breaths of fresh air as the positive thoughts went to negative ones and him being thirty-eight years old, a Texas Ranger in charge of a command base thirty minutes from Cherry Hill, and it was his life. He wasn’t getting any younger, and that was hitting him hard. Where the hell had this woman come from to go and shake up his world with just one damn encounter? He shook his head and then went back inside.

  “Damn,” Adalee said as Bailey stretched her thigh and hip and then pulled back on her side.

  “Breathe through it. We’re getting deeper into that spot today. It’s all good, Adalee,” she said to her, and Adalee was trying to breathe through the pain. She felt the tears sting her eyes, and then she closed them. “Okay, a little rest and then again,” Bailey said as Adalee breathed and exhaled, and then opened her eyes to see Everett standing there.

  He leaned back against the other table. “Bailey’s really good.”

  “She’s torturing me today, and it’s only day two,” Adalee said, and Bailey chuckled.

  “You’re tough as nails. I’ve seen men cry at the same technique,” Bailey told her.

  “Exactly what I need to hear as I suck down my tears,” Adalee stated, and then Bailey went in again. This time, she extended Adalee’s hip and thigh farther, causing her pants to lower more and reveal not only the tattoo but the bullet wound and scar. She looked at Everett and could see his eyes on her skin, and then he locked gazes with her.

  “Ouch!” Adalee said.

  “Ten more seconds,” Bailey said, and Adalee was breathing through the pain and then finally it as over. She lay there, not even bothering to fix her shirt.

  “Okay, twenty on each side and a nice long stretch, and then you’re done.”

  “Thanks, Bailey.”

  “You did awesome, and we will go farther on Friday.”

  Adalee nodded and then took the resistance bands, placed it on her one foot, and began the stretching exercises, no problem.

  “Are you all done, Everett?” she asked him as he watched her stretch.

  He leaned against the other patient table. “Thank God, yeah,” he said and then stretched his arm and his hand.