Learning to Walk Again

by S. L. Kassidy

  Other Books by S. L. Kassidy

  Please Baby

  Scarred Series

  Scarred for Life - Book 1

  New Cuts, Old Wounds – Book 2

  Bandages – Book 3

  First Degree Burns - Book 4

  Learning to Walk Again

  Scarred Series Book 5

  By S.L. Kassidy

  copyright ©2018 S.L. Kassidy

  ISBN (book): 9781942976844

  ISBN (epub): 9781942976851

  ISBN (pdf): 9781942976868

  This is a work of fiction - names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business, events or locales is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  Desert Palm Press

  1961 Main St, Suite 220

  Watsonville, CA 95076

  Editor: Kellie Doherty

  Cover Design: Jamani Hawkins-El

  Blurb

  In the final installment of the Scarred series, Nicole and Danny are going through life changes with their families, friends, and new people in their lives. Nicole is about to finish school and feels the pressure to decide if she’s ready to seek out a new career in the unknown or to keep her stable position. Danny gets a job and doesn't expect the stress that comes with it. Their relationship strains under the evolution. How much can they take before they shatter and break? Can their family and friends help them pull it together or will seemingly good things be the ones to destroy them?

  Dedication:

  This book is dedicated to my family, who supported my writing long before I thought it was worth anything, and to my friends, who helped me believe in myself and allowed themselves to be conscripted into betareading stories, whether they wanted to or not. Thank you all.

  Chapter One

  FOR THE FIRST TIME, Dane Wolfe found herself looking forward to Christmas. It felt like a holiday to her. In the past, it had been just another day of the week. She’d never gotten gifts, except last year when Nicole Cardell, her remarkable girlfriend, had broken the streak. Last year had also been the first time she purchased gifts. She felt the Christmas spirit this year, all light and happy.

  December in general had been promising, and she kind of wanted to push it a bit, do something special to celebrate this jovial month. She’d have to run the idea by Nicole. She wasn’t sure if Nicole would want to do much considering she had schoolwork to finish up and finals, but it never hurt to try.

  “Hey.” Crow snapped her pale fingers in front of Dane’s face, pulling Dane from her thoughts.

  Dane blinked and shook her head. The bustling mall came back into focus as a person hustled by, squeezing between her and Crow. Her senses were flooded with flashing, colorful lights, cinnamon and apple spice scents, shiny tinsel, wreaths, mistletoe, trees covered in shimmering baubles, and green and red colors. Carols played low as people rushed by each other, hunting for their perfect bounty. Elves and reindeer littered the place, with fake snow in windows, bait to lure people inside.

  This was a first for her—serious Christmas shopping for more than one person. She had always thought she’d go through life as a loner, and she was damned glad to be wrong. Having people, having family, was an amazing thing, and she wouldn’t trade it for anything.

  “Sorry,” Dane replied, looking to her friend. Crow was dressed for Christmas as much as the next person, adding crimsons and emerald shades to her usual black attire. Her onyx corset had red bands going through it, and a bright green belt looped through her pants. It was a bit funny to see Christmas Goth-style, but Dane loved the creativity.

  Dane picked at her pants, which she was forced to wear due to weather conditions. Her clothes had never been artistic or expressive, just functional. I think I wanna change that. She wouldn’t know where to begin, but trying never hurt.

  Crow studied her, squinting eyes the color of emeralds today thanks to her contacts. “What’s up?”

  Taking a deep breath, Dane shrugged. “I was just thinking about doing other stuff. I want to really get into the Christmas spirit.” The mall definitely was there. The sounds of bells chimed, as Santas asked for charity. They had passed a ‘North Pole’ village populated by elves, who manned a long line of giddy children eager to see Santa and make requests.

  Crow laughed. “You’re feeling real good, huh?”

  With a smile, Dane shoved her hands into her pockets. It was a snug fit in her right pocket, as her wallet lived there and her pants never seemed to have the same room her shorts had. “It’s been a really good few months.”

  Despite her camping trip with Nicole’s family that didn’t go as planned, everything else had been good since then. She reconnected with the couple who raised her for the first eight years of her life and she was building a relationship with them and with their kids. Hopefully, they’d become family again.

  “I can’t call you a liar on that. So, who do you have to get?” Crow put her hands in the pockets of her tight black pants for a moment and then took them out.

  “Tons of people.” Well, tons to her. “Nicole, obviously. I got you already.”

  Crow blinked. “You got me?” She pointed to herself.

  Dane gave her a sidelong glance. “Yeah. Should I not have done that?”

  Crow got her presents when the occasion called for it. It was time for her to start doing the same. Maybe I did this wrong, though. It was entirely possible since friendship in general was new to her. She felt like a baby bird, pushed out of the nest, but she was determined to fly.

  Crow rubbed the top of her head, mussing her short black hair. “No, it’s…well, I didn’t expect anything.”

  Dane frowned and shook her head. “I know, which is bad. Trying to be a better friend here, okay?” She held her hands up in surrender, needing to appease Crow, even though she didn’t seem upset.

  Crow smiled and rubbed Dane’s bicep. “Okay.”

  Dane felt a little sting in her chest, and it took a lot of willpower to not massage the space over her heart. Crow didn’t expect a Christmas gift from her? She thought she had gotten better at this friend thing, but apparently, she was still terrible. At least she didn’t ignore Crow like she used to, but she wanted Crow to not be surprised when she did regular friend things. I need to make sure I get her a birthday gift, and I need to stop feeling proud I know when her birthday is.

  “I still have to get things for damn near everybody.” Dane sighed as they dodged some people standing by the window of an electronics store, watching a Christmas show. “Have I started too late?”

  Crow laughed. “Nah. Late’s Christmas Eve. Don’t be that guy. Ever.”

  Dane balked. Who in their right mind tried to buy gifts on Christmas Eve? Just the thought of avoiding all the people and hoping to find anything worthwhile made her stomach twist into knots. She couldn’t imagine the pressure of that sort of last minute shopping. It had to be like wandering in the desert during a sand storm, hoping to find water.

  “No intentions of being that guy. I made a list.” Digging into her pants, Dane pulled out a sheet of folded paper. Thirteen people and too many ideas that didn’t grab her in quite the right way.

  Crow gawked at the list. “Wow. You’re surprisingly organized when you’re sober and dating a lawyer.”

  Dane ran her hand through her short hair
as she felt a blush flare up on her cheeks. “I wasn’t sure if I’d remember stuff I wanted to get once I got out, so a list made sense. I don’t usually come to the mall. You do, so I figured you’d be able to help me.”

  Smiling, Crow patted her on the shoulder. “That’s what I’m here for, if you tell me what you got me for Christmas.”

  Dane laughed. “You’ll find out on Christmas.”

  Letting out a loud, dramatic breath, Crow dropped her shoulders and gave an exaggerated pout. “Well, after Christmas. I go to my folks for Christmas and don’t make my way back here for a few days.”

  Dane nodded. I gotta remember that. “Well, you can take it with you. Just stop by the house before you leave. You know I’m always there.”

  A huge smile graced Crow’s painted black lips as she nodded. “It’s good you get to spend Christmas with family, Dane.”

  “Thanks.”

  “So, let’s get some gifts to knock them for a loop, too.” Crow clapped her hands together, a brilliant shine in her eyes.

  Dane grinned. Joy boiled inside of her, making her feel like she could float off on blissful steam, matching Crow’s emotions. She looked forward to this long list of things she had to get.

  Her nephews were pretty easy. She got Luke a karaoke machine. It was a simple thing, something a child could operate without much help. He could perform with it, which would be more than good enough for him. Thomas got an electronic drum kit. He already had one, but it wasn’t great. The sound was off, almost hollow in certain spots, and didn’t work at all in other areas, just tapping plastic with a drum stick. Dane tested out the one she bought him and thought he’d get some good sound out of it. Plus, it had a feature to teach him songs.

  “I want to get Nicole’s parents something special. Mine, too,” Dane said as she crossed her nephews off the list.

  Crow arched an eyebrow while her mouth twisted up a little as they dodged more shoppers. “Your parents?”

  “Well, you know, I kinda consider them my parents.” A half-smile worked its way onto Dane’s face as she rubbed the middle of her forehead. She had been in contact with Lynn and Henry Briarmoor for several months now and they had raised her for eight years. They cared more about her than her biological father and possibly more than her biological mother. They were happy she was in their lives again, and she felt the same. Why not consider them parents?

  “I wonder about them. You know, the people who raised the goddess of rock around here. Did they put that first guitar in your hand?” Crow asked.

  I wish. She’d probably have been even better had they bestowed her favorite instrument on her, as they would’ve been attentive about her playing. They’d have come to more of her recitals. How many instruments would she have played if they were the ones caring for her?

  Dane sighed. “They had a hand in it, but Christine gets that honor. Henry heard me playing a song on my violin one day and said I really needed a guitar. When I went to my lessons, I mentioned it to my tutor and started playing. He told Christine I damn sure needed a guitar. The next day, I had one.”

  An elegant, ebony eyebrow arched on Crow’s pale face. “Dare I even ask what the hell you were playing on your violin?”

  Dane gave her friend a smirk as someone pushed through them. She looked back at the rude person for a second, but Christmas crowds seemed to be an excuse for such behavior. She ignored it. She wouldn’t let someone else spoil her day for even a moment.

  “Maybe one day I’ll play it for you.” The song on her violin would be a part of Crow’s birthday gift. Crow would love it and understand how special it was.

  Crow stuck her tongue out. “You’re no fun. Come on, what’s next? Have you gotten Terri?”

  Dane blew out a breath and rolled her eyes. “Terri’s too easy.”

  Crow’s eyes went mockingly wide. “Oh, you got her a girlfriend then?”

  “As an ex-god, I no longer have that power.” Dane gave Crow a playful shove. Terri was a gamer through and through, so she picked her up a popular video game. She scratched her head. “I want to buy Mina some writing supplies. Apparently, she’s one of the few people on Earth who doesn’t store everything on her phone or on a tablet. A nice pen and journal, I guess.”

  Crow punched her fist into her palm. “I know just the place.”

  “Your job?” Dane guessed.

  Crow blew a raspberry. “Not for high-end stuff and I know you want to make an impression on your princess’ best friend. I know a classy place that sells what you’re looking for, but it’s expensive.”

  Dane shook her head. “Doesn’t matter. I just want to make sure it’s nice.” She’d been saving for Christmas all year. Money wasn’t a problem for once.

  “Oh, it’ll be nice. Who else?”

  Dane glanced down at her list, zeroing in on the one name that lacked suggestions under it. “I’m not entirely sure what I want to get Clara. She’s mostly interested in her son and the stuff he’s doing, but I don’t want to get her something that’s actually for him.”

  Crow nodded. “My mother always liked a day away from us as a gift.”

  A laugh burst from Dane. “I can imagine. Other than them, I have to get Ben and Allison. I might get for Nicole’s cousins, too. Maybe I should get her grandparents. They’re always nice to me and try to include me. Her grandfather would probably like any football stuff and her grandmother likes to bake.”

  Crow looked at her with wide eyes and rubbed her forehead. Then she laughed, throwing an arm around Dane’s shoulder and pulling her close. “You do have a lot of people to shop for.”

  “I’m lucky and I want people to know I feel that way,” Dane said, grinning.

  “Well, then, let’s go get you some stuff to knock everyone’s socks off.” Crow threw her hand in the air, not caring that she almost hit someone in the face, earning looks from several people. Of course, folks tended to stare at Crow anyway. Dressing in all black tended to attracted attention, especially when one of the accessories was a black leather corset in winter.

  ***

  Nicole sighed as she entered the house and heard the hurried padded footsteps of Haydn, their white shepherd pup. She had just enough time to put her briefcase down before the dog rubbed his head in her stomach, almost pushing her over and getting white dog fur on her long, wool coat. Why do I bother wearing black with him around? He hadn’t realized he was a full-sized dog yet, which she knew was partially her and Danny’s fault.

  Nicole rubbed his head and muzzle before leaning down to give him a kiss. She drew back just in time to avoid being licked in the face. While she loved him with all her heart, she wasn’t a fan of doggy kisses or slobber. “Hey, boy. You been a good young man?”

  He barked, and dashed off into the kitchen, and she smiled. I swear he speaks English. Nicole took off her coat and followed. Danny was on her almost as quickly as Haydn, embracing her and giving her a kiss. Stress of the day melted away at the feel of Danny’s soft, full lips. Haydn moved from his spot near the counter that housed his treats and danced around them, wanting attention he wouldn’t get at the moment.

  Nicole smiled as they pulled away to stare at each other. “Hey, baby. How was your day?”

  “Good. I did some Christmas shopping. I’m almost done with dinner. Go get out of your clothes and everything. Relax, for soon we feast!” Danny grinned to the point her grey eyes sparkled, which got a laugh out of Nicole.

  Nicole nodded and inhaled, getting a good smell of dinner. Her stomach rumbled as an aroma of toasted bread invaded her senses. Danny pressed her open palm to Nicole’s abdomen. Nicole’s cheeks burned, but Danny gave her another kiss.

  Danny smiled. “I’m guessing you worked up an appetite today, huh, angel?”

  Nicole nodded and went to do as suggested. It had been a long day, as it always was when class was involved. Class. It was almost over, and there was just one more semester to go. Her stomach bubbled as her guts tied themselves in knots. What would she do when it was a
ll over? She never thought she’d get this far and the idea of crossing the finish line could be mind-blowing and overwhelming if she dwelled on it.

  “You’re not there yet. Focus on the now. You’ve still got class and you’re still in school. Beyond that, you have a wonderful woman downstairs cooking your dinner and willing to cuddle. Life is good,” Nicole muttered to herself.

  Taking a breath, Nicole changed into comfortable clothing of beige cotton leggings and one of Danny’s t-shirts, feeling her anxiety slip away as the worn fibers touched her skin. She returned to the kitchen as Danny set their plates on the table. She eased into the nook and Danny sat across from her.

  “You sent our boy to his room?” Nicole asked, noticing Haydn’s absence.

  “It’s the only way to eat meatballs without him shoving his nose in everything.” Danny motioned to the spaghetti and meatballs with marinara sauce in front of them. A small basket of buttered bread rested between them.

  Nicole laughed. “Don’t I know it!” The first time Haydn snatched a meatball from the table it had been from her plate right under her hand. She was thankful he hadn’t taken her fingers with it.

  “How was class?” Danny asked before shoving a forkful of spaghetti in her mouth.

  With a sigh, Nicole shook her head. “I’ll be so happy when this semester is over.” She was tired. It was a good tired, though. It was an accomplishment and a dream almost coming true. It was hard work paying off. It was living her life for herself for once. Her mind spun, but Danny’s voice brought her back to reality before she got dizzy.

  “One to go. So proud of you.” This simple response lifted Nicole’s spirits quite a bit rather than bringing back the anxiety. Danny reached over and ran a finger over Nicole’s free hand. “Glad you followed your dream, Chem.”

  “Thank you for pushing me, baby.” Nicole took Danny’s hand and let her fingers do the caressing now, stroking the outside of Danny’s hand. With the other hand, Nicole sampled some of Danny’s fine spaghetti. It was tricky, but worth it.