She took a deep breath and looked up at York. He had thick, wide shoulders and such a firm commanding expression. It unnerved her but also attracted her to him. He nodded.
“For a little while,” she added and C.J. smiled.
“Come on then,” he said and went to take her hand but she pulled it away and instead he guided her by her lower back. As they walked through the market, they saw a few of their friends and some people she now knew from town, including Eliza Grace, who was cousins with the Pace brothers.
“How are you, Caroline?” she asked.
“I’m good, and you?” she replied. Eliza looked at C.J. and York and smiled.
“Really good. I see you have your own personal escorts today. I saw Phoenix and his brothers a few minutes ago and they were looking for you.”
“For me?” Caroline asked and then looked at York and C.J. Both men placed a hand at her waist on either side.
“Why?” York asked Eliza.
“I think the same reason you two were looking for her. To be her personal escorts,” Eliza Grace said and winked at Caroline. Caroline felt her cheeks warm and Eliza Grace touched her hand. “I need to get going, but I wanted to be sure you were okay?” she said and held her gaze. Caroline nodded her head and was touched by the woman’s need to ensure Caroline was safe. She had a feeling that Eliza knew Caroline was scared and had been in an abusive relationship. She waved good-bye and Caroline took that opportunity to step away from C.J. and York. When she did, she walked into Hunter.
* * * *
Hunter caught Caroline by her shoulders as she turned from his brothers and Eliza. She gasped and stepped back only for York to place his hands on her hips from behind. She was caught between them and suddenly nothing else seemed to matter but this intense attraction to Caroline.
“I was looking for you guys,” Hunter said.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bump into you,” she whispered and stepped from between them. He looked at C.J. and York, who watched Caroline but kept their space now that she moved away from them.
“We bumped into Caroline and are going to try that peach cobbler ice cream Macy makes,” C.J. told him. Hunter looked at Caroline, who seemed a little unsure.
“That’s great. Come on and I’ll join you, too,” Hunter said and they walked to the area where Macy had her booth setup. A few minutes later they all headed toward the set of benches in the gazebo that was empty.
“What are you doing here anyway?” York asked Hunter.
“I was looking to buy some of Mrs. Murphy’s zucchini bread, but I see you guys hit her up already,” he added, looking at the bags.
“We sure did and especially after she reprimanded C.J. for not doing his job,” York teased and gave Caroline a wink.
She gave a soft smile and then took a spoonful of ice cream. “Oh my God, this is incredible,” she said and took another spoonful and closed her eyes and moaned softly. He didn’t know why but she looked so sexy, and that sound made him think of the things he could do to her to have her purr like that over him.
“Told you, beautiful,” York said to her and she opened her eyes and gave a smile.
“You were right. I guess it’s always smart to take the local’s word,” she added, but when she took another spoonful a drop of ice cream hit her lip. Before Hunter could move, York did. He used his thumb to wipe along her lower lip and she stared up at him in shock.
“You missed a little, and if I thought you’d let me, I’d kiss it away.” She lowered her eyes and released her chin and he smiled then went back to eating his ice cream.
Then C.J. started telling Caroline all about the different events the town put on throughout the year and during the seasons and soon she was asking questions and chatting away. It wasn’t until they started walking around again that she closed up and then made an excuse to leave.
As they failed at getting her to spend more time with them, they watched her disappear through the crowd and felt the immediate loss of her presence. “Well, that went better than I thought it would,” C.J. said.
“I think so, too,” York added.
“It’s a step in the right direction. She needs to learn that we care and will be friends first if need be. That should help her to trust us. I think that’s the hardest part right now, but she’s warming up,” Hunter said.
“Yes, she no longer shudders at our touch,” C.J. said, looking both relieved and hurt.
“It will come with time. She’s special, and we’ve got all the time in the world,” York said.
“Speak for yourself, man. Being that close to her, smelling that perfume and not being able to lean closer is tough.”
“Hearing her sweet laughter, and not being able to kiss her, hold her close, and really get to know her is pure fucking torture,” C.J. said, and Hunter and York mumbled in agreement.
“That it is. How about a beer?” York suggested. They all agreed and then headed to a food and beer booth to grab a cold one.
* * * *
“So you want to show up at the doctor’s office for her appointment and tell her that you’re there for moral support? Don’t you think she’ll flip out and maybe be more scared of us?” York asked Hunter.
“I don’t know if it will or if it won’t, but when Sam and I saw Caroline and her sister yesterday, we both felt that these women had been hurt before. When they walked away from us, Caroline caught my gaze and she seemed almost sympathetic, like maybe she would have considered spending time with me, but her sister was truly adamant about it. Maybe even protective of herself and of Caroline.”
York exhaled and looked at C.J. They were both off from work today and planning on doing some chores around the house.
“Okay, let’s say this goes in a positive direction, especially after how she received us yesterday at the Market in town, you text us and we’ll make our way into town. I’ll join you and then C.J. will so she doesn’t feel overwhelmed,” York said to him.
“I think overwhelmed and intimidated is a normal reaction from her to us, but I don’t want that to go on any further. She needs to see that we’re good men. Hell, I can’t even sleep. I kept blaming it on shit I was creating in my head but every time I see her, I feel stronger about getting to know her.”
“Well, trust doesn’t come easy from someone who was hurt. We’ll need to go slow. We’ve seen situations like this before and certainly she has reasons for being secretive and for holding back. Keep us posted,” C.J. said, and Hunter nodded his head and then grabbed the keys to his truck. Caroline would get there a few minutes before him.
* * * *
Caroline grabbed her purse and headed toward the doctor’s office. She couldn’t help but to really feel nervous. She wanted this cast off so badly, and she didn’t want to have the constant reminder of Cameron and his abuse. She also feared the doctor’s questions and wondered how she could get him to not put her name in the computer system. It could mean another way to alert Cameron to her location.
She had to be smart. Shelby had gone to a clinic a few towns over and paid cash and gave a fake name and fake address so they didn’t ask for anything more. None of those places removed casts, so she had no choice.
Just as she approached the door, she saw Hunter. She stopped short and he smiled wide.
“Good morning, Caroline. Excited about getting the cast off?” he asked her. Damn did he look so good. He wore a plaid green shirt and blue jeans along with boots. His blue eyes bore into hers and she felt her cheeks blush as he opened the door.
“What are you doing here?” she asked as she entered the doctor’s office.
“I thought you could use a friend, to help support you since Shelby is working today. You’re going to like Dr. Anders and his staff. Very nice people,” he told her and she headed to the counter.
“Good morning,” the receptionist stated with a smile.
“Good morning. I have an appointment with the doctor to remove my cast today.”
“Of course. He
’ll be just a few more minutes with his other patient. Can I see your insurance card?” she asked.
“I don’t have insurance, I’ll be paying for it.”
“A credit card?” she asked.
“No, cash,” Caroline replied and could tell by the receptionist’s facial expression that she was suspicious.
“You can fill out these forms and have a seat while you wait,” she told her and Caroline nodded her head.
She swallowed hard and felt her heart racing. As she went to sit down, she dropped the pen. Hunter retrieved it for her and then handed it to her as he eased real close.
“Don’t be scared. You’re safe here. People come from all over to see this doctor, he’s that great,” he said and she nodded, couldn’t help but inhale his cologne but she was panicked. She couldn’t fill out these forms. She couldn’t let Hunter stay here.
She kept the pen on the first line and began to fill in her name. She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t put her real name and she couldn’t lie with Hunter right here next to her. She glanced to her right and took in the sight of his close proximity and thick, jean-covered thighs. She noticed a few of the women looking at him and smiling, but he kept a straight face and then he placed his arm over the back of her chair as if he were stretching.
“You okay?” he whispered. She looked up, her heart racing, tears filling her eyes. She couldn’t lie to him. She couldn’t be mean to him. She swallowed hard and nodded.
I have to be. No one can know the truth or Cameron will find me.
“You know what? I think I changed my mind. I’m not feeling well,” she said. He squinted at her and he placed his hand on her knee. She tightened up.
“Don’t be scared. I’m here for you,” he said, confusing her, making her heart lift with excitement, hope, something that she prayed, suddenly wished with all her might could be true, but it couldn’t be. Men could not be trusted. He couldn’t be or he could hurt her worse than Cameron.
“Caroline, the doctor is ready to see you,” the nurse said and she looked at her and then at Hunter, who gave a firm, yet soft smile.
“Come on. You’ll feel better to have that thing off your arm.
She couldn’t let him go in there with her. She was about to tell him as they walked together and when she turned to tell him to stay the doctor came out of the room.
“Hunter. How are you?” he asked and reached out to shake his hand.
“Good to see ya, Doc.”
The doctor looked from Caroline to Hunter and then smiled. “You two know one another?” he asked.
“Not really,” Caroline said and Hunter spoke at the same time.
“Yes, we’re friends, and I came here to be supportive while she gets this cast off.”
“Well that’s great. Come on in and we’ll take good care of you, Caroline.”
She felt like she might pass out. Her head felt funny. She was in such a panic and she could barely focus on the two men as they entered a medium-size room. She could see a set of different tools on the tray next to the chair.
“Well, I’m Dr. Anders and it’s a pleasure to meet you today, Caroline. Did you get a chance to fill out the paperwork and medical history?” he asked and she shook her head. She had always taken care of her own injuries but the broken arm was medically necessary. She remembered Cameron kicking her so hard once that she thought her ribs were broken. She couldn’t go to the emergency room to find out or they would ask how she got them. If she told the truth they would call the police and more than likely they would want her to press charges. Cameron knew people. They would get him off and she would suffer a worse beating.
“Caroline, you feeling okay?” Hunter asked her as he covered her hand with his. She pulled back and held it against her chest.
“I’m fine. You don’t need to be here,” she snapped at him.
“I think I do,” he said to her, holding her gaze.
The doctor cleared his throat.
“So, you said your other doctor that casted this told you six to eight weeks?” Dr. Anders asked.
“Yes, and it’s been eight. So can you take it off now?” she asked him.
He smiled. “Just a few questions. Any medical history I need to know about? Any illnesses, other broken bones, any medication you take on a daily basis?”
“No. I’m good and healthy, just clumsy,” she said and he gave a half smile. She felt so damn nervous.
“Well then, when we’re finished I’ll need you to fill out the paperwork so we can place everything in the system. Let’s get started.”
Caroline was relieved until the doctor began to remove her cast and ask her some questions. How long had she lived in town, where did she work, how he never met her sister but knew she worked for Kenneth Pace. It was all too nosey, too personal, and under normal circumstances she would find it nice and feel welcomed. Considering she was trying to hide out and hope that Cameron didn’t find her, Chance seemed to be the worst town to hide out in.
“The receptionist said that you don’t have insurance and are paying cash. We run some great programs through the county if you need some paperwork on that,” he suggested as he began to break off the cast.
“No thank you. I’m good.”
When he finally had the cast removed, he started to examine her arm. It felt so good to have that damn cast off. She felt the tears in her eyes. She was free from Cameron. From the last physical reminder of what he had done to her. She wiggled her fingers and rubbed her hands together.
“It feels good, huh?” Hunter asked and she smiled.
“Amazing,” she replied.
“Well, I’ll let you fill out the paperwork while the nurse gets the bill ready for you.”
She glanced at Hunter and wished he weren’t there yet she felt safer that he was.
“Dr. Anders.” He turned to look at her.
“Uhm, is there any way I could just pay you and not fill this stuff out?” She glanced at Hunter and he watched her and then he took her hand and she felt the tears fill her eyes once again. He was being her rock and support yet he didn’t know what she was hiding. Could he really be trusted?
The doctor looked at them and at Hunter.
“Sweetie, are you in some kind of trouble?” he asked her.
She started to shake her head and then she lowered her eyes and took a deep breath. She could hear the emotion in her voice as she spoke. “Please, don’t ask me questions. I haven’t done anything illegal. I just can’t let you put my name in some computer system that anyone can access.”
He stepped closer to her.
“You’re safe here. The people of Chance protect their own, and you’re a member of this town. We have rules to follow, and I’m certain that Hunter will be helpful in explaining those rules and how they can ensure you’re extra safe and extra protected.” She shook her head and started to pull back but Hunter hugged her from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist. He kissed her cheek and whispered next her. His arms felt so good wrapped around her much smaller frame.
“Trust us, baby. Please, trust us to protect you. Take the chance and you’ll see we won’t fail you.” She looked at the doctor who nodded and smiled.
“No documents in the computer?” she asked.
“If you promise to tell us what’s going on and who hurt you.”
Hunter caressed her hair and kept his strong arm around her midsection.
“Who are you running from?” Dr. Anders asked.
“My ex-boyfriend.”
She held onto Hunter’s arm.
“Was he the one who broke your arm?”
“Yes.”
Hunter’s arm stiffened.
“He was abusive?”
“Yes.”
“I need you to trust me and tell me the truth, Caroline. Is he looking for you, to come hurt you more?”
The tears rolled down her cheeks. Her nose clogged up and she could hardly breathe. She felt her vision blur and started to feel like she was going to pass
out.
“Hold her, Hunter,” Dr. Anders said.
“Got her,” she heard him say and that was it.
The next thing she knew she was lying on an examining table and felt someone caressing her cheek. As she blinked her eyes open, she saw Hunter. His blue eyes looked so serious but then he smiled and they lit up beautifully.
“Hey, gorgeous, we lost you there a moment.”
“What happened?” she asked and tried to move.
“You passed out,” someone said and when she turned to the right she saw the sheriff standing there in uniform with his hand resting on his holster as he sat halfway on a table, giving her a calm smile. Dr. Anders was there, too.
“I’ll leave you three to talk,” Dr. Anders said and Hunter helped her to sit up.
“I’m so embarrassed. What the heck happened?” she asked Hunter, who caressed her hair, fixing it.
“You were telling us about your ex-boyfriend,” Hunter said to her. She slid down off the bed and Hunter held her hand. “Slow down, so you don’t get dizzy,” he said to her.
“Caroline, I’m here because Hunter and Dr. Anders believe that you’re in some kind of trouble and they’re worried about you. So am I.”
“I’m not in trouble. I didn’t do anything wrong,” she said, shaking her head and getting all nervous again.
“Okay, but you said you had an ex-boyfriend and that he was the one that broke your arm. You also asked that your information not go into the computer system. That leads us all to believe that you’re scared, and maybe running from this ex of yours who may or may not be looking for you? Am I on the right track here?” he asked her.
“I want Shelby,” she said.
“Her and Kenneth are on their way,” Max told her.
The door opened and Shelby and another man who had to be Kenneth walked in. Shelby hugged Caroline.
“Oh God, are you okay? They said you passed out,” she told her as she hugged her tight.
“I’m okay now.” Shelby pulled back and caressed Caroline’s cheek.
“They were insisting on putting my name in the computer. So I told them I couldn’t take the chance. Shelby, I want to go home. I don’t want to be here,” she whispered as the tears rolled down her cheeks.
Town of Chance: Sweet Caroline [The Dare Series 5] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 9
