by Becca Van
“Is it your knee? No. Your shin? Okay. Is your ankle or foot hurting?” The doctor picked up Debbie’s right foot gently at her nod and examined her foot and ankle. She flinched when he touched her ankle, and Britt had to hold himself back from hitting the man for hurting his woman. He knew he was being irrational since the man was only trying to do his job.
“You have a badly sprained ankle. Let me get an ice pack and then I’ll get you cleaned up. How’s the head? Any headache or nausea?” Debbie shook her head, and the doctor patted her on the leg. “Good. I’ll be right back.”
Britt ran his thumb over her hand as he held it. He wanted to pick her up and cradle her in his arms. To be able to hold her would help him settle now that she was okay, but he knew he would cause her pain, so he just continued to hold her hand. She had her eyes closed again. She was only coughing sporadically now, and he knew her lungs were going to be fine.
The doctor was back five minutes later and wrapped Debbie’s ankle in an ice pack. He then set about washing the soot from her face. When he finished, Britt knew by her deep, steady breathing that she was asleep.
“Is she going to be all right, Doc?”
“Yes. She’ll be fine. She will probably be able to go home first thing in the morning since there seem to be no lasting effects from the head wound. She’ll be on crutches for a few days and will feel a bit tired, but she’s young, strong, and healthy. One of the paramedics told me you’re her fiancé. Will she be going home with you?”
“Yeah, she will.”
“Good. She’s going to need to have someone with her for the next couple of days. You can come back for her around ten in the morning. Oh, and bring her some clean clothes. I’m sure she’ll want to shower and get out of the smoke stench that’s currently covering her.”
“Thanks, Doc. I appreciate your help,” Britt said and offered his hand. He left his woman in the doctor’s capable hands and drove back to Debbie’s store to find Daniel.
Chapter Ten
Britt got out of his truck and found Daniel talking with Luke Sun-Walker and Damon Osborne as they watched the firefighters battle the fire. He stopped beside them and waited patiently for a lull in conversation.
“How’s our girl?” Daniel asked.
“She’s going to be fine. The new doctor put six stitches in her head and she has a bad sprain, but she’s doing okay.”
“Thank God. The fire inspector thinks the flame was started deliberately with accelerants. Whoever the motherfucker was, they started the fire on the stairs to Debbie’s apartment. It spread rapidly from there, but he won’t know for sure until the fire’s out and he starts to investigate,” Daniel explained.
“Jesus Christ. How the hell did she get out of there?”
“It looks like she broke her bedroom window and jumped,” Sheriff Damon Osborne stated.
“Fuck. She could have broken her neck. How the hell high is that window from the ground?” Britt asked, afraid of the answer.
“About ten feet,” Sheriff Luke Sun-Walker answered.
“Holy shit. I’ll bet that’s how she sprained her ankle. She’s lucky she didn’t break it,” Britt exclaimed.
“When are we taking her home with us?” Daniel asked.
“The new Doc says we can pick her up around ten. I’ll call Leah at seven and see if she can pick up some new clothes for Deb. Hopefully she can drop them off at the clinic for her.”
“Do you think this has anything to do with that bastard who escaped from prison?” Damon asked.
“Shit. I’m not sure. This doesn’t follow his MO. He’s never set a fire before. He usually only works with explosives.”
“He could have changed it to throw you off,” Luke suggested.
“Hm. I just don’t know. Maybe once the fire inspector has finished investigating, I’ll be able to answer that question. Make sure he gets a copy of Glen Parker’s prints,” Britt said.
“Will do. Thank God the firefighters were able to contain the blaze and stop it from spreading to the building next door. This whole block could have gone up in smoke. Do you know who called it in?” Britt asked.
“No. Don’t you worry, I’ll be checking into that, too,” Damon stated.
“Why don’t you two go home and get some rest? From what I hear your woman’s pretty feisty. You’re going to need some sleep to be able to deal with her when you get her home,” Luke said with a grin.
“Who the hell have you been talking to?” Britt asked.
“Giles was at your woman’s place putting in a security system she didn’t order. Seems like she was a bit peeved about that. Giles heard her bitching to Leah,” Luke stated.
Britt didn’t answer. He turned away and headed to the truck. Daniel was following him, and the sound of Luke’s laughter carried into the night over the sound of spraying hoses and a diminishing fire.
* * * *
Debbie was sitting up on the bed in a cotton hospital gown when Leah walked into the room. She was glad she had been able to shower and wash away the grime from her body. She hadn’t been able to wash her hair due to the sutures and could still smell the lingering scent of smoke. She’d had a bit of trouble since she could only stand on one leg, but in the end she had accomplished what she needed to.
“Debbie. Oh my God. Are you okay? Britt called me this morning and asked me to get you some clothes. He told me what happened. Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine,” Debbie replied and winced at the sound of her raspy voice as she hugged Leah.
“You don’t sound fine. Your men are going to be here soon. Why don’t I help you get dressed? Shit, look at those stitches. Does your head hurt? I hear you sprained your ankle when you jumped out your bedroom window. Why didn’t you call for help?” Leah babbled.
“Breathe, Leah. I’m okay, really,” Debbie replied as she clung to her friend. Tears spilled over her cheeks, and she sniffed. She didn’t want to start crying now, because she was scared if she did, she wouldn’t be able to stop.
“You could have died,” Leah said, and Debbie heard her voice tremble with emotion.
“Stop it. You’re going to make me cry. And who said they are my men?”
Leah pulled away from Debbie and stood with her hands on her hips, glaring down at her. “You can lie to yourself all you want, but we both know they are your men. Now then, let me help you get dressed. I’ve had to bring you some of my lingerie which I haven’t worn yet, and even though I know it will be too big for you at least you know it’s good quality.”
“Leah, you’re not fat. You’re not that much bigger than I am. I would be proud to have your figure. Your shape reminds me of Marilyn Monroe. Now, get the ass into gear and help me out of this fashion statement,” Debbie said facetiously, plucking at the hospital gown.
Debbie was thankful for Leah’s help. She would have been in trouble if she’d had to dress by herself. Her friend made sure the material of the cargo pants didn’t touch her swollen, bruised ankle, which she wouldn’t have been able to do herself. By the time she was dressed she was feeling tired again. She wanted to lie down and close her eyes, but she conversed with Leah instead. She looked toward the door with trepidation when she heard two heavy sets of steps walking toward the room. She knew Britt and Daniel were walking heavily on purpose. They usually didn’t make a sound. Her friend must have seen her uncertainty because she leaned over and took hold of her hand.
“If it doesn’t work out, you can come and stay with me.”
“Thank you,” Debbie replied, and she was very grateful. She had nowhere else to live and no idea what she was going to do. She wasn’t sure if she was doing the right thing by going home with Daniel and Britt, but she wasn’t going to let the fear of getting hurt stand in her way. She was glad Leah had read her the riot act and called her a coward. It was what she had needed to give her a push in the right direction.
Debbie gave Leah a hug and promised to call, and then she heard Leah greeting Daniel and Britt. She saw Daniel first. H
e entered the room, rushed over to her, and gave her a fierce hug without hurting her.
“Hi, honey. Are you feeling all right?”
“Yeah, I’m good.”
“Are you ready to get out of here?” Daniel asked.
“Yes.”
“Are you sure you’re okay? You don’t sound too good.”
“I’m fine, Daniel. My throat is a bit sore and my voice was affected by the smoke,” Deb explained.
“Should you be talking then?”
“I promise. I’m fine.”
“Hey, baby,” Britt said when Daniel moved back from her. “You look tired. Do you want me to carry you so you don’t have to use those things?”
Debbie looked at the crutches he indicated and shook her head. She picked them up and began the tedious walk out to their truck. She didn’t speak as she concentrated on using the apparatus, but while she moved she contemplated the apology she was going to give them as soon as they got home. She had been a bitch when she had left their house yesterday. God, was it only yesterday? It feels like a week has passed.
She was grateful when Britt wrapped an arm around her waist and took her walking aids from her to pass them to Daniel. He held her steady then picked her up in his arms and placed her gently on the backseat. He wouldn’t even let her put her own seat belt on. He reached across her and clipped her in. She leaned her back on the headrest with her leg stretched out along the seat. She heard the truck start and felt it move, but her eyelids were too heavy to open. She dozed until the vehicle stopped, and then she unbuckled her belt.
“Stay right where you are, baby. I’ll get you out,” Britt said, and then he was beside her, the door open. He scooped her up and carried her into the house.
“Thank you,” Debbie said as he placed her on the living room sofa.
“No problem, Debs. Do you want something to eat or drink? Do you have any medication for the pain?”
“I would love a cup of coffee, please. I do have pain meds, but I don’t need one right now.”
“I’ll be right back, baby,” Britt said and headed for the kitchen.
Debbie was tucked into the corner of the suede sofa with her leg on the couch and a small pillow propping her foot up. She thought about the shop she had worked so hard to get up and running. Just as business was booming, it had burnt to the ground. She was thankful she had insurance, and even though she would be able to replace everything, nothing would be able to replace her personal items she had in her apartment. She’d had her grandmother’s wedding and engagement rings in a box on her dressing table. Those rings were irreplaceable.
She had been estranged from her parents and sister for so many years now that she knew they wouldn’t have come to help her in a crisis. They had never been able to understand why she wasn’t as academic as they were.
Debbie had felt like the poor, orphaned relative with her family. Her parents couldn’t seem to understand she was as brainy as they were and didn’t want to excel in the world of academia or medicine. In the end, when she had applied for a job as a receptionist when she was first out of school, there had been a big argument, and her parents had washed their hands of her. She had been on her own ever since. Debbie had tried to mend the bridges with her family, but they seemed content to pretend their stupid daughter didn’t even exist.
“Here you go, Debs,” Britt said and placed her coffee on the table beside her.
Daniel entered the room and sat in the chair opposite the sofa. He looked tired, and she knew it was because of the incident last night. Britt straightened up and turned away, obviously heading for the kitchen again, but she stopped him.
“Could you please sit down for a moment? I’d like to talk to you both.”
“Sure, Debs,” Britt replied. Debbie waited until he sat on the other end of the sofa, being careful not to touch her foot.
“I want to apologize to you both for leaving the way I did yesterday. I know I hurt you, and I’d like to be able to say it wasn’t deliberate, but that would be a lie. I was scared of the way you made me feel.” She paused to look at both of them and took a deep breath. “No one has ever made me feel the way you two do. So instead of sitting down like the adult I’m supposed to be and discussing my fears with you, I acted like a child and ran away. I’m so sorry for doing that. I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me. I love you both very much.”
Debbie lowered her head as tears began to spill over her cheeks. She couldn’t look at them and see the rejection on their faces. She felt the sofa move, and then Britt and Daniel were on their knees by her side. They each took one of her hands in theirs, and she gathered her courage to look at them. What she saw in their eyes humbled her. She could see how much they cared for her.
“Baby, I knew you were scared of something, and I knew you were running. I forgave you the moment Daniel drove out the driveway. Yes, it hurt that you didn’t sit down and talk to us and ran instead, but I wasn’t about to give up. I love you, Debbie. You are the only woman I have ever said those words to, and you will be the only one I will ever say them to,” Britt said, his voice much deeper and huskier than normal.
“Honey, you are my world. I would be lost without you. I love your more than words can express. I forgive you. My love for you is unconditional. I don’t expect you to say those words in return, because I can see you’re not ready yet. But I know deep down that you love me, too. I want you to promise me you will come to one of us if your fears rear their head or you’re concerned about something. Haven’t you heard the saying a problem shared is a problem halved? Please, promise me you won’t run again,” Daniel said.
“I promise,” Debbie whispered. Her throat and chest were constricted with emotion, and she couldn’t speak any louder even if she had wanted to. She pulled Daniel to her and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She hugged him as tightly as she could. She eventually leaned back and kissed him on the lips then released him. She stared into his eyes and could see the love he had for her. Her heart was so full she couldn’t speak.
Her gaze moved to Britt, and she pulled him closer, hugging him fiercely. She could see the sincerity in his eyes and knew she was already in love with both of these special men.
“Thank you for giving me another chance and also for the gift of your hearts. I do have very strong feelings for the both of you, and I know in time I will be able to return those words to you. I promise to take care of the love you give to me freely.”
Debbie returned their smile and wiped her wet cheeks. She felt so much emotion she was nearly bursting it with it, and she knew deep down she loved them, too, but she just wasn’t ready to say the words yet.
“You look tired, baby. Why don’t you nap on the sofa while Daniel and I prepare some lunch?” Britt asked.
He stood up, reached out, and caressed her cheek then headed to the kitchen. Daniel pulled a throw from the back of the sofa and covered her. He bent down and kissed her on the forehead before he followed his brother out of the room.
Debbie leaned back and closed her eyes. They were still sore from the smoke, and she knew she probably looked a mess. Her hair had been cut away in a patch, and she had stitches in the side of her head. What surprised her though was her head didn’t give her any pain at all, but her ankle was throbbing like a bitch. She knew she was probably due for another pain reliever, but she couldn’t be bothered to get up to go into the kitchen on her crutches, which her men had thoughtfully placed on the floor within easy reach. So she just sat there trying to relax. Her thoughts returned to her parents and sister, but this time she smiled. It had been a long time since she felt like part of a family, but as she listened to the deep rumble of Britt’s and Daniel’s voices as they made lunch in the kitchen, she felt that was about to change.
Chapter Eleven
Deb scratched at her newly healed skin as she drove to the sheriff’s department. Having the stitches out was nearly as pleasant as not being on crutches anymore, she thought, but neither was going to
be as amazing as finally being able to wash her hair. Since the fire a week ago, she had been spraying her tresses with a leave-in conditioner, but she swore she could still smell the lingering scent of smoke.
As the sheriff’s department came into sight, her heart lifted more. Her men were there. She was becoming so dependent on them being there, and that scared her a little, but she wouldn’t give them up for anything in the world. Solicitous to the point of ludicrousness, they had nursed her through a week of boring convalescence, and though Debbie was still unsure what would become of her business, she wanted the brothers to figure in her life.
The only thing that bothered her was that she knew they were hiding something from her. Over the last few days, she had walked in on the two brothers’ conversations and they had stopped talking and had looked uncomfortable. She knew they would eventually talk to her if they wanted her know what was going on.
She pulled the borrowed truck into a parking space and got out. She turned and scanned the street when she felt the hair at her nape stand up, but she shrugged off her paranoia when she didn’t see anyone looking her way.
She climbed the steps and entered the building. A dark-haired woman rose from a desk near the back of the room and walked up to the counter to greet her.
“Hi, how can I help you?”
“I’m here to see Britt and Daniel, if they’re not too busy.”
“Oh, you must be Debbie, I’m Rachel. I’ve heard so much about you, I feel like we’ve already met,” Rachel said.
“Um, well, thanks, Rachel. Sorry, but I haven’t heard about you,” Debbie replied and gave her a wry smile.
Rachel laughed and moved to open the small gate separating the room. “Come on through. I’m sorry about what happened to your home and shop. I can’t believe I didn’t get the chance to see your stuff. I had planned on it this coming weekend, but I guess it doesn’t matter, as long as you’re safe and well. Do you want a cup of coffee? Your men are in a meeting with Luke and Damon at the moment. They shouldn’t be too much longer.”
