Divine Charity [Divine Creek Ranch 18] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Heather Rainier

  “You wanted me to go to dancing class. I just need to know some basic steps. Just enough so I don’t totally embarrass myself or Noah.”

  “That’s too bad. We could teach you some dirty dancing moves. Put on a little slow grinding Bruno Mars and you’ll have Noah eating out of the palm of your—”

  Justine put her hand out and quickly said, “Mom, don’t say another word or you could scar me for life. Don’t go there.”

  Charity burst into laughter and Grace joined her. When she was able to speak, she said, “Honey, a little bump and grind should be no big shocker. You see enough of that around the house when your dad puts on music.”

  Justine snorted and said, “Yeah, and no amount of therapy will erase those images either.”

  Grace patted Charity’s arm and said, “That’s what she says now but she’ll thank us later. So who do you want to teach you how to dance?”

  They debated the pros and cons of Grace’s and Charity’s men, who all got ringing endorsements for various styles but Justine insisted she wanted her dad to teach her.

  Charity smiled back at her daughter. “I’m sure he would be honored to teach you how to dance, honey.”

  * * * *

  Justin directed Ransome as he backed the pickup truck to the large door at the rear of the building that housed Violet’s Emporium. As if on cue, the rolling door began to rise behind him and the sounds of construction and progress filtered from the interior.

  “Hi, guys!” Violet called as she came out into the bright sunshine.

  Ransome and Val lifted the first large sculpture, an abstract bull made from metal strips, with its horns lowered and ready to charge, onto the dolly to bring in.

  “If you’ll follow me, I can show you the area I’ve set up for your display.”

  She led them through the large space that was currently undergoing renovation. Josh Abbott looked up from his work at a table saw, grinned, and gave them a wave as they passed.

  The interior walls were still the original red brick and workmen were busy installing new transom windows to replace the old ones, several of which he could see were broken. The other Abbott brothers were busy with industrial sanders, working on the expansive, old wooden floor, prepping it for refinishing.

  Justin exchanged wide-eyed looks with Ransome and Val as they looked around at all the work going on. Justin said, “Violet, this place is going to be amazing when you’re done. I’d forgotten how big it is in here.”

  Violet nodded. “This building is basically half of a city block, if you include the loading dock and back parking lot. It’s all coming together so well and even I’m amazed. The Abbotts came highly recommended and have been wonderful to work with.”

  “They’re good guys,” Justin said as she came to a stop inside the book store and gestured to the area designated for his work. In a corner of the store near the large, antique sales counter, she’d had limestone blocks delivered and stacked as pedestals for the larger pieces and had also set up a display rack made of Plexiglas for the smaller pieces. He was speechless at first.

  Violet smiled big at him and said, “Is it big enough?”

  He laughed and gave her a wide-eyed look. “Big enough? I should be asking if you’re sure you want to devote this much space to my work.”

  With a shrug, she said, “Well, I know that your inventory is going to fluctuate as pieces sell but based on the number of pieces you have available right now, I thought this space would work. I could expand it another five feet if I need to.”

  They moved the bull into position on its pedestal and arranged it as she suggested, and then she beckoned to them. “Let me show you what I have planned.”

  She showed them where the sales counter would be moved to, out in the unfinished main room and then pointed to the area front and center in the Emporium, a spot where the light from the front windows poured in. “Your work will be the first thing customers see when they walk in the door.”

  “And all you’re asking is a consignment fee? I feel like I should be paying you rent, Violet.”

  “The consignment fee will be sufficient. Just keep bringing me pieces in different sizes and we’ll be fine. I think you’re going to be amazed by how popular your work will become. I posted the pictures I took of your sculptures on Saturday on my Facebook page.”

  “And?” he asked, noting the excitement shining in her eyes.

  “I’ve already had a number of inquiries about seeing them in person.”

  All Justin could do was shake his head in surprise, and then he laughed.

  Violet laughed with him and said, “All I ask is that when you’re a big highfalutin artiste type that you’ll still send me a few pieces every year to sell for you. Why don’t you bring them in and we’ll get them set up. Oh, and will you let Justine know I’m looking for help if she’d like a part-time job?”

  “I sure will, Violet. Thanks.”

  They brought in the rest of the pieces and promised to return after lunch with the second load. She waved and nodded as she chatted with a customer who was looking at the bull sculpture with obvious interest.

  * * * *

  “Can I see again?” Justine asked as she reached for her mom’s hand which rested on the table at Rudy’s, where they’d just finished lunch.

  Charity chuckled and let her daughter manipulate her left hand as she looked at the rings. Sometimes the stones would glint and give her a little start and remind her that what she’d dreamed of was now her reality. Val and Ransome were hers, along with the love of her life. Just as important, Beau and Justine had welcomed them into the circle.

  Charity could see the curiosity in Justine’s eyes as she turned them on her mom and then shifted them to her aunt. Grace giggled as Charity squirmed, bracing for Justine’s questions and her daughter did not disappoint.

  “So…” Justine rested one elbow on the table and then shifted and rested the other elbow on the table as she sorted out her questions. “That’s…lots of arms and legs to keep track of, huh?”

  Grace snorted and laughed until she held her abdomen and had to wipe tears from her eyes. Charity just put her hands over her eyes and gave in to the levity as Justine joined them. “Nice icebreaker, honey.”

  “Kablaam, huh?” Justine said merrily, her cheeks bright pink. “I mean, obviously I don’t want actual details because you’re my mom and dad and…” She gave a comical shudder. “No one wants to imagine their mom and dad doing the deed, I just wondered about how you keep up.”

  Charity said, “I’ve always been open with you and Beau where sex was concerned and I’ll be happy to share any details you might want—when you’re thirty years old, are married, and have at least two kids. Oh, and by the way, it’s them that have to keep up with me.”

  Grace smirked and whispered, “That ain’t no shit,” and then high-fived Charity, and Justine rolled her eyes. Rudy approached just then with the check and Grace got it from him before Charity could reach for it.

  “That’s it? No details…at all?”

  Charity said, “You’re a smart girl, Justine. It works exactly the way you imagine it works.”

  “I’ve read Aunt Grace’s books before—”

  “You have?” Grace said, looking a little owl-eyed.

  “Of course. I’m doing more than just studying languages, you know? I read for pleasure, too.” Justine’s cheeks turned redder and she shrugged. “It’s cool. I guess I was just mainly curious how the two of you handle your schedules and trying to keep up with who needs what. It’s a lot to contemplate.”

  Grace was better at putting the ménage dynamic into words so Charity let her field that question. “There are no score cards and we try to live in the moment. Certain pursuits like television and video games have gone by the wayside so we can spend time with each other. That doesn’t mean that I’ve cut myself off from technology because I couldn’t do that. It’s just in its proper place within our family. They’re great help with Rose Marie and will be with th
is one,” she said, gesturing to her tummy. “I know I’m their first priority and that’s a wonderful feeling. The fact that there are three of them actually makes it a little easier.”

  Justine looked from one to the other and said, “That sounds wonderful. I know I’m only seventeen but I hope that when I’m old enough that’s the kind of love I have. You’ve always looked so happy with the guys, Aunt Grace, and Mom, well…you just seem to glow even more lately. It’s something to aspire to. Oh, and Beau approves of this new development, in case he hasn’t told you that.”

  Charity laughed and said, “I got a thumbs-up the day after we got home from our getaway weekend and he seems happy about it, but he hasn’t said anything else. The guys are talking about doing some renovations and enlarging our bedroom and they said he offered to help if they needed him.”

  “I was about to say, sis,” Grace said as they got up from the table. “I imagined that you were feeling a little cramped in that tiny bedroom.”

  “Just a tad. It was fine for two people, but four? I was relieved when they brought it up for discussion. What do you say we stop by Violet’s and see how Justin’s displays are shaping up?”

  “Sounds great,” Grace said as she paused to rub her back.

  “You okay?” Charity asked as she watched the way Grace frowned.

  “I’ve been sitting too much lately, working on edits. It’s nothing, just Braxton-Hicks contractions. Now that I’ve eaten and gotten something to drink they’ll settle down. Let’s go to Violet’s.”

  Charity made a mental note to watch Grace for other signs of discomfort as she started her SUV with the remote so it could cool off a little before she got into it. Grace had been all over town with them that morning and the temperature was on the rise. The fatigue she’d been feeling lately seemed more pronounced than it had been when Grace was pregnant with Rose Marie. She’d noticed earlier that Grace’s hands looked swollen and she wasn’t wearing any of her rings. Charity considered calling Emma and letting her know.

  Grace looked over from the passenger and caught Charity’s gaze. “I can hear the gears turning in your head, sis. I’m fine.”

  They were waiting for the traffic light at Crockett and Main to change to green, when a flash of movement flickered in Charity’s rearview mirror a split second before a mighty crash shook the SUV. Disoriented, Charity tried to speak as she looked around and realized they’d been flung onto Main Street.

  Grace gasped and Charity reached for her. “Are you okay, sis? Justine, are you—”

  The ominous screech of braking tires on pavement cut her off as an oncoming automobile plowed into Grace’s side of the vehicle, and a terrific crash came as another vehicle hit the rear portion of the driver’s side. The world spun wildly and went dark.

  Chapter Ten

  Ransome stood in the eclectic yet quaint bookstore that Violet ran, talking with her about her plans for the Emporium when Justin’s phone rang and he excused himself to take the call, holding his finger to his ear as the wailing siren of an ambulance or police car raced by out front on Main.

  “Have any other vendors or artisans contacted you yet about space in your emporium?” Val asked.

  “Beck O’Malley has committed to consign his honey and Bee’s Knees Body Products, which have developed quite a following. The Garner brothers will also be showcasing their custom-made furniture. Customers will be able to lay hands on the pieces, get an idea of their excellent workmanship, and Wes and Evan are happy to have another outlet for sales.”

  Ransome was distracted from the conversation when Justin suddenly appeared in the doorway. His normally tan face was ashen. “We have to go. The girls have been in an accident.”

  “How serious?” Ransome asked, fear bursting with violent force in his chest.

  Val reached in his pocket for the truck keys and asked, “Where are they? Shit, that emergency vehicle must’ve been for them.”

  Violet’s eyes went wide. “Is it serious?”

  Justin’s voice was shaky as he said, “Hank wasn’t sure. He said go to the hospital but they’re right down the street. Grace was with them.”

  “Please be careful!” Violet called as they sprinted through the big building to the back door.

  Ransome took a deep, shuddering breath as they piled into the truck and raced up the back street, running two stop signs, and took the corner at Crockett Street at top speed. The accident scene came into view.

  “Holy shit,” Val whispered at the sight before them.

  Ransome staggered as he ran down the sidewalk, desperate to get to her and Justine but afraid of what he’d discover.

  There was a flurry of emergency workers around Charity’s SUV, which was a twisted wreck in the middle of five damaged cars in the intersection on Main Street. The truck behind her vehicle had a bashed in windshield. Steam still rose from the SUV’s crumpled hood and the smell of burned rubber and leaking coolant drifted in the balmy air. Spectators stood on the sidewalk, and the accident scene swarmed with EMTs, firemen, police officers, and sheriff’s deputies. Sheriff Hank Stinson stood in the center giving directions, efficient and unflappable on the surface, but Ransome could see the desolation in his eyes and it made his heart rate triple.

  Hank spotted them as they ran up and he beckoned to them.

  “Where are they? How are they?” Justin asked, his voice trembling.

  Hank put a hand on Justin’s shoulder and pointed to a nearby ambulance. “Charity’s in that ambulance. She was unconscious earlier but she may have come around. Justine is already on the way to the ER. She has a broken arm and she was unconscious. The air bags did their job. If traffic had been moving at higher speeds, the story would’ve been different.”

  “And Grace?” Justin asked.

  “They’re removing her from the vehicle. Her side took the worst of all the impacts,” Hank said, flipping a thumb at the big diesel pickup truck in the road, firming his lips to keep from showing his emotions. “Jack, Ethan, and Adam are on their way here, too. They don’t follow directions any better than you do,” he added with a wry smile.

  “Grace! Justine! Let me out of this! Ow!” Charity’s voice cutting through the commotion flooded Ransom’s heart with relief.

  Hank grinned and clapped Justin on the shoulder. “You’d better go see to her. I hope everyone bounces back that quickly.” To Val and Ransome, he said, “If the officers try to stop you or make you wait on the other side of the tape, tell them to talk to me.”

  Another ambulance arrived and Hank stalked away to direct the EMTs to the area behind Charity’s SUV.

  They rounded the back of the ambulance and found Charity strapped to a back board, trying to convince the EMTs she was okay as they prepared to load her. Justin wrapped his hand around her foot and said, “Pipe down now, woman. Let them do their work.” The relief was evident in his husky voice and the way he took a deep breath as though he’d been holding it. Ransome realized he’d been holding his breath, too, as he and Val exchanged relieved glances.

  Charity turned at the sound of his voice and said, “I’m so glad to see you! Where are Justine and Grace? I woke up back here and they can’t tell me anything.” She yelped as one of the EMTs applied a swab to a cut on her forehead.

  “Hank said Justine is on her way to the emergency room. They’re helping Grace out of the SUV right now.”

  “Guys,” she said, a bleak expression transforming her face. “The accident was all a blur but I’m sure there was a biker behind me when I was waiting at the intersection. I noticed his headlight as he pulled up behind me. I don’t know who it was, but I’m pretty sure we were both rear-ended. Whoever hit him, also hit me hard enough to force my vehicle into the intersection.” Unspoken was the question of what happened to that biker.

  “Fuck,” Val whispered under his breath. “I’ll be right back.”

  A truck screeched to a halt at the curb and Jack, Ethan, and Adam jumped from the vehicle, all running toward the accident, anxiety
and devastation written on their faces. Hank must’ve seen them because he reached them as they ran to the ambulance.

  Jack’s hair was standing on end as if he’d been raking his fingers through it on the way there. He asked, “Where is she?” Ethan and Adam echoed his question at the same time. Hank pointed and they ran.

  Charity looked at Justin beseechingly. “All I have are bumps and bruises, I’m sure. How about springing me from this thing?”

  Seriousness was etched across his face as he said, “Uh-uh. You’re staying put and getting checked out. You haven’t seen your vehicle.”

  “Seriously, babe. Listen to him,” Ransome said as he leaned in to kiss the uninjured side of her forehead. “It looks like it was used for demolition derby. You need to get checked out.” He let out a breath and closed his eyes for a few seconds and whispered, “Angel, I’m so glad you’re okay.”

  She finally relented and reached up and cupped his cheek. “Me, too, babe. Will you go check on Grace? She wasn’t feeling too hot earlier. See if Val found out anything about that biker?”

  “Sure,” He patted her hand and Justin came around to be close to her and kiss her. Ransome dodged the ambulance door and reentered the controlled chaos of the accident scene. Rubber skid marks marred the street, a visible testimony of what had occurred. Charity’s vehicle had been rear-ended and forced into oncoming traffic and been hit from both sides, although the damage to the driver’s side suggested it hadn’t been hit at high speed.

  Jack, Ethan, and Adam waited on the other side of the SUV, looking distraught as EMTs, one of which was their friend Eli Wolf, worked at strapping Grace onto a back board. She had a cervical collar fastened around her neck and judging by the tear streaks on her face and the way she moaned she was in a lot of pain.

  She reached out with a shaky hand, splaying her fingers protectively over her abdomen. “Eli, please check the baby first thing. Please make sure he’s okay. Please.”

  Eli spoke coaxingly to her. “Breathe for me, Grace. We’re going to take good care of you and the baby. I’ll check him for you myself.” She whimpered as they moved her and the sound of her pain made him feel powerless.