Saving Jenna

by Christina Butrum

  Following her into the living room, the sight wasn’t a good one. Blood pooled next to G2. He had lost a lot more blood than Ian had thought possible by the graze of just one bullet.

  “G2!” Jenna screamed, rushing to his side. She looked back at Ian before cradling the dog in her arms. “We’ve got to help him, Ian! Look at all this blood!”

  Ian squatted down next to her and felt for a pulse. He still had one, but it wasn’t as strong—given the circumstances, he was lucky to still have one at all. Ian took G2 into his arms and lifted him. “Grab my keys off the table and a blanket.”

  Carrying G2 out to the truck, he placed him in the middle of the seat, allowing Jenna to climb in next to him. She cradled his head, offering whispered words of comfort to him as Ian climbed into the driver’s seat and turned the key in the ignition. He wasn’t sure if the hospital would be able to help him, but it was worth a shot. The closest vet was thirty minutes away, and G2’s chance of surviving that much longer was slim.

  “Hang in there, Gunner,” he said, offering the dog a scratch behind the ear. He couldn’t stop the memories of Gunner, the original, shortly after the explosion. Shaking his thoughts clear, he kept his eyes on the road as they pulled into the hospital’s emergency parking area.

  This hospital was a Band-Aid station compared to the one in the next town over, but it was their only hope in saving this dog.

  Rushing through the entrance, Ian carried G2 to the desk.

  The woman behind the counter automatically shook her head and said, “I’m sorry, sir, but we don’t take care of pets here. There’s an animal hospital in the next town over, though. About thirt—”

  “He doesn’t have that long,” Ian said, holding tight to G2 as he barged past the woman and hollered for a doctor. “He won’t make it that far.”

  “Doctor!” he hollered at the first white coat he saw. When the guy turned, Ian said, “Yes, you! Come here, please. Help us!”

  Slipping on his glasses, the doctor approached. “I don’t treat—”

  “I know this isn’t a place for dogs. I know you’re not a vet,” Ian explained. “But please, I’m begging you to do something. Anything. This is a good dog and he doesn’t deserve to die.”

  Hearing Jenna’s muffled cries behind him made him weak. He would do anything to make this nightmare disappear. For this night to get better, but first, this doctor needed to take care of G2.

  They stood nearby, out of the way of the doctor, as he worked a miracle on G2. For whatever reason the hospital thought they wouldn’t be able to save a dog’s life. They had been wrong. Ian owed this doctor big time for saving this dog’s life.

  “Thank you,” Ian said, opening his wallet to pay the guy. “How much you want? Whatever you say, it’s yours.”

  The doctor smiled, obviously touched by saving a life aside from a human’s. “Don’t worry about it. I’m glad I could help.”

  “You have no idea how thankful I am,” Ian said, extending his hand to shake the doctor’s.

  “How thankful we both are,” Jenna corrected, offering the doctor a tired smile as she hugged G2.

  Ian nodded, accepting her correction, noting how stupid it was to exclude her from the conversation. They had been through so much tonight, they were both drained, and his brain was refusing to think straight. He hadn’t wanted to exclude her like he had.

  “You kids go on home now and take care of this fella,” the doctor said, yawning as he waved them off. A late night had by all.

  “Thanks again, sir,” Ian said, picking an out-of-it G2 off the bed and carrying him out of the emergency room with Jenna following close behind.

  Jenna darted in front of him, making sure to open the passenger side door of the truck in order to help him get G2 inside.

  He waited for her to climb in beside G2, watching her cradle the dog’s head in her lap and offer him several dozen kisses and several more words of gratefulness.

  “What do you say we head back to my place and call it a night?” Ian asked, climbing into the driver’s seat, offering her a smile she couldn’t resist.

  Nodding in response to his question, she smiled. He always loved that smile of hers. He would give anything to see that smile a hell of a lot more than just for a second.

  The ride back to his place was short, and they returned to the house just how they’d left it. Broken glass, doors, and bloodstained floors. The sight was unbelievable. The amount of damage that could possibly be done in such little time—less than fifteen minutes to be exact.

  He caught her halfway through a yawn as they walked into the living room. The mess would need to be cleaned up before he was able to fall asleep, but there was no way he would keep her up any longer. She needed sleep. As traumatizing as the day and night had been for her, the last thing she needed was yet another thing keeping her awake without rest.

  “Is it okay if I hop in the shower?” she asked, glancing over her dirty clothes and torn up hands and legs. “I’m exhausted, but a quick shower will do me good.”

  “Yes, of course,” he said, motioning her to the bathroom. “I don’t have much as far as what you’re probably used to, but there’s towels and washcloths.”

  He was cute. The way he stood there, leaning against the doorframe. She loved the way he looked at her, like he couldn’t take his eyes off her for more than a second. This was the love they’d always had, and if fate played fair, this was how it’d always be.

  Allowing the hot water to massage her sore muscles, she stood still for an extra minute or two. Exhausted and beaten for the last time, she couldn’t help the emotions running rampant. Tears fell without control and she subdued to the mental anguish of the night’s events.

  The shower curtain flung back, water quit pounding against her raw skin, and Ian’s arms wrapped around her with a towel.

  Encouraging her to relax, Ian’s words fell in a whisper against her ear. Promising everything was okay, he helped dress her in an oversized T-shirt he pulled from his bag. The shirt smelled like him—the cologne she’d loved since day one.

  As soon as the emotions had come, they were gone. An off and on again relationship of her mental state she’d grown accustomed to since the abuse began.

  “Why don’t you go ahead and lie down on my bed,” he offered, motioning for her to hop in as he pulled back the covers. She offered him a look of concern with her eyebrows raised, and confusion washed over her. He held up his hands. “No worries, I won’t jump in with you.”

  He patted the bed and waited for her to accept his bed. “Unless, of course, you want me to.”

  That caused a pillow to smack him across the chest with laughter ringing out as she climbed in and pulled the covers out of his hands. “Don’t push your luck,” she said, smiling once again, but serious as all get-out.

  “What luck?” Again, a pillow flew near his head and his swift reflexes caught it and tossed it back at her. “I’m joking! I’ll take the couch.”

  “Okay,” she said, fluffing pillows under her head. “But G2 can sleep with me if he wants to.”

  “Ouch, replaced by the dog,” he said, clutching his chest as he turned to walk away. “Actually, G2 has a comfy spot right over here on his own bed.”

  “Mmm, okay,” she said, drifting off to sleep.

  “I’ll get this mess cleaned up and hit the hay myself,” he said with her only response a deep snore followed by a light whimper as she pulled the blanket closer to her face. He wanted nothing more than to curl up next to her, hold her, and tell her everything was going to be okay. But for now, there was a mess that needed cleaned and his name was written all over it.

  Chapter 32

  The smell of breakfast woke her from a deep sleep. Of course she remembered falling asleep in Ian’s bed last night, and also remembered him respectfully accepting her wishes of not sleeping with her. Not that she didn’t want him to, but she had needed sleep and some space of her own to get through the night.

  “Good morning?” sh
e asked, entering his kitchen, which by the looks of it, needed a few more random repairs and a woman’s touch wouldn’t hurt.

  “Hey there,” he said, a smile curving his lips, offering that one of a kind dimple of his again. He pointed at G2, who was sitting by his feet waiting for a slice of bacon to find its way to the floor from the pan. “We tried to be as quiet as we possibly could, but G2 here has a habit of barking to get his way. Did you sleep well?”

  She leaned over and scratched the dopey dog behind the ears. The medicine the doctor gave him was still flowing through his system apparently. “Yeah, I did. Thank you for giving up your bed. You really didn’t need to do that.”

  He shrugged. His typical response when confronted about what he didn’t have to do when it came to him doing something nice. “No worries. G2 and I curled up together on the couch. He actually makes a good cuddle buddy. Isn’t that right, boy?”

  As though the dog understood every word said, he gave an affirmative bark and Ian tossed a slice of bacon into G2’s open and ready mouth.

  “Have you seen my phone?” Jenna asked, knowing it could be anywhere since being dropped last night.

  “Yeah, G2 found it right outside, and I put it on the stand next to my bed,” Ian said, pointing into the other room with the end of his spatula. “I figured you’d need it without G2’s teeth marks on it. Not saying he would have chewed on it, but you never know.”

  “Thanks,” she said, turning to leave the way she’d come in. “I’ll be right back. I want to call Cat and make sure she knows I’m okay.”

  “We’ll be here,” Ian said, patting the dog on top of the head.

  She found her phone exactly where he said he’d put it. Several missed calls lined the screen. All of them from Cat. Hitting the automatic call back option, she held the phone to her ear. Cat was most definitely worried about her. Which, she couldn’t blame her, because the last she had heard from her was when Jenna had left the diner.

  “Jenna? Is this you?” Cat’s voice answered on the other end.

  “Yes, Cat, it’s me,” Jenna said. Hearing the panic in Cat’s voice caused goose bumps to rise on her skin. This woman had been worried sick over her. “I’m sorry. I should have called you sooner than now, but last night has gone absolutely insane.”

  “Tell me about it. I called Ian and that was the last I heard. Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Yes, I’m fine. I promise.”

  “Please tell me you didn’t actually go to John’s,” Cat pleaded. “You didn’t, did you?”

  “Well, I pulled into his driveway but left,” Jenna explained.

  Jenna took the next few minutes to tell Cat the events of the evening starting with after she had left the diner and headed to John’s after hesitating for several minutes.

  “I’m so glad you went to Ian’s and you weren’t alone,” Cat said, her voice calm, but Jenna could hear her choking back emotions. “Please tell me that son of a bitch got put away for good this time.”

  Jenna knew the process would be long, and with John being a lawyer, he wouldn’t allow the court to decide his fate without a hassle. “We’ll see. He’s good at what he does.”

  “Well, he may be good at what he does in New York, but this is small town USA and everyone knows being your own lawyer is a foolish thing.”

  “How’s everything at the diner? Did you get your window fixed? If not, I can come up and help get it fixed.” Jenna wanted nothing more than to change the subject. Of course, the thought of John getting by with everything yet again would cross her mind, but right now, she didn’t want to think about it.

  “Don’t you worry about any of that,” Cat said. “Todd came up and replaced the door. Have you any idea how sweet that man is?”

  “He seems nice,” Jenna said, wondering where Cat was going with this conversation. “Is there something you’re wanting to tell me?”

  Cracking up over the phone, they shared a laugh, and Cat came clean with how swoony Todd actually was and how decent of a human being he was. For having a reputation of being a grumpy ol’ town drunk, he had a sweet personality and a caring attitude.

  “So, Todd will be helping out around here the next couple of days,” Cat said. “You go ahead and take some time off. You need it.”

  “Thank you, I can’t argue with that,” Jenna said, feeling blessed to have such a great friend. “But don’t hesitate to let me know if you need anything or change your mind.”

  “I won’t.”

  The conversation ended with Jenna promising Cat she’d take it easy and to let her know if she needed help without hesitating.

  Jenna hung up and put her phone down on the table.

  “Okay then,” Jenna said, chuckling once again, walking back out to the kitchen.

  “What’s up?” Ian asked, bringing a plate full of food into the dining area and setting it down on the table. Jenna was impressed with his cooking skills—nothing was burnt.

  “Cat told me to take a couple of days off. Get my rest and come back when I’m ready,” Jenna explained, pulling out a chair to sit down and eat. “And you won’t believe what else she mentioned.”

  Taking a bite off his plate, he raised an eyebrow, indicating his interest in what else Cat had to say.

  “Did you know Todd has been hanging out around the diner?” When Ian shook his head, Jenna continued, “Yeah, I guess he replaced her door, and he’s helping fix the rest of the place up for her.”

  “Hmm, that’s great. That’ll give him something to do while we take it easy for the next couple of days.”

  Jenna didn’t miss the hint to the word we. “We? As in you and me or we as in you and Todd?”

  The grin on his face told her the answer. “You’re up to something. Spill it.”

  Holding up his hands, he said, “Nothing, I swear.”

  “Aren’t you leaving town soon?” she asked, knowing he was more than likely staying, but she still wanted to hear him say the words she’d been wanting to hear. She didn’t want him to leave. She hated the thought of him not being around. They’d made it this far. She wanted nothing more than to try it again with him. Give him another chance to get it right. The love she felt for him was beyond walking away from.

  “I’m not sure yet,” he said, keeping his expression straight and serious. His poker face was hard to read. It was his turn and she wasn’t sure if he’d play or fold. Time would tell. The end of two weeks was coming fast.

  Over the course of the two days off, she was able to add a feminine touch to the place. She offered to clean, hang painted pictures she found at the local thrift shop, and bring in actual silverware and dishes—something other than paper and plastic.

  The place was starting to look like a home instead of a bachelor’s pad. Taking care of the cleaning allowed Ian to focus on finishing up with the bit of work he had left to do. Todd had stopped by to let Ian know he was helping Cat at the diner, and they couldn’t help but notice how cleaned up he was. He no longer wore faded, holey T-shirts, but now dressed in something more presentable. And he was wearing cologne. It was nice smelling something other than alcohol lingering on him.

  Knowing Cat was this close to finding her happy ever after made Jenna happy. Cat had a rough go at things in her first marriage and thankfully made it out without draining her financially or physically. It was time for Cat to find her happiness, and Todd would be a good addition in Cat’s life.

  Jenna watched as Ian finished up the last of the bathroom. She couldn’t help but wonder how this house would look with the two of them, G2, and a few kids running around inside.

  Chapter 33

  Jenna returned to the diner no later than two days. She had taken her time, resting as often as she could, between helping Ian with the kitchen cabinets and installing the dishwasher, which he insisted be installed because this wasn’t the 1800s and no one enjoyed doing the dishes.

  “Please tell me you let him take care of you,” Cat said, interrupting Jenna’s focus on the olde
r couple who just walked through the door. “Because that man’s definitely swoon worthy.”

  Laughing, Jenna looked over at her friend, who was busying herself with the coffee pots, making sure they were full and ready for this morning’s round of faithful customers. “Says you. What about Todd? Did you let him take care of you?”

  Cat’s cheeks turned crimson red, causing her to turn away from Jenna in order to hide from her. “I don’t kiss and tell.”

  “Oh my gosh! You so did!” Jenna said, tossing a towel at Cat, laughing at the color of Cat’s cheeks. Her reaction was priceless!

  “Let’s talk about you,” Cat insisted, turning all shades of red. “I have a feeling the two of you are going to make things work out. Am I right?”

  Jenna shrugged. “I don’t know yet.”

  “What do you mean you don’t know yet?” Cat asked, flailing her arms at her sides. “You two have been inseparable the last few days. That has to mean something, right?”

  Again, another shrug. It really didn’t mean a whole heck of a lot. For her and Ian to spend time together wasn’t much of a tell-tale sign of anything progressing further between them. They’d been friends long before becoming an item, and now, with everything happening over the course of the last two weeks, who knew what would transpire from it.

  “You’re telling me nothing has happened between the two of you?” Cat asked, overdramatic as she held her hands over her mouth. Jenna shook her head. “You mean to tell me you’ve spent the last two nights with him and you haven’t, you know, done it?”

  Jenna laughed. Cat cracked her up with her reserved side of things.

  “Done it? As in have sex?”

  “Yes!”

  “Nope.”

  “No?”

  “No, we haven’t,” Jenna confirmed, watching the older couple hold hands while drinking coffee nearby. If she could have a love like that, she’d consider herself the luckiest woman on the planet.

  “Speaking of him,” Cat said, pointing toward the door where Jenna saw Ian walk in right when the bell above the door rang. “I just remembered I have dishes to get done in the back. Have fun,” she called out on her way to the kitchen.