Unexpected Love

by Melissa Price

  Mayfield knelt down to Taylor and checked her pulse. He examined her and found a large piece of glass in her thigh, smaller pieces all over. He then got on his radio and called for medical assistance. “Taylor, can you hear me?”

  No response.

  Seventy-five

  Mayfield heard three shots and then silence. Running footsteps. John and Sean arrived. Sara threw herself at John. He held her tight. “It’s over, honey.”

  Sean knelt down and Mayfield handed him the flashlight. Mayfield could see Sean was pale and shaken. “She’s unconscious. EMTs are on the way.” He wanted to assure Sean she would be okay, but he couldn’t. Not until the EMTs arrived.

  Sean held the flashlight while Mayfield tried to stop the bleeding on her forehead. “Sean, let’s get her outside where I can see better and can get the first aid kit. I don’t want her to bleed more if I pull out glass.” Sean handed him back the flashlight and picked Taylor up. He carried her outside and carefully laid her down.

  John and Sara had followed. John looked Sara over. “I’m okay. Taylor save my life twice today. Is she okay?” No one answered. “Sean?”

  Sean answered more positively than he felt. “Of course she will be.” He added to himself, she has to be. He noticed her ring was gone.

  Sean looked at the glass shard in her leg. Mayfield told him they would wait until the EMTS got there. They could stop the bleeding when it was pulled out.

  It seemed like forever before the ambulance arrived. “Has she been unconscious the whole time?”

  Sean shook his head yes.

  They began pulling out the few pieces of glass and bandaged her.

  The EMT looked at Sean who still kneeling next to Taylor. “See if you can get her to open her eyes. Talk to her. Anyone know her name?”

  Sean replied, “Taylor.”

  “Age?”

  “24.”

  “Could she be pregnant?”

  Sean shook his head no.

  “Any other health issues we should know about? Allergies?”

  “She was in a bad car accident a few months ago and has muscle atrophy and liver damage. She’s allergic to penicillin.” He could feel everyone staring at him.

  Sean put his hands on her face. He noted they were shaking. “Taylor, I need you to look at me.”

  No response. Sara spoke up, “He hit her really hard with a gun butt twice. I think she blacked out both times.” She was clinging to John.

  “Taylor, look at me. I really need you to open your eyes so I know you are okay.”

  Taylor heard him. She tried to open her eyes but it was such an effort. Her head was pounding hard and her leg was really hurting.

  Sean whispered in her ear, “Please, baby, I really need you to look at me.”

  She heard him talking again and forced her eyes open. Sean got a relieved smile on his face.

  “Hey.” He took her hand.

  She whispered, “About time you got here, Officer Reed.”

  “Better late than never.” He was feeling shaken.

  “Did you know there is an actual name for a castrated male deer? How do they get castrated? Does a vet run around the woods, corner them in some trees and perform surgery?”

  Everyone stared at her with concern, but Sean laughed. “Maybe there’s a male deer clinic hidden deep in the woods.”

  Now everyone was staring at him. Sean felt like kissing her. She was going to be okay and she was acting normal. He was so relieved, he almost lost control of his emotions, but he refused to.

  They lifted her onto the stretcher. She grabbed Sean’s arm, “No hospital.” She said it softly but firmly.

  “I’ll go with you. And you are going.”

  She shook her head no but that hurt so she glared at him.

  “Still not going to work. You might get the look one day but I would practice if I were you.”

  She made a disgruntled noise but Sean ignored her.

  Seventy-six

  Sean held her hand until they got to the hospital. She was drifting in and out of consciousness, which worried him. The doctor asked him similar questions that the EMT did and Sean answered them.

  “Is this your wife?”

  “Soon.”

  “That sounds nice.” They both looked over at Taylor who was smiling at them.

  The doctor looked at her intently, “How do you feel?”

  “My head hurts, my leg hurts, my body hurts. Other than that, just ducky.”

  Half an hour later, Maggie and Walter arrived.

  Maggie said anxiously, “Is she alright? We just wanted to make sure. Do you guys need anything?”

  “She’s hurting but she’s going to be fine.”

  “Take care of her and let us know if we can do anything.” She kissed Sean on the cheek and then Taylor. Sean followed them out and came back quickly.

  Taylor looked like she was about to cry. Sean leaned over. “What?”

  She shook her head no. She could not say anything.

  Sean kissed her cheek. “I know you hate hospitals, baby. I’m not going to leave you.”

  She swallowed hard, “John and Sara?”

  “He took her home although she wanted to stay. He said they would come by in the morning.”

  He crawled over the railing and lay on his side. “Not much room.”

  Taylor giggled, “Don’t think it was made for double occupancy.” He carefully pulled her into his arms.

  “You have got to stop scaring me like that.”

  “All this adventure is freaking me out.”

  He smiled at her, “Freaking me out too. I love you, Taylor.” He held her tightly.

  She moaned. “It hurts.” She looked at him, “I might as well get all the mileage I can out of this.”

  Sean laughed. “Good idea. Hey, you are going to have a really nice black eye. You look like you have gone a few rounds in the ring.” he said softly.

  She giggled, “That bad? I won’t need any eye shadow.”

  “You don’t wear eyeshadow.”

  “That is one thing I like about you, Officer Reed. You pay attention.”

  The nurse appeared and stared hard at Sean in the bed. Sean was still in uniform but it did not faze her.

  “You are not supposed to be there. It’s for the safety and comfort of the patient.”

  “She’s safe and as comfortable as she can be under the circumstances.”

  The nurse stared. “Look, you can stare all you want, but I’m not moving right now. When they release her, I’ll get up.”

  “I can call security, sir.”

  “And I can call other cops. Who do you think is going to come out on top?”

  The nurse sighed, “Okay, but I do not see you there.”

  Sean gave her a big grin, “See who?”

  After she left Taylor laughed, “What am I going to do with you Officer Reed?”

  “Let me make you a cannoli when you are better?”

  Taylor rolled her eyes at him.

  “I noticed the few choice words you gave him, just like last time.”

  “Oh, you heard that? Officer Reed to the rescue again.”

  He shook his head, “No. It was Sean going to get the woman he loves more than anything.”

  She looked at him. He leaned over and kissed her, “I thought you knew that already.” He sniffed and she looked at him. Was it her or were his eyes watery?

  She stared at him. She had never seen him this upset. “I was so scared. I really thought I was about to die. I just wanted to come home. But I was sure you would save me. Again.”

  He gave her a quick half smile, “I was scared too. And I was going to make sure I got you home. I can’t lose you Taylor. Besides, I am so proud of you. You kept your cool, showed your courage, and did what you thought you had to do.”

  He held her and kissed her face, “You are here with me, where you will always be.”

  She smiled and he was relieved to see it.

  She whispered, “Is John fre
aking out?”

  “I think he is and I have never seen him like that. He’s grateful that you saved Sara.”

  She smiled. “My hero had tears in his eyes.”

  “You must have dreamed it, besides that’s different from crying.” He said it gruffly, “I did not have tears in my eyes.”

  Sean pulled her ring out of his pocket. “I think this belongs to you.”

  She smiled, “My ring. I was afraid he would steal it so I put it in my pocket when we were in the car.”

  Sean slipped it on her finger. “Looks better there.” He kissed it and held her until the doctor came in.

  He said, “I didn’t know those beds could accommodate two people.” She gave them both a smile. “I wanted to keep you overnight for observation because of your concussion, but the Officer here said no way. Does he get to overrule me?”

  Taylor giggled, “Yes, ma’am.”

  Seventy-seven

  The next morning, she awoke to find Sean staring at her. He smiled, “I can fix you some breakfast.”

  “What are you to make?”

  “How about some oatmeal?”

  “Oh you can fix instant oatmeal, how impressive.”

  He kissed her, “You would be amazed at my talents.”

  She laughed, “I already am. Can you feed Tango too?”

  As he carried her downstairs, she nuzzled his neck and kissed him. “Keep that up and we won’t make it downstairs.”

  He put her on the couch. “Hot tea or coffee?”

  “Tea, please.”

  As he was walking to the kitchen he said, “Hey, I get to cook for the chef a couple of days.”

  She yelled, “Take out.”

  John and Sara came by late morning. Taylor looked at her wrists were still raw and turning colors. Sara gave her a hug. “It’s fine. I’m so glad you are okay. What would Sean do without you?”

  Sean smiled, “Not very well.”

  John came over and gave her a hug and whispered, “Thank you.”

  They spend an hour chatting and then John told Sara he was taking her home.

  Taylor looked at Sean, “They seem to be doing well.”

  “John is still a little shaken up over the incident. He and Danny never got along. They are going to have a graveside service for him. John said it would be short since there wasn’t a lot that could be said. I think we should go.”

  “Of course we should, when?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  Maggie and Walter showed up. Tango gave them both a big greeting and then ran over to his bed and started in on his new bone. “At least we rated a greeting.” Walter said dryly and Taylor chuckled.

  They went out to pick up some lunch and then ate with them. Maggie exclaimed, “I have to admit I knew you both were meant for each other, but these events are making me gray.”

  Walter laughed, “Honey, I already saw gray hairs before they met.”

  Taylor giggled as Maggie said, “Thanks a lot.” She smiled at her husband.

  Later Sean carried her upstairs and put her into bed. “Want me take your clothes off?” He gave her a mock leer.

  She said primly, “I’m just fine, thank you.”

  When they were lying down he spoke. “Taylor, I’ve been thinking. How about we have your grandparents come here for a week or two? We can pay for the home health aide to come. We have three bedrooms. You can move your stuff in here, your grandparents can use your old room, and the aide can use the other room. It will give you a chance to spend time with them. I’d like to meet them too.”

  She was quiet for a moment. “When?”

  “When you feel up to it. Maybe in a couple of weeks.”

  “That would be wonderful.”

  “And since they were here, maybe we could get married. Unless you want a big wedding, which is fine with me.”

  “No, that would be perfect. My grandparents and Maggie and Walter and Sara and John and Sargent Mayfield and Allison. Oh, and Frank and Kathy.”

  The next day Sara came over to spend the day with her while Sean went to work. Taylor protested but Sara insisted. “I’m sorry about your brother.”

  “I’m the one who should be sorry. I should have told John. He wasn’t too happy about that.”

  Sara’s wrist were bruised and raw but her ankles were worse. “You saved my life twice and the baby. John and I will be forever grateful for you.”

  “I have to say that my life is so different than I could even imagine.”

  “Good or bad different?”

  “Very, very good.”

  They spent the morning talking, playing cards, and watching TV until it was time for the service. They went together since John and Sean were going to meet them there.

  The service was brief but Sara and her parents looked sad. Taylor held Sean’s hand and when she glanced at him, he gave her a little squeeze.

  Sara’s parents went home with her, John and Sean went back to work. Taylor went home and made dinner for Sara and her family and took it to her house for them to heat.

  Sara said, “Taylor, you shouldn’t have. But, thank you. There’s enough here to feed an army.”

  Taylor laughed, “No, just your family. Let me know if Sean and I can do anything else.”

  Sara hugged her, “You both have done so much. We love you both. I’ll call you later.”

  The next day, Maggie showed up at the door. She saw the puzzled look on Taylor’s face.

  “I called Sean to check on you and he said he was at work so I thought I would come by and see you for myself. How are you feeling?”

  Taylor gave her a smile. “Better.”

  “Good. I told Sean I would take you for your checkup but he said he was going to do it. I had a hard time letting him let me take you. Besides, I need to talk to you. Can you go with me to Walter’s clinic after your appointment?”

  She shrugged, “Sure.”

  As they drove, Maggie kept up a conversation. The checkup was quick and easy, like last time. She was not as nervous this time even though Sean was not there. They were just walking out when her phone rang.

  Sean was calling. “Hey, Taylor. What did the doctor say?”

  “I’m doing fine.”

  “I should have been there with you.”

  “It’s fine Sean. Besides, it’s hard to argue with Maggie and win.”

  “I’ll see you later. Love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  When they got to the clinic, Maggie led Taylor into the back.

  As they approached a kennel, Maggie looked at her, “These two puppies were left at the clinic this morning with a note taped on the door.” She handed Taylor the note.

  Please take these dogs. Their owner died and the husband left town and left them in the house. I cannot keep them but did not want to take them to starve or go to a shelter where they might get put down.

  Taylor gave her with a shocked look. “I am going to take one and I thought maybe you would too. There is a boy and a girl. Both are puppies. Walter thinks they are around 16 weeks old.”

  Taylor bent down and looked at them. They both stared at her with sad, worried eyes. They were big puppies. Maggie said Walter thought they were purebred Mastiff. They were both a brindle color with big feet.

  Maggie opened the pen and picked up the closest one and handed him to Taylor. “Walter said he can neuter him like he did Tango. He already has shots.”

  Taylor held him and he looked at her with wide eyes. His coat was soft. When he gave her a tentative kiss, her heart was lost. She knew she was not going to be able to say no. She just hoped Sean wouldn’t be upset. She knew nothing about the breed. She was going to have to look it up on the internet.

  Seventy-eight

  On the way home with the two dogs in the car, Taylor held her new boy in her arms. She texted Sean. Too late to worry if he would be upset.

  Sean, remember you love me. Going home with cutest dog. Tango will love him. He was not wanted. Can we keep him?

&nbs
p; Taylor was worried when she got home and had not heard from Sean. Maybe he was upset.

  She introduced him to Tango who licked him and led him over to his bed. They both laid down together. Not long after, they started playing and running around the living room together. Well, at least Tango was happy having company.

  She used her laptop and looked up the breed. Giant breed? 230 pounds or more? She logged off and closed the laptop. Shaking her head, she muttered, “Better not tell Sean. Ignorance can come in handy.”

  Taylor was restless until she finally got a text back. She picked it up and was almost afraid of what she might read.

  Resistance is futile. Love u

  She smiled and went to figure out what to make for dinner.

  Maggie called. “How is the puppy doing?”

  “Good. He and Tango are friends already. Do you know big these dogs can get?”

  Maggie laughed, “Yes. “

  “Well, I think I won’t tell Sean.”

  “Good idea. By the way, I called a woman who owns a pair of mastiffs and she said they only drool after drinking so she has them go outside to drink. Then they get the drooling done and come back inside. She says they are wonderful dogs, loyal, need socialization and attention but little exercise. I was wondering if you wanted to go to dog obedience class with me? The organization uses Walter’s clinic after hours for classes.”

  “That would be great. Let me know when.”

  “I’ll find out when the next class is and call you later.”

  When Sean came home, Taylor greeted him at the door. She jumped into his arms and kissed him. “Thank you, Sean. Wait to you see him, he’s so cute.”

  He kissed her and held her. “I hope this is not going to be a habit. You picking up stray and unwanted animals. I have all I can handle right now.”

  She laughed and led him into the living room. The new puppy clumsily ran over when Sean bent down and said, hi.

  “He is big for a puppy, isn’t he?” He scratched his neck and the puppy’s head tilted. Sean laughed, “What’s his name?”