He tipped his cowboy hat and made his way in the direction the nurse had pointed. When he got close to the room, he didn’t expect to hear sobbing that broke his heart. He thought twice about entering the room, but knew the bear was what she needed.
Callum tapped on the door. “Is it okay for me to visit?” he asked.
“Sure come on in,” Sloan said.
Callum put one foot inside the room and then the other, hoping that it was okay with Olivia too.
She looked so different today, no more blood stained clothing and her cheeks looked redder, but maybe that was from the crying she’d obviously been doing.
“I gather you’ve already met my brother, Callum,” Sloan said. He rode with you to the ER.”
“The cowboy,” Olivia said, wiping her face with her fingers.
“Yeah, that’s me,” Callum said, taking off his hat. “Oh and I’ve got a little something for you.” He placed the bear on the spot on the bed right beside her thigh.
She rubbed her hand over the bear’s head. “He’s cute, thank you,” Olivia said.
“Now that Callum is here, I’ll leave him to visit with you. And don’t you worry about where you’re going to stay. We’re going to come up with some place for you to heal.”
Sloan smiled at Callum and then left. There was an awkward silence between Olivia and Callum so he guessed he’d have to be the one to break the ice.
“Hospital food isn’t that great.” He nodded toward the chicken, potatoes and green beans that sat on a plate on the table beside the bed. Not one single item looked like it had been touched.
“The nurse said I should eat it to keep my strength up but I couldn’t face eating and it’s probably cold now.”
“I can go find a microwave and heat it through for you,” he said.
“You don’t have to do that for me,” Olivia said.
“I know but I’d like too.”
She seemed a bit edgy, abrupt almost but he guessed she was in pain and her life was in turmoil. He picked up the plate and headed outside before she could protest further. Callum sweet talked a nurse into taking the meal and heating it in the microwave in the nurses’ lounge.
“That’s very nice of you,” he said, taking the plate back from her.
“You’re welcome.”
She gave him the sweetest of smiles but for some strange reason, since he’d laid eyes on Olivia, she was the only person he wanted to see smile back at him. She looked so sad and unhappy that he was determined he’d been the person to bring a smile to her face.
He sang the beginning verse of Achy Breaky Heart as he made his way to her room. He recalled all the couples dancing to the song last month, and if he could he’d carry Olivia out of the hospital and down to the Wagon Wheel, she could listen to the music. Music was always a great healer. Callum walked back into the room.
“Here you are, one chicken dinner. I have to say it doesn’t look too bad now that it’s been heated up.” He wheeled the bedside cart toward her and set the plate on it and then swung it around in front of her.
“Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
She sat looking at it and he realized there was no way she could feed herself with only one good arm and hand. He remembered when he’d been eight and fallen out of a tree on the ranch, yeah the one his pa had told him not to, and he’d broken his arm. Had the damn thing in a cast all summer and he’d missed out on a ton of fun, including the junior rodeo that he could only watch and not participate in. He’d also been forced to eat ice cream with his non-dominant hand and lost most of it down his t-shirt.
“You want me to cut that for you? I know your shoulder probably hurts like hell.”
“It does,” said Olivia.
Callum took the knife and fork and began cutting up everything in bite size pieces.
“I remember my mom doing this for us when we were young.”
He speared a piece of chicken on the fork and handed it to her. She raised it up to her mouth and chewed. She watched him. He smiled and then winked at her and realized maybe that had been the wrong thing to do.
“You’re a very handsome man Callum but if you’re hanging around me thinking that maybe something’s going to materialize into a relationship, I’ll advise you not to waste your time.”
Was it that obvious… not that it was his only motive for being here?
“I’ve just left an abusive and broken relationship and I will not get involved with another man ever again. In fact, I’ve vowed never to even go on another date.”
Callum’s heart sank for a moment but then he guessed that’s what all people said when they’d had their heart broken. Hell, he’d thought that way twice before and here he was doing his best to woo Olivia.
“There are plenty of normal women out there, Callum, don’t waste your time on me.”
She pushed her tray away, the food still mostly untouched.
Callum Monroe was never one to give up that easily. When he wanted something, he went after it and he damn well got it. Yeah, that might show some arrogance on his part, but Olivia had stirred something inside him and no, not just something physical. He was going to mend that broken heart of hers. She was going to be his.
“You look pretty normal to me,” he said. “But you also look tired so you get some rest and I’ll be back to visit you again tomorrow.”
He put his hat back on and turned to leave.
“Don’t be a fool, keep on walking and don’t come back here,” Olivia called after him.
Chapter Three
That had made her sound like a bitch. How many times had Mark told her that’s exactly what she was? She’d believed it to be true, but in the back of her mind she knew that’s not who or what she was. But maybe he had turned her into this monster who said unpleasant things.
The first counselor she’d seen had told her that was Mark’s perception of her was his and only his. She began to believe it but just a few minutes ago, she’d come across as a total bitch to a man that although she didn’t know him, she sensed he had a kind heart.
She slammed her fist down on the bed and realized that had been foolish. It jarred her bad shoulder and the pain shot through it like she was being shot all over again.
She burst into tears. She’d been rude to a nice man, her shoulder was giving her trouble, she’d have medical bills, and no place to live, no job, nothing. Maybe she should go crawling back to Mark and beg his forgiveness for following through on her threat to run away if he hurt again.
No, he’d warned her, go through that door baby and there’s no coming back.
*****
“Why on earth would you want to buy the old farmhouse? No one’s lived in there since your grandma passed away.”
His dad took another slice of bacon off the platter his mom had just placed in the middle of the table. She sat down and cradled the coffee mug in her hand, looking at Callum and obviously waiting for his answer.
“Then it’s a piece of our history that should be preserved,” Callum said.
“Best thing for that place is to demolish it,” said his dad.
“Glen that belonged to your great grandparents and Callum’s right. It’s a part of history, your history, his history, and our grandchildren’s history too.”
Callum knew by the look she gave him, it meant hurry up and find a woman so I can have more grandbabies.
His dad tapped his fingers on the table. “Why the sudden interest in the place?”
“I know someone who’s probably going to need an inexpensive place to live.”
His dad burst out laughing. “You’re honestly thinking of putting someone in there? The roof leaks. I think I saw some bears hanging around it a few months ago. Bottom line is it’s just fit to tear now and start building from scratch.”
Callum took out his wallet. “Name the price and I’ll buy it and fix everything that’s wrong with it. I can give you a down payment today.”
“Put your money away. If you want it then
it’s yours free of charge, but don’t come crying to me when it’s one expense after another.”
“Who’s the person who needs to rent it?” asked his mom.
“The young woman who got shot at the shelter.”
“I somehow guessed a female was involved in your sudden enthusiasm son,” said his dad.
“Is this the young woman Sloan was telling us about?” asked his mom.
Callum nodded. Just what had his sister said about Olivia and had she mentioned that Callum already had his sights set on her?
“Doesn’t the look on his face resemble a deer in the headlights?” his dad asked, before he burst out laughing.
“Glen, stop it,” said his mom, hitting his dad’s arm. “I haven’t seen a smile on our son’s face quite like this since he fell in love with the Harper girl when they were in kindergarten.”
“You two are very funny,” Callum said. He stood and put his hat back on. “I have a house to go clear out and get ready for my tenant.”
“Just remember you’re helping me move cattle tomorrow morning,” said his dad.
“I’ll be there bright and early.”
*****
The doctor had insisted that Olivia get up and walk around but she felt tired and her shoulder hurt despite the pain meds they were pumping into her. Knowing she had to get well, get back on her feet, find a job and start the rest of her life, made her all the more determined to leave the hospital. Olivia grimaced as she took two steps forward. She’d endured lots of pain during her marriage to Mark and she thought she was prepared for anything that life threw at her but this was something she hadn’t expected to face. She leaned against the wall and hoped nurses, other patients or their visitors, didn’t see her struggling to keep things together. She didn’t want any fuss or people crowding around her. She knew everyone meant well. Everyone had been so wonderful, sending her flowers and chocolates, but the more attention that was cast upon her, the more chance her true identity would be discovered and the monster would find her just like the other woman’s husband had. She’d been lucky. Olivia doubted Mark would be so foolish as to take others hostages and pay the price with his life. Olivia struggled on and as she turned the corner, she spotted Sloan heading her way.
“Hi Olivia. It’s great to see you up and walking. How are you feeling?”
“I guess I’m on the mend.”
Olivia didn’t feel like it but she didn’t want anyone to know that inside her psyche had been more severely shattered than her shoulder.
“You look a lot better than you did a few days ago. I just came from the shelter and everyone sends you their love,” Sloan said.
“How’s Arlene doing?”
“She decided to leave Montana. Just too many bad memories for her.”
“I know how she feels,” Olivia said.
“How about I walk back to your room with you,” said Sloan.
“Sure, I’d like that.”
Olivia liked Sloan a lot. She’d often sat with her watching TV while Sloan had been doing overnight duty at the shelter. She’d sit studying and Sloan would often ask her to quiz her on something for upcoming tests. She didn’t know Sloan’s exact age but she guessed that she wasn’t much younger than Olivia but seemed to have done so much more with her life. Sloan wasn’t married but had a baby but didn’t ever talk about the boy’s father. Being Olivia had lots of secrets of her own and liked to keep her past private, she’d never asked her questions.
They arrived back at the room and Sloan helped Olivia to maneuver the pole with the IV bag on it, and then Olivia sat on the edge of the bed. She was one able to walk a mile a day but just up and down the hospital corridor had tired her out.
“I brought you some novels that I’m done reading. I thought they’d help you pass away the hours.” Sloan handed her a paper bag with the cutest dog on it and red handles, inside four books nestled on tissue paper.
Sloan pulled up a chair and sat. The sun shone through the window and Olivia realized just how much Sloan looked like her brother Callum. They had the same mouth and forehead and she wondered if they were like their mother or father. It also reminded her how snappy and meant she’d been to Callum during his visit. She doubted she’d ever see him again so maybe Sloan could take an apology to him on her behalf.
“Your brother Callum,” Olivia began. “I was somewhat offhand to him the other day and as I probably won’t see him again…well, I was wondering if you’d apologize to him for me.”
“Sure I can but I’d like to invite you to my parent’s place for a meal once you’re feeling up to it. There’s no doubt he’ll be there because he works the ranch with my dad so I’m sure he’d appreciate you saying sorry in person.”
Olivia didn’t know quite what to say. She couldn’t turn down the kind offer of a meal but after snapping at Callum she might be too embarrassed to look him in the eye.
“So what exactly did you say to him? Sorry if I’m being a nosy little sister.”
“I might have misread his reason for stopping by and bringing me the bear for some sort of interest, so I told him to forget about any thoughts of a relationship and now I’m telling you this, well I feel like a bigger fool than I’d originally thought,” A tear dripped down her cheek. Why did she cry at the drop of a hat so often now?
Sloan leaned across and placed her hand on top of Olivia’s and gave it a squeeze.
“It’s not foolish of you to think that. If I know my brother as well as I think I do then he probably is thinking about asking you out someday. I know he’s my sibling but I can highly recommend him as a date. He’s very kind-hearted, as are all my brothers.”
“I’m sure he is but I’m not dating material anymore and I don’t want your brother to waste his time on me.”
Sloan smiled at her. Olivia almost knew what she was thinking. Yeah, all women say that but then a man sweeps them off their feet….
“By the way, I spoke with Mira.”
Sloan was great. She even knew when to change the subject when it was getting too difficult for Olivia to handle.
“And she said there will always be a room for you at the shelter so you can stay there while you go to rehab and get back on your feet.”
“That’s very kind of her but I don’t think I ever want to step foot back in that place again.”
Sloan nodded. “I can understand that so we’ll just have to come up with somewhere else where you’ll feel safe and happy.”
Safe and happy, two things she so wanted to feel again.
Chapter Four
His dad had been right. Bottom line was, he was always right and sometimes Callum was stubborn in accepting the raw facts. His grandparents’ old house was in a shitty condition. However much you sugar coated it that was the plain truth. The main living room window had a crack running down the center and would need to be replaced. The front door had seen much better days and was hanging on by, well, Callum didn’t know how it was still hanging on. The carpeting, what was left of it, would need tearing out and replacing with either a new one or maybe even wood flooring that seemed to be all the rage now even in colder climates like theirs. The kitchen would need a new stove and fridge and he’d have to replace every single cabinet. Bathroom, with some new flooring, that might be livable. The main bedroom. He stood in the doorway and leaned up against the frame, and looked inside. He imagined it all fancy again, a four poster bed sitting against the wall this time around. Olivia lounging upon it waiting for him to get back home after a day on the ranch. Her dark hair cascading over the pillows.
He walked into the room, still imagining her lying there lifting her hand to welcome him home. He’d lean in and kiss those sweet lips of hers before running his hand over her t-shirt and feeling her nipples turn hard with anticipation about what he’d do next to her.
“Callum, you in there?”
Damn his brother for spoiling his daydream.
“Yeah, I’m in gran’s old room,” Callum shouted back.
&
nbsp; The floorboards creaked as Ryan headed toward him.
“Dad said I might find you here. He said you want to rent this place out.”
“I do but maybe I’ve bitten off more than I can chew.”
Ryan pulled on some of the wallpaper and it simply crumbled in his hand before falling as dust to the floor.
“I hope you’re not thinking of putting anyone you like in this place,” Ryan said.
“Actually I’m thinking of renting it to a young woman at the shelter where Sloan works. You know the one who got shot.”
“Shit, Callum, the poor girl’s probably had enough trauma without you sticking her in here.”
“It will be like a palace once I’m done,” Callum said. He’d always seen the glass half full.
“You’ll be broke and your back will also be broken too,” Ryan said, pulling yet more wallpaper away from the walls.
“Don’t suppose you and Shane would give me a hand.”
“We charge by the hour. Sure I guess it will be like old times the three of us in this place. Remember when we helped grandpa hang this wallpaper?”
“I sure do and if I remember correctly you wrote four letter words under the piece over in the corner there.” Callum pointed to the spot by the window.
Ryan laughed. “Good thing grandma never decided to change the wallpaper after grandpa died. Even at my age, she would have even me a good spanking.”
“Do you think the attic’s still just as creepy as it was back when we were young? Callum asked.
“After it’s been empty so long, I’m guessing the creepy factor’s gone up a notch or two. I wouldn’t be surprised if something’s already living in there.”
Callum leaned against the doorjamb again.
“It would be great to return the house to its former glory and start a whole new bunch of memories.”
“This isn’t just about renting it a young woman to make some money is it?”
Callum looked at his brother. Was his look or even the way he’d mentioned new memories, so transparent?
“I can’t wait to see her. I mean the girl that’s got you all dreamy eyed,” Ryan said.
Callum (Cowboy Tough Book 1) Page 3
