Amber giggled at me and pretended to wipe drool from off my face. Slapping her hand away I broke out in a smile and said, “He is gorgeous.”
Ruth looks at Amber and commented, “I’ve never seen Enoc act like that before, have you?”
“No, me either” Amber responded shaking her head in response.
Ruth’s slender fingers continued to unwind the bandages until I was bare. I crossed my arms around my chest. Amber just laughed, “Hey it isn’t like I haven’t seen them before.”
“Yeah skinny dipping when we were twelve doesn’t count. I didn’t have all this,” using my hand like Vanna White to emphasize my breasts.
I could see Ruth holding back a smile while still feeling along the edges of my ribs. I winced when she got near a particular tender spot. “You are lucky you didn’t break a rib” she informed me.
I yawned nodding in agreement. “How long do you think it will take for it to heal?” I asked.
“It should have taken longer but with all the herbs, maybe less than a week. Let’s get you into the bathroom so you can get all cleaned up and then we will reapply the salve and re-bandage your wounds.”
Once in the bathroom I peed first before Amber and Ruth helped me step into the white claw tub. The sting of the hot water against my sensitive skin burned. As Amber and Ruth help me inch deeper into the water the aroma of sweet pea filled my nose. We all tried balancing to keep my left leg out of the tub. We didn’t want the stitches getting wet. I was certain the three of us looked ridiculous. We all laughed as my big butt finally hit the bottom of the tub. Water splashed over the side onto the gray tile floor, my left leg resting on the rim of the tub.
“I don’t know about you Ruth but I think we should just get Enoc to carry her in the tub next time,” Amber teased.
Amber wiped water off her arms; her t-shirt was marked with drops of water. Ruth laughed and I blushed.
“Hey if that’s all it takes to get his arms around me I just might throw myself down another hill just so it can happen.” We all broke out laughing.
“I’ve got to do some things; will you two be okay by yourselves?” Ruth asked raising her eyebrows.
“Yes we’ll be fine,” Amber responded rolling her eyes. “Hey could you also bring some food back for Olivia?”
“No problem. See you both in a while.” Ruth left the bathroom, I heard her open and close a few drawers, moving around in the other room before the front door opened and shut. I let my whole body relax and sink as deep as it could into the tub.
“No use trying to stay dry now, Amber asked while she kneeled by the tub, her jeans soaked at the knees.
Grabbing a loofa and a bottle of brown sugar body wash Amber started the task of cleaning the dirt and blood off my body. I knew I should be embarrassed sitting here naked with my best friend scrubbing dirt and dried blood off my body but I wasn’t. All I could think was how blessed I was having her in my life. I started to reminisce about the past. You know you have a best friend when you can argue one moment about why your favorite red shirt she borrowed has a grease stain on it. Then cry and laugh about it because it was for a good cause. She was trying to impress the guy at the car repair shop by leaning over the counter a little too much. Or knowing you can call her up anytime for any reason. I remembered one night I was home alone and I got scared. I called her up at two o’clock in the morning. She had me put in my copy of Ever After while she did the same. We spent the next two hours laughing about the scenes we loved the most over the phone. My favorite moment was when Amber shook up a can of Dr. Pepper and sprayed it all over my ex-boyfriend’s head because he dumped me for not being promiscuous. That was priceless.
I let out a small laugh just thinking about it, Amber’s eyes lit up and she asked, “What ya smiling about Olivia?”
“Oh I was just thinking about you and our friendship over the years.”
“Oh I was positive you were thinking about a tall dark mysterious guy, Enoc.”
“What, uh why would I be thinking about him?” I asked trying to keep my pink cheeks from showing.
“Only because I know you, don’t think I didn’t notice you blushing when you met him today.”
I looked into her brown eyes, “I don’t know what happened really. One moment I was myself and the next it was as if something was pulling me towards him, like I had no control over my own body. I know it sounds silly but that’s what it felt like.”
“I don’t know what it was either Olivia but I could feel the connection between you two. No worries he’s a great guy. Hey you ready for your hair?” Amber reached for the pink shampoo bottle.
“Yeah,” I said as I rested my head on the edge of the tub.
Amber moved around to my back dropping a quarter size amount of shampoo in the palm of her hand. Moving her hands together she formed bubbles and starts scrubbing the shampoo deeply into my scalp. Then she did what the bottle suggested and rinsed and repeated.
“How do you know Ruth and Enoc?” I asked.
“I can’t tell you too much” she responded as she scrubbed more vigorously. “I am sorry but I made a promise to someone that I wouldn’t say anything to you until they got a chance to explain some things.” I could hear the regret in her voice. “However I can tell you that Ruth is like a mother, always taking care of those around her.”
I am not surprised by what she tells me. “Yeah that sounds like Ruth. Just my short time with her I could feel her compassion towards me, she reminds me of my own mom. And Enoc, what can you tell me about him?”
She stopped scrubbing to rinse the suds from my hair and off her hands. “I know that he loves his family and he is very protective of them.” She says it with a smile that lets me know she respects him.
“Oh.” I whispered as I realized my hopes are crushed. He already has a family. I am surprised by the statement. Could I be more pathetic? Why am I thinking about him as family? I just met him. Why would I be disappointed that he has a family?
Disappointment must pass over my face because Amber quickly rushes to say, “Oh no, you misunderstood.”
I look in her big brown eyes. “How? You said that he has a family.”
Amber reached out to touch my shoulder. What I meant was he watches over a group of people that he considers family. He isn’t married or anything.”
She runs the back of her hand across her brow while I put my head into my hands letting out a breath of relief.
“I don’t understand why I am so emotional Amber, I mean my goodness I just met him.” I grabbed the washcloth off the side of the tub, washed my face and took the bandages off my forehead.
“Let’s just finish rinsing you off and get you back in bed. You must be exhausted; you’ve had quite an adventurous day.” I nodded. Amber took the shower handle and continued to rinse the rest of me off. I pulled the plug and watched as the water swirled down the drain by my toes.
I heard the front door open and Ruth yelled back at us, “Hey I am back, do you need some more help Amber?”
“Yeah, can you help me get her out of the tub?”
I could hear the laugh in Ruth’s voice, “I thought you were just going to have Enoc do that?”
Dumbfounded I giggled back, “Oh no you’re not Ruth. Get in here and help me please.”
Ruth came in with a smile and two large yellow towels in her arms. “I thought you wanted Enoc to carry you into the tub,” she says.
“Ruth that’s only in my dreams not in real life; that’s would be embarrassing.”
“Here you go Amber,” Ruth handed her one of the bright yellow towels. Amber wasted no time wrapping my hair up in it. Ruth came towards me holding out the towel as I reached out and wrapped it around my body. It was fluffy and smelled like lilacs. It fit comfortably around me. They each took an arm and helped me out of the tub. Standing on the wet cold tile my arms broke out in goose bumps.
Once I was standing Ruth headed back into the other room, leaving Amber to help dry me off. As quickly a
s she left she was back holding in her arms a light green summer dress and undergarments. Simple and classic, I was starting to like Ruth more and more. Amber helped me with my undergarments making sure to avoid my tender ribs. Ruth had rolled up the dress making it easier for me to slip my head through. My hands slid into the short sleeves of the green dress. Once it was on the fabric fell to the length of my knees. I felt like myself in this dress, not gorgeous but simple and pretty. I loved the feel of the cotton material on my skin and the way it rested against my skin.
“Here you go Olivia.” Ruth said handing me a toothbrush with paste already on it.
I started to scrub my straight white teeth. After spitting out the suds and rinsing the toothbrush off I set it down on the side of the sink. I ran my tongue along my teeth feeling the cleanliness
“Oh that feels so much better. Amber I’m tired do you think I can rest now?”
She nodded her head laughing, “Yes I thought there was a reason you got quiet all of a sudden.”
I noticed the new clean sheets as Ruth and Amber helped me into bed. I saw toast and oatmeal on the stand next to the bed. Amber sat on the bed and brushed my hair out. It fell over my shoulders and down my back. The massage on my scalp and the feel of her fingers running through my hair made my eyes heavy. Ruth re-applied the salve to my leg and re-wrapped it.
“Okay now I need you to lean forward a little so I can get this wrapped around your ribs.” Lifting the dress over my stomach and holding it underneath my breastbone she began to wrap it tightly. It is uncomfortable and I grimace.
“Are you okay Olivia? I didn’t mean to hurt you,” Ruth asks. Her fingers paused as she waited for an answer.
“Yeah, just sore and tired,” I replied as I yawned, letting the dress fall back down over my thighs.
Amber finished massaging my head and moved to sit in the chair next to the bed. I want to eat but exhaustion is winning. I tried to keep my eyes open but they keep closing. That was until I heard the front door open and in walks Enoc. The smile on my face seems permanent as Enoc looks at me and smiles back. When his large body moves away from the door frame, I noticed he isn’t alone. The smell of the woods reaches my nose. Standing behind him is a man I know all too well. His hair is the same chocolate brown I remembered except it is now kissed with some gray. The wrinkles around his chocolate Hershey kiss eyes are more defined. My mouth hangs open and my eyes are wide.
I barely whispered the word, “Dad?”
He responded, “Hello my little dove,” his endearment he gave me when I was two.
The last words I hear before my eyes close and exhaustion claims me.
CHAPTER 3
I woke up to find my slender fingers entwined around large warm fingers. A warm current sent tingles up my arms and through my entire body. The fresh smell of rain brought comfort to my soul. Opening my eyes I saw Enoc leaning over the bed his head resting in the crook of his arm. His black curls falling over the side of his face. He looked younger than earlier, maybe two or three years older than me. The authority that usually surrounds him was softened by the peacefulness on his face. My empty hand reached out to touch a black curl. Rolling it around my finger brought me a sense of familiarity. It was as soft as I thought it would be.
Looking around the room I saw him, my father, sitting on the sofa next to Amber leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. His eyes were piercing deep into my soul. I could see the tension in his shoulders. Not only was he watching me, he glanced towards Enoc and raised an eyebrow. Even though I didn’t want to I got the hint and dropped my hand from his hair and rested it in my lap.
Making eye contact with my dad I asked, “Is this real or am I dreaming?”
I must have spoken louder than I thought because Enoc stirred and lifted his head to look at me. I saw sadness cross his face and then in a blink the aura of authority encompassed him again. He looked over at my father, squeezed my fingers and then quickly dropped my hand. Walking across the floor he stopped to lean against the wall with his arms folded in front of him.
Looking back at my dad I asked him what I’ve wanted to since I first saw him. “Where have you been all this time? What are you doing here? Why would you let us think you died?” Not taking a breath between questions gesturing with my hands in the air. I was angry, confused and hurt. “Why did you leave us?”
I knew he’s was nervous I could see it in his eyes. I could see the tension in his shoulders as he rolled them backwards trying to loosen them up. He ran his hand through his chocolate brown hair a nervous tick he has had for as long as I could remember. It seemed like it takes him forever before he finally spoke.
“It’s a long story,” I heard him say.
“Well I’ve got time, seeing as how I am lying in this bed!”
I can see he’s trying to think of a way to start the conversation but I don’t care that he is flustered. I want to know where he’s been and why.
“Why don’t you start at the beginning?” I suggested.
James got off the couch and walked over to sit in the same chair that Enoc sat in just moments ago. He begins to tell me his story but I can tell he’s reliving the memory in his mind. “I met your mother Marie one summer day at the lake. She was so beautiful. Standing barefoot at the edge of the lake she stood just barely in the water. I was jealous of the wind wrapping itself around her in a warm embrace.” The sadness coming from him and the emotion in his eyes filled me with deep sympathy. “You look just like her, you know? You both have the same bright green eyes and long straight white hair.”
“Yeah, I know.” Interrupting him I blurted out, “Did you know mom died six months ago? Where were you then? If you were alive why didn’t you come to her funeral?” I wiped the fresh tears falling through my lashes.
Amber walked over handing me a package of Kleenex. I opened them and used them to wipe the stream of tears falling from my eyes.
Reaching out to hold my hand he requested, “Don’t cry. Yes, I knew your mother passed, and no I didn’t go to the funeral. I couldn’t. If you let me explain you’ll understand.”
I didn’t push his hand away even though I was tempted to. I tilted my head up just a little to say go ahead finish your story.
Like I said, “I watched her on the beach. I was trying to get the courage to talk to her. The moment I said hello and she said hello back, I knew I loved her. It was as if fate had put us together to meet in that moment. I’ve heard of love at first sight but this was something more. It came from somewhere so deep inside me I could hardly breathe. It was like a bolt of lightning. You know when there is a big storm and you can see it light up the whole sky? That was what it was like, explosive and overwhelming. We spent the summer together, we were constantly together. Being away from her for any amount of time was difficult. We ended up marrying that fall. It was beautiful and one of the best days of my life. Everything happened so fast but it was perfect.”
James shuffled his feet, “Did you know that before you were born your mother had an accident?” I shook my head no. “Well she did. We had been bridge jumping one summer day. We spent most the day swimming, jumping and talking. We decided to jump one more time before we left to go eat. Holding hands we jumped together. When we hit the water I knew something was wrong when her body pulled away from mine. When I surfaced and looked to where she should have been I realized she had hit a log floating under the water. She was still hanging over part of it. I pulled her off and swam to the shore with her. Her head and chest were bleeding severely. Iremember frantically looking for someone,anyone to help me, but we were all alone. We had left our phones in the car and I knew she was dying. I was so scared, there was so much blood. I kept calling her name but she could only look at me for a few seconds. I told her I could help her. I remember brushing the hair away from her face. Before her eyes closed she looked at me with such trust and love and before I knew it she was unconscious. The trust and love I saw in her eyes about broke my heart. When she stopped moving I w
as lost. I quickly cut my wrist and put it in her mouth. I held my wrist there forcing her to swallow my blood.”
“You did what? Why would you do that?” I asked, shaking my head back and forth confused.
His lips thinned before he spoke again. “I had to, she was dying. There was too much blood I was afraid I was too late. That’s not all, after that I bit her.”
Dumbfounded I asked, “Why?”
Piercing me with his eyes he said, “I am a Shape Shifter! I am one of the strongest lineages of Shifters! Our bloodline is the purest. I am The Alpha leader of the Northern Pack! I have been for many years.”
“Wait, um that is just insane, are you sure you weren’t in a mental hospital all this time? If you were I would understand. You don’t have to make up some ridiculous story for me to forgive you. I just want the truth, besides there is no such thing as a shape shifter.”
I saw something blaze in his golden brown eyes, and my skin shivered from the energy in the room. “I am The Alpha shape shifter!”
Tipping his head back he let out a piercing howl. The room lit up and I shielded my eyes. When I opened them a massive chocolate brown wolf stood in front of me. I could feel his power and energy swirl around the room. I was surprised to see Amber fall to the ground baring her neck to my father. What is that all about. I scooted back on the bed my mouth hanging open ready to let out a scream. Enoc came forward grabbing my hands and said, “Watch.”
Holding his hand tightly I watched as a bright light burst from the chocolate wolf. The massive chocolate wolf was gone and my father stood in his place. He spoke “I am the leader and Alpha of the Northern Pack. I did not mean to frighten you but now you know I speak the truth.”
Enoc went to let go of my hand but I refused to let go of his. I felt protected with him sitting beside me. Once my father shifted back to his human form I watched as Amber nodded to him and sat back on the couch.
“Okay… umm” I sat in silence for a moment before speaking. “So then did mom know?” I tried not to let my voice shake letting them know how afraid I was.
The Choice (The Choice Series Book 1) Page 3
