Their Troubled Heroine

by Marla Monroe

  “That’s great! You got out of your comfort zone all by yourself. We’re proud of you.” This came from Dobbs.

  “I had a mild attack, but I managed.”

  “We were wondering if you’d take another step and go out to eat with us. We thought a small nice restaurant that won’t be crowded would be nice for all of us,” Mayberry said.

  “It sounds nice. I’m not sure I’m up to that yet.” Libby wanted to go, but what if she had a panic attack at the restaurant? That would be so embarrassing.

  “If you can’t go in or want to leave once we get in, that’s okay. To be honest, I’m not sure how I’ll do going to one with Colby either, but I want to be able to.” Mayberry sounded just as anxious about it as Libby felt.

  “Okay. I’ll try if you will,” she finally agreed.

  “Super!” Dobbs sounded as if he’d just won an Olympic medal.

  “How about Saturday night about five? That will put us going before the major crowds. We’ll pick a nice place that’s small and shouldn’t be too busy. Will that work?”

  “Sure. Do you want me to meet you there?” she asked.

  “No, if you trust my driving, we’ll pick you up.”

  Libby laughed. “Well, you haven’t wrecked yet, have you?”

  “If you don’t count hitting the garbage can backing out the other day.” Dobbs sounded a little embarrassed.

  “That doesn’t count.”

  “It counted for me,” Mayberry said. “It was a brand-new garbage can.”

  She couldn’t help but laugh with them. They kept her smiling just being around them and even on the phone. She really liked them, and that worried her. Was she becoming too attached? Between the dinner she’d had with them and the frequent phone calls, she was starting to develop feelings for them. What if they didn’t feel the same way, and was she really thinking about a relationship with two men at one time?

  “Shut up, Mayberry. We’ll see you Saturday night. Talk to you later, sweetie,” Dobbs said.

  “Bye, Libby.” Mayberry managed to get out before one of them hit End.

  Libby pressed the phone to her lips as she thought over what she’d just realized. When had it started? Was it when she’d gone to eat at their place, or had it started earlier when she’d talked with them at Ellie’s house that night? Whenever it was didn’t really matter. The fact that she cared for both of them was the issue. She needed to think about where those feelings were going. If they didn’t plan on going any farther with it, she’d end up getting hurt. If they did, could she truly consider seeing both men as dates? Well, too late, they already were.

  Well, crap.

  Somewhere along the line they’d snuck up on her heart and attacked. She was in over her head and hadn’t even realized it until that moment. Maybe she needed to talk to Ellie. Two men, and two men who needed a lot of attention like those two, was a bit scary to Libby.

  Before she could talk herself out of it, Libby called Ellie at work. The other woman answered on the third ring.

  “Hello.”

  “Hi, Ellie, it’s Libby. I won’t keep you, but I was wondering if you’d have time after work to talk. I have some questions.”

  “Of course. What kind of questions?” she asked.

  “Well, about your relationship with Rex and Clark. I’m confused with how things are going between me and Mayberry and Dobbs. Would you mind talking to me?”

  “I’d be happy to. So you guys are getting along then?”

  “Yes. I really like them, but if this goes any further, I’m worried.”

  “There’s no reason to be worried. How about I come over around six? Will that work for you?”

  Libby sighed with relief. “That would be perfect.”

  “Talk to you then.” Ellie ended the call.

  Just knowing she had someone to talk to about the situation went a long way to calming the anxiety that had begun to build. She couldn’t let herself get so worked up over something that might not be all that big a deal in the first place. Well, she’d have some answers when Ellie got there. She could wait that long.

  Libby busied herself with work and let the time get away from her. When the doorbell rang, she jumped. She checked the time on the computer and cursed. It was six. That had to be Ellie.

  When she opened the door, it was to find Ellie and another woman she thought was Abby, Kermit and Heath’s wife. Although a little uncomfortable talking around a stranger, she realized it was a good idea to have two different women’s input on her questions.

  “I hope you don’t mind that I asked Abby to come, but since we’re both living with two men, I figured if I didn’t know the answer to your questions, maybe she would.” Ellie walked in, followed by the other woman.

  “Hi, Libby. I’m Abby. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, too.” Libby gestured for them to have a seat. “Would you like some tea or lemonade?”

  “Nothing for me right now,” Ellie said.

  “Me either. Maybe later.” Abby sat next to Ellie.

  Both women looked very relaxed, where Libby felt like she had one finger in an electrical plug and the other in a freezer where tiny sparks of ice-cold electricity popped all over her body. She hadn’t been this nervous since she’d first walked outside after leaving the hospital.

  “Relax, Libby. We’re just going to talk.” Ellie seemed to know how anxious she felt.

  “I really appreciate both of you being willing to answer some of my questions. I’m not really sure where to start.”

  “I’ll start for you,” Abby said. “Living with two men can be a bit overwhelming, but not for the reasons you might expect. They are forever trying to take care of me, which gets on my last nerve sometimes. They tend to smother me with attention, so I’m happy for times like this that I can get out without them. But I wouldn’t trade loving them for all the world. They make me very happy.”

  “How does it work to live with both of them? Don’t they get jealous if you spend more time with one than you do the other?”

  “Nope. No jealousy. They work things out among themselves before anything else. If I want to go to the store, if one can’t go, the other one does. If one of them is busy, the other one always makes themselves available in case I need them. Like I said, they smother me with love and affection, but I’m not complaining.”

  “How do you love more than one man? I mean I’m fond of both the guys, but love? Can you really love two men at once?” Libby asked.

  Ellie nodded. “I worried about that at first but found that I love them differently. I love Rex for his determination and the way he makes me laugh. I love Heath for his bravery in dealing with his problems and the way he makes me feel safe. Does that help?”

  “Yes, I guess it does. What about, um, sleeping? Do you all three sleep together, or do they take turns?”

  Abby chuckled. “We all sleep together. Sometimes Heath has nightmares and will sleep in the other room if he wakes up so as not to bother me, but for the most part, we sleep together. Nothing like snuggling between two men during the winter. Talk about warmth.” Abby fanned her face.

  Libby was sure her face was red by how hot it got. The two women looked at each other and laughed.

  “We’re not laughing at you. We’re laughing at how good the sex is. You don’t know what you’ve missed all your life until you’ve been with two men at one time. They fairly make you pass out with pleasure almost every time you make love.”

  “Really?” Libby asked.

  “Oh yeah,” Ellie said.

  “Super-hot sex,” Abby added.

  “I’m not sure I’m ready for that part yet. I was just worried that I was heading down the wrong road. I really like them both but don’t know for sure how they feel. I don’t want to read too much into their attentions if they aren’t feeling the same way. Do you understand?” Libby asked.

  “I can promise you that they are just as serious as you seem to be getting. They wouldn’t be call
ing and talking to you all the time if they weren’t.”

  “They asked me out for Saturday night. We’re going early to a small restaurant so there won’t be much of a crowd. I’m scared I’ll freak out and not be able to stay if I even make it inside.”

  “That’s great news,” Ellie said. “You’ll be fine. You did well at their house, as well as ours. I think they’re good for you, Libby.”

  “I’m scared.”

  “It’s okay to be, Libby. Anything new is a little scary, and you’ve had a lot to get past. Take it one day at a time and make a little progress each day. From what Ellie has told me, you’ve already accomplished a whole lot in a short amount of time. Give yourself some credit.” Abby’s smile lit her entire face.

  Libby liked the other woman and hoped that if she could handle it that they might all three go out for lunch sometime and just talk. Right now she was too worked up over the impending date to even consider asking them. Maybe one day soon though.

  “I really appreciate the two of you stopping by to talk with me. I feel better about the entire thing now. I’ll just focus on each minute instead of thinking about what is ahead.” Libby stood when the other two women did.

  “We’re glad we could help,” Ellie said. “Good luck with the guys. They’re really good men, and they like you or they wouldn’t be putting themselves out there like this by asking you out. Remember, this is hard for them, as well.”

  “You’re right. I guess I’ve forgotten about their disabilities because I like them and we haven’t had to deal with them really.”

  “It’s a testament to the fact that you really do care about them that you’ve forgotten that they are disabled just as much as you are. Congratulations, Libby. I think you’re well on your way to being in love.” Abby hugged her before Libby realized what the woman was going to do.

  When she didn’t panic, Ellie did the same thing, beaming at her like a mother hen.

  Maybe I really am getting better and part of that is because of the guys. Do I love them?

  Maybe.

  Probably.

  Wow.

  Chapter Six

  Saturday arrived much too soon. Libby had stuck to her promise to herself to not think about it until the time came to get dressed. Well, she’d managed to not think of it as much and only started to panic when she got out of the shower to dress. Was she ready to go out to a restaurant? She didn’t know, but she guessed she was about to find out.

  After trying on several outfits, Libby settled on a pale green summer dress that flattered her curvy figure. She thought it looked good with her strawberry blond hair that leaned more to strawberry than blond and her pale complexion. She didn’t get nearly enough sun. Maybe she would start trying to sit outside on the back patio at her apartment complex.

  Maybe.

  She styled her hair so that it fell in curls at her shoulders then applied a minimum of makeup so that she had a little color to her face. Every step she took toward getting ready weighed on her as the time for the guys to pick her up drew closer and closer.

  The sound of the doorbell nearly had her jumping out of her skin. She panted, placing her hand over her speeding heart before she finally managed to draw in a deep breath to calm herself. Libby opened the door to find both men and Colby outside waiting with wide grins.

  “Wow! You look amazing,” Dobbs said.

  “You smell even better,” Mayberry added.

  “She’s got on this hot light green dress that really shows off her curves, man. Wish you could see it.” Dobbs reached out slowly to cup his hand over her upper arm and leaned in just as slowly to kiss her lightly on the lips.

  Libby’s slight gasp made him smile. “I’ve learned that slow and deliberate works with you.”

  Mayberry poked out his lips. “If I try to kiss you, I’ll miss. Help a blind guy out, Libby.”

  “You’re incorrigible, Mayberry.” She bit her lower lip and slowly bent toward the other man to leave a quick kiss on his lips.

  The sigh he let out had her giggling. She felt like a young schoolgirl with her first kiss. They did that to her. Made her feel young and alive again. Maybe she did love them.

  “Ready to go?” Dobbs asked.

  “Let me grab my purse.”

  She walked between both men except on the stairs. There they put her between them so that Dobbs was in front and Mayberry followed up at the rear with Colby leading him safely down the stairs. Never had she felt so cared for. They seemed determined to make her feel special. It felt good. She didn’t feel pressured or claustrophobic with them at all.

  When they reached the restaurant, the three of them sat in the car for a few minutes without saying a word.

  “Is this as hard for you as it is for us?” Mayberry asked.

  “Yeah, but I feel guilty that I didn’t realize how hard it would be for you guys, too. I don’t see you as disabled when I’m with you, so I didn’t think. We don’t have to do this.” Libby wanted to hug them both but was afraid to.

  “We can do this if you’re with us,” Dobbs told her. “As much as I hate limping in public, to take you out and how you off makes it all worthwhile.”

  She smiled. “Show me off?”

  “Yeah. You’re the most beautiful woman in the world, and we want everyone to know you’re with us,” Mayberry said.

  “I’m not, but thank you.”

  Mayberry reached up and lightly traced her face with his fingers, pausing on her lips before cupping her cheek with the palm of his hand. She couldn’t help but lean into it. She’d never have believed that him doing that wouldn’t set her off into one of her crazy panic attacks. Instead, it felt amazing.

  “Yes, you are.”

  “Okay, guys. We need to get out of the car now. Give me a second to get down, and I’ll come around to help you with Libby, Mayberry.”

  She watched as Dobbs slid out of the car, pausing to get his balance, then walk around with a decided limp to their side of the car. He let Colby out of the back seat first as Mayberry got out, and then the two of them held out their hands for Libby to scoot across the seat and step out of the car. They took a hand each and led her toward the entrance to the little steakhouse tucked away between two office buildings in town.

  There were already several cars parked out front. Tiny knots tied themselves in Libby’s stomach as they approached the door. Could she really do this? Her stuttering heart skipped along like ants playing jump rope. The guys were managing. If they could, she would.

  When they approached the hostess, she beamed at them. “How many?”

  “Three, please. I called ahead to request a table out of the way of the others. The name is Dobbs.”

  “Of course. Right this way.”

  They followed the pretty young woman to a table near the back of the room next to a wall. It kept them from being in the direct line of sight for most of the tables. She handed them menus and told them their waitress would be right with them.

  “How are you doing, sweetheart?” Dobbs asked.

  “Okay. This isn’t as bad as I thought it would be. They aren’t really busy like it looked like outside. I was really worried at all the cars.”

  “More than likely most of them are in the bar area,” Dobbs said.

  “Mayberry, do you need me to read the menu for you?” she asked.

  “Thanks, but I have a braille one. I’m learning braille, so it’s good practice.”

  “I’m impressed. I didn’t realize you were learning.” Abby smiled at him, despite knowing he couldn’t tell.

  “I’m still learning, so some of this sounds funny to me. Like lobster bikes. I think it’s bites.”

  Libby couldn’t help but laugh. “It is. Lobster bites. You’re reading the appetizer list.”

  “He already knows what he wants. So do I. What about you, Libby?” Dobbs asked.

  “I’m going for the pork chops. They sound really good.”

  “We’re getting rib eye. Can you handle them rare if we
get them that way?”

  “Sure, but thanks for asking. I don’t have to stare at them.”

  The waitress returned to take their orders and drop off their drinks. Libby noticed that she kept looking at Colby like she wanted to pet him.

  “The waitress wants to pet Colby. She keeps looking at him with puppy dog eyes.” Libby knew better than to touch a service animal without the owner’s consent. When they were in work mode, they weren’t supposed to be distracted by people.

  “I’ll let her when she comes back. He’s resting right now. He’s still new to this like I am, so I don’t want him to get the idea that he can beg for pats on the head.” Mayberry smiled, brightening his face despite the sunglasses.

  “Do you wear the glasses because light hurts your eyes or just to cover them?” Libby finally asked.

  “To cover them. I have a lot of scarring around my eyes. You can see some of it on the side of my face, but I hate people to see my eyes.” Mayberry adjusted the glasses.

  “I understand. I hate the little scars I have. Most of them are on my upper legs and my abdomen, but I have a few on my face and arms.”

  “You know. I’ve never noticed them until you pointed them out,” Dobbs said. “That had to have been the worst day of your life. I’m sorry you had to go through it.”

  “I’m one of the lucky ones. I didn’t lose my legs or my life. I have a lot to be thankful for. Now I have even more.”

  “More?” Mayberry asked.

  “I’m thankful for you guys. I’m sitting in a restaurant about to eat a great meal, and I wouldn’t have ever tried if it weren’t for you two.”

  “If we’re going to be grateful, we’re just as thankful for you, Libby. You inspired us to do the same thing. Neither one of us wanted to venture out much because it was so hard. People staring and just getting around really bothered us, but taking you places makes all of that not matter as much.” Mayberry reached over and squeezed her hand.

  The waitress returned with their meals, and after Mayberry let her pet Colby, they spent the rest of the time eating and talking about everyday things in their lives.

  “Why are you called Mayberry? I know Dobbs is his first name. What’s your real name?” Libby asked.