by C J Murphy
Chance raised her head to look into the pale-green eyes that stared back. “I guess, we came home.” She reached over and hit a button on a remote by the bedside. The room filled with the first few notes of a familiar song. Roberta Flack’s The First Time, Ever I Saw Your Face, played softly in the background.
Chance rolled on top of Jax and used her good hand to trace the contours of her face. She ran a finger over strong cheekbones, then traced softly over plump lips, before tenderly sliding down to her jawline. She thought about that first time she’d ever seen this beautiful woman. The ground had fallen away, and Chance slid into an abyss she had no desire to climb out of. That very second, she’d become lost in eyes of sea foam green, deep and soulful. There was a wide smile that hinted of mischief and passionate kisses. That impression had proved itself right the first time they’d come together. That same woman, somehow even more beautiful, was now lying in her arms again.
Jax was quiet, and Chance saw a tear slide down her temple into her hairline. “Hey, hey, what’s wrong?”
Jax cupped Chance’s cheek. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing is wrong. This song brings up so many memories of us. We made love to an entire mixtape of love songs you put together just for that night. At this moment, I truly feel like I am exactly where I’m supposed to be. Home is where you are. I’m so sorry I ever left.”
Chance rested her chin on Jax’s chest. “There were journeys we both had to take to find our way back to the things that are important.”
Jax surprised her as she pushed Chance over. “What I really find important is my current need to touch you. I intend to do just that.” Hours later, they lay with their arms and legs tangled together. Their bodies fit together perfectly.
Gentle fingers traced the raised scar tissue on Chance’s left side. “Do they bother you?”
Chance drew in a breath and sighed as she kissed Jax’s forehead. “Not really. I try to keep them as supple as possible with cocoa butter lotion and some daily stretches. It took a long time to get them stretched, but they don’t restrict my movements now. Years ago, they had to do a few scar relief procedures to release one that kept me from having full range of motion in my shoulder. The one on the back of my arm gets noticed when I wear a sleeveless T-shirt. Other than that, they’re just part of my every day, part of my skin.”
Jax looked up at her. “I don’t mean just physically.”
“I’ve made my peace with them. Every morning, I repeat a phrase ‘steel is tempered by fire, and gold is refined by it.’ I believe in that.”
“If I’d known, I’d have been a basket case.”
“You’d have done exactly what you did when I got hurt this time. You’d have been there. I won’t lie; there were plenty of days I wished I hadn’t survived. Between the debridement and skin grafts, the docs kept me pretty medicated. Trust me, it barely touched the pain. I don’t know what I’d have done without Mags and Dee. They never let me give up. When I was at my lowest, they were right there every day until I made it home.”
“I should have been there with you. I wish I had been.”
Chance pulled her in tighter. “You’re here now. That’s all that matters. We can’t change a second of our past. The future, that’s different. All I ask is that we keep living in the here and now and keep walking into our future.”
“I’ll second that notion. Unfortunately, we’re going to have to get up. I’m fixing dinner tonight at Uncle Marty’s.”
“Well then, I suggest we take a shower together, you know, to conserve water. I’ll give you a pair of my shorts and a T-shirt to wear home.”
Jax smirked. “Conserve water my ass. However, I won’t argue the logic. Come on, Sheriff.” She pulled Chance up from the bed. “Let’s get moving. We need to wrap that cast on your arm. I don’t want you getting wet.”
“Too late for that.”
“Smart ass, you know what I mean.”
Chance couldn’t help the snicker that turned into a full belly laugh. Jax dug her finger into Chance’s side and smacked her arm. “Go.”
A few minutes into the trip to Marty’s, Chance blurted out an idea. “How about Zeus and I hang out and help you get things settled at your office for the rest of my recovery? We’ll even go handle barn calls with you.”
Jax held up one finger. “On two conditions. One, you promise to behave and not overdo.” She held up a second finger. “And two, you have dinner with me frequently.”
Chance brought her good hand to her chin and rubbed her face. “You drive a hard bargain. Deal.” She held out her pinky. When their fingers wrapped together, Chance brought the knuckles to her lips and kissed them.
With each mile that passed, Chance patted herself on the back over her negotiation skills. Personally, I think I got the better end of this deal. I get to spend time with one very sexy vet, and she’s going to feed me. I call that winning.
Chapter Ten
A FULL EIGHT DAYS vanished into the past before Chance even blinked. She’d accompanied Jax on several calls and assisted her in the next steps of getting the vet clinic ready to open. She swirled the ice in her Coke while she listened to Jax tell Marty about Adam Richards’s asking price for the farm. Chance was looking forward to having Jax so close to her. She was sure Jax was tiring of their trips to the storage shed to ’find something.’ Warm hands snaked around her shoulders from behind.
Jax kissed her cheek. “Dinner’s about ready. Are you hungry?”
“I am. Whatever you’re cooking in there smells fantastic.”
“It’s a slow-cooked carne asada on a huarache. It’s a tortilla that resembles a sandal sole. I’ve also got a tomato and avocado salad. I sometimes forget that getting good avocadoes back here isn’t as easy as it is in California.”
“Sounds like a Greek gyro without that yogurt sauce. What’s that called? I can never remember.”
“Tzatziki sauce. I love that stuff. I’ll have to look that up and we’ll have gyros one night.”
“I could go for that. There’s a Greek restaurant over in Morgantown. We’ll have to go sometime.” Chance leaned her head back, and Jax kissed her upside down on the lips.
“I’d like that. An evening away from here with you? Let’s see what’s playing at the Creative Arts Center. Maybe there’s a concert or something.”
“I think that can be arranged. I’ll check with Kendra, since she’s going to school there.”
“I’m sure we can find it online. Either way, let’s do it. Come on, time to eat.”
Chance rose from the chair and followed Jax into the kitchen. Marty was already seated at the table, his napkin tucked into his shirt collar.
The rest of the evening they enjoyed dinner with laughing and talking. Marty enticed them into a game of Russian Rummy and was thoroughly wiping the floor with them. Around nine o’clock, Marty went to bed and Jax drove Chance home. The night air was warm and smelled of the laurel flowers that grew all over Chance’s property.
Chance leaned back on the headrest. “Do you know how badly I want to ask you to stay?”
“Probably about as badly as I want to say yes.”
“It seemed so much easier back then. We just did whatever we felt like and worried about nothing. Now we’re adults who worry about everything.”
“The price of growing up.” Jax turned up the driveway and stopped in front of the house.
“Well, just once, I’d like to go back to those days on the riverbank with you. Not a care in the world beyond watching your skin turn golden brown.”
“The summer isn’t over. You get that cast off your arm, and the riverbank will be waiting.” Jax leaned over and kissed her again. “And so will I. Pick you up at eight tomorrow morning? We’ll take Zeus’s stitches out if the ear looks good, then you can help me shop for a new vehicle.”
Chance opened her door, then snuck back in for another kiss. “We’ll be ready. Come on Zeus.” Her K9 companion jumped out, and the two of them watched Jax disappear up the driveway. �
�There goes the best thing that ever happened to me, Zeus. I’m lucky enough to get a second chance, and I’m going to make the most of it.”
Zeus barked, and it made Chance laugh. “Glad you agree.”
***
The next morning, Jax had coffee with her uncle over huevos rancheros. She’d taken up the cooking duties and noticed Marty seemed to smile more every day. Given her growing relationship with Chance, all the things in her life were positive. She was back here with them both, and felt she had her life on track.
“I’m picking up Chance and Zeus this morning, and then going shopping for new wheels. I need something other than my beast to get around these back roads. I think I still want a truck to carry the farrier equipment and the things I need for the large-animal practice. Seats that I can just wipe down and not worry about would be nice.”
Marty took a sip of coffee. “Sounds like you know what you’re looking for. Chance should be able to help you. She can tell you what dealerships to stay away from. I’m glad to see you two spending time together. I think you’re good for each other. I like to see you smile, and you’ve been doing more and more of it.”
“I’m not the only one who’s smiling more. I’ve seen your eyes crinkle quite a bit since I got home.”
He chewed a bite of his breakfast then sipped his coffee. “Well, it could be because my favorite niece looks happy and maybe a little smitten.”
Her laughter almost made coffee come out her nose and she coughed. “Smitten?”
“In my day, being smitten with someone was a good thing. That’s how I felt about your aunt.” He pointed at her picture with his mug. “From the moment I met her, I thought she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever met. I did everything I could to catch her attention until she took notice. Your advantage is, Chance is already on the hook. You set it years ago. If you ask me, she’s been waiting years for you to reel her in.”
Jax could only smile, as she took her dishes to the sink.
“Go on, I’ll get those. Love you, kitten.”
She kissed his cheek on the way by and grabbed her keys. “Love you, Uncle Marty. See you later.” She stopped and turned around quickly. “Oh, if necessary, can you stop by the office and accept a delivery of equipment? I should be back, but something might come up.”
“Just call, I’ve got nothing planned.” He grinned. “I’m retired, remember? I’ve got a young hotshot vet taking over my practice. Word is, she’s pretty good.” He grabbed the paper and shook it out. He looked over the rim of his glasses at her. “Time will tell.”
“Now I know where I got the smartass part of me that drove Mom crazy.”
He pointed a finger at her. “Don’t let your mother fool you. When she was growing up, she wasn’t the angel she expected you to be. I promised I’d never tell those stories, but maybe someday I’ll start losing my mind and a few might slip.”
Jax slipped past the screen door. “Oh, I’ll be right at your side for that. Trust me. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
A few minutes before eight, she pulled up to find Chance sitting on her front porch with a travel mug in her hand, Zeus at her side. Jax rolled down the window. “You two ready to hit the road?”
Chance got in and leaned over the consol. “He’ll be one happy dog.”
“Would it be okay if we go truck shopping after? Uncle Marty said you’d know where to go.”
Chance stared at her, and Jax flushed. “For a kiss, I’ll buy the damn truck.”
Jax leaned in and softly kissed Chance’s lips, lingering longer than was necessary and lightly biting her lower lip. “What will that get me?”
“Dragged out of this truck and into my house. Holy shit. Are you trying to kill me?”
“Just reeling you in a bit.”
“Honey, get the net.”
Jax laughed and pushed Chance back into her seat. “Come on, you nut, we need to get on the road.”
A few hours later, they were roaming row after row of shiny new vehicles at the Toyota dealership in Fairmont. Zeus was missing his stitches and had been completely released from the cone of shame. They walked around the lot checking out each model.
Chance stepped up to a jet black one and Zeus sniffed around the tires. “I love this color. Sadly, they’re a mess to keep clean.”
“I used to have a black BMW, and it always looked dirty.”
Chance looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “A Beemer huh? I’d have taken you for a Corvette, but I wouldn’t have guessed a BMW.”
Jax rolled her eyes. “It was always about image to the Montgomery’s. The only time I drove it was when Lacey wanted me to take her someplace. She refused to ride in the truck. The rest of the time, I drove a variety of everyday vehicles, depending on what I had to do. Honestly, I lived a privileged life. The problem was, I wasn’t happy with it. Any of it, in fact. I’ve been happier here since I left California. Now, let’s go talk to the saleswoman you know. Nothing here on the lot has everything I want. Let’s see if I can order one. I think the metallic silver would be best. What do you think?”
Chance stood beside a truck of that exact color. “It’s definitely a sharp color and won’t show dirt as bad as the black or navy.”
“I want a long bed that will let me put in a roll-out tray, where I can put a couple of cabinets. Cover that up with a fiberglass topper, and I’ll have a mobile office.”
Chance smiled. “Better count your pennies.”
“I did that a long time ago. Chance, I don’t have to worry. The honest fact is, I wouldn’t have to work another day in my life if that’s what I wanted. I’ll use the money to buy my new home and vehicle, and set up the practice the way I want. After that, I’ll start a Marty Hendricks scholarship for veterinary students. Even with all that, I still wouldn’t have to work. I will, because my sanity requires it, and…Marty wants someone to continue what he started.”
“Seems we both want to honor the people that made us want to become who we are.”
Jax thought about Chance’s words. They made sense to her. “Indeed. Let’s go order a truck.”
It took a few more hours to make all the decisions, sign the paperwork, and write the check. They picked up subs so they could eat in a local park with Zeus. They ate until they were stuffed, then Chance threw a tennis ball for Zeus before they started home. Chance’s cell phone rang when they were about twenty minutes from the county line. Jax could only hear one side of the conversation.
“Sheriff Fitzsimmons.”
A pause.
“I’m fine…I know…I’m not doing anything stupid…Give me a break. I’m fifty-four not four! I wasn’t aware I had an appointment, at least not one that I made. Yes, I can stop by.”
Another pause. Jax could hear a feminine voice but didn’t know who it was for sure. She had an idea that it was Faith, the doctor who’d taken care of Chance and was her ex-girlfriend.
“Enough, I said I’d be there.”
Chance pushed a button to end the call.
“Let me guess. Faith isn’t happy you’re out running around.”
Chance was silent for a few minutes. “I miss the days when you could slam down a receiver on someone you were pissed at. I’m far from being a child, regardless of what ‘mom squared’ says.”
“I’m going to take a wild guess and put my money on the fact that you were not talking to either of those two women and instead to one who used to play a big role in your life. That was Faith, right?”
“You guessed correctly. She’s complaining that I haven’t been in for a checkup since I got out of the hospital. I’ve been to my orthopedic surgeon. I’m not sure what her issue is. We broke up over four years ago. She’s married to Theresa, and according to Sarah, she’s happy.”
“You’re pretty unforgettable, you know?”
Chance sighed and looked over at Jax. “I get it. Our breakup doesn’t mean she doesn’t care. That’s all well and good. Life goes on, and we have to deal with the here and
now. I’m beyond grateful for her concern. What I need is that concern not to bleed over into unwarranted overprotectiveness. It’s like taking those stitches out of my arm yesterday. It was time. Hell, I’ve stitched myself up when we’ve been deep in the wilderness on a fire.”
Jax shook her head. “Taking stitches out is one thing. A concussion is another.” Jax reached over and rested her hand on Chance’s cast. “Let’s get you over there so she can lay eyes on you and see for herself that you’re on the mend. It will probably ease Maggie and Dee’s mind too.”
“Fine. She said the clinic wasn’t busy. Let’s do it now, if you aren’t busy?”
“Works for me.”
Jax turned the vehicle in the direction of town. She thought it might be a good opportunity for Faith to see that Chance wasn’t dealing with this injury on her own. If there was ever to be something long term between her and Chance, the thin, spider web threads of the past needed to be broken. Friendship was one thing. She’d noticed more than once, during Chance’s hospital stay, that Faith acted more like a lover than someone adhering to the ethical line of an attending physician. Chance’s words revealed a great deal to Jax. She still cared about Faith, though it seemed she had transitioned into the friendship role more easily than Faith had.
In the parking lot of the clinic, Jax turned off the vehicle and shifted to face Chance. “I’ll wait here for you.”
“Oh no, you won’t. I want a human witness for the inquisition from Mom and Momma D. Zeus, for all his abilities, can’t do that for me.” Chance rubbed her forehead with her right hand. “To be honest, I want Faith to see you with me. My life is changing, and you’re the reason. It’s time people got used to it.”
“People, or Faith?”
“Both.”
Jax climbed out of the vehicle and walked to the clinic door. She paused to allow Chance to open it for her with her typical chivalry and followed Zeus in. Chance checked in at the reception window and came back to sit with her.
“Shouldn’t be too long. She’s finishing with a patient.”
