180 Days

by T. E. Ridener

  He couldn’t very well say no to her—as if he ever would—and Jeb didn’t have a choice but to help out. Laney was ecstatic to be involved and had even bought up a bunch of glittered stickers to place on each package before they were shipped off to the post office.

  They were all deeply invested in it and that was worth being proud of. Helping families when they needed it most was worth being proud, at least in his eyes.

  His Lydia had a golden heart and it was a heart he vowed to never break. He found himself falling in love with her a little more with each passing day and he knew a day would come when a very important question would slip out of his mouth whether he wanted it to or not.

  Shoving the heavy box containing a brand new crib into the back of the Tahoe, along with a pink bedding set—the clerk said it would match nicely—he prepared to head back to Tula’s when his phone began ringing.

  He pulled it out and glanced at the name on the screen, smiling to himself.

  “Hey, beautiful. I got the crib.” He said, but his smile disappeared when he heard Lydia’s choked sob. “Baby?”

  “Come to the police station. Jeb’s been arrested.”

  “What? For what?”

  “Stupid Devin Rose. Again.” She sobbed, sniffling. “This is awful. They won’t let us see him. Can you come down here? I know you can’t do anything, but I am seriously freaking out right now. Please?”

  She didn’t have to ask twice. “Of course. I’m on my way. Just stay put okay? Are your parents there?”

  “My dad’s here raising hell, but it’s not making a bit of difference. I had a bad feeling about this—about all of it! Oh, God...”

  “Calm down, baby. We’ll get it figured out.” He promised. If Lydia’s father couldn’t get anything accomplished, Callum was certain he could. His parents had more connections than most people on social media and there was no way in hell he would let his best friend sit in jail over stupidity.

  “Please hurry. I can’t st-stop crying.”

  “I’m on my way. Right now. Just hold tight.”

  It only took him about ten minutes to get from one side of town to the other and when he pulled into the parking lot of the police station, he could see Lydia sitting in her car.

  He parked beside her and got out.

  She met him halfway.

  “You’re here.” She ran into his arms and buried her face against his chest. “Thank you so much for coming.”

  “You don’t have to thank me, baby. This is important—you’re important. Any update on Jeb?”

  “No.” She pulled away and wiped at her eyes in frustration. “That stupid cop in there says he can’t let us speak to him because he’s violent. Can you believe that? My brother, violent?”

  “Only when it comes to assholes.” He muttered, rubbing her arms in an effort to keep her warm. “Christ, Lydia. Where’s your coat?”

  “I left without thinking.” She admitted, teeth chattering. “All I could think about was getting to Jeb and now I can’t even see him.” She rubbed at her temples. “I asked Tula to entertain Benji and Agatha until I get back, but I don’t know that I’ll be going back tonight. God, this is awful. We’ve got boxes to deliver. Tomorrow’s Christmas Eve and my brother will be spending it in jail.” Big, fat tears rolled down her cheeks, smearing her mascara even more as she lowered her gaze to the pavement. “Everything is ruined. And I feel so helpless. Jeb can’t be in jail. This is a nightmare.”

  “Here.” He took off his coat and wrapped it around her shoulders, rubbing her arms in an attempt to get her warm. “Everything is going to be okay, you hear? We’ll take care of it. Jeb won’t be in that place any longer than he has to be—believe me.”

  “How can you be so sure? They won’t let us see him!” She wailed. “If I get my hands on Devin Rose...”

  If I get my hands on Devin Rose. Callum thought as the tune of ‘Welcome Christmas’ began to play.

  Lydia glanced at her phone and sighed. “It’s Tula. I better answer it.”

  “Okay, babe.”

  When Lydia walked back to her car with the phone stuck to her ear, he decided he needed to choose his next course of action. Something had to be done. He knew, from conversations with Jeb in the past, that the Rose family was dominant in Prairie Town and anything they said was pretty much law. He hated the ‘good old boy system’ that existed in rural areas, but if he could do something about it, by God he would.

  He waited patiently for his father to pick up when he called.

  “Hey, Dad? It’s me. Listen, I need you to call one of your lawyer friends and ask them the standard procedure for when someone is arrested for beating the shit out of a very deserving asshole.”

  “Say what?”

  “Jeb is in jail. Apparently he gave Devin Rose exactly what he deserved and now he’s being held in the police station without any way of communicating with his family. They won’t let Lydia or her dad see him.”

  “They can’t keep him from seeing a lawyer, though.”

  “Exactly, and I’m hoping we can help with that. Got any friends who live nearby?”

  “Wait for me to call you back.”

  His father hung up without saying goodbye and Callum tucked his phone away just as Lydia said goodbye to Tula. She approached him once more, sucking a deep breath into her lungs as she gazed at him.

  “Laney is on her way.” She frowned. “Apparently her phone died and she had no idea what was happening until she got there. She’s pretty mad.”

  “I think we all are.” He nodded. “Should we go inside and talk to your dad?”

  “Honestly, I’m a little afraid to be around my dad right now. I’ve never heard him cuss like that before.”

  Callum couldn’t blame the guy for cussing. Hell, if his kid was being treated like some sort of criminal and someone told him he couldn’t see him, he’d go off without a filter, too.

  “Come on. Let’s just go check on him.” Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he led her towards the police station and prayed his father would be able to reach someone who could help.

  —————

  Lydia

  Her entire face ached from all the crying she had done, and as stupid as it was to be crying in the first place, she couldn’t help it. Jeb being arrested and not being able to talk to him was just about the worst torture she had ever been through.

  Once again Devin Rose had prevailed in hurting her. He always came through, the bastard.

  She was sitting with Callum in the waiting area, watching her father pace back and forth anxiously, muttering about the lack of real police officers and sweating up a storm.

  Something about his mannerisms made her feel incredibly uneasy. There was just something wrong with his behavior, especially when he’d rub his chest and he rolled his left shoulder as if he was in pain.

  She couldn’t help but get the feeling there was something someone had forgotten to mention.

  “It’s going to be okay.” Callum whispered as he rested a hand against her knee to stop it from bouncing—a nervous habit she’d always had.

  “Damn Roses.” Her father growled as he wiped his sleeve across his forehead. “I can’t fucking believe they would pull a stunt like this the day before Christmas Eve. Jeb is a good boy. There had to be a reason behind his actions.”

  And that’s what led Lydia to tell him about what had happened at the bar. She confessed everything from the moment Devin started hitting on her right down to when Jeb punched him. While her father seemed amused at the thought of his son protecting her, she could see the worry in his eyes.

  “They don’t play fair.” He said wearily. “They’ll try to pin something worse on him and all he was doing was watching out for his family. That damned Devin. I knew he was up to no good, even when he was dating Laney. You can’t trust those Roses.”

  “I know.” She sighed, resting her chin against her fist and glancing at the clock. It was almost nine. There was no way they would get Jeb out of
jail at this hour.

  As if he could read her mind, Callum nudged her shoulder gently and smiled. “Christmas miracles happen all the time, babe. Chin up.”

  But it was easier said than done as she imagined her brother sitting in one of those tiny cells, terrified and alone. All she wanted to do was hug him and tell him it would be okay. He wasn’t the monster everyone was making him out to be.

  The real monster was probably cozy in bed, feeling pretty damn proud of ruining someone else’s Christmas.

  “Assault and battery,” her father groaned. “I can’t believe they’re actually pressing charges for a few punches to the face. Back in my day you didn’t do that. You took your ass-whooping and went about your day. Boys sure learned not to mess with someone else’s sister back then, but today’s kids are so sensitive. Damn it.”

  As he turned to glance out the window, Lydia rested her head against Callum’s shoulder and closed her eyes. “I wish we could just see him.”

  “Well, he’ll be able to see his lawyer.” He offered. “They can’t deny him that.”

  “My parents can’t afford a lawyer.” The guilt began to eat at her again. If only her father hadn’t spent so much money on her transition. If only her grandmother had focused on putting away money for other things rather than helping her get surgery...

  “It will work out, baby.” He kissed her temple and laced their fingers together. “Trust me on this, all right?”

  The sound of his phone vibrating caught her attention and she couldn’t help but to wonder who was calling so late at night. Surely it wasn’t Agatha or Benji. If they needed her they would call her phone, wouldn’t they?

  Maybe they’re afraid I’m too emotional to talk.

  That wasn’t far from the truth.

  “Hey.” Callum answered the phone. “Yeah? She’s here? Okay. Thanks.”

  “Who’s here?” Lydia questioned as he hung up. “She?”

  “You’ll see.” He grinned, getting up and hurrying to the front door. He’d no sooner got to it when it flew open and in walked a redhead with the most intimidating strut Lydia had ever seen.

  Unbuttoning her black pea coat to reveal a dark burgundy dress suit beneath, she glanced at Lydia with stormy blue eyes and arched an eyebrow.

  “You’re Lydia, I presume.” She said, thrusting her hand towards her. “Olivia Montgomery, attorney. I’m here with your brother’s get-out-of-jail-free card.”

  Lydia stared at her in bewilderment. How?

  “Oh, thank God.” Her father hurried towards Olivia, clasping her hand between both of his and shaking it eagerly. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’m—”

  “Mr. McIntosh,” she nodded, shaking his hand firmly. “My client’s father.”

  “Yes, Ma’am. I’m pleased to be meeting you. What can we do for Jeb? They won’t even let us see him.”

  “They can’t keep me from seeing him.” She smirked. “I’ll be right back with you, Mr. McIntosh.”

  Listening to her heels click against the floor in a steady and fierce rhythm, Lydia and her father gawked after the woman as she approached the front desk and spoke to the officer sitting there.

  In a matter of seconds, she was being led through the double doors.

  “I can’t believe it.” She whispered. “Callum, did you call someone?”

  Her boyfriend gave her a smug grin and shrugged his shoulders. “My father may have had her number in his phone. He knows a few folks.”

  “Son, I can’t thank you enough.” Mr. McIntosh blinked back tears. “I don’t know how we’ll pay her, but—”

  “Don’t even worry about that, Sir.” Callum reassured him, patting his shoulder. “Like I said, Christmas miracles happen.”

  And they really did. It was only about an hour later, and after much nail biting, Olivia emerged from the back room with Jeb in tow.

  Lydia all but tackled him to the ground as she threw her arms around him and hugged him as tightly as possible. “Jeb! Oh, Jeb.”

  “Easy, sis. I’m okay.” He whispered, wrapping his arms around her and squeezing. “Everything’s fine. I’m fine. Promise.”

  “They wouldn’t let me see you.” She choked the words out and pulled back to examine him, feeling rage fuel her veins when she noticed the fresh bruises and the cut above his lip. “Oh, your face. What did they do to you?”

  “It’s nothing.” He insisted, rolling his big shoulders. “Apparently they were too busy roughing me up, per Devin’s request, to remember to read me my Miranda rights. They had no choice but to let me go. The case will be thrown out now.”

  “Really?” She lifted her hands to her mouth, trying desperately not to laugh. It was no laughing matter; those thugs had used their authority to hurt him, but to know they had forgotten one of the most crucial things when it came to arresting a person? Ha!

  “Really.” Miss Montgomery said, appearing by Jeb’s side. “They had nothing more to say once I called them out on it. Your brother was very smart to record it all on his phone.”

  “Because I know the Roses play dirty and I was afraid they’d pin something else on me.” Jeb admitted. “See, Dad? Technology isn’t all bad.”

  “It sure ain’t.” Mr. McIntosh smiled happily, hugging his boy close. “Let’s get you home, Son. Your mama is worried sick.”

  After Jeb and Mr. McIntosh left the station—ironically right when Laney arrived—the lawyer turned to study Lydia and smiled.

  “So this is the girl your dad was telling me about?” She questioned, folding her arms across her chest. “She’s a cutie, Callum. You’ve done well.”

  Lydia blushed and smiled shyly, quickly tucking some hair behind her ear as Callum pulled Olivia into a hug.

  “Thanks,” he said. “And thank you for coming down here at such a late hour and this close to Christmas. It means a lot to me.”

  “Anything for you, doll.” She said, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Lydia, it was so nice to meet you.” She took Lydia’s hand into her own and then much to her surprise, pulled her in for a warm hug. Her hug was so different from her confident walk. It was almost...kind, maternal even.

  “Tell your father not to worry about a fee.” She added as she began buttoning her coat. “There won’t be a trial and judging by the reaction of the jackasses in that back room, they don’t want this to make it on the front page of any newspaper. Everything should calm down, but tell your brother to count to ten next time.”

  “I will. Thank you!” Lydia called after her as she exited the police department.

  “She’s pretty damn good, huh?” Callum asked, reaching for her hand.

  “Yeah.” She nodded, peering up at him. “Ex-girlfriend?”

  “What?” His eyes nearly popped out of his head. “What makes you think that?”

  “She called you doll.” She bit her lip. “And the way she hugged you, I just...kind of assumed?”

  “God, no.” He laughed, shaking his head. “Lydia, she’s my cousin.”

  “Oh.” Her cheeks were on fire as she ducked beneath the safety of his coat. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry. It’s actually kind of funny. Livi and I fought a lot when we were younger.”

  “But you’re closer now?”

  “We were always close, we just liked to fight.” He guided her out of the police station and the bitter night air nipped at her nose. Oddly enough, with his palm pressed against hers, she didn’t notice the cold anywhere else.

  “I’m guessing she liked to argue a lot, too, huh?”

  “Hell yeah, she did. She’s a great lawyer, though. I knew she could help us.”

  “Callum.” She stopped before they made it to their cars and he slowly turned to face her. “I can’t thank you enough for doing that for us. I really can’t.”

  “Lydia. Baby.” He smiled and lifted her hand to his lips, kissing over her fingertips. “You don’t have to thank me for that, ever. Jeb is my best friend and you look out for your friends. Even with that aside, you are
my girlfriend and I love you. I’d do anything for you.”

  Little confessions like that seriously took her breath away and it was all Lydia could do to keep from shouting her love for him to the world. He warmed her soul and gave her so much hope for a wonderful future—a future she’d never really been certain of until now.

  Any hesitation to calling Prairie Town home for the rest of forever completely vanished when she gazed into his eyes.

  There was no way she could ever leave her family and this man behind.

  “I love you so much, Callum.” She whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck and holding him close. “Forever.”

  “I love you more than words can ever say, Lydia.” He whispered, brushing his lips against hers. “But I swear I’ll show you that love every day.”

  And she believed him.

  God, she believed him.

  Chapter Twenty

  Lydia

  “You better move your ass, Lydia! I’m freezing.” Agatha huffed, hugging her bright red coat tightly around herself. “Jesus Christ, I didn’t think it was possible for any place to be colder than Vermont. I was clearly fucking wrong.”

  “Language, Mrs. Claus.” Benji scolded as he refilled the empty green sack in the back of van.

  “Oh, shut up, Buddy.” She snapped, readjusting the curly gray wig on her head. “I’m dying in this thing. I’m ready for some wine.”

  “I had no idea Mrs. Claus had a drinking problem.” He chuckled.

  “Wouldn’t you if your husband only came once a year?” She joked, making them all laugh.

  “You guys are terrible.” Lydia giggled, trying to keep her pointy elf ears in place. They kept trying to fall off for some reason and it was beginning to annoy her.

  “You’re not the only one dying, Ags.” Callum stated as he tossed another empty sack into the open side-door. “These things are thick and itchy. I can’t wait to get out of it.” He pulled at the velvet fabric of his dark blue elf costume and sighed.

  Their costumes were very believable. It looked like they were straight out of a Christmas storybook and Lydia loved it. Tula had asked them to dress up as elves for the sake of the children, save for Agatha, who fit the role of Mrs. Claus perfectly. Tula said the kids would eat it up—and they did. They had all loved it so far.