Finding Sanctuary [Sanctuary, Montana 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Alicia White

  Taking a deep breath, she turned her focus off herself and back onto Alice. “Are you nervous?”

  “Nope.” She shook her head and stared out the window.

  “It’s okay if you are. This is a new school, and you’ll be the new kid.” She didn’t say the word again. With all the schools that Alice had been to, she was always the new kid. Sophie knew that’s why she stayed to herself. Alice didn’t want to make any friends because there was always the chance she would have to leave them. Her daughter had learned that lesson many years ago. Hell, Sophie had learned that lesson as well.

  “I’ll be fine, Mom. Don’t worry… You’ll find a job today,” Alice encouraged her, and Sophie wished that she wasn’t such an adult.

  Sophie took a left off State Road 47 and drove down the short driveway leading to the junior high and high school. It struck her then that her little seventh grader would be sharing a campus with high school-aged students. That lone fact had her feeling a tad nervous. Would Alice be okay? Would she fit in and make friends? She had always been a loner and kept to herself. Would that make her a target for bullies?

  Gripping the steering wheel, she tried to not let fear consume her. Instead of turning the car around, she kept driving. Her cousin worked here and was a teacher. Aubrey would be an extra set of eyes and a safe person for Alice to confide in if ever she was in a bullying type situation. Sophie pulled into the first available parking spot and turned off the ignition. Students were already swarming around the small campus, preparing for the school day ahead.

  Sophie climbed out of her car and waited for Alice to join her. With her backpack securely over her shoulders, Alice took a deep breath and walked up next to her. She wasn’t sure if she should hold out her arm or offer to hold her hand. She didn’t want to do anything to embarrass her on her first day of school.

  “Mom, I’m going to be okay, I promise.” With her shoulders back and her head held high, Alice gave her a hug. It lasted only seconds, but Sophie was glad her daughter wasn’t scared to show affection.

  Alice gave a gentle tug on her sleeve and Sophie smiled, before they headed toward the front office. The school looked small, but she assumed that there might not be too many kids in the area. It was almost unheard of to have a combination middle and high school, unless the population was low. They had lived in a lot of big cities, thinking that they would be able to hide better. Sanctuary, Montana, was their first small-town experience. She really liked it so far. It was quaint, and the people she had come into contact with all seemed genuinely nice.

  Sophie opened the door to the office and stepped inside. There was one woman behind a huge desk. Taking a look at Alice, Sophie winked and gave a smile of encouragement before stepping up.

  “Good morning. My name is Sophie Miller, and this is my daughter, Alice.”

  “Good morning. What can I do for you?” The lady smiled broadly, adjusting her glasses.

  “We’re here to register for seventh grade. Also, my cousin Aubrey Maxwell is going to be meeting us here. She said that she would show us around.” Sophie had hoped that Aubrey would already be here waiting for them. It made her feel better knowing that Alice would at least know one person.

  “Oh…you must be new around here.”

  “Yes, ma’am, I am,” Sophie confirmed, hoping that the woman would just call Aubrey into the office.

  “So, then, you didn’t hear about the accident?” the woman asked, whispering as she looked around to make sure nobody was listening to their conversation.

  “Accident?” Holy hell, had Aubrey gotten into a car accident on her way to work this morning? No, that couldn’t be. Sophie had driven the only road that led to and from town. Unless Aubrey lived out in the country.

  “Yeah…I’m not really sure about all the details. I heard that there was some sort of bar fight, and she was pushed and hit her head pretty bad. She’s at the hospital.”

  “Oh, my gosh.” She wondered when that had happened. She had just spoken to Aubrey on Saturday morning and she was fine. “I’ll head over there just as soon as I can get Alice registered.” Sophie took the clipboard full of paperwork and a pen from the desk, turned, and took a seat in the few chairs that were provided.

  It took her longer than she expected to fill everything out. Who knew it was this hard to get a child enrolled in school? She had filled out so many packets in her time, but for some reason this one took the longest. It could be that her mind was on Aubrey and if she was okay.

  When she finally signed the last page, Sophie made a note that she was the only person able to check her child out of school. She also wrote her ex’s name down and in big, bold letters made a note that if he showed up to call the police immediately. She wouldn’t ever take any chances on her daughter’s safety. With that done, she returned the paperwork.

  “Okay, now that the paperwork is complete, we can put Alice in the system and register her. Alice, seventh graders get to choose an elective. Are you interested in taking home ec., choir, art, or photography?”

  “Um…” Alice looked to her and shrugged.

  “Home ec. is a class where kids learn to cook and do things around the house. The art program we provide explores lots of different media like watercolor and chalk for instance. Choir is singing, so if you like to sing then that’s the place for you. Photography is taking pictures of the surrounding area or whatever inspires you. Sometimes they even go on field trips.” Sophie was really impressed that the office lady had done such a thorough job of explaining each class.

  “Would I need to buy my own camera for photography? I mean…if I wanted to take that elective?” Alice asked and Sophie hoped that the school provided them. She didn’t want Alice to not take a course because they didn’t have a camera.

  “There are a few cameras that students can check out and use.” She nodded.

  “Okay, I’d like to sign up for photography then,” Alice said, and Sophie felt a huge sense of relief.

  “Perfect. You can take a seat. I’ll be done entering you into our system in just a few minutes. Then I’ll hand you your schedule and you’ll be ready to start your first day.”

  Sophie and Alice returned to the seats they had just vacated and sat back down. The office was fairly quiet, and Sophie looked outside the window. The sun was out, shining bright against the sheet of snow that covered the ground. She could imagine what the place looked like in the summer. It would be beautiful and green, wide open spaces as far as the eye could see, and warm. She couldn’t wait to throw her head back and let the sun seep into her skin. She could almost feel the warmth now.

  “All right…Alice, you’re all set.” They both stood up and walked back to the counter just as the lady placed a small piece of paper down. “This is your schedule and here is a map of the campus. The buildings are lettered A through E, and the classrooms are numbered starting with one hundred. Would you like me to call one of our peer counselors out of class to take you on a tour? We do it all the time for new students.”

  “Peer counselor?” Alice asked in a quiet voice.

  “Peer counselors are students who help out other students. Sometimes they mediate problems, and other times, they show new students around campus.”

  “Uh…I guess so?”

  “Okay, I’ll call in my son, Johnny. He’s done this a lot, and he’s a nice young man. Don’t worry. Soon, you’ll know this campus like the back of your hand.” She picked up the phone and proceeded to call Johnny out of class.

  “Mom.” Alice got her attention and Sophie shifted, giving her her complete attention. “You can go now and check on your cousin at the hospital.”

  “Are you sure? I don’t want to leave here until you’re ready for me to.”

  “I’m going to be fine. I’ve done this before.” She smiled sweetly, and Sophie gave her a quick peck on the forehead.

  “I’ll meet you right outside in front of the school when the bell rings at two forty-five. I hope you have a good day. Make sure you r
emember everything so that you can tell me about it.”

  Alice laughed. “I promise.”

  Sophie pulled her in for a hug and kissed the top of her head before letting her go and stepping back. She couldn’t walk her to every class. She couldn’t hold her hand. Alice was at that age where she needed some independence, even if Sophie was a little disappointed. Her little girl wouldn’t remain little forever. Walking toward the door, Sophie took one more look before stepping outside.

  The place looked deserted, although the parking lot was full. She strolled to her car, moving slowly just in case Alice needed her. When she reached the car, Sophie loitered in the parking lot for a few extra minutes. She finally decided it was time to leave. She wanted to get to the hospital to check on Aubrey, and then she needed to get back downtown and continue looking for a job.

  Pulling out of the parking lot, she turned right. She had passed the hospital on the way to the school, so she knew exactly where it was. In less than two minutes, Sophie pulled up to the hospital, parked her car, and went through the main entrance. She went to the information desk first, hoping that someone there would be able to help her.

  “Excuse me,” Sophie said, getting the attendant’s attention. The lady swung her chair around, and Sophie continued. “I’m looking for a patient, Aubrey Maxwell.”

  Using her keyboard, the clerk started typing. It took her a couple of minutes before she looked up. “Yes, it looks like she was admitted. Just head down this hall directly to your left. There will be a set of elevators. Go to the third floor. Her room number is three eighteen.”

  Sophie followed her instructions to the letter. When she reached the room, the door was propped open and she took a peek inside. Four huge men blocked her view of the bed and she stepped back, double-checking the room number once more. This is the right number. If only those men would move. She really didn’t feel comfortable going inside. She hoped that this was the right room and that the men were just friends to Aubrey.

  She stood behind them for a moment and listened to them.

  “You belong to us,” one of the men said as he crossed his arms over his chest. Us? Does that mean Aubrey is with all four men?

  He continued, “You’re ours to protect. That man needed a lesson. It was our job to teach him.”

  What had happened? Did she really want to hear every sordid detail?

  “You of all people should know better. I expect this shit from Riley, but you?” Aubrey’s familiar voice was full of accusation. Well, at least I know that the room number is correct. “You didn’t punch him because he was coming on to me. Get real. You punched him because he questioned your manhood. I was standing right there, remember?” Aubrey exhaled on a heavy sigh. Poor thing, she sounded utterly exhausted. “Get out. You broke your promise. I’m done.”

  The men started to protest then, but Aubrey cut them off. “Out. I mean it. Get out.”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to interrupt.” Sophie broke in, unable to listen any longer. She still hadn’t seen Aubrey yet, and hearing that there was some sort of fight, it just didn’t sit well with her.

  The men finally moved, turning to look at her, and Sophie was struck by their eyes. Those amazing blue globes seemed to strike her stupid. Damn, how are there so many good-looking men in one town and why do they all have the same eye color? No, she didn’t want a man. Her life was too damn complicated, and to be honest, she didn’t know if she would ever be ready for a relationship. Yes, she still found men attractive and had no problem fantasizing.

  When her eyes landed on the last man, recognition dawned and her eyes widened. Oh, shit, it’s the man from the grocery store. He was even better up close, if that was even possible. He grinned, giving her a slight nod and Sophie wished that he hadn’t remembered her.

  “Sophie…is that you? Oh, my God, girl. You look fantastic.” Aubrey’s sweet voice pulled her from her thoughts, and Sophie passed the men and went to her bedside. Aubrey still looked the same, except she was older. She still had the most beautiful red hair and brown eyes.

  “Aubrey, it’s been so long. How are you? I just came from the middle school to register Alice, and a lady in the front office told me you were here. I came right over.”

  “Guys,” Aubrey said, and Sophie turned her head and noticed that the men had moved closer. “Can you give us a few minutes to chat? I mean it. Out.” They didn’t seem too pleased to be asked to leave the room, but they eventually did. They didn’t go far though, only stood outside the door.

  “Tell me what’s going on. It’s been years since I’ve heard from you. The last word I got from your mom was that you dropped off the planet.”

  Sophie wasn’t quite sure where to begin, but she did trust her cousin. “I’m hiding out from my ex-husband. I’ve got a restraining order out against him, but that doesn’t stop him from tracking us down.” She shook her head and took a deep breath, refusing to appear weak even for a moment. “We’ve moved too many times to count, and this time, I’m hoping he won’t be able to find us.”

  “You’re staying at the boarding house?” Aubrey asked gently as she reached out and touched her hand in comfort.

  “Yeah, and looking for a job. I don’t have much cash left. I went around town this weekend, and most places need a social security number or a resume. I can’t give them any information. I can’t chance him finding us. Trust me, that man is too damn smart.” Exhaling, Sophie leaned against the edge of the bed.

  “I have an idea. Nothing one hundred percent sure, but I think I might be able to find you something.”

  Sophie was all ears. She needed a job, and honestly she didn’t care what she had to do as long as the job wasn’t illegal or put Alice in any danger. “Are you against cooking, cleaning, or doing ranch work?”

  “No, I’ll do anything.” She knew her voice sounded desperate but couldn’t really care.

  “Don’t worry. The folks around here take care of each other. You’re family.” Aubrey smiled, and Sophie leaned down to hug her. She was so glad that she had finally made the trip to Sanctuary.

  “I told you my story. Now you tell me yours.” Sophie leaned back. This had to be a good one. No way did a woman wake up in a hospital surrounded by four men and not have a story.

  “I went out on Saturday night with my boyfriends, Riley and Noah. Nothing unusual, just the normal stuff.”

  Sophie shook her head. Did Aubrey just say boyfriends? “Boyfriends? You have two boyfriends?”

  Aubrey grinned as if she’d just taken the last piece of chocolate cake. “Well, right now they’re both in big trouble, so I’m not sure I have even one boyfriend, but yes, I’ve been dating both Riley and Noah McLean for almost ten years now.”

  Sophie’s eyes went wide. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “They’re related?”

  “They’re brothers. If you’re going to be in Sanctuary, you need to know that some men like to share in this town. Noah and Riley share me.”

  “Share women? You’re putting me on?” Why would a man want to share a woman?

  Aubrey shook her head. “It’s true. It’s a tradition that was a holdover from the Old West when women were scarce. You’ll see quite a bit of it here. So you disapprove?”

  “No! It’s just kind of shocking that’s all. Seems like one man is trouble enough, let alone two.” Isn’t that the truth? She couldn’t imagine ever being with one man again, let alone two.

  Aubrey groaned. “You’re not kidding. Those two men have been driving me crazy for years. I don’t know whether to marry them and have their babies or kick them to the curb and never see or speak to them again.”

  Sophie swallowed. “Do they…do they hurt you?”

  “No way! They’re just ornery, partying cowboys that’s all. They’d never hurt me.”

  Sophie nodded. “I’m sorry. I interrupted your story. You were telling me about what happened.”

  “I’ll make it short. Some drunk cowboy tried to put the moves on me, and No
ah and Riley didn’t like it. Then the cowboy had the audacity to be friends with the Baldwins and insult their manhood. Well, punches started flying and next thing I know I’ve been knocked into a table.” Aubrey touched her cheek ruefully. “I bet I’ve got a black eye to go with this headache.”

  Sophie bit her lip, not wanting to tell Aubrey the truth about her eye. It didn’t look good, but at least she would heal. “A little one. I can show you how to cover it with makeup if you like.”

  A middle-aged nurse walked in then and started taking her vital signs. “Good, you’re awake. The doctor will be along in a few minutes, and if everything looks good, you can go home. Do you want me to get you a set of crutches?”

  Aubrey frowned. “Is my ankle that bad?”

  The nurse pulled the blanket back. “It’s double its usual size. Or at least what I assume is its usual size. It’ll be hard to get around on your own without them.”

  Aubrey leaned forward to take a look. “Shit. I guess I’ll take those crutches.”

  Sophie glanced at her ankle. “It looks pretty bad. Are you going to be okay? Will you be able to get around?”

  Aubrey smiled then. “I’ll be fine. It’s barely a sprain.”

  Sophie smiled. “I need to go. If you need anything, you’ll let me know, right?”

  “I will. Let me work on this job thing for you. I’ll call you at the boarding house, okay?”

  Sophie leaned down and hugged Aubrey. It felt so nice to finally have someone that she could talk to. She’d felt so alone for far too long. Standing up, she adjusted her thin jacket before heading toward the door. Before she stepped over the threshold, Sophie looked over her shoulder at Aubrey.