by CJ Murphy
“Talking to me is like pouring salt in a wound. Nothing I say will make this any better. Theresa’s lost in this storm. She needs someone who can show her she will come out on the other side of the pain. You’re in a better position to do that. Why don’t you go see if she’s still outside?”
Jax nodded and kissed Chance. “You know, you’re a big teddy bear inside. Don’t worry, I won’t reveal your secret.”
“Whew, I was worried there for a minute. I love you.”
“Love you too. Go check on Taylor and Penny. I’m sure they could use your support.” Jax left her arms and followed the path Theresa had taken. She wasn’t sure about Chance’s assessment that she could help, but Chance had asked her to try. The palpable memories of how painful it had been to learn of Lacey’s betrayal brought bile up in her throat. When she’d cleared the doors to the hospital, she saw Theresa sitting under a tree on a stone bench.
“Can I join you?” Jax pointed to the space beside Theresa.
“Free country. Be my guest. I’ll warn you, I’m not very good company right now.” Theresa ran her hand through her hair and leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees.
Jax folded her hands in her lap. “I can’t imagine you would be, after what you witnessed. I’m sorry if I’ve personally caused you any pain. I can empathize with what you might be feeling, and I know it’s awful.”
“Ever witness your wife professing her undying love for someone else?”
“Not in those words, no. I had to hear from our colleagues about her exploits. Someone even provided me with pictures. The straw that broke the camel’s back was when I found her fucking one of our vet techs in her office. She thought I’d left for the night. My experience might not be exactly like yours, but I can certainly understand what you’re going through. You love her. That’s obvious.”
Theresa rubbed her face. “I do, or I should say I did. When I said for better or worse, I didn’t think worse meant her loving someone more than me. I don’t think I can do this any longer. I’ve tried, and it’s killing me. I won’t play second fiddle to anyone. Before you say it, I don’t blame Chance for any of this. No one owns this failure except Faith. I’ve been putting off serving her with divorce papers in the hope she’d come to her senses, hoping just maybe, we could get past this. After what I just heard, I have zero confidence she ever will. I can’t start to get over this and heal until I’ve cut out the infection. If I was being honest with myself, I should have known she wouldn’t be faithful. Hell, she left Chance for me.”
Jax placed a gentle hand on Theresa’s shoulder. “Only you know what you need to do to be whole. Faith has no place in our lives. Chance changed doctors and doesn’t even call Faith for assistance on scenes. I can tell you that she’s close to putting a restraining order on her. Her relationship with Sarah is the only thing that keeps her from doing that.”
“Sarah’s pissed at her and with good reason. Faith’s always been hard on her, and she practically ignores Kristi.” Theresa stopped talking and shook her head. “I have no idea why I’m telling you any of this. It’s not your problem.”
“No, it isn’t. That doesn’t mean we don’t care. Chance never meant to cause you any pain or put a rift between you and Faith. Please know that we will be here for you if you need us. All you have to do is reach out.”
Theresa stood and held out her hand to Jax. “I have a lot to think about and an appointment with my attorney to make. It’s time to protect myself. Thanks, Jax. The fact that Faith never bothered to come out and check on me says all I need to know. Take care.”
There was a cool breeze, and it felt good against Jax’s heated skin. She watched Theresa climb into her truck and leave the parking area. Falling out of love was painful. It took time to work through all the complicated feelings and untangle all the threads of physical and emotional connection. She didn’t envy Theresa the days to come.
“Hey, you.”
The smooth voice she knew well brought a smile to her face. “Hey.”
“How is she?” Chance joined her on the bench and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
“Broken and resigned. I feel so bad for her. Her whole world is upside down. You invest your heart and soul into the person you think you’ll spend the rest of your life with. Unfortunately, you wake up one day to find the other half of the equation doesn’t feel the same. It’s soul wrenching.”
“That’s why I wanted you to talk to her. When I walked in on my ex, we were only dating. We weren’t married or even engaged. It hurt. I can admit that. I also know she wasn’t my one true love.”
Jax scooted closer. “I certainly hope I qualify for that position.”
Chance kissed her. “You definitely have the job. I only caught the tail end of what happened. What brought all this on?”
“First tell me how Penny is.”
“She and the baby are fine. She’s resting, and everything seems under control, other than Taylor’s anger. Brad Waters would do well to keep a full ten miles between them, which won’t be hard since he’s currently jailed. I can’t say that I blame her. It took everything I had not to deck him right there in the lobby. I regret trying to be a decent human being by keeping him employed. My bad decision could have cost Taylor her child. For that, I’ll never forgive myself.”
“Chance Fitzsimmons, you look at me. None of this is your fault, not Brad and not Faith. You can’t take ownership of what isn’t yours. We all have faults and make mistakes. None of this bullshit is on you.”
Jax watched as Chance closed her eyes and lifted her face to the sky.
“I wish I could believe that. I’ll be buying Penny a big bag of peppermint tea from Molly’s shop for the rest of my life.”
“Penny might just divorce Taylor for that tea, and I’ll have to fight two women for you.”
“Not a chance in hell. Penny loves Taylor like I love you. Nothing’s ever going to change that. How about we check on the patient one more time, then take the dogs home? I need a beer and some time on the swing with you in my arms.”
“Sheriff, that’s the best offer I’ve had all day. Lead the way.”
***
Jax stood at the breakfast counter, buttering a bagel. A plate of bacon and eggs waited on the counter for Chance. Jax couldn’t stop thinking about Theresa and what faced her. The pain of ending a committed relationship went far beyond what anyone could see on the outside, and the scars ran deep beneath the surface. She was grateful she had Chance’s love to replace the horrible memories and pain. She hoped Theresa would eventually find the same.
“Morning, love.” Chance snuck up behind her with a kiss to her cheek on the way to let the dogs out into the yard.
Jax smiled at the mere sight of Chance. Lean and strong muscles rippled under her uniform. She was blessed, and she knew it. “I hope you have something more substantial planned for me than just a peck?”
Chance’s grin added more light to the sunny kitchen. “Of course I do. I just didn’t want to have to compete for your attention with those two.” She pointed her thumb to the two dogs roughhousing outside the door. “I took care of the horses after our run, so you don’t have to worry about them this morning. What’s on your agenda today?” Chance wrapped her arms around Jax’s waist and kissed her soundly.
“Well, after that kiss, I’d like to say we are headed back to bed, but Lindsey and I have a full day of barn calls. The Timms want a check up on their goat herd, and Cliff Minor has a batch of new calves he wants vaccinated and a horse with a bad tooth. It’ll be a busy day out of the office. How about you?”
“If Penny is up to it after she gets home, I’m going to stop by the house with paperwork to finalize the charges against Brad. Taylor wants her to rest. I’ll have that mess to clear up. Brad’s dismissal, plus the fact I’m already down one patrol deputy, is going to create a scheduling nightmare. Daniel is still at the academy and won’t begin his K9 training until after that’s complete. I know you aren’t going to lik
e this, but I’m going to have to take on some shift work. I don’t want Penny home alone at night. She’ll likely return to work in the next few days, and I’m going to have Taylor handle the court duty and office work. That way, she can keep an eye on Penny. I’ll likely take the afternoon patrol and divide up the other shift with Carl and Randy. Until the whole termination hearing is settled, things are going to be up in the air. I might be able to hire someone temporarily, until I can get Daniel on shift. I’ll need to check with civil service and our attorney to see if I can fill the vacancies immediately off our current list. As badly as I wanted to get rid of Brad, this wasn’t what I had in mind.”
Jax ran a hand across Chance’s back. “Sit down and eat. It sounds like your day is going to be as crazy as mine. Try to make sure you get some lunch.”
“I need to go see Mags and Dee today, so lunch is under control.”
“With the schedule being so messed up, how are you going to handle Leaf Peepers?”
Chance shook her head. “Don’t remind me. I need to meet up with Harley and see if she can pull some strings to get an extra trooper assigned. Daniel will be home for the weekend, so I can put him in the car with me for some ride-along time. He can’t do much else until he finishes the academy in another month.”
“When Brad’s firing becomes finalized, you’re going to have another problem on your hands, you know?” Jax bit into her bagel.
“What’s that?”
“Your Mini-Me.” Jax laughed.
“I know. The list is still good for another fifteen months. Unless I don’t have a viable candidate, I have to hire off that list. There are three other names on it, two of which have already been through the academy. Kendra won’t like it, I know. She will understand. I have at least another year before I have to worry too much. The moms will kill her if she drops out of college.”
Jax reached up and wiped some mustard off Chance’s lip. “Safe for now then.”
“She’ll still gripe, trust me.”
Jax wiped her hands. “I’ve got to get going. I’m picking Lindsey up at her place. I’ll call you later.” She bent down and brought her lips to Chance’s. “Be careful. I love you.”
Chance cupped the back of her neck. “Right back atcha, Doc. Call me later.”
Jax let the two dogs back in on her way out. “Will do.”
Chapter Seven
It was MIDMORNING WHEN Chance pulled up to Taylor’s residence. She let Midas and Zeus out of the Suburban. Taylor had texted her that they were home and she could stop by when she got the opportunity. The front door opened, and Taylor greeted Midas with a vigorous scratch along his sides, then greeted Zeus as well.
“Thanks for bringing him by. Penny’s settled in on the couch. She’s really grouchy, because I wouldn’t let her go to work today.”
“Well, her boss is here now. Don’t worry, I’m ordering her off for the rest of the week and more if she needs it.”
Taylor sighed and ran her hands through her hair. “I appreciate that. I love that woman, but she’s stubborn as a mule. The doctor said she and the baby are fine. She wants Penny to take it easy for the next few days, and I’m determined that she will do as the doctor ordered if it kills me.”
“Let’s keep it from going that far. I brought peppermint tea, that should help soothe the savage beast.”
Chance followed Taylor through her former home. It occurred to her that it truly had become that, a home. When she’d lived there, it was a house. Now, Taylor and Penny were starting their family, expecting a little one to grow up under the roof she’d built. That fact made Chance happy, and she was glad she’d offered the place to her friends.
Penny sat with her feet up and a blanket across her lap in the living room. “I see she brought reinforcements.” She kissed the top of Midas’ head as he sat at her side. “Okay, out with it. I’m sure you’re here to issue some directive. Let’s have it so I can argue my point.”
Chance smiled and shook her head. “You are a stubborn cuss. There will be no argument, because I’m your boss, at least in name. The office will be fine for a few days. I can handle it. Anything in dire need of attention, I can send to your laptop, which I brought with me. Take it easy and let things settle down. If not for your nerves, for Taylor’s. Tomorrow is Friday, and you’d be off the weekend anyway. Taylor and I are going to work on the schedule. Carl’s handling court today for overtime. I’m going to handle the afternoon shift, and Randy has the midnight turn. Taylor will handle court tomorrow. I promise we have it all worked out. We’ll make do, and you will rest. That’s an order from your boss. I brought you a peppermint tea and a bag of doughnut holes as a peace offering. I have some paperwork with me from the magistrate’s office for you to fill out to get the ball rolling on the more severe of the charges against Brad.”
“With pleasure. I hate that this is how his career is coming to an end.” Penny picked up the pen and began filling in the boxes Chance had made marks beside.
Taylor handed Chance a cup of coffee. “The jackass should have retired when he lost the election, not come begging to you for a job.”
“True, but I take responsibility for giving him the job. Penny, document everything that happened in as much detail as you can. He made bail late last night and didn’t have to go to Huttonsville. Carl said he cussed me the whole time. Our case is ironclad with the video evidence. I know he’ll sue, and we’ll go through the process. He won’t be back. You can rest assured of that.”
“It won’t bother me not seeing his face every day. I can tell you that. Here you go. Do I need to come to the magistrate’s office, or will this do?”
Chance folded the papers and put them in her shirt pocket. “This will be fine. I know what will happen. I’m going to try and recommend a special prosecutor on this to avoid any conflict of interest. When this goes to trial, Larry would likely try to plead this down to a misdemeanor. I want more than a little slap on the wrist. The big fight will be when he goes after us for wrongful termination. I’m ready for that one too. Now, I want you to rest and not worry about anything. Do not pick up that laptop unless I call with something I can’t fix. Watch TV or read, but please take it easy. Taylor and I are going to the kitchen to work on this schedule.”
“I’m doing this under protest, just so you know.”
“Noted. Taylor, let’s get cracking.”
***
Around one o’clock, they had the next two weeks on a schedule. Each officer was working at least sixteen hours overtime, with Chance filling in as well. She was going to call over to Randolph and Preston counties to see if some of their deputies could provide relief on their off days. She’d made calls to several of the regulatory agencies and determined what she’d need to do in order to have them work outside of their normal jurisdictions. She had a temporary solution until Daniel could get out of the academy. His K9 training would have to wait. She would shift him into court duty until they could get another officer hired. Circumstances being what they were, she could put in for hardship rule and hire out of order with a candidate who was already a certified officer.
“A temporary relief officer won’t have a K9 backup.” Taylor pointed out the deviation from their norms.
“Not true, one of them owns his own K9. We’ll overlap as much as possible, and we’ll coordinate with Harley to ensure county coverage no matter who we choose. I’ll back up officers as needed. I’ll do split shifts for a while to ensure we have backup for our people.” Chance highlighted her days on the schedule.
Taylor shook her head. “You’re going to get fatigued trying to keep up.”
“I’ll rest as I have to. The good part about being the boss is I can set my schedule. Jax will be fine with it as long as we see each other once a day. Kelly is the one who’s going to be miffed. Jax will have to alternate the horses for rides, and I’ll get Dee to help. Honestly Taylor, we’ll make it work until we get back up to full staff. Right now, it’s the best we can do.”
�
��I won’t argue except to say I’ll take call as well. You can’t do that all by yourself. You go out at dark, so do I, or no deal.”
“Taylor, I know you’re my chief deputy, and I respect your opinion. Penny needs you at home for a while. She won’t tell any of us, but I know this has shaken her up. She needs to feel secure, and that means you being home. I’m going to head over to see Mags. I’ll call you later.” Chance got up and grabbed a copy of the schedule to post.
“Chance, I know I’ve said it before, but it’s a pleasure working for someone like you.”
Chance and Zeus headed for the door. “That works both ways, my friend. Go spend some time with your wife.”
***
Fifteen minutes later, Chance stopped in at the real-estate office. Maggie came out from behind her desk with a hug. She led Chance to the break room and put a sandwich in front of her. “Rumor has it, your department is a deputy short. Want to talk about it?”
Chance sighed as Dee joined them. “Not really. I’m dealing with things but need a little help. I’m going to be working some odd shifts and need a little help with the horses. Think you guys would be up for some evening rides with Jax for a while?”
Dee held up her hand. “I’m game. I have a few things on my schedule with ball practices. Otherwise, I’m good for it.”
“Thanks, Momma D. Jax has a full schedule making it nearly impossible to exercise all three horses without me.”
“I understand that, too. I’m down an assistant coach for the girls.” Dee looked at Chance with understanding eyes. “Before you say anything, Theresa knows this isn’t your fault. She’s taking some time off. She’s asked the school for a leave of absence. Fortunately, we’re in the off-season, so it’s only practice that’s currently affected. She told me what happened with Faith at the hospital.”
Maggie sat back in her chair and motioned for Chance to eat. “Faith called me that night. She’s a mess. To be honest, I don’t know what to do for her at all. She’s headed down a road that’ll only lead her to more heartbreak. I haven’t been able to get through to her.”
