by Carolina Mac
I peeked out the front window and didn’t see anything. Angel was scratching at the door. I punched the code in for the alarm, opened the door a crack and didn’t see or hear anything. I thought maybe she just had to go to the bathroom, so I let her out and stepped onto the porch to wait for her. She started to run towards the street, and I called her . . . and that was it.”
“Can you think of anyone who would want to hurt you?” asked Officer McDonald.
I shook my head.
Only Barbwire.
“Have you found anything yet?” I asked.
“The Fire Marshall, Jerry O’Keefe, is investigating. He’ll be in touch with you. I think the unit is almost done with the scene, and you’ll be able to go home straight from the hospital.”
“The doctor hasn’t told me when I can leave, but I hope it’s soon.”
“We’re glad you made it,” said Officer Lombard.
“Me too,” I smiled.
After they left George walked into my room, smelling like Irish Spring soap. I held my arms out, and he sat on the bed, kissed me and gave me a hug.
“You look a little better. Did you sleep?”
“Like I was drugged, and I probably was. You look clean and fresh this morning. Love the yellow bandana.”
“How’s your hearing this morning?”
“Better.”
“Does anything hurt? Is it time to take pills or anything?” George asked. He looked up as the doctor came into the room. “I’ll go get a coffee.”
“I'm Doctor Casey. I'm the surgeon that worked on you. I'm glad to see you’re doing better, Mrs. Talbot.”
“How bad was it, Doc?”
“A piece of metal from your vehicle was embedded in your left leg and required surgery to remove it. It will be tender during the healing process, and you may require a crutch, but the damage won’t be permanent.” He paused. “However, your face required several stitches and there will be a scar.”
“Can I see it?” I lifted my fingers to my face.
He pursed his lips and shook his head. “Let's let it heal a bit longer. You may want to consider plastic surgery in the future.”
Or avoid mirrors for the rest of my life.
“Will I be able to go home soon?”
“I’m considering letting you go later today, but you won’t be going anywhere until I’m sure you can manage with the crutch.
“I can do that.”
The nurses came in later, and I practiced getting to the bathroom with the crutch. They insisted that I try to eat some of the lunch that the kitchen had fussed over and I tried.
George returned with a grin on his face. “Doc signed the papers for you to go home.”
“Yahoo,” I hollered, “I have to use the bathroom.” Before trying out my sea legs without the nurses, I sat on the side of the bed for a moment and did some deep breathing. George put his hand on my elbow to steady me and got the crutch under my arm. I walked under my own steam into the bathroom, washed my hands, then splashed water on my face and patted it with a towel.
When I came out, George helped me dress in the clothes he had brought. The sweat pants were loose and fit over the huge bandage on my leg. He put a t-shirt over my head being careful not to disturb the gauze pad on my face. I sat on the side of the bed, stuck my feet in my runners and blew out a big breath. “Guess, I’m ready.”
“I’ll check at the desk and see if you can leave.” George went into the hall, wasn’t gone long and returned with a nurse and a wheel chair.
My head was swimming as the nurse took me down in the elevator and wheeled me to the exit where George had a cab waiting. He lifted me out of the chair and placed me in the back seat of the cab. He tucked the crutch in beside me, and I was on my way home.
At the end of the driveway, George opened the door of the cab to pick me up, and my stomach did a turn. The pungent smell of the burnt rubber and metal choked me. “It stinks out here.”
“You called it, baby girl.”
He carried me past the yellow tape and in through the front door. I felt like a newlywed—kind of a war zone newlywed, but one all the same. He sat me on the sofa and found a blanket in the closet.
“Hey, you’re good at this, big guy.” I held my arms out for him and he kissed me.
He grinned. “Never did it before. Must be some natural fuckin’ gift.”
“Must be.” I smiled at him.
“I sent Vince and his crew home. There was nothin’ they could do until the garage door and the window are replaced.”
“Thanks.” Tears welled up in my eyes and I frowned. “I hate it when I’m all emotional.”
George laughed, “I’ll give you one. You almost got blown sky fuckin’ high.”
“I’ll deal with Barbwire. Don’t you worry about her.”
“I won’t,” he said softly.
“Do you want different clothes? I didn’t have a fuckin’ clue what to bring you.”
“These are okay.” I indicated the sweats. “Just grab me some underwear and a bra.”
“Fuck. I hate touching that stuff. Gets me all crazy.” George screwed up his face.
“Well, just go up there and get crazy this one time.” I laughed.
Angel got up to follow after George. “Stay there, girl,” he said.
“I’m so glad you came home, Angel.” I patted her head and she licked my hand.
It was an ordeal getting my underwear on, but George helped me.
“Rusty and Jackson are dropping by. I have some shit to talk to them about.”
“That’s fine. I’ll close my eyes until they get here.”
“You don’t have to get up, baby girl. I’ll talk to them outside.”
I woke when I heard voices, wrestled with the crutch until I positioned it under my arm and gave it a shot. My legs felt like I was just learning to walk.
Rusty and Jackson were sitting outside at the patio table smoking. When they looked up at me, I heard Jackson suck in a breath. He lit up a smoke before he spoke. “Glad you’re okay, Portia,” he flashed me his gorgeous smile.
“Yeah, me too,” said Rusty grinning.
“Hey, guys, want some coffee?”
George raised his eyebrows. “I think you should be sittin’ down, Annie.”
“We’re talking about getting’ a drive-through at Wendy’s,” Jackson said.
“Sounds good to me. I admit I am a bit wobbly from my recent adventure.”
“You sit there, Annie.” George pointed to a chair. “I’ll make the coffee and Coulter can do the drive-through.”
“Didn’t know you could make coffee, boss,” Jackson piped up, chuckling.
“Lots of stuff you don’t know, dumb fuck,” George punched Jackson in the shoulder and knocked him off his chair. “How many scoops do I put in, Annie?”
“Four should do it and fill the water up to the line.”
A few minutes later, Rusty returned on his bike with the bags of burgers and fries. He spread it all out on the patio table and we dug in.
“I don’t know when I’ve been so hungry,” I said.
“Me neither,” said Rusty, polishing off his third burger.
George got the carafe from the kitchen and filled everyone’s mug.
“Nothin’ better than Wendy’s, right, boss?” Rusty taunted.
“Fuck the hell off, you bastards,” George grumbled.
“The boss holds the record for eating the most bacon double cheeseburgers,” Jackson said with a grin.
“Did you get a trophy?” I asked.
George scowled and lit up a smoke, while the boys laughed and pointed at him. They were still laughing, as they rose to leave.
“We have to work—we can’t make our own hours like some people.”
I smiled as they walked through the patio door.
“What about the shop, George. Do you have to go to the store?”
“I had one of the boys take the store for today. You were coming home from the hospital, and repa
irs have to be done here.”
“I could take care of it,” I protested.
“Nope. I called Eddie and he’ll be over in an hour to measure and get started on the garage window and the door frame.” He took a drag on his smoke. “I want you to take it easy today, baby girl. Sit here.” He pointed to the chair next to him.
He refilled our coffee mugs. My head was pounding, and I was nauseous, but I didn’t want George stressing over me. He reached over and covered my hand with his giant paw.
“Once the house is secure and you’re up for it, I think we should go up to that cabin of yours and have some down time.”
“I would love that, but what about the store?”
“One of the boys can take it for a week. And they can call if they need to. No sweat.”
I smiled. “Honeymoon cabin.”
“Is that all you think about, Annie?” George put on a fake frown.
“Ninety per cent of the time.”
“Hundred per cent for me.”
“You have no other thoughts?”
“None,” he chuckled.
SOUNDS of voices in the foyer woke me from my nap on the sofa. I yawned, as George brought his friend into the room.
“This is Eddie Nolan. He’s gonna’ help us out with the repairs,” George said. Eddie was a short guy with gray hair and dark eyes. He spoke rapidly and was difficult to understand with his thick Irish accent.
“Hi, I’m Portia. Bit of a mess in the garage, eh?”
“Window is easy to replace. Frame around the garage door will take a bit longer. I know a guy at Garaga if you want his name,” he said.
“I’m gonna’ sweep up the glass and crap in the garage before Eddie walks around out there,” said George as he headed to locate the broom.
“Be careful of your arms, Eddie,” I said. “Those edges cut like a razor.”
“He nodded, “I’ll wear gloves when I clean out the opening. No worries.”
After the two of them milled around outside for half an hour, they came in the kitchen.
“Got everything you need, Ed?” asked George.
“Yeah, I’m off to Lowes. I know the lumber manager there and I can get a deal. I’ll call you on your cell when I’m on my way back with the goods.”
“Roger that,” George said as he escorted him to the door.
After I made a trip to the bathroom, George helped me into the study to find the number for the car insurance. He settled back in one of the leather wing chairs.
The folder in the filing cabinet gave me the information I needed, and I sat down at the desk to call. As I started to press the numbers on the key pad, I looked up and George was staring at me, smiling. “What?”
“I just like lookin’ at you. You’re so smart and so beautiful, I can’t figure what you want with me.”
I put the phone down on the desk and motioned for George to come closer to me. He sat me on his lap, my arms encircled his neck and I pressed my lips on his and held him close.
“You don’t decide who you’re going to fall in love with, it just happens when you don’t expect it. You can’t change it,” I whispered.
“No, you can’t,” he said, kissing my neck. We sat that way for a while, holding on to each other in silence.
When George got up, I completed my call to the insurance company. An adjuster would be dispatched to evaluate the Jeep the following day.
Hope he has a sense of humor.
George was out on the patio smoking when I found him. “Want some dinner?”
“No, just a beer, I’m still full of lunch. You sit down and I’ll get it.” He brought two bottles out and uncapped them. He poured mine into a glass, with a pensive look on his face.
“What are you so deep in thought about?” I asked.
“The other night, when I got that call about the bomb, I knew in a split second that I wouldn’t want to live another minute if you were dead. Scared the shit out of me.” He paused. “Never been attached to anybody. Ever. That’s why I’m the best at what I do, but I don’t see how I can keep doin’ it. The way I figure, if I want you in my life, I have to retire.”
“That’s heavy stuff.” I blew out a big breath.
“For me, I never pictured doin’ anything else. Fell into ‘the life’ years ago and I can’t even believe I’m thinkin’ like this. I’m fucked, pure and simple.”
“Well, you took me by surprise on that one, but if money is one of your concerns, you can cross that one off.
“Nope, that ain’t it. I have a stash that would be more than enough for both of us. Mostly, my problem lies in who would take over, and how the boys would make out after I was gone.”
I nodded.
“Hello,” Eddie hollered from the front hall. “I have the material and I’m going to make some noise in the garage.”
“I’ll give you a hand,” George said. “Annie, why don’t you go get some sleep.”
“I think I will lay down for a bit. Thanks guys.” When my head hit the pillow in the front room, I was out.
MUCH later George walked through the door and I opened my eyes. The drapes were open, but the room was dark. “How long have I been sleeping?”
“Awhile.” George said, “Eddie finished up the door frame and the garage window.”
“I’ll get up and make us some dinner.” I said sitting on the side of the couch.
“Like hell you will. You need rest, Annie. I'll make a sandwich or something easy. I have a meeting in an hour.”
I stepped into the kitchen to see George staring into the fridge. He glanced up and saw me smile. “See, I’m getting’ all fuckin’ domestic. Today I was sweepin’. Tomorrow, I’ll likely be ironin’.”
I hooted. “Pastrami and mustard, okay?” I took the bread out of his hands and started the sandwiches.
He frowned at me, but realized I wasn't one for sitting around. “Fine but keep it simple. It’s all good when you make it. I mean that.”
I finished the sandwiches, standing on one leg and leaning on the counter. I put dill pickles on the side and George carried the plates out to the patio table. The June evening was warm, and Angel lay stretched out in the grass.
“I’m goin’ to say something to the boys and see what happens,” George said. “They might have an idea or two.”
“No matter what you decide, or what you do in the future, my feelings for you won’t change.”
George held me close for a long time, then kissed me and left for his meeting.
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
GEORGE wheeled the Screamin’ Eagle into the narrow driveway at the clubhouse and wove through more than two dozen bikes parked in neat rows. He wasn’t looking forward to saying what he had to say to the boys, but if Portia was the prize, then it would be worth it. In his line of work, few men ever based decisions on love—those that did never spoke about it.
Jackson stood up as George came in, strode to the fridge and handed him a beer. “Hard day, boss?”
“Fuckin’ long one, for sure,” George said.
George blew out a big breath, dropped into the green chair and lit up a fresh smoke. The boys around the poker table stared at him, waiting to hear what was making their leader look so troubled. No one spoke.
George chugged half down, then started. “You boys are a good fuckin’ bunch.”
Jackson held up his hand. “Stop, boss, don’t say it. Don’t even think it. We’ll work it out some other way.”
George looked surprised and then a little pissed. “You don’t even know what the fuck I was gonna say.”
“I think I do. Could see this comin’ the first day you brought her to the range. You’re in deep, boss, and we don’t blame you. One look at her and you were fucked. Any guy would be, but you’ve always had our backs and now we got yours,” Jackson said. He lit up a smoke and inhaled a big drag.
“I couldn’t think of nothin’ fuckin’ worse than being without my boys, except for being without Annie. The other night, because she�
�s hangin’ around me she nearly gets blown to bits. And do you know what she said about that? Nothin’. Fuckin’- nothin’. You guys know better than anybody else, that I know fuck all about women. Never bothered with ‘em—always in the way, and all that shit. Then Annie walks into the shop and in ten minutes, I’m fucked for life.”
George blew out a big cloud of smoke.
Jackson nodded. “We hear ya, boss. We feel your pain. Well, not really, but just sayin’.” All the boys laughed. “Everybody get a fresh drink, we’re gonna’ hammer this out before morning,” said Jackson.
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
I put my arms around George’s neck when I felt him picking me up from the sofa. He carried me upstairs, undressed me and climbed into bed next to me. The room was dark. I closed my eyes and drifted back to sleep. When I woke the second time, George wasn’t beside me and Angel wasn’t on her blanket. With the help of my crutch, I reached the top of the stairs and hollered for George—he carried me down and sat me on a chair on the patio.
“Hey,” I said, “You sneaked out on me.” I put my arms around his neck, tipped his head towards me and kissed him. “How did your meeting go?”
“Better than I hoped.”
“That’s good.” I smiled.
George lifted me over onto his lap and slid his hand up my night shirt and along my thigh. I moaned at his touch and kissed his neck. “Do you want to go back to bed?” I whispered.
“I want you, baby girl, but I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You won't hurt me, big guy. I swear.”
He lifted me up, carried me to the bedroom and made love to me gentle and slow, paying close attention to my injured parts.
The sound of the shower woke me, and I limped to the bathroom door and stuck my head in. “Would you have time to help me take a shower before you go?”
He nodded with a huge grin on his face. “Come on in, baby girl.” I leaned on him while he waterproofed my bandage and washed my hair and the rest of me. He dried me while I hung on to the vanity, and then helped me into my robe.
“Thanks. I feel tons better.” I kissed him, got dressed and watched him get ready for work. For one big tough biker, George was a gentle, lovable guy.
