Hell Yeah! Box Set With Bonus Cookbook

by Hunter, Sable

  “I was the one that headed up most of the fund raisers for Libby.” Aron tried to remember if he had ever heard anything about Libby or her sickness. Surely, if his brother had been that involved, he would have known that something was going on. Wouldn’t he? Was he so selfish? Was he so self-absorbed that he would miss something so important?

  Jacob was the philanthropist, the community activist. Just this afternoon, the Little League Advisory Board had called him. There had been a break-in at the Concession Stand, and he was the one that had to go and make sure that everything was fixed and accounted for. Who would want to break it a concession stand? A few things had been reported missing, but mostly it was just bread and ketchup. The thief was obviously not a gourmand.

  “I’m sorry, Aron. I know this has thrown you for a loop. But, it was her place to tell you, Aron, not mine.” Jacob watched his brother’s face – if he could take away their pain he would have. God, he wished he had that ability – to touch the ones he loved and just take away their pain. Aron. Joseph. Libby. What a miracle that would be if such a gift existed.

  “She’s going to be fine,” Aron assured himself as well as his brother. “She’s got to get well and Joseph’s got to get to feeling better. We’ve got a wedding to plan.”

  At the mention of nuptials, Libby came to life.

  “Let’s not talk of weddings.” Libby urged.

  “Oh, yes we must talk of a wedding,” Aron assured her.

  “Aron, I’m in remission, but the leukemia that I have doesn’t normally stay in remission very long.” Every syllable that she let leave her lips shot a dagger through his heart.

  “I’m going to marry you, baby. I want to give you as many new adventures as you can handle – a husband, a home of your own, children, Fourth of July picnics, Easter Egg Hunts – the whole shebang.”

  “It sounds wonderful, but we just can’t count on it.” Her voice was so weak it scared the living daylights out of Aron.

  “Jacob, write it on the calendar – we’re getting married – Libby and I – three months from tonight. What day will that be?”

  Jacob did some math in his head and came up with an answer. “October the 16th.”

  Libby smiled, “The sweetest day.”

  “What?” Aron was trying to follow, but he was worried sick.

  “October the 16th is designated as the sweetest day.” Libby’s voice was weak, but she was paying attention.

  “That sounds about right, Libby-girl. Any day that you became my wife would be the sweetest day that the sun ever rose to brighten the sky.”

  “Jacob, will you be my best man?” Aron was not leaving anything to chance. Before they reached that hospital, he wanted Libby to realize he was dead-serious about their having a future.”

  “There are four others who will want in on the festivities.” Jacob assured Libby.

  “Who do you want for bridesmaids?” Aron asked her.

  “I don’t have anybody to ask.” Libby confessed.

  “That’s all right,” Aron reassured her. Jacob and the boys will get right on the task of finding themselves some women. We have a need for ‘em, every beautiful bride deserves beautiful bridesmaids.”

  “I’ll get right on it,” Jacob assured them.

  * * *

  Doc Mulligan met them at the hospital. Aron didn’t like the worried expression on his face. Libby made the introductions and the Doctor was glad to shake their hands.

  Aron wasn’t shy about identifying himself as Libby’s fiancé. This pleased Doc Mulligan to no end. “Well, I have never been more honored to meet anyone in my life. Did you know that we would sit and talk about you?”

  Aron wondered at the doctor’s comment. Libby smiled a weak little smile and told Aron, “One of the last doctor’s orders that I received from him was that I should go out and find someone to love.”

  “This is the sweetest little girl I know.” It was obvious that the doctor cared more about Libby that just a normal doctor/patient relationship.

  “You’ll get no argument from me about that.” Aron shook hands with the doctor and then introduced him to his brother.

  “I have to take her back now, and run a whole mess of tests.” He explained to Aron. “You can pass the time out in the waiting room or leave your cell phone number and go to a hotel; I’ll have one of the nurses call you when I get some answers.”

  With hat in hand, Aron stood his ground. “Thanks, but no thanks. I’ll be just outside the door.”

  “So will I,” Jacob chimed in.

  This didn’t sit well with Libby. “Why don’t you go get some rest, Aron? It’s late. You and Jacob are both tired.”

  Neither of them would budge. “I can’t rest away from you, Libby-mine.” He gave her a sweet, slow kiss. “I’ll be right here. You hurry back to me.”

  The doctor took her behind closed doors and the waiting began. “What do you think they’re doing to her?” Aron asked Jacob.

  “Blood tests, I would think.”

  “Have you prayed?” Aron knew the answer, but knew that Jacob would find a way to make him feel better.

  “I have prayed for her every day she has been with us. I knew from the start that you two belonged together. After all that you’ve been through, Libby and her guileless goodness was just what you needed.”

  “God wouldn’t take her from me, would he?” Aron asked the question that Jacob had no way to answer.

  He tried anyway.

  “Libby is going to be fine.”

  Four hours later, a nurse called his name. “Mr. McCoy?” Both he and Jacob jumped, but it was Aron that rose and followed the woman uniformed all in white.

  The doctor was sitting on a stool beside Libby.

  Aron couldn’t read his expression.

  “I need to talk to the both of you. I found something.”

  Aron’s heart flipped over. That couldn’t be good. Usually, when a doctor says he has found something – it’s a tumor or something worse – if that were possible.

  “What is it?” Libby’s face was more peaceful than he had ever seen it. In fact, there was a glow of contentment to her countenance. Aron thought he knew why. Libby was in love. With him. And no matter what the doctor had found – no matter what the final diagnosis might be – that love would stand unchanged and eternal.

  “What did you find?” Aron wondered if he would wish that he had never asked the question.

  “Well, I have good news.” The doctor paused for effect. “The remission is still holding strong.” Aron let out a huge sigh of relief. He moved across the room and grabbed his baby. She let him hold her, he could tell that she was almost in shock – her whole body was trembling.

  After a few moments, Aron’s thinking ability began to kick back in. “What about the symptoms – her nausea and stuff?”

  “That wasn’t all the news I had.” The doctor seemed to have a flair for the dramatic.

  What other news could there possibly be? Libby’s remission was still holding on.

  “What else, Doc?” Libby asked nervously. What if he gave her another timetable to worry about counting down?

  “That nausea and sickness does have a source.” Doc had an unreadable expression on his face.

  Oh, no. What else could be wrong?

  They waited for the verdict.

  Finally, Doc Mulligan nearly whooped with glee. “Libby’s pregnant. She’s going to have a baby!”

  No one said a word. You could hear noises in the hospital from way down the hall, but in their room there was nothing. “Pregnant?” Libby couldn’t believe it. She put her hands on her stomach and moved them over the flat area in disbelief.

  Aron was ecstatic. He went to the bed, scooped Libby up and spun her around and around. Doc Mulligan cautioned him. “
That might not be the wisest move considering her bouts of morning sickness.”

  Aron agreed. He slowed her to a halt, and then held her close. Clasping her to his chest, he cherished every answer to every prayer.

  While Doc got the papers ready for them to go, Aron went out and told Jacob the good news, the first revelation – the remission news. He wanted to save the announcement about the baby until all the brothers could be together, including Joseph.

  “Finally, something is going right.” Jacob sighed with thankfulness.

  He drove the couple back home. Libby slept most of the way, exhausted from the bouts of testing. Aron held her most of the time, he was content to just watch her sleep.

  “You love her don’t you?” Jacob observed happily.

  “More than my next breath.” Aron stated the obvious.

  “I want what you have. And as God as my witness, I‘m going to find it.” Jacob vowed

  * * *

  Tebow Ranch lay peacefully still as dawn broke. Not everything was perfect; one of their own still lay in a rehabilitation center, broken from a fall. But time was righting the wrongs and smoothing out the wrinkles. The balance that had been lost years ago was finally righting itself.

  Upstairs, in the master bedroom, Aron crooned to Libby. “See, everything is going to be all right.” Aron looked deep into her eyes, making sure that she digested every word he said.

  “Yes, I believe you.”

  “You said I didn’t have to say that I love you – but I did. My love for you is my life’s truth.” He stroked her hair back from her brow, tracing the beloved features of her face. “Your love defines me. It is my reason for living.” Aron hadn’t known that he could wax poetic, but the words were flowing from him unbidden. He had to make her understand. “You are my reason for existing, Libby-mine. I love you with a love deeper than the sea – a love that will last longer than forever.”

  Libby turned in his arms and held on to him for dear life. “I often doubted whether or not I would get to live. But, now that I know that God has granted me grace-days – I want to put them to the best use. Aron, my love, I devote my life to living, just for you.”

  “There will be decades of days – we’re going to grow old together. You, me, our children and all of my brothers and their families – Tebow Ranch is going to be a place of love and laughter.” Aron gently unbuttoned Libby’s night shirt, opening it all the way so he could lay his head over his unborn child. “I can promise you both one thing – a day will never go by that I don’t tell the two of you how much you mean to me. I will tell you that I love you every day for the rest of my life.”

  * * *

  Joseph was ready to go home. He had one of the cute little nurses’ aides get all of his gear together. Isaac and Noah would be after him and in a matter of hours he would be back on Tebow land.

  If he had to live the life of a cripple – at least he could live it at home. The doctors and nurses were optimistic, but an optimistic outlook was hard for him to maintain. Was he going to have to live like this forever? Was there anyone in the world that could help him?

  The soundless cry rose from his bed and reverberated out into the universe – and lo and behold – as the old fairy tales read – someone was listening. A connection was made. Help was on the way. Sometimes there are wonders in this world that will literally blow your mind.

  * * *

  Back at the ranch, a door creaked open and a shadow slipped along the wall outside the barn. Several cows lowed in protest. There was a stranger on Tebow land. No one in the house heard anything. The stranger went to the stock tank, stripped quickly and then used the warm water to wash off the day’s grime. After a few moments of stolen luxury, the small form slipped back to the barn. There was food in the small refrigerator upstairs. Maybe, no one would miss just a little. The bed was too nice to sleep in. Beggars and thieves didn’t have to be totally classless – so after eating a bit of ketchup and bread – she went down to one of the stalls – curled herself down deep into the hay and settled down to sleep. Before dropping off, she made a wish: Please keep me safe – Please let me find a place in this world – Please let me find someone to love. She prayed that her wish would come true.

  * * *

  The sun rose in a celebration of pinks and oranges as Noah pulled into the hospital parking lot. At the double electric doors, Joseph was already waiting in his wheel chair, accompanied by two doting nurses. One of them leaned over and kissed him goodbye. “Look at that,” Isaac chuckled. “Hard-head don’t let stuff keep him down for long.” Noah wasn’t as light-hearted as his brother; he could see the strain around Joseph’s mouth and knew that this was going to be one long, hard haul.

  “About time you two got here, I’ve been sitting out here for a half-hour.” Joseph complained. The little blonde aide shook her head at Isaac, telling him that Joseph was stretching the truth quite a bit.

  “The sun’s just coming up, knothead.” Isaac was affectionate, but not ready to cut his brother much slack. He knew that if they started babying Joseph, he might not bounce back as quickly as he would otherwise.

  “How’s Libby?” Joseph quietly asked as Noah helped him into the front seat of the King Ranch.

  “She’s home. Aron had to take her to the doctor.” Isaac had spouted off the information before Noah could shush him. Even though the news was good, they didn’t need to upset him anymore than he already was.

  “Doctor? Libby’s been to the doctor?” The concern in Joseph’s voice was evident. The brother’s did not know that Libby had confided in Joseph before she had anyone else.

  “Way to go asshole!” Noah grumbled good-naturedly at Isaac as he slung Joseph’s bag into the back seat. “Libby’s fine. She got a good report, but I’ll let her or Aron tell you all about it. They got in late last night and went straight to bed. There’s a family meeting just as soon as we can get you back to Tebow.

  Joseph smiled. If Libby was all right, then maybe the fates would have good things in store for him, also.

  * * *

  “Wake up, beautiful.” Aron sat by Libby holding her a cup of coffee. Opening her eyes a tiny bit, and realizing what Aron held in his hand, she made such a ruckus Aron was afraid he was going to spill hot coffee on her. “Easy, baby. Easy.”

  “God, Aron! I’m so sorry, I’ve overslept.” Careful not to jostle him further, she turned to wiggle out on the other side. “I need to fix breakfast!” Glancing at the clock, she squealed. “Look at the time! Joseph will be here any minute!” While she was still scrambling around trying to get out from under the covers, she finally realized that Aron was laughing. He was holding the blanket down on both sides of her so all of her attempts to move were fruitless.

  “I’ve already fixed breakfast, wiggle-worm,” Aron sat the coffee on the bedside table and stretched out beside her. “Did you think that I would let you get up and work after the hard day you had yesterday?” Bracketing her pillow with his arms, he leaned over to get his good morning kiss.

  Libby didn’t need much persuading; she gave her kiss as freely as she had given her heart. “You taste so good,” she savored Aron’s affection, happy in the knowledge that she had a future with this glorious man.

  “I’ve been nibbling on the pancakes, Pumpkin – I used your recipe, Libby-love.” Pumpkin pancakes were her favorite and he knew that - now.

  “It’s not the pancakes that taste so good to me – it’s the love. I can taste love on your lips,” she smiled at him with a happiness and hope in her eyes that he had never seen before. “I love you, Aron,” she said simply.

  Aron cradled her body up close to his. “I love you, baby. More than I’ll ever be able to tell you. An ole’ country boy like me just doesn’t have all the pretty words that a doll like you deserves to hear.”

  “You’re perfect and everything y
ou do is perfect.” Libby reveled in the adoration she saw in Aron’s eyes.

  “You’re just prejudiced, the general female population doesn’t view me through the same pair of rose-colored glasses that you do, sweet thing.” He carefully traced her eyes and nose with his lips, relishing the fact that Libby was his, healthy and pregnant.

  “You belong to me!” Libby’s gruff little tone tickled the shit out of Aron.

  “You bet your bottom dollar I do, Libby-mine!” He had something to talk to her about, something he just had to understand. “Sweetheart, can I ask you something?” He lay flat on his back and pulled her on top of him, resting her head underneath his chin.

  “Sure.” Libby sighed against him. No more secrets.

  “How did you end up with Freedom?” He no more had the words out that she raised up to gauge his expression.

  “You found it?” Her voice was small and quiet. She didn’t know why she was embarrassed; it wasn’t like she had stolen it or anything.

  “When I went to look for your slippers, I found it on the bottom of Bess‘s closet – right after I went online to transfer that money you asked me to send to the Rockwell Foundation.” He stopped talking so she could explain it to him.

  Playing with the buttons on his shirt, she refused to look him in the eye. “I bought it at the fair; I used my birthday money from my parents and grandparents.”

  “I’ve been looking for it for years. I made it for my Mom; it was never supposed to be sold.” There was no judgment in his voice, he was just stating facts.

  A stricken look passed over her face, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know. I’ve had it all this time.” Before Aron could explain, big tears started rolling down her face. “I wish I’d known – I would have given it back.” She said it all so fast, and moved off him before he could even begin to react. “Let me get it for you.”

  Cussing a blue streak, Aron followed her. “Wait, baby. Do you think that I care you have it? Libby! Don’t run, you’ll hurt yourself!” Aron found her on the floor of the closet, cradling the bronze in her arms. He sank down beside her, berating himself for making her cry. “I love that you have it, Libby. I’m not mad, baby.”