An Unexpected Rescue (Oak Springs Series Book 1)

by Sherri McDuffie

  Kelly’s eyes filled with tears. “I missed you, too. All of you. I never knew I could miss anyone as much as I missed you guys.”

  “Okay, boys, you need to get your rest, so back to bed now,” Derik said.

  “Come on, I’ll tuck you in,” she said as she took each boy by the hand.

  “Will you read us another story?” D.C. asked as they climbed the stairs.

  “Yeah, read the one about the boy with the magic teddy bear that can talk or the dragon that cries giant tears,” Win said, bouncing up the stairs beside her.

  A few minutes later, Kelly came into the living room. Derik patted the sofa beside him. She sat down and propped her feet on the coffee table, next to his. He placed his arm around her shoulders and pulled her against him, planting a kiss on her head. “You okay?”

  “Yes, I’m fine. It was a nice place, with nice people, but it wasn’t home.” She turned and threw herself against his chest. “Oh, Derik, I missed you and the boys so much. They wouldn’t let me call you, or Mikki, or anyone. I understand why, but I missed you so much it hurt.”

  “We missed you, too. The boys cried for you every night, and I was miserable. It was pure hell knowing you were in danger and I wasn’t the one protecting you. That should be my job, and it will be from now on. I promise I’ll always take care of you. Not knowing where you were or what was happening to you almost drove me mad.” He kissed her. “Don’t ever leave us again, Kelly. This is where you belong.”

  “The deputy told me about Jarrod’s accident. He said he is in critical condition.”

  “I know. You’re safe now. It’s over, Kelly. You’re home.” He kissed her once more before taking her hand and leading her upstairs. When they reached his bedroom door, he nodded his head toward his room. She smiled and followed him inside.

  Chapter 21

  Derik watched a game on television while the boys played outside. When his phone rang, he looked at the screen and smiled. “Hey, Jack. How are you?”

  “I’m good. Nothing to complain about here. Is everyone doing okay these days?” his father-in-law asked.

  “We’re fine.”

  “Good, glad to hear it. I called to see if that invitation to drive down and spend a couple of days is still open?”

  “Of course it is. You know you’re always welcome. We’d love to have you. When do you think you’ll be here?”

  “I was planning on coming down Saturday and spending a few days, if that doesn’t interfere with anything. My schedule’s pretty open, so you let me know if this weekend isn’t good for you.”

  “Saturday’s terrific. Hope you can stay awhile. The boys will be thrilled.”

  “Is your lady friend still there? What was her name? Karen? No, Kelly. Is Kelly still there?”

  “Yes, she is. I hope that isn’t going to be a problem,” Derik said.

  “Not at all. I’m anxious to meet her. Looking forward to it. Is she doing okay after that scare with the ex you told me about?”

  “I think so. She seems to be. I know there have been some bad dreams, but that’s to be expected. You can see for yourself when you visit.”

  “Is that guy still alive?”

  “Yeah, but he’s in pretty bad shape. If he survives, he’s going away for a long time.”

  “Good, sounds like that’s where he belongs. Tell the boys I’ll see them Saturday. Goodbye.”

  Derik laid the phone down and folded his arms across his chest. He was pulled from his thoughts when he heard Kelly’s footsteps on the stairs.

  She sat beside him and touched his lip with her finger. “What’s that scowl for?”

  Derik took her hand and turned it over, kissing the palm. He pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her. “I was just thinking, that’s all.” He nuzzled her neck. “Are you up for some company next week?”

  “Company? Sure. Who?”

  “Jack just called. He’s driving down Saturday, probably get here sometime after lunch, and staying a few days.” He watched a wrinkle form across her brow. “What?”

  “You only have one guest room, and I’m in it. I can clear my things out and stay at the inn for a few days. I’ll go make reservations now.”

  “No, don’t do that. We’ll think of something. Give me a minute. I don’t want you to move out. This house isn’t the same without you. And besides, Jack’s coming to meet you as much as he’s coming to see the boys.”

  “I can’t wait to meet him. The stories the kids tell me make him sound like a terrific man. I’m glad I finally get to put a face to the name. But I don’t mind getting a room, really.”

  He pulled her close and kissed her again. “I wish you could just move into my room.” When he felt her stiffen, he quickly added, “But I know that isn’t possible, right now. Don’t worry, we’ll think of something, even if I have to spend a week on the sofa.”

  “No you won’t. If anyone sleeps on the sofa, it will be me.”

  “Why are you going to sleep on the couch, Kelly?” Win asked as he walked into the house.

  “Grandpa’s coming for a visit, and we’re just talking about where he can stay, since Kelly’s in the guest room,” Derik explained.

  “He can sleep with me,” D.C. said as he followed his brother into the room.

  “No, he can sleep with me,” Win said.

  “What if the boys bunk together, in Win’s room, and I move into D.C.’s?” Kelly said. “That way, Jack can have my bed.”

  The kids immediately began jumping up and down. They yelled, “Oh boy!” as they ran up the stairs.

  Derik shook his head. “You know, if we don’t get up there, they’ll move everything D.C. owns into Win’s room. Sounds like we have a plan. Now we just need to supervise the operation.”

  As Derik and Kelly headed up the stairs, Derik called out, “Hey you guys, Grandpa isn’t going to be here until Saturday. D.C. doesn’t need to move anything until then.” When they reached the top floor, they saw both boys running across the hall, their arms loaded with clothes from D.C.’s dresser drawers. Kelly put her hand over her mouth and attempted to hide her smile as she watched Derik throw his hands in the air.

  When Saturday afternoon arrived, all the beds had fresh linens. Kelly had cleaned out a few drawers for Jack’s clothes and made sure the closet had space and hangers for him. The boys had completed D.C.’s relocation as efficiently as two small children could. The only thing left to do was wait for Jack.

  D.C. and Win were on lookout in their treehouse when they saw the truck pull into the driveway. Their yells and cheers alerted Derik and Kelly, who were in the kitchen doing some serious kissing. “I feel like I’m back in high school, sneaking kisses wherever I can,” Derik said as he pulled away from her with a sigh.

  She laughed and straightened her clothes. “Come on, introduce me to this family patriarch. I’m anxious to see if he is as great as you guys say he is.” She took his hand and walked toward the door.

  The boys almost tackled Jack as soon as he stepped from his truck. He scooped each one up in his arms and gave them a grandfather-size bear hug. As he placed each boy back on his feet, he said, “I don’t think I’m going to be able to lift you fellows next time. You’re getting too big for me to handle.”

  He ruffled each child’s hair then turned toward Derik and Kelly. Derik stepped forward, and both men opened their arms for a hug. There were some grunts and back slapping, then Derik pulled back without releasing his embrace. “It’s been too long, Jack. Good to see you. Really good.” The emotion in his voice was unmistakable. The two men hugged again then stepped apart.

  Jack looked at Kelly and smiled. “And this ray of sunshine must be Kelly.”

  “Yes, I am. It’s so nice to meet you.” She offered her hand, but he ignored it. Instead, he wrapped his long, sol
id arms around her and hugged her tightly.

  “Oh darlin’, the pleasure’s all mine. These three men have sung your praises so loud that I had to come and meet you in person. Now, turn around and let me see where those angel wings are located.”

  “No, Grandpa,” D.C. said with a giggle. “That’s Mommy who has the angel wings, remember?”

  The silence settled over everyone, except for the two boys who didn’t seem to notice anything amiss. “Yeah, Kelly isn’t our mom, but we told Daddy we want her to be. Mommy’s the one with the angel wings, not Kelly,” Win said.

  “That’s right, guys,” said Jack as he patted each child on the head. “But Kelly’s pretty enough to be an angel, isn’t she?” He looked up at Derik and winked.

  Kelly and Derik carried Jack’s bags into the house while the kids begged him to stay outside and play. Kelly went to make a fresh pot of coffee. Strong arms slid around her waist as she was pulled back against Derik’s solid chest. “You’re not going to spend the entire time hiding in the kitchen while Jack’s here.”

  “I’m not. I’m just trying to stay out of the way and give you guys a chance to catch up. I feel like I’m intruding on your private time together.”

  Derik kissed her temple. “You’re part of this family, Kelly, and you’re just as welcome in everything we do as any of us.” She was leaning against him with her head on his shoulder. Her eyes closed as he kissed her neck.

  Kelly fixed a pot roast for dinner. The boys ate with their regular gusto. Both Jack and Derik consumed man-size portions, but she barely tasted her food.

  “Kelly, are you okay?” Derik asked. “You’ve been awfully quiet. And that carrot’s on its fourth lap around your plate. Are you feeling all right?”

  “Sorry, my mind was a million miles away. I’m fine. Can I get anyone more coffee? How about dessert? I made an apple pie.”

  After dinner and playtime, the boys were bathed and tucked in, with their grandfather offering to read the nightly story. This gave Kelly and Derik a few minutes of time together.

  “Come here, you,” Derik said as he pulled Kelly against him and covered her lips with his. “I’ve wanted to do that since the last time I kissed you.” He nuzzled the soft skin under her ear. Kelly wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. They heard Jack cough as he began to descend the stairs.

  The three sat in the living room and visited for a few minutes before Kelly excused herself, to let the men talk. She took her bath and went to her temporary bedroom and read. She heard footsteps in the hallway as Derik checked on the boys, then the men said good night. The house grew quiet after they closed their doors. Kelly turned off the Spider-Man lamp and snuggled under the blanket. Just as she was drifting off to sleep, she heard the door open and close. The bed dipped as Derik slid under the covers behind her. He kissed the back of her neck and pulled her against his body. “I couldn’t wait another minute,” he whispered.

  “Derik, what do you think you’re doing?” She turned to face him. The narrow bed forced them to lay pressed against each other. “You can’t be in here. What about the boys? What about Jack? You have to go back to your room.”

  “The boys are sound asleep. Jack’s probably snoring already, and even if he isn’t, we’re adults. He knows how I feel about you.” He kissed her, rolled her onto her back, and looked into her eyes. “I want you, Kelly. Now, tonight, always.” He kissed her until she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.

  Chapter 22

  Sunday, after church and lunch, the boys suggested they go fishing.

  “There are some really big worms out front. Anyone want to help me catch a few?” Kelly asked. When she saw the four men staring at her, she said, “What? Don’t you guys fish with worms?”

  “Yeah, but you’re a girl,” Win said.

  “I think you just scored major points in his book,” Jack whispered beside her.

  Kelly took the boys to the flowerbeds, where they gathered several long, fat, slimy worms, perfect for fishing. They all piled into Derik’s truck and went to the lake. For the next several hours, they fished. Kelly scored even more points when she baited her own hook and earned a halo when she caught and removed a fish without help.

  The only thing she refused to do was clean the fish, so the men agreed to clean enough for dinner and release the rest. Kelly caught two, which also impressed the boys, and Jack caught three. Each child caught one. Derik didn’t catch anything, but he spent most of his time getting hooks out of trees, untangling lines, and replacing missing bobbers, so they cut him some slack . . . some.

  As the sun began to sink, they returned to the house. The men cooked the fish outside on the grill, while Kelly prepared home fries, slaw, and hushpuppies. Everyone ate until they were stuffed. When she placed a fruit cobbler on the table, there was a chorus of groans, but they all asked for seconds.

  After the kitchen was clean and the dishwasher loaded, Jack and the boys sat around the table playing a board game. Derik took Kelly’s hand and led her outside. They stood on the porch, looking at the full moon.

  He turned her toward him, wrapped his arms around her waist, then placed his forehead against hers. “Today was one of the most enjoyable days I’ve had in a long time. You don’t know how good it makes me feel to watch the boys having fun.” He kissed her nose. “You scored some serious kudos with them today.” He kissed her eyelids. “And with me.” He kissed her lips.

  “I have my own grandfather to thank for that. We loved to fish together, but he refused to take me until I learned to dig for worms and bait my own hook.” She laid her head against Derik’s chest. “When we went to the pond in his pasture, I would tag along behind Granddad and mimic every move he made, from the way he carried the rod over his shoulder, to how he wiped his hands on his chest after loading a worm on his hook. We sat on that bank for hours, sometimes not saying a word. Other days we talked nonstop and forgot about the fish. I’m so thankful D.C. and Win have that type of grandfather in their lives.”

  They went inside and helped Jack and the boys put away their game. While the men visited, Kelly bathed the kids and got them into their pajamas. Jack read to them, but they were both asleep before he finished the story. As soon as he tucked them in, he excused himself, saying he was just as tired as the children, and went to his room.

  After Jack went to bed, Kelly took her bath. When she stepped into the bedroom, Derik was lying in her bed. “I’ve been waiting for you,” he said as he flipped the covers back.

  She climbed in the bed on her hands and knees and continued until she straddled his body. “Oh yeah? If I’d known that, I might’ve finished sooner.” She kissed a trail up his chest. “And then again, I might’ve left you here a little longer, thinking about me, wet and naked in the tub.” She kissed his neck. “Or I might have asked you to wash my back.” She kissed his ear. “Maybe, I would have let you crawl into the tub with me.” She bit his earlobe. “Perhaps I—” She laughed as he growled and flipped her over, placing her underneath him. His deep kisses kept her from saying more.

  Chapter 23

  On Monday morning, they ate breakfast, sent the boys off to school, then sat around the table and talked. When Derik left for work, he pulled Kelly to him and kissed her before walking out the door. Once he was gone, she cleaned the kitchen and made another pot of coffee.

  Jack sat at the table watching her. “Kelly, why don’t you stop being so nervous and sit down?”

  “Why would you think that? What do I have to be nervous about?”

  “That’s what I aim to find out, but you’ve wiped that counter three times already. Now, come over here and join me for a few minutes.” He patted the table in front of an empty chair.

  She picked up her cup and sat across from him.

  “What are you worried about, Kelly? Do I make you uncomfor
table? Would you feel better if I wasn’t here alone with you? I don’t mind. I can hang out at Derik’s shop or go fishing for the day. I sure don’t want you to be uneasy because of me.”

  “Oh no, Jack, not at all. To be honest, I don’t know how to explain it. I guess you might say it’s Mary Ann.”

  “Mary Ann? I don’t understand. Mind trying to explain that to me?”

  “I don’t know if I can. I guess I’m afraid.”

  “What are you afraid of?”

  “I think I’m in love with Derik. And I love his boys.” She took a deep breath. “Mary Ann was a saint in their eyes. Those are some huge shoes to fill, but I don’t want to fill her shoes. I want to stand in my own. And I don’t know how you feel about me, about me being involved in their life. Every time Derik touches me, I’m afraid it upsets you, because you think he should be kissing your daughter.” She sat back and looked at his kind expression. “I’m sorry. I know I’m not making any sense. I’m trying, but I just don’t know how to explain it.”

  Jack reached across the table and patted her arm. “My Mary Ann was a wonderful daughter. As far as I could tell, she was a good wife, and I don’t have any doubt that she was a terrific mother. But she wasn’t a saint, far from it. She couldn’t balance a checkbook if her life depended on it. Her pork chops were as tough as shoe leather. She could have a quick temper if things didn’t go her way. And she hated worms. In spite of all that, she was loved by her husband and sons. They had a good life, and they were happy.”

  He looked at his coffee for a minute. “But she’s gone. Not by choice, or decision, or fault. It’s just the way it is. When she got sick, Derik never left her side. She refused any type of treatments, said she didn’t want to last a few months or a year longer just to be sick and miserable. I have to admire her for that. She tried hard to hide the pain. The boys don’t remember her suffering. Instead, they remember a mother who read books, played board games, and colored with them.”