“Sounds like it.” I play along with her.
“What do you plan on doing today?” she asks after I take my last bite of vegetables.
“Pray the rest of this shift goes by quickly. I’ve already worked a wreck and had to pull over a douchebag in a Porsche doing eighty in a thirty-five.”
“A Porsche? Awful nice car for around here.”
A shit-eating grin flashes across my face. “Some big shot attorney trying to get to Birmingham.
She laughs. “It would be an attorney.”
“Right? Exactly my thoughts.”
She pushes against my shoulder. “Stop being such an ass.”
“That’s not what you called me last night.”
She rolls her eyes. “Just because you were awesome last night doesn’t mean you’ll always be awesome.
“Hurt my pride, Counselor.”
“I don’t think anything can hurt your pride. You have plenty.”
Leigh walks by, and I put up my hand. “Bring us the check?”
“You know I don’t charge y’all.” She waves off.
“And you know we hate that.” I pull out cash from my wallet and walk over to drop it in the tip jar. “Have a good one, Leigh.” I wave at her as I go back to the table to get Shelby.
“You too.” She waves bye to us.
“Walk you back to your office?” I hold my arm out to Shelby.
She grins. “Look at you being a gentleman.”
“I’m always a gentleman.”
She waits until we get out of The Café. “You weren't last night.”
My arm goes around her waist, my mouth next to her ear. “And you wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Truth,” she giggles. “I gotta get back to work.” She turns to face me as we stop in front of her office.
“I do too, but I hope to see you tonight?”
“We’ll see if I have time for you.”
I throw my head back, laughing at her. Slowly, I put my arms around her waist, pulling her in close. “Make time for me?”
She tips her head up, smirking. “I’ll always make time for you.”
Chapter 25
Shelby
The alarm on my phone goes off, letting me know it’s time to end this work day.
SULLY: Are we gonna hang out tonight?
COUNSELOR: Definitely, but I haven’t left yet. I’m fixing to, though. Keep in mind I need to go by the hospital to see Montana. I’ll be home right after. Do you want to come to my place, or me to yours?”
SULLY: You make the decision.
COUNSELOR: I’ll see ya in a little while.
SULLY: Be safe, Counselor.
The way he always tries to make sure I’m okay goes straight to my heart. There’s been no one in my life that’s ever cared about my safety the way he does. If I had someone like that in Houston, I probably wouldn’t be in Laurel Springs right now. Just goes to show, things happen how they’re supposed to.
It takes a few minutes for me to make sure the lights are turned off and I’ve packed my laptop. I do one more cursory glance around the office before I go to the alarm, setting it quickly and exiting the building. At one point I’d thought I wouldn’t need the alarm, but now with Montana and Frank, I’m glad I sprung for it.
The days are getting longer, evidenced by the sun still in the sky as I leave. It wasn’t but a few weeks ago it was dark when I left the office. Like everyone else, I enjoy the vitamin D.
Getting into my car, I open the sunroof and put down the back windows. Sunglasses pop over my eyes and I inhale deeply. Summer is close; the smell washes over me, giving me hope that everything is gonna be okay. Backing out of my spot, I slowly pass The Café, where I see Frank eyeing me from inside.
I look back at him, not cowering, like I’m sure he would want me to. If he wants a fight. I can bring one, and he won’t be able to run over me as easily as he did Montana.
“Hey, girl, what are you doin’ here?” I hear as I walk into the Laurel Springs Medical Center. “You’re okay, aren’t you?”
“Hey, Alissa,” I greet one of the newest members of our group. “I’m here to see a patient, actually.”
“Do you know where they are? I can help you.”
Last night, I left Montana before she’d been admitted. “I’m not sure what floor she’s on. I’d appreciate any help I can get.”
“Follow me.”
“It was good hanging out with you the other night.” I tag along behind her, securing my purse on my shoulder.
She turns around, giving me a huge smile. “Agreed, I haven’t met a ton of people since I moved here, so it was nice. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of the group.”
“Girl, I’m new too,” I laugh. “Not as new as you, but it’s been a little over a year. The way people accept you in this community is something I’ve never been used to before.”
“Yeah, I’m from Florida and I don’t even think I had a group of friends like this, there.”
“I know exactly what you mean. I’m from Houston, and I probably had one or two really good friends, but in the end they weren’t who I thought they were.”
“Isn’t that always the way it goes?”
We come to an admit desk. “Who is your friend you’re coming to find?”
“Montana Gentry. I’m her attorney.”
“Can you show me your ID, she has a list of people allowed to see her.”
The extra security makes me feel good. Reaching into my purse, I grab my wallet, opening it and flashing my identification. “You’re on the list.”
“I’ll take you to where she is.” Alissa waves me to follow her.
“How do you like working here?” I ask her as we get on the elevator and go up to the fourth floor.
“It took some getting used to. It isn’t nearly as busy here as it was there. Every shift I would go home exhausted. After these shifts I most of the time go for a workout.”
“It’s definitely a much slower pace than I was used to, too. I’m starting to like it though.”
“Me too.” Alissa smiles as the elevator comes to a stop.
I follow her down the hallway, halting in front of a closed door.
“I’m going to be straight with you,” she says as she turns around to face me. “I took care of her when she was assigned a room last night. She looks rough.”
“I know, I rode with her in the back of the ambulance.”
“They typically look worse in the days that follow.”
“I understand,” I say but my heart is already breaking for what I know I’m going to see when she opens the door.
“Hey, Montana.” Alissa’s voice is happy and upbeat. “You’ve got someone here to see you. Is there anything I can get you while I’m here?”
“Maybe some more ice chips.”
“That’s easy. Let me go get those for you.”
She leaves and we’re alone for the first time since the back of the ambulance. “How are you doing?” I ask her as I have a seat across from her.
“Hurting some this afternoon.” She adjusts in the bed.
I allow myself to look at her. Really look at her. Her face is purple and red, bruised to hell and back. Her lips are split and doubled in size. The left cheek is stitched up over the bone.
“I’m so sorry this happened to you.”
She shrugs. “I’ve learned you have to change your own future. For so long, I’ve just let my life continue on with status quo. For the last few weeks I’ve been thinking about it. What I should be doing, and it’s definitely not this. If I want respect from a man, I have to learn to respect myself. I can’t keep making excuses for why I put up with being treated this way. It’s time for me to get what I deserve.”
“I totally agree with you. Do you have a safe place where you can go when you get out of here? If you don’t, I’ll make sure you’re safe.”
She nods, licking her dry lips as Alissa comes back in.
“Here’s your ice chips, is the
re anything else I can get you? It’s another hour until your next pain medication dose.”
“No, I’m good.”
Alissa gives a smile before leaving.
“Do I need to make arrangements for you to go somewhere safe when you get out of here?”
She looks down at her hands clasped in her lap. “I don’t have any of my own money. It’s all his.”
I want badly to tell her what Mrs. Haley has put into her will, but I’m bound by confidentiality. “I’ll make sure you have a place to go, Montana, you have nothing to worry about.”
There’s a drop to her shoulders, tears pooling in her eyes. “I’ve done nothing but worry for the last few years. What’s going to happen with the case against him?”
“He’s tried to push it off on you, but there were multiple eye-witnesses. We’re waiting for a warrant to be issued, but it will be. Trust me.”
“I’ve lost trust in a lot of people, Shelby.”
“I know you have, but I promise you can trust me.”
She’s hesitant, but finally she nods before whispering. “I know I can.”
After leaving Montana’s room, I know there’s one place I have to go. A couple of days ago, I was notified that Mrs. Haley was brought in for palliative care, and if there’s one thing I want to give her before she goes, it’s peace.
Walking to the nurse’s station, I see Stella. “Hey.” I wave at her, exhausted, but on a mission.
“Hey, I heard you were with Montana when she was brought in,” Stella puts her hands on her hips. “How’s she doing?”
“Best as can be expected. Speaking of though, can you tell me what room Mrs. Haley’s in? I’m her attorney.”
Stella smiles sadly. “I’m going down there right now to administer some more medication, actually. Wanna follow me?”
“Definitely.” I fall in line behind her. “Is she lucid?”
“Before we give her medicine, yes.” Stella looks over at me. “Do you want me to hold off a few minutes.”
“Will it be unbearable for her?”
“I honestly think not knowing if Montana is safe or not is more unbearable than the pain she’s feeling right now.”
The two of us walk in. I almost don’t recognize the woman who was in my office not long ago. She’s gone downhill quickly. “Hey, Mrs. Haley.”
“Shelby?”
“Yeah.” I reach out to grab her hand. “It’s me.”
“Is something wrong?”
“I just wanted to let you know, Frank was arrested tonight. Montana is safe, and I’ll make sure she stays that way.” Reaching down, I move her gray hair out of her face. “I’ve got her now.”
“Thank you,” she breathes out. “I’m so tired.”
“I know you are.”
She closes her eyes, looking ghostly against the sheets.
“Mrs. Haley, are you ready for your medicine?” Stella asks.
“Yes.” Her voice is small, almost withering away.
Knowing she doesn’t have much time left, I lean in. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Haley.”
She grasps my hand in hers. “You too, Shelby. You’re going to do great things.”
And as I leave, I let the tears fall for this family who’ve dealt with so much adversity in their lives. At least this is one thing I could make right for them.
“How was Montana?” Sully asks as he sits on the other end of the couch away from me, handing a bowl of chocolate ice cream to me.
“I’m eating ice cream for dinner. What does that tell you?”
He reaches out with his foot, hitting mine. “I’m eating ice cream with you. Must mean my day was bad too.”
“Or that you’re a good boyfriend who feels my pain.” I grin. “She’s doing okay. Scared, beat to hell, and wondering what’s going to happen with the rest of her life. I mean who wouldn’t. He controls the purse springs, she doesn’t work.” I take a huge bite of the ice cream. “It’s one of the reasons I decided to start my own practice when I came here. I wanted to make sure I could support myself.”
He’s quiet as he asks. “Is there a particular reason for that?”
“Let’s just say I put my trust in people I never should have in Houston. I got caught up in a case, which had nothing to do with me, but it put me in a bad situation. There was an investigation and I lost everything I’ve always worked for. When I came to Laurel Springs, it was with five hundred bucks in my bank account and no client list. Since then I’ve never given my future up to anyone other than myself.”
“You know you can trust me with your future, right?”
I put my spoon in the bowl, sitting it down on the coffee table. “I want to believe that, Sully. I do.”
He closes the space between us, gathering me up in his arms. “I’ll prove it to you.” He drops a kiss on my forehead. “I know it’s gonna take more than my word.”
I hook my hands in the curve of his biceps, pulling him even closer. “I wish I could take your word.”
“I get it.” He puts his forehead to mine. “Actions speak louder, and I’ve always been a man of action.”
Chapter 26
Shelby
“Thanks for meeting me,” Kels says as I slide in, holding my coffee.
“You didn’t have to ask me twice. I love the cinnamon rolls here.”
A Whole Latte Love has become one of our favorite places to meet.
“Me too.” She takes a drink of her frappé. “I asked to have mine heated up.”
I giggle. “Yes, that’s why I didn’t bring it to the table with me.”
”It was good seeing you at girls night out.”
This isn’t why she’s invited me here. I’ve known her long enough to know she’s beating around the bush. One thing I’ve learned is to let people come to me. In their own time, they’ll tell you what they want.
“I can see why our cinnamon rolls are taking a few minutes,” Kelsea grins, nodding her head toward the cash register.
Trying not to be obvious, I slowly turn. “Oh my God,” I hiss as I see Devante and Eden talking to one another.
They’re obviously flirting, if I’m going by the grin on her face and the way he’s leaning up against the counter.
“Get you some,” Kelsea whisper-hisses, which causes me to snort.
Luckily they’re so involved with one another, they don’t even pay attention to us. “Wonder what they’re saying?” I move around so that I can see them from where we’re sitting.
“I’m sure he’s like ‘Baby, wanna come ride in the back of my ambulance?’”
I hide my lips behind my hand, dropping my voice to imitate a man’s. “We got a gurney, and oxygen if you need it. ‘Cause girl, I’m gonna steal your breath.”
“Stop,” she giggles.
This time Eden looks over at us, and we do our best to act like we’ve not been watching their exchange. Somehow I don’t think she believes us, but we’re saved as Cutter rushes in.
“D, we gotta go!”
Before we know it, they rush out and the three of us are left in the shop. We watch as Eden finishes heating up our cinnamon rolls. When she brings them over, Kels gives her a sly grin.
“So, how’s Devante?”
Eden playfully glares at us. “You two weren’t as discreet as you thought you were.”
“Neither were the two of you.” I give her a look.
“It’s not even a thing,” she protests.
“We never said it was.” Kels takes a sip of her frappé. “We just wanted our cinnamon rolls.”
I laugh. “No, we want the scoop. What’s going on with you and the EMT hottie?”
“We haven’t gone on a date or anything yet, but you’re right, he’s super-hot. He has the best smile, and he always smells amazing.”
“Oh yeah, girl. You got it bad.”
“So do you.” She gives me my cinnamon roll.
“I don’t deny how bad I have it for Sullivan.”
“Well, I’d love to sit her
e and chat, but I have to start getting product ready for tomorrow. I’ll be in the back. Just yell if you need anything, ladies.”
I wait for her to disappear into the back, before I turn to face Kelsea. “Why’d you wanna meet me today, Kelsea? I got the feeling from you text that there’s something you want to talk about?”
She takes a bite of her pastry. “Nick and I’ve been talking about the future.”
The way she says the words, I believe she’s speaking about more than what they’re going to have done before the end of the year. “And what can I do to help you with your future?”
“Both of us have been thinking about where the kids would be if either of us got hurt in the line of duty, or just driving down to Birmingham for a night out. Where would they go in the immediate moments after? Who would take them? If we don’t have something in writing, what could happen? We’ve been having long discussions about this.”
Reaching down, I take out my yellow legal pad I always carry with me. It’s got a pen attached to it. “Do you and Nick know who you want to take care of your children? Have you spoken with the people you trust? It’s always good to give them a heads up.”
She plays with her cup. “We spoke with Caleb and Ruby. They’re willing to take on our kids, unless D is of age. Darren has agreed if he’s of age, he wants to take care of his sister.”
“Are you sure?” I stop writing for a second. “It’s a lot of responsibility.”
“He’s been responsible for as long as we’ve known him.”
Somehow I believe that. “Okay, so what about your assets? We need to figure out what those are to give your children the best care.”
“Both of us have life insurance policies on each other through our jobs, and we’ve paid to increase those amounts. I have a million dollars on Nick and he has eight hundred and fifty thousand on me.”
“What about your debts? Those will be probated with the will. Anything we need to know about?”
Sullivan (Laurel Springs Emergency Response Team Book 5) Page 14