To us.
I need her here, and so does Moose.
Pressing the dressing to my shoulder while I wait for Naomi to get here and for Moose to be given the all-clear.
I make some decisions.
My best friend Moose is just a regular, everyday pooch from now on.
And once we all get home, I think my mom might get her wish. I know she will.
I’m handing in my badge, hanging up the leash, and spending every minute from today on doing what I love instead of chasing what I don’t.
I call her next, my home line which I’m glad she picks up.
I try to keep it together, try to be strong but when I need her so bad. When I feel how close I just came to losing everything I love, I can’t hide my emotions.
I love her, I love Moose. I love us as a family and I need her here right now.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Naomi
Everything’s just like Parker said.
After about ten minutes there’s a honk right outside and looking out the front window I can see the patrol car so I open the gates.
Remembering what Parker said before he left, I still hesitate before opening the front door, making sure I have the chain on this time.
The memory of the run-in with my landlord still fresh in my mind.
Through the peephole in the door, I can see it’s a female cop, she rings the bell and waits patiently.
I feel scared still, not wanting to open the door because I know it’s opening up a whole world of problems with it.
Moose hurt, and I just know Parker is too.
It feels like too much to deal with so suddenly. I feel tired, wishing I’d eaten more. Wishing I’d got some more sleep.
Wishing none of this was happening.
“Ma’am? I’m Officer Gates. Officer Parker sent me to collect you. He’s waiting,” her firm voice says through the door.
I know she knows I’m standing here and I slowly open the door, keeping the chain on.
“Naomi?” she asks, her face melting into a kind smile. Making me feel relief straight away.
I only nod, and letting myself out the way Parker told me too, we’re in the patrol car with gates and house locked behind us in no time.
She sure is pretty for a cop. I mean, she’s gorgeous.
I’ve always been self-conscious around other women, but this one… That uniform, her skin. That figure?
“You must be something special for Parker to have me drive off my beat, bending the rules to come get you,” she says, sounding impressed.
“Call me Melissa,” she adds as she smiles. Her teeth are so straight, so white. It’s like she’s a model dressed as a cop or something.
“You didn’t have to,” I tell her, feeling defensive. Suddenly not liking the fact that she seems so familiar with Parker.
“Yeah I did,” she says straight away, wincing a little and then smiling again.
“Parker’s a big deal on the force,” she adds coolly.
“He and his dad were, are the most respected detectives in the district. Now he’s in K9? Parker’s the silent mentor of plenty of cops. Rookie and old school,” she says with finality.
“You included?” I almost spit, hating the idea of her having anything to do with Parker.
“Me included,” she murmurs. “But just so you know, Parker’s an island. And when I get a radio call demanding I come to pick up some girl because he’s gone and got himself shot. I know he’s got something special with someone. In case you can’t see that,” she says, cocking a brow.
“I’ve got a man, sweetie. Don’t be too quick to judge others for admiring what someone else has, know what I mean?” she smiles again.
Shot?
I feel like I’ve just been shot in the stomach. Figuring we must be going to the hospital, or worse. The morgue.
“What happened?” I gasp, gripping her arm so hard she has to take it off the wheel as she calms me down.
“Easy, easy!” she says. “I thought you knew? Parker and Moose got in a scrap with some shooters. They’re okay, just a little beat up,” she drawls, noting my frantic expression before she pats my knee.
“He asked for you before refusing an ambulance,” she adds. “That should answer any real questions you might have…” she smiles again with a knowing look.
I can’t speak though, and I feel myself sinking back into the seat, a whole universe of questions spiraling through my mind.
Please god, just let them be safe. Let them be alive.
We drive in silence and by the time we reach a 24-hour vet clinic, my driver has another call on her own radio.
“Hate to hi and bye, but…” she says. Friendly though.
“Hey?” she asks me, stopping me before I shut the cruiser’s door.
“You look out for him, won’t you, and Moose?” she adds. “We’re all gonna miss them.”
I have no idea what that means, but I have no time to think about it.
Once we’ve pulled up, Parker makes his way out of the clinic and has me in his arms as the police car pulls away, lights flashing before the sirens start to wail.
A job that never stops, no matter who’s behind the wheel.
“Are you okay?” I sob, wishing he’d never left in the first place, only wanting to take him back to bed and hold him for a thousand years.
“I’m better whenever I see you,” Parker whispers in my ear, kissing me so much, so hard I feel like I might crack.
“And Moose?” I ask. “That woman, she said you were both-”
“We’re both better now,” he sighs. “Come see him with me?”
Parker walks me back inside, his arm around me and both his hands stroking me the whole way.
He kisses my head and tells me he loves me. Tells me that tonight is the last night for any of us to worry about anything ever again, whatever that means.
It’s late and not much else seems to be happening in the vet clinic.
We’re let through to see Moose, who’s laid out on a green sheet with a couple of tubes in his leg and abdomen.
I let out a moan of shock and feel Parker tense up against me, but the vet in charge is there to explain everything.
“He’s a lucky dog, Parker. Don’t think I’m just saying that either,” he says seriously.
We’re walked over to a light box on the wall, and the vet shows us some x-rays, pointing out how close the bullet was to Moose’s heart, but passed through him without seriously injuring him.
“He’s sedated now, and that’s why he looks the way he does,” the vet adds, reading my thoughts and giving some comfort to Parker.
“He’ll have to stay here for a day or two. Antibiotics and plenty of sedation to make sure he gets the rest he needs while the wound heals up.”
Parker and I look at each other and then go back over to the table with Moose on it.
His eyes are half open and his tongue out, but he seems so… lifeless that it’s scary.
“He’s fine, once the main anesthetic wears off he’ll be more himself, don’t worry.” The vet reminds us both and before he leaves us for a minute with our friend he pauses in the doorway to ask something.
“Did you get whoever did this?” he asks, frowning.
Parker nods.
“Yeah. We have them in custody.” He says dryly.
“Good.” The vet says as he creases a smile that’s far from happy about any of this except Moose surviving. “Good,” he says again.
It’s hard to watch Moose like this and even harder to see the effect it has on Parker.
He runs his thick hands through his buddy’s fur and nuzzles his face into his neck.
There are tears in his eyes by the time they reach mine.
“I’m quitting the force, Naomi,” he tells me. “I can’t live another day wondering when some lunatic is gonna try to hurt me or Moose again. Since you’ve come along I’ve got a reason to care again. I’ve got something for us both to come home for.”
/> Hugging Parker again, I can’t disagree but I don’t want him to change everything just because of me.
“That cop who dropped me off, she told me to look after you both,” I tell him and he chuckles.
“I think a few of the guys and gals just know,” he says with a shrug.
“When a cop reaches the end of his service and he gets to go out with dignity and his life? It’s a win, especially after being shot twice” he reminds me. Making me worry all over again, making me wish we’d found each other sooner.
I’ve got so many questions, about everything but I know now isn’t the time.
It’s all about Moose and Parker’s decision for now.
We sit silently with Moose for a while and eventually the vet returns, letting Parker know he needs the space for his next patient.
“Moose will be well cared for, next door in our recovery area,” he tells us.
I feel Parker tense up and worry he’s going to make a scene, not wanting to be separated from his longtime friend, but he eventually nods his head.
“I trust you doc. But are you sure we can’t just take him home? I can look after him-” Parker starts to say.
But the vet is shaking his head and pats his arm.
“I’m sorry it has to be this way, Parker, I really am. But Moose needs specialized care right now. I’ll update you in the morning,” he adds, ushering us to the door.
As we walk out, a vet nurse passes us cradling another dog in her arms.
Parker stops in front of her and asks what’s wrong with the animal.
“A stray, hit by a car. D’ya mind?” she says, pushing past Parker and me, sending another problem to the vet.
Makes me wonder, how many terrible things happen around the clock, how many people deal with them and get no recognition for all their hard work?
“Moose will be fine,” I try to comfort Parker, rubbing his back and noticing again just how much blood is on his own shirt.
“How about we get you to a hospital?” I suggest, but he shakes his head. “I’m fine,” he says in a low tone, his whole body still tense and twitching as he turns to face the doors closing behind us both.
“Then can we at least get you home so I can clean you up?” I offer, knowing he wants to stay here but can’t.
Parker stops in his tracks and grips me gently by the elbows.
“I can’t just leave him here,” he groans.
“He’ll be fine, the vet just said so,” I offer, wondering if it’s going to be an all-night vigil in the car park if Parker won’t come back to the house.
I’m okay with that though.
I kinda want to be by Moose’s side too.
“You’re right,” he sighs, leaning in to rest his head against mine.
“Let’s go home and I’ll get cleaned up. We’ll hear if there’s any change.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Parker
I could stay and make a fool of myself at the clinic, or I could listen to the vet’s advice.
Listen to Naomi.
It’s time to go home, nurse my own wounds, and rest.
Once I know Moose is gonna make it, there’s nothing else for me to do.
Seeing him lying there so helpless, doesn’t help me any to know all I can do is wait.
That other dog though, in that nurse’s arms. I wonder how many four legged best friends either don’t make it or never get a real chance at someone to love them.
Makes me think how lucky I’ve been so far with Moose and to find Naomi.
How lucky we all are Moose is gonna make it and the fact I’ve decided to hand in my badge.
Even my mom might finally relax a little more. Maybe. But I’m not doing this for her.
My dad, maybe not so much for quitting but he’d want all of us out of harm’s way.
“You can’t save everyone, never will,” he used to tell me. Since I was a kid and he was so right.
It’s with some relief too that we meet a uniformed officer out front as we’re leaving.
He’s just stepped out of my truck and holds out the keys for me, making a face as he reminds me he could arrest me for hijacking his patrol car.
“I think a straight swap is the best thing?” he suggests as a cleaner alternative. “I got ten hours to go, Parker, and I don’t need this but I’ll let it slide. Given what happened back there. Moose gonna be okay?” he asks me, pressing my keys into my hand.
“I think so. And sorry man, I just got caught up in the moment,” I explain.
He nods and notices I don’t have his keys in return, figures they’re still in his car which they are.
A slightly salty look and a nod before he gets in and spins his tires before leaving lets me know maybe I’ve made the right decision after all.
Quit or be fired? I think I know which I’d prefer.
“Let’s go home,” I suggest to Naomi, trying to hold back my urge to run back inside and scoop up my best friend and take him with us.
“You okay to drive?” Naomi asks me, noting my expression when I move my arm.
“I’ve had worse,” I hear myself tell her sharply, grinding my jaw as I reel from the pain I’m just starting to notice.
I reach over to her, pressing my hand into hers. “I’ll be okay,” I tell her, taking my time as I pull out of the parking lot and start to take us home.
“I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t here,” I add, feeling the gap in the world without Moose with me already.
“Probably be arguing with the vet, telling him you’re staying the night,” she says, lifting her brow and making me smile.
She’s right. I know she’ll always be right because she’s so damned perfect.
“We’re gonna be okay, aren’t we?” I ask her. Telling her really.
“Yeah,” she whispers. “And Moose is too,” she adds.
We drive in silence most of the way home until Naomi speaks up.
“I forgot to tell you, your mom called,” she says casually. “I thought it was you calling so I picked up,” she confesses. Not that I mind her answering my phone.
Our phone now.
I feel the truck slowing as my foot slips from the gas.
The thought of Naomi and my mom talking is as much a shock as everything else that’s happened today.
This whole weekend has been surreal, some parts from a dream I like and others that are the stuff of nightmares.
“Oh, how is she?” I ask, trying to sound casual.
Naomi goes quiet, looking out the window.
It starts to rain.
“She said she’s old, not stupid,” Naomi grins, keeping a brow cocked as she registers the effect of her words.
That sounds like my mom alright, but it also makes me wonder what else those two talked about.
I guess Naomi stuck around, so maybe Ma wasn’t in full form tonight. She doesn’t mean to, but my mom has a habit of rubbing everyone the wrong way every time she opens her mouth.
Naomi has some mischief in her eyes which turns to sadness as she looks over at my arm again.
“What did she tell you?” I ask her, hoping the old lady didn’t say anything to upset her.
“She told me about you and your dad. That night… Parker, I just knew something terrible was gonna happen tonight, as soon as you got that call out. It terrified me,” she admits.
My shoulder throbs. Feeling like the past has been superimposed over the present all over again but in reverse.
This time it was Moose who took a bullet for me. Back when I was working with my dad, it was me who threw himself in front of the shooter to save him.
“Well, it’s over now,” I remind us both, grateful to pull into our street and see the gates swing open.
Once inside, home at last I feel weak suddenly. Like the whole effort of staying upright so far is beyond me now.
I slump onto the couch and Naomi asks me where there’s a first aid kit.
I have several, but the best one is in the closet by t
he front door.
“You’re more than just a pretty face,” I tell her, watching her expertly cut my shirt free and clean then dress my wound.
It’s a nasty scratch but nothing compared to what Moose is dealing with.
“You should really-” she starts to say, wanting to tell me to go to a doctor or the hospital, but I silence her with my mouth over hers, pulling her on top of me and getting the only medicine I need right now.
“Just lay here with me a while, will ya?” I ask her, glad to feel her warmth against me as she nuzzles closer.
I have one good arm, and it’s plenty to wrap around her and hold her tight, keep her close.
I can’t believe we’ve been through so much in one day but I’m determined to make every day from now on a lot easier for all of us.
No matter what.
“I hope your invitation to stay is still open,” she murmurs, both of us nearly dozing.
It sends a jolt of alertness right through me, and I almost try to sit up but only hug her tighter.
“I hope you never even think about going anywhere without me, except maybe to the bathroom,” I tell her. Feeling like the tide’s turning now.
We’ve had all the bad stuff happen and now the good can shine through.
“How ‘bout if I go to the kitchen for a minute?” she asks me, reminding me I didn’t eat earlier, that we never got to share our meal properly.
“I can do it,” I offer, but Naomi is determined to keep me as her patient on the couch. She shushes me gently and tells me to stay put while she gets us both something to eat.
I decide I have to let go at some point.
I have to let someone else do something for me for a change, and Naomi is more than willing to play nurse.
I smile to myself as I hear her fumble through our kitchen, finding her way.
The sounds and smells of her efforts reach me as I almost doze off again before she reappears with a tray of steak and cheese sandwiches, toasted, and some mineral waters for us both.
“You need your strength,” she advises me, setting the tray down while I prop myself up on my good elbow, eyeing her more than the food.
Wondering how I ever managed without her in the first place.
“I know what I’d rather eat right now,” I caution her hungrily, reaching out for her and sliding my hand between her thighs.
Groomed For Love: A Steamy Standalone Instalove Romance Page 10