So did Lori, as she stepped out of the car and saw the man she had words with yesterday on the dirt road. He was tall and muscular and instantly recognized her as well.
* * * *
“Well lookey there,” he blurted out, ready to start a fight with her as the others listened. “It’s the crazy driver,” he added.
“It’s the loudmouthed jerk!” Lori retorted.
“Hey, Charlie, this is Diana’s daughter Lori. Have you two met or something?” Dr. Andrew Henley asked as Jasper and Matt laughed.
Lori removed her sunglasses and introduced herself to the doctor. She gave Charlie a dirty look as the other men absorbed Lori’s good looks and stunning green eyes.
“You’ll have to excuse my brother, Miss. He failed the course our mamma gave on good manners and the proper way to speak to a lovely young lady like yourself. My name’s Matt Henley.” He reached out his hand to shake Lori’s. Charlie appeared annoyed at his brother and even more so at Lori. Her mom laughed and smiled as if she were finding this conversation interesting.
“I’m going go over to the pharmacy. We’ll meet up when you’re done here, okay?” Diana said as she walked away.
Charlie and the others looked directly at Lori’s hand and the cast as Andrew opened the office door for Lori and they headed inside.
* * * *
“Wow. She’s a knockout. Did you see those green eyes?” Matt asked as he gave his brother Charlie a light backhand to his stomach.
“No, he was too busy pissing her off. I don’t know how many times I have to tell you that’s no way to get a woman to like you,” stated Jasper as Matt started laughing.
“Let’s get back to work. Lou is probably wondering what’s taking us so long,” Charlie said as he walked toward the truck.
“Maybe you’ll get another chance to make a better impression at her house,” Matt added. Charlie wasn’t looking forward to seeing her again. Her reckless driving could have hurt someone. As annoyed as he was, he wondered what happened to her hand.
* * * *
Lori was hesitant to tell Dr. Henley about how she sustained her broken wrist.
“Does it really matter how I broke it? All want to know is why the pain is extending through my forearm and elbow?”
Andrew looked at her, obviously shocked by her abrupt response. She really didn’t care. It was none of his business or anyone else’s for that matter. He seemed to have gotten the message. Lori had a shell around her that he picked up on immediately. She was cautious and he didn’t push the issue. Good, or she was outta here.
They spoke about the town a little and about his wife Michelle and two children. Lori was polite and felt that Andrew was sincere. He couldn’t find anything wrong with her arm and felt maybe the tendons and muscles were still bruised. Lori gave her permission for Andrew to order the X-rays and her file from the other doctor. His secretary was already on the telephone with them as they exited the examination room. Dr. Henley then walked her to the front door. As Andrew opened the door, Sheriff J.R. Morgan was entering.
“Hey, Sheriff Morgan, how are you?” Andrew asked, and Lori was stuck between the two men. The sheriff tipped his hat toward her as Andrew introduced them to one another.
“Pleasure to meet you, Miss Shay. Your parents said you were due in town soon. Glad everything went all right for you and your sister.”
She was caught off guard at the intimidating sheriff and then his comment. Had her mother told the sheriff about Maggie and her being on the run? She wasn’t pleased to say the least. But if there was one thing she learned fast, law enforcement couldn’t be trusted, but it also wasn’t wise to piss them off. She played shy in hopes of getting out of there quicker.
“Thank you, sir, if you’ll excuse me please, my mom’s waiting for me over at the pharmacy. It was nice meeting you and thank you again, Doc,” Lori said as she squeezed by the two men.
* * * *
“She’s a real beauty, huh?” the sheriff asked as they watched Lori cross the street and head toward the pharmacy.
“She sure is but a bit on edge,” Andrew added.
“You’d be on edge, too, if you’d gone through what she and her sister did. It’s a miracle they’re alive.”
Andrew asked what he was talking about.
“I figured you and your family knew about it because your mom and Diana are such good friends. Your brothers and cousin are helping Lou out as well, aren’t they?”
“They are but no one has said anything about what happened to Lori or Maggie.”
“Well, it’s not my place to say but you take good care of her and that wrist. She’s a hero, that girl. I can tell you that much and tough as nails.” The Sheriff headed out the door.
* * * *
Andrew’s curiosity had the best of him as he went back to his office and called his mother. She was out already and the questioning would have to wait until later.
His secretary already had the hospital doctor on the phone from New York so he took the call to discuss Lori’s X-rays.
By the end of the conversation he knew exactly how Lori had sustained her injury and he just sat there astonished. No wonder why she was so cautious and careful. She had every right to be and he would make a point of being more understanding at their next meeting.
* * * *
Lori was walking down the street and looking for the pharmacy. There were a lot of people around and everyone greeted her as if she were a local. Were they for real? What kind of a town was this Valley Stream? It also appeared that there weren’t many places to work. She would have to head a little further out of town to get a job bartending or waitressing. She’d ask around when she met some people. She could have asked that guy Matt Henley or his brother the doctor. They seemed nice. Immediately she thought about the tall cowboy with the brown hair and thick accent. Man, was that guy mean looking. She turned around to glance back in that direction, now seeing the pharmacy across the way. When she turned back, she bumped into someone. Or they bumped into her.
“Whoa, sweetheart, are you okay?” She looked up, her head nearly reaching her shoulders, before she locked gazes with the man. He was a tall, handsome cowboy and he stared down at her. The glare of the sun cast a shadow over his face but she could tell he was good looking. She cupped her hand over her eyes as she apologized.
“I’m sorry. I was looking for the pharmacy.”
“Oh, that’s down this way and across the street. I’m headed that way.” He gave her sleeve a tug as two nonstop-talking older women walked by them, nearly bumping Lori out of the way.
“Good day, ladies.” He tipped his hat at them. They glared at the cowboy and he chuckled then looked at Lori and winked at her.
“I don’t know who the hell those two old biddies think they are. They walk around town like they own the streets.” He turned and gave her a nod to follow him.
She hesitated.
“Oh, how rude of me. I’m sorry, the name’s Trevor Henley. You must be Diana and Lou’s daughter.”
Another Henley? How many of them are there?
“And you figured that out how?” she asked as she placed her hands on her hips.
“I saw you before with your mom, then talking to my brother and cousins. Everyone else around here right now I recognize, darling.” He stared at her as if he were surprised by her attitude. Well, she wasn’t some country bumpkin. She was used to being on guard and on the defensive. He gave her another wink and looked her over. She felt her body hum with awareness and it shocked her.
“I can find the pharmacy on my own. Thanks.” She began to walk between the people on the crowded sidewalk when she felt the hand on her elbow. Instinctually she pulled and turned on him.
Glaring at the man, he glared right back at her then placed his hands on his hips.
“People are real friendly around these parts, darling.”
“I’m good. Have a nice day. That friendly enough for ya?” she said, but turned and headed toward the pharmacy
. As she crossed the road, the urge to turn and look back at the handsome cowboy who totally made her body come to life became too hard to resist. When she did, there he stood, Trevor Henley and that intense facial expression turned into a smile. She quickly turned around then covered her heart with her hand.
What in God’s name just happened?
* * * *
Lori wanted to go see how the apartment was coming along but she didn’t want to deal with another confrontation. Charlie was full of attitude as he was giving out orders and taking charge. She noticed that the other brother Trevor was there, too. So why was she heading over there right now instead of after the men left?
Maggie and Ben were talking to Jasper, and Lori could tell her sister was flirting. It was obvious that Jasper was interested as well and Ben was oblivious.
“Hey, Lori, are you going to come over here and check out the place?” her father asked as he carried some wood toward the barn.
Well here was her excuse to come take a look.
As soon as she started walking toward the barn, Ben came running toward her, bouncing a small blue ball as he walked.
“Aunt Lori, can I come with you?” he asked.
“Sure can, big guy.”
They headed inside the barn where some other guy and Charlie were framing out the bedroom. Ben ran from Lori to get the ball he dropped just as the other guy was grabbing another piece of wood.
Lori and Charlie saw the wood falling at the same time, and Lori pulled Ben out of the way and took the hit instead. The wood scratched her elbow causing her to fall to the ground holding Ben. Charlie was at her side immediately then the other guy.
“Are you all right?” Charlie and the other guy, who looked a lot like Charlie, asked as they tried to help Lori to her feet. She pulled away instinctively and brushed off her pants. She didn’t pay attention to the blood that was dripping off her elbow until the other guy was placing a cloth over it.
Charlie eyed her funny, as if wondering what her problem was. All he was doing was helping her up. But when the two men touched her, she felt a bolt of sexual interest shock her system.
“I’m so sorry, Lori, it was all my fault. The wood slipped,” the man she didn’t know, but who obviously knew her, said as he held her arm with one hand and the other held the bandage in place.
“I’m fine really. No one got hurt. Come on, Ben, let’s go back outside. I’ll push you on the swing set.” Lori took the cloth from the cowboy with the amazing hazel eyes and walked out with Ben.
* * * *
Dante and Charlie watched Lori walk away then looked at one another.
“That was a pretty bad cut, I didn’t see that other piece of wood, and do you think she’s all right?” Dante asked, all concerned.
“By her attitude I’d say hell yeah. Let’s get back to work. Women and kids shouldn’t be around construction anyway.” Charlie gave his brother a light punch then walked away. Dante still felt bad despite Charlie’s words. Plus, it was his first glimpse at the woman who’d snagged Trevor’s attention in town. He had immediately told Dante all about meeting Lori and her abrupt attitude.
Chapter 4
Lynn Cantrell headed outside to the front porch to have her morning coffee. She wrapped the white sweater around her preparing for the cool morning air. As she opened the front door the sight in front of her overcame her as she dropped the blue ceramic coffee mug onto the front porch causing a large bang as it shattered.
Old Man Cantrell came running from the kitchen as his wife stood out front crying.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, but before she could respond, he saw it for himself.
One of their roosters was beheaded and hung from the front porch where all could see.
Tom Cantrell pulled his wife into his arms and back into the house to call Sheriff Morgan.
Within fifteen minutes the sheriff arrived annoyed as ever.
“This is the second time something like this has happened, Sheriff. Who would want to do something like this? That was my damn rooster.” Tom carried on until the sheriff calmed him down.
They spoke about possible suspects, but Tom didn’t have a clue.
“Well I’ll go by the Henleys’ and the Shays’ ask the boys if they’ve seen anything and to keep a lookout. I’m real sorry about this, Lynn and Tom.”
The Sheriff got into his patrol car and headed toward the Henley’s place. It was 5:45 a.m. but he knew they’d be up. He headed down the dirt road and saw a young woman jogging. Immediately he knew it was Lori Shay as he stopped the patrol car in front of the Henleys’ place.
“Good morning, Lori.”
* * * *
Lori regrettably stopped to be polite to the sheriff.
“Good morning, Sheriff. How are you?” she asked politely.
“Good…good. How about yourself? You’re running a little late this morning. Don’t you usually leave your house around 5:15?”
“I guess I was a little tired this morning. I suppose you know everything that goes on in this town, huh?”
“Pretty much, well, I’ll let you get back to your run. Are your parents home?”
“Yes, sir, Sheriff.”
“Lori, please call me J.R. For some reason when you say ‘Sheriff’ it makes me feel older and unattractive.” He winked. It was obvious he was flirting and she smiled back at him. He seemed pretty nice and she waved good-bye then went back to jogging. But she was still cautious and didn’t want to come across as being overly friendly. The past proved that people aren’t always as they seem.
* * * *
Charlie stood by the front porch and watched the sheriff talking to Lori. He noted the time and the fact that she was running a little late this morning. It was town knowledge that Lori jogged every morning and had the most stunning green eyes. For some strange reason it annoyed him how the other men in town talked about her, wanting to get to know her. A few of them made comments about asking her out at the barbeque today. Why should he care though? Lori was stuck up and unfriendly and acted like he had some kind of disease the way she pulled away from him the other day. It annoyed him even more that his mother thought she was wonderful after lunch yesterday and that his sister-in-law Michelle and brother Andrew thought the same thing. In his eyes she was probably just like most women, on the prowl, playing hard to get and nothing but heartache.
He took another sip of his coffee as J.R. drove up in the patrol car and headed toward the front porch.
“Morning, Sheriff. Get ya some coffee?”
“No thanks, Charlie, I just came from Old Man Cantrell’s place. He had some trouble out there this morning. The missus woke up to a bloody, headless rooster hanging from the front porch.”
“What? This is the second time something like this has happened. Who could be doing this?”
“That’s what I’m trying to find out. Could be some stupid game some kids are playing. I wanted to see if any of you heard anything last night.”
“No, not a sound.” Just then Dante and Trevor came outside and they hadn’t heard anything either.
“Well keep a lookout for me and let me know if you see anything suspicious. I’ll see you all later at the barbeque.”
Chapter 5
The sun was bright and a gentle breeze kept the temperature at seventy-five degrees. Maggie was by the Hanson’s porch talking to Jasper along with Phil and Diana. The party had begun and guests were arriving. Everyone brought some kind of food, appetizers, side dishes, or desserts to go along with the main meal. The aroma of barbeque chicken and baby back ribs traveled through the air and outshined the typical hot dogs and hamburgers the children were beginning to eat.
Ben was playing with Michelle and Andrew’s son, Andy, and a bunch of other kids from town. He was having so much fun, laughing and enjoying the appropriate life for a five-year-old kid.
Charlie, Lou, Phil, and Matt were manning the barbeque, hand turning the ribs and chicken with such precision and master technique.
; Lori was on her way across the yard to join the party. She arrived late due to the pains she was having in her arm and elbow. Everyone watched her cross the lawn as her long blonde hair danced in the breeze. The knee-length beige, floral skirt tapped against her long legs. The matching beige V-neck T-shirt accentuated her curves, and it was obvious that she was reserved but well endowed. She carried a light blue-jean jacket in her arms in preparation for the cool evening. Diana glanced at her husband who simultaneously looked from Lori to her. She smiled. Their daughter was gorgeous.
* * * *
Lori smiled politely and said hello to all the people who introduced themselves or simply smiled. She hoped by coming late she would have missed all the nerve-racking introductions and stares. Her thoughts were wrong as a group of young men stopped her before she made it to the safety of the back porch.
They were introducing themselves and looking her over. It was overwhelming, and then she heard the firm voice.
“Give the lady some room, fellas. She just arrived and she’s very shy. Believe me, I tried having a conversation with her in town the other day.”
She turned to see Trevor Henley. He was decked out in a nice blue button-down shirt and tight blue jeans. He wore cowboy boots and smiled at her in a wicked, flirtatious way. She immediately noticed the tattoos on his upper arm and one that extended up his collared shirt.
As to not skip a beat or be intimidated by Trevor and his obvious self-confidence, she gave him the once-over.
“We met before? I don’t recall. Excuse me.”
He appeared shocked as the other cowboys chuckled then continued to vie for her attention. She needed an escape route and she needed one quickly.
* * * *
The American Soldier Collection 4: Their Blue-Collar Girl (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 4