“Rosie actually mentioned it. She didn’t realize I didn’t know about the incident. Caleigh explained everything that happened. At first, I didn’t want to see the videos of you being beaten. I don’t know why I felt compelled to see them, but I did today.” Chantal nodded. “I have to agree with Rosie and Caleigh, you are a badass.”
“With a pink fuzzy tail.”
Chantal laughed when Blaze did. “There are many things I want to explain to you and Ronnie. I won’t try to do that now. I know you have a lot on your mind with Caleigh at the moment. I’m also pretty sure you haven’t been ready to hear what I have to say.”
“That’s true.”
Chantal pursed her lips and changed the subject. “Ronnie finally had a night of good rest because of the sleeping pills you bought her. She told me that earlier.”
“I’m happy to hear that. Now that I think about it, she did seem like the old Ronnie tonight, calm and in control.”
“She was, but she was very worried about you. I admire the relationship you two have.” Chantal smiled as Caleigh slowly walked into the room wearing a T-shirt and a pair of shorts she’d taken from Blaze’s dresser. “Did drinking the water help?”
“It may have.” Caleigh patted her stomach. “I have never felt so pure inside. I’m clean now, inside and out.”
Blaze stood and scowled at Caleigh’s wet hair. “I see that you’ve showered. You weren’t supposed to do that alone.”
“I was steady, and if I’d felt dizzy, I would’ve sat on the bench in your shower. I think the few power naps I had on the toilet helped.” Caleigh yawned. “But I really want to get into bed and sleep now.”
“Good.” Blaze took Caleigh by the arm and gazed at Chantal. “Is there anything you need before we turn in?”
Chantal stood slowly. “No, I’m right behind you. I’ll switch off the lights, you take care of Caleigh.” Her eyes flew open wide when Caleigh leaned close and kissed her cheek.
“Thank you for the water and the colon cleansing that could’ve come at a better time, but I won’t hold that against you,” Caleigh said with a smile.
*******
Blaze sighed when she stepped out of the bathroom after her shower, and Caleigh’s eyes flew open. “I’m sorry I woke you up. You should’ve let me turn the lamp off. I know my way around my bedroom in the dark.”
“I was already awake. I rolled onto my back and pissed off the back of my head.”
“I’ll spoon you and keep you on your side.” Blaze climbed into bed and switched off the light.
Caleigh rolled away from Blaze, who snuggled up behind her. “I’m certain now that Chantal wants to try to make amends,” Caleigh said as she entwined her fingers with Blaze’s. “I think you should hear what she has to say.”
“I think you should sleep now, and we’ll talk about this later.” Blaze kissed Caleigh’s shoulder. “Before you go, I just want to tell you again how sorry I am for hitting you.”
“I know because you apologized the whole time they rolled me out to the ambulance I told you I didn’t need. I was sneaking up on you, so the whole thing wasn’t your fault. It was an accident, and you have to accept that. Although, I will admit I’d still be apologizing to you if I had been in your shoes. Do you feel like our dating is kinda like a trial by fire? It’s like we’re in a ‘getting to know you’ crash course.”
“Yeah, we’ve been going through some things together most people don’t have to face when they’re first going out. I don’t usually maim a woman until I’ve been seeing her a few months,” Blaze said with a grin.
“Good, you can go ahead and mark that off your list with me. I don’t usually destroy a woman’s bathroom until I’ve been seeing her a while either.”
Blaze laughed. “I feel so honored. Now go to sleep, so I can wake you up in an hour to check your mental status.”
“Seriously, I think I’ve been misdiagnosed. I’ve had a concussion before, and I know how bad I felt then. All I have right now is a sore head. You don’t have to wake me up until five thirty.”
“Obviously, Dean didn’t tell you that he called someone on the night shift, and they transferred him to your boss. You’re not expected at the office tomorrow, so you can sleep—”
“I don’t fucking believe this!” Caleigh snapped. “I can’t call in sick after only one day on the job. I’m fine! Why won’t anybody believe me when I say that?”
“Because you had a brain scan that says you’re not.”
“Screw that! I’m going to work, and while I’m there, I’m going to make giant copies of my driver’s license and highlight my birthdate on all of them. I’ll hang one in every room of my grandparents’ house, so they can see I am not the baby anymore.” Caleigh released a guttural growl. “I’m a grown woman capable of handling her own shit.”
“That’s true. You did that tonight.”
After a moment or two of silence, Caleigh snorted. “Don’t make me laugh right now, I’m mad.”
“When life stops being so crazy, I want to take you on a weekend trip. I would like to have some uninterrupted time with you, so I can woo you properly.” Blaze kissed Caleigh’s shoulder. “I’m beginning to think I’m never gonna be able to take you out around here without someone throwing a wrench into our plans.”
Caleigh pulled out of Blaze’s embrace and rolled over to face her, even though she couldn’t see her in the dark. “I’ve gone on many dates because that’s all I could do while working with MVP. I’m experiencing a part of life with you I haven’t really known for a long time. I’m learning so much more about you while you face family issues than I would if we were traditionally dating. You’ve already wooed me. I’m the one who needs to be wooing you.”
“You already have.” Blaze took Caleigh’s hand and kissed it. “You’ve been so accommodating and supportive without complaint. I’ve never met anyone like you.”
“Well, babe, you’ve been dating some assholes then.” Caleigh grinned when Blaze laughed. “You’re real, you admit your insecurities. More importantly, you don’t pretend you don’t have any. There’s no pretense, you just let me see who you are. You make me feel like I can be myself, and that’s so refreshing. Especially right now, when I’m starting a new job and I feel like I have to exude confidence I really don’t have yet.”
“You have a way of putting things so perfectly. I want to respond to what you just said with something brilliant, but the only thing going through my brain right now is you’re so fucking awesome.”
“I’ll happily take that,” Caleigh said with a laugh and ran a hand over Blaze’s head and down her face. “I wanted to kiss you, but it’s pitch-black in here, and I didn’t know where your face was. I was afraid I’d head butt you. Don’t move, I have your bottom lip pinned with my thumb.”
“That’s my top lip, adjust your trajectory as you’re coming in. I don’t want your tongue in my nose.”
They both laughed through several kisses, until one turned passionate. Caleigh groaned when Blaze gently pushed her away. “Why are you rejecting my seduction?”
“You have a head injury. I don’t want to resist, but I’m not doing anything to put you back in the hospital. I don’t want to cause you to have a brain bleed, and I especially don’t want to explain to your grandparents how I did that again.”
“I’m telling you, I really don’t believe I have a concussion. Think about this.” Caleigh ran her fingers along the inside of Blaze’s thigh. “Your blood flow goes south when you’re turned on, so giving in to me would be healing if I really do have a head injury. Understand?”
“No, because you just made all my blood run south.” Blaze grabbed Caleigh’s hand. “Stop making me stupid.”
Caleigh rested her head on her pillow with a laugh. “You hit me in the face with something, and you’re not gonna kiss it better?”
“We both know your face isn’t what you want me to kiss. Caleigh, you do have a head injury and let me tell you how I know. I gave it to you,
and after you got here, Chantal gave you tea that made you shit your rib cage out. If I hadn’t knocked the sense out of you, there would be no way you’d wanna take a chance of me throwing you out a window.”
“Why would you throw me out a window?”
“That’s the kind of day we’ve been having.” Blaze grinned when Caleigh cracked up laughing. “You really are fucking awesome.”
Chapter 18
“Hey,” Blaze said with a sleepy smile when she walked into the kitchen the next morning and found Edie at the table having coffee with Chantal.
“I understand you and Caleigh were heard laughing until after midnight, so that must mean she’s doing well,” Edie said as she watched Blaze go straight to the coffeepot.
“She wasn’t laughing when I woke her up every hour to make sure she was okay. She’s definitely just fine because she had the presence of mind to sneak out of bed, unplug my alarm clock, and stuff it in the bathroom trash can.” Blaze yawned. “I found it there when I got up.”
Edie smiled with relief. “That’s good news. Dean called a little while ago and said he spoke to Sam, Caleigh’s boss, again first thing this morning. He wanted me to be sure and let Caleigh know that Sam said for her not to worry about anything. She can start fresh next week.”
“That’s awfully sweet, but I’m going back tomorrow.”
Everyone turned and gazed at Caleigh standing in the doorway with her hair a mess and a faint bruise in the center of her forehead. “The doctor said in his notes that you should not do anything strenuous for at least a week. That includes staring at a computer screen,” Edie said firmly. “You also need to follow up with a doctor before you return to work.”
“Emergency room doctors always say that.” Caleigh waved a hand dismissively. “I know my body, and I know what I can handle. I would’ve gone to work today, but someone woke me up every hour and made me recite the Pledge of Allegiance.”
Blaze shook her head. “You didn’t recite it, you made up your own.” She placed her right hand over her heart and tried to keep a straight face. “‘I pledge not to choke you for doing what you believe is in my best interests, but so help me God, if that alarm clock goes off again, I will spread its remains over the United States of America, with parts and pieces for all.’ Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“Yes, I would, but I’ll pour it myself to further demonstrate that I’m fine.” Caleigh strode over to the coffeemaker and took the cup Blaze handed her. “I will be even more brilliant after I’m caffeinated.”
“Dad,” Blaze said with surprise when Frank opened the back door and walked in without knocking.
“Hello, honey,” Frank said as he gave Blaze a kiss on the cheek. “Hello, Edie, it’s good to see you.”
“Great to see you, Frank.” Edie gestured toward Caleigh. “I’d like you to meet my granddaughter, Caleigh.”
Frank shook Caleigh’s hand. “I met you a long time ago. You had a head full of blond curls then and had just learned to walk. You were supervising Dean while he worked on his lawn mower. That sticks out in my mind because you were chewing on a dill pickle and drooling down the front of your shirt. Dean got a real kick out of that.”
“I’m certain I looked better then than I do now,” Caleigh said with a smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you again.”
Frank spun around, and his polite tone turned hostile. “Chantal, what the hell are you doing here?”
“Whoa.” Blaze stepped in front of Frank. “Dad, I missed you when you chose to step out of the loop and leave town. Don’t come up in my house demanding answers and being rude, especially in front of my new girlfriend.” She turned her gaze to Caleigh. “Is that title cool?”
Caleigh held up a thumb. “Most definitely cool.”
“Why do you look so old?” Chantal asked in awe as she gawked at Frank.
Frank looked bowled over by the question. “What?”
“You need to moisturize. You won’t be any less manly if you take care of your skin,” Chantal said.
“You’re talking about…” The lines deepened in Frank’s brow. “I didn’t come here for beauty tips,” he said numbly. “What’re you doing here?”
“I’m having coffee with the girls, won’t you join us?” Chantal smiled. “We won’t exfoliate you.”
Frank wagged a finger at Chantal. “You’re being…what’s the word?”
“Obtuse?” Blaze suggested.
“You’re being that,” Frank said with a nod. “You know what I’m asking you, Chantal.”
Blaze watched the exchange between her parents in fascination. She employed the same run-around tactics when Frank would ask her something she didn’t want to answer, despite the fact it never worked. She was amazed that her father seemed so flummoxed by Chantal’s evasiveness
“Sunscreen, you should use it on your face and especially your neck,” Chantal said casually and took a sip of her coffee.
“I never did understand you.” Frank blew out a breath and set his hands on his hips. “I asked you a direct question, answer it.”
“That’s not true, Frank. You knew me better than I knew myself. You used to tell me that all the time. When it came to self-realization, I was a late bloomer, but I’m all caught up now. I was an idiot but not anymore. I’ll answer all your questions when I’m ready, so don’t bully me,” Chantal said in a cool tone that no one in the room had heard before.
Frank stared at Chantal for a moment and slowly nodded. “All right. It was good seeing you, Edie. It was a pleasure meeting you, Caleigh,” he said and kissed Blaze on the forehead. “I love you, baby. I’ll see you later.”
“You’re leaving now?” Blaze asked.
“Yep,” Frank said and walked out the door.
Chantal got onto her scooter and said, “Please excuse me,” before she rolled out of the kitchen.
Blaze watched her go, then softly asked Edie, “Did I just see my dad run out of here like a scolded dog?”
“Tail tucked and everything,” Edie said with a bewildered smile. “That was a first.”
“What does that mean?” Caleigh asked.
“Dad can be bullish,” Blaze said. “I’ve never seen anyone make him retreat.”
Ronnie walked in the door looking disconcerted. “I saw Dad backing out of the driveway when I drove up, and he looked me dead in the face and didn’t wave or smile. It was like he didn’t even see me. What’s going on?”
“He showed up and demanded Chantal tell him what she was doing here, and she shut him down. She didn’t yell or anything, her voice actually got lower. It was kinda cool to witness. I wish you would’ve been here,” Blaze said with a grin.
*******
Ronnie stood in the doorway between the kitchen and living room and watched Blaze cover Caleigh with a blanket while she napped on the love seat. Blaze gazed at Chantal, who was asleep on the couch for a moment, and covered her with a throw, as well. Ronnie backed into the kitchen when Blaze headed her way. “I can stay here with them if you need to go into work.”
“Shit. I do need to go to work. I forgot to pay bills yesterday, and I didn’t transfer the money for the note on the store to Bill’s account. I can’t be late on that.”
“It’s only a day, don’t stress.” Ronnie watched Blaze head toward the back door. “Where’re you going?”
“To work,” Blaze said as though the answer was obvious.
“Okay, well, put on a bra and something besides boxer shorts.”
*******
Blaze was assailed by a dozen questions from her staff when she walked into the store and became distracted by issues she needed to handle. It wasn’t until later she remembered she still needed to pay the note on her store. As she went into her office, she called Bill Winters to let him know she was about to transfer the money into his account.
“Hey, Bill,” she said when he answered. “I’m so sorry I haven’t paid you this month. There’s no financial trouble, I’ve had my hands full and I forgot. I’m au
thorizing the payment as we speak.”
“Don’t do that. I thought you knew…uh…don’t make that transfer. I don’t know what to say,” Bill stammered. “Just hold off on that.”
Blaze’s fingers froze on her keyboard. “What?”
There was a moment of silence, and Bill said, “Someone was supposed to have talked to you about this.”
“Someone…” Blaze felt as though her blood ran cold. “Bill, I’m getting a really bad feeling. Please don’t tell me you sold this store out from underneath me despite our agreement.”
Bill sounded offended. “You should know me better than that.”
“Then tell me what’s going on.”
“Look…” Bill fell silent again for a few seconds. “All I can tell you is that you have a benefactor, and your debt to me is paid. I’m on the verge of breaking my word to that person, so I’m gonna go now, but we’ll talk soon.”
Blaze blinked rapidly when the call ended, unable to comprehend what she’d just heard. She didn’t know anyone wealthy enough to pay off her loan. “Chantal!” she said and sprang out of her chair.
*******
When Blaze burst through her back door, she found Ronnie combing through Chantal’s wet hair while she sat at the kitchen table. “It’s beauty day,” Ronnie said cheerfully. “I swear I was very careful, and I didn’t get the hair dye on anything.” She pointed the comb she held at Caleigh, who was also seated at the table. “Did you know your girlfriend can cut hair? She refreshed my layers.”
“You’re not broke,” Blaze said shakily to Chantal. “For that matter, your arm and rib aren’t broken either. You lied about that too. You better answer my next question truthfully. Did you buy my loan for the store from Bill Winters?”
“No,” Chantal said and held Blaze’s fiery gaze. “I paid it off as a gift to you. I think it’s time we talk.”
“I’m gonna go…somewhere,” Caleigh said as she stood.
Blaze held up a hand. “No, please stay right there.”
Chantal gave Caleigh a weak smile. “I would like for you to stay too.”
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