by Rita Hestand
He stood there staring at her, "After we get a gun, I want you to see a doctor about some pills. Because I want you baby. Your mine. You've admitted it, so have I."
She nodded slowly, "Okay…" she murmured. "I guess."
He smiled.
After he went home to shower, he came over and waited for her to finish getting ready. He went in the kitchen, and opened a couple of bottles for them.
"I've got a couple of places for us to check out a gun, so we don't have to hunt for a pawn shop or anything." He told her.
She came into the living room where he was sitting having a cold drink from her refrigerator. "I never thought I'd be going to buy a gun."
He handed her a cold drink. She took a swig.
He stood up, kissed her on the jaw and smiled, "I don't want you to tell anyone you have one."
"I won't. Neely wanted me to tell Julia about all of this, but I didn't feel right. After all, you told me she doesn't like drama."
"That's okay. Probably best you don't say anything. Less gossip." He smiled. "Julia's cool, but there's no need."
Just for a second, Melanie wondered just how close he and Julia were. But that was nonsense and a bit of jealousy sneaking up on her. She forgot about it.
"Eventually, you think this is going to continue?"
"Well honey, I don't know why they are following you, but sooner or later they are going to come out and face you and I want you to be ready. If they do."
"I guess you are right. You know Julia pretty well, don't you?" She couldn't get the idea out of her mind.
"We're friends." He seemed to hesitate. "Yeah, we've been good friends. When she started to leave the hospital a while back, I talked her out of it, she's thanked me a million times for that. She came to this hospital three years before me, she worked in San Antonio for ten years. Then moved here."
For someone that was only a friend he knew a lot about her, and Julia was a very beautiful woman, anyone could see thatl.
"Did you ever date her?" Mel asked curiously.
"Julia? No, we went to dinner once, that's all. And I think she might be gay. I haven't seen anything to lead me to that conclusion, but I've never seen her with a man."
"Wow, I'd have never guessed."
"She's very discreet about it."
"So why did she want to leave the hospital?"
"Norma Wells, in a nutshell."
"Norma Wells, the woman who tried to steal the baby?"
"Yeah, the same. You see Julia was head of the department and they came down hard on her. As though it were her fault. She felt they accused her of the whole plot. But I convinced her it would blow over. I told her to hurry up and find a replacement and get on with her life. That's why I suspicion she's gay, there was a rumor to that effect when this all came down at the hospital. Of course, it might just be a rumor."
"Poor Julia. But I thought you said she was interested in some doctor."
"Hospital gossip."
"I feel sorry for her."
"Why?"
"She doesn't seem to have much home life. And I would never suspicion her as gay. She's a beautiful woman. She also seems well liked by the staff."
He stared at her a minute and leaned to kiss her nose, "You are a bit naïve. I wouldn't worry about her."
They went to the gun shop and looked over several handguns. He let her hold them and get a feel for each one. She found one that was a revolver and decided on it. It was simple to shoot. The salesmen went over some specifics about each one, but he recommended the revolver to her as it was easy to use.
Dex preferred the semi-automatic and picked one out too. After making their purchases they headed for a gun range to practice.
He got behind her and helped her hold the gun the first few times she shot it. It had a kick to it. The gun jerked her arm the first few tries and she rubbed her shoulder. But eventually she got the feel of how it shot and got better. She didn't hit the target until the last shot. Then she nearly jumped him she was so excited. She went to the restroom to clean her hands as she had powder on them from the gun.
"That was something." She said when she returned. "I never realized the power you feel behind a gun. I think it might help improve my fears."
"You're not a bad shot, if the person were close enough you could probably hit them." Dex told her.
"Oh God," She stopped and looked at him seriously. "I'm not sure I could shoot anyone. I mean, let's face it, Dex. I'm really not sure I could pull the trigger. It's one thing to shoot at a target, but when it's a human being, it's isn't that easy. I think I might weigh my decision as to whether I should use it or not. But don't you think just the threat of the gun would be enough to stave off an attacker?"
"No, I don't."
"I'm just not sure I could shoot anyone, Dex."
"Even if they threatened you?"
"I just don't know. I guess I'll never know the answer to that until I'm faced with it. God help me."
"That's something you'll have to learn to do. If someone attacks you, you've got to be ready. I'll show you how to wear it when you are alone, but don't wear it to work."
"Yeah, I wasn't planning on taking it to work. I mean, I don't think anyone there wants to harm me."
He looked at her strangely. "Good. You did good. We'll come practice once a week until you are really good with it." He promised.
He had purchased the gun for her and put the safety on for her, laid it in its case, after taking the remaining bullets out of it.
"I'll pay you back." She promised.
He nodded.
"I'll show you how to clean it, and take care of it too, but not too much in one day."
Then they took off for home.
She lingered at her door.
"Want to come in for a bite to eat?"
"What do you have?" He asked.
"I've got Tuna salad, if you're interested? Made it yesterday should be doubly good today."
"Sounds good."
She invited him in, and he flipped the television on and got comfortable on the couch.
"So how do you like Pediatrics now that you are getting close to your last days as a newbie?" He asked her when she brought them sandwiches.
"I love it, just wish I could get a bit more involved in it. But that too will come." She smiled.
"I'm glad."
They ate, and he put his arm around her. She cuddled into him after she finished eating and they kissed for a long time. He came up for air once, "Never knew a woman could kiss so good or taste so much like a tuna."
She giggled. Suddenly a thud from upstairs made him jerk up straight. "Wow, they are loud, aren't they?"
"Yes, it happens a lot." She told him.
The noise continued for a few minutes then stopped.
"I didn't realize it was so loud honey. You really should tell Earl. Let him handle it."
"Maybe I should, they've really had enough time to move in."
He kissed her again and she was lost. She was totally out of character now, wanting him, but he'd admitted he had feelings for her, and she certainly felt the same. It was different than her and Brad. Much different.
She surely wanted to forget all her high morals and go into the bedroom with him, but deep down, she knew it was wrong. It wasn't just the amount of time they'd been together, but the fact that she wasn't on the pill too And not being on the pill made her do a double take. Maybe if he bought her an engagement ring, she might change her mind, but for now, it wasn't the right thing to do. And it looked like she might have to be the strong one.
"I want you Mel," he whispered between kisses.
"I know, I want you too…" she breathed the words.
He stopped and pulled up, "You mean that?"
She bowed her head, and slowly nodded, "Yes, but…"
He rolled his eyes. "But what, babe. We love each other. You know that. If I got you pregnant, I'd damn sure marry you."
"Would you. It's just too soon, Dex. And I don't want a m
arriage based on a pregnancy."
He seemed to be angry, but he didn't express it, he just folded his lips, got up and nodded. "You're right."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be, you are right. I gotta go though."
She nodded, "Okay…" She didn't understand his hurry to leave, but she didn't want him to think she was growing possessive of him.
He walked to the door. "I know you are right about this," he glanced over his shoulder at her. "But…I don't know. I've never wanted a woman this much before. And you are the very first lady to turn me down."
"You're kidding." She teased him.
"No," His face became quite serious. "I'm not."
"You do understand though, right?" She asked with a plea.
"Yeah, I understand. I want you to see a doctor. Goodnight Mel."
"Thank you…for the gun."
"Yeah, sure."
And he was gone, just like that.
She didn't fully understand why he was so upset, they had talked about it. She'd known him barely four weeks now and didn't know how he handled his other girlfriends before her, but she wasn't the type to go to bed just because a man said he loved her. He'd get over it. She might have hurt his male ego, but he was intelligent enough to figure it out. And the funniest part was he said he'd marry her if he got her pregnant. Why couldn't a man say he'd just marry her?
It didn't bide well.
And she wasn't getting on the pill just yet either. It would be too easy to give in to Dex, and maybe, just maybe he needed a bit of rejection.
Chapter Seventeen
Almost as soon as Dex left, her phone rang.
She could hear breathing now, but no one said anything.
"Hello…."
Nothing.
"Hello, who is this?"
Nothing, just breathing.
She stared at the phone, "Unknown caller".
She hung up and sat there on the bean bag, wrapping her arms around her legs and holding herself together. Who would stalk her like this? And for what reason?
Three days later she heard someone at her door. She threw it open, expecting Dex and was stunned to see Jesse standing there.
"Jesse!" Taken aback, her mouth hung open in complete surprise. He looked so nice, he wore nice jeans, a white shirt and tan jacket. He also had a cowboy hat on this time. She was a sucker for cowboys. She smiled.
His glance swept over her contemplatively.
"Didn't mean to startle you Melanie." He said in a rather husky tone. "Were you expecting someone else?"
"Uh…no, come on in." She grabbed her chest. When Jesse dressed up he could be quite appealing. "Just wasn't expecting you. Come on in. How are you?" Her eyes drifted up and down him with slow appreciation.
It was still early in the morning, not the usual time for anyone to stop by, and yet it tickled her that he did.
His cologne was subtle, she liked that. That and so many things about Jesse were appealing, he had the thickest head of brown hair that rode high into a well-manicured style. Many times, she had wanted to comb her fingers through that hair.
"I'm fine. I came up to special order a part and thought I'd look in on you while I was up here. That's why I'm here so early." He glanced around the apartment as though he expected to see someone else there.
"Oh, that's nice of you. Want a cup of coffee or a cold drink?" She offered.
"No, thanks just had a couple of cups of coffee. Don't want to get wired." He smiled.
She grabbed her stomach. Almost doubling over, she groaned.
"Hey, are you alright?" Jesse reached for her so she wouldn't fall.
She caught her breath and looked at him. "I don't know." She stared at the floor in shock. "I've been having trouble with my stomach lately. Probably a bug or something."
"Better see a doctor," he smiled into her worried brown eyes.
She chuckled. She noticed he seemed much more relaxed than his last visit. She wondered about that, had her parents been the problem?
She poured herself another cup of coffee, since she'd worked last night she was still a bit groggy. Thank goodness, she was dressed, not nicely, but dressed in jeans and t-shirt. At home that was her normal attire.
Strangely this was the old Jesse she knew and there was no tension except she did seem to look him over now. His transformation from a gangly teenager to a handsome, well-built man would turn any girl's head. He was so built, and so unaware of himself as a handsome man. Jesse wasn't one to put on airs. He was Jesse Eugene Ballister and he was one of a kind.
"So, how have you been?" He asked.
She yawned then excused herself. She sat on the bean bag, as he took the rocking chair.
"Pretty good. Getting used to the job and people. Love my apartment, and I've been measuring for better furniture so when I get enough spare cash I can get something nice."
He looked around for a bit then shrugged. "I don't know it sorta fits you the way it is. One thing I always liked about you Melanie was that you didn't flaunt the fact that your folks had money. And now you talk about budgets, it's kind of neat."
"Is it?" She glanced around. Did he think she was a gypsy or something, nothing matched?
"You were always a little different," he chuckled.
"Was I? How?" She crooked her head and stared.
"You aren't the typical home-town girl, Mel. You never were, and I think that's what I liked about you, unpredictable." He smiled charmingly. "And I think you know that. There's something kind of special about you, Melanie. At least I always thought so."
"That's sweet of you to say that. I guess I am a bit quirky at times." She told him. "And I'm sure you realize how much my folks don't understand my ambition to be a nurse. Or to be so independent of them either. Especially dad."
"Yeah, I remember the dog." He smiled warmly at her now. This was the Jesse she remembered, kind, sweet, thoughtful.
"You do, that was years ago." She laughed. "You used to come over and help me wrap the bandages. You were the doctor, I was the nurse. Gosh that was so long ago, we were just kids then. I'd almost forgotten about that. You taught me how to wrap his bandages."
"Well, you gotta admit we sort of grew up together. Of course, I never became a doctor. Just went into plumbing."
"That's not anything to sneeze at, according to Dad, you've got the best store in town. So how is everyone back home?" She asked curiously.
"Your folks are doing well, only they don't hear from you very often. Every time I go over they ask if I have heard from you. Like you'd call me." He let out a stifled chuckle.
Melanie stared now, as his smile slowly faded.
"Really. I have a phone, they can call me anytime, except when I'm at work. I turn my phone off. And I do work some crazy hours. Until I get through this first six weeks I'm on every shift. As soon as I pass my test I'll go on a regular shift and things will be better."
"Oh," He nodded, "That must be why they are so shook up then. They've called a time or two and couldn't get you. So, I told them I'd stop by and check on you. I was on my way to order some supplies for the store."
Realizing how small town people thought, she could understand their worry. "I'll give them a call, then soon."
She wondered if that was the only reason he stopped by.
"Good." He watched her for a moment. "I don't have your number or I'd call you every now and then. Just to keep in touch."
"Remind me before you leave and I'll give it to you. I would appreciate someone who can keep me up to date on things there."
"So, you're really settling in here then." He asked, his voice low and smooth like a Kentucky Bourbon. When they were kids she remembered how his voice used to squeak. He spent his first two years of high school with that squeaky voice, and some of the girls laughing at him, but now, his voice was rich and timbered.
"Of course, I work here. It's hectic and boring right now, because I’m not allowed to take care of the babies yet. I guess I have to earn that privilege, but I
'm getting used to it."
"Your folks were sort of hoping you wouldn't like it, and come home."
Mel put her coffee down and turned to look at him. She nodded slowly, thoughtfully, "I'm sure they would. I went to school for this, Jesse, it's not just a job, it's a career. You know…" She hesitated for a moment. Then after looking him in the eye, she grinned so her words wouldn't offend him. "I wasn't going to mention this, but the last time you were up here, you acted kind of strange. Want to tell me why? I sure got some weird vibes."
His smile widened and the strangest thing a tingle went straight through her when he looked into her eyes. It was the way he looked, his eyes softening on her, his grin more relaxed.
"It's your folks, if I'm honest. Your mother wanted me to come up here. She thought…. well, you can imagine what she thought."
"No, I can't. What did she think?" Mel stared with an open mouth.
"That you and I…. would get back together now that Brad is out of your life. I knew better, it's been a long while, but your dad does have problems on the highway with his eyes so bad. That's the real reason I drove them up. That and I wanted to see how you were making out. I still count you as a friend, if that's alright."
"Oh…. well of course we are friends." What could she say? Relaxing she propped her barefeet on the bean-bag and wrapped her arms around her knees. "I'm still very singled and well…anyway, I'm glad you did come up with them. It's been a long time…"
"Yes…it has." He agreed, his eyes pinning her to the spot. Warm brown eyes that she'd almost forgotten. He was so good looking and she'd almost forgotten that too. How could she forget such a thing? Others had pointed it out to her, but for some reason she'd written him off back in college. She knew now deep down why she'd written him off. He never came after her. Now she wondered why. She suddenly realized how much she had changed, part of it was pure snobbery, as she wanted to sort of forget home and have fun. She hadn't realized just how much she had hurt Jesse's feelings back then, and yet he never said a word about those feelings. Was she supposed to guess how he felt. It had hurt that he hadn't come up to see her in college. At first, she had wanted him to, badly. Then she met Brad and decided that Jesse was history.