by Shyla Colt
He gave a rusty laugh. “You’re really that sweet, aren’t you? I couldn’t—” He coughed. “I couldn’t fathom it before. I’m a jaded man. I’ve seen and done too much to take anything at face value.”
She didn’t like the finality in his tone. “You saw a lot of places, huh?”
“Yes, but not how everyone assumes. I was alone, in remote locations waiting, always waiting to do the unthinkable.” The sadness in his tone was a living thing. Her heart broke for the wounded warrior beside her. Not all hurts were visible to the naked eye.
“That was then and you were doing a job. You did that to keep others safe.”
“I know that now. But when I first got out, I wasn’t so sure. I thought I was damned for what I’d done.”
“What changed?” she asked, shocked by the candid conversation.
“You ready for a cliché? The Bible. I started reading the word and it gave me more peace than any counseling session alone could.”
“You had counseling?” She instantly thought of her conversation with Cece.
“I knew I had a problem, and I wanted to take care of it. I couldn’t do that in the public eye. It’s part of why I went off the grid. When people expect you to be someone you’re not anymore it’s suffocating and frustrating.”
Will he be furious about this talk later?
“I’m glad you found what you were looking for,” she said sincerely.
“Me too. Did I ruin things with us?”
“How about we get you fixed up, first?”
“Is that a way to say yes without saying it?”
She snickered. “No. it’s an ‘I can’t have this conversation when you’re laid so low and might not remember it later’.”
“Fair enough.”
“Glad you agree.” She glanced at the phone he kept in the Jeep. The appearance of service bars made her mentally cheer. She opened it up.
“Call Mercy General Hospital.”
She gripped the steering wheel tightly as she went through the prompts.
“Mercy General, this is Karen, how may I help you?”
“Hi Karen. My name is Lilac Fehr and I’m on my way into the hospital with a man who has a copperhead bite.”
“How long ago did the bite occur?”
“About twenty-five minutes now. It was on his ankle. He’s experiencing swelling, shortness of breath, and discoloration of the skin.”
“Do you know how tall or how much he weighs?”
“About six feet, two inches and one hundred and eighty pounds. Maybe.”
“How far out are you?”
“Another ten or fifteen minutes. I won’t lie, I’m not obeying the speed limits.”
“I’ll alert the doctors and be waiting for you when you arrive. What’s the patient’s name?”
“Thorn Finch.”
“All right, Ms. Fehr, please drive carefully, and we’ll make the proper arrangements.”
Some of her apprehension eased.
“Thorn?”
“Still breathing.
“Ha, ha. I need you to keep talking with me, babe.”
“’Bout what?” His words were slurred and his speech was sluggish. “You called me babe.”
“I did. Let’s talk about your cabin?”
“Do you really like it?”
“Yep, I love it. It’s very homey.”
“That was new. I thought I could reach an agreement with Alexa and make it a home. It wasn’t love, but we got along well enough to build a comfortable life. Should’ve known better.”
“You don’t want love?”
“It didn’t seem to be in the cards for me.”
“You’ve got a lot to offer the right woman,” she said.
“Are you one of them?”
Unsure how to answer she turned the words over in her head. “Only time will tell.”
She reached the paved highway and gunned it. Driving like a bat out of hell, she pulled up in front of the emergency and jumped from the Jeep like a pole vaulter. The next couple of minutes were a blur as the staff rushed from the hospital and transferred Thorn from the Jeep to a stretcher. She wrapped her arms around her waist and prayed that she’d gotten him help fast enough. Bereft as they wheeled him out of sight, she slowly ambled to the Jeep and drove it to a parking space.
Returning to the hospital she sat in the waiting room perched on the edge of her seat as she waited for news. A doctor emerged.
“You were the young woman here with Mr. Finch?”
“Yes, is he okay?” she asked, rising from the uncomfortable plastic seat.
“Yes, he’s resting as comfortably as we can keep him. I administered an anti-venom shot and we’re monitoring him carefully. You did an excellent job bringing him in so soon after the bite. We’ll keep him here for the next forty-eight hours to ensure his symptoms are truly gone and reassess him then to figure out what he needs as far as aftercare.”
“But he’s going to be okay?”
“Yes, ma’am, I believe so.”
“Oh, thank God. I was so worried I wouldn’t get him here in time. Can I see him?”
“You can but he may not respond. His body is working hard to process the medicine.”
“I understand.”
“He’s in room 311 just down the hall to the right.”
“Thank you for everything, Doctor,” she said as she made the short stroll. She knocked lightly and pushed the door open when she received no response. He was pale and quiet as he lay in the bed. His dark hair stood out against the white sheet. His brow was furrowed and his lips were pulled back in grimace. Even in his sleep he looked pained. She ran her hand over his clammy forehead.
“I’m not sure if I should call your kin or not. You’re a super private guy, but if it was me and my family I’d want them to know, so you’ll have to forgive me for making this decision.” She kissed his forehead and moved to contact the right people.
***
Thorn
“So let me get this straight … the mountain man was the one bit by a copperhead and had to be rescued by a woman?” Brock asked.
“You’re never going to let me forget that, are you?” Thorn asked.
“Fuck no, dude. It’s too good to be true,” Caleb said.
“I, for one, am glad you were with a woman with a good head on her shoulders. If she had panicked you might not be here,” his mother said.
“Mom, I’m fine.”
She humphed. “When are we going to meet the mystery woman?”
I wish I knew. Lilac had been scarce all day.
“I’m sure she had to check in with the paper. I’m not sure how that’s going to work. I’m going to be down for at least a week while I finish healing.”
“It’s awesome that the paper wanted to do a paper on living off the gird. It’ll be great publicity for you.”
“If it still happens,” Thorn mumbled.
“You could always call. The sweet girl was so polite and respectful, I’m sure she’s only giving us time with you. I mean, it’s not like you’re dating. How is she to know the etiquette?”
“She saved my life, she can come and visit whenever she wants,” Thorn said, confused by the way a woman’s brain worked. How the hell did they live with all those unspoken rules?
“You should tell her that.” His mother pointed at him. “I need to get going. I just wanted to stop by and see you again to make sure you were actually on the mend and not just being a macho man like your father.”
“It’s not like it was a rattlesnake,” Thorn grumbled.
“Hush your mouth, before you bring bad fortune on to yourself. It was nothing short of the grace of God that kept you safe this time. When you’re out there in the woods so far removed from help you’re vulnerable in a way we aren’t here in town. I worry for you a lot and keep you prayed up just like the rest of my boys. Lilac Fehr took good care of you and I will forever be grateful. A woman like that is one you’d want to hang on to if you know what I mean.�
�� His mother winked as she grabbed her purse, kissed his cheek, and swept from the room in a light cloud of floral perfume.
Her knowing expression told him she’d picked up on their intimate relationship. What did I say while I was asleep?
“I don’t usually envy you, but I’d like to be alone with Lilac Fehr in the woods. She turned into a looker,” Caleb said.
Thorn growled. “Hey, have a little respect.”
“Oh ho. Yeah, there’s more than a teacher student vibe going,” Brock remarked.
“Look, I don’t need your shit right now. I got one more day in the hospital and then I’m going home.”
Caleb laughed. “You really think that’s an option? Mom is going to plant you in the guest room and drive you crazy while she helps you recover.”
“No way. Can I at least crash with one of you?” Thorn asked, not eager to go back into the house where his mother still suffered from empty nest syndrome.
“While either of us would be fine with it, you know darn well Mama Finch won’t allow it. She needs what she deems a trustworthy nurse to care for you,” Caleb replied.
“Shit.” Thorn let his head fall back onto the pillow.
A rap came on the door.
He peered up and grinned at the purple-tinged, curly hair that came into view.
“Can I come in?” she asked.
“Yeah, we were just leaving,” Brock said as he scrambled to his feet.
“We were?” Caleb asked. Brock elbowed him. “Oof. I mean, we were.”
Lilac smiled. “I didn’t mean to run anyone off.”
“Trust me, those two have outstayed their welcome,” Thorn drawled.
“Love you, too, Bro. Thanks again, Lilac,” Brock said.
“Ditto,” Caleb said as they moved around her and out the door.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to shut down the party,” Lilac said softly.
“No. I wanted to see you.”
“You did?” She tilted her head to the side.
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“We didn’t leave things on the best terms. If it wasn’t for me, you never would’ve been bit in the first place.”
She ducked her head.
“You don’t know that. Don’t take that blame on you. I don’t feel that way.”
“You should. It’s been all I can think about since I left.”
“Is that why you haven’t been back?”
“No, you were just sleeping when I did, and after that I wanted to give your family a chance to sit with you. I’m nobody.”
“Don’t say that,” he whispered.
She held up her right hand. “It’s clear we still have much to learn about one another. Labels wouldn’t be intelligent.”
There was a coldness to her that hadn’t existed before. I did this.
“Lilac. Look, I was wrong to say the things I did. It was on me not you. Please give me a chance to make it up to you.”
“Let’s get you on the mend first—”
“No. I know how quickly things spiral downward if you don’t deal with them head on. We had a good thing going on and I screwed it up with my self-doubt and second guessing. I was smarting from Alexa’s rejection and Peter’s manipulation and I took it out on you. I want to finish out our month.”
“But you’re hurt.”
“And I need someone to help me when I can’t get around. We’ll stay in the cabin and give this thing between us a chance.”
“I don’t know, Thorn.”
“Lilac. I think it’ll be worth it.”
She sighed and he knew he had her. “Come on, if you don’t I’ll be stuck with my mom babying me. My reputation can’t take it. My macho ego will shrivel up and die.”
She giggled. “Okay, I’ll agree to one more week.” She held up her finger and gave a stern expression that made him think of a school teacher.
“One week,” he agreed.
“When do you get to leave?”
“Tomorrow. I’ll give you my card and you can buy some stuff to stock up the cabin.”
“I thought we were living off the grid.”
“We will be. Groceries won’t change the location or lack of creature comforts.”
“I can buy it with my own money—”
“No. Rule number one, if we’re together, you let me take care of you. I’m a bit of a traditionalist in that manner.”
“So I need to what … stay in the kitchen and serve you? ’Cause I’m not on board with that plan.”
“Darling, you’re free to do whatever makes you happy as long as you’re not paying my way.”
She smiled. “I’ll be back here tomorrow to pick you up. If we’re going to stay there for a week I’ll need a few more things.”
He liked the thought of her belongings mingling with his. In order to keep her I have to let her in. The idea scared him more than any mission ever had. There’s a deep cut only a woman could deliver and he’d been damn near dissected once. The thought of what could happen if things went right outweighed his fear. He prayed for a woman to make his house a home, and he was certain she was now standing before him.
****
It was a real punch to the gut being helped out of his own vehicle and handed crutches. He endured it with a small smile and humbleness. There was too much at stake to let pride ruin things.
“Thanks.”
He held his foot out and followed her toward the cabin. They had advised him to keep off the foot as much as possible, keep the bandages clean, air the wound out daily, and relax. The ‘r’ word was foreign to him. Sitting still made him itch.
“I’m going to have trouble wrangling you. I can already tell. You have a squirrelly look in your eyes.”
“You wound me, Fehr. Are you saying I look dishonest?”
“No, you look ready to run from the hills, or in your case limp.”
“Sitting still isn’t my thing. I guess you’ll have to keep me distracted.”
“Oh, you’re good.” She clucked her tongue. She unlocked the door and he made his way inside.
“Luckily for you, Mr. Impatience, I’ve got some fun things planned.”
“I like the sound of that,” he said, excited by the return of their banter.
He settled down onto the couch and watched her move to the fridge.
“How are you feeling right now?”
“Good.”
“Not tired?”
“I’ve literally laid in a bed for the past forty-eight hours,” he said dryly.
“I know, but you were healing, and that can be exhausting. You’re not due for a pill for a few more hours, so we have some down time.”
“What are these mysterious plans you have?”
“Wait and see.” She walked over to the table and pulled out a sheet of printed paper and a mat.
“Scoring card and tasting mat?”
“I thought we could do a chocolate tasting. What do you think? Lame?” She nibbled her lower lip and uncertainty darkened her eyes.
“No. It sounds delicious actually.”
“Phew. Good. Grab a few pens, and I’ll get the candied crack.”
He admired her frame in the leggings she’d paired with an oversized heather gray sweater that showed off her swan-like neck and golden brown shoulder. She dressed differently now that they were staying casually in the cabin. A man could get used to this. She returned with a few bars and they broke them out, placing them accordingly. She sat beside him. Their thighs brushed and sparks crackled to life between them.
“Where do we start?” he asked.
“This one.” Her eyes glimmered with mischief and he knew he was in for a surprise.
“Okay?” He put the square into his mouth and the pops made his eye widen. A wave of heat accompanied it. “Chipotle pop rocks?”
She nodded. “It was such an odd pairing. I couldn’t resist picking it up.”
“I don’t know that I would want to eat an entire bar,” he said.
“Hmm. I don
’t mind it.”
They sampled their way from the dark and bitter to the fruit flavored, and creamy centered. They finished with a salted caramel that he noted as his favorite.
“We made it and my stomach doesn’t ache,” Lilac said.
He laughed. “You got a little something right here.” He brushed the smudge off her lips, and sucked the sweetness off his thumb. Her lids lowered and her lips parted. “Even better when it comes straight from you.”
“Thorn?”
“We said nothing about touching being bad.” He leaned in and flicked the corner of her mouth with the tip of his tongue. “Don’t you like it when I touch you, Lilac?”
“Too much.”
“I just want to thank you for all you’ve done.” He ran over her lips with his tongue, coaxing her to open to him. She parted her plump lips and he dove in, cherishing her like a fine whiskey. He sampled, savored, and explored her mouth. She leaned in, and he framed her face, brushing his thumbs over the apples of her cheeks in an attempt to convey how much he felt for her. The words got lost from his mind to his mouth, but he didn’t mean them any less. She was a fresh breath of sunshine in a gray world.
He wasn’t unhappy with his life, but he’d felt something was lacking. He once thought it might be Alexa. Now he knew better.
Chapter Five
Lilac
A knock on the cabin door drew their attention from the chessboard.
“Are you expecting company?” Lilac asked.
“No. Ten to one, that’s my mother, though.”
“Ha. It’d serve you right if she gave you a piece of her mind after you ditched her.”
“You’re supposed to be on my side,” he grumbled.
She giggled. “You stay put, I’ll get it.”
“You know you’re a task master when it comes to caring for a sick person.”
“You’ll thank me when you heal properly.” She walked across the cabin floor, loving the feel of the hard wood beneath her bare feet. The days were mild and sunny as fall kicked into full gear. Soon the weather would cool. She opened the door and her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth.
Alexa narrowed her eyes and gave her a quick once over. “You think you’re going to win him over in this get up? Please.”
“For some people it’s not about looks.”