The Rennillia Series: Volumes 1-5

by M. Sembera

  Hert shook his head at me as I walked out of the room.

  Back downstairs, I walked to the kitchen finding Jackson standing there with a big smile across his face.

  “You tell him how it is Ren!” he laughed.

  Smiling back at him, I said, “I did too. He’s gonna mind.”

  We laughed together before I added, “And no work. You can find someone to handle things for a few days.”

  Jackson smiled, saying, “Yes Ma’am. Oh, I didn’t realize it was already after three, I have to get to The Office. I’ll call tonight and check on Hert.”

  Smiling, I told him goodbye and headed back upstairs.

  As I walked back into the room, I saw Hert twisting the blanket in his fist. Carefully sitting down on the side of the bed, I placed my hand over his.

  “Hert, I know you don’t want to take anything but what if I gave you some ibuprofen?” I offered.

  In a low voice, he replied, “It hurts to breathe,” shaking his head.

  I quickly stated, “Let me take a quick shower then we’ll figure something out, okay?”

  Hert nodded and I rushed to the bathroom. Not thinking after my shower, I had to step into the room wrapped in a towel.

  “Sorry,” I apologized, creeping out of the bathroom and grabbing my clothes.

  Now fully dressed, I walked out of the bathroom and back over to Hert.

  “Maybe you just need to adjust yourself,” I suggested.

  Hert leaned forward slowly, allowing me to reposition the pillows under him. He clinched his teeth, lowering himself against the pillows with an anguished expression on his face.

  “Is that better?” I asked.

  Shaking his head at me, he whispered, “No, but thanks for trying.”

  Slowly getting up, I pulled a chair next to him, taking my place at his bedside.

  Chapter 3

  The night continued on the same until morning. Hert would finally fall asleep, move wrong and wake up in serious pain. I gave up trying to sleep around three in the morning. Instead, I sat there next to him memorizing every scrape and cut on his skin. The small ones around his eye, followed by the medium size cuts running down his cheek, and the deeper gashes across his shoulder and chest, each one compelling me to inch closer to him, until I realized this was going to be harder than I thought.

  I could feel my emotions quickly getting out of hand. Unwilling to completely start over, I decided to ignore my longing to be close to him and approach his care as strictly a chore. Extra care would have to be taken with every move I made in order to save my heart from what was sure to be a painful experience when he left again.

  Half smiling at him when I saw his eyes stay open for more than a few seconds, I asked, “It’s about six thirty. You wanna get your shower out of the way before Sophia gets home?”

  After a few minutes of hesitation, Hert nodded.

  I stood up and walked around the bed, waiting for Hert to slowly get up. When he was finally standing, I walked back over to him, so he could lean on me slightly, putting as little weight on his broken leg as possible. In the bathroom, I stared at the shower, wondering how this was going to work.

  “I think it would be best if you sit in the tub and I’ll turn the shower on. That way you don’t get your cast wet or slip and fall,” I suggested.

  He agreed. I helped him out of his pajama bottoms and into the bathtub. After turning the water on, I excused myself while he bathed.

  Standing outside the bathroom door, I reminded myself to stay focused and ignore the fact that Hert was naked. He called my name and I stepped back in.

  “Ok, let’s get this tape off,” I stated, walking towards him.

  Concentrating very hard, I leaned over the bathtub, carefully peeling the tape away from his shoulder and ribs. Once all the tape was removed, I helped Hert out of the bathtub and back into bed. Thinking I would never get through it, I also helped him get his underwear and pajama bottoms on. Hert made a point of saying thank you before I left the room to go downstairs and fix him some breakfast.

  The whole process took about two hours, so I decided cereal would be fine. I brought Hert his breakfast and started to leave the room before he stopped me.

  “Renni,” Hert called.

  Turning towards him, I questioned, “Yea?”

  “I really appreciate you helping me,” he answered.

  Shaking my head, I walked over to him saying, “I appreciate you letting me.”

  Smiling a little, he replied, “I’m glad I have you.”

  Without thinking, I asked, “Did you take a pain pill?”

  Appearing confused, Hert questioned, “No, Why?”

  Thinking quickly, I answered, “Oh, um, you don’t seem to be hurting as bad.”

  Hert informed, “It still hurts like hell but it’s a little easier to breath.”

  Nodding, I walked towards the door.

  Before leaving the room, I turned saying, “I’m glad you have me too,” with a light smile.

  I walked downstairs just in time to see Jackson walking in the front door with Sophia. Rushing over, I took her from him.

  Smiling wide, I cheered, “Thanks for bringing her home!” then gave Sophia a little squeeze, saying, “Wanna go see Daddy? He’s upstairs.”

  Sophia clapped her hands and squealed as I turned to bring her upstairs. Jackson set her bag down, following us upstairs.

  “I know you aren’t going to talk about work. Right?” I warned him.

  Jackson replied, “Nope. I need to talk to Hert but I promise it has nothing to do with work,” as we headed into Hert’s room.

  Slowly opening the door, I smiled wide holding Sophia.

  Hert smiled saying, “There’s my pumpkin,” in a low voice.

  Sophia immediately started squirming and holding her arms out to him. I walked to his bed, sitting down next to him so he could wrap his arm around Sophia from his good side. She curled up right next to him. The image of them melted my heart.

  Jackson lightly knocked on the door before walking in.

  “You look better today,” he told Hert.

  Hert got a serious look on his face, asking, “Is everything alright at The Office?”

  Jackson looked at me and laughed, saying, “Yea, I need to talk to you about next weekend.”

  Looking as if he wanted to laugh too, Hert said, “Oh yea, you tell her. I don’t need any more injuries.”

  I glanced back and forth between the two of them, trying to figure out what was so funny. Knowing next Saturday was my birthday, I couldn’t see why that was a humorous event.

  Jackson smiled wide, announcing, “The Society is hosting your birthday party.”

  I was instantly depressed.

  Official Members of The Society were given a party every year for their birthday. It was a long standing tradition, including The Society board, their spouses and a select few guest. The banquet was usually held at a hall where dinner, drinks, speeches and little gold envelopes were presented. Pointless in nature, as all The Society events were, it seemed to be just another opportunity for the members to gloat and out-do one another.

  Thinking there had to be a way out; I weighed my options on which argument to use first.

  I gave my first excuse, “My husband was just in a terrible accident and suffered serious injuries. We cannot be expected to attend a party.”

  “I’m not going,” Hert stated.

  “Then I can’t go because I don’t have an escort. That’s the rule,” I stated with a smile.

  Hert informed, “Yes, but under the circumstances, they are making an exception. Jackson is taking Amila so she can attend and he’s also going to walk you in to keep with tradition.”

  Looking at Jackson, I said, “I don’t want to go.”

  Jackson laughed, saying, “Ah, come on Ren. Amila’s going and besides my mom is really looking forward to watching Sophia.”

  Arguing with him, I stated, “She can still watch her if I don’t go.” Then focusin
g on Hert, I narrowed my eyes at him, questioning, “You already knew about this and figured a way out of it before your accident, didn’t you?”

  Hert chimed in, informing, “Look Renni, I told Mrs. Montgomery I would be unavailable a few weeks ago. It isn’t important that I attend but you need to be there. Think about how hurt Mrs. Roberts would be if she found out you didn’t.”

  I walked over to him and picked up Sophia.

  “Let’s eat some lunch, pumpkin,” I said to her before turning to the two of them and saying, “Ya’ll are wrong for this and I am not talking to either one of ya’ll.”

  I could hear Jackson laughing as I left the room.

  Downstairs, I set Sophia in her highchair so she could eat her lunch. Sitting at the table next to her, I thought, ‘that’s fine ya’ll wanna play dirty, I can play right back’. I heard Jackson coming downstairs.

  He poked his head into the kitchen, saying, “Bye Sopha-pea, see you Saturday night Ren,” with a laugh.

  I glared at him as he laughed harder and walked out the front door.

  It was late in the evening when Sophia finally fell asleep. Thinking she was wound up from playing in the room with her dad most of the day, it had been a while since she spent that much time with him. After putting her in her crib, I walked into Hert’s room to pick up her toys.

  “Are you still not talking to me?” Hert asked as I gathered her toys in my arms.

  “No, I am not,” I stated, walking back to Sophia’s room.

  I put her toys away and realized I forgot to treat Hert’s cuts. Sighing heavily, I walked back to his room.

  Walking straight to the bathroom, I grabbed a hand full of cotton balls and walked to the dresser. Picking up the antiseptic wash, I shook it and made my way to the bed.

  “I forgot to do this,” I stated, soaking the first cotton ball.

  Hert asked, “Do you want me to do it?”

  Feeling a little guilty about my attitude towards him, I replied, “No, I’ll do it,” then with a sigh, I added, “I’m not really mad. I just don’t want to go.”

  Slightly smiling, Hert asked, “Does that mean you’re talking to me now?”

  Nodding at him, I brushed the cotton ball against the scrapes next to his eye. I smiled a little to myself, noticing Hert hadn’t shaved. Unsure why I found it so interesting, I considered the fact that I had never once seen him with the slightest bit of facial hair.

  As I continued treating the scrapes on his face, I thought more and more about how Hert wasn’t clean shaven.

  “Is something funny?” Hert asked.

  Unaware, I was smiling and shaking my head at first, I said, “Oh, sorry nothings funny. It’s just, you’re kinda scruffy.”

  Hert rubbed the side of his face with the backs of his fingers, saying, “You told me I couldn’t shave.”

  Smiling wide at him now, I said, “I’m sorry, I just haven’t ever seen you when you haven’t shaved. The doctor did say you couldn’t until the cuts on your face are completely healed and who knows, you might look good with a beard.”

  Hert smiled, rubbing his face again, saying, “Ya think so?”

  Shrugging a little, I replied, “Guess we’ll find out,” with a laugh.

  Resuming my duty, I grabbed another cotton ball, swabbing his shoulder. Hert winced as I brushed it back and forth. I squirted the last cotton ball with fluid and brushed it across the deeper cuts on his chest. The second I did, Hert cringed.

  “AAHH, that burns!” he proclaimed.

  Instantly stopping, I said, “Oh, I’m sorry.”

  Leaning over him, I started to blow on his chest, thinking that would help.

  Glancing up at him, I asked, “Is that better?” still lightly blowing on his cuts.

  The look in his eyes caused my entire body to spasm as I grasped that was not my best idea. Clearing my throat, I quickly stood up, threw the cotton balls away and rushed out of the room.

  I practically ran into Sophia’s room, jumped into bed and pulled the covers over myself. Rolling up in them, I turned on my side trying to catch my breath. How could I have been so stupid? I was doing so well up until that point, surviving his shower and concentrating so hard every time I looked at him shirtless in bed. All it took was that one look to make my integrity crumble.

  Various thoughts and images entered my mind. Mentally playing out several enticing scenarios, I found it impossible to fall asleep. My heart was pounding so hard it almost hurt. Tossing and turning, I failed at every attempt to change my train of thought. Starting to feel sad, I knew the fulfillment I once thoroughly enjoyed was no longer mine. I reminded myself, Hert made his decision and he would leave when he was better. I wanted to cry but I couldn’t. Still too infatuated to truly have a different emotion, I decided to go talk to Hert.

  With the pretense of needing my pajamas, I slowly walked into the room.

  Quietly stating, “I need to get my clothes,” I walked to the dresser.

  Pulling my pajamas out of the drawer, I lost my nerve and decided to just leave the room.

  Hert’s voice was low as he asked, “Can you come here please?”

  I made my way to the side of the bed, hugging my clothes.

  “Please sit down,” Hert requested.

  Sitting down, I made sure my back was facing him in case I needed to quickly leave. Looking over my shoulder at him, I waited for him to speak. When he placed his hand on my arm, every muscle in my body tensed up.

  Hert started, “Renni, I don’t want you to think…” before I cut him off.

  Hopping to my feet, I snapped at him, “I don’t think anything! You are here because you’re hurt and need help.”

  He stared at me for a moment. I couldn’t take the feeling overwhelming me. I walked out of the room before he could say anything else.

  In Sophia’s room, I changed into my pajamas and climbed back into bed. Clearly, I would have to be more careful around him. I wanted him so bad it was physically painful but the last thing I needed was for him to know it. Mortified by the thought of his expression as he would explain how we weren’t together anymore, I set my mind to do whatever it would take to keep that from happening. My mission was clear and I was determined to make it through Hert’s stay, without him knowing how badly I wanted him.

  Chapter 4

  Over the next week, I was incredibly successful. Keeping physical contact to a minimum did wonders, in my effort to hide my attraction to Hert. I smiled and politely spoke to him every day. After Dr. Chepelli arrived for Hert’s checkup, things got even easier. He was recovering well and needed less help with daily necessities.

  I made it almost two weeks, being eaten alive with desire and he didn’t have a clue. All my success, however, came with a hefty price. Holding back, day after day, made my nights all but unbearable. Every feeling I had, shot visions of Hert and me straight to my thoughts the moment I was alone in bed. I didn’t just think about him, I dreamed about us every night too. The all-consuming source seemed to be his beard. He didn’t just look good with it, he looked unbelievable. I never imagined Hert could appear more masculine than he already did. It was overwhelming. I thought and dreamed every way possible, from my fingers gently running down the sides of his face, to how it would brush against me as he kissed my neck. Between his black hair and beard, his blue eyes seemed to radiate with an open invitation.

  My birthday arrived and after Hert and Sophia made me a birthday breakfast, I took her to Mrs. Thomas’ house. Deciding to dwell on my depression concerning the night’s event, instead of the knowledge Hert and I would be alone in the house together; I took the long way home. When I got there, I walked in and saw Dr. Chepelli coming down the stairs.

  Worried at first, I asked, “Is everything okay?”

  Dr. Chepelli smiled, saying, “Yes. He has four weeks left with the cast. His broken ribs appear to be healing quite well. He will still need to be careful; however, special attention is no longer required.”

  I was overjoyed, t
hinking I was almost out of the danger zone.

  Until he added, “As long as it does not cause him any discomfort, marital activities are perfectly harmless also. Happy birthday, Mrs. Herterand.”

  Smiling politely and thanking him, I thought, ‘his discomfort? You are killing me!’

  Working hard to put the doctor’s suggestion out of my mind, I focused on getting prepared for my party. I walked into Hert’s room and saw him slowly pulling his shirt on.

  “Hey you can do that all by yourself now,” I blurted out.

  Turning towards me, Hert smiled saying, “Yea, it’s still sore but the doctor says I’m almost all healed up.”

  Smiling back, I nodded and walked to the closet.

  “Are you excited about tonight?” he asked.

  Shooting him an unhappy glare, I remembered my vow to play dirty right back. I grabbed my turquoise dress from the closet. Smiling at it and recalling what Jackson said about me in it, I thought ‘I hope the two of you suffer’. Stepping out of the closet, I hung my dress on the hook and walked to my dresser.

  “I don’t think I’ve seen that one. Is it new?” Hert questioned.

  Mentally smiling, I replied, “It’s not new. Erin bought it for me when you were gone. I only wore it once for dinner.”

  Hert nodded before leaving the room so I could shower and get dressed.

  Taking a long shower, I tried to relax. I was not looking forward to the evening. Once I was done, I fixed my hair and slid my dress on. It was just as perfect as I remembered it. After carefully applying my makeup, I put on my jewelry. I felt a rush of excitement as I slid my wedding ring on. It had been quite some time since I had worn it. Checking myself in the mirror one last time, I headed downstairs.

  Walking downstairs, I saw Hert in the living room. When he turned, I smiled wide at him.

  “Are you going to be okay here by yourself? You know, I could always stay home,” I suggested, giving one last ditch effort to back out.

  Hert didn’t answer me.

  Waving my hand in the air, I said, “Hello! Hert?”

  He shook his head a little, replying, “Yea, sorry what?”