“What? No, I am fine. They aren't going to bother me anymore.” Zoe waved away his concerns.
“Bullshit, and you know it just as well as I do. When Rebel Peters gets an idea in his head, you know he won't back down. He's going to try and make your life a living hell and as your surrogate brother, I'll be damned if I let it happen.” Tim seethed as he paced. “Who the hell does he think he is? Threatening a pregnant woman. What a prick!”
Zoe sighed. “Tim. You can't risk...”
“Don't tell me what I can and can't risk. He might have his finger in every pie in town, and he may think he's above the law, but he's wrong, Zoe. He has to learn.” Tim growled.
“This probably would have been prevented if people would just trust that I can handle stuff.” Zoe pouted.
“Hush, it's for your own good, Zoe. You can't handle everything. I'm sure by now you're tired of snatching yourself up by the bootstraps. I sure would be.” Tim shook his head. The sound of sirens filled the air. “Good, back up is here, be right back.” He hustled through the house and Zoe closed her eyes.
Good God. She thought with a slow breath. I'm actually scared. What if they try to hurt me to get her?
Tim came back with the sheriff in tow. “Hey Zoe, do you know Sheriff Woods?”
Zoe nodded and held her hand out to the beefy man. “Hi, Sheriff.”
“Hello, Zoe. Awful sorry to hear about your Dad. What seems to be the issue here?” He pulled out a note pad and a pencil.
“I was sitting here when a knock came at the door and Mr. and Mrs. Peters were here, telling me about Derek's accident and then it turned to them wanting my daughter. He ended the conversation threatening me not to give him ideas about prying my daughter from my cold, dead hands.” Zoe shivered.
Sheriff Woods frowned. “This is serious. I'm with Officer Taylor here. Let's put up a restraining order and if they violate it, I can have him locked up faster than a cat can lick its ass.”
Zoe nodded, bile rising in her throat. “Fine, let's do it.”
Sheriff Woods nodded quickly. “Let me get the paperwork and we'll get it done. I'll have it processed through first thing tomorrow morning and serve them with papers.”
“Thank you,” Zoe whispered meekly.
Tim squeezed her shoulder. “You feeling okay?”
“Yeah, feeling fine. No cramping or anything. I just could use a stiff shot right about now.”
“No, no alcohol. Just rest.” He smiled down at her. “I called Layla, she says they're about thirty minutes out so they will be home soon. I knew I shouldn't have made a round, but I was on duty. I shouldn't have left you alone.”
Zoe reached up and patted his hand. “Don't stress.”
“I can't help it. I feel bad.” Tim sighed. “You're a damn bad things happening magnet. I ain't seen anything like it in all my years.”
Zoe chuckled weakly. “Me either, believe you me.”
Sheriff Woods came back with a sheaf of papers. “We need you to fill these out.”
Tim snatched them out of her hand. “I'll write, you just tell me what to write.”
Zoe rattled off the information he asked for. “Anything else?”
“Nope, we'll get this filed and I'll have him served.” Sheriff Woods smiled. “I'd personally like to take his sorry ass down.”
Zoe smiled nervously. “He's been big, a long time.”
“Well, it only means the harder he'll fall.” He shrugged. “Taylor, you stay here so she's not alone. I don't trust the bastard further than I can throw him.”
Tim nodded. “You got it, sir.”
Officer Woods left quickly, the sound of the door closing loud in the sudden silence. Zoe blew out a breath. “This is insane, Tim.”
“Rebel is vindictive. He won't stop until he gets what he wants.” Tim sighed. “I think this may get ugly.”
Zoe shrugged. “The thing is, it might not even be Derek's baby!”
“You could be right, but he's blinded by anger right now. He's angry Derek is laying there little more than a vegetable and he is targeting you because you might be carrying his grand-baby.” Tim sat on the edge of the bed. “It's bad to be so angry.”
“I'm scared a little.” Zoe whispered. “If I wasn't pregnant I'd kick his old ass, but I am, and he could hurt me.”
“No, he won't touch you. Not until the baby is born. I don't believe he’ll do anything at all. It could risk the prodigal son's child. But he'll do other things to hurt you. He's like a snake, slithering along all quiet and biting quick and fast.” Tim frowned and rubbed his forehead. “This restraining order is only gonna serve to piss him off more. So he'll do more underhanded shit to get back at you.”
Zoe shivered. “How is he getting away with this?”
Tim shrugged. “Well, when you make your money in oil and you own most of the stuff around here, I guess it's easy enough to get a god complex. Sheriff Woods is the only one in the whole precinct I trust. The rest I truly believe are being paid off by him. How do you think Derek got away with everything growing up, Zoe? And remember the house being burnt down? We had enough evidence to put Rebel behind bars, it would have been for murder, because there was the little black girl who didn't get out in time, but the evidence just accidentally came up missing.”
“I remember that,” she whispered, another chill coursing up her spine. “I guess I always thought maybe Derek was different.”
Tim shook his head. “Naw. He's just a different snake. He is slick and smooth. People believe he's a good person until he pisses in your eye after setting it on fire.”
“I'm tired, Tim.” Zoe whispered. “I want to sleep.”
“Yeah, yeah, sure. You sleep. I'm going to go sit out there and wait for everyone to come in. Then I'll head out.” He stood quickly and hurried to the door. “You yell if you need me.”
Zoe nodded. “I hear you. Thanks, Tim.”
As he closed the door, she shifted and pulled the laptop back on her lap. She began to write.
Chapter Nine
Her phone buzzed at her side and she pulled it from the covers. “Hello?” She answered.
“Hey, babe, are you okay?” Calvin's voice soothed her.
“Fine, a little stressed.”
“Yeah, I already got an earful about everything from Tim and Layla. I want to come back home and kick his ass.” Calvin growled.
“Why didn't you tell me about Derek, Calvin?”
He sighed in her ear. “Honey, I didn't want you to be upset. You already had enough to worry about.”
“I could have handled it, but no one trusts me to be able to!” She slapped a hand down against the blanket in annoyance.
“Zoe, I know you think you can handle the world but I just want to protect you sometimes. Is that so wrong?”
She groaned. “No, but I don't like omissions and lies and crap. I can handle it. Just tell me the truth.”
“Fine, I'm sorry. I'm just worried about you. It's not like I can be there to protect you.”
“I know,” she admitted. “But Tim is here and he will keep things straight. I'm putting a restraining order on them both and everything will be fine, Calvin, I promise. You just do your job and get home to me as soon as you can.”
“I wish I could fly you up here.”
“I can't. Even if I could, I'm tired of running.” Zoe whispered.
“I know. I'll call you in the morning as soon as I can. I love you.”
“I love you too, Calvin. Don't worry.”
As she hung up the phone, she swallowed nervously and turned back to the computer screen. Her fingers flew across the keys again as she wrote. Grams peeked in the door with a smile.
“You hungry, darlin'?”
Zoe nodded as her stomach grumbled. “I could eat, Grams.”
“I have some spaghetti all cooked up. I'll bring you a plate. You keep resting there.” She puttered away.
Zoe continued to type as she waited, and as Grams returned with a plate piled high with spa
ghetti and green beans, she closed the laptop. “It looks delicious, Grams, thanks.”
“Of course, honey. You feeling all right?” Her eyes were filled with worry.
Zoe smiled. “I'm okay, Grams.”
“What are you doing on the computer?” Grams sat down on the end of the bed and motioned for Zoe to eat.
She took a bite of spaghetti and carefully spoke around the mouthful. “Oh, just browsing online. Not much. I might read later.” The lie made her wince and the food stuck in her throat.
“Okay, well you rest. Just put your plate on the nightstand and I'll come back and get it later. Holler if you need me.”
Zoe nodded enthusiastically and she stuck her thumb up to say okay, her smile fading as Grams left the room. She wolfed down more spaghetti and placed it to the side, opening the laptop again. Her eyes glazed with fervor as she researched and wrote. She rubbed at her eyes and her arms stretched high above her head, muscles unlocking with each breath.
A small smile crossed her lips as she looked at the eight pages she'd completed. A story was forming and she couldn't be more excited. She saved the document and closed the laptop. Tomorrow I'll write more, she thought with another sneaky smile.
Grams had come in during her writing session and quietly picked up the plate, something she hadn't even noticed until now. She shifted to the edge of the bed and stood carefully, moving into the bathroom to ready herself for sleep. Once back in the bed, her eyes refused to close. Her mind whirled and she sat back up against the pillows, reaching for the laptop once more.
Zoe glanced at the time and frowned. Midnight. She opened her browser and typed in “how to publish a book”. As different sites pulled up, she browsed and read. I can submit to a publisher...or...she paused as she read about self-publishing. Self-publishing? How hard could it be?
Her fingers flew across the keyboard through the night and as dawn broke, slumber overtook her.
She awoke with a gasp to Grams shaking her shoulder. “What's a matter?” Zoe mumbled sleepily.
“You need to wake up and go see the doctor.” Grams frowned down at her and Zoe closed her eyes again.
“Just...five...more...minutes.” Her mouth slid open on a snore and Grams shook her again.
“Nope, you gotta go to the doctor. Up with yourself right now girl!”
Zoe groaned and sat up slowly. “I'm up, I'm up. When is the appointment?” She rubbed her eyes and stretched slowly.
“You're actually late. So get moving skippy, we don't have time to dilly-dally.” Grams crossed her arms and tapped her foot on the floor.
Zoe groaned again and stood slowly from the bed. “I'm up. See?”
“Clothes. Let's go.” She snapped her fingers.
Zoe raised her eyebrow. “You sure you haven't done any military time, Grams? You're getting good at this bossy stuff.”
Grams grinned wide. “Well now, I have to go see my great-grandbaby on that scanning machine thingy, don't I?”
Zoe's eyes grew soft. “Yes, you do. Give me just a few minutes to throw some clothes on and go to the bathroom. I'll be right out.”
Grams paused at the door. “Well...All right then.”
As the door closed Zoe shuffled through the room, quickly grabbing clothes to pull on. She hurried to the bathroom and readied herself, pausing just long enough to wipe a fleck of toothpaste off her chin. She walked out into the living room and smiled at Grams. “Fast enough, Sarge?”
Grams chuckled. “Let's go, girl. Here's a glass of orange juice, drink it and if you're good I'll make you biscuits and gravy when we get home.”
Zoe chugged the juice back without thinking and grimaced as the taste hit her tongue. “Oh God, Grams, that's awful.”
“Could be worse things. Let's go, let's go!” She opened the front door and waved Zoe toward the yard.
She placed the glass on the counter and walked past Grams into the brisk morning. Her breath fogged as they hurried to the truck. Moving carefully, she hoisted herself up into the seat and Grams clambered in beside her. She started the engine with a roar and pulled out onto the street. Zoe rested her head against the cold window and her eyes drifted closed, opening periodically as Grams hit a pot hole.
A few moments later they pulled into the parking lot and Grams parked, the old truck shuddering with a piteous groan as she shut off the engine. They hurried into the office, only ten minutes late for the appointment. Zoe sat carefully in the taupe waiting room chair and glanced around at the eighties seafoam green décor quietly as Grams checked her in. The excitement exuding from Grams' pores was palpable in the hush of the waiting room and Zoe patted her arm as she sat down. “I'm glad you're here with me, Grams.”
“I wouldn't be anywhere else!” She grinned again, her gums showing.
Time stretched between them as they fell into a friendly silence. Grams thumbed through an old magazine and Zoe twiddled her thumbs. I wish I had picked up my Kindle, or something. I wish Jade McCahon had another book out! I need something to get my blood pumping.
Finally, the same nurse Dr. Crist had employed since his early days in town came to the door. Dolores smiled brightly, the delicate wrinkles in her face crinkling. “Good morning, Zoe and Vivian! Won't you come on back?”
Zoe smiled. “Good morning, Ms. Dolores. How are you feeling?”
“I'm good honey. Don't you just look pretty as a peach all pregnant! Some women just look pretty pregnant,” she chuckled, “And others look like they blew up.”
Grams snickered. “Ain't that right, Dolores?”
They moved down the hall and into the room. Dolores held her hand out. “Come on up here, girl, and let’s get you ready for your ultrasound. Everything feeling good?”
“Baby girl is moving,” Zoe nodded.
“You aren't stressing out too much, are you now?” Dolores waggled her free index finger in her face as she climbed onto the table.
“No, I'm doing just fine.”
“Good, good. Lay on back here and let's pull your shirt up and get a towel down on your pants. Nothin' in the world is worse than that goop on your pants.”
Zoe lay still as Dolores readied her for the ultrasound. Moments later the doctor walked in. “Hey there, Zoe, Vivian. How are y'all this morning?”
“We're good,” Grams piped up as she sat forward in the chair. “I'm ready to see my great-grandbaby, so get moving there, youngster!”
Dr. Crist laughed as he settled himself on the stool. “I'm working on it, there Vivian.” He picked up the wand and pressed it to Zoe's protruding bump. “All righty, let's see how things look.” He swirled the wand slowly, bringing the baby into focus. “There you go, Vivian. There's your great-grandbaby!”
Grams' mouth pursed and her dark eyes filled with tears. “Well, don't you just look at that? Look at that baby. Oh, my goodness.”
Zoe reached out and took Grams' hand. “She's beautiful, isn't she?”
“Oh, she sure is,” Grams nodded. “She sure is.”
Dr. Crist hummed as he looked at the baby. He pulled the probe away with a smile. “Well, things look good to me. No cramping?”
Zoe shook her head. “No.”
“See you in a week then. Be on time, please.” He rolled his eyes in mock annoyance and chuckled.
“Sorry, I overslept,” Zoe blushed.
“Well, beauty sleep is well and good, but we're on a schedule, miss.” He winked and patted her knee. “See you next week, kiddo. Vivian, lovely to see you as always, ma'am.”
“Ma'am yourself on out of here, you silver tongued snake!” Grams laughed and waved as he left the room.
Zoe took Dolores' hand as she slid off the table and straightened her shirt. “So, how about that biscuit and gravy, Grams?”
Grams swatted at her bottom and helped her outside. “Don't push your luck!”
Chapter Ten
Zoe shifted in bed again and sighed as she stretched her arms above her head. The story is getting closer to done... Two more weeks had pass
ed and every waking moment she had was spent writing. She ate as Grams force fed her and she went to the doctor. Nightly calls with Calvin had become the norm, but she realized he spent most of the time cajoling her into talking. She had become a woman obsessed, but it was worth every second.
Calvin will understand when it's done. I should tell him...He wouldn't be angry...Would he? She paused and chewed her bottom lip, her teeth worrying the pink flesh until she winced with pain. He wouldn't be mad...I hope.
Her phone rang at her side and she picked it up without checking the caller ID. “Hello?”
“Mrs. Hall?” A soft man's voice queried.
“Yes, this is she,” Zoe replied.
“Hi there, I'm Corey Montgomery, the contractor your husband hired?” He coughed nervously and Zoe's brow furrowed.
“Wait. Contractor?” She mentally scrolled through the conversations she'd had with Calvin. Nothing registered. “Contractor...” she said again, stretching it out as she thought.
“Yes ma'am, I'm supposed to be working on your house. I was wondering if I could come on over to talk to you about renovations?”
Zoe glanced down at her spaghetti stained t-shirt and grimaced. “When?”
“Oh...” he paused as if checking the time, “about an hour?”
Zoe swallowed and saved her writing. “Sure, do you know where I live?”
“Yes ma'am.” He didn't elaborate further.
“Sure. That would be fine. I'll see you then.” Zoe hung up and shifted off the bed quickly. “Grams?” She called.
No answer. She vaguely remembered Grams saying something about going to the store. Pops was working on a lawn mower for someone, and Layla was at school. No big deal, she scoffed to herself. I'll just take a quick shower and meet with this guy.
With trembling fingers she peeled her clothes off and stepped into the shower. Warm water spewed from the showerhead and she scrubbed fast, the rough washcloth leaving pink skin in the wake of her assault. She turned the water off and stepped out carefully onto the mat, gripping the old towel bar to steady herself. This big old belly has thrown me off!
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