Southern Comfort: Chandler's Story (The Southern Series Book 1)

by Shelley Stringer

  There was no suppressing my amusement – he was so wrapped up in what he’d gotten for Ava. He began pulling out little pink sweaters with appliqué, pink corduroy pants, crop jeans with bling on them, a white corduroy jacket with fur on the hood, and on and on. He had books, movies, a doll, toys… He finally stopped pulling things out after seven sacks.

  “Everett!” I exclaimed. “How did you do all this in an hour? And for gripes’ sake, we’re only keeping her a while!”

  “I know that look in your eye, Sister. She’s not going anywhere for a while. I’m just getting us prepared for our little princess.” He walked over and touched her cheek. She had him wrapped around her finger already.

  Ava opened her eyes and swiftly sat up, afraid. She was obviously confused about where she was, but then crawled over into my lap. Beau was instantly on his feet, licking at her toes. She began to relax and giggle.

  “Ava, let’s get you dressed, okay?” I asked her. She nodded, and Everett pulled out some little underpants, a pair of jeans, and a cowl neck sweater. He laid it all over the arm of the couch, and then pulled out a pair of fake fur-lined pink suede boots. They had the faces of little Disney princesses on the toes. She clapped her hands, and reached for the boots.

  “I think they are a hit!” I smiled at Everett, as I pulled her jeans on. “I would normally wash all this before I put it on her, but unwashed from the factory, it’s far better than what she had on.

  “Exactly. Besides, I don’t think her mother is too concerned about chemical skin irritation, since you found her in the weeds with practically no clothes on.”

  I finished dressing her, and we put some tiny pink socks on her feet, and then the boots. She kept holding her feet in the air so she could see the faces on them. “Petty. Petty rella.”

  “Pretty what? Everett asked.

  “Cinderella. Don’t you know your princesses, one from the other?

  “No, I’ll have to study up on that one.”

  “Let’s load up some of this, and get going. It’s 10:15, and Banton doesn’t want us to hang around here for long.”

  “Already on it.” Everett had already begun to throw toys, an extra set of clothes, and a sippy-cup in a diaper bag he pulled out of one of the sacks.

  “You are amazing.”

  “Yes, Sweetie, I know. I’m going to make someone a good wife someday.”

  I laughed, and picked Ava up in my arms, wincing at the pain shooting through my shoulder.

  “Give me that sweet baby, and quit picking her up! Come to Uncle Everett. Can you say ‘Everett’?” he asked her as he took her from me.

  “Ebret.”

  “Good. Can you say ‘Uncle’?”

  “Unca!” She smiled at him, playing with the doll he handed her.

  “Okay, now ‘Uncle Everett.’”

  “Unca Ebret.” she said, matter-of-factly.

  I laughed, and grabbed my purse. I had to turn and make Beau stay. He wanted to go with us.

  Two hours later, I came out of the doctor’s office and found Everett sitting in the floor, with a lapful of waiting room toys and Ava sitting inside the toy basket. He picked her up while I piled the toys back in the basket and put it on the side table with the children’s books stacked there.

  “What did the doctor say, Sweetie?” Everett asked me.

  “Every thing just like the ER doctor said. He didn’t take any more x-rays, just checked me over. The stitches are the ones that dissolve, so I don’t have to come back, thank goodness.”

  “Great. Let’s get Princess Ava Grace something to eat!”

  Everett insisted on taking us to a fancy tearoom just down from his shop. Ava ate everything we put on her high chair tray, and then fell asleep with her head on the tray before we even finished. She looked absolutely adorable, and I just had to slide my camera out of my purse and take a close-up of her sweet face. Then Everett pulled her from the high chair, and after he paid the check, we walked back down to his shop.

  As he unlocked the door, I started feeling guilty about his closing the shop for me. “You don’t have anyone running the store today?”

  “It’s Monday, Darlin’. Closed on Mondays, remember?” he said, as he put Ava down on a big, overstuffed chair. I sat down on the ottoman and pulled my cell out. “I thought Banton, or someone from the police would have called about Ava by now.”

  “Don’t worry your pretty head. Everything is going to work out. Now, I’m going to work on a little inventory while Princess Ava takes a nap. Would you like to take a nap? I can fix you up a great spot on one of the beds.”

  “No, I’m good. Thanks, Everett. I’ve got my e-reader, and I need to catch up on some reading for class tomorrow.”

  “This semester will be over before you know it. When are finals?” he asked, as he flipped a laptop and large ledger book open.

  “In four weeks, I think. Around the fifth of December.”

  “That is quick. What book are you reading?”

  “I have my textbooks on here. I’ve already finished everything on the reading list in my English class.”

  “Should have known. What are you going to do when you graduate?”

  “Teach or write, maybe.”

  We both worked away on our own projects for most of the afternoon. Ava woke up and climbed back in my lap with her doll. I noticed how much she seemed to gravitate to one of us, never leaving our side. She was perfectly content to play quietly, and I thought she was unusually quiet for a two year old. As I watched her play with and rock her doll in my lap, I looked up at Everett. He seemed to be watching her too.

  “She is a really quiet child, isn’t she?” he asked, glancing back over his laptop at me.

  “Too quiet, I think. But, that may change when she’s been around us more.”

  He smiled, and I could tell it was the “when she’s been around us more” comment. My cell rang in my purse.

  I flipped it open. “Banton. Hey.”

  “How’s your day been, sweetheart?” he asked me.

  It still made my heart soar every time I heard his voice for the first time after being away from him for more than an hour or so. And the sweetheart thing just made me giddy.

  “Great,” I replied. “Good report at the doctor and the stitches dissolve, so I don’t have to go back. Ava’s all dressed like a princess, thanks to Unca Ebret, and we are playing with our doll on my lap.”

  “Sounds like you have it under control. And both of you are too attached already,” Banton quipped.

  “Can’t help it. You will be too. Did you find anything out?”

  “The police weren’t much help. They will report the incident to Child Protective Services, and they will contact you at some point. They acted like it might be a long, drawn out process. But Lieutenant Burke did say to document everything, in case we need to turn it over to them later. He said if we are okay with it, take her for as long as the mother wants us to keep her – that we definitely don’t want her to go to foster care. It’s a nightmare in Louisiana. He suggested we take a release form for her mom to sign to give us permission to seek medical attention, and to specify how long we are to keep her. Then we are covered legally, and we have documentation. Do you think she will?”

  “I think the mother will do anything for someone else to take Ava right now. We’ll figure the rest out later. So, what is the plan tonight? Do I want to know?”

  “It’s not that big of a deal, not yet, anyway. I’m coming over there now, and I was kind of hoping you might stay at Everett’s tonight?”

  “No, Banton, not unless I have to. Please?”

  “We’ll talk when I get there. I’m just around the corner.” He hung the phone up.

  I shut my cell and glanced over at Everett.

  “You know I’d love for you to stay with me tonight,” Everett commented as he worked. “Banton said we’d discuss it when he gets here. Besides, I have to go back to the house. I have to talk to Jess about Ava.” I glanced down at the brown curls
and big brown eyes looking up at me.

  “Andler,” Ava said.

  “Yes, Sweetie, what is it?”

  “Aba needs go potty!” She jumped down off my lap and I took her hand. When we came back into the room, Banton was coming through the door. He dropped a rather large duffle bag by the front door, and then grinned as he crossed the room to me.

  “Hey, Beautiful,” he said, placing his arms around me and leaning down to kiss me. Ava pulled on my hand to get my attention.

  I broke away from our kiss reluctantly. “Banton, I would like for you to meet Ava Grace. Ava, this is Banton. Can you say Banton?

  “Banin,” she smiled at him and tugged my hand again, wanting me to pick her up. Banton reached down, and she went to him easily. “Andler.” She pointed to me.

  “Well, we seem to have all that straight. Who’s he?” Banton pointed to Everett.

  “Unca Ebret.” She smiled, and hugged her doll.

  “Close enough.” Banton laughed. He gazed down at the beautiful child in his arms. “I get it now. You’re right.” He smiled at me, and I smiled adoringly back at him.

  “About tonight…” I began.

  “Andie, we need to talk. Everett, can you watch Ava for a few minutes?”

  “Sure. Come see Uncle Everett ma petit Bebe, let’s read one of your books.” He picked up a handful of books from the top of the diaper bag on the counter, and took Ava from Banton and walked to the back of the store. Taking my hand, Banton led me over to an antique sofa.

  “Do I need to be worried?” I asked him.

  “No. It’s more like reconnaissance tonight. We are going to try to pick up a trail. We hope to locate them, and form a plan when we know the layout. We don’t plan to engage them unless we’re forced to. We are well prepared, Andie. I promise. And we have three more men than we had last night. We have been briefed on what our superiors know about them, and a little knowledge is a powerful thing.”

  “Does this mean you’re back on active duty, or whatever that means?” I asked him, dreading his answer.

  “I have never technically been inactive. It’s a bit complicated, but if you’re asking if the Navy is signing my paychecks, the answer is yes.”

  “You know that isn’t what I’m asking.”

  “Yes, I’m at the disposal of the Navy. I do what they say to do.”

  I sat in silence, not knowing what to say, or to ask. I wasn’t sure I had the right to ask anything. I felt like I’d just lost him, and I wasn’t sure I’d ever really had him in the first place. I was afraid, and so lost. I was determined I wouldn’t cry, because he didn’t need emotion before he left to do his job. A tear began to form anyway, and then slid down my cheek.

  “Chandler,” Banton slipped his arms around me, and held me close. “I’m not going anywhere, not now, anyway. It may become necessary, when we do locate the cell, for you to stay at Everett’s. I wish you would stay at Everett’s tonight. I just don’t like you being at home with everything that has gone on.”

  “No, I want to be there when you get back. I have to be there, I can’t stand the not knowing!”

  “Okay, Okay. I think it will be all right for you to be at the house tonight, we shouldn’t be gone any longer than we were last night. Just ask Everett to stay with you two until we get back. I promise I’ll make everything up to you when I get home tonight. Everything,” he added, with a grin.

  “There isn’t anything for you to make up. Just come home to me in one piece. And please bring John home too? I’m a little attached to him. I just can’t help myself when it comes to Navy men.” I smiled as his lips came down on mine. He kissed me for several minutes, and then started down my neck, and pulled my sweater over to look at the bruises on my shoulder. I could see the anger in his eyes again.

  “Hey, it’s getting better – from purple to green!” I pulled the sweater up over my shoulder as John walked through the door.

  “Hey, Andie-Girl. Banton, I’m back with the truck and equipment. Are you ready to roll?”

  “Yeah. I’ll be out there in a sec,” Banton replied.

  John grinned and waved at me as he strode out the door. Banton held me for a couple more seconds and then released me, never taking his eyes from mine. “Are you going to talk to Ava’s mom tonight?”

  “Yes, I’ve already fixed a medical form for her to sign, like you said. Everett can notarize it. Then we’ll head home.”

  “Just stay in the house. I want you there in the next hour.”

  “I love you,” I whispered as he started out the door.

  “Me too.”

  I sat back down on the sofa, scared to death. Everett came back in the room with Ava. “I know you’re not going to tell me what’s really going on, are you?” Ava squirmed in his arms, and he put her down on the floor.

  “Nope. Believe me, you don’t really want to know. You wouldn’t believe it anyway, even if I told you.” I rolled my eyes at him.

  “I won’t ask any more questions. Just tell me this much. Are you and Banton…”

  “What?”

  “Can I start planning the wedding of the century yet?” Everett’s eyes sparkled.

  “No, Everett. We’re in the in love, he’s calling me his girlfriend stage.”

  “Oh sweet Bebe, you passed that stage with that rock he put around your neck.”

  “We’ll see,” I replied, as I picked Ava Grace up, and held her close.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  After we packed all Ava’s things, we headed back home. I decided to take Ava with us down the street to Jess’s apartment, because I wanted to see her interact with her mother. Armed with the medical release forms I’d prepared, Everett and I started up the stairs. Ava began to whimper in Everett’s arms as he glanced at me anxiously.

  “We’ve never seen her cry.”

  I knocked on the door three times, but there was no answer.

  I called out, “Jess! Jess, are you home? We have Ava with us, and we’d like to talk with you.” Ava tightened her grip on Everett’s neck and began to cry.

  The door abruptly swung open. Jess didn’t look any more sober or straight than she had this morning.

  “Jess, do you remember me from this morning?”

  “Uh, yeah…” She closed her eyes, seeming to try to get her balance. Ava continued to cry in Everett’s arms.

  “I thought we’d keep Ava a while longer for you. I have a medical release for you to sign, in case I have to take her to the doctor or she needs medical attention. Will you sign it for me?”

  “Mmm, Sssure,” she replied, her speech slurred. She took the pen from me, and scrawled her name across the bottom of the form, never once looking at Ava.

  “What is Ava’s last name?”

  “Walters.” She shut the door in our face again.

  “Now what?” Everett asked, looking down at Ava.

  “I don’t know. I guess I’ll leave her a note with my name and number on it.” I wrote on a piece of paper, and slid it between the door and the frame.

  We walked down the sidewalk back to my house and climbed the porch steps. I unlocked the door for Everett as he carried Ava and the bags in.

  “Doggie? Doggie…” Ava was already running around looking for Beau.

  “Ava, I don’t think the doggie is here.” I turned to Everett, “I imagine Banton took him with them.”

  “Well, what shall we do this evening?” Everett asked Ava, as she came back down the hallway. “Uncle Everett bought you a video today while I was at the store – do you want to watch it?”

  “Everett, thank you so much. I know you have better stuff to do than babysit me.” I sighed, wondering what I should be doing to catch up around the house.

  “Sweet girl, I don’t have anything better to do. No parties with friends this week…I might as well be drinking wine and hanging out with you rather than sitting at home by myself. Now, while baby girl is watching her movie, I’m going to make my list of everything we need to get to deck your ha
lls for Christmas! I can just see a twelve foot tree in the entry hall…” He drifted off into the living room carrying Ava and toting the movie.

  I laughed. I made a mental note to myself to say an extra thank you in my prayers tonight for God sending Everett to me. He was so like my mother in some ways… Then the tears threatened. Maw Maw Irene used to say, God picks the most beautiful flowers for his bouquet, then he sends special ones back down to you. God doesn’t make mistakes. I’d lost my mother and father, and couldn’t imagine smiling again, or enjoying anything without feeling guilt. Then Aunt Sue and Uncle Lon had changed my life by insisting I come here. I might have never met Everett, and oh, Banton …I sighed. I had no idea where all this was going, but my life had changed so much, and was so full. I just didn’t trust anything yet to be permanent or real. I took a deep breath, and wiped the tears from my eyes. I just had to take it one day at a time, just like Maw Maw Irene had told me when I was younger.

  I cleaned the kitchen, and moved the load of clothes I had started from the washer to the dryer. All finished with chores, I went back to the living room and found teapots and plates and spoons singing on the flat screen. Everett sang right along, entertaining Ava like I’d never seen a child entertained. She was dancing around the coffee table, giggling and clapping her hands. I don’t know who’s having more fun, I thought to myself, Everett or Ava. I sat down on the sofa beside him.

  “And you tried to tell me you didn’t know your Disney princesses, but you can sing the teapot song word for word?” I raised an eyebrow.

  “I’ll have you know, Miss Thing, I have nieces, and I have to entertain them when they come to visit. I’ve learned a thing or two.”

  “I’ll bet. I just wish John was here to see this.”

  I watched the movie with them, not really seeing any of it. All I could think about was Banton and John, and the three other buddies he mentioned last night – what were their names? Ben, Colin, and someone. And three more they had added today. They were all down there, under the streets of Baton Rouge, hunting a cell of terrorists – terrorists who happened to have vampire–like creatures in their midst. What if they didn’t come back? I could imagine myself lying in bed watching the clock. Would I give up at 2:00, 4:00? How would I go about inquiring if they were okay? Banton had erased the message on the answering machine, and I couldn’t remember the name of the Navy commander who had called before our trip. I wouldn’t know who to talk to at the base in New Orleans! Panic set in, as I looked at the clock on the wall. I paced to the front door, then to the kitchen window, turning out the lights so I could see in the dark better. I watched several moments, but nothing stirred in the yard.