Town of Chance: Sweet Caroline [The Dare Series 5] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  “Because of the plan. I couldn’t take the chance of someone seeing you and me together. You’ve hid out for so long. I wouldn’t let you risk everything just to be there for me to lean on. Besides, I needed to do this, and see it through.”

  “But does Cameron know I exist?”

  “He thinks we’re estranged, and hasn’t a clue where you live.”

  “Well that was believable because you kept blowing me off over him.”

  “Like I need that shoved in my face now, Shelby?”

  She walked over to the table and placed the plate of eggs and bacon in front of Caroline and then went back for her plate.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it to sound that way. I was so worried.”

  “Exactly. So you would have worried more.”

  Shelby took a seat next to her sister and then reached out and touched the cast lightly.

  She looked at her and wanted to know what he did to Caroline.

  “Don’t ask. You know as well as I do what an abusive, controlling man is capable of. There’s no need to describe it when you’ve felt it firsthand.”

  She nodded and they began to eat.

  “So tell me more about this town and the possible jobs I can get.”

  “Well, you’ll want to lay low for a bit. I talked to my friends and the consensus is waitressing, bartending, working in a local clothing store, or the bakery. You want to learn about the rules first.”

  “Rules?” Caroline asked and Shelby took a deep breath.

  “This town is different, Caroline. Besides the fact that it’s small, and close-knit, the sheriff and those in charge have rules to keep the citizens safe.”

  “Like patrols and stuff?” she asked as she took a bite of a forkful of eggs.

  “Well, yes, security is great but you see everyone watches out for everyone, especially the women. Whether single or taken, all the men are kind of in charge of security and safety for us.”

  “What are you getting at and what do you mean by in charge?” Caroline asked.

  “There are some different types of relationships that are acceptable in a lot of towns, Chance being one of them. You see, a woman can be claimed or rather men can share a woman, take care of her and provide for her.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Damn, I’m not explaining this right. Have you heard of a ménage relationship?”

  “Yes. I had a friend in college who came from Texas and she lived in a place that there were a lot of those kinds of relationships.”

  “Did she tell you anything more about them?”

  “Sure, but it seemed far-fetched. Especially to me. Our mom wasn’t exactly a prize mother. She went from one asshole to the next. I couldn’t imagine getting romantically involved with multiple men and there not being a shitload of other problems. One man smacking me around and scaring me was enough.”

  “I hear what you’re saying.”

  “Wait, you don’t agree? After what Skip did to you?”

  “No, of course not. I’ve been here for more than a year. If I was going to be claimed or some men were going to take an interest, then they would have said so by now. Which by the way I would not accept. I’m not ready for that.”

  “Well neither am I so do we need to talk about this stuff more? It’s kind of frightening.”

  “I know what you mean. The men around here are so different. For instance, that trooper who helped change your tire the other day, he has two brothers who are just as big and good-looking as him.”

  Caroline’s eyes widened. “Seriously? I thought I had palpitations. Cameron is big,” she said and lowered her eyes.

  Shelby swallowed hard. “It’s going to take some time, Caroline. Time to not always be looking over your shoulder, keeping your head down, and not talking to people much. I promise, it will get better, and you’ll feel safe here. Especially after we meet with Sheriff Gordon.”

  “What? Why would we do that?”

  “Because it’s part of the benefits of living here. The law protects those in trouble. It’s happened with some of the friends I’ve made. When they were in trouble or trouble came looking for them, everyone helped. There are people, men and women who are part of this town that have connections and resources.”

  “So does Cameron and his family. I’m sorry, Shelby, I’m not talking to any sheriff about Cameron. You didn’t tell anyone about Skip. If I knew this was part of staying here I wouldn’t have come.”

  “And where would you have gone? Where would you feel safe? Nowhere. I can tell you that.”

  “Well I don’t even know these people and I don’t even know if I’ll feel safe or not. I can’t talk to some sheriff I don’t even know. Plus, like I said, Cameron knows people. I’m sure he’s looking for me and I don’t need to send up a signal in the middle of this town with a locator on it by talking to the police. They can’t be trusted. Believe me, in this case, the Elliott family has more power and pull than some small-town sheriff and his department of deputies in South Carolina. I know firsthand what his family is capable of. I had to threaten to press charges from police departments three towns over and even that may not have gone through.”

  “Charges?” Shelby asked.

  “For assault and rape. He would have gotten away with it. It gave me enough breathing room to get Cameron to give me space so I could initiate my plan of escaping. I trust no one. End of conversation.”

  Shelby felt the tears reach her eyes. Rape? Assault? Her sister hadn’t told her everything. The more she said, the more the idea of talking to the sheriff seemed to be the wrong move. She hadn’t told Max Gordon, the sheriff, about Skip for numerous reasons. They had to keep Caroline’s secret, too. She looked at her and felt the tears in her eyes. Rape? Assault? She just couldn’t help but feel so much.

  “There are people I know. Counselors who—”

  Caroline shook her head. “Not interested.”

  Shelby felt terrible. She knew exactly what her sister was going through. It would take time, but what she feared most, just like she constantly lived in fear with, was the possibility that Caroline’s ex would find her. She wouldn’t push the issue of telling the sheriff. How could she when her own ex, was probably still looking for Shelby, too.

  “I’m here for you, Caroline. Just remember that together anything is possible. So, what did the doctor say about the cast?” Shelby asked, changing the subject, sort of.

  “I have another couple of weeks before the cast can come off.”

  “Well Dr. Anders is great. He’s really nice from what I’ve heard from my friends.”

  “Yeah well, I have to be smart. I can’t go to a doctor and I can’t work anywhere on the books. Not with Cameron’s connections. Hell, being a cop he can find out anything he wanted to. Which by the way, we need to get rid of those fake license plates and register the car in your name. You’re still using the fake last name, Walters, right?” Caroline said.

  “Yes. It was the best five thousand dollars I ever spent. No one has picked up on anything so far.”

  “Maybe I need to do the same. As soon as I scrounge up five G’s that is. I used most of my savings to help disappear, and the money I have with me I’ll need to help pay rent and support the house with you.”

  “Don’t worry about that. We’re fine. I make good money and can take care of you. We’re in this together, remember?”

  Caroline looked at her. “I’ll need your help. I’m not so quick on my feet about lying. You would think after what Cameron did to me that I would be less trusting and even nice, but I can’t help wanting to be helpful and to be a little social. God, I hate this feeling. How the hell am I going to find a job with this thing on my arm, and off the books, no questions asked? Or to get it off by some doctor who is going to ask questions and want to document my information?” She looked at her cast and knocked on it lightly with her knuckles. “I don’t need a doctor to remove it, just a saw, a hammer, maybe a chisel. You’ll help me.”

  “I don�
��t know if that’s a good idea. What if it’s not healed yet?” Shelby said, feeling concerned.

  “It should be. I’ll even give it another week just to be sure. Besides, I’m thinking it may have to come off sooner because people might not hire me if I have it on.”

  “That all depends on where you work. We can go out and see the town tomorrow and we can ask around.”

  Caroline looked at Shelby with pure uncertainty in her eyes. “You’re sure it’s safe?”

  Her sister was strikingly beautiful and her long platinum blonde hair stood out as much as her sage-green eyes and voluptuous figure. There was no way people wouldn’t notice her.

  “It’s safe. I wouldn’t have lasted this long if I thought for one moment that it wasn’t.”

  Caroline nodded her head and looked at her sister as she leaned back in the chair.

  “How do you know Skip won’t come looking for you, or that he might know where you are right now?”

  She felt her chest tighten and then exhaled. “I don’t think he knows where I am. He doesn’t have the same connections that Cameron does. Besides, I think he’s replaced me and probably a few times already, considering I caught him cheating on me more than once.”

  Her sister was very quiet and Shelby felt the intensity of the moment.

  “Cameron never cheated on me, but if he thought I might stray, or if one of his buddies got too close to me and I smiled or laughed with them, he got angry. Usually took it out on me later when we were alone. He’s a big man, Shelby. He was a soldier, he’s a cop, and he has this powerful reputation and connections. I’m a nobody. A woman with a college degree I worked my ass off for and struggled to pay for and now what do I have to show for it? I can’t even use that degree for a job because I can’t prove that I have the degree and the experience. So who keeps winning here?”

  She was so frustrated and Shelby heard it in her voice and saw it in her eyes and her body language.

  “Don’t give up hope that you won’t get a job in town. These are good people and everything always seems to have a way of working itself out. Look at me. I’ve been working for Mr. Pace for the past year. I got that job on a whim and on a recommendation from Marlena and of course Eliza, Mr. Pace’s cousin. He pays me off the books and I’ve proven my professionalism and capabilities. You’ll prove yours, too.”

  “I sure do hope so, or you’re going to get tired of supporting me.”

  “It will never happen. We’re all the family we’ve got. Hell, the only person I truly trust completely is you.”

  Caroline scrunched up her nose and tried to stop the tears from flowing but it was no use. Shelby stood up.

  “I don’t want you to get hurt because of me, but I had no place else to go. I’m so scared that he’ll find me. That he’ll beat me again. I don’t want to ever go back there or ever see Cameron again. Something tells me that I haven’t seen the last of him.”

  Shelby hugged her sister and cried with her.

  Please God protect us. Protect my sister, so that she may never feel pain again.

  Chapter 2

  State trooper York Mantel was driving through Chance when he caught sight of two women walking down the street and entering his mother’s clothing boutique. At first he wasn’t sure if the platinum-blonde was the same woman he helped on the highway over a week ago, but then he saw the black cast. It was warm out, about mid-eighties, and both women were dressed in skirts and tank blouses. Very conservative and classy. That was when the other one turned before walking into the shop and he saw that it was Shelby Ann. She was good friends with Marlena, his friend Mike’s woman.

  An interest or maybe a curiosity arose inside of him about the woman Shelby was with. They both had platinum-blonde hair, were both very petite, and it was obvious they knew one another. He wondered if they were related. It was so strange, but he couldn’t stop thinking about her from last week. He wasn’t certain if it were merely an attraction to a gorgeous young woman, or if it were his gut instincts telling him that the woman wasn’t willing to give him much info and avoided his questions. Both got his curiosity growing.

  He was tempted to go inside and say hello to his mother and meet the woman again, but then he thought better of it. She may think he followed her and was some stalker. He didn’t need his mother knowing how they met and trying to play matchmaker. Ever since Hunter, his brother, returned from his final tour of duty, she’d been hinting around about getting older and how they weren’t getting any younger either. That they should consider settling down instead of running around like bachelors. He pulled the cruiser into a parking spot in front of the sheriff’s department. Who was walking outside, but his other brother C.J. He gave a wave as he got out of the car and met him.

  “Hey, what are you doing around here? I thought you were off from work today?”

  “Davie called in sick. A replacement won’t be in until four. I didn’t have any plans for today anyway. How is it going?” York asked C.J.

  “Well, some dipshits ran their four wheelers through Mrs. Murphy’s garden again. This time she got out her shotgun and took some shots at them.”

  “Jesus. She’s going to take one of them out sooner or later. You need to find them boys.”

  C.J. chuckled. “I bet she scared the crap out of them. I doubt they’ll go back but she wants them punished. She’s worked real hard on that garden and wants to win the zucchini bread contest next month.”

  “She does make a mean zucchini bread. I’ll keep my eyes peeled, too. I’m patrolling the eastside, near her place and the highway.”

  “Great.” He looked back over toward their mom’s place.

  “What’s going on?”

  “What do you mean?” he replied back to C.J.

  “You keep glancing at mom’s place. You going in to see her?”

  “Nah, just thought I saw someone I knew go in there a little bit ago.”

  “Well, do you want to go check?”

  “Nah. Did you eat lunch yet?”

  “Heading to Rita’s now,” C.J. replied.

  “Great. I’ll take my lunch now.”

  They headed down the street and he couldn’t help but look back that way again. His brother caught him and looked at him strangely. “Good thing there are window seats left at the diner. That way you can keep looking for whomever it is you’re looking for to come out of mamma’s boutique.”

  York gave his brother an annoyed expression as they entered the diner. Sure enough there was a seat opened and he couldn’t help but to wonder what C.J. might think of Natalie when he saw her. Would he like you, too? He had a funny feeling in his gut. The three of them were not as close as they used to be and mostly because Hunter kept his distance and space. He had a lot of issues and was readjusting to living in Chance and never returning to the service. He still kept busy on the computer and doing shit for the government. They didn’t know what he did, but he seemed content.

  York stared at the menu even though he knew what was on it.

  Then he heard his brother’s low whistle. “Wow, so that was what caught your interest,” C.J. said as he leaned closer to the window and stared. York looked, too, and sure enough, there was Natalie and Shelby.

  C.J. didn’t take his eyes off of her.

  “Tell me you met her and know who she is?”

  York explained as Sheriff Gordon walked out of the department and greeted them. His gut clenched again. He didn’t know why, but his instincts were never wrong.

  * * * *

  “It’s so nice to have met you, Caroline. It would be wonderful if you were interested in the store clerk’s position.”

  Caroline shook her hand and smiled. “Thank you. I definitely would be.”

  Her sister stepped closer and looked around them to be sure no one was in earshot. The clothing boutique was pretty big and there were people browsing through the racks.

  “The thing is, my sister had a little situation from where she lived and is trying to recoup and restart. I
s there any way you would be willing to pay her off the books, for a little while anyway?” Shelby asked Martha.

  The woman scrunched her eyes together, looked at Caroline’s cast, and Caroline shyly looked down, feeling embarrassed. Then Martha tapped her hand and whispered, “No problem at all. We’ll work it out. I’d be happy to help her get a new start and put the past behind her.” She winked, and Caroline was shocked. It was as if the woman understood their need for secrecy and like it was no big deal.

  “Thanks so much, Martha.”

  “Yes, thank you, and you won’t be sorry. I’ll be here first thing Monday morning,” Caroline said and Martha winked. “Great.”

  Caroline held onto Shelby’s arm as they exited the store. “You don’t think she’ll tell anyone do you?”

  Shelby smiled. “No way, but I swear, even if she did, you’d have nothing to worry about. You’ve done nothing wrong. Remember that and also what a wonderful town Chance is.” They were smiling and then heard someone clear their throat. Caroline looked up and stopped short. Shelby seemed surprised but then quickly smiled. “Hello, Sheriff Gordon. How are you?” she asked and Caroline released Shelby’s arm and stood straight. The sheriff was a big guy and very rugged and handsome. What was with all the attractive men around here?

  She casually moved her cast behind her.

  “How are you, Shelby? Enjoying the day?” he asked and looked at Caroline.

  “Oh yes, just giving my sister the tour.”

  “Your sister?” he questioned and looked her over.

  “Yes, this is Caroline. Caroline, meet the sheriff. He runs the town and makes sure that everyone is safe and happy around here.”

  He chuckled as he reached out his hand for her to shake. When she did, her cast moved forward.

  “How did you break your arm?” Caroline went to answer but got tongue-tied. She should have been better prepared for caring people like the sheriff, and their questions about how she broke her arm. Thank goodness Shelby answered.