by Green, Vicki
He smiles and winks at me. “She has a boy in town get her groceries once a week and since the weather is about to turn she made a list of stuff that will last a month. The weather here will turn on a dime and the town could shut down. You have to be prepared for that.”
I look at him and frown. “Ok. You have me really nervous now. Should we be doing something more to prepare?” Shit, I’m scared, but, yet, how romantic and fun to be stuck in close confines with Hutch. Yeah, that sounds heavenly.
He reaches his hand out to take mine, his fingers moving between mine and grasping tightly. I look into his gorgeous glimmering blue eyes to find they are full of caring. “Hey, don’t be worried, baby. Everyone takes care of each other in this town. That’s one reason why I love it here.” His thumb rubs across my hand. “I’ll take care of you.” Sigh. Can he be any sweeter? My heart beats faster every time I am around him.
I lean over the table and kiss those sweet lips. My mouth vibrating with his moans. Damn, I love the effect I have on him and even more what he does to me. I sit back down and we just smile at each other. We are like two teenagers on a date.
While cleaning up our dinner mess, I turn to him quickly when I feel a thump against my behind. He’s standing there grinning, his dimples protruding, holding a wound up dish rag. Oh, yeah? I grab the soaking wet sponge and throw it at him, turn and start running, squealing all the way up the stairs. “You’re gonna pay for that, baby!” He screams as he runs after me. I make it all the way up to my room before he tackles me onto the floor. “Oomph!” We both yell as we land.
“Owwww!” I scream as my elbow hits the hardwood floor. Shit! That hurt! I sit up, holding my arm, and he is right there beside me apologizing all over the place, the worried look on his face causing me to feel bad.
“Oh, shit! I’m so sorry. What hurts, baby? Your arm, wrist?” He says gently brushing the hair off my face.
“My elbow. It hurts when I bend my arm.” It’s really throbbing. I look at him and can tell he’s starting to panic. “Hey, it will be fine and it’s not your fault. We both were clowning around.” I try to give him a smile, but I’m really hurting. I can’t believe this is happening.
He moves behind me and lifts me up, his hands under my arms. “I think you need to have that looked at and now. Come on baby. I’ll drive you.”
Turning around quickly, I look at him questioningly. “You have a car?”
He laughs. “Yes, I have a Jeep, actually. It’s in Bailey’s garage. That’s how I got here. I hope it still runs, haven’t started it up in nine months.” Wow. Well, I guess he wouldn’t need it here.
He tenderly puts his arm around me and leads me to the garage and helps me into his Jeep, carefully buckling me in. Running around the front, he jumps into the driver’s seat, looks at me, smiles and turns on the ignition. It starts right up, and he looks at me and winks. He’s so freaking hot.
We drive the short distance to the other end of town and pull up into a driveway of a huge house. “Is there not a hospital here?” I ask looking skeptically at the old house.
His hand touches my shoulder as he chuckles. “No, no hospital. There’s one in the next town over but every medical need is done here at Doc Marrow’s house. Trust me, he has it all here. It’s about as close to a hospital as you can get, but homier.” Ok. That’s just weird. But then, this whole town is a little odd but too good to be true. I am finding that I love it here more and more. I look into his eyes and smile. Ok, I love being here, with him.
He quickly gets out of the car and helps me out. We get to the front door, and he just opens it and we walk inside without knocking. I must have an odd look on my face because he chuckles and winks at me. “It’s ok. The front door is always unlocked. He wants to make sure anyone who needs him can get in fast. He lives on the top floor of the house.”
An older man walks down the stairs in front of us. He hurry’s over to me, smiles and pushes his glasses down his nose, slightly. He looks down at me holding my arm and back up to Hutch. “Well, now. Who do we have here?” Smiling he looks back at me. “Brennan, right? What happened, honey?” I am dumbfounded as he and Hutch lead me into a room down a small hall. It looks just like any other hospital room, and it does feel homey. I think I just fell a little more in love with this town. Hutch helps me up on the table and sits next to me never taking his arm from around me. Sigh. I’ve never had anyone be so attentive, so sweet and caring. I feel like I’m in a dream world. I could get so used to this.
Something will happen. Something always happens. No one is this nice, no one cares this much. Be careful. My thoughts are always trying to keep me safe, after all the things Darrin did to me. I shake my head from all the rumblings going on in there and try to pay attention to the doctor.
The doctor bends my arm, gently. “Ugh!” I cry out. His eyes go to mine immediately while Hutch’s grip tightens on my shoulder.
“Sorry, honey.” He looks at Hutch then back to me. “I think we need to take an x-ray to see if anything is broken. Just give me a minute to set it up, ok?” I nod and watch him leave the room.
“I’m so sorry I hurt you. I never intended to. I would never hurt you. I’d rather die,” he whispers against the side of my head. I turn my head and see the tears in his eyes. Oh, Hutch!
“You didn’t hurt me on purpose, babe. It’s as much my fault too. Accidents happen.” I lean in and kiss one of his eyes, trying to kiss the tears away.
His forehead presses against mine. “What happened to you, before? Those weren’t accidents. You haven’t told me everything, but I know you were hurt. A lot. Know that I would never treat you badly, never hurt you physically. I don’t ever want to hurt you in any way, baby.”
I take a deep breath and let it out, shakily. He’s too good to be true. Can I let go? Can I trust my feelings? I’m scared.
“I think…” I take a deep breath again. “I think it’s time I talk to someone. I think I’m ready.” I take my good arm and reach up to his face, rubbing a finger across his cheek. His eyes close and he breathes in deeply. “I think I found someone that’s worth me getting help for.” His eyes open quickly, he gives me his gorgeous dimpled smile and kisses my nose.
The door opens, and I jump just a little. I feel Hutch’s arm move around my waist and hold me closer.
“Ah, honey. Come follow me and we’ll get that arm x-rayed.” He looks at Hutch and winks. “You can help her there but will have to wait in the hall until we are done.”
Hutch and I follow Doc Marrow down the hall and into a smaller room. Again, it looks just like a room at a normal hospital for x-rays. Hutch helps me up onto the table, kisses my cheek and tells me he will be right outside. I watch as he leaves, his fine ass making my inside’s flush. Sigh. Damn, he’s so fine. Stop it! Now is definitely not the time.
Once the x-rays have been taken, I open the door to find Hutch right in my face. His arm goes around my waist, and he takes me back to the other room and helps me up on the bed. He immediately sits down next to me again. His attention is so soothing and comforting.
The doctor leaves us for a bit while we wait for the x-rays to be done. After about thirty minutes, he returns pushing in a cart. “Well, you were right in coming here. Your x-rays show a small fracture here.” He points to a section on my arm. He is pointing right below my elbow. “So, I’m afraid I’m going to have to put a cast on your arm so it can heal properly. Are you left handed, honey?” I shake my head no. “Well, at least that’s good.” He looks at Hutch and then looks back at me. “You’ve had this bone fractured before, haven’t you?”
I stiffen and freeze. Hutch’s arm tightens around me even more. “It’s ok, baby. You don’t have to tell him any specifics. He’s just asking,” he whispers in my ear. I relax a little and look back at the doctor and nod, slowly.
The doctor clears his throat. “I could tell. It doesn’t look like it healed correctly. Well, let’s get this cast on you so this one will, ok?” He smiles, and I feel relieved.
He seems like such a kind man. He hands something to Hutch. “Here are some pain relievers.” He hands a pill to me with a cup of water. “Take one now. It will help relieve you of the pain, honey.”
Twenty minutes later, we are heading down the hall to leave. I am so tired. Hutch opens the door while still holding onto me. He hasn’t let me go the entire time, unless he was made to. Sigh.
“You take care of yourself, young lady,” Doc Marrow says as we are heading out the door. We both turn, and I see him smiling and waving at us.
“Don’t you worry, Doc. I’ll see to it that she does,” Hutch yells back at him. The doctor laughs, still waving.
“I don’t doubt that, Hutchinson. I don’t doubt that at all,” he yells.
I almost fall asleep by the time Hutch gets me up to my room. I sit on the bed, and he brings a glass of water, placing it on my nightstand. He looks down at me, his face full of concern and worry. “Do you, um… Do you need help getting comfortable?” Huh? Oh. Oh!
I look at him shyly. “Ah, no. But, thank you.” I get up, get my PJs and walk into the bathroom. Ok. It’s really hard getting undressed and dressed with a cast on. You’d think I’d have perfected this maneuver by now. I’ve had this arm broken twice before this, thanks to Darrin.
Finally, I throw my clothes in the hamper and return to the bedroom. Hutch jumps up from where he was sitting on my bed and walks over to me quickly. He takes my good hand and brings me to the bed, the sheets already pulled down neatly. Dang, I think I just fell in love. He helps me into bed and tucks me in. Kissing me on my forehead, he whispers, “Sleep tight, baby. You need anything you just holler. I’m going to leave your door and mine open so I can hear you, ok?” My eyes look into his, and I nod and then yawn very un-lady like. He chuckles and kisses my forehead again. “Goodnight, baby. Sweet dreams.” I watch him walk out of the room, my heart leaving with him.
Chapter Seven
“Noooooo! No!”
I jump out of bed after hearing my girl’s screaming voice and fall as I race up the stairs to her room. Getting up quickly, I run and I slide to a halt as I enter through her door and find her thrashing around in bed, her body all tangled up in the sheets. I run over, sit down and place my hands on her shoulders, gently, and begin to shake. “Bren, baby, wake up. It’s just a bad dream.”
I can feel her body stiffen at my touch, her eyes open wide, and she sits up fast, her arms wind around my neck. She begins sobbing into my chest. “He was here,” she cries. “He was beating me, punching and then…” She cries harder. “He hit me with the pipe again.” What the fuck? Pipe? Oh, hell no!
I rub her back and rock her. “I’m here, baby. Darrin is not.” I kiss the top of her head. “I won’t ever let him hurt you again, or anyone else. No one will hurt you again.” Her sobbing continues for a while until it slows, and I hear her soft, light breathing. My poor baby cried herself to sleep. I lay her down and remove her arms from around my neck. Carefully, I place her broken arm down beside her and run over and close the door. Walking around the bed I watch her sleep and can tell she is still tormented by her dreams. I pull back the covers and slide into bed next to her. I gently take her broken arm and pull her, by her upper arm, over to me. She stirs slightly, half opens her eyes and looks at me. She smiles as she closes them and snuggles into me and sighs. Damn, I am so in over my head with this girl. I am so feeling the love for her. I can’t help it. I want to love her, to take care of her, and I want to give her the happy life she deserves. Fuck! I am so grateful I can feel so much for her. Nine months ago, I thought I would never feel this way again, about anyone. Sis is right. You can love more than once in your lifetime and I am in love, again.
I look down at her when she sighs again. Her cast is heavy on my stomach, but I don’t care. I would take anything in order to make her comfortable, in order for her to feel safe. I kiss her head and rest mine against it.
I awaken to find myself spooning my baby. My arm wrapped around her waist, my hand in hers and my leg is resting in between her legs. Damn! I never did this with Jodi. Oh, we snuggled at night but then slept on our own sides of the bed. Ok. Stop it! I can’t compare the two of them. I take a deep breath, her sweet smell invading my nose. God, this feels great waking up like this. Having her in my arms. I don’t know what it is about her that makes me want to be right here, right where I am at this very moment. Ugh, but my cock definitely has other plans for her. It’s standing at full attention right into her backside. Time to hit the shower and now.
I carefully remove my hand and my leg from her, hoping not to wake her. Once I am up and walking past her side of the bed, I stop and watch her. She is so beautiful, inside and out. How could anyone want to hurt her, physically or mentally? Sick fuck! I’m glad she wants to talk to Kathryn. As I turn towards the bathroom, I look out the window and see it’s snowing. I walk over and get a better look outside. The ground is already covered, and the flakes seem to be getting bigger. Looks like we won’t be going anywhere today. My head turns back to my baby. Yeah, we wouldn’t today anyway. She needs her rest.
I hurry to take my shower. I don’t want her to wake up and not find me there. Once I am done, I walk back into the room, and I find my baby lying there and looking up at the ceiling.
“Hey, baby. How are you feeling?” I ask as I sit down beside her. Her beautiful eyes look at me and the biggest smile spreads across her face. She’s so fucking beautiful. She’s perfect!
“I feel wonderful this morning.” She reaches over and takes my hand. “Thank you so much for taking care of me last night. I slept better than I have in years.” I lean down and kiss her full lips. Her hand release’s mine and moves around the back of my neck. “Mmmmm,” she moans. I lean back but still close to her face and look at her to find tears in her eyes. “How did I find you? Are you what lead me here?” She whispers.
My eyes search hers. “Yes. I really think so. And…” I rub away her fallen tears and cup her face. “I believe you are who lead me here too.”
She starts to sit up but has trouble with her casted arm, so I place my hands around her upper arms and pull gently. I barely sit back up when her lips lock with mine. I pull her closer, our kiss becoming hot and heavy in intensity. Damn, my cock wants in her so bad. I want to feel her under me, squirming with desire. Fuck! I need a cold shower.
I tenderly push her back a little and look into her eyes, which are now full of desire. “Baby, we need to stop. I’m having a hard enough time controlling myself around you.” I kiss her lightly. “I want you so much. I’m trying so hard to take it slow with you, for you. Please, help me stop,” I say against her luscious lips.
She kisses me once, twice and a third time before she pulls back and stares into my eyes. “I’m sorry. Wait! No, I’m not. I can’t help it. Is it wrong that I want you too? So badly.” She looks down and studies her cast. “Maybe I’m moving too fast. Maybe I’m not ready.” Looking back up at me, she sighs. “I just can’t.” My heart races as the disappointment surges through me. She cups my face and smiles. “I can’t stay away from you. I don’t want to stay away from you.”
I take her into my arms and let out a huge sigh of relief. Fuck, she scared the shit outta me. “Baby, I’ll do whatever you want. I’ll slow down, speed up or back off completely. But, please don’t ask me to leave you. Ever.” I look into her loving eyes. “I thought my life was over after Jodi died. It really felt like I couldn’t go on. Coming here showed me that there is life after you lose someone you love. You coming here has shown me that I can love again, that you can love more than once in your lifetime.” I kiss her full mouth once more then look at her again. “Baby, I love you. I know it’s too soon for both of us but I can’t help the way I feel. I can’t…”
Her fingers press against my lips. She leans over and kisses me. “I feel it too. I’m sorry that I can’t say the words yet. I want to, but I… just know that I am feeling it too. I hope that’s enough, for now.” I wrap my arms around her and hold her tight.
“Baby, it’s enough. It’s more than enough. I’m just happy that you feel it too.” I stand up and stretch and look down at my girl. My girl, damn that sounds good, perfect, right. “I think I need to feed my sweet baby. We need to get your strength up.” I turn my head towards the window and back at her. “Look outside, baby. The snow is everywhere. You enjoy the view and I’ll bring up some awesome breakfast for you.” I smile and watch as her head turns toward the window. My heart swells when I see her hand cover her mouth as she gasps.
“I’ve never seen the snow except on the peaks of the mountains here. How beautiful.” She slides off the bed, and I help her to a chair by the back door. I stand there for a moment and watch the look on her face. I love watching her facial expressions as she looks out, almost like a child seeing things for the very first time. Beautiful.
“Yes, how beautiful.” Her head turns sharply to me, her eyes widen at the realization that I was speaking of her and not the scenery outside. “I’ll be right back. Any requests?”
She sighs and smiles. “Just you.”
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Wow! After everything that has happened to me, how in the hell did I get so lucky to find such a great town, great friends and the best, most gorgeous, sexy and hottest man on the planet? I’m sitting here looking at the falling snow and am amazed by how beautiful it is. There must be twelve inches out there already, and it’s still coming down thick. Now I understand what Hutch meant when he said the weather can change on a dime, and the town can shut down.
I feel so safe here, so content and so alive. How did I let Darrin scare me so badly that I became so weak, so fragile? Yes, he was much bigger than I am, but I used to be so strongwilled. I wouldn’t let anything stand in my way when I was younger. I guess things change. People change. Well, no more. I hope to God he never finds me, but I will not live in fear anymore. I have something to live for, to fight for. I have Hutch.