Finding My Way Home

by Green, Vicki

  We walk into the room and I am enveloped with good wishes and Happy Birthday’s. Everyone disperses to a table full of food, watching a game on TV or talking around the bar. Simon and Chris walk over and hug me, in turn. “We talked about this plan the day we got here with Bailey and Hutch. After everything that happened after that, we thought about calling it off but decided maybe this is what you needed right now.” He leans in and whispers, “I know you’ve not had a birthday celebration in a long time.”

  I kiss his cheek and linger there. “Thank you. I love you,” I whisper.

  Hutch’s arm encircles my waist as he leans over and kisses the side of my head. “Happy Birthday, Baby.” I lean into him and close my eyes. “So, you were surprised?” He laughs.

  My eyebrows are raised as I turn to him. “Surprised? You all scared the shit outta me.” I laugh, giving him a playful smack on his arm. I move closer and wrap my arms around him, laying my head on his chest. “I’d forgotten all about my birthday with everything that’s been happening.” Turning my head up, I kiss him tenderly. “I love you. Thank you so much for all of this. I’m overwhelmed.”

  His lips find mine, and the room of people disappears as I feel the love pouring out of him and into me. “I’m sorry we scared you. We didn’t think about that, under the circumstances. We just wanted to give you the best party.” He pulls back. The sad look on his face breaks my heart. “No one’s ever given you a birthday party, have they?” He looks so sad for me, but I’ve just gotten used to it.

  I put my hand on his face, smoothing his frown line with my finger. “Hey, no sadness. I’m used to not having any fanfare on birthdays, holidays, whatever. Don’t be sad for me. It breaks my heart.”

  He grabs my face with both hands and kisses my mouth like it’s the last time we will ever kiss. Finally, he pulls back, hands still in place, his eyes searching mine. “I love you so much. Do you know that? Never, ever, again, will you not have the attention you deserve, the birthdays and holidays that make you feel special. I will see to that.” He lets go as I lunge into him, almost knocking him off balance.

  “I already feel special. Very special. Thank you for loving me.” I am reeling for how much love I feel for him, how much love I am receiving from him.

  “Damn, it’s not time for you two to get a room, yet,” Chris chuckles from behind me. “Come on. The party just started. There’s plenty of time for that later.”

  I turn in my man’s arms to see Chris walking back to the couch with a beer. Hutch starts laughing, he turns me so that I am facing out to the room, and brings his arms around my waist. His chin rests on my shoulder, and his body is shaking mine with his laughter. “Well, guess he told us.”

  Chapter Twelve

  We had a great night at my party last night. Afterwards, Hutch and I showed our guests to the door with our goodnights, helped clean up, and made love until the morning hours. I could get so used to this, the attention, the love, the making love. Damn, my body has not been this sore ever. Well, not because of love making anyway. But what a way to get sore. Who needs a gym when I can get a great workout at home?

  Back at work today, since the weather finally has cleared enough and all the stressful happenings have calmed down. Darrin could still be on his way here, but I thought it was best to try to get back to some kind of normal life. Well, as normal as it can be right now. Hutch is camped out with his laptop at the back table and Chris and Simon have stopped in for a coffee three times already. Yeah, I feel pretty safe.

  The coffee shop has been fairly busy today, everyone wanting to get out and about after being cooped up for the last few days, but it’s slowing down now that it’s late afternoon. I look up from the counter to see Hutch standing in front of me. I put my hand on my hip and give him a snarky look. “Babe. If you drink any more coffee you won’t ever sleep tonight. Not that I wouldn’t mind staying up all night with you again.”

  He laughs and cocks an eyebrow. “Oh, yeah. I’m sure that can be arranged.” I laugh and wipe off the countertop. “No, was just gonna tell you that I’m running home for like two minutes to get something and I’ll be right back.”

  “Well, as much coffee that’s in your system, I’m sure it will only take you one minute.” He laughs again and turns to leave. “Hey, babe?” His head turns to me. His gorgeous dimpled smile is in full force. “Can you grab my journal from the desk? I think I might be able to get in a little writing.”

  He walks back over to the counter, and I meet him as we both lean forward towards each other. “I love when you call me babe.” Kissing me quickly, he turns and walks out of the shop. Leaning on the counter, I watch his cute ass as he walks out. Sigh. I’m one lucky girl. If he wasn’t already in love with me, I’d been swooning all over him like a love struck fan girl.

  I’m cleaning the counter behind me when I hear the bell above the door jingle. Wow! That was less than two minutes! When I turn around I freeze. Walking towards the counter is Darrin. I look around the room, but the store is empty. My racing heart is going to beat out of my chest the closer he gets. Oh, my God! What am I going to do? Ok. Calm down! Hutch will be back any second. It’s ok. Once he is in front of the counter he puts on a fake worried look.

  “Zoey. Thank God you’re safe. I was so worried, I… I was beside myself.” His hand reaches out, and I instinctively take a couple of steps backward, the look of confusion apparent on his face. “What… What’s wrong Zoey? Are you ok, sweetheart?”

  Shaking my head, I move another step back. Looking up quickly when I hear the bell jingle again, I see Hutch walking in the door. He takes one look at Darrin and jogs over, grabs his shoulder and spins him around. His fist connects with Darrin’s face, once and then again. As Darrin bows, his hands covering his nose, I run around the counter and put my hand on Hutch’s arm, his fist still coiled and raised ready to hit again.

  “Hutch, no! Stop!” He looks at me, his breathing heavy. I let go of his arm and hug myself, my body shaking. “It won’t help. Please.”

  His chest is rising and falling with his deep breaths as he lowers his fist and then puts his arm around me, bringing me to him closely. “Ok. For you.” He looks over at Darrin, and I see blood streaming through his fingers from his nose. “Better be glad she stopped me,” he growls.

  Darrin grabs some napkins from the napkin holder on the counter and presses them against his nose. “Fuck! What the hell?” He looks at both of us simultaneously and then lands his sight directly at me. “What the fuck, Zoey? Who is this… this… this idiot who just punched me?”

  I cower into Hutch’s side, afraid of taking my sights off of Darrin. “Watch it asshole. You’re not welcome here, I suggest you leave. Now!” Hutch looks at me, pulls his phone from his front pocket and hands it to me. “Call Jake. Now. Tell him to get over here fast.” He looks back at Darrin and growls, “I won’t let him leave.”

  “Wha?” Is all Darrin gets out when I flip open Hutch’s phone, find Jake’s number and press call.

  “Jake. Darrin’s here at the shop. Ok.” I close the phone and look at the confused expression on Darrin’s face. I never take my eyes off him as I hand the phone back to Hutch. “He’s on his way.”

  Darrin’s stance stiffens. His face turns from hurt and confused to pissed off. “So, that’s how we’re playing this, huh, Zoey? The hurt little wife, running away, making it seem like it’s all the husband’s fault. Is that it?” He looks at Hutch, then back at me and leans his arm on the counter, relaxing. “Ah! Now, I see. Got a boyfriend on the side, hmm? Really, Zoey. You?” He laughs. “You couldn’t even satisfy me in bed, how the hell could you satisfy anyone else?”

  I quickly grab Hutch’s arm as he leans forward, fist already raised in the air and ready to strike! “NO!”

  “Ok, men. That’s enough!” Jake yells as he walks towards us. In the excitement, no one heard the bell over the door when he came in. He walks over until he is standing in between us and Darrin, his hand on his gun holster and looks direc
tly at Darrin. “Mister. I don’t know who the hell you are and I really don’t give a fuck but these fine folks here…” He waves his hand at myself and Hutch. “Well, they belong in this town and I protect the town’s folk here so I suggest you get on the next train out and not come back or there will be problems. And, I don’t like problems in my town.”

  Darrin stands straight, one hand holding the napkins over his nose, the other brushing his shirt. “He hit me. I didn’t do anything and I’m the bad guy? Ridiculous! And… and that’s my wife!”

  Jake leans into Darrin, poking him in the chest. “I don’t know you, boy, but I know them. He must have had a reason to hit you. Good enough for me. Now, get!”

  Darrin huffs and begins walking towards the door. After opening the door, he half turns a scowl on his face. “This isn’t over, Zoey. You will come home with me.” He turns and leaves.

  I’m still shaking as I almost collapse into Hutch. He puts his arms around my waist and leads me over to the nearest chair and sets me there. I bend over, my elbows on my knees and put my hands over my face and cry. Feeling a nudge, I look up to find a bottled water in front of me, and I take it from Hutch’s hands when I notice his right hand’s knuckles are bleeding. “Hutch, your hand!” I gasp grabbing his hand instead of the water.

  He set the water down on the table and squats in front of me, looking into my eyes with concern. “Don’t worry about my hand, baby. It’s fine. Nothing a little ice won’t help. You drink some water. I’m more concerned about you.” I let go of his hand as he takes the water bottle, twists off the cap and hands it to me. I nod and take a big drink. “Good, that’s good. Now, take some deep breaths for me.” I do what he asks, and my heart starts to slow down.

  Hearing a chair scoot on the floor, I quickly look across the table as Jake sits down, the chair turned around and him leaning his arms on top of the back of it. “Zoey. I had put in a request to get all of your medical and hospitalization records to gather evidence for when he got here but I don’t have it yet. Might be today or tomorrow before I get them. I want you to come to the station with me and make a statement now, ok?” I look at Hutch, his eyes pleading, and then back at Jake and nod slowly.

  “I, uh. I have to lock up or call Betty. I…” Looking around the room, everything seems to blur. Feeling warmth on my face, I turn to Hutch, his face full of worry.

  “Baby, Jake is calling Betty. Don’t worry. Come here.” He pulls on my hands until I am standing, and he helps me onto his lap. I immediately bury my face in his chest and sob.

  “I’m sorry. I just… I was so scared when I saw him and then you hit him and…”

  “Shhhh. Shhhh, baby. It’s over. I’m here and everything will be ok,” he murmurs as he strokes my hair. We sit there for a few minutes, and I look up, startled, when the bell jingles. “It’s just Jake. We’ll meet him over at the station as soon as Betty gets here. Just relax on me, baby. I’ve got you and I’m never letting go.”

  It’s not long after that that Betty arrives, hugs me tight, and we leave for the station.

  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

  Fuck! I wanted to kill that God damn bastard. I could have too. It wouldn’t have taken me long. Fuck! I’m pacing the floor at the station waiting for Zoey to finish giving her statement to Jake. I’m about ready to snap with all the anger I have towards Darrin right now. Zoey made me promise to have them get me some ice for my hand, so I did, and now I’m walking back and forth in the lobby, holding a bag of ice on my hand and wanting to beat the crap out of the wall. The door to the hallway opens, and I stop hoping it’s my girl, when an older woman and gentleman walk out. Fuck! Once I get my girl home and settled, I am definitely gonna have to spend some time down in our workout room. The door opens again and as I see my girl’s swollen blood shot eyes, I run over to her and take her in my arms.

  “Why don’t you let me drive you two home.” Jake gives me a nod, and I return it. “She’s a little worn out from all the stress.” He rubs her back and leans to her. “You did really well, Zoey. Really well.” He nods as he straightens his posture and walks towards the door, opening it for us.

  As Jake leads us out to his patrol car, I keep Zoey tucked into my side, her body trembling, but she looks all cried out to me. After helping her into the back seat, I slide in next to her, buckle her seatbelt and pull her close to me again. She comes to me without hesitation and lays her head on my shoulder.

  Once Jake gets us home, I walk Zoey up to our room, help her get some comfortable clothes on and tuck her into bed telling her I would be right back after showing Jake out. I watch as she turns over and curls up into a ball. Unable to move, I just stare at her and wish I could take away all the hurt. Shaking myself free of wanting to keep an eye on her, I walk downstairs to talk with Jake.

  I shake his hand and cringe as the pain shoots in my hand. “Might want Doc to take a look at that,” Jake says smiling.

  “It’s ok. I’ve had worse.” I put my injured hand under my arm and frown. “I don’t want to be away from her for long.”

  “I understand. Hutch, I don’t know how much Zoey’s told you about all that happened to her but you need to promise to stay by her every minute until Darrin leaves.” My blood starts to boil. “He’s dangerous. I don’t think he’s gonna let her go without a fight.” Fucker! I knew it!

  I take my hand and place it on his shoulder. “You’re a good man, Jake. Don’t worry. I’ll never leave her side again. You can count on that.” He slaps my shoulder, nods and leaves.

  It doesn’t take me but a minute to get back to our room, undress and slide into bed behind Zoey. She murmurs and whimpers as I put my arm around her, getting as close as I can. “Shhh, baby. It’s me. I’m here now. Everything will be ok.” I smooth her hair as I try to be comforting. “Nothing will ever happen to you. Ever again. I’ll protect you, baby. I love you.”

  When I awake the next morning, I feel the emptiness in my arms. Opening my eyes, I look around to find Zoey sitting in a chair by the deck door. Her legs are up and her arms are wrapped around them, her chin resting on her knees. Moving the covers aside, I get out of bed and crouch in front of her, her eyes moving to mine and a small smile on her lips. “Morning, baby. What are you thinking about so deeply in this early hour?” I ask rubbing her leg.

  She lets out a big sigh. “I’m just thinking about how lucky I am having you and the whole town by my side. I couldn’t ask for more, ya know?” I nod and lean up to kiss her. She smiles while kissing me back and then sighs again when my lips release hers. “See? I’m so lucky to have you in my life. But…”

  My brows crease and my head cocks to the side. “But?”

  Her fingers run through my long hair. “But I’m afraid of what Darrin might do, what he’s capable of doing. I… I never told you everything he’s done. I…”

  Rising, I pick her up, and I sit down on the chair, placing her in my lap. Her head immediately rests on my shoulder, my arms encasing her lovely body. “You don’t have to tell me, unless you want to, baby. I know you went through hell and I… well. I know about the baby.” She sits up, her chin quivering.

  “Even though I was only a month pregnant and hadn’t really gotten to feel the life inside me, I felt such a loss. I wanted to die and actually thought about taking my own life but I stopped myself. I had gotten as far as holding a razor blade to my wrist but as I looked at myself in the mirror I thought, no. I needed to go on or my baby’s death would have had no meaning, no worth. I wanted to kill Darrin instead and that’s when I went to Simon. We formed a plan of escape before I did something that would have put me in prison for life.”

  I tightened my hold on my girl and brought her closer to me. Fuck, I love her! She is so much braver than she thinks, so smart, so kind and so loving. I kiss her head, and she relaxes. “You’re so much stronger and braver than you give yourself credit for. Thank you.”

  Her eyes move to mine, a confused look on her face. “Thank you for what?”

  I rest m
y head on top of hers. “Thank you for staying alive. God had plans for you and he brought you to me. Thank you.” She moves her head to look at me. Her lips find mine and she moans as we kiss, our love pouring out and into each other.

  We have a pretty uneventful day, thank God. Zoey stayed in our room most of the day writing in her journal. Simon and Chris went out on the trail to play in the snow as it falls heavily today, but they stayed close, in case they were needed. We haven’t heard or seen anything of Darrin but Jake called and said he believes he left on the train last night since there is no sign of him. Thank fuck or I might end up in prison for killing him myself. No way am I letting him anywhere near Zoey. Ever. Again.

  Bailey hasn’t been feeling well today. Doc Marrow has already been by and told us that she is getting worse and will be by to check on her later again. Zoey is beside herself with worry, and I’m trying to get myself ready for the inevitable. I need to be strong to help my girl get through this.

  We have a great dinner of spaghetti with homemade meatballs, cheesy garlic bread and salad that Chris made. He also made homemade chicken noodle soup for Bailey and took it to her. Zoey picked at her food and kept looking at me, her face pale, all throughout dinner. She’s been under so much stress and worry. My poor baby. I helped clean up the dinner mess while Zoey checked on Bailey, and then she went back to our room. About eight, I went upstairs to find her curled up in bed and crying softly.

  Getting in bed, I take my girl, turn her around and bring her into me. My arms holding her tight, her sobbing becomes harder into my chest. “Baby. Baby, it’s ok. I know how you feel. I feel that way too. Bailey is a dear woman who we love and I know it’s going to be hard to let her go. I’m here,” I murmur, rubbing her back and arm.