Love Of Country (Country Love #3)

by Green, Vicki

“That ain’t nothin’, Darlin’. Minor compared to what’s been done to me.” I open my mouth to speak, tell him again how sorry I am, when he continues, “Now. Don’t you fret, sweetheart. If that’s somethin’ I can take for you, I’ll do it gladly. It’s nothin’.” I swallow hard, my words coming back at me, remembering the bruises he gave me. An accident. Just an accident as we help each other get through our nightmares. I nod, shakily. My whole body feels like I’ve been beaten or run a marathon. Tired. So tired.

  He reaches over to the nightstand, taking a few tissues from the box and leans back, wiping off the small amount of blood from his arms. I watch as he stands, throwing them in the small trash can by the door then he walks back over, looking down at me. Such tenderness. Caring. “Move over, Darlin. I think we both need a good night’s sleep.” I only nod, moving over and watch him climb onto the bed. No more words are spoken. It’s like as long as we’re together the nightmares don’t seem to come for either of us. He doesn’t hesitate to put his arm around me, his free hand grasping my upper arm gently and pulling me into his side. I lay my head down on his chest, careful of his wound, but I don’t know where to lay my casted arm. I look up when he grasps my cast, laying it on his stomach. “Remember? It’s not that heavy. Well, not for me.” His handsome grin appears, melting my heart and making me feel so much better. I feel safe, secure. But I’m not sure anything will keep away my most horrific nightmares.

  I’m up early the next morning, feeling a bit more rested. What began as a horrible night turned into much needed sleep. Neither one of us seem to have nightmares every night but after starting my writing last night, talking to Shiloh about getting started, it stirred up something within me. Something awoke. Something I’m hoping will someday go away for good. I cook us up some pancakes, something I haven’t done in a long time, cooked or eaten. They were so good that I might have eaten a little too much. Trevor told me that I had a lot of things to make up for so to eat up. So, I did. I put loads of butter, syrup, and even put on some of the strawberry jam I found in his fridge. He said I should think about opening a restaurant. That started me thinking. I asked if we could stop at the grocery store when we go in town and he just shrugged and told me sure and that I never need to worry about asking. I hate him spending all his money on me, even though he said he had more than enough, so I came up with a plan to help out.

  After cleaning the kitchen, which we did together, we loaded ourselves up in his truck and went into town. First, we stopped at the hardware store. I couldn’t begin to tell you what all he got other than boards, wire, gloves, string, and duct tape. Other than that, everything else was foreign. I stood with him at the checkout line, trying not to listen in on his conversation with the guy behind the counter. Hard not to hear though, they weren’t talking quietly.

  “Yeah, I guess this Nash feller comes from money or worked hard for it. Not sure about that. He’s supposed to be movin’ in – oh, about a week or two. Last time I heard anyway.” I wonder who this Nash guy is and why everyone is so concerned about knowing about him. Seems strange to me. “Here’s your change. You ever want to run a credit tab, you just let me know. Any friend of Colby and Memphis is a friend around these parts.”

  Trevor gives him a wink and smile, thanking him. “Much obliged. I don’t care for doin’ credit. Don’t like owin’ people but I’ll keep that in mind. Thank ya.”

  I help him by carrying out one of the sacks to his three, the back of his truck loaded down with wood. Instead of driving across the street, he takes my hand and leads me to the corner to wait for the light. His touch makes my heart rate increase, giving me a shiver. Strange. I notice his eyes shift my way with the contact then back straight in front of him. Did he feel that too? He doesn’t let go of my hand until we’ve reached the coffee shop and he opens the door for me. The place is packed but Trevor nods at a small table to our right as two women stand, grabbing their trash and walking towards the door. I nod back and walk over there, sitting down in one of the chairs. I look around the shop, thinking how nice it would be if I actually did own and run a restaurant. I mean, while growing up, I learned a lot about cooking and I love to experiment. I’m broken out of my thoughts as Trevor sits down across from me, setting a coffee down for me and a pastry. He seems to know what I like already, pays attention to everything. Attentive.

  I never had time for boyfriends before I was taken. I was involved in school activities and just being a young girl. I didn’t even get to graduate from high school, was only halfway through my sophomore year. I used to get down on myself for being taken, allowing it to happen, thinking if only I’d walked home with my friends but I’d walked home so many times by myself. Our neighborhood was supposedly safe and only had a few blocks to reach my house. After he killed my parents, I wonder now what happened to our house, all our things. Our memories. I let out a deep sigh, remorse grabbing a hold on me.

  “Penny for your thoughts, Darlin’.” My eyes snap up to his. “Or how about another pastry, if you ever quit pickin’ on that one and eat it.” He gives me a wink along with his grin but as with other times, it doesn’t seem to help cheer me up. I follow his arm as he reaches across the table, his hand covering mine. “I know it’s tough. No, actually, I have no idea just how bad it is for you. Can’t imagine.” He pulls back his hand and places it around his coffee cup. “I think before goin’ to the grocery store we should stop by this doctor’s place. You’re healin’ on the outside but it’s the inside that needs healin’ worse. I wish I could help with that but I think you need someone who can get you what you need.” I swallow hard, knowing he’s right but worried about telling things that happened to a stranger. “They’ll only be a stranger at first, Prie.” How did he know I was thinking that? He gives me a sweet smile. “Not easy openin’ up to someone you don’t know but I really believe you’ll be better for it, get some good advice on how to deal with things. We all deserve a good life, one that makes us happy. You deserve that, Prie.” I nod, feeling a little better. He always seems to know the right thing to say. Shiloh told me he has a gentle and kind nature. I’m thinking she’s right. He’s been good to me, hasn’t treated me like I’m broken, even though I am.

  I finally drank my coffee and ate my pastry, saying no thank you to him when he offered to get me another one. I really need to do something to pay him back or help bring in some money. It’s not fair he has to pay for everything. I feel like a freeloader even though I know he doesn’t feel that way.

  The doctor’s office is only a couple of blocks over. It’s actually located in an older looking house with the reception desk on the first floor and a living room for the waiting area. Other than the front office, you’d think this was a regular house. Trevor and I are sitting in the waiting area when a very nice looking woman walks in, a smile on her face. She might be in her late twenties or early thirties. Her dark brown hair is wrapped up in a bun. Her blue eyes seem kind as she looks at me. Suddenly, I’m scared, feeling shy. “Caprice Greer?” Trevor’s eyes snap to mine. His face pales and is looking at me strange. I wonder why he’s looking at me that way. He finally tilts his head, telling me to go on, giving me a halfhearted smile. I stand but as I walk towards the woman I don’t take my eyes from his. Something’s not right. I just wish I knew what it was.

  I follow her up some stairs, wooden with a runner covering them. We walk through open double doors and into what feels like another living room but larger. A leather couch, matching loveseat, big wooden coffee table in the middle, and two matching leather high back chairs in front of them with a round end table between them. Behind the chairs is a big stone hearth, the fireplace has a roaring fire blazing. Above it is a large screen TV but it is turned off.

  “Please, sit down, won’t you?”

  I look at her and nod then sit down on one of the chairs, not wanting to get too comfortable on a couch. I’ve watched TV and seen movies where a doctor has the patient lie down then sp
ill their guts. Of course that’s make believe but who knows what they do in real life. I’m not taking any chances.

  “I hope you don’t mind but I had an opening,” she says as she sits down in the other chair, turning to face me. She lays her hands on her lap gracefully, her smile huge as she continues, “I always like to begin with someone just talking about whatever they want to talk about. Maybe getting to know each other?” She raises her eyebrows questioningly, and I nod, pulling on my fingers from my casted hand. “Good. Well, my name is Kathy Stephenson. I’ve lived here for about twenty years, give or take. My original home was in Idaho. I grew up in a loving family – Mom, Dad, and a sibling. A brother. I had a very happy childhood, did all the normal things. Fought with my brother, had great friends in school, loved our family night every Sunday.” Her hands tighten but I act like I don’t notice. “One day, I’d gone over to my best friend’s house to spend the night. We had a blast as we always did. But I was awakened in the middle of the night when her parents told me they’d received a phone call that my parents and brother had been in a car accident.” My heart starts racing, fearing the outcome. Her smile drops, and her eyes turn sad. “You see, they wanted to do something special with Ray, my brother, because I was spending the night out so they took him to get ice cream. They were involved in a four car collision on the way there.” I gasp, my hand covering my mouth. “It had taken the hospital a while to locate an emergency contact and finally found my best friend’s parents number in my mom’s phone, showing she called it frequently.” She looks down and relaxes her hands then looks back up at me. “I won’t pretend to understand what you’ve been through, Caprice, not in the least, but I want you to know that you’re not alone. You’re not the only one who has experienced something bad in their lives. Mine won’t ever compare to yours or yours to mine but some of the same feelings might be there. Fear. Distrust. Loss. Heartbreak. It can be in a lot of different experiences, each person unique, and each result horrific. Does that make sense?” I swallow hard, my feelings hitting me hard with what happened to her, but I nod.

  “I’m sorry,” I whisper.

  “Thank you.” She smiles. “It was so long ago but yet it sometimes feels like yesterday.” I can only imagine.

  Silence but not uncomfortable.

  “So. You tell me anything you’d like. Anything at all. Or we can just sit here for a bit.”

  I look around not sure what I could tell her. I hear the crackle of the fire behind her, the warmth enveloping me. “We used to have a fireplace.” She nods, still smiling. “We used to sit around it, cooking marshmallows, laughing and carrying on pretending like we were camping.”

  We talked for about a half an hour, not really about anything in particular. It brought up a ton of memories but I like that she didn’t pressure me or try to get me to talk about anything that happened to me. Yet. By the time we walk back downstairs, the feelings of Trevor’s facial expression before I’d left still lingers.

  “Okay. Well, thank you for coming, Caprice. I’ll see you in a couple of days.”

  I look back at her and give her a small smile. “It’s just Prie.”

  She smiles and nods. When I turn back around, Trevor is already at the door, not looking at me but holding it open. As I walk towards him, I shiver, the strangest feeling washing over me.bushes and frown. I though the frost wasn’t coming this soon.

  We walk into the main house, the smell of breakfast hits me hard. I’m starving, according to my growling stomach. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten this much in my life. We walk into the dining room, all eyes are on us as we sit down. I sit there, waiting for Memphis to say grace and smile. “Lord, we thank you again for the food you’ve provided. May the heavens shine down on those that need it today.” He looks up at me and stares, a look of indifference on his face, then looks back down. I shift in my seat. Does he know? “Amen.” Everyone starts filling their plates and I pick up my fork and spear a few sausage links. “Uh, I’m headin’ into town this morning. Do you need anything, Sadie? Would you like to go with me?” I look up and smile.

  “Yes. I’d like to pick up a few things, if that’s okay?” He looks at me and smiles. I feel a little better but still wonder if he knows about last night. How could he? We’re in different houses. Maybe I just feel… guilty?

  “Can I go? I’d really like to get a cowboy hat,” Jag speaks up.

  Memphis looks at Jag and his smile falters. “Yeah, I guess that’s okay. We’ll leave right after breakfast. I don’t want to be gone long. We have work to do.” Jag nods and digs into his food. Suddenly, I’ve lost my appetite. I was looking forward to spending more time with Memphis, alone. Memphis doesn’t seem real happy about it either.

  After cleaning up the dishes, I walk outside and take a deep breath of fresh air. That’s something I’m really enjoying after breathing in the city smog most of my life. It’s quiet here, except for the sounds of the animals, and the leaves in the trees when the wind blows. Sounds of nature. I’m finding I really love it. I look at Memphis’ truck and see that he and Jag are already in it. Jag’s in the back seat, so I open the front passenger door and step in, buckling up quickly. Memphis takes off, but he doesn’t seem very happy. The tension is thick all the way there. Memphis just turns the volume up on the radio, country music playing, and I look in the side mirror and see Jag cringe.

  He parks by the same store I shopped in last time and we get out of the truck. “Put whatever you need on my tab, Sadie.” He smiles. He looks at Jag, his face sad. “Do you need any money, Jag?” I know he’s hoping Jag will say no.

  “Uh, no. But thanks!” Jag replies and I see Memphis physically relax.

  Memphis nods and then looks at me again. “I’ll be back. Gonna head over to the hardware store.” I smile and nod. He smiles back, making me feel a little better. That strange feeling in the pit of my stomach comes back again.

  “What’s got him all riled up?” Jag asks as he walks up beside me and we start walking towards the store.

  We get to the door and Jag opens it for me. “I dunno. He gets like that sometimes. Have you done or said something to him?” My eyebrows raise. I think it’s a fair question.

  “Not that I know of.” He tries to look innocent, but I get the feeling he’s faking it. I’m starting to think he fakes a lot of things.

  “Sadie!” My head snaps at Tilly. She’s leaning against the counter just like last time, smiling at me with her chin resting on her hands. Suddenly, she notices Jag and stands up straight, pulling on the hem of her shirt. “Well, who do we have here?”

  I laugh and walk over, Jag’s looking around and following behind me. “This is Jag. Just got here yesterday. Jag? This is Tilly.” He almost bumps into me not paying attention but stops and smiles at her.

  “Well, things just got a gazillion times better in Brewton. Hello, handsome.” Tilly’s almost drooling, I swear! “I don’t know what in the hell sent you here but thank you, God!”

  We talk about the party set up for Friday night. Jag seems really interested and tells me I can ride with him over there on his bike. I guess that makes sense since it’s a few miles up the road from the ranch. I’m a little nervous though. We’ll have to sneak out and then sneak back in again after. However, I’m ready to get some partying on! I miss it. I think.

  Chapter Six

  Trevor

  Greer? Did she say Greer? How many Greer’s could there be in the world. It’s not a common name. Well, not like Smith or Jones or even Johnson. She seemed so familiar since I first laid eyes on her. No. Couldn’t be. Hattie didn’t have any siblings. Cousin? I wonder. But how do I approach the subject? Do I? Shit! I don’t know what to do. Maybe I’m just thinkin’ too much. It couldn’t be. All I know is it stirs up so many unwanted feelin’s. Memories I’d buried deep, not wantin’ them to resurface ever again. I’m beside myself when she walks dow
nstairs. Not sayin’ a word, I walk to the door, slightly noddin’ at the doctor. I hold the door open for Prie then walk out behind her, closin’ the door. It’s silent as we walk back to my truck. Not a word durin’ our short visit through the grocery store. I pick up a few things and she got what she was wantin’. Can’t say I really paid attention though. I just paid the bill and carried the two sacks out to the truck then we drove home in silence.

  I’m stewin’ on my thoughts all the way home. We get out of my truck there. I’d catch her glances my way but she never spoke, never asked me what is wrong. I helped put all the items away and then went into the garage. I unloaded all the wood and supplies to the back and then came back into the garage. I’d found an old large desk, bought a sander and stain thinkin’ I’d make it for Prie. I set to work on it hopin’ it would help relieve my mind from all my thoughts. By the time I’ve gotten about half sanded, I’m sweatin’ and in need of a shower. The house is quiet as I make my way upstairs. I have no idea what time it is but there’s a light on in Prie’s room as I walk by. The door is cracked open and I can see her sittin’ on her bed, her laptop on her lap, and her fingers are flyin’ over the keys. Good.

  After my shower, I walk out of my room. The light is off in Prie’s room, the laptop closed on her bed. I walk downstairs and find her in the kitchen, the smell of somethin’ amazin’ waftin’ in the room.

  “What smells so great?” My stomach growls as I walk towards her at the counter. Her head turns and her mouth turns into a smile.

  “Well, I know you didn’t get to make your special tacos but at least that told me you like Mexican food so I’m making a taco casserole that my mom taught me. It was always my favorite and I haven’t had it in forever.”

  I lean over her shoulder, the smell of tacos and her light perfume invadin’ my senses. “That smell is heavenly,” I whisper close to her ear, breathin’ in her heavenly scent. My heart picks up speed and feelin’s I shouldn’t be havin’ hit me hard. She shivers. “You cold, Darlin’?” She shakes her head slightly but her body sways into mine. Unfamiliar feelin’s flow through me – ones that I wish wouldn’t appear. She’s young, been through too much for her age. It’s wrong of me to be feelin’ this way. It’s been too long since I’ve laid down with a woman. I shouldn’t be havin’ these thoughts. I shake my head and turn abruptly but I catch her confused expression as I walk away.