Russell's Return

by Ellis, J. J.

  “She shot him in the shoulder,” he said softly. “He’s still alive, but they took him to the hospital with the helicopter on standby.”

  “Oh no, poor Jack.”

  “Hey Russell,” a man called from the porch of the cabin.

  “Yeah Sherriff, what is it?”

  “We’re done here. Get your ass home and rest. I’ll have Martin bring your vehicle to you.”

  “Thank you Sherriff.” Russell walked to Logan’s truck with Emily up against his side. He wasn’t sure who was bracing who. The three solemnly climbed into the vehicle and headed back to the main house. The details of what happened slowly came out during the ride. Emily was telling Russell about what had happened with Miranda and Ethan when they walked in the door of the main house. They had already agreed that telling the little girl about her mother would wait a while.

  Jayna, Miranda, baby CJ and Rizzy were sitting on the floor playing with baby rattles and blinking toys.

  “Daddy!” Miranda hollered when she saw him.

  “Hey squirt,” he said, bending down to catch her in his arms. He hugged her as tight as he possibly could without scaring her. The thought of never being able to see her again made him want to scream. Tears stung his eyes and he hurried to control them so his baby girl wouldn’t see them. “Who’s your new friend?” he asked, pointing to the baby.

  “That’s CJ. He’s Uncle Logan’s, and that’s his mommy, Jayna.”

  “Do you have something you want to tell me brother?”

  “Russell, Emily, this is my friend Jayna and her son CJ. She’s staying with me for a while until we can figure out what to do about a little problem she has back home,” he said giving Russell a look suggesting they could talk more about it later. “She’s friends with cousin Jackson, and Deb.”

  “Nice to meet you, Jayna,” Russell said. “My brother has told me nothing about you.”

  Jayna flushed a little. “That was my fault. I’m trying to keep a low profile.”

  The front door burst open and everyone turned to see Evelyn Harper rush in. “What in the hell happened here!”

  After introductions were made, Jayna took the kids upstairs to Miranda’s room to play.

  The remaining adults sat round the living room while Russell and Emily took turns telling details about what had happened that day.

  Evelyn called the hospital to check on Jack and her brother, then headed to the kitchen to cook dinner for the exhausted group. Conversation was minimal during the meal, mostly centering on Jayna and her cute baby.

  When plates were cleared, Logan gathered up his charges and headed home. Emily, Russell, Evelyn and Miranda retired to the living room.

  “Hey Grandma, when is Uncle Dylan coming home?”

  “In a couple of days as a matter of fact,” her grandmother answered. “It looks like he’ll definitely need to stay at his apartment in town now. At least Nicoletta has agreed to take the job so I don’t have to arrange for someone from out of town. I don’t think she’s very happy about it, but she’s a professional and a patient is a patient.

  “Miss Emily, can you tuck me in?” Miranda asked quietly. “I’m getting tired.”

  “Of course she can, squirt. She’s staying here tonight.”

  Emily looked at him questioningly but headed upstairs with Miranda. She walked into the room and was reminded of the blood on the windowsill. “Hey Miranda, do you have any cuts?”

  “No,” she said. “Why?”

  “Your Uncle Ethan and I saw blood on the window sill.”

  “Oh, that was from the bloody nose I had this morning.”

  Emily closed her eyes and thanked her lucky stars. “Okay. Go get your jammies on and I’ll read you a quick story then tuck you in.” She picked an age appropriate book and by the time she was halfway through chapter one, the little girl and Rizzy were side by side, sound asleep. She put the book away then kissed Miranda’s forehead. “It melted my heart when you called me Mama,” she whispered. This precious little girl might have a rough few days ahead of her, depending on how she reacted to her mother’s death.

  Emily went into the guest bathroom down the hall to freshen up and on her way downstairs, she heard sobbing coming from Miranda’s room. “Russell, come here,” she called down the stairs before heading in to see what was wrong. “Hey sweetie, I thought you were asleep.”

  “I was,” she cried, “But Rizzy fell off the bed and woke me up. Then I remembered that my mother was dead.

  “How did you know that?” Russell asked from the door, fear clutching his chest.

  “I heard someone say it when I was playing with baby CJ,” she cried.

  “What exactly did you hear?” he asked rushing over to sit next to her. Emily sat on her other side to hold her hand.

  “I just heard you say that Vivienne was dead and that’s Mama. Right?”

  “Yes, sweetheart. Your mother is in Heaven now.”

  “Why did Mr. Jack shoot her?” the little girl asked quietly.

  Russell couldn’t believe that she’d heard that too. How was he supposed to answer that?

  Emily sensed his distress and turned Miranda to face her. “Sweetie, your mother was sick. Her brain wasn’t working right. She was mad at your daddy and tried to hurt him. Mr. Jack had no choice but to shoot her.”

  “She always said she wished Daddy would die,” Miranda murmured. “I guess she meant it.”

  Russell hugged his daughter close. “I’m so sorry, baby.”

  “It’s okay, Daddy. When I first heard it, I was mad at Mom for not saying goodbye - either time she’s left me. When I woke up, I was sad, but now I’m mad again.”

  “It’s okay to love her still,” Emily said, stroking her hair. “Because at one time she loved you and she’ll always be your mother.”

  “Can I go to sleep now?” Miranda asked. “I’m tired.”

  “Sure kiddo,” Russell said, standing up. He tucked her in and kissed her forehead. “Sleep well baby.”

  Emily and Russell quietly left the room. “Did you have to tell her what happened?” he groused. “Wouldn’t it be better if we didn’t scare her?”

  Emily sighed. “She asked a direct question. We had to give her a truthful answer, but I watered it down for her age level. You’ll be glad when she’s older and you don’t have to answer the question – ‘Daddy why did you lie to me’.”

  “Oh God,” Russell groaned. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to snap at you.” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close for a hug. “It’s been a hell of a day.”

  “I know. It will all look more manageable after some sleep. Could you take me home?” She suddenly felt afraid of making the walk alone.

  “No Em. I want everyone under the same roof tonight. I can’t bear to let you go to that cottage and be alone.”

  “Where do you want me to sleep,” she asked. “If I can’t go home, I’d like to lie down.”

  “My room,” he insisted. “I’m going to go talk to Ma. I’ll meet you in there.”

  Russell headed downstairs, finding Evelyn in the kitchen. “Hey Ma, can we talk?” he said in a serious tone.

  “Sure son. What’s going on? This doesn’t sound so good.”

  Russell invited her to sit at the breakfast bar next to him. “I think I made a huge mistake in moving here. Today was proof of that.”

  “No son. Today only proved that your ex-wife was nuts.”

  Russell chuckled. “Be serious Ma. I think I’m going to go home for a while and try to get my head on straight.”

  Evelyn sighed. “Well, first of all, you are home. And second of all, I don’t agree with you and I’ll really miss Miranda, but I can’t stop you. You’re a grown man and you are perfectly capable of making your own mistakes.”

  “Damn it Ma!” he said loudly, banging his fists on the counter. “Stop with the guilt trips. Besides I don’t want to pull Miranda out of school. Would you be willing to take care of her for me until I make a decision?”

&nbs
p; “Oh Russell,” Evelyn groaned, shaking her head. “Don’t you think she needs you right now?”

  “Not if I’m barely functioning Ma. She’ll have you and Emily.”

  “Damn it son,” she sighed. “I’ll do it but consider it done under duress. I think you’re making a huge mistake. You also have your girlfriend to consider.”

  “If I decide to go back ho…to Vegas, she’ll come with me if she really loves us.”

  “Oh son,” she said, cupping his cheek with a shaking hand. “It doesn’t always work that way.”

  “I’ve made up my mind, Ma,” he insisted. “Goodnight.” Kissing her cheek, he stood up and left the room then turned back. “I called Jackson’s son, Ethan. He’ll be here in the morning. We can put him up right?”

  Of course,” she agreed. “He’s welcome here.”

  “Thanks,” he murmured and left the room again.

  **********

  “Em, are you asleep?” Russell asked softly as he pushed the door open. The room was pitch black.

  “Not yet,” she answered quietly from the edge of the bed where she was sitting. “I don’t have anything to wear and my clothes are…gross.”

  “I’ll get you one of my shirts to wear if that’s okay,” he said, wrapping his arms around her.”

  “Yes please,” she answered with a yawn.

  He kissed the top of her head then walked over to the closet to get her a shirt. While she put it on, he took a turn in the bathroom. When he walked back into the room, she was all snuggled up under his covers. He liked seeing her there, liked having her there but maybe not in Wyoming anymore. Or maybe…Oh hell he didn’t know which end was up. Hopefully she would understand his need to get away. “I think my adrenaline is crashing,” he said climbing into bed beside her.

  “Mmm, me too,” she murmured, snuggling up to him. “I love you Russell.”

  “I love you too, Em. Now sleep.” He just hoped that when she woke up in the morning and he was gone, that she would still feel the same way.

  CHAPTER 18

  “Good morning ma’am. I’m looking for Jackson Ellis,” a well-dressed, cropped haired man said to the duty nurse. “I’m his son, Ethan.”

  “Good morning sir,” the woman replied. “I’m sure his nurse will be glad to see you.”

  “If my father is being himself, I bet she is,” he replied with a knowing smile. “I’m surprised they haven’t put him in a chemically induced coma yet.”

  “It’s not medically necessary,” she said with a sigh. “His friend is a medical doctor and would never stand for it. Your father is in bed 8B.”

  “Thank you, ma’am. Would you be able to let me know Dr. Mannon’s bed as well?”

  “Technically I can’t, but…”

  Ethan held up his hand to forestall her answer. “No. I’ll get Dad to tell me.”

  “Fourth room on the right, sir. Have a nice visit,” she said with a slight smile.

  “I doubt it,” he smiled back.

  Walking down the hall, Ethan quickly found the room he was looking for. He took a deep breath as he walked in. His father’s best friend was lying in one of the two beds and his dad was nowhere in sight. “Good morning, Uncle Cowboy. Where is the big lug?”

  “I was in the head, if you must know,” Jackson answered as he came out of the restroom. “I only got shot, I didn’t hurt my back to where I can barely walk like him.”

  “I guess it must have hit your head. It’s the only soft tissue you’ve got,” young Ethan said with a smile. “At least that’s what Mama always said.”

  “She knows me best. It’s good to see you,” Jack said embracing his son. “I’m sure the old cowboy would give you one of these too if he could.”

  “So how have you been, young man?” the older Ethan asked. “Obviously better than your father and me.”

  “I’m doing well, sir,” Jack’s son replied. “I’m still deciding what to do now that I’ve retired from the Navy.”

  “Damn squid,” Jack muttered. He took a great deal of pleasure in teasing his son about his choice of a military career.

  “Come on Jackson, leave the boy alone after all that he has been through,” Ethan quietly chided.

  “Yeah…there’s not a scar on him,” Jack smiled. “I guess he was ugly enough without them.”

  Young Ethan smirked at his father then turned to his honorary uncle. “So, where is this grocery store with the greatest donuts on earth?”

  “It’s right downtown, you can’t miss it,” the older Ethan answered. “Seek out my nephew Logan and say hi for me.”

  “Yes sir. I’ll be back soon with donuts. Maybe dad won’t be so grumpy if I feed him.”

  That brought a chuckle from both hospital beds.

  After young Ethan left, Jack turned to his friend. “Does he seem all right to you? I worry about him.”

  “He’s fine, Jack. He has enough of you in him to get through anything.”

  **********

  Russell woke with a start, the sound of gunshots ringing in his ears. When he was fully awake, he realized the sound he was hearing wasn’t gunfire, but that it was coming from outside the house. His mother had made good on her promise to have the barn renovated and made safe again immediately. Hammers and assorted power tools sounded from the direction of the old building. And damn it, he had overslept. His plan had been to slip away at dawn to make things easier on everybody. Now he wasn’t sure what he would do.

  He rolled over to say good morning to Emily but she wasn’t there. His heart pounded in his chest. After all he had been through the day before, he needed her close. Without her there, the full impact of what Vivienne had done gripped his chest and he found it hard to breathe. Maybe he should see if Emily wanted to go to Vegas with him. They could pull Miranda out of school for a while.

  He jumped out of bed and checked the bathroom before hurrying down the stairs.

  “Ma, have you seen Emily?” he called barging into the kitchen.

  “I thought she was with you,” Evelyn said, looking up from the newspaper. “Where are your pants, son?”

  Russell looked down and sighed. “I’ll be right back.” As he walked back up the stairs he contemplated where Emily could have gone. He didn’t like the thought of not knowing where she was. He couldn’t keep her safe if…Hell, he couldn’t even keep himself safe apparently.

  Entering the kitchen again, this time fully dressed, he grabbed a cup out of the cupboard and walked over to the coffee pot. “She probably went home to get new clothes.”

  “Yeah, she probably did,” Evelyn agreed. “I think she was planning to take the day off after what happened yesterday. I recommend you do the same, unless you plan on leaving.”

  “I’m not sure what I’m going to do now Ma. I have to find Emily first.”

  “You all should go to Casper and spend the day having fun,” Evelyn said. “Why don’t you call Emily and see what she wants to do?”

  Russell took his phone out of his pocket and dialed her number. After eighteen rings, he hung up. “I’ll just walk over and get her.”

  Miranda came into the kitchen as he was leaving. “I’ll be right back, squirt. You might want to go get dressed.”

  Russell jogged down the path to the cottage and slipped through the gate. There was something on her door. As he got closer, he could tell it was a piece of paper with his name on it. His stomach dropped.

  Pulling the note off the door, he opened the folded paper and read.

  Russell,

  I’m sorry. I can’t believe I brought tragedy on people I care about again. I swear death and destruction follow me wherever I go, and truthfully, I’m as scared for my own safety as much here as I was in Seattle. Not only was there that incident, but after I lived with my grandma that summer, she died in a car accident after dropping me off at home. And look what happened to Chuck. He’s a drunk and probably won’t live past forty. Now you and your family are suffering because of me. I’m not sure what to do or where to g
o now, but I know I need to leave for a while at least. I love you Russell and I’m so very sorry. Goodbye.

  Russell’s teeth were clenched and tears burned at the back of his eyes. His life was suddenly falling apart. He should be the one running away. This whole moving home thing was a disaster. But now, all of a sudden he knew he had to stay. He had a family here. What happened with Vivienne was isolated and had nothing to do with his happiness in Harper’s Rock. How could he have ever thought of leaving?

  All of the flowers, calls and well wishes that would come once word spread, along with the men working free of charge to fix the barn, was something he didn’t realize he’d missed. Perhaps because community wasn’t important to an eighteen-year-old he never knew what he’d missed. The thought of going back to Vegas suddenly held minimal appeal to him. It was 20/20 hindsight when he was reading Emily’s letter and realized that he wanted Miranda to have a childhood like his.

  “What am I going to do now?” he mumbled, walking back to the main house.

  “Where’s Emily?” Evelyn asked when he walked into the kitchen alone.

  He handed her the note and slumped onto a bar stool, resting his head in his hands. “I don’t believe this is happening,” he groaned.”

  “Oh son, I’m so sorry. She’ll come around. She usually has such a level head on her shoulders.”

  “She’s scared though, Ma. She’s not thinking straight and who knows if she ever will again. I should have known that Vivienne would succeed in ruining my life somehow.”

  “If you love Emily, Russell, then fight for her. I would start by calling her mother. The number is in my address book in the desk in the living room.” Evelyn took her coffee cup and headed up the backstairs.

  Russell walked over to the sofa in the family room and lay down with a sigh. This week was just getting better and better. It was only Tuesday. He dug the cell phone out of his pocket and opened Emily’s contact. Would she maybe answer a text instead of a call?

  “Em, I’m sorry you are so scared. I think we could work through it together. As for blaming yourself, you shouldn’t. You can’t. NONE of it is your fault. I truly believe everything that happened would have come about whether you were involved in it or not. I love you. Please come back.”