Country Heaven

by Vicki Green

  “You’re doing great, Sadie. Did you recognize him?” She looks at me, fear in her eyes as they shed tears. “Do you know who he is?”

  “Jag Rowland,” she whispers, still lookin’ at me.

  My heart about beats outta my chest. I try not to hold her hand too tight in anger.

  “I’m sorry?” He says.

  She bends her head, her body shakes with her sobs. “Jag Rowland,” I growl.

  “I’m sorry, Sadie. I know this is really hard on you. What else happened?”

  She takes some shaky breaths and looks down at her lap. “He kissed me. I kicked him in the balls. He got angry and hit me over and over on my face. I could feel him cutting my cheek from the ring on his finger. Some people walked by on the sidewalk and he released me.” She looks up at him. “I guess he was afraid he’d get caught.” Kicked him in the balls, that’s my girl.

  Brad kept writing. I bring our hands up together and push back some of her long hair from her face. “Okay, good. Anything else you’d like to tell me?” She shakes her head. “Sadie, other than kiss you, did he do anything else sexually to you? He didn’t force himself on you?” She shakes her head again. Brad stands and nods at me. “Thank you, Sadie. I’m sure that was hard for you. Memphis, I’ll be in touch. You know, you really should get a cell phone.” He starts to walk to the door when Sadie speaks out.

  “He said he’d make me pay for what I did to him.”

  She looks at me and then leans down, her forehead pressing against my chest. I look over her at Brad. “I’ll call you tomorrow, Brad, catch you up on what happened the other night.” He nods and leaves. Mac and Dallis both look at me.

  “I’ll stay here tonight, Dallis can take tomorrow night. We’ll alternate,” Mac states and Dallis nods.

  I give them a nod and then look down at Sadie. “Come on, baby. Let’s get you upstairs.” I stand up, pulling her with me, then put my arm around her waist, guiding her to the stairs. Once we get to her room she stops and shakes her head. I continue to walk her down to my room, and set her down on my bed. I walk over and get her a t-shirt from my drawer and squat down in front of her. “Hey. Do you think you can change into this? It’ll be more comfortable and you have some blood on your clothes.” She looks at me and I smile.

  “Can you help,” she whispers, her voice hoarse.

  “Sure, sweetheart.” I take her hand and pull the sleeve down, and she pulls her arm out. I do the same with the other. She raises her arms, and I bring her shirt up over her head. I try not to look at her chest, but it was hard to avoid. She pulls down her pants and I help her stand then I pull them down the rest of the way, her hand resting on my shoulder as she steps out of them. She sits back down and puts her arms behind her, unclasping her bra and pulling it off. I roll up the hem of my t-shirt and pull it down over her head and then the rest of the way, covering her up completely. It’s huge on her tiny frame. If it was a different time I’d think this was the sexiest thing in the world, seein’ her in my shirt. But right now, all I want to do is hold her, take her fears away, and comfort her the best I can.

  I take her clothes to the bathroom, putting them in my hamper, thinkin’ I’ll wash them tomorrow for her. When I return, she’s layin’ down under the covers. I walk over to my dresser and take out a pair of pajama pants. I quickly remove my clothes and put the pants on then climb into bed. She immediately snuggles into me. Her arm moves across my waist, her head on my chest. I pull the covers over us and just stare at the ceiling.

  When she said it was Jag, I wanted to take off right then, scour the streets in town until I found him. I wanted him to pay for what he did, for hurtin’ her, scarin’ her. I wanted him to feel what it was like to know that fear, to feel pain. However, one look at Sadie, how she shook and the way she held onto me so tight, I couldn’t bear to leave her. I should have gone with my initial instincts. I remember having a bad feeling about him from the beginning. I hear her light breathin’ but in her sleep she tightens her arm around my waist. I look down as I hold her tighter, tryin’ to tell her that she’s safe now. I blame myself for what happened to her. I blame myself for my bad decisions. I just hope he’s caught before I find him because I want to kill him.

  Sadie

  I open my eyes slowly, my face hurts. I look over at the clock. Two in the morning. Slowly, I remove my arm from around his waist, looking up at his face, hoping I don’t wake him. He doesn’t stir as I roll over and quietly get out of bed. I walk softly out of the room and down the stairs, trying to be as quiet as I can. Once I walk into his office, I sit down at his desk, hit the power button on his computer and wait. It finally boots up and I click on the internet, type in the Gmail site and don’t stop to read my messages. I sit there, staring at the screen, thinking about what I’ll write. How can I express to him what I’m feeling, how I’ve changed and what I want to do? Will he believe me? Will he just want me to come back home? I can’t go back there. I won’t. He can keep his money. Somehow I’ll make it on my own. I wonder if Memphis will let me stay here. Maybe if I help out more. I’ll make sure they have breakfast every morning, something really good for lunch and have dinner waiting on the table when they come in from a hard day’s work. I bring up a new email and begin typing.

  To: jtisdale@gmail.com

  From: wildgirl@gmail.com

  Daddy, I backspace and start again.

  Dad,

  Please don’t be mad, Memphis kindly let me use his computer. I just wanted to tell you that I know you did your best raising me after Mom passed away, even though I didn’t make it easy on you. I want you to know that I love you and want to thank you for giving me such a great life. I would have liked it better if you would have played with me more, done things with me, and read me bedtime stories but I understand now that’s just not who you are. Please understand, I don’t blame you, it helped make me who I am. You may see me now as defiant, spoiled, dangerous, and rebellious, but I’ve changed. Sending me here was the best thing you could have done.

  I know my birthday isn’t for a few more weeks but there’s a coffee shop in the town here that’s for sale. It’s quaint, small, and the town’s people love it. It does a great business and the owner is selling it, retiring. If someone doesn’t buy it, it will just close, never to be again. I want to buy it, Dad. I think I can make it be a great business. It’s a good investment. I’m a good investment. I hope you will see it in your heart, your love for me, and give me my money early or at least loan me the money to buy the shop.

  I want to stay here, Dad. I will miss you but you can come visit. I know you probably won’t but I’d like you to. I found a home here, Dad. A place I belong. I love the country and its land. It’s beautiful here. I’d send you some pictures but I don’t have a camera or my phone. Okay, yes, I may be a little sarcastic there. Sorry. 

  Well, I better go for now. Please consider.

  Love,

  Sadie

  I hit send and take a deep breath. What if he says no? I click out of the internet and power the computer down then walk back upstairs and carefully climb back into bed. I turn on my side, even the softness of the pillow doesn’t help the pain on my face. I think about what I wrote to Dad, wondering if he will help me get the shop. Then it hits me. If he doesn’t, I’ll just go talk to the owner, explain my situation and how much I’d like to buy it from her. Maybe I can get a loan from the bank in town. Maybe she’ll let me make payments. There has to be a way and I’ll find it.

  I hold my breath as Memphis stirs, moving up behind me, putting his arm around my waist. He whispers against the back of my head, blowing his warm breath into my hair. “I’ve got you.” His light breathing tells me he’s still asleep. Even in his sleep he’s thinking of me. I smile as my chin quivers. Right at this very second, deep in my heart, I know that I have fallen in love.

  I stretch my arms high over my head. The sun is shining through the window when I open my eyes. I bolt up, my face throbbing with the sudden movement. The sun? I mus
t have overslept. I look at the clock and throw off the covers, get up and walk out of the room and then into mine, gathering up some clothes and go into the bathroom. I quickly sit down relieve myself, then wash my hands, brush my teeth and try to manage my wild hair, getting the tangles out with a brush, then pulling it back into a ponytail. I need to take a shower but am worried about the stitches on my face. I could take a bath but that will take too long. I stop and look at myself in the mirror. The right side of my face is swollen and different shades of purple all around the bandage. Damn, I look kinda tough. Okay, that wasn’t as funny as it sounded in my head. I throw on my sweatshirt and jeans then walk downstairs. There are no sounds in the house but why would there be at ten in the morning. I’m sure everyone is out doing their chores or working on the barn.

  I walk through the living room and then into the kitchen. Memphis is sitting at the table, reading a newspaper. Weird. Shouldn’t he be out doing -- something? He looks up and smiles. I smile back. I feel strange, awkward. He rises and walks over to the fridge, taking something out and puts it in the microwave. Then I watch him take out a cup, filling it will coffee and then the microwave beeps. He carries them over to the table and sits back down, pulling out the chair next to him and pats the seat. I walk over and sit down. In front of me is the cup of coffee and a plate full of breakfast food. Eggs, bacon, and sausage.

  “I hope you’re hungry,” he says in a gentle voice.

  I look up and smile. “Yes,” my voice is rough, hoarse and dry. I take a sip of the coffee but when I swallow my throat hurts. “Thank you.”

  “I know this is a stupid question, but are you okay?” He asks with such concern.

  I take a bite of eggs and close my eyes. That tastes so wonderful. My eyes reopen and look into his eyes. “Pretty ok. My throat is kinda sore. I think it was from the screaming and cold weather. My face hurts a little but not too much. I’ll be ok.” I dig into my food. I hadn’t realized just how hungry I am. Thinking back, I didn’t eat anything yesterday after breakfast.

  “I’m glad but you should take it easy today, rest up. Maybe even the next day or two. I don’t want you getting sick.” I give him a smile and keep eating. He looks down at the paper, back at me then down again. He keeps doing that. What is going on? “Uh, I read in the paper that they’re selling the coffee shop in town.” I stop mid bite, my fork in my mouth. “Seems Tiffany wants to retire. I knew she’d been wantin’ to. The town is kind of in an uproar. They’re worried because they love the shop. Seems such a waste.”

  I set down my fork and swallow the food in my mouth. “Wow. I was there yesterday. I really loved it. So much potential and really a cute and quaint place. It is really a shame.”

  He stares into my eyes. He smiles and it lights up his face. He’s so handsome, so rugged. My heart skips a beat. “I was thinking. It would be really nice if someone were to buy it, don’t you think?”

  I swallow hard and my brows lower. “Memphis. What are you getting at?”

  He chuckles and the sound moves right through me. He leans forward and takes my hand, rubbing his thumb across my skin. “Sadie. Please don’t be mad. I got on my computer this morning and went to the last thing that was on the internet. It was your emails. I really didn’t try to snoop but it was there in front of me and….” I try to pull back my hand but his grip tightens. “I only read the email you sent early this morning. Sadie. Your dad replied.”

  My eyes widen, my heart starts to beat wildly. “But…. What….”

  His smile is beautiful, encouraging. “He wired your money to my bank account this morning. You see. I then went to my email after I read his reply and he asked for my bank information, the phone number, who to talk to, then I used Dallis’ phone and called my banker. The money is already there.” My mouth drops open. He shifts in his seat and lays his other hand over ours. “Sadie. He wants you to buy it. He wants you to be happy.” He leans back and I close my mouth. “Go read it for yourself,” he chuckles. I sit there dumbfounded, not able to move. Did he just say Daddy sent the money? He laughs. “Go check for yourself.” I blink several times, his smile so wide and happiness lights up his eyes.

  Suddenly, the excitement hits me. I push back the chair and can hear Memphis’ laughter as I run from the kitchen to his office. His computer is already up and running. He must have left it up knowing I was going to come read it. I went directly to my email and pulled up Daddy’s reply.

  To: wildgirl@gmail.com

  From: jtisdale@gmail.com

  Sadie, my daughter.

  Words cannot express how I’m feeling right now after reading your email. I am so very proud of you. Despite how we raised you and how badly I did after your mom passed away, you turned into a wonderful woman. I’ve decided to give you the money now so you may purchase the shop. There’s plenty of money for that and anything else you may need for a long time. It sounds like a great opportunity for you and a wise investment. I’m hoping some of my business sense rubbed off on you. I am a little sad that you will be staying but I understand. I wish nothing but the best for you.

  Love,

  Dad

  I sit there just staring at the screen, the blinking cursor flashing in my eyes. I can’t believe it! He actually gave me the money! I can buy the coffee shop. I can live here. And he actually called me a woman. Said he was proud of me. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him say that before. Ever! OH, MY GOD! I feel Memphis’ strong hands on my shoulders and tilt my head up. He’s standing there smiling. I stand up quickly, throwing my arms around him, my mouth crashing against his. I feel his arms wrap around me, holding me tight, and my lips press harder. Needing some air, I move back and look into his eyes. He’s looking at me like he could devour me.

  “I’m so happy and proud of you, darlin’,” he says in the low rough voice that sends chills through me. My smile can’t possibly get any bigger. “When you’re ready, I can take you into town and to the bank. Are you ready to go talk to Tiffany?”

  “Am I ready? Shit! I’ve never been more ready in my life!” He laughs again and takes my hand.

  “Well, darlin’, let’s do this.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Memphis

  The look on her face warmed my heart. She is so surprised and I’m so damn proud of her. Emotions overtake me, fillin’ me completely. The way she changed since she first came here, the way she looks at me, and when she touches me, makes my heart beat faster. I love the way she sees everything, the land, the coffee shop, just everything. It’s like lookin’ through her eyes, seein’ the beauty all around again for the first time. Pa was right. God’s country, the beauty of the land does change a person, makes you better, gives you happiness. He was so right.

  The drive to town was filled with peace and excitement. She was actually bouncin’ in her seat. We laughed and talked all the way there, holdin’ hands. When she’d look over at me, her smiles were so big. The right side of her face is swollen, purple from the bruises. She doesn’t seem to care or maybe she does but is too excited thinkin’ about what’s to come. The bandage covers the stitches but is small.

  We get into town and head straight to the coffee shop. I park right in front of it, turn off the truck, and then move around until I’m facin’ her. I reach over and take her other hand, holding both tight. She mimics me, smilin’ and starin’ into my eyes. “Darlin’. You need to calm down a bit,” I chuckle and she squirms. “You’re gonna end up hyperventilatin’ or somethin’ if you don’t take some deep breaths.” She nods and takes a few deep breaths, her smile never leavin’. “Good. Now, are you ready?”

  “Are you freaking kidding me?” Her voice is still hoarse, remindin’ me we need to stop at the store and get her some cold medicine or somethin’. Need to pick up a few groceries anyway.

  I chuckle again. “Okay, darlin’. Do you want me to go in with you or I can go get some groceries and meet you back here in a bit.” She looks over at the shop and then back at me.

  “I’ve got t
his. But thank you.” Of course she does. She’s amazing. I smile and release her hands then start to open my door when her hand grabs my arm. I turn my head to her.

  “Memphis? Thank you for everything. I mean everything.” She leans over quickly and kisses me hard. Then before I can say anythin’ she’s out the door. My heart beats so fast, there’s like tingles that flow all the way down me. I can’t even explain how I’m feelin’ to myself, make sense of it. Is this love?

  Wantin’ to give her enough time and not interfere, even though I wish I could be there to watch, I decide to go to the bank first, talk to Henry about the money and how she’ll be comin’ over shortly to open her own account. He was more than willin’ to help and told me whenever she was ready she should just come over. That’s the thing I love about this small town. Everyone knows everyone and is always there for them, no matter what. I head over to the grocery store, pick up a few things we need and ask Mike at the pharmacy about cold medicines for Sadie. He told me what to get so I ended up getting’ a few of them, just in case. After loadin’ up my truck, I look at the shop, noticin’ they’re still talkin’ so I walk down the street to a couple more shops thinkin’ I’ll get a couple of surprises for her, and somethin’ I’ve been needin’ to get for me as well for a long time.

  By the time I get back to my truck with my purchases, I see she’s still in there, sittin’ with Tiffany. Do I go in? Do I wait out here? I don’t want to interrupt them. I lean against Betsy and watch. They’re laughin’, smiles on both their faces. I decide to go in. Maybe I’ll get a cup of coffee. Always liked their brand. Openin’ the door, the coffee aroma hits me hard and then my stomach growls. Tiffany and Sadie’s heads turn quickly, but I only really notice my girl. Her smile is huge as she stands, walkin’ over to me quickly and puttin’ her arms around me. She looks up and into my eyes. Hers are sparklin’ with happiness. Must have gone good.