Torn: Kory & Aimee (Oak Springs Book 5)

by Lucy Rinaldi

  “Thank you,” She giggles, and it's a heavenly sound. “Thank you for this. I know it's not easy for you when it's not your scene. I really do appreciate you trying.”

  “I'd do anything for you, Aimee, you know that.” She nods slightly and leans into me, kissing my lips softly before laying her head on my chest. I rock her gently to the beat of some dance song playing loudly.

  Jesus, this really isn't my thing at all. It never was when I was a teenager. But I'll do whatever I have to just to see a tiny smile on my wife's face. Hell, I'd walk through hell and high water just to see a sliver of a smile on her beautiful face.

  A tap on my shoulder has me turning my head. It's my little sister Lora. “Can I have a quick word in private?”

  “Is something wrong?”

  “Please?”

  I narrow my eyes but nod my head. It's not often she asks to talk to me in private, something must be wrong.

  I kiss my wife tenderly. I don't want to go anywhere, I want to stay right here and hold her close to me, but I can't abandon my sister when she needs me either. “I'll be right back.”

  “Okay.” She smiles up at me. “I'll be with the girls on the dance floor. Come find me when you're done.”

  I stroke her face with the back of my hand, her eyes close for a moment, a smile on her face. “I love you, Aimee Harper. Love you so fucking much.”

  “I love you, too, Kory Harper.” One last kiss and she pulls away from me. I watch her join her friends on the dance floor.

  My sister tugs on my arm and I have no choice but to drag my eyes away from Aimee and follow Lora. She leads me outside to the smoking area out back. I close the door behind us and ask, “What's going on, Lor?”

  She stands with her arms folded around her black dress clad body and looks up at me. “I wanted to talk to you about, Aimee.” I lean my ass back against the metal bar the holds this decking up and fold my arms around my chest. “In the bathroom earlier, she was crying.”

  “What? Why?” And why didn't Lora come and tell me?

  “She was telling me how she doesn't believe she deserves you,” What in the world? “Told me that you've changed your life for her and she doesn't believe she's worth that.”

  I can feel the anger rising. Why the hell would she believe that crap? I changed my life because I wanted to be with her. It's not her fault. Nothing is her fault! She had every right to want the normal, happy marriage that I promised her six years ago. She has no reason to feel guilty.

  And as for thinking she doesn't deserve me? Is she crazy? It is I who doesn't deserve her, not one little bit.

  Shit, I can't have her thinking like this.

  “I'm a little worried about her, Kory. Being upset like this, I don't think it's really much to do with you and your marriage, but I think she's thinking about everything and making it seem worse in her mind because parents won't talk to her.”

  Yes, I know this. Having them shun her the way they have has cut her up so badly I don't know what to do to fix things for her. I'll find away, you mark my words. I am no quitter, I won't quit until those two come to their damn senses and forgive their daughter. She needs them in her life. They're all she's ever had in the way of blood family. Okay, not the only blood family, but the only ones she's really had.

  “I'm going to fix things, don't you worry,” I assure Lora.

  “All of this stress isn't good for the baby, Kory.”

  My eyes shoot to my sister. How in the hell... “She told you?”

  “No,” She smiles smugly, “You just did.” She flashes her teeth childishly. “I guessed ages ago, I'm her best friend, your sister, and I have had two babies myself, you know.” Obviously. “Don't worry, big brother, I won't tell another soul. I haven't mentioned it to anyone as of yet, and I won't until you guys are ready. Just know that I'm here if you need anything at all.”

  I can't be angry with her. I smile and hug her tightly.

  If she's started to notice, it won't be long before others do too. Meaning I need to get this thing with her parents sorted sooner rather than later.

  Making our way back inside, the first thing I notice is my wife on the dance floor with her friends. She looks beautiful out there. But it hasn't gone unnoticed the prick with his hands on my wife's waist from behind! She tries pushing him off her while moving closer to Callie.

  That's all I can take before I'm on him like shit on a pig.

  I grab the bastard by the throat, his eyes widen. I'm at least a four inches taller, have a least thirty pounds on him. “Who the fuck gave you the right to put your hands on my wife!?” I yell over the music. I'll fucking choke the bastard life out of this cunt!

  He looks drunk, high even. I don't know if he is or it's the fact he can no longer breathe with how tight my hand is around his neck. His long dark hair is falling in his face because I'm shaking his vile body like he's a rag doll.

  No one touches what's mine. No one!

  “Kory, that's enough!” I don't know who just said that, probably Freddy, my brother-in-law, local deputy sheriff. I could get into some real shit for this, attacking a man unprovoked, but I'm a good lawyer, I know how to work the system.

  Small hands wrap around my right bicep. “Kory. Baby, it's okay.” I can't take my eyes off the motherfucker in front of me, but my wife's calming voice in my ear is bringing me back to the here and now, my hand slackens on fuckers throat. But I still want to kill him, I can still see red.

  “Let go of him, sweetheart. He didn't hurt me. Please don't do anything stupid. I need you.” The sob she sucks back snaps me right back to reality.

  I let go of fucker, he drops to the floor, I turn and grab Aimee, wrapping my arms tightly around her. I kiss her head as she wraps my arms tightly around my back. “I'm sorry, baby girl. I'm sorry.” She nods against me.

  Freddy grabs fucker from the floor, dragging him to his feet. He's shaking. Bastard should think himself lucky that I didn't break his fucking face!

  “I suggest you get out of here.”

  “Are you serious? That asshole almost choked me to death! I'm calling the cops.”

  “I am the police, jerkoff,” Fuckers eyes widen. “Either you leave, or I arrest you right here and right now for assault.”

  “What? I didn't assault anyone!”

  “You had your hands on me wife!” Aimee cringes in my arms. I hold her closer, our friends now crowding around us, all of them shocked at how far I went here over someone simply trying to dance with my wife.

  He was frightening her, there's no way any man in his right fucking mind would stand by and watch that happen to his wife. No fucking man!

  “I didn't know she was married, I asked her to dance is all.”

  “Leave! Now!” Chase Braxton yells, causing fucker to stumble back. Chase is a huge guy, scary bastard even. Scarier than me obviously.

  Fucker turns and practically runs out of the place. I knew coming out tonight was a big mistake. I should have made her stay home with me. One thing is for sure, I won't be letting her out to a place like this anytime in the near future.

  What's that you say? I can't make her do anything she doesn't want to do? I can't stop her from clubbing with her friends?

  Watch me!

  “Are you okay, Aimz?”

  My wife smiles at Callie and nods her head.

  “We're leaving.” Is all I say on the subject. I'm not in the mood for conversation right now, I just want to get the hell out of here.

  We say goodbye to our friends and head out. She's quiet on the drive home. So am I. I have no idea what to say to her. I'm not angry with her, fuck no, I'm not. She hasn't done anything wrong, but I'm still angry about that guy touching her. He had no right, dammit!

  “Kory? Are you angry with me?”

  I take her hand across the console, entwining our fingers, and bring it to my mouth. I kiss her knuckles and I sense her smile. I take my eyes off the road for only a second to look at her. I wink in her direction, making her smile agai
n. Nothing more beautiful than her smile.

  “I'm not angry with you, beautiful. You haven't done anything wrong. I'm sorry if I scared you, I just saw red when he grabbed you the way he did.”

  “It made me angry too. I wish you hadn't gotten so angry, though. But I love you for protecting me the way you did. The way you always have. I'm proud of you for the man you are, Kory.”

  I can't help smirking.

  “I love you, too, baby girl. Always will.”

  Fifteen

  Aimee

  The snow is pouring down today. I shouldn't be surprised it always snows in December, I just don't remember it snowing this hard in a long time. I shouldn't have opened up today, it's not like we've had many customers. I should have realized the place would come to a standstill, it's two weeks until Christmas, the snow is coming down like we're about to have a blizzard, which I know we will, but I thought people would be out buying presents.

  But then, it's only common sense that people wouldn't be out and about in this. Jesus, looking out the window I can see there's at least three-feet of snow on the ground already, and it's only going to get thicker. Great, how in the hell am I meant to drive home in this?

  Roya didn't come in today, she called me this morning to tell me how Jaxson wasn't feeling so good. I told her to take as much time as she needs. That little boy is so precious, he's been through hell in his short life, and I'm guessing this weather has gotten to him a little.

  Kory is in Seattle today. He went to check on the office. We haven't been home all that long and he's already driven down there to check on things. I don't know if this thing with him living here is going to last, but I hope more than anything it will.

  After what happened with that guy the other night and Kory almost killing him for touching me, I'm not totally convinced we'll last here. Then again, I can't see us settling anywhere there are other men that might so much as look at me. Kory is a jealous man where I'm concerned.

  Not that I want men to touch me, but all men look at me. Not in a sexual way, I'm not that conceited. But it's only human nature to look at others. I look at other men and can appreciate their good looks, doesn't mean I want to sleep with them all. And I highly doubt Kory doesn't look at other women.

  God, I miss him so much already. I guess that's why I decided to come into work today, even though I knew in my heart I wouldn't be doing any business because of the snow. Callie didn't even open the bakery today. Yeah, that's shocking. She usually opens no matter what the weather is like.

  But this is Oak Springs and when it snows, it snows.

  The announcement on the radio lets me know that we're in for a snow blizzard over the next two days and that people should stay home if they can because of the dangers of driving in this weather. These are the time's people's cars get stuck in ditches with no way out. Some have even died because they've been stuck and no one has come by to help. I can't imagine what it would be like to freeze to death like that.

  I'm really worried about some of our older residents. Mr. Locke for one. Eighty-three and lives all alone in his cabin just off the waterfront and beyond the sprinkling of trees. Not quite the woods but close enough. I'm scared he doesn't have enough supplies to get him through this storm. What if he doesn't have enough wood for the fire to keep him warm? What if he doesn't have enough food to feed himself?

  No, I need to pick up some supplies and take them to him. I would never be able to rest unless I did.

  That's why I wrap myself up in my coat, scarf, hat, gloves, and my snow boots – I had the brains to put those on this morning – and shut up shop for the day. Yeah, I could have carried on packing parcels to get them out to my online customers, but it's not like I can get them to the post office for shipment. I can't even call my courier because there's no way he'd get through town right now.

  That's why I've put a sign on my website letting my customers know about the blizzard but that we'll have their orders out to them asap. And I've thanked them for their patience in advance.

  I'm grateful to all my customers, if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have my boutique, and it wouldn't be the success it is right now.

  My car won't even start, the cold has gotten to the engine. It's completely dead. Great. At least the mini market isn't too far away. But guess what? In this damn snow it takes me twenty minutes to walk the half mile to Carter's Market, and by the time I get there, I am beyond freezing. God, my toes are like ice blocks!

  I can hardly feel my fingers but I manage to get all the supplies I need to take to Mr. Locke. Just a few cans of soup, some bread, milk, steaks, potatoes, things like that. Anything so he can make himself a meal.

  I don't need to pick up anything for myself, Kory stocked the kitchen to the brim a couple days ago. I guess he saw this weather coming. He kept saying it would. I laughed at him because it doesn't normally get this bad just yet. But I guess you can't predict anything in this life.

  By the time I get to Mr. Locke's cabin, I feel like I have icicles dangling off my nose! I can't feel my body. It's taken me almost an hour to get from one end of town to the other. I'm bone-chillingly cold.

  Of course, when the old man answers his door he's shocked to see me, ushers me inside and forces me to remove my coat and boots, wraps a thick blanket around my shoulders, then forces me to remove my socks and soak my freezing feet in the bowl of hot water he's now placing in front of me.

  “Take this, sweet girl.”

  “Thank you.” I take the hot tea from his hands, it instantly warms me inside the second I take a drink.

  I'm not shaking as much with the cold right now, thank god. I watch with a smile as Mr. Locke stokes the fire, the heat instantly warming me through.

  “You shouldn't have been walking around town just to bring me groceries, Aimee.”

  “I couldn't leave you here without them, Mr. Locke. I would have done nothing but worry.”

  Mr. Locke was once a history teacher at the high school. Long before I was ever there, but he was my parents and Kory's parents teacher. He was a wonderful teacher, a wonderful man. I know in my heart that if he could help just one person should they need it, he would. He's an old man who needs taking care of sometimes. If we all helped just one elderly person, made sure they were safe in weather like this, then we'd have less elderly people freezing to death in their homes.

  Mr. Locke was never married and he has no children. So who is there to make sure he's okay? Who's there for him when he needs someone?

  “You're a good girl, Aimee. You're just like your mother. Now, let me get you some money for those groceries.”

  “You will do no such thing. It was my pleasure to bring them to you.”

  “Such a kind girl helping out an old man.” He smiles and taps my knee.

  I smile because he's so grateful, and it warms my heart.

  The door knocks and I have to wonder who would be calling right now? For all I know, half the town are worried about him and have come to make sure he's doing all right.

  I sip my tea as he opens the door. “Marcus! Come on in, my boy.”

  I spin around in my seat by the fire. My father was the last person I expected to turn up. I listen to them talking while my father stomps the snow off his boots before entering the house. Mr. Locke closes the door behind him and ushers him into the living room.

  “Marcus, you didn't have to come out here and bring me food.”

  “It's just a casserole, Jim. You know Jenny hates the thought of you being here all on your own with...” His voice falters as his eyes land on me.

  I smile slightly at him. I love my father, he's always been there for me. But since he found out that I married Kory, he like my mother has distanced himself from me. It hurts like you wouldn't believe. We've always been close, he was always there for me when I needed him.

  I'm an only child, so I'm quite spoiled. Not that I've ever been selfish or thought that I was better than anyone else. But I always knew I could go to my parents should I need
anything at all. Even if it was just a cuddle from my daddy because I needed him in that moment.

  Being pregnant, I realize just how much I need them both. Missing them hurts so much.

  “Hi, dad.” I offer up.

  He says nothing to me, just turns his attention back to Mr. Locke. “Looks like my daughter beat me to it.”

  “She did indeed. But I believe she walked here. She was utterly freezing when she got here. Don't worry, though, Marcus, I made sure she warmed up.”

  My dad nods. “Well, if there's nothing else you need?”

  “No, my boy, I'm just fine. Thank you for your kindness, and you give Jenny my love.”

  “I sure will, Jim. Aimee, get your things I'll take you home.”

  I don't say anything, I'm not about to turn down a lift home in this weather. I know my father will have his snow plow outside. He likes to clear the roads so people can get through. Not that it will make much difference tonight, the snow is really coming down. As soon as he's cleared the road it will be covered all over again.

  I pull on my socks and boots, followed by my coat, scarf, hat, and gloves. “If you need anything, Mr. Locke, please call me and I'll be right over.”

  “You're a good girl, Aimee.” He says with a kiss to my cheek. He's a cute old man, all brown slacks, and woolen cardigan. “They love you, Aimee,” He whispers in my ear. “Never forget that. This won't last forever, believe me.”

  “Thank you. Take care.” I kiss his cheek and follow my father out to his plow.

  I climb into the passenger seat of my dads truck and close the door, waving to Mr. Locke as we pull away. My dad cranks up the heat and switches on the radio. He always listens to the radio when driving. I know most do, but I don't, not in this kind of weather at least. I'm always scared that I'll get so lost in whichever song is playing that I'll crash my car and kill myself.

  “How's mom?” I ask, both because I want to end the silence and find out how my mother is doing. I've never known her to act the way she has been these past few months.