Papina (Bearville County)

by Katie Hamstead

  "That was my plan."

  I smiled, glad they were getting along. It took them some time to warm and mesh, but finally she accepted him as a permanent fixture in our lives, and knew he wouldn't take me away from her.

  As we left the courthouse, I heard a woman sobbing. I glanced to my left, and saw Vern Richards holding a woman in his arms.

  My resentment toward him flared. She must be his wife, Alfie's mother. After all his suggestive remarks, and his obvious lust for me, I felt disgusted. No wonder his son felt entitled to hurt Nova.

  Vern's gaze lifted and our eyes met. I glared at him, and wrapped my arm through Paul's.

  A fierceness flashed in his eyes, filled with anger, and distain.

  I nodded to him, and rested my hand on the small of Nova's back, just to make my point perfectly clear.

  He scowled and looked down at his wife.

  Good.

  That night, I lay wrapped up in Paul's arms in the bed of his truck. He'd put a mattress and thick bedding in to keep us warm as we made love, then gazed up at the stars from the look out.

  He held me tight and ran his fingers through my hair. "Bray?"

  "Hmm?" I shut my eyes, reveling in his touch and warmth.

  "I know we've kinda talked about this, but never made anything official. I want to do right by you, and treat you with the respect you deserve so…"

  He rolled off the bed, pulling one of the blankets around his shoulders.

  I sat up to watch him as he plucked something from the pocket of his jeans. He turned and knelt in front of me. "Bray—"

  I squealed and grabbed his hand. "Are you proposing to me?"

  He frowned. "Bray!"

  "I'm sorry." I shuffled up, and sat waiting for him to go on.

  He took a deep breath and looked into my eyes. "Braydon Miller, I love you. I'm not a well-spoken man, but I know how I feel. I know you come as a package deal, I've always known that, and I think that makes you more beautiful. So, I'd be honored if…" He clasped my left hand.

  I giggled, my whole body tingling with excitement.

  He smirked. "If you would marry—"

  I launched myself at him, kissing him firmly.

  He laid me back under him, slipping the ring on my finger as we kissed.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Darkness still filled the room when Paul stumbled with a groan out of bed. I dozed as he showered, and once dressed, he came over to kiss me.

  "Why do you go in so early?" I moaned. "There's no crime, and you're the sheriff. Surely you can pick better hours."

  "I have to make up for the time I lost while at court yesterday. I was off the clock."

  "You should count them anyway," I grumbled.

  He kissed me again. "Goodbye, Bray."

  "Bye," I said on a sigh. "Make sure you—"

  "Lock the door, I know." He chuckled. "You and your city ways."

  "Mmm." I quickly fell back to sleep.

  A loud crash woke me. I glanced at the clock and saw only a few minutes had passed. I relaxed, thinking Paul had done something clumsy in the dark, but then, glass smashed.

  I shot out of bed and grabbed my phone, dialing Paul. I ran out into the hallway, and saw from the top of the stairs someone reaching through the broken window by the door to unlock it.

  "Bray?" Paul said from the phone. "Did I forget something?"

  I rushed into Jackson's room and whispered, "Someone is breaking into the house!"

  I grabbed Jackson.

  "What?" Paul's voice sounded tense. "I'll be right there."

  I hurried back to the door and saw the shadow of a man at the top of the stairs. I pulled back, holding Jackson's mouth to keep him quiet.

  I peered out, and saw him turn away from us. He looked into the bathroom, then the office. Then he turned to Nova's room.

  I grabbed my phone and called hers.

  As he silently pushed her door open, her phone rang. He paused, but when he heard her groan, he rushed in. She screamed, but it was stifled.

  I set Jackson back in his crib, but as I rushed out, Paul appeared in front of me.

  "Nova," I said softly and in a high pitched voice.

  He rushed into her room and yelled, "Get off her!"

  The sounds of a tussle ensued. Then, a gun went off. Nova screamed and Jackson cried. I rushed into the room, fearing the worst. I flicked on the light. Nova clung to Paul with Vern Richards on the floor holding his leg. Blood poured from the wound, as his glare shot to me. "I'll make you pay for what you did to my son."

  "Shut up!" Nova rushed forward and kicked him in his wound.

  He wailed.

  She yelled at him, "You giant jerk! It's your fault all this happened! You told him to dump me 'cause I'm an Indian, you taught him to hate. You might as well have been the one who raped me and killed Forrest! I hate you!"

  She kicked him again.

  Paul grabbed her and tossed her at me. "Get her out of here."

  I rushed her into Jackson's room and shut the door. She paced as I tried to calm Jackson. She only paused to listen to Paul on the phone, ordering medical assistance to head to the sheriff station as he dragged Vern down the stairs.

  By morning the whole town knew, and Megan stood staring at the broken window. "Wow, your city ways probably saved you and Nova."

  I shuddered at the thought. "Thank goodness I made Paul lock the door."

  A wicked grin swept across her face. "How's that going, by the way? You and Paul?"

  She winked at me.

  I smiled and lifted my hand to show her the ring.

  Her grin widened as she shrugged. "I've seen it."

  I laughed. "You helped him pick it, didn't you?"

  "I may have played some part in it."

  She looked at the window again, pressing her hands on her hips. "Gosh, seems like the whole family are psychos. Come on, let's board this up."

  We found a piece of plywood and taped it down. Then, we went into the kitchen for coffee.

  Nova rushed in from the backyard, the two boys in tow and her cheeks flushed. She grinned at me. "Jackson said my name! Real clear too! Then Donny imitated him, so they both said my name."

  Megan chuckled. "It seems they needed your example to speak."

  "Megan, you're obnoxious."

  Megan spun, surprised. "Excuse me?"

  Nova laughed. "You heard me."

  "Oh girl. I think I liked you better as a mute."

  Nova pulled at the boys' arms. "I wish you were a mute."

  Megan gasped and looked at me. "Are you going to let her get away with that?"

  I forced my smirk back. "Nova, mind your manners."

  Nova sighed. "All right. I'm sorry you have such a big mouth, Megan."

  "Hey!" Megan snapped as Nova rushed out with the boys.

  Megan growled and sank into the chair beside me. "Sassy little punk."

  "Who? You or her?"

  She snorted and sipped her coffee. "Oh hey, on the topic of obnoxious, Sarah packed up and left town last night."

  My head snapped up. "What?"

  "Mmm. Apparently she left a note for you at the sheriff station."

  I sighed. "I don't I want to read it."

  She set her mug down. "Clint said you probably should. Even Paul was surprised by it."

  I stared into her eyes. "What did it say?"

  She shrugged. "He wouldn't tell me. You'll have to go find out."

  I stared at my hands, pondering what she might have said. How much she hated me? No, that wouldn't have surprised Paul. That she was suicidal? I shot to my feet. "I'll be back."

  "Okay…"

  I darted out of the house, grabbing my jacket as I rushed out. The snow had mostly gone, so I ran up the street, wishing I'd put some shoes on as my feet pounded the freezing concrete.

  I rushed to the sheriff station, the few people out and about staring at me as I shot by. I burst in, startling Paul and Clint. I bent over myself to catch my breath.

  Paul
rushed over. "What are you doing? Did you run all this way with no shoes on? Are you crazy?"

  "I need…" I tried to control my breathing. "To see… the note."

  Paul glanced at Clint, who nodded and plucked the note off his desk.

  I straightened as he handed it to me. "Is it bad?"

  They both shook their heads.

  I raised an eyebrow before unfolding the paper.

  Dear Braydon,

  By now you should know I'm gone. Things became really complicated and I needed to get away and start afresh. I've gone to Florida to live with my parents and maybe try college. I don't know yet, but that's not important right now.

  I said and did some hurtful things that I regret. To be honest, I think you are the only real friend I've ever had, and I felt so hurt… but I'm going to backtrack a bit.

  When you and Forrest moved to town, you were both so perfect and so in love. I wanted that so desperately, and wanted it with Paul, even though I knew he didn't see me that way. But I tried anyway, because you gave me hope that maybe, if I tried, I could make it work.

  But then Forrest died. I couldn't believe something so perfect could be torn apart like that. I wanted to help you, and understand how you could have taken in the person who seemed to be the one who killed the love of your life.

  Every day I admired you more and more as you pushed on, despite your pain, and survived, never for one moment compromising your convictions. I wanted to be like you. You were so strong.

  But I noticed that Paul saw how incredible you are, too. He would watch you walk by, even when you were worn out from fighting, and I'd drive by your house in the evening and he'd be there, helping you.

  At first, when you showed distain for him, I was just glad you had someone to help you, but after a while, I saw him make you smile.

  I was so jealous. How could you be given two such amazing men? Why couldn't I even catch the attention of one? I would stare at myself, wishing I was blonde, and pretty, and fashionable like you. Why did Paul love you when I'd loved him for so long?

  I tried to keep him away from you, hoping maybe I could head it off. I saw you push him away, your grief too much for you to even consider someone else, but he persisted. When I found you two practically fornicating in the sheriff's office, I just about lost it. It wasn't fair! But for some reason you stuck by me. I'm surprised you did for so long when you were so obviously drawn to him.

  When you first got together, I called the detective and said Paul killed Forrest to have you. I regret it now, knowing it was stupid and petty of me, so I want you to know.

  For now, I need space to start over. I love Papina, but I can't bear the pain that it holds for me. Maybe one day, when I've moved on and married, I'll come back. I'll always be a small town girl with my heart tied to that place. Maybe when I do, you'll forgive me for what I've done and we can be friends again. I hope we can be friends again, but I'll understand if you don't want that.

  I love you, Bray. You're the best friend I've ever had, and I'm so sorry for everything I did.

  Sincerely,

  Sarah

  I looked up from the note, completely stunned.

  Paul slid the paper out of my hands. "Yeah, me too."

  "I… I feel terrible. I have to get hold of her."

  Paul caught my shoulder. "Leave her alone for a few months. She needs to break free and move on, and all any of us would do by contacting her is hurt her all over again. I'll call my parents and let them know what's going on. I need to call them anyway I guess."

  He caught my left hand and swiveled my ring.

  I smiled up at him. "I'm glad she's trying to start over. Like we are."

  He softly kissed me. "I'm going to drive you home."

  I chuckled. "I love you, Sheriff Davis."

  Epilogue

  Ten Years Later….

  The bus pulled up and, like usual, Jackson jumped out first with Donny right behind him. They chatted about some truck they saw on the way back, and barely even glanced at me and Megan.

  "Boys." She scoffed and nodded at Donny as they paused and stared in the grocery store window. "Just like his dad."

  I smiled, and thought the same about Jackson. He'd grown to look so similar to Forrest that sometimes it gave me chills when I looked into his eyes.

  "Mom?"

  I looked down at my own miniature, Avery, with her light blonde hair and bright blues eyes gazing up at me. "I'm going to go see Dad, okay?"

  "Okay, sweetheart."

  She grinned and dashed away to the sheriff station.

  Megan's second son, Rhett, stared after her, his nine-year-old crush clear as day.

  Megan pushed his chin up to close his mouth. "Where are your sisters?"

  He pointed to the twins as they jumped off the bus hand and hand, with my two youngest boys right behind them.

  Although my seven-year-old, Bradley, didn't particularly look like Paul or myself more than the other, our five-year-old, Taylor, was the spitting image of Paul.

  His bright blue eyes lifted to me from under his mop of dark hair. "Mom! I caught a lizard today. It was in the classroom, and all the girls screamed, so I got rid of it before the teacher killed it."

  Bradley elbowed him. "That's so stupid."

  I grabbed Bradley and kissed his cheek, making the twins giggle.

  "Aw Mom!"

  "I've told you to be nice to your brother."

  He rolled his eyes and hurried after Jackson and Donny, who tried to ignore him.

  I took Taylor's hand. "So you're enjoying your class now?"

  We walked down the street, pausing outside the grocery store so Reba could give the kids a treat each.

  We went straight to our house, where Rhett and Bradley scrambled up the tree. Jackson and Donny ran out the back to hide in their tree house.

  The twins sat in the living room, playing with their dolls while Taylor tailed me.

  Megan and I sat in the kitchen to chat, while Taylor flopped onto the floor to play with his cars.

  Megan sighed. "Maybe I should have had another one, for little Taylor."

  I chuckled. "He's fine. If he wanted company, he'd go play with Brad and Rhett."

  Jackson burst into the house. "Mom! Someone's moving into the Cunningham House."

  Megan raised an eyebrow. "I didn't realize Sarah had sold it. Since her parents died, she's been unable to let it go."

  I shrugged. "She could be renting it."

  "Here?" She scoffed, but then nodded. "Maybe. It might be a new teacher at the school. I know they were looking for a chemistry teacher."

  "Mom!" Jackson snapped. "They have kids!"

  Megan and I exchanged smiles.

  "Well, go introduce yourselves," I said.

  He shrugged. "Yeah maybe they have someone my age." He bent over Taylor. "I saw a boy your age."

  Taylor grinned. "Really?"

  "Yeah. Wanna come?"

  "Yeah!" Taylor jumped to his feet and followed Jackson out the back.

  It wasn't long before the door opened and Avery rushed in. "Mom! Nova's here!"

  A slender young woman, with long, dark hair, appeared behind her. "You have a big mouth, kid."

  Paul appeared and rested his hand on her shoulder. "We haven't seen you in a few weeks."

  She shrugged and smiled. "I've got some rotten little troublemakers. I really don't know how Forrest did this gig and enjoyed every second of it. I swear, I just wanna whip out that gun and shoot them sometimes. Obnoxious little brats, kinda like you, Megan." She smirked, and Megan scowled.

  "Nice to see you, too."

  Nova looked up at Paul. "Someone's moving back into the Cunningham house, huh?"

  "Yup. I believe it's the new chemistry teacher at the boarding school."

  "Nice." She looked down at me. "Bray, I'm stealing Avery so we can go say hi."

  "Go on." I nodded.

  As they hurried out the front door, the twins rushed after them, and barely seconds later, Bradley and
Rhett burst in asking to go too.

  Megan jumped to her feet. "I guess we're all going."

  "I'll go get changed," Paul said, rushing up the stairs.

  Megan patted my head. "You wait for him. I'll go make sure the kids aren't frightening away our new neighbors."

  She rushed out the door before I could even respond.

  I hurried up the stairs.

  As I opened the door, I smiled, enjoying the view of Paul's shirtless back. Almost ten years of marriage and he still looked as good to me as he had back then, even with the whole cowboy thing, which I admittedly had come to find appealing… but only on him.

  He turned and flinched. "Whoa, you startled me."

  "Who else would come in here?"

  He raised an eyebrow. "Well there are four smaller bodies living in this house, my best friend's wife, who also practically lives here, and of course that little native girl we so fondly call our own."

  I laughed and walked across the room to rub his chest. "Have I told you today that I love you?"

  He smiled. "I don't know, I can't remember."

  "Well, Sheriff, I'm in love with you."

  He grinned. "Hmm, you know I'm married right?"

  "That old hag? I'm way hotter. We should have an affair."

  He laughed and wrapped his arms around my waist. "Actually, my wife is quite beautiful."

  I clasped his face, my depth of my love for him warming my heart. "Maybe you should kiss her then."

  He bent down and kissed me.

  Twenty minutes later, we walked hand in hand up the street to the Cunningham house. From a distance, I saw a man struggling to open the front gate. Paul tugged my hand and we rushed over.

  "That thing has gotten all rusted up," Paul said as he bent over to help.

  The two of them finally made it open, and the man straightened. "Thank you," he said, offering Paul his hand. "Wyatt Blake."

  "Paul Davis."

  "Ahh, the sheriff." He tilted his cowboy hat. "That hoard must be some of your kids. I can tell because at least one looks just like you, and one of the little girls looks like your wife here."

  I stepped forward and offered my hand. "Braydon Davis."

  He nodded, and his eyes slowly took me in. "Braydon, huh? Nice to meet you." He looked back at Paul. "My wife is up at the school. She's the new chemistry teacher there. But I'll need some work. I'm a veterinarian, so I was hoping maybe I wouldn't be stepping on anyone's toes if I set up a clinic here."