Raining Fools (Madison Creek Bed & Breakfast Book 2)

by Jackie Castle

  Haley went to her husband and made him face her.

  Big tears spilled down his face. “I’m sorry.” He said wiping the heels of his hands across his eyes. She knew right away what had happened and hugged him tight. Whatever Jean Gaines had done, she was still like a second mother to her tender-hearted guy.

  When his body finally started to relax, and she thought he might be getting hold of his emotions, she whispered in his ear, “Let’s hope this will be what’s needed to put those jerks in jail. Beating up Stephen might get them a couple of months at best. But, maybe what they’ve done to Jean will put them away for a long while.”

  His voice cracked against her neck. “What am I going to tell Stephen?”

  “Only that she’s been found. That’s all he needs to deal with at the moment.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  After sending Ethan and Haley home, Bekka stood beside Stephen’s bed. He’d drifted off to sleep again, and she couldn’t stop staring at his battered face. His right eye was completely swollen shut. A bandage wrapped around his head, covering two of the worst lacerations.

  His leg was wrapped in a cloth brace and propped on a pillow. He would be aching something terrible tomorrow.

  She gripped his hand, still stained with blood. So was his phone that sat on the side table. She tried not to look at either one.

  Even swollen, cut and bruised, he was beautiful to her, though she knew he’d balk at that word if she spoke it out loud.

  Ethan had pulled her aside before they left and told her about Jean. She’d seen her brother tear up at a few things and knew this night had seriously taken a toll on him. Once Haley had a few minutes to visit Stephen, Bekka asked her take Ethan home and make sure he got a good night’s rest.

  “I’m glad you stayed, sweet lady,” Stephen said through his groggy fog. “Doubtful I’ll be causing much trouble tonight as you warned the nurse I’m prone to do. But I appreciate it all the same.”

  “You heard me tell her that?”

  His busted mouth turned up in a crooked grin.

  She leaned against the railing. “I didn’t want them to kick me out. So I said the first thing that popped into my head.” She brushed her finger down the side of his face that wasn’t completely covered in bruises. “Is there anywhere that doesn’t hurt?”

  “Not really.” He blinked and motioned toward the cup sitting on the bed table. She helped him take a sip of water. “I’m a Gaines. I can take it.” He managed to scoot over a few inches in the bed and patted the spot beside him.

  Bekka shook her head. “Uh no. I don’t want to hurt you more.”

  “You won’t. You’re too gentle.” He patted his other side. “The bruised ribs are here. You’ll be okay. Just for a few minutes. Please?”

  She lowered the side rail and carefully sat on the bed beside him.

  His hand found hers and held on tight. “Tell me why your brother looked like he was about to lose it. I know Ethan. He looked like someone had died.”

  “Your mom is fine, but she’s been through a lot. I’m not sure what all happened, but I know they have her stabilized.”

  “Oh. I see.” His brows furrowed. “Bekka, honey, are you sure you want to give your heart to a mess like me?”

  She watched him for a long moment until his gaze finally met hers. “Everybody comes with some kind of baggage. I do too. And if I’m honest, I think you’ve had my heart all along, mister.”

  His smile wobbled. “What baggage could you possibly have, lady?”

  She was about to get off the bed, but he squeezed her hand tighter with a slight shake of his head. Instead, she turned so she could lay beside him, her chin resting on his shoulder. “I can’t make a decision about what to do with my life. I feel like I’m in this pending bin. Waiting. Stuck.”

  Stephen’s thumb rubbed up and down the back of her hand, sending pleasant tingles through her. “Beks, when you close your eyes, what does your dream life look like?”

  She bit her bottom lip, unsure she wanted to share something like that with anyone. People would just laugh.

  He must have sensed her hesitation. “Can I tell you my dream life?”

  Bekka nodded.

  “Well, since you asked,” He chuckled, then winced and pressed his hand to his side. “Might need to not get over confident about how I’m feeling. Anyway, my biggest prayer is to finally be free of all these bad habits I’ve picked up over the past few years. I want to make it through the counseling sessions Pastor John has set up for me.” He blew out a long breath, and she wondered if all this was causing more discomfort then he wanted to admit.

  She gently patted his chest. “I think that’s a good idea. I’ve already told you that.”

  “I’m not done, don’t interrupt.” His brows furrowed over his blues as he continued. “I see a wedding next summer. Unlike your brother, I really think I need a year to get my life back in order. I see a beautiful woman with amazing gray eyes and hair the color of dark chocolate. She’s dressed in a white satin dress and walking toward me along the garden paths at Haley’s Inn. Of course, I’ll be dressed to impress, stunningly handsome, with my usual swagger.”

  Bekka’s cheeks started to heat as his vision played out. She hid her grin behind her knuckles. “Is that it?”

  He slowly shook his head. “No. There’s this bit of land down the highway from the Madison property. It’s been for sale a while. Matter-of-fact, right now, it’s nothing but pasture land full of wildflowers and trees.

  Her heart thumped inside her chest like an engine revving. He was serious! And from his description, the place sounded simply beautiful. “I like wildflowers. Not as much as long stemmed red roses, but close.”

  He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm. “It gets better. There’s a creek running along the back border. Beautiful places to take pictures. Videos. I can see having a little house built on that land. Loads of room for kids to enjoy.”

  She gasped. “Kids even? Who are you and what have you done with the wild-man Stephen Gaines that I know?”

  “That wild-man is ready to put down some roots. Between my talents and yours, I’m confident we can build a decent life for ourselves. When I get my life back in focus, and work toward my true passion, which is playing the cello and creating music, I think the wheels of my life will stop spinning on sand, and I’ll finally go somewhere.” He rolled slightly so he could see her better. “Question is, Rebekka, does any of my dream match yours?”

  “Did your vision include five or six kids?”

  “We’ll have fun trying for as many as you’d like.” He winked the one eye that wasn’t swollen shut. “I’m thinking, if our dreams do match, maybe we can join forces and get you out of that pending slot.”

  Bekka blinked, mentally imagining the beautiful picture he was painting for her. “I see a house with the big porch and surrounded by shade trees.”

  His grin widened. “There’s trees. Lots of them.”

  “Do you remember the names we picked for our children?”

  “Yes. Michael and Travis for the boys. Marie and Carla for the girls. One would have our middle name, and the other would get a name we liked. I picked the girl, and you picked the boy. I remember a lot of things, lady. I’m really sorry I let you slip away from me. I should have fought harder for you.”

  Bekka tried to stay as still as possible. Her face was only inches from his. “I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have shut you out like I did.”

  “You know what I realized tonight?”

  “What?”

  He pressed her hand against his lips again. His Adams apple bobbed when he swallowed. He flinched, as if in pain and she worried that she caused his soreness. But when she tried to move away, he whispered, “Stay. Let me finish what I need to say.”

  “Okay.” She grew still.

  “I’ve let my heart shut down. Seemed like everyone I loved had hurt me. Let me down. Dad giving up on us, on himself. Mom walking away. Beth wouldn’t
speak to anyone. Still doesn’t, really. I stopped allowing myself to love back.

  “As I lay in that parking lot waiting for someone to come, or for that light people talk about to start shining, it hit me that until I came here, I hadn’t told anyone that I loved them in years. Several years. Not even Ethan. I mean, we’ve had our back pounding moments when I told him I appreciated him. He’s always been free about saying that he loves me, you know how he is.”

  She did know. He usually was the first to end a call by saying, “Love you, sis. Take care of yourself, sweetie.”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever said it back. At the bar, Jean said she wanted someone to care about her. She’s been willing to grab on to any guy who’d string her along.” He rubbed at the bandage covering his head. “I certainly haven’t shown her much love. My own mother. And I remember Dad was always reserved with his affections. I don’t want to be that kind of man.”

  Bekka had to smile. Here he was, holding her hand, kissing her fingers, snuggling beside her. “I think you’re very loving when you want to be.”

  His bandaged forehead gently brushed against her. “You bring it out in me, Rebekka. You’ve always drawn the good parts to the surface. I love you for that and so much more.”

  She carefully touched her lips to his. Another kiss brushed the side of his mouth. She moved closer to his ear and whispered, “I love you, too. Even with all the baggage. I’ve always known that there was a good man packed inside there. Somewhere.” Her nose wrinkled with her playful grin.

  “Ha. Somewhere stuffed in a sock maybe.”

  “Still. He’s there.” Her fingers tenderly slid along the stubble covering his strong, yet bruised, jawline. “And he’s good. That’s what matters.”

  “Thank you, sweetheart.” His eyes closed. She wondered if his pain medication would soon kick in again. She’d remain beside him until he drifted off to sleep.

  A minute passed when he whispered, “I’m kind of glad you’ve been in a pending file. I’m so thankful for this second chance to love you like you deserve. I want to see you fly, baby girl, and be free.”

  She did too. At that moment, she felt ready to take off and soar.

  * * * *

  Stephen devoured the warm batch of oatmeal cookies Haley brought him the next day when the family stopped in to visit. He told her that he loved her between bites. And he even meant it. The Blond Tornado had finally sucked him in. She was a wonderful wife for his best friend.

  When Haley took Bekka home so she could shower and rest for a while. Ethan stayed behind.

  “Have you seen Jean, yet?” Stephen asked his best friend.

  Ethan sat beside the window, staring out at the great view of the lake the room offered. “No, but Mom has been with her today. Dad and Jeremy stayed home for now, but he sends his well wishes. The building crew was supposed to stop by this afternoon to go over the plans and schedule. It’s going to get kind of loud for the next month. We’ll have to work around that when we record.”

  “We’ll figure something out, don’t worry.”

  He picked a bit of loose string on his jeans. “I’m not worried. Just wondering if I planned things as well as I should have.”

  “Even if you didn’t, E-Man, we’ll manage. The building will be done in a couple of months. Besides, he’s putting up the big lodge at the other end of the field, nearer to the creek. It’ll be fine. You’re just starting to have those nervous heebie-jeebies you get when stepping out into something new.”

  Ethan stood and neared the bed. “Probably right, Gaines. I’m so pumped that you’re staying to help. It’s going to be great.”

  “We’re a team.” Stephen held out his fist which Ethan bumped with his own.

  Pressing the button on the rail, Stephen raised the head of the bed. “Thanks for sticking with me through all of this, man. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you not giving up on me. You have to know how much I love you, bro. Right?”

  Ethan blinked a few times, then offered a nod. “I do know. Love you, too, pal.” Clearing his throat, he averted his gaze and checked the time on his phone. “I should be going. You need to rest, and I did want to check on how Jean is doing.”

  Before Ethan could retreat, someone knocked on the door before it was pushed open. “Did I hear my name?”

  Martha pushed his mom through the entrance in a wheelchair. She didn’t look nearly as bad as he did, but there were a few bruises on her cheek and a cut on her lip. Her eyes darted toward Ethan, then to him, warily. She was wearing a leopard print robe Martha must have brought her and matching slippers. Ma always did like her animal print clothing.

  An IV bag hung from the back of the chair. Martha wheeled her to his side. Stephen lowered the bed height so she wouldn’t want to stand to talk to him.

  Ethan knelt beside her chair and kissed her cheek. “I was just about to come see you. How do you feel?”

  “I’ll live, baby.” She patted his hand that rested on the arm of her chair. “I’m betting it was your prayers that kept this from turning out worse than it did.”

  “We’re always in prayer for you and your son. We love you. You know that, right?”

  Her chin trembled as she nodded. His arm went around her narrow shoulders, and Stephen heard E-man’s quiet prayer. “Thank you, Lord, for taking care of this precious lady. And Stephen. I can’t thank you enough Heavenly Father and ask that you bring about a speedy healing. Inside and out.”

  Stephen had to turn away, swallowing the tightness from his friend’s heartfelt prayer. Darn E-man! And his big sloppy heart.

  Martha echoed his amen. “We’ll be back in a few, Jean. Stephen.” She pulled at her son’s shirt and motioned for him to follow her outside. “Come on, hon. Show me where the cafeteria is. I could use a cup of tea.”

  When the door closed behind them, Jean blew her nose into a tissue she had clutched in her palm. “That boy! He gets me every time.” She let out a curse but smiled despite her words.

  Stephen reached for the box on his nightstand, and she ripped out a couple of more. “Ma, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have walked away.” He held out his hand, palm up. To his surprise, she laid her untethered hand into his.

  “I pushed you. Don’t go blaming yourself for what’s my doing. I thought…” She pressed the cloth to her eyes, trying to catch the tears spilling down her pale face. “I thought for a moment he was going to kill you. I-I tried to make them let me out. Then, as we drove off, they showed me what I wanted.” Her fingers tightened around his until he nearly yelped. “I’ve gotten into something bad, baby. Not sure if I’ll ever be free. I’ve been hooked for some time now.”

  Stephen had a sense of free falling. He’d known. Deep down, but had been unwilling to admit she was this bad off. “Ma, I’m… I’m so sorry that I didn’t realize sooner. I’m sorry I’ve pushed you away. It won’t happen again. I love you and want you to get whatever help you need…” he hesitated, wondering if she’d think he still wanted to lock her up.

  Her wide blue eyes stared up at him with a slow shake her head. “I…I’ve caused you enough trouble. I’m going into rehab, but you don’t have to trouble yourself—”

  “Did you hear me? Listen, Ma. You are not a problem I want to get rid of. I mean it. I love you.” He leaned closer, careful to not annoy his tender ribs. “Can I tell you something very important to me?”

  She gave a nod.

  “I’m going to ask Bekka Winters to marry me. I’ll need someone to go help me find the perfect ring. You know I’m terrible about things like that.”

  A choked whimper escaped behind the tissue she pressed to her trembling mouth. “I love jewelry. And I love that girl. And her brother. Why I’d love being part of the whole clan again. Martha has been… very kind to me since she arrived. It’s like we’re the same old friends we were way back when. Before I… messed everything up.”

  Stephen rolled over onto his good side so he could face her better. The stitches on the back of his h
ead were itching, and his leg throbbed like crazy. He pushed away the ache, wanting to deal with this bigger wound first.

  “We can only look forward, Ma. Thing is, I want you to be a part of this life I’m hoping to build. I want you there at my wedding. Crying beside Martha like Moms are supposed to do. I want the children we’ll have someday to be spoiled by both grandmas.”

  “Children?” She gasped. “You’re already thinking about—”

  “We have names picked out and everything. Ma, you can be part of that. Don’t you want to try? I sure have missed having a family. Maybe eventually, we can get Beth to speak to us again. First, we need to get ourselves back on track. Right?”

  The tears continued to fall. “You really mean all this, don’t you?”

  “Yes, I do. One hundred percent.” He kissed her hand and silently begged her to say that she loved him enough that she’d try. He just wanted her to really try. “What about you, Ma? Do you want to be part of my life again? A real part? Not just a quick stop as it has been?”

  She nodded. “I thought for sure I’d lost you last night. When I woke up alive and found out you were here, still alive, I realized…. Yes, I want everything you’ve just painted for me, son. It’s a pretty picture. A real pretty picture.” Dabbing the tissue to her damp face she looked him straight in the eyes. “I’ve already set myself up to be checked into the center here. Martha helped me with the forms. They’ll put me on drug therapy. I might not be able to see you for a while.”

  “I’ll be there, soon as you’re able to have visitors.” She was going to do it! He sent up a big prayer of thanks.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Bekka stretched in the Adirondack chair, crossing her legs at the ankles. The Madison Creek swept past the little dock where she sat with her laptop perched on her knees.

  Mom and Dad had found the hidden quay during one of their evening strolls around the property. Overgrown trees and brush nearly obscured it from view. Dad and the boys returned to clear out the foliage, replaced a few warped boards, then added the chairs. Ever since she’d claimed this little spot as her relaxation station.