Selena's Savior [Appledale 4] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Lee Rose

“Nerves.” Stella patted her shoulder in sympathy. “They will get him. And you have Harrison now too. He won’t let anything happen to you.”

  Lily noticed they were all sitting down and lifted her arms for someone to pick her up. Selena smiled and picked her up. Her dark hair was pulled away from her face in a pink barrette. Selena hugged her and made her giggle. She loved the baby powder smell. It made her wonder if Harrison liked kids. She had hopes things would work out for them and someday she wanted to have kids. She would love them and pay attention to them, all the things Della had never done for her.

  Lacy brought up the annual Halloween party that Ally liked to throw every year. “I can’t believe it is October already. I have been here two years. Time went by so fast.”

  Stella smiled fondly at Lacy. “You brought me good luck. That was when I found out I was pregnant.”

  Lacy tickled Lily. “My beautiful little god-baby. And now Liz and Karissa are mommas too.”

  “Aren’t you feeling the pressure to join the motherhood club?” Stella teased Lacy.

  Lacy laughed and nodded. “Maybe it’s time I throw my pills out the window. Ryan and Ally would be thrilled.”

  Lacy stood up and stretched. She looked around at all the work they had done already and smiled. “I don’t know what I am dressing up as this year.”

  Selena had never been to one of the parties, although Ally had an open invitation to anyone in town. “I have never been to one. Are they fun?”

  Lacy chuckled. “They sure are. You have to come. I’m sure Harrison will drag you there if you don’t. Last year he barely made an appearance. He used the excuse that someone had to work. Ethan said he just doesn’t like crowds.”

  Selena thought it might be fun, especially if Harrison asked her to accompany him. “I think I might drag him with me this year. That means we don’t have much time to think of a costume, less than three weeks.”

  “Stanley and I like making ours,” Stella said, mentioning her husband. “We have more fun being creative. And now we have Lily to dress up too. She doesn’t do the trick or treating yet but I think it will be fun to dress her up. Stanley’s aunt has a big party for all the kids in the family. Lily loves all the noise and party atmosphere.”

  “If you’re like me, Selena, and can’t sew, Liz usually has some costumes at her store or you can go online too,” Lacy suggested. “Ryan and I try to match but you don’t have to. It’s a lot of fun, food, and dancing. Ally doesn’t allow any alcohol.”

  They got back up and finished the decorating. Ryan came in to pick up Lacy. He looked at Selena. “Harrison is doing his paperwork but you can come to our house. He can pick you up from there.”

  “That sounds good, Selena.” Lacy grinned, putting her arms around Ryan’s waist. “Logan is bringing over some spooky movies. It’ll be fun. I’ll make popcorn.”

  “Okay. Ed is having dinner with Doc,” Selena said. “I really didn’t want to sit home alone. I still feel a little nervous with Dave running loose.”

  Lacy turned to Stella. “Want to come with us?”

  Stella shook her head. “I promised Stanley’s aunt I would have dinner with her tonight.”

  “Chicken?” Lacy teased.

  Stella laughed. “Yes, you brat. You know I hate spooky movies. I’ll have nightmares and have to kill my husband for making fun of me.”

  Lacy and Selena laughed as Stella and Lily left. As they were locking up Della showed up.

  “Can I talk to you, Selena?”

  Selena had a bad feeling it wouldn’t be anything pleasant. All this time she hadn’t bothered talking to her. Selena moved a little away from Lacy and Ryan, who sat on the bench in front of the diner. Selena was glad they were nearby.

  Selena looked at her mom. She was wearing a tight red dress and heavy makeup so she was obviously on her way to the bar. “What is it, Della?”

  Della spoke in low tones. “I have good news. Dave is willing to leave you alone if you drop the charges. He said he will give us money too, lots of money.”

  He must be getting desperate, Selena thought to herself. Selena shook her head sadly. “Della. He beat me and tried to rape me. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”

  “Nonsense. He said you teased him until he was so turned-on and then backed off. Most men will resort to violence under those circumstances, Selena. Now be a good girl and stop all this drama.”

  “And you believed him? I barely spoke to him and when he made a pass at me I told him I was not interested.” Selena put her hand on her chest where it ached. “He scared me and hurt me but all you care about is how much money he will give you?”

  Ryan interrupted them. He looked at Della with disgust and Selena knew he overheard. It only made her feel more ashamed of her mom.

  “Ms. Monroe, is Dave at your house?”

  Della looked irritated with the interruption. “Of course not, sheriff. He called me and told me his side of the story. My daughter can be a little overdramatic. Isn’t that right, Selena?”

  Selena took a step back and shook her head. “No, Della, I’m not. Dave scared me and because of him Ed was hurt too. No amount of money will make me drop the charges.”

  Lacy hugged Selena around the shoulder in a sign of solidarity. “Let’s wait in the car, Selena. You don’t need to listen to this bullshit.”

  “Who are you?” Della put her hands on her hips and eyed Lacy with disdain. “One of Selena’s silly little friends. Stay out of our family business.”

  “I am Selena’s friend,” Lacy said firmly. “You should be ashamed of yourself for not sticking up for your own daughter.”

  Della lunged at Lacy but Ryan stopped her. He held Della back. “Unless you want to spend a night in jail I suggest you walk away now.” His voice was cold and dangerous and Selena shivered. “And let me tell you, I don’t serve alcoholic beverages in my jail.”

  Della gave him a dirty look and stomped away. The sound of her heels clicking on the sidewalk was all you could hear as the three of them stood in silence, shocked at what just happened.

  Lacy led her to the car and she went in a state of shock. This was the last straw. How could her mother be so cold? She looked out the window on the drive, not really seeing anything. She felt so numb and cold. She wished Harrison was here. He would hold her and make her feel better.

  Ryan headed out to his house. It was just outside of the town surrounded by lots of trees. The leaves were gold and orange, making beautiful scenery. The air was nippy but Selena just huddled into her coat as they headed inside.

  Ally had the fireplace going and Lacy ran up to it to warm her hands. “Oh, Mom, you are the greatest.”

  Ally laughed. “I know how much you love the fire, Lacy.”

  Ally turned to Selena with a welcoming smile. “I hope you’re hungry. I made chicken fajitas that Lacy taught me to make. “

  “I love Mexican food.” Automatically she thought of Harrison and their first date. She missed him and wished he was here. She needed him, especially after that awful scene with Della.

  Logan came in carrying some DVD cases in his hand. She hadn’t met him yet. He was in his twenties and very handsome, model-like handsome with black hair and green eyes and a wide smile. Yet her heart didn’t go crazy when he shook her hand. Selena and Lacy sat on the couch with Ally.

  Logan plopped on the floor and grabbed some cushions placed inside a big basket on the floor. Ryan lowered the lights after he placed the DVD in the player.

  He sat on the floor by Lacy’s feet.

  The movie was intense and scary and Selena closed her eyes several times. At one intense moment she felt hands on her shoulders squeeze down and she was so startled she screamed. Lacy had been so into the movie she joined Selena and screamed too.

  Ryan dramatically put his hands over his ears and muttered, “Women. I think my hearing is damaged.”

  Selena looked up into Harrison’s laughing face. Logan was rolling on the floor with laughter too.

  �
�You are so rotten, Harrison,” she complained but he lifted her off the couch and hugged her. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist. I was here for a few minutes and you looked so scared.”

  He sat down and pulled her on his lap. She felt self-conscious for a minute then shrugged when no one gave them a second glance.

  When the movie was over they ate dinner and discussed the Halloween party. Harrison didn’t want to dress up but Lacy told him it was a requirement, winking at Selena. Selena really enjoyed herself. If it wasn’t for having to worry about Dave, life would be perfect right now.

  Chapter 15

  Harrison drove her out to Ed’s house and parked in the driveway. Ryan had pulled him aside at the house and told him about Della. The nerve of that cold-hearted woman to confront and blame Selena like that. He wanted to hunt that woman down and give her a few home truths about herself. Only he didn’t trust himself to be around her when he was filled with so much anger.

  “Ryan told you?” she whispered shamefully. She looked so sad and he hated that Della had done that to her.

  “Yes,” he said between clenched teeth. “I am so mad at your mom, Selena. She had no right to say those things to you. You are not to blame for Dave’s actions.”

  “I know that logically, Harrison,” she admitted. “I have relived every minute I spent in Dave’s company and I know I did not flirt or lead him on. I told him clearly I was not interested in him and that I was nothing like Della.”

  Harrison scooted her close to him and hugged her tightly, surrounding her in comfort and understanding. It felt so good to just sit here in silence. If only she could live her life right here with him. Unfortunately life didn’t work that way. She had to be strong as she always was. “It’s not that I am shocked but she was supposed to love me and protect me. Isn’t that what mothers do?”

  “Yeah, most mothers,” he said bitterly, thinking of how his own parents had disowned him. “We weren’t that lucky in the parent department but you are not alone, Selena. You have me. I will protect you and I will love you.” His voice was firm so she would know he was serious. He had planned on waiting until they were together longer but he couldn’t hold it in any longer. Especially when her pain was so deep and so tangible.

  She sat up looking shocked. Her mouth hung open and he gave her an amused look. “Shocked you, didn’t I? I shocked myself. I didn’t want to tell you so soon but I know what I feel and it feels right.”

  She nodded and closed her mouth. He looked into her eyes, caressing her cheek with his hand. “I mean it, Selena. I was always attracted to you physically from the moment I laid eyes on you. Maybe that was why I was determined to prove you weren’t as sweet as you acted. The feelings scared me. After getting hurt by my parents I didn’t want to form any relationships with anyone. I was determined to go through life solo with no more heartaches.”

  “I understand, Harrison. Having feelings is not all it’s cracked up to be. One minute you’re on cloud nine and the next you’re free falling from that same cloud,” she admitted.

  He chuckled. He brushed her hair out of her face and caressed her lips with his thumb. “Exactly. But I don’t want to fight or deny these feelings. They are lodged inside my heart and I know they will only grow deeper as time passes. I feel lucky that I found a beautiful woman inside and out. I know I always look mean and grouchy. I perfected that look. First for the tough streets I grew up in and then for the job. I can’t go up to the drug cartels saying please and thank you.”

  She smiled and agreed. “They’d eat you alive.”

  He kissed her lips lightly. She sat there looking dazed as if she couldn’t believe his words.

  He was showing her a softer side of himself that he had buried long ago when Lucas died. He had lived his life day by day never wanting to think of a future or settling down. It was too painful of a thought but Selena had wrapped herself around his heart and he had been lost ever since. His chest swelled with so many emotions. She was beautiful inside and out. She had been through so much pain in her young life yet she had not broken. He admired her and wanted nothing more than to cherish her and show her life was not all pain and sadness.

  “Harrison, I love you too,” she whispered, her voice raw with hidden tears. She had her hand on her chest as if it hurt. “I admire your strength and when I start feeling down I think of the way it feels when you hug me and kiss me and I know I can make it another day.”

  “I know we haven’t known each other long but I want time with you. I want to learn what makes you happy and what makes you sad. I want to build a life with you, a future. I honestly never thought those words would come out of my mouth but I feel lucky to have the opportunity. I am not wasting it and I am not letting Dave or Della Mae hurt you.”

  She felt too choked up to speak. Tears rolled down her cheeks and she threw herself in her arms and sent a silent prayer to the heavens. All those desperate prayers she had said in the deepest dark of the night when she was scared and just wanted to give up on her crummy life. She asked God for a guardian angel and now she had one.

  “You make me happy, Harrison, and those were the most beautiful words anybody has ever said to me.”

  * * * *

  Selena dragged Harrison to Liz’s shop to pick out a Halloween costume after they had lunch at the diner. She liked not having to eat alone. A few people gave them strange looks as if wondering what he was doing with her. One look at his cold face and they kept walking.

  He told her he didn’t do parties or holidays. She thought he was cute when he was grumpy. Now she knew his hard, cold look on the outside hid his sweet self on the inside.

  “Just pick one out for me, Selena.” He pouted. “I’m fine with whatever. I should get to work.”

  Selena grinned with a gleam in her eye. She shrugged innocently. “Okay. I saw a loincloth for a gladiator with lace-up silver boots. Hopefully Liz hasn’t sold it yet. I think you would look yummy in just a loincloth. No shirt required.”

  His eyes widened with shock and he sputtered. “Oh hell no. I am not walking around half naked. Remember the man club, baby?”

  She started walking away with a blasé attitude. “I’m sure you’ll be fine. Call me tomorrow.”

  She didn’t get very far before he ran up behind her and picked her up, throwing her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. He slapped her ass and she screamed out loud.

  “You are crazy, Harrison,” she yelled out, glad no one else was walking by. A few people drove by and one car honked. He had the nerve to wave.

  “Put me down now,” she muttered with embarrassment. She could feel the blood rushing to her head and making her dizzy.

  “No gladiator costume?”

  “Fine.” She gave in, wanting to laugh. “I’ll find something that covers you from head to toe. I don’t want some sexy Cleopatra taking you away from me anyway. I know some new moves now and I would hate to kick ass at Ally’s party. I have never been to a party but I know that kind of behavior is frowned upon.”

  He set her down and leaned in until their foreheads were touching. “No one can take me from you. I love you. Now let’s go. I don’t trust you to pick out something decent for me.”

  She gave him an innocent look, hiding her smile from him. “If you’re sure you have the time.”

  He led her to his Jeep with a shake of his head. He started driving away from the diner. “It’s a sad day when a man has to take his girlfriend shopping.”

  Chapter 16

  Selena got to work a few minutes early and found the door locked. She looked at her watch. Usually Dr. Anderson was here early. Sometimes she wondered if the man slept here since he stayed late and arrived first. Ed had already taken off to go eat breakfast at Ally’s. She huddled into her coat as a cold wind blew by her. She put her head down. She had no choice but to wait. Her mind was on the Halloween costumes she had picked out at Liz’s boutique yesterday. It was a little on the sexy side but Harrison liked it so much that she caved. He even agreed to
wear one. She had so much fun doing even simple things like shopping with him. Liz had laughed so hard when Selena mentioned that Harrison should try on the gladiator costume. He glared at both of them. He even called Ethan for back-up, but when Ethan strolled in and heard what Selena wanted he had been too busy laughing to be any help.

  She felt someone behind her breathing on her neck. Thinking it was Harrison trying to scare her again she muttered. “Harrison, you’re mean to keep scaring me this way.”

  She turned and found an evil grinning Dave standing there. He had a baseball cap on over his hair and a big heavy coat.

  “Harrison? Is that the deputy you have been whoring with?” he said angrily. His eyes were red and bloodshot. “How dare you reject me yet go to someone else.”

  “Everyone is looking for you,” she told him, hoping to scare him away. She took a step back but hit the wall of the dentist’s office. She had never wanted to see her boss more than she did right now.

  “I know and it is because of you, little snitch.” He grabbed her arm and squeezed it until she squealed in pain. “You are coming with me. You owe me for all the trouble you caused with your big mouth.”

  “Dave, you look terrible. If you have a drug problem we can get you some help.” She was trying to stall until her boss arrived. There was no way in hell she was leaving with Dave.

  “I don’t have a problem. I feel good.” He started dragging her away. She knew she had to stay visible on the sidewalk just in case someone drove by. She dug in her heels and refused to move. He grabbed her hair, which was in a ponytail. She screamed as loud as she could hoping to catch attention. She swung out her leg and kicked him in the shin. His knee folded and he let her go. She turned and ran. He caught her by the front door and pushed her so hard she fell. She automatically put her hands out and scraped them. He kicked her ribs and she curled into a ball.

  “Hey there. Stop that.” She heard a male voice. Her boss. She heard footsteps running away and then Mr. Anderson was helping her stand up.