He stopped the truck behind the SUV just as two people started to climb out. “No, I figured you had a gun, I guess I’m just shocked you almost shot your parents. I’ll have to give you some kind of warning when I come to visit.”
With the truck in park, she tipped her head back to her daughter. “Could you take Abbi into the house and put her to bed? Whatever brought my parents here isn’t something she needs to overhear.”
“Sure.” He palmed the keys before placing his other hand over the door handle. “By the way, no one listens to CDs any longer, it’s all digital music now. You’re going to have to update you smartass comments if you’re going to face the real world.”
With that he managed to lighten the mood and ease the building tension. “James…” She paused for a moment, waiting for him to turn back to her. “I know we discussed you staying to keep an eye on Abbi again, but I understand if you’d like to leave. My parents are a handful, and she’s doing okay.”
“Does that mean you’d like me to leave?”
She glanced toward her parents where they stood waiting by the rear of the SUV. “No, I’d rather you stay but—”
“Then consider me your bodyguard.” He reached over and laid his hand on hers. “It’s going to be okay.”
“You don’t know my parents. Whatever brought them here means only one thing, they came willing to fight for what they think is right.” She laced her fingers between his and soaked up the comfort of having someone at her side. “Delay will only make Mom angry, so let’s do this.”
“Once I get Abbi into bed I’ll come back out.” He opened the door, stepped out, and made his way around the truck while she took one last moment for herself. She needed to prepare to deal with her parents.
She wasn’t sure, but it seemed as if they had become more difficult to deal with now that she lived life on her own terms. They wanted to control her, force her to live the life they thought she should have. Up until that night with Josh, she had been willing to please them, but after she witnessed the murder everything changed, and her parents didn’t like it one bit.
“This is my life and I have the right to live it however I want.” With a dose of encouragement, she grabbed hold of the door handle. “I can do this.”
“After facing your fears today, I know you can handle this, and I’ll be right there with you once I get the little one to bed,” he whispered as he lifted Abbi into his arms.
The minute she stepped out of the truck, her mother was on her. “Ella Louise Carmichael, where the hell have you been? You’ve had your father and I sitting out here for the last two hours.”
“Mom, if I had known you were coming I’d have made sure I was here.” She stepped toward her parents, taking their full attention so James could get Abbi inside before she awoke. They’d question who he was, and there was no way she could skip that part, but Abbi didn’t need to need to be awake for this.
“How was I supposed to let you know we were coming when you live like this? Damn it, Ella, you need to get over this crazy of idea of living like your father’s parents and come home with us. This is no way to raise a child.”
“Mom, we’ve had this discussion before. I’m staying. As for raising a child, Dad was raised like this and he turned out fine.” She was tired of going over the same thing every time they saw each other.
“He’s a man, hard work is one thing for them,” she countered, “but it’s different for Abbi. Times have changed.”
Her father, Dale, came to stand beside her mother and laid a hand on her shoulder, but she shook it off.
“Dad also has a sister—”
Her mother cut her off. “You don’t have to remind me of his family. Unlike you, I see his sister and the rest of our family regularly. You’re the only one who chooses to live like a scared cat.”
“Mom, please.” She let out a deep breath and tried to hold onto the calm that was quickly slipping away. “It’s been a long day and I don’t want to fight. What are you doing here?”
“We received a call that Abbi was sick and the Sheriff had to make a special call out here because of it. I won’t have my grandchild hauled off to some state home for children because you can’t care for her, so your father and I decided to give you a choice.”
Ella let out a soft growl, anger heating her blood. “How about I give you a choice? Either you let me live my life as I want or leave me alone.”
“That’s exactly what we’re going to do.” Her mother looked back at her husband, who shook his head in obvious discomfort before she pushed forward. “We’ve come here asking for you to sign custody of Abbi over to us.”
“You what?” Ella couldn’t believe what she heard.
“If you don’t sign the paperwork we’ll be forced to take you to court to get it. I won’t see my granddaughter raised like this any longer. She’s sick and you won’t take her to the doctor. That’s the final straw.”
“You’ll do no such thing.” She’d fight with everything in her to keep her daughter.
James came to stand behind her, his hand on the small of her back. “It would seem you’ve been brought here by someone who doesn’t have all the information.”
“Who would you be?” Bea raised an eyebrow at him in question.
“Doctor James Macis, I’m a pediatrician here in Clearwater and I’ve been treating Abbi.” James rubbed his thumb under her shirt until he was touching skin.
“Seems like there’s more going on than just doctor-patient relationships.”
“That’s our business,” she snapped before giving her reply proper thought. “James, these are my parents, Bea and Dale.”
“We’ve given Ella numerous chances to return to Cheyenne with us but she’s determined to stay in this run-down cabin.” Bea raised her voice. “No longer will I let Abbi be victim to it. I’ve come to take her to a proper home.” She stepped toward the cabin but James cut her off.
“I can’t allow that.”
“You what?” Bea spun to face him. Her wide eyes made it clear she couldn’t believe he was trying to stop her.
“As her doctor I can’t advise that kind of travel. It’s nearly seven hours and she needs her rest.”
“That’s not the point.” Everyone looked at Ella, except James who pressed himself closer to her as if trying to give her comfort through his touch.
“Then what is?” Bea questioned.
“She’s my daughter and she’s not going anywhere.” She glanced toward her father who had remained silent through all of this. “Dad, what do you think of this? You were raised here. Do you think I’m neglecting Abbi? Do you really want to take her away from me and raise her yourself?”
Dale shuffled his weight back and forth from one leg to the other, unable to meet Ella’s gaze. He had always been too easy-going, letting Bea control everything. Whatever she said or wanted he went along with, even if it wasn’t what he wanted. He was a good husband and a great father but she had always wished he had more of a backbone when it came to her mother. Now she was putting him on the spot, hoping he’d help her when she needed it the most.
“Dad…”
“I heard you, Ella.” He shoved his hands into the pocket of his slacks and finally looked in her direction, still avoiding direct eye contact with her. “No. Abbi deserves to be with you and I think you’re doing a fine job. Yes, you could socialize her more, but as you said I was raised here. My sister was my only playmate for many years and we were homeschooled.” He looked to his wife. “I don’t want to take Abbi back to Cheyenne. We’ve done our job as parents, now it’s Ella’s turn. We make the trips here to see them, Abbi is a happy and healthy little girl.”
“She’s not healthy now, and what’s being done about it? The girl couldn’t even walk under her own steam into the house,” Bea raged.
“I’d say she’s taking care of that. Doctor…what did you say your name was?”
“Please call me James.” He reached forward and shook hands with Dale, which seemed
to annoy Bea even more. “Abbi is being taken care of. She has pneumonia but I’ve given her medication through an IV last night to get things started, and she’s on an antibiotic. I carried her inside because she’s had a full day and she’s tired.” James laced his fingers between Ella’s. “We’ve been in town.”
“Town?” Bea questioned.
“Yes, Mother, town.” Ella couldn’t help but raise her voice with the rage she was feeling. Leave it to her mother to question Ella’s ability to be a parent, only to be concerned with a minor detail. “Though I’m not sure you’re asking the right question. What about your granddaughter’s health? Or do you not care that she has pneumonia?”
“I care or I wouldn’t have traveled here, now would I?” Bea snapped.
James ran his hand up Ella’s arm. “Abbi stirred a little while I was putting her to bed, why don’t you go and tuck her in?”
“If you’re staying, you can come inside, but if you don’t keep your voice down so Abbi can rest I’ll ask you to leave.” She slipped her hand into his, until she found the comfort she sought.
She was thankful for the out he gave her; it would allow her to get herself in the right frame of mind to battle whatever her mother threw at her. Willing to do most anything to keep him there, if only for one more night, she leaned into him. “Come with me.”
Chapter Nine
James shut Abbi’s bedroom door behind them, to give them a moment before they had to face her parents again. The thin door between them was enough to ease some of the tension he’d witnessed in Ella since they arrived. He wanted to go to her and wrap his arm around her again, to feel her warm skin under his touch, but he wasn’t sure where they stood. He’d done it in front of her parents because he felt she needed it, and because he thought it would cause them to back off. He wasn’t sure he succeeded, but he was willing to work on it harder if it forced them to ease off of Ella.
Ella stood facing the bed where Abbi was sleeping, her back to him. “She’s asleep.”
“I know.” He stepped closer to make sure she heard him as he whispered. “She never woke but I thought you needed a moment.”
“Thank you.” She let out a sign and rotated her shoulders. “For everything. You didn’t have to go up against my parents like you did. You could have dropped us off here to deal with them and gone back to town. When I was growing up, anytime my mother started about anything everyone always took off. She’s like a dog with a bone she won’t give up until she has what she wants.”
“Hey now.” He laid his hand on her shoulder. “I’m not leaving, unless you want me to. Which brings us to a very important question.”
“Which is?”
“How do you want things to go with your parents? I’ll admit seeing your mother threatening to take your daughter away worked my nerves, so I stepped in. Maybe I shouldn’t have, and with most I wouldn’t have, but you’re not most.” He used his hand on her shoulder to turn her around to face him. “Your mother believes there’s something going on between us.”
“Isn’t there?” Her voice was soft as her hand fell against his chest.
“I hope so, but let’s say more than what has happened so far. You had to have noticed how she watched the touches we shared.”
“Oh, I saw.” She smirked up at him.
“I need to know how you want to handle the rest of the time your parents are here. Do you want me to leave?”
“Do you want to leave? What about Abbi?”
Unable to hold back his desires any longer he leaned down, closing the distance between them to claim her lips. The sweet honey from the tea she drank earlier still lingered there. He kept the kiss sweet, gently pulling her bottom lip between his teeth, just enough to show the desire he had for her but not enough to scare her—at least he hoped. When he pulled back her eyes were still closed as if she was trying to savor the moment. “Does that tell you what I want?”
“Umm.” She finally opened her eyes.
“I want to stay, but if you want me to leave so you can deal with your parents I’ll come back in the morning to check on Abbi.”
“No, stay.” She ran her hand up his chest. “I guess I can’t hide out in here all night so let’s see about getting rid of them.”
“I don’t think it’s going to be that easy. Bea seems determined, even if Dale isn’t. She’s really against you living here, isn’t she?”
“She always has been. At first she thought I needed some time so she didn’t fight as much, but about a month before Abbi was born she started and hasn’t stopped.” She glanced back at her daughter’s sleeping form. “I might not have been the perfect parent so far but I’ve done what I thought was right.”
“That’s what matters. After all, children don’t come with a manual, you have to rely on your gut instincts and go with that. Abbi is a great little girl. Once she’s feeling better, we’ll take her into town and let her play with kids her own age. We’ll face that together just like we’re going to face your parents.” He slipped his hand into hers. “Ready?”
“Never.” She tried to laugh it off but couldn’t quite manage it. “Let’s do this before I crawl into bed with Abbi and try to forget they’re here.”
“Oh no, you’re not leaving me alone to deal with them.” He shook his head. “Let’s convince them we have things under control and I’ll reward you once they’re gone.” He let his thoughts wander for a moment as he pulled open the door. Ideas of getting her naked were short lived as Bea shot up from the sofa and picked up right where they’d left off.
“I demand some answers. What the hell is going on between the two of you?”
“Mom…”
He squeezed her hand. “It okay. Bea, things are still new between us but I care for her. We’re taking things slow while she finds her own footing in this.”
“You care for her?” Bea’s eyes widened. “If that’s true then how can you stand there while she lives like this? While Abbi suffers?” She waved her arms around the small cabin as if that explained everything.
“You might have different views on how Ella raises Abbi but it’s her decision. She’s a grown woman and she’s not placing Abbi in any danger, otherwise other measures would have already been taken.”
“Mom, I’ve told you before this is my life and you need to let me live it how I want. Abbi’s growing up learning skills that will carry her through the rest of her life.”
“What about learning how to make friends? To play like a child her age should?”
“I grew up on more of a farm than this and we still had time to play,” Dale cut in, coming to the rescue. “Chores were a part of the daily schedule, but you’ve seen Abbi does more than that. Ella has already begun teaching Abbi how to read, her numbers and alphabet. Those are skills others her age haven’t even begun yet. Ella is doing a fine job with Abbi. You’re only upset because she’s not living in Cheyenne with us so you can watch over her like a hawk. Bea, it’s time you stop being a mother hen and let Ella and Abbi have their life. We visit almost every month, what more do you want?”
“I want her to move out of your parents’ shack. I want her in Cheyenne or at the very least back in Jackson Hole.” Bea stated, frowning.
“But that’s the life you want for her, not the one she wants.” Dale watched his wife for a moment before he looked back to Ella. “It seems things have changed since our last visit. Not only with this relationship but also the trip into town.” He hesitated on relationship as if he wasn’t sure what to call this new development between her and James.
“I guess they have, at least to a point, but that doesn’t mean I’m leaving here. This is my home now. I’m not moving back to Jackson Hole, nor am I moving in with you in Cheyenne. Every time you visit I make this clear. Coming here demanding I sign custody of my daughter over was the last straw.” She took a deep breath and James squeezed her hand again. She wasn’t sure if he was trying to tell her to tread carefully or that he had her back, but either way she pushed forwa
rd. “You’re my parents and I love you. Abbi needs her grandparents in her life.”
“What are you getting at?” Bea asked.
“I can’t have this same fight every time, it’s not healthy and I won’t have Abbi witness it each visit. If you’re going to continue visiting, then you need to respect my choices, otherwise I think it might be best to limit your visits.”
“You’ll what?” Bea shot up from the sofa. “See why I want to take Abbi away from this?” She looked down at Dale. “She’s trying to keep us away from our granddaughter.”
“No, Bea.” Dale rose to stand in front of his wife. “She’s trying to keep Abbi away from the tension you bring every time you come up here demanding Ella leaves the cabin, and now this latest plot to take Abbi back to Cheyenne. I should have never let you talk me into this. That’s it. We’re going into town, to our room at Winterbloom, and tomorrow with Ella’s permission we’ll come back to see them, but then we’ll return to Cheyenne alone. We’re not taking Abbi, and Ella needs time to see where things go with this relationship. In a few weeks we’ll come back for our regular visit.”
Ella shuffled her weight between her feet. “You just made the journey here, if you’re going to stop bitching about my lifestyle, you can stay.”
“I agree with Ella, you don’t have to rush off.” James nodded toward Abbi’s bedroom and added, “If you’ll let Abbi rest, it could be good for her to have you visiting. I’m sure she’d love to see her grandparents, have you read to her or something while she’s confined to bed.”
“You don’t want us to leave?” Bea wasn’t able to keep the surprise out of her voice.
“No, Mom, I don’t want you to leave.”
“Then how about we come back in the morning. It’s been a long drive, Bea, and I’m tired. I’m sure Ella needs her rest as well, caring for a sick child is tiring.” Dale nodded toward the door. “Let’s go.”
Small Town Doctor Page 7