Sweet but Sexy Boxed Set

by Maddie James

  “Mom, calm down. Your house is a pigsty. If that stuff isn’t cleaned up, they will condemn the place. I can’t believe they haven’t already.”

  The dead silence on the other end of the line was surprising as Candy was never speechless. Sharon wallowed in the victory for the few seconds it lasted.

  “How dare you! Just who do you think you are? I gave birth to you. I writhed in agony for days trying to push you out of my body!”

  Sharon had heard it all before, but she kept quiet as her mother went on with her typical tirade. There was really nothing else to do except hang up and change her cell phone number immediately as her mother would just call back and leave another hundred or so messages like the last hundred or so she’d ignored since last seeing her. When Candy finally seemed to have run out of words, Sharon let the silence hang.

  “Sissy? Dammit, have you hung up on me?”

  If only I could….

  “No. I’m here. Listen, you need to cooperate with those people. They’ve been hired at great expense, I’m sure, to help you get your life back on track by cleaning out stuff you should have thrown out all by yourself. I’m sorry if that sounds harsh, but it’s the truth. And if you want to have conversations with me in the future, I would suggest you remember I’m an adult and you can either speak to me with respect, or you can stop calling.

  “Now I have a life of my own, one that has nothing to do with Sissy, so stop calling me that and address me as Sharon if you want to speak to me. I also have a child who I can’t even bring to see his grandmother because she still dresses, talks, and smells like trash. If you want a relationship with either of us, I would suggest you clean yourself up inside and out. Bye!”

  Sharon meant to hang up immediately, but the shaking of her entire body caused several seconds to crawl by before she could steady her hands enough to allow her index finger to press the red bar on the phone’s touchscreen. Once disconnection was accomplished she stood still until the dizziness of her moxie passed. Where it came from, and how it allowed her to speak to her mother like that, after all these years, was beyond her, but once she could get her equilibrium back Sharon was pretty sure it would feel good.

  Really good.

  Sharon took a deep cleansing breath and smiled. So far her mother hadn’t called back. And maybe it would take a while, if ever, before she did. But that was fine. The last thing Kyle and she needed was for Candy to mess up what was becoming the best time of their lives.

  Kyle was so happy being in Legend, being not just accepted, but popular with not only his freshman classmates but also with those of class levels above his own. He was no longer the quiet sullen child who kept his thoughts and feelings to himself. He couldn’t wait to tell her about his day, about his football workouts, about how he was going to get to be a starter in the opening game next Friday night.

  She was glad the school bus picked him up minutes after he’d shared that tidbit of information yesterday morning as she’d suddenly felt ill and was certain it showed. Since she’d kept a low profile by rarely going anywhere in town other than for groceries and work, it hadn’t been too hard to avoid chance meetings with people she’d known when she was younger.

  Going to a Legend High football game would be a whole different kettle of beans. If the townsfolk were still as involved in supporting the Dragon’s football team as they’d been when she was in school, then nearly everyone in town would be there to cheer the team on. She’d known all along the day would come when the games would start, but she hadn’t had the heart to deny Kyle a chance to go out for the junior varsity team. Only his talent had the coaching staff placing him with the varsity team, so now she had no choice but to support him there.

  Sharon could only hope that wouldn’t be another beginning to a horrible end for both her and her son. Because for once in her life she was truly happy.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Hi. I’m Sharon Gilbert, Kyle’s mom.”

  Lilly Hood was still as beautiful as Sharon remembered. Though the woman had to be in her mid-forties, she hadn’t aged a day since Sharon saw her that one time. The only reason Sharon even remembered her was because of all the excitement of the high-speed chase on the highway to Nashville for the National Championship game her senior year. Though she hadn’t known all the details, if she remembered right, Lilly had been targeted by some really bad people who tried to hunt her down and kill her. At the time Sharon hadn’t paid any more attention to the situation since they’d made it to the game, and her attention shifted to cheering for her then-boyfriend. Kyle Sanders was star quarterback and his actions had not only won them the game, it had sent him on a full-ride scholarship to any school he wanted.

  But even that hadn’t been what had filled her mind at the time, because after all of the hoopla had died down and they were secured inside his hotel room for the night, they’d been locked in a marathon of lovemaking she’d mistakenly believed meant they’d be together forever.

  “Hi. It’s nice to meet you, finally. I know all the moms of the other boys. My husband thinks Kyle has pro potential, and he would know.”

  Lilly’s bright smile turned to wide-eyed horror and for a second Sharon’s heart stopped, but then she realized Lilly was looking over her head.

  “Jarrod! Get down off that ladder right now!”

  Sharon turned in time to see a toddler smiling at the top of a ladder that was clearly meant for use by someone hanging the children’s clothing on the higher protruding racks.

  “Excuse me. I need to heat that boy’s pants.”

  Sharon’s heart started beating again as Lilly pulled the child from the platform and sat him down in front of her.

  “Young man, I’m going to put you in time out if you do that again, and your daddy is going to get ahold of you as soon as we get home!”

  The toddler smiled up at her innocently, and Sharon could tell Lilly was trying not to laugh. She held her own grin, liking the gentle swat on the child’s behind since he grinned up at his mother even bigger.

  “Go color, or I’m calling Mrs. Green to babysit you.”

  The smile fell from the child’s face and he scurried to the back of the store where a small white picket fence encircled a play area for children while their parents shopped for the high-end children’s clothing. The thought that she had never been able to afford such nice things for her son at that age slid through her mind before she pushed it away. Lilly returned, her eyes filled with amusement, her mouth twisted in a self-deprecating grin.

  “That child is going to be the death of me. If I hadn’t already gone through all this with Johnathan, I would probably die of a heart attack at the antics of little boys. Of course I’m a lot older this time.”

  Sharon smiled, liking the easy way Lilly had about her. There was no self-consciousness, no need to feel apologetic for not having a perfectly well-behaved child. Mostly she liked the love that flowed so easily between mother and son and wished her life had been such that she could have had her child with her as much when he was little. Unfortunately, that just hadn’t been possible. She was just so grateful that even though she’d had to work around the clock through all of his growing years, and he’d had to endure a hateful man for a father, Kyle was turning out to be okay.

  “He’s very cute.”

  Lilly’s grin deepened. “Cute as a devil.” She laughed at her own joke. “I’m glad you stopped in. What can I do for you? Do you have a little one?”

  Sharon shook her head. “No. Only Kyle. And he’s why I’ve stopped by. He said the team was coming to your house for an overnight, and I wanted to make sure his information was accurate.”

  Lilly nodded slowly as her eyes turned assessing. “And you wanted to check me out before letting your son come to my house.”

  Lilly’s grin was back. “I think we are going to be great friends! I always wonder about the parents who let their kids come over and never bother to check us out first. Of course everyone knows Jim, but that isn’t the poi
nt.”

  Sharon relaxed for the first time since entering the little Main Street store. “I’m happy to meet you. It’s really wonderful how quickly your husband and the team have made Kyle feel so welcome. He’s happier than he’s ever been. I can’t express how much I appreciate that.”

  A flash of curiosity entered and fled Lilly’s eyes so quickly Sharon wasn’t sure if she imagined it. But if her words made the coach’s wife curious, Sharon appreciated her restraint in expressing it.

  “Well, I’ve got to get to work, but thanks for letting me in. I saw you hanging those clothes and almost didn’t even knock when I realized I was too early.”

  “I’m glad you did. And we’ll take really good care of Kyle. The kids on the team are great, or Jim wouldn’t let them stay. He even makes them get drug tested once a month once the season starts, with the parents’ permission of course.”

  The news had Sharon’s brows raising, but she liked the idea of it a lot. The last thing she wanted was her son exposed to drugs, or even worse, taking them. “Kyle didn’t say anything to me about that, but I have no problem with it at all.”

  “It’s probably because Jim hasn’t had a chance to meet you yet. You’ll be at the game next Friday? I’d love to introduce you to him after the game.”

  Sharon hoped her hesitation didn’t show. “Of course. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  “Great. Do you want us to bring Kyle home tomorrow or do you want our address?”

  Sharon almost admitted that she knew exactly where the huge log cabin was on Lake Road, but she stopped herself just in time. “I’ll come get him. What time do you want me to pick him up?”

  Five minutes later Sharon was speeding towards the house Old Doc had turned into an office long before she’d been born. Her mind raced with the reality that she had accepted a date with Jake for tonight, which she hated to admit thrilled her beyond what was proper, and with the reality that in one week she would have to face one of her biggest fears.

  In seven days she would once again step onto the Legend Dragon’s football field, only this time she wasn’t a seventeen year old wanting to show her stuff while she shook her pompoms. This time she didn’t want anyone to notice she was there.

  Don’t borrow trouble for tomorrow; just enjoy the blessings of today.

  Ms. Addie’s words of wisdom came at her out of the blue, but Sharon wondered if this time, Ms. Addie didn’t know what the heck she was talking about.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Hey! Glad you’re here. I’ve got to run to the hospital. The woman you used to work for was brought in and told the staff to call me since I’m her doctor. I’m having the hospital fax the details over, but I’m going to head on over there and see what’s going on with her since I don’t have any appointments for the next hour.”

  Sharon couldn’t say anything so she only nodded. Jake hurried back to his office and came out with his lab coat hanging over his arm and his black bag clutched in his hand before hurrying to the door. He stopped, looked back at her, and grinned.

  “You sure look nice. I like your hair up like that.” He headed out, leaving Sharon standing there torn between shock and delight.

  When she could move, Sharon hurried to the fax machine, but it remained silent so she forced herself to return to her desk to set up for the day ahead. After logging on to her computer and bringing up all the needed programs, she made her way back to his office but the machine remained the same.

  Her body buzzing with nervous energy and her mind in turmoil, Sharon retrieved the cleaning supplies and dusted Jake’s desk, the numerous bookshelves and book spines, the old water cooler in the corner, and then looked around. Unlike Old Doc’s office she’d seen years ago, Jake had no clutter at all to contend with so she headed back to her desk and sat down.

  Thoughts of disaster and regret filled her head. What if she’d caused her mother to have a heart attack? What if her harsh words and get out of my life attitude were too much for Candy’s frail state of mind? What if her mother being in the hospital was all her fault?

  The bell on the door indicated Jake’s first patient was early. Sharon smiled, but feared it was as shaky as she felt inside. “Good morning. Mr. Cork?”

  The elderly gentleman nodded as he made his way over to stand before her. “Sure am, sweet thing. Where’s that ol’ battle ax that usually fills that chair?”

  Sharon’s brows rose but she couldn’t suppress her smile. “If you’re talking about Mrs. Huff, she’s retired. I’m Sharon. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Nice having a pretty little thing like you to look at while I wait to see the doc. Got me a new girlfriend. Thought I might need a little check-up and some man vitamins. You understand?” He wiggled bushy thick silver brows at Sharon and smiled a nearly toothless grin.

  I certainly hope not.

  Sharon didn’t let her thoughts show as he slowly made his way to the closest chair. She smiled at him, as was her job, but the thought of a bent over old man, who needed a cane just to shuffle his way to his seat, doing anything but going back to his home to nap in a recliner was a picture she had no desire to contemplate.

  “The doctor had to make a quick trip to the hospital. But he should be back shortly.”

  The old man settled himself and nodded. “I got all day. My girl won’t be expecting me till dinner time.”

  Sharon’s smile fell off as he seemed to instantly drift off to sleep, giving her time to wonder if Jake had seen her mother yet, if she was all right, if Sharon would be required to go see her and then everyone would know….

  She couldn’t. Not unless it was absolutely necessary. Candy had no one but herself to blame for her health or the broken relationship with her daughter. Sharon took a steadying breath. It went against her nature to be cruel, but she was done being mistreated.

  The bell on the door rang and Sharon looked up. Jake was hurrying back in. He threw her a smile then looked at Mr. Cork curiously before looking back to her. “My first of the day?”

  Sharon nodded, wanting so badly to question him about her mother but not wanting to seem too anxious. She turned her attention to their sleeping patient. “I think he wants some of those little blue pills.” Sharon grinned. “He has a new girlfriend.”

  Jake smiled. “Good for him, but are you sure he’s breathing?”

  Sharon rose quickly and made her way to check his pulse. The chuckling behind her made her bite her lips to keep from smiling as Mr. Cork instantly awoke. She smiled down at him, and then winked just for the heck of it. Mr. Cork wiggled his brows again as Sharon straightened. She glanced at the prankster, and then smiled even sweeter at the old man. “I’m sure the doctor will be happy to give you a prostate exam, just to make sure everything is as it should be before your date tonight.”

  She turned to Jake and smiled. “Won’t you, Doctor?”

  The look on his face was priceless as Sharon made her way back to the desk, sat down, pulled her nail file out, and made studious work of filing her already neat nails. She glanced up to see Jake helping Mr. Cork to his feet, before he sent her an amused silent warning with his eyes. Sharon sighed long and loud, pretending to be bored, and then turned her attention back to her nails.

  “Oh, Mrs. Gillll-bert?”

  The singsong sound of her name coming from Jake’s lips as he left the foyer didn’t bode well, Sharon was sure, but she matched his tone. “Yesssss, Doctor Jake?”

  Jake’s grin nearly took up his entire face. “Please come help Mr. Cork undress completely for his physical. Have the gown opening at the front please.”

  The file slipped through her fingers and hit the desk as her mouth fell open. Jake’s laughter followed him and his patient all the way into the first examination room. Shaking her head, Sharon rose and headed that way, figuring she deserved that one.

  ****

  “I don’t ever want to see a naked man again for the rest of my life.”

  Jake laughed and held up his hands. “Not f
air. Mr. Cork is close to ninety. We don’t all look that way.”

  Sharon grinned and placed her spoon down beside the empty bowl of egg drop soup. Since she’d gotten to choose the restaurant, and Jake said he loved Chinese cuisine too, they’d left Legend behind and headed to Pigeon Forge. Although the restaurant in Legend was probably just fine, she had no desire to dine in town, and Jake didn’t mind going to one Sharon remembered Ms. Addie taking her to on a trip to Gatlinburg. When they got there, the place she remembered was no longer there, but another one had opened and was turning out to be really good.

  The food wasn’t the only good thing about the trip though. Jake was amazing company. He talked about interesting things, but more importantly he listened to what she had to say. Not just listened, but really listened. Something Gerald had never been willing to do. He laughed at things she thought were funny, and he showed compassion when he spotted a man sitting on the side of the road that held a sign stating his family desperately needed food and he hadn’t been able to find work. Sharon had no idea how much cash Jake took from his wallet and handed out the window. But the man had burst into tears and thanked him profusely before walking away.

  Gerald would have flipped the man off and told him to get lost. Sharon knew this because it had happened once when she’d asked him to stop and let her give just a few dollars in a similar situation. Sharon could remember Gerald’s words as if it were yesterday. “That man makes more money every day than we do. You aren’t giving him a dime.”

  The most ironic thing about his words, Sharon remembered, was that he hadn’t even been making money at the time. Everything that they’d had was from her working two jobs.

  “I think I lost you.”

  Sharon blinked and shook her head. “Thank you.”

  Jake’s head tilted as his brows drew together. “For?”

  “Being you.”