by Tina Gayle
“Who asked for your help?” he demanded bitterly.
Unable to deal with his anger, she closed her eyes against the pain in her wrist and the fury in his eyes.
“I can take care of my own.” He continued to spit comments in her face. Unable to find an answer with her mind confused and afraid, Jillian started to panic. “Deeeerekkkk!”
The hot, stale breath rushing past her face caused her to open her eyes. A shocked look crossed Martin York’s face before he released her. Free, she stumbled back, grabbing for the counter to regain her balance.
In silent horror, she watched as Derek caught Martin York by the arm, turned him around, then slowly and methodically started to beat the man senseless.
The scene before her eyes blurred in Jillian’s mind like a B-grade movie. Derek swung a fist at Martin’s face. The man took the punch then stumbled a little. A wild fist swung back at her husband, missing its mark. Derek landed a blow to Martin’s stomach. The man collapsed to his knees, out of breath.
Jillian stared at Martin slumped on the floor, glancing up at Derek, she noticed the cold rage in his eyes. Before he could hit Martin again, she dashed around the counter.
“Derek, he’s drunk.”
She rushed into his arms, afraid that if she didn’t reach him, she’d shatter into a million pieces. His arms circled her, and she hugged him close, unwilling to let go. He was the only thing that had saved her from Martin’s anger. “I was so afraid.”
Derek words sounded in her ear but fear still raced through her. “It’s okay, Jillian. I’ve got you.”
She couldn’t stop the tears from coming or her body from trembling in delayed reaction. “He could have hurt me.”
“Jillian, he won't hurt you.”
She leaned back in his arms. “He didn’t hurt you did he?”
He shook his head. “No, I’m fine.”
“Just wait until I catch my breath, you bastard. Then I’ll make you pay,” Martin muttered from the floor and she felt his hand on her leg.
She jumped.
Derek drew her away from the threat. “I don’t think so.”
“She had no right butting into my family’s business,” Martin hissed.
“And how, may I ask, did she do that?” Derek pulled her farther away from the man on the floor.
“She’s trying to fill my daughter’s head with ideas of giving up my grandchild to your brother for some measly job. Don’t tell me they’re doing it out of the goodness of their heart. They want my daughter’s baby.” Martin stumbled to his feet.
“You’re right,” Derek answered calmly. He held Jillian tight to his side.
Surprised at his admission, Martin stared at him in shock. “You’re damned right, I’m right.”
“But isn't that your daughter’s decision to make? Shouldn't she get to decide to whether or not she wants to keep her baby?”
“What the hell does she know?” Martin answered bitterly.
“Well, personally, I think she’s making a good decision to leave town, with your having another child still in school here.”
Jillian could feel the muscles in Derek’s arm bunch. He held her but she knew if Martin shifted any closer to them, her husband wouldn't hesitate to deck the man again.
“What the hell difference does that make?”
“Well, you know as well as we do the way this town talks. Maybe Susan doesn’t want her brother to pay for her sins.”
“He would support his sister. After all, we’re family.”
“But why put him through that if she doesn’t have to?” Derek stated the facts. “Susan hasn’t agreed to let Jason and Kelly adopt her baby. She’s just agreed to be their maid.”
“But if she”—Martin pointed to Jillian—“kept her nose out of our business. Susan would come home and we could take care of her.”
“You know that’s not true. Susan was going off to school anyway. All I did was help her find a job, and give her an option,” she responded in kind.
“But that isn’t your responsibility, it’s mine,” Martin shouted.
“Then what are you doing here? If you’re so worried about Susan, why are taking your anger out on Jillian? Seems like you should be home talking to your daughter.”
Martin stared at them then collapsed, burying his head in his hands.
Jillian bent to console him but Derek held her back. He didn’t let her step any closer to Martin. She looked up into her husband's face, but he shook his head at the question in her eyes. “Jillian, why don’t you go call John Paul to come get his father?”
She didn’t argue, but nodded and turned.
****
Derek waited until she was out of earshot.
“She won’t talk to you. Will she?” He laid his hand on Martin’s shoulder.
“No.”
“Can’t say I blame her, seeing that temper you have.” Derek helped Martin to his feet.
“How could this have happened? Susan is a good girl.”
“It happens to the best of families.”
“Well, not to mine. She won’t even tell me who the father is. But I have a good idea.” Anger lit Martin’s eyes.
Derek could see the idea of revenge enter Martin’s mind. “Beating the boy to a pulp won’t change the situation. Just ask John Paul. He already tried it.”
Surprised by that answer, Martin responded. “Really? I wondered where he got that black eye.”
“Look, Martin, you have to settle down. Susan has managed to keep her pregnancy quiet so far. But if you go around town beating people up, it’s going to get out,” Derek stated in a quiet tone.
“So what am I supposed to do?” Martin stumbled to the counter, leaning heavily against it.
“Why don’t you try talking to her? She knows what she wants to do. Listen.”
“What if what she wants to do isn’t what I want her to do?”
Derek shrugged. “Then you have to make a choice. Support her decisions or lose her altogether.”
“I don’t want to lose my grandchild.” Martin shook his head in disgust.
“That isn’t for you to decide.”
Martin grimaced. “You know Derek, I’d love to beat the crap out of you, but unfortunately, you’re right. Susan’s here for the holiday weekend. I’ve got to get home and talk to my daughter.”
Martin turned for the door. Jillian called out to him on her way down the aisle. “Wait a few minutes, Martin. John Paul is on his way over to pick you up.”
“I’ll wait outside. I have some thinking to do and you want to close up.” Martin shut the door and walked over to his truck.
Derek followed him to the door and locked it behind him. Then he turned and took a good look at his wife. Standing in the middle of the aisle, she worked her fingers back and forth over her left wrist, as if she was nervous.
He strolled to her, and glanced down at her hand, examining the bruises, before running a light finger over the dark marks. “Does it hurt?”
When she didn’t answer, he glanced up and found tears. “He didn’t mean to hurt me. He was just upset.”
Angered by the bruises and the danger she had put herself in, Derek answered harshly. “He sure as hell meant to hurt you. If I hadn’t been here, he would have too.”
Upset by the tone of his voice and the reality of his words, Jillian whispered, “I guess you’re right.” Without looking at him, she pulled her hand from his grip, walked over to cash register, and started closing it out for the day. She slowly worked through the steps of the process.
He tugged her away from the register. “I’ll do this. You head back to the office and see if you can find some ice for that wrist.”
She sent him a quick glance, before she turned and strolled to the office. Her lost and frightened whisper hit him as she hurried down the aisle. “Thanks for coming to my rescue.”
“Wait.” He jammed the receipts in the moneybag, and raced off after her. His arms slid around her shoulders when he stepped bes
ide her. She melted into him and he wrapped his body around her, absorbing the shudders that ran through her.
“I was so scared. I didn’t know what to do.” Her words echoed against his chest.
“I know, Jillian.” He wanted so badly to comfort her. “I could have killed him when I saw him with his hands on you.” He gathered her up in his arms.
How would he ever be able to live with the sheer panic that had consumed him when she had called his name? No thought had registered, his mind had blanked and he reacted.
Luckily, she had stopped him from getting carried away. Otherwise, Martin would be in a lot worse shape right now. Derek had been too concerned for her welfare to continue the battle. She was his world and he’d brought her through safely. A misty patch in his head cleared.
Jillian holding tight to his neck, whispered in his ear. “Can we go home now?”
He carried the receipt bag with them as he headed out the back door. After storing her safely in the car, he hurried to the door to lock up. The hot September weather caught his attention and he wondered if it was causing all the short tempers; first Jillian yesterday and now Martin today.
He preferred a different kind of heat. A smile creased his face as he turned back to the car.
Chapter Eighteen
“Derek, we need to run by the store. I forgot to bring home the goodie bags for the parade today.” Jillian hurried in from the living room.
“No problem, we can run by there on the way to the school.” He had been watching her rush around all morning. She hadn’t stood still for a moment, changing clothes three times since she’d gotten up. For now, she wore a bright yellow sundress with her hair pulled up into a ponytail with a ribbon. She looked about sixteen.
She glanced at her watch. “Then we better get going. The parade starts in less than an hour.” She turned and headed back the way she had just come.
Derek closed the dishwasher, and started around the counter. “Does she always get this excited about a parade?” he asked Michael, who was finishing his breakfast at the table.
“Yes, she’s been this way for years. That’s why Daddy let her ride in it, to get her out of his hair.” Michael said quietly so that she couldn’t hear.
Jillian eyed her brother suspiciously, when she returned to the kitchen. “Don’t believe anything he might have said. He doesn’t have a clue.”
“Right. She’s the brains of the family.”
“I'm glad you finally agree.” She turned to Derek. “I’ve been telling him that for years.”
“Yeah, right,” Michael grumbled then stood.
“See, he even agrees.” She waited by the door, and ushered them through it. “We need to get going if we are going to pick up the goodie bags, drop them and you off at the school, and then find a place to watch the parade.” She rushed past them and headed for her car. “Come on, guys, get a move on.”
Derek headed for the truck in the driveway. “Jillian, let’s take the truck.” He waited for her and helped her into cab on the driver’s side. He climbed in after her. “I’ll drive.”
Everyone buckled in. He backed the truck out of the drive while his wife wiggled impatiently beside him. He laid a hand on her thigh.
“What time is this party over?” Michael asked as they pulled from the driveway.
“The parade should be done around noon. Derek and I are going to try to find a place near the beginning of the route. That way we can head home and get lunch ready. Karen Ann is will bring you home and stay for lunch. Then we’ll all head over to the park together around one.”
“Should have known you’d have it all planned out.” Michael shook his head.
“Well, someone had to.”
Her brother slid his arm around her shoulders. “But you do it so well.” He continued his teasing. “Does she plan when, where, and how you’re going to have sex, Derek?”
“Michael!” Jillian pointed her finger at him. “And don’t you even think about answering him.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Derek nodded as he watched the traffic on Highway 80 go by.
Michael burst into laughter. “I knew it.”
Jillian hit Michael then turned on Derek. “Fine, if you don’t like it you can get yourself someone else.”
He watched her cross her hands over her stomach, refusing to look at either of them. After he pulled the truck behind the store and parked, he waited for Michael to get out, then whispered, “You know we were only teasing.”
He could see her searching his eyes for an answer. Surely she didn’t think he wanted anyone else but her. She pushed at his chest. “We’d better go get those baggies. We’re already running behind as it is.”
Once inside Derek located the box and handed it to his brother-in-law. “Better get that out to the truck.” With his hands on her waist, he pulled Jillian close for a quick kiss before leaving the office. “Are you still mad?”
She walked back to the truck and tossed a look over her shoulder. “No.”
“Good.” He didn’t want her upset with him.
She slid in cab beside her brother. “So Michael, how’s it going with Karen Ann? You two have been dating for quite a while now. Is it anything serious?”
“Well, it could be,” Michael answered.
“Really?” Jillian’s tone registered surprise.
“Yes, it could be, if it wasn’t for this one little thing.”
“And what’s that?”
“She has this real nosy friend that keeps butting into our affairs,” Michael teased.
Jillian covered the bandage on her wrist with her other hand and shifted closer to Derek. He knew the comment had hit a little too close to home. He slid his arm around her before changing the subject to cover her hurt. “We should be at the school in a minute. Where are we supposed to find Karen Ann?”
“It’s not that big of an area. Everyone meets in the parking lot. Usually, she tries to park away from everyone else.” She pointed to the far end of the parking lot. “There she is.”
****
Excited to see the horses, Jillian headed straight for her friend as soon as Derek stopped the truck. “Well, hello there, Blondie.” Jillian called the horse by its name and held out her hand. She tried not to listen to Karen Ann and Michael’s conversation, but she caught their quiet words.
“When did you get here?” Karen Ann whispered to Michael.
He hesitated then answered in a low voice. “I got in around eight. I had breakfast with Jillian and Derek before they brought me over.”
“You could’ve come in last night.” Karen Ann’s voice sounded hurt.
Jillian elected to interrupt them before Michael dug himself into a deeper hole. “What other horses did you bring?”
“There’s Stud, who’s over there by the trailer, and Buttercup with John Paul. He went on ahead to get us a place in line,” Karen Ann answered, moving away from Michael.
“Great, we bought the baggies along. Where do you want to put them?” Jillian asked as Derek bought up the box.
“I thought we would could put them in plastic sacks and hang them on the saddle horns. It will make them easier to hand out. I have some sacks over by the trailer.” Karen Ann led the way.
Jillian handed the small packages to Karen Ann while she filled the sacks with the goodie bags. “I’ll take two and give one to John Paul when we catch up with him.”
“What about your car? Who’s going to drive it to the end of the parade?” Derek questioned.
“My cousin will take care of it.” Karen Ann pointed to a guy saddling another horse.
“Which horse do I get to ride?” Michael asked.
“Take your pick,” Karen Ann answered. “Both are pretty well behaved.”
Jillian eyed the saddle, wishing she could ride. Derek slid his arm around her shoulders. “Well, we better get going. We still need to find a place to watch the parade.”
With her hand in his, she walked back toward the truck.
; ****
“Anyone want any more chips?” Jillian stood to clear the table.
“No, but I’ll have some more of that frog’s eye salad.” Michael dished up another helping of the pasta fruit salad.
“What time does the game start?” Karen Ann asked.
Derek responded. “Somewhere around two is what it says on the information note.”
“Then why do we need to get there so early.” Michael shifted in his seat and laid down his fork.
“The picnic is supposes to go on between twelve and two. I thought we might like a chance to mingle before the game.” Jillian slid each plate into its assigned spot in the dishwasher.
“I have no desire to mingle. There isn’t anyone in this town I care to see that I haven’t already seen.” Michael cleared his plate and handed it to his sister.
“That’s fine for you. But I care about the people in this town and I enjoy visiting with them now and again.” Jillian drew out the top rack.
“Fine. You guys head on over and I’ll join you later.” Michael strolled into the living room. Derek followed behind him.
“But Michael!”
“Give it up, Jillian. He’s not interested in the comings and goings of this small town.” Karen Ann laid a hand on Jillian’s arm.
“But he grew up here. He should care what’s going on”
“But he doesn’t. Let it go. Just be glad he comes back to visit you.”
“I guess you’re right. But I don’t understand it.” She arranged the last dish in the dishwasher. “Do you want to go or are you going to stay here with him?”
Karen Ann glanced toward the living room. “I’d rather stay here with Michael. You and Derek go on and have fun. We’ll see you in a little while.”
Jillian laid a hand on her friend’s shoulder. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, you go ahead.” Karen Ann walked with Jillian around the counter.
“Okay. You ready to go, Derek. It seems these two don’t want to leave yet.”
He joined her at the back door and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “See you guys later.”
“Make sure to lock up.” She followed Derek out the door.