by Jill Sanders
“You’re still loopy, aren’t you?”
He nodded, and tried to pick up his spoon. On the second try, he got it. “I hate those drugs. I told the doctor they did funny things to me.” It took him a few tries to finally get a spoonful of liquid.
She took his hand before he spilled the entire spoonful all over himself. “Here, let me help you.”
He looked up and smiled at her. “You are so beautiful. You taste so wonderful, too.”
She chuckled at that. “Thanks, I think.” She scooped a spoonful into his mouth and watched his eyes close.
“Mmmm, I can’t believe how good this is. Almost as good as licking you from head to toe.” He smiled.
She laughed. “You are incorrigible.”
“As long as I’m around you, I am.” He took another bite she offered.
“Here, have some bread.”
He took the bread from her and nibbled on it.
“I don’t want you to leave me.” He frowned. “Please say you’ll stay.”
She thought about it, and after seeing what the pills were doing to him, doubted he could be left alone anytime soon. It didn’t mean that she was going to sleep in his bed, but she wasn’t going to leave him alone.
“Yes, I’ll stay tonight.”
She shook his head. “Stay.” He reached across the table and took her hand. “Please. Don’t leave.”
She nodded. “Yes.”
He smiled. “Good, I have big plans you know.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Oh?”
“Yes, but I can’t tell you yet. Soon.” He took another bite of his bread. “Soon.”
After she’d fed him half a bowl of soup and a full roll of bread, she helped him walk back to his bed, where he fell back and dropped quickly asleep.
She had to push his legs up on the bed, carefully. He was wearing shorts, something he never really wore. His left leg had a white bandage wrapped around his thigh. She itched to see what was going on underneath it, but knew that it needed to heal first.
There was a smaller bandage on his right upper thigh. Pulling it back gently, she saw the small incision where they had, most likely, removed a small section of his vein to fix his other leg. She didn’t know much about the procedure and decided to step outside and call Chase to see if he knew anything more about it.
Chase informed her that it was a pretty standard surgery. Depending on the extent of the damage, he would most likely be off his feet for a few weeks. But after recovering, he would notice an increase in color and strength in that leg. There were high chances of it healing quickly and minimal risks now that the surgery was over.
He told her that if she had any problems, to let him know and he could be there quickly.
After assuring him that she’d keep Wes off his feet for the next few days, she hung up, wondering what she was going to do now.
She ended up snuggling down on his couch and watching an old movie. She even made popcorn and drank some of the wine that was left over from their dinner last week.
She must have fallen asleep, but she jolted awake when she heard Wes screaming. Rushing to his room, she saw him sitting straight up in bed, his eyes wide. His hands were flailing about, and when she flipped on the lights, she could see that he was still trapped in the nightmare.
“Wes!” she called out over and over as she tried to calm him down, holding him still so he wouldn’t hurt himself or her.
He kept screaming until she softly touched his face. “Wes.” Tears were streaming down her face. “Please wake up.”
She pulled him close as he went still.
“Haley?” She felt his arms wrap around her. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m so sorry. I love you so much. I can’t believe I ever walked away from you. Please be real.” He said it over and over again, until she leaned up and kissed him on the lips.
“I’m real. I am real. I’m right here.”
“Don’t go away. Please don’t ever leave me.” He pulled her closer as they fell back onto the bed. She lay next to him, outside the covers, until she felt his breathing slow.
She knew he was asleep again and wished that she could go with him. But her mind was whirling as he held her tight. Even in sleep, he refused to let her go. His arms were wrapped around her, keeping her warm in the cool night air.
She thought of all the times they had been together physically and when she finally fell asleep, she dreamed of the first time they had made love.
When she woke, he wasn’t in the bed. She was wrapped in the blanket. She’d removed her shoes in the living room, so her socked feet were starting to get hot as the sun streamed into the window and landed on the end of the bed.
Kicking off the blankets, she sat up and looked around. Seeing that his cane was no longer leaning against the wall by his bed, she smiled. At least he’d used it.
Walking towards the bathroom, she heard him splashing around in the sink.
“I hope you aren’t drowning in there,” she called out.
“Nope, but you can come in and watch, just in case,” he called out.
She laughed. “How about I start some breakfast. When you’re washed up, call me and I’ll help you walk in.”
“Okay, I’ll be just a few more minutes.”
She walked into the kitchen, stretching her arms over her head as she went. She felt like making blueberry pancakes, but doubted he had any fresh fruit around. Opening the freezer, she smiled when she saw the large bag of frozen blueberries.
By the time he walked in, minus the cane, she had a batch of blueberry pancakes, scrambled eggs, and turkey sausage cooked up.
She had made a pitcher of orange juice and was sipping some coffee as she set the table.
“Mmm, smells great.” She could see that his eyes were clearer and even though she saw pain in his face, she decided to let him judge if he needed more pills today.
“How are you feeling?”
“Great, and before you ask, no, I don’t want any more pills.” He smiled as he sat down. She saw him cringe a little, but he recovered quickly. When he looked up at her again, he smiled like nothing had happened.
“I’ll trust you, so long as you let Chase swing by today.”
“Chase?” He laughed. “Now I’m seeing a vet, too.”
She chuckled. “I trust him completely with all my animals.” She set a full plate in front of him. “Now eat up.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He smiled as he scooped up a spoonful of eggs.
Five days later, Wes stood next to a horse that was all saddled up as Lauren, Alex, and Haley glared down at him.
“No,” all three of them said at the same time.
“But—” he started, only to be interrupted by the word again. “Chase said—” he started, but they repeated their refusal. “Really?” He tossed down the reins, almost feeling like a child.
The horse, for his part, started walking towards the barn again. Wes stopped the old guy several times, but each time he was confronted by the wall that was the West sisters.
He was so tired of being cooped up in the house; he just wanted to go for a ride. Chase had told him he could go if he rode Dash, didn’t go faster than a slow walk, and stayed in the front field.
But so far, the sisters refused to listen to their vet. He bet that even if he had a signed note from his human doctor, they wouldn’t let him on a horse for another week.
He crossed his arms over his chest. “When?”
Haley hopped down from the black horse she was on and walked over to him. Taking him by the shoulders, she started walking towards the back deck. She smiled and said softly, “Next week you have a doctor’s appointment on Monday. If he clears you, then we can go for a long, slow ride.”
Images flooded his mind: Haley wrapping her long legs around his hips, her hat and boots still on, with nothing else.
“Earth to Wes?” Haley said, laughing. “Where did you go just then?”
He smiled. “Where do you think?” he said, pulling her into the shad
e of a large oak. Here the shade was thick and the breeze was cool. He pulled her up against the large tree trunk and kissed her slowly.
“I see you’re feeling better.” She smiled as she rubbed her hip against the bulge in his jeans.
“Never better. Stop by tonight and—”
“Haley! Help!” Alex screamed from across the yard.
Haley looked over just in time to see Lauren start to slide off her horse, just a few feet away. Wes rushed as fast as he could, but he was too late to catch her sister before she hit the ground. Haley had made it in time to be knocked down by her bigger sister.
“What the—?” He rushed over just as Chase came riding up. Chase’s feet hit the ground before his horse stopped.
“Damn it! I told her not to get on a horse today.” He rushed over and took his wife into his arms. Looking up to Alex, he said, “Water. Now!”
By the time Alex came back with a large glass of water, Lauren was already sitting up, apologizing.
“What the hell is wrong?” Alex blurted out. “She can’t be pregnant. She barfs, not faints.”
Chase laughed. “Well, this time she faints.”
“What?” Haley and Alex said at the same time. “Wait. What!”
Chase smiled up at his two sisters-in-law and nodded. “Looks like the cat’s out of the bag now. I told her not to ride today. Him on the other hand, I told could ride.” He nodded towards Wes.
Wes smiled and nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. Then worry filled his mind. “Is she okay?”
Lauren nodded. “Just bruised my pride. I haven’t fallen off a horse since I was ten.”
“It could be twins,” Haley put in with a smile. Lauren glared at her from her spot in the dirt. It was a running joke with her and her sisters. Twins ran in the family, and she knew it was just a matter of hitting the winning ticket. Maybe that's why Lauren was fainting now instead?
“That’s it for today,” Chase said, picking Lauren up before she could stand. “You are on bed rest until these spells stop.” He started walking towards the house as Lauren wrapped her arms around his neck. He looked over his shoulder. “Since we’re short two people, hop on Dash and take it easy,” he told Wes.
By the end of the workday, Wes was wondering why he’d wanted to get on a horse so soon after surgery in the first place.
His thighs hurt at his incision points. Hell, even his groin was pounding like a mother. He knew he was going to be covered in bruises by tomorrow morning. When he hobbled back into his place, he threw a large bag of frozen peas on his crotch and watched the news from the couch.
He wished for a beer, but he’d forgotten to grab one on his way to the couch. When he felt himself nodding off, he walked into the kitchen, grabbed a fresh bag of peas, and fell into bed.
That night he dreamed of dark-haired babies with green eyes and his chin. He dreamed of a large spread filled with animals and children. The next morning, he was half showered before he realized the nightmare hadn’t come last night.
For the first time in a year, he’d slept the whole night through without remembering, and it was all because of what he wanted for his future. Now he just needed to secure that future and persuade Haley to go along for the ride.
He spent the morning on the phone, trying to move his loan process ahead. The VA had approved the place he’d picked, but it seemed he needed more paperwork for the bank to guarantee the loan.
It was around noon when he drove away from his folks’ place, a folder of needed paperwork next to him on the seat. He decided to swing by Mama’s for some lunch and smiled when he saw Haley’s car parked out front.
When he walked in, he saw her sitting in a back booth, a book pulled up close to her face. Waving at Alex as he walked by, he sat across from Haley and smiled when she looked up at him.
“How’s it going?” He tilted his head and looked at the title of the book and the half-naked couple embracing on the cover. “Since when did you start reading these?” He plucked the book from her hands and glanced at the text. His eyebrows shot up and a smile crossed his face. When he looked back at Haley, he could see that her cheeks had turned a little pink.
She shrugged her shoulders and smiled a little. “Since you left.”
“Hmmm, I wish they had these overseas.” He laughed and set the book down just as Haley’s food was delivered.
“What can I get you?” Alex asked.
He looked at what Haley had. The large turkey sandwich, complete with home fries and white gravy made his stomach growl loudly. “That looks great. I’ll have the same.”
“How are you feeling today?” Haley asked once her sister was gone.
“A little sore, but I’ll survive.” He handed the book back to her and leaned forward. “How about you swing by later tonight and we’ll try . . .” He tapped the book and winked. He was pleased to see her face flush even more.
“I can’t tonight.” She looked down at their joined hands. “I’m babysitting Ricky. Lauren and Chase are having date night.”
He smiled. “Well, how about I come over and keep you company?”
She looked at him. “There will be a two-year-old in the house.”
He chuckled. “I can control my urges around the kid. It’ll be fun.”
She shook her head and smiled, “If you want to hang out with a two-year-old. I warn you, there will be Scooby Doo playing on the TV, toys all over the floor, and . . .” She smiled. “Peanut butter and jelly for dinner.”
“Sounds wonderful.” He squeezed her hand, meaning it.
After lunch, he excused himself and left Haley in the diner. He walked across the street to the bank so he could hand deliver the paperwork they needed for his loan. When he walked through the glass doors, he inwardly groaned when he spotted Savannah standing in the short line.
When she saw him, her eyes lit up and she straightened her back so her breasts stuck out even more. She was wearing a red and white sundress that showcased what most men thought of as her best assets. Her red heels made them stand almost eye-to-eye. When he stepped closer to her, her rich perfume hit him full force. If he hadn’t prepared for it, he would have coughed. He nodded as he walked up next to her to wait his turn to be helped.
“Well, what brings you into the bank today?” She grabbed his arm and ran her hand up and down his bicep.
“Paperwork.” He held up the folder.
Her eyebrows shot up. “Oh, let me guess. For a loan”—her eyes got narrow—“for a new truck?”
He looked out the glass doors at his old truck and thought about getting a new one, but that would have to wait for a while. He shook his head.
He hated telling her, knowing that if he did, it would be all over town before nightfall that he was buying a house. So, he remained silent.
“Aren’t you the secretive one?” She turned and frowned when she realized she was next in line. She let go of his arm when she was called up to the cashier. He thought he heard her sigh, but he tried to ignore the sound.
He waited for her to finish making a deposit, then groaned again when he realized she wasn’t going to leave the small bank until he was done with his transaction. He walked up to Steven, the clerk, and nodded.
“Hey, Steve. Betty needed this paperwork from me.”
“Hi, Wes. Betty stepped out for lunch. Would you like to wait for her?”
He shook his head, imagining sitting in the bank with Savannah to keep him company. “No, that’s okay. If you can just give her this folder, I’ll come back tomorrow and pick them back up.”
“Okay.” Steve took the folder. “I hear you’re close to getting the old place on Bond Drive.” Steve shook his head. “That old place still standing?”
Wes laughed. “Barely. I plan on tearing it down. Got a new double wide from the VA that’s going to take its place, at least until I can build something of my own.”
Steve whistled. “Joan and I finished our place last year.” He shook his head. “Lot of work and money.”
<
br /> Wes laughed. “I bet. I drove by your place the other day. You’ll have to give me the guy’s name who did all the stone work for you.”
Steve smiled. “My brother-in-law, Gary. Hang on, I’ll write down his number for you.”
Wes stood there, leaning against the counter, while Steve rushed to the back. He could feel Savannah’s eyes on his back, but jolted when her hand came to rest on his arm again.
“Why, shame on you, Wes.” She rubbed her breast up against his arm. “Keeping a secret like that from me. You should take me up to the place sometime, show me around,” she purred.
He was thankful when Steve came back, a card in his hand, and he didn’t have to reply.
“Here. Bobby works for a company in Tyler, but if you mention my name, he’ll do the work under the table.”
“Thanks.” Wes nodded and took the card.
“I’ll make sure Betty gets this paperwork.” Steve took up the folder. “Take care.”
Wes stepped aside and tried to get past Savannah, but she just wrapped her arm in his and walked with him out of the bank, chatting about wanting to see the place on Bond Drive.
Chapter Nine
Haley glanced up from her book and was shocked to see Wes walking out of the bank with Savannah on his arm. She laughed when she saw the uncomfortable look on his face.
“What’s so funny?” Alex walked up and looked out the window. “Well, I never.” Her sister sat across from her.
“Look at his face,” Haley said, between laughs.
Alex started laughing. “He looks like he’d rather have his toe nails pulled out slowly than be standing next to her.”
They both watched as Savannah rubbed her large breast against his arm. No doubt she was purring and enjoying it all.
“You better go save him before he has a stroke right there on Main Street,” Alex said, giggling.
Haley tucked her book into her bag and stood up. “I suppose so.” She shook her head. “Don’t you find it wonderful that we’ve all found men that are impervious to Savannah Douglas?”