Trusting Drew: Burlap and Barbed Wire

by Shirley Penick

  Lily nodded, but he could see her looking inward. He wondered about the same thing she probably was thinking about. What her parents had been like, during her growing up. Finally, she said, “They were very wise.”

  “I like to think so.” He put her food down in front of her and she didn’t hesitate to eat it, so maybe the talk had helped her forget her anxiety.

  He sat down across from her with his cereal and started shoveling it in.

  “That’s the biggest bowl of cereal I’ve ever seen, you could have cooked yourself something better to eat.”

  Drew shook his head. “No, this is perfect, by the time Alyssa gets here and looks at your feet and we get back to the house, my mother will have prepared a feast. That will be about the same time this wears off.”

  Lily rolled her eyes at him. “That’s enough cereal for three people.”

  He just grinned at her. “I have a high metabolism.” And he went right back to shoveling it into his mouth, while Lily nibbled on toast and cheese.

  When they were finished eating he carried Lily to the couch and set her down on it. He needed to get moving. He suspected Alyssa would be here at any moment and he needed to get the sheets in the dryer and pack up all the food. He really did believe her parents would be knocking on the door any time.

  Alyssa showed up while he was in the laundry room, so he left the women to their tasks and got busy with his own. He could come back later today or tomorrow to get the sheets and towels out of the dryer or send one of the ranch hands out to take care of it.

  Lily watched as Alyssa examined her, from head to toe. “Everything is healing nicely. The knot on your head has shrunk and your forehead scrape is hardly noticeable. Your ankle sprain seems to be fine, no swelling there. Let’s see how your feet are doing, they are going to be the most crucial part for your pageant.”

  Knowing that was true, Lily held her breath as Alyssa removed the bandages. She poked and prodded and then looked up with a big smile. “They are looking a lot better than I had hoped.”

  Lily let out a huge sigh of relief.

  “You should still stay off of them as much as possible, but if we wrap them up well, you should be able to walk to the bathroom.”

  While Lily was glad to hear her feet were healing she also knew she was going to miss having Drew carry her around. She’d felt very special with his arms wrapped around her.

  “Well, at least Drew won’t have to cart me around all the time. That should be a relief.”

  His deep voice spoke from behind her. “On the contrary, carrying you around has been one of the highlights of our cabin-in-the-woods experience.” He walked into the living room with a teasing smile on his face.

  She giggled. “I’ll keep that in mind, if I ever need another personal transportation slave.”

  He laughed with her, but she sensed something from him. Was he disappointed for their time to end, like she was, or was it merely wishful thinking on her part?

  Alyssa was busily bandaging up her feet when Lily’s phone chimed with an incoming text. She read it and then looked up. “Mom says they just got to Granby.”

  Drew nodded. “Just as I thought. We’ve got maybe forty minutes.”

  Alyssa anchored the last part of the wrap and stood. “Well we better get a move on then. Lily, try standing and let me know if you feel any pain or pulling on the stitches.”

  They each took a hand and helped her stand, keeping her hands in theirs to anchor and steady her. “I don’t feel any real pain, some twinges maybe, but nothing I can’t live with.”

  Alyssa smiled. “Excellent, let me get those sneakers I saw in your luggage and see if we can get them on if we let out the laces. They will help protect your feet, too.”

  Drew said, “I’ll get the food out to the truck.”

  “Even if we do get the shoes on her, I’ll want you to carry her to the truck and then into the house. Her shuffling around to use the bathroom or whatever is not the same as walking outside.”

  Drew saluted and went off to gather up what shouldn’t stay in the cabin. They might not need it again for weeks or even longer.

  When Alyssa brought the shoes out, Lily said, “While I get these on, can you go pack up my clothes for me? Drew gave me a trash bag for the dirty ones, but I haven’t worn much more than your sweats.”

  “Of course. I’ll be right back.”

  Lily didn’t want to be weird about it, but Drew packing up her clothes felt too intimate. Especially with that naughty nighty. She was nearly tempted to throw that in the trash, but couldn’t bring herself to do it.

  She unlaced her shoes and then got them on her feet, they were tight, but she figured that was better than nothing at all. The soles would keep her from hurting the cuts down there. She stood up by herself just as Drew came back for another load to take out to the truck Alyssa had driven.

  He said, “Look at you all up and walking in your tennies.”

  “I got them on, they are a little tight but not too bad. They look older than dirt, so I imagine they were stretched out.”

  “Most likely. Where’s Alyssa?”

  Lily ducked her head. “Packing up my clothes.”

  “Perfect, then I think we’re ready to roll.” He yelled out to Alyssa. “Gonna carry Lily out.”

  Alyssa yelled back, “Right behind you.”

  Lily was swooped up into Drew’s arms where she kind of wanted to stay forever. When they got outside Lily looked up at the brilliant blue sky above her. “It’s so blue.”

  “It is, it’s the lack of pollution and atmosphere up here that makes it that color. Plus, the fact you’ve been trapped inside the cabin for days.”

  Lily laughed from pure joy and looked all around. “It’s gorgeous here.”

  Drew had gone still, she looked up at him and saw a flash of something in his eyes, before he covered it with a blank expression. Then he looked around like he’d never been here before. “It’s a great place to live.”

  Alyssa bustled out of the cabin with Lily’s suitcase. “Why are you standing in the yard?”

  “Lily’s been trapped in the cabin, she’s enjoying our blue skies and mountains.”

  “That makes sense, but if we want to get back to the house before her parents arrive we need to go. Lily can look while I drive, get her in the truck.”

  “Yes, commander bossy, as you say.” Drew saluted.

  Lily laughed at their playfulness as Drew settled her into the front seat of an enormous extended cab pickup truck. Drew went off to get his horse and Lily asked. “Is this your truck?”

  “No, it’s Beau’s. I brought some supplies to replenish what Beau’s horse ate, while he was here.” The truck roared to life when Alyssa turned the key and they drove off.

  Lily nodded. “Oh, that makes sense. I noticed Drew refilled the firewood stacks in the cabin, too. And he washed all the sheets and towels and the dishes. He’s very handy.”

  “They all are, everyone knows that being prepared this far out, can be the difference between life and death, for both man and beast, so nobody takes it for granted.”

  “Well other than taking the things out of the dryer I think it’s ready.”

  “Someone will be back out today to finish it up.”

  Lily swallowed. “I’m a little nervous about meeting everyone.”

  Alyssa glanced her way. “You don’t need to be. The Kipling’s are some of the nicest folks on the planet. I don’t know who all will be gathered together to meet you, but it might be the whole crowd. But don’t worry, no one will treat you badly. The family is wonderful and the women the guys are engaged to are great.”

  Alyssa grinned. “One of them, is my best friend, she’s marrying the oldest in January. We’re all going to Hawaii for that, because Rachel, that’s my friend, sold her first photography book for a fortune and has several more commissioned.”

  “That’s amazing. I’ll bet you’re so proud of her.”

  “I am, she’s always been hesitant
to show her work. I dragged her into our town art gallery, at one point, to trick her into letting them see her work. They, of course, immediately put it on display. So, she got over me tricking her pretty quickly.”

  “Yeah, Drew has told me some stories about you.”

  Alyssa looked at her in surprise. So, she relented. “And everyone else too. Since I couldn’t remember anything he kept me entertained with stories of all of you.”

  Alyssa relaxed. “That does make sense. I can’t imagine not remembering anything. Have any memories returned?”

  “Just bits and pieces. I know I have an older sister that’s very bossy. After I remembered that I looked her up on Facebook, her name is Rose. And the family pics I found also have a man in them that looks several years younger, so I assume I have a brother.”

  “Facebook would be handy for things like that, as long as you can sort out who is who.”

  “Yeah, it took me a while. My sister is married with two kids, so I had to dig to see if she really is my sister, but I’m pretty sure she is.”

  Lily was silent for a minute and then blurted out the most confusing part. “I found engagement photos of me and a man named Ronald Duvall. There are hearts and smileys all around it, even from me, but when I saw it I wanted to throw my phone across the room and scream.”

  Alyssa’s eyebrows had risen nearly to her hairline. “That’s not a normal reaction to an engagement photo. I’ve only been married a few months, but I still go all mushy seeing pictures of Beau and myself.”

  “Exactly, so what is it with my violent tendencies?”

  “I have no idea, but I think you can trust it. I don’t suppose we’ll know for sure until your memory returns.”

  Lily sighed and hoped that would happen soon. She was tired of all the unknowns. Tired of all the questions. Tired of trying to guess.

  Alyssa patted her arm. “Don’t worry, it will come back to you.”

  Lily muttered, “I hope you’re right.”

  “Of course, I am. Drew did tell you what a know-it-all I am, right?”

  She turned to watch the woman driving, speculating on what she’d heard. “He told me some pretty funny tales along those lines.”

  Alyssa laughed, and the sound filled the truck. “I’m certain they are all true and not even close to the whole truth. I was quite precocious as a child and I am not the least bit shy as an adult.”

  They pulled up in front of a large house and Lily saw Drew walking out of an even larger barn. “How did he beat us?”

  “He came the direct route. We had to follow the road. Well, we didn’t have to, but I did, so we didn’t bounce all over the place. I don’t see any extra cars or trucks, so I assume your parents haven’t made it yet. Good, let’s get you settled, and you can meet the family, before yours get here.”

  Drew pulled open her door and lifted her into his arms. “Let’s get you inside before your folks show up. We don’t want to worry your mom by her seeing me carry you.”

  Lily hadn’t even thought about that. “Good idea, we don’t need her freaking out… if she does freak out… I’m so tired of not knowing.”

  “Maybe you do know,” he said. “Go with your gut feeling and don’t think about it too hard.”

  Not a bad idea. “In that case hurry, so she doesn’t freak out.”

  He chuckled and carried her right into the house to set her at the huge table filled with people. The only one that looked familiar was Beau who smiled and tipped his head toward her.

  Drew said into the silence that had struck the moment he’d set her down. “Everyone this is Lily Smith. Lily, this is my family. I need to go carry in stuff from the truck, can you all introduce yourself to Lily. Mom, you start.”

  Drew walked out leaving Lily with a whole room full of strangers, but then his mother laughed and said, “Lily, my son is an idiot, but we are very happy to have you in our home. I’m Meg Kipling.”

  Meg Kipling was a pretty woman with laughing eyes and a warm smile. Lily said, “Thank you for having me. Your son has been very helpful and good to me. You did a fine job raising him.”

  An older version of Drew said, “I helped with some of that. I’m Travis Kipling, welcome to our home.”

  The rest of the family introduced themselves and Lily was very glad Drew had talked about each one, so she could keep them all straight. Even the twins, because although they looked alike, their personalities were very different, so it wasn’t hard to tell them apart. Chase was the more serious of the two and Cade was clearly the jokester of the family. She saw some teasing in Grandpa K’s eyes too, although with him being the patriarch of the family she noticed everyone was very respectful toward him.

  When the adults were finished introducing themselves. Little Tony spoke up. He was such a cutie. “I am Tony and I just turned five.” He held up five fingers. “Now that I’m five, I get to go to school and ride the school bus.”

  Lily smiled at the little guy. “Do you like school?”

  Tony shrugged like she’d seen Drew do, with only one shoulder. “Most of the time. I don’t like having to hold hands with a girl when we go to lunch. But my teacher says it’s to keep us all together and make sure everyone is there. I don’t know why the boys can’t walk side by side and the girls too.”

  Lily’s smile had grown as Tony had complained about holding a girl’s hand. She nodded solemnly and said, “Teachers sometimes do strange things.” She looked up and saw identical expressions of restrained mirth on the other faces in the room.

  Drew went over and ruffled Tony’s hair. “Are you still complaining about having to hold Cindy’s hand? You’re going to have to get over that, buddy.”

  “Why? You don’t have to hold some girl’s hand all the time like the rest of the family. Neither does Grandpa K.”

  Grandpa K said quietly, “I would give anything I have, to hold my sweetheart’s hand one more time.” Then he said more forcefully, “And one of these days I think you’ll see Drew holding hands with a girl again.”

  Tony looked at Drew with wide eyes. “Not you too, Uncle D.”

  Drew laughed and ruffled Tony’s hair one more time. “You can never tell Tony, it could happen.”

  Lily was wondering what Grandpa K had meant by saying, again. That Drew would once again, someday, hold a girl’s hand. It was a puzzle. There was a knock on the door and since Drew was still standing he went to answer it.

  When Drew brought the two people into the room Lily said, “Momma, daddy.” She pushed back from the table and her parents enclosed her in hugs.

  Her father’s voice was rough when he said, “Lily-bug, what’s this I hear about you losing your memory?”

  All her memories slid back into place. “Oh daddy, the memories came back when I saw you and mom, and you called me Lily-bug.”

  She heard Drew say, “They did?”

  But she couldn’t respond, she was so glad to have her parents with her and her memories back, she was overwhelmed. She didn’t want to break down in front of all the family, so she pulled back and asked Drew, “Bathroom?”

  “Down the hall, first door on the right.”

  She said to her mom and dad, “Meet the family. I’ll be right back.”

  Her parents nodded, and she hobbled away.

  Chapter 9

  Drew was torn between following Lily and being the host. He looked at Lily’s mom who said, “She’ll be all right, she just needs a minute to calm down. She doesn’t like to cry in front of others.”

  That actually didn’t help much, because he wanted to soothe her, but decided to comply. He sucked in a deep breath and said, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith, this is my family.”

  Lily’s mom stopped him, “Elaine and Howard will be just fine, no need to stand on formalities. You and your family have been taking care of our girl, so that makes you our family, too.”

  “All right. As I said at the door, I’m Drew, and I found Lily and took her to our cabin that was nearby. We have extra cabins to tend to the
animals, in the winter.”

  That statement didn’t seem to raise any questions, so he went on to introduce the rest of the family. Including that Beau and Alyssa had tended to Lily’s injuries. He was a little surprised they hadn’t questioned the fact that they were veterinarians and not doctors. He’d thought they might balk at that. But they didn’t even bat an eye.

  Lily came out of the bathroom; her eyes were red from crying but she had a smile on her face. She looked at him and said, “I remember everything. There is a lot you need to know, but I think the sheriff should hear it too. When is he coming?”

  Travis looked at his watch. “Ten minutes.”

  “Perfect.”

  Elaine said, “Lily, we brought all your things with us.”

  “What things, mom?”

  “Well, some of your regular clothes, and some of your ‘Ronald clothes’, and everything you might need for the pageant. We didn’t know what to bring, so we brought it all.”

  Drew wondered what the hell ‘Ronald clothes’ meant.

  Lily made a rude noise. “The Ronald clothes can be burned, as far as I’m concerned, that is over with a capital O. The rat fink lying… bastard.”

  Drew noticed Howard and Elaine exchange a glance and then Howard sat back in the chair he’d taken and folded his arms like he was perfectly pleased with that statement. Drew had not heard Lily utter a swear word, even through her entire ordeal, so he knew her statement was a big deal.

  Lily’s mom glanced at her hand. “Where’s the ring?”

  Lily said with clenched teeth, “He took it back.”

  Elaine nodded. “It didn’t fit your hand anyway. It was too big and ostentatious.”

  That got a giggle out of Lily. “It was hideous, wasn’t it?”

  “I didn’t want to say anything, but yes, it did not suit you at all. It did suit Ronald. But then I never really felt like you and he meshed.”

  Lily sighed. “We didn’t. If he hadn’t given me the full court press, I would have never picked him. But he was persistent and I… well I gave in. And now I know why.”