Chapter 10
I fall in love with you more and more every day. Except yesterday. Yesterday you were pretty annoying.
E-card Valentine
Jack
“Don’t you think that you’re over doing it a little?” I asked Winter.
“Fuck off.” She sneered and turned her back to me in bed.
I was standing on the side of the bed, completely dressed, waiting for her to get her ass up so I could leave. She had work in less than an hour, and with the way she was going, she’d surely be late. She also couldn’t afford to be late or she’d lose her job.
“You’re just being stubborn. It’s not the end of the world.” I said with barely restrained patience.
She turned over in a flurry and was on her knees poking me in the chest in the next heartbeat. Her curly red hair was flying around her in a mass of wild tangles. Her brown eyes were hard and unrelenting. Her nose did that cute little thing when she got pissed, all scrunched up and coming to a point. Hell, even her lip was slightly curled in a snarl.
“You listen here, Jackopa Shit-Head Stoker, I don’t even freaking understand why I was bumped down. I don’t drive the fucking ambulance; I ride in the back, working on patients. Basics drive. I’m a paramedic. There’s a big difference between the two. They had no freaking reason to be doing it either. I was at a goddamn funeral for fuck’s sake. It was five freaking days. Big freaking deal that I missed a shift.”
Each sentence was emphasized by a poke in my chest. Her nail was making little half-moon marks and I tried valiantly to withhold the smile that was threatening to break through. Sadly, it wasn’t meant to be, and I lost the battle.
“What’re you smiling at, Jackopa?” She sneered.
I held my hands up in a placating gesture, but it did no good. She was off ranting and raving about how awful men were. How they were put on this planet only to torture poor defenseless women. How she hated her job and wanted something she would love instead. Then she started on how I forgot to pick my boxers up off the bathroom floor.
Not that I was going to tell her that she was the one who’d worn them the night before. Especially since I didn’t wear boxers.
“What, are you on your rag or something?” The statement sprung like a tripwire in the middle of the room and she turned around slowly, mouth agape. I winced. What the fuck I’d been thinking, I didn’t know. It’d just popped out.
“As a matter of fact, yes, I am.” She said sweetly, closing the bathroom door with a soft click.
Then she ruined the delicate answer when she threw something heavy against the bathroom door, shattering it in, most likely, a million pieces. Walking to the closet, I thought about what was in there that would have broken, and then remembered the roses I’d bought her on the way home.
Tyler was notorious for their ‘Tyler Roses’ and I bought them for her because she’d said she loved roses. Seeing the next vendor on the side of the exit, I’d stopped and grabbed a dozen before getting back on the road. Tai had given me shit for being such a sap, but I’d do just about anything to put that smile on her face. Which is why I planned to buy her some every chance I got.
Grabbing her flip-flops from the bottom of the closet, I opened the door carefully to see her in the shower. Tossing the foam flip-flops over the top, they landed with a slap in the tub, and I turned around to leave the room. Glass crunched underneath my feet, and I sighed as I headed for the vacuum.
Clean up took ten minutes and not once did she say a word to me. Not that I could really blame her. I knew better than to comment on a woman’s time of the month. Next time, I would try not to lose my composure.
It clearly wasn’t worth it. I’d be lucky to have her speak to me for the next three days.
I made her a cup of coffee and placed it on the bathroom counter before I left. I’d just made it to the front of the shop when a black Ford truck pulled into the opened gate of Free. Sam started to stand before I waved him off and went to the open bay door to wait.
It didn’t take long before an older man in his late forties or early fifties stepped out and ambled his way up to me. He looked good for his age. Extremely fit. His eyes were ancient though. As if he’d seen everything and more in his life. Walking up to me, he stopped short and held out his hand for me to shake.
“Allen Shepherd.” He said.
I pumped his hand two times before letting go. “Jack Stoker.”
Allen’s smile turned brighter as he heard my name. “You’re Winter Stoker’s…”
I smiled at the gently veiled question. It was also most assuredly a demand. “Husband.”
His eyebrows raised in question. “Kinda young to be married, aren’t you?”
My mouth quirked up at the side. “I’m twenty eight. Winter’s twenty-six. Although, we have been married for seven years now.”
“Young love. That’s how I met my Linnie. You know who I am, I’m guessing?” He asked while surveying the garage.
“Yeah. She told me about you. You feeling better?” I asked in concern.
He looked to be in better shape than most twenty year olds. Consequently, it was a surprise to me that a heart attack could bring someone of his caliber down so low.
He grinned. “They have me on some heart medicine now that I can’t even spell. I’ve been told that I need to be on a better diet. My wife threw away all my potato chips and bought me this baked shit. She even shows up at the firehouse and steals all the contraband. Not that I need to tell you how women can be. Seven years is more than enough time to see their controlling side.”
I smiled, but something pinched in my chest. I’d missed a lot with her; I’d give my left arm to be able to have those years back. “You need a mechanic?” I asked, eyeing his old Ford.
“No. The thing runs like a top. I’m looking for your wife.”
The snort escaped me before I could hold it back. “She’s probably still in bed sulking like a spoiled rotten brat.”
The high pitch squeal from behind me had me hunching my shoulders and planting my feet. Seconds later, one hundred and forty pounds of crazy red-headed woman hit my back and tried her best to tickle me. Although it was useless, I let her think she was winning, and then took her over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
“Take it back, butthead!” She babbled, while trying to shove her hands down the front of my pants.
Restraining her hands, I turned her so she could see the visitor she’d obviously missed, otherwise she wouldn’t be jacking around right now. “You have a guest, Winter!” I said brightly.
All squirming stopped, and she hung limply for a few moments before springing up off my shoulder and smoothing her uniform shirt down. “Mr. Allen! How are you?”
His smile was already in place, but at her greeting, it got brighter. “I’m doing great. In fact, I just wanted to come see you. Although, I see you’re heading for work and I came at a bad time.”
Her smile was nearly a sneer when she replied. “Actually, I’m pretty sure today will be the day I get fired.”
Rolling my eyes, I turned and made my way back into the garage. Walking over to the 1969 Ford Mustang Fastback I was doing a tune up on, I ignored Winter’s whining and got to work, testing the spark plug wire resistance.
Reaching down, I fit my fat fingers into the small hole that allowed me to reach the first spark plug. Saying some power words, which consisted of ‘fuck,’ ‘damn,’ and ‘piss,’ I finally got the first one out. The next ones followed shortly after, also with some power words.
“I think you forgot ‘goddamn.’” James said as he leaned against the side of the car.
“No, I got that one. You just didn’t hear it.” I muttered.
My eyes flicked up to take him in, then flicked back down to the spark plugs.
James’ jaw was tense and I knew immediately that something was bothering him. The man didn’t have a single bone in his body that stayed pissed off for long. That is unless his ‘baby momma’ was in the picture.
“You need any help? My job’s finished.” James said, sounding slightly lost.
Now knowing something was really wrong to put that sound in his voice, I put the socket down and regarded him closely. His face was lined with fatigue, and dark purple rimmed the underside of his eyes. His clothes were dirty, and for that to happen this early in the morning meant he’d been up and working for quite some time.
“What’s going on?” I asked finally.
His eyes caught mine, and I finally saw the haunted look that was buried deep in them. “Anna decided to ramp up the heat. Now she’s claiming that I’ve raped Janie.”
The breath left my body with a whoosh. “You’re fucking joking!” I boomed.
The yell reverberated along the tin walls of the garage. Tools clanged as they were set down, and all eyes turned their attention to us. Sam was the first one over, followed shortly by Elliott, and then Max. When Winter started to head over, I gave her a warning look to stay back. No offense to Allen, but I didn’t know him, and I sure didn’t want him hearing any of this shit and spouting it off.
Max reacted like he’d been shot when James told them the newest development. “That fucking cunt!”
“Maximillian Tremaine!” Ember scolded from the open doorway of the garage.
“Fuck off. I’m allowed to say cunt when I’m mad.” Max growled.
Ember turned her nose up at him. “And what exactly is bad enough to make you think that it is ever okay to call a woman a fucking cunt?”
“Apparently, Anna filed a suit against James to get temporary custody because she claims that he’s raped Janie.” Max said gruffly.
“That…that…that…” Ember kept saying over and over again.
“Cunt?” Elliott supplied helpfully, smiling wide.
“Cunt!” Ember seethed.
“That’s a nasty word. The woman may be one, but that doesn’t mean you should use the word. You all have kids, it’s time to clean up y’all’s mouths.” Winter called from the other side of the Mustang.
She’d crept up on all of us. Which was hard to do with four Army Rangers who were trained to know better. “Allen leave?”
“Yes. I’ll talk to you all later. I have to get to work.” She grumbled.
Kissing me softly on the lips, we all watched her go to her car before turning back and resuming the conversation. “So, what are you going to do?” Sam asked.
“Child Protective Services will be here at an undisclosed time to check in on the situation. Since this is the fourth time they’ve been called, they aren’t rushing out here like they did the first few times.” James sighed.
The first time they came out was because they’d gotten reports that Janie was being abused. The second time they were called out, they got an anonymous tip that Janie was being starved. The third time was another anonymous tip saying that James took Janie to biker bars and left her alone for hours on end.
Although each claim had been proven false, they still had to investigate the complaints. How they were going to investigate this one, I don’t know. “Well, you have plenty of-”
Gunfire exploded through the quiet morning, followed closely by squealing tires and a resounding crunch of a vehicle striking another vehicle. We all sprang into action, each of us going into a different direction. Ember ducked behind the wall of the down room, and, hopefully, called 911.
Each of us arrived in time to see a non-descript black Ford Taurus speeding down the street away from Free. Winter’s car was smashed like an accordion across the street against a light pole. The back glass had three bullet holes in it, making the glass crack in a spider web pattern.
Heart pounding so hard it was making it hard to concentrate, I bounded up to the car in time to see Winter move her hand and unhook the seatbelt.
I yelled at her and tried to restrain her hands as she continued to freak out. “Sit still, Winnie. Don’t move. I said stop moving. Stop. Winnie!”
Doing the only thing I could, I opened the car door and restrained her hands with one of mine, and leaned my body against hers to keep her still. “Calm down, baby. It’s me. Calm. It’s okay. Shhh.”
Slowly, she started to slow her breathing down. Her shivers, however, did not diminish. If anything, they got worse. “You’re okay, baby.”
“Ambulance is three minutes out.” Sam said from somewhere above me.
Turning my head towards the passenger window, I saw everyone there, looking extremely worried.
“I-it was h-him.” Winter whispered.
Not sure I heard her right, I asked, “Who was he?”
“The m-man.” Winter said desperately.
“Did you know him?” I asked quietly.
Her voice quivered. “Y-yes. H-he hurt m-me.”
“I know, baby. You’re okay though. Just a few bumps and bruises.”
I hoped.
“He took our baby away, Jack. That was the man who took you away from me. That was him.” She said right before she passed out.
Fear slithered down my spine like a cold snake. My eyes closed, and I leaned my forehead against Winter’s limp one.
I’d just gotten her back and there was no way on God’s green earth that anyone, or anything, was going to take this woman out of my life again. She was here to stay. Permanently. If anyone got in the way of that, I would take care of that person in a way that no one would ever think to hurt her again.
Fuck anything that got in my way.
***
Winter hissed at me, yanking the pillow I’d just put behind her back away and throwing it at me. “For the tenth freaking time, I’m okay!”
I caught the pillow quite easily, replaced it behind her back, then left the room. All the wives were in the room now, and I felt completely outnumbered, let alone uncomfortable.
I wasn’t used to having that many people around me at one time. I was a loner by nature and being in the same room with five very loud women made my heart palpitate.
“Call me if you need me.” I muttered and closed the door firmly behind me.
Kodiak barked at the door as soon as it closed, so I opened it back up and let him out before closing it again. He’d been depressed, just as I knew he’d be. However, having Winter back seemed to calm him down, but she was no substitute for Adam who’d been his friend for seven years.
Sitting down on the porch swing, I chugged the last half of my beer before tossing it in the barrel beside me. The glass hit with a ding, and then shattered. That was about how my mood was right now. Shattered.
Kodiak showed no reaction to the sound, only collapsed at my feet.
Winter was pronounced well in the ER. Other than a few stitches on her chin from a piece of glass cutting it, she’d been very lucky.
They’d told us that stress was what made her pass out and damned if I didn’t believe that. That woman of mine was lucky to be alive. Especially after checking the vehicle out, and finding three bullets embedded in the headrest of her seat.
She’d been lucky that she had a DVD player attached to the head rest from when she watched Cheyenne’s kids the previous week. She’d forgotten to return it, and it saved her life.
Boots scraping against gravel warned me of someone’s approach. Seconds after the sound, Max walked up and took a seat by my side. He had Harleigh asleep in his arms and offered her to me with raised brows. I accepted, and curled the baby against my chest.
At a year old, she was still the size of a much smaller baby. She was perfect though. Unzipping my jacket, I tucked her little body in tight against mine and then zipped it back up. Max laughed, but didn’t comment.
Taking the blanket he was still holding out to me, I covered up her little face so just her nose peeked out. It was colder than balls out tonight, and I didn’t want her getting too cold.
“Winter was pregnant when she was attacked. She lost the baby when she was three months along.” I murmured to Max and then kissed the top of Harleigh’s head.
He stayed silent. I didn’t know if it was because he didn’t know what to say, or he thought I just needed him to be silent. I was grateful nonetheless. I didn’t need any sympathy. I just needed to get some of this shit off my chest.
“I fucked up. I stopped looking for her. Then when she freaking found me, I didn’t look into the person that took her away from me in the first place. Or, at least, not hard enough. What the fuck was I thinking?” I kept my voice quiet so I didn’t wake Harleigh.
“You were thinking that you were glad to have your wife back.” He said in a deep solemn voice.
Harleigh stirred in my arms at the sound of her father’s voice, but I patted her butt and pushed the swing with my booted foot. “Yeah. The cameras couldn’t get anything from the plates. They were slicked with mud, covering half of the numbers.”
“Whoever he is, is going to fuck up one of these days, and we’ll catch him. In the meantime, you know exactly what you need to do.”
“Fuck.”
“My sentiments exactly.”
“Mind watching her while I go check out the grounds?” He asked.
I snorted.
He took the non-answer for what it was and left me. I rocked with Harleigh for nearly thirty minutes before Winter came out to check on me. She smiled when she saw Harleigh and gave me a kiss before heading back inside. Max showed fifteen minutes later and collected Payton and Harleigh before going home.
The other ladies departed shortly after and I found myself alone with Winter again.
She brought her huge comforter off the bed and cocooned herself in it before dropping down into my arms. I held her close, smelling the green apple shampoo she used. Running my lips along her forehead, I reveled in each breath she took.
“You scared the absolute shit out of me today.” I said quietly.
“I scared myself.”
“We’ll find him. Don’t worry.”
“I’m not. You’re my dream catcher. I know you’d do everything in you power to make sure I never worry again.”
“Right.” I croaked.