CHAPTER 14
“I didn’t know it could be like that…like this.”
Everly ran her finger up and down Doc’s chest, swirling her finger in the peppering of dark hair there. The sparkle from the ring he put on her finger catching her eye, making her smile.
“What? Pregnant sex? All the hormones? I’ll keep you knocked up if this is what’s going to happen every time.” An ornery edge wound through his teasing words.
“No, pervert, I mean this. Us. I just didn’t think…I would have this. I fought it so hard and now I can’t imagine a life any different than what we are building.”
He kissed the top of her head, feeling every single word she spoke, “I’m glad you fought it. If you hadn’t, I might have missed my chance.”
“I don’t know about that.” Everly laughed, trying to lighten the heaviness of his words. She was on board with the relationship and opening her heart, but old habits die hard and she was still getting used to the feeling it brought.
“You’re a total babe, trust me…you wouldn’t have been on the market long. Especially with that ass.” It wasn’t lost on him that she was still a bit uncomfortable with not only having, but discussing feelings
. He would do anything to protect her from that unease and set back anything they had gained, even crack bad jokes loaded with truths.
“I don’t know Doc, many men have tried, only one survived and conquered…planting his seed.
”
“Now the jokes are getting really bad,” he teased. “I’d plant my seed over and over again too. I want lots of babies with you, Ev. A big family.”
“I think I can handle that, Doc. You, me, and our own little band.”
“Now you’re talking.”
They laid in each other’s embrace, hanging on those words, each imagining the life they were planning. Doc gently stroked her arm while she continued to run a finger through the light hair on his chiseled chest. Happy. Loved. Content. They were finally there, wholly and completely.
The intimate silence surrounding them was interrupted by a loud hollow growl from Everly’s stomach leading them both to laughter.
“I guess Junior is trying to tell us something! I’ll be right back.” Doc jumped out of bed, tossing on a pair of loose, low hanging sweats that showed off his perfect V and boasted defined abs, giving Everly something else to hunger for.
Clanging of dishes and a few expletives could be heard from the kitchen as Doc rushed around, causing Everly to laugh while she pulled one of Doc’s t-shirts over her head. She stared at the ring she wore, his ring, and her heart swelled. Recalling the romantic proposal, she was hung up on the idea that he had purchased the ring months ago. He really had loved her all along – a true testament to his devotion – he believed in them even then and was willing to wait for her.
She could kick herself for nearly missing out on what was becoming the best part of her life, but she was glad she finally saw what was right in front of her. An incredible man who would walk through hot coals laced with shards of glass
for her – she didn’t doubt that for a second now. Her faith in them had finally outweighed her fear of the past and she couldn’t wait to see where that faith took them.
A heavy tray in hand, overflowing with glasses and plates of food, the accompanying aroma that entered the room with him had her mouthwatering. Doc’s upper arms were pinned to his body, holding the bottle of apple cider under one arm, two of his electric candles under the other and bulging pockets full of what appeared to be utensils and napkins on one side, and salad dressing in the other. A sight to be seen, Everly couldn’t help but let out an appreciative giggle, laced with an endearing awww
.
This is why she loved this man – he didn’t do anything small and nothing was impossible. He provided for her every need, fulfilled her every desire, and nurtured a love that was beyond measure. And in this very moment…he had food.
“Oh, my God, that smells amazing. Let me help you.” Before she could leave her spot in their bed, she was quickly stopped with a side eye look.
“Sit, woman. I got this.” There was a cocky demeanor about him that was as much serious as he was kidding.
Playing it smug, she was actually amused by the lengths he went to for her. Even the smallest of things were big for him. With her arms crossed, she watched him pull it off and crawl into bed beside her.
“Wow,” she said, looking over the large wood tray between them. “This is quite the spread! I don’t know where to start.”
“How about we skip the salad and roasted chicken and dig right into that chocolate cake thing with raspberry something or other all over it?”
“Now you’re talking! Thank you, Doc.” Her tone had changed from enthusiasm over dessert before dinner to a quiet sincere plea. “I don’t think I’ve ever said thank you. Tonight was beautiful, so thoughtful and sweet. I put you off for so long, took you for granted, while all along you were planning this…or, some form of this. I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”
Tears were welling again, and not entirely due to hormones, but also because her heart was swelling to the point of almost hurting.
“You needed time, and that’s something I had. I wasn’t going to give up. I knew we would get here someday, baby, and I wanted to be ready when you were ready.”
All the right words at the right time, Doc had a way with them. With one hand wrapped around his neck, she pulled him in for a long kiss full of promises, and forever. She wasn’t good at verbalizing how she felt yet, but she could sure show him.
“Looks like I’m making dinner every night,” he teased. “I could get used to your thank yous…in fact, I think I already am.”
Under the dim light from his remote-control candles, they fed each other a divine chocolate dessert. There was something seductive and slightly erotic about the intimacy involved that made their unsated libidinous state burn, leaving them full of desire and need. They had always been good together in bed, it was their initial attraction to each other. A new commitment between them, however, changed that connection to something indescribable. What had always been good sex
, was now a beautiful entanglement where words weren’t needed because making love
said it all.
It was well into the night when the tray of food had long been picked over, and they laid in each other’s arms catching their breaths once again.
“I loved the flowers.” Everly didn’t want to forget a single detail of their magical night. She let it play over and over as she recalled the flowers sitting on the coffee table when she had walked in.
“When Meg showed me the roses, I knew they were you.” He rolled her to her back and hovered above her with a sly grin. “I am going to cover this bed in fire and ice petals and make love to you over and over in them. Or maybe fill the tub…”
Laughter shook them as he teased her with all of the ways and places he was going to claim her over and over. Placing a single finger over his mouth, she silenced him. “Though I love how you think, and I am
taking notes…I meant the other flowers. The bouquet, like Gran’s. I knew that was you taking them to her every day. When I saw them…ugh…these hormones. I think you found the last piece of my heart with those…it’s so sweet.”
Doc’s expression dimmed, his lighthearted smile had become a furrowed brow with questioning eyes. “What other flowers? Grans? You mean the wild flowers?”
Slow to respond, an unease curdled in her stomach, letting a little bit of the fear she’d been fighting so desperately back in. “Yes…just like the ones from Gran’s hospital room. Those are from…”
Finishing her thought wasn’t necessary, his reaction said it all when he rolled off of her and sat near the edge of the bed; that unease she was feeling was ever present in his grimace and stiff posture. “Everly, I didn’t bring those home. I haven’t been bringing them to Lou either. I thought with so many flowers that we ran out of room at the hospital and you had brought those home. Baby, tell me you brought those home.”
“I…I didn’t. I was here last night and they weren’t here. Doc…” Emotions were taking over at the idea that someone had not only been in her house but had left a gift, an unwelcome gift.
Rummaging through the miscellaneous glasses and plates that had accumulated on the nightstand from their evening, Doc found his cellphone and placed a call.
Running one hand through his hair as he paced the room, he finally got an answer on the other end. “Blake, I think we have a problem. How quick can you get here?”
With just enough time to put on decent clothes and clean up the traces of their evening to a presentable state, a loud urgent knock sounded at the door. Before they could get to the door, Blake let himself in, leaving the door open while giving directions to someone over his shoulder. Candles stilled placed throughout the room and evidence of a romantic setting, Blake gave the couple a set of raised eyebrows and a sideways smirk.
“So, you think someone broke in and made you dinner?” he teased, bringing a smile to Everly’s otherwise distraught expression.
“Funny. We know who did that…it’s these that we are unsure of.” Doc walked to the coffee table where the large arrangement of wild flowers sat, hovering over it with a protective wide stance and crossed arms like the flowers were somehow going to react.
Blake met him at the other side of the flowers, matching his stare. It was odd that something so simple as flowers felt like a threat and had so much of their attention in that moment. Small town living didn’t tend to bring large crime, but flowers?
Scanning the room and sniffing the air, Blake earned bewildered glances from both Everly and Doc. “I smell it. It’s just like the hospital.”
He roamed the room, and asked permission to look in the bedrooms and other areas of the house, checking closets and the like. Back in the living room, Blake was met by a quick knock and a young gentleman wearing a matching uniform standing in the doorway.
“Nothing, Coop. Outside door to the garage is unlocked, but that’s it. I secured it, all locked up now.” The handsome young man nodded at Doc and Everly then turned his attention back to Blake waiting for his next order of business.
“Ev, Doc…this is Logan Traynor. Rookie in training,” Blake said.
Everly smiled and nodded back, as did Doc.
The tall dark-haired man couldn’t be but in his early twenties, but was built like a tank with dark hair and eyes, and biceps bigger than Doc’s thigh. His hair was military short and he had a matching edge to his presence that screamed military obedience; the only thing giving away his age was the glint in his eye and obvious eagerness to please Blake.
“Pleasure to meet you folks, wish it was under different circumstances.” Folks
might have given away his younger age too.
Doc was polite but not interested in exchanging pleasantries and phone numbers, he wanted answers and to ensure Everly was safe. “What do you think, Blake? I locked Ev in the room and checked the house before you got here and didn’t see anything out of place or order. It just doesn’t make sense.”
“You said smell…” Everly interrupted, “what smell?”
“It must be the flowers. I smell it at the hospital too, every so often. Must be when a new arrangement is left. I’ve noticed it all along, Jessie has too.”
Logan chimed in, “I smell it…something earthy, musty, maybe woodsy like pine? It doesn’t smell like flowers.”
“Ev is there anyone you know, older man, who may be stopping in to see Lou at the hospital or even you? Family? Old friend?” Blake asked.
“No, not at all. It’s just Gran and me. You know anyone else who would be coming by. It would be someone from McKenzie.”
Blake nodded, placing his hands on his hips, looking around the room again as if there was an answer somewhere, contemplating his next move when Doc perked up and said, “The old man.”
Blake quickly jerked his head toward Doc. “You’ve seen him?”
“No, nothing like that. Carly, the nurse. She asked if Ev had a grandfather or uncle who had been coming by. I didn’t think much of it. I wasn’t really…engaged at the moment. I had just found out about the baby.” Recalling that day and all of the emotions that went with it, Doc briefly looked at Everly with a timid smile before finishing. “I thought maybe it was Jed Baker from the bakery or someone maybe Carly hadn’t met yet, being new to town.”
Blake rubbed his chin mulling over what Doc had said, sure they were missing something in the greater picture. “I heard her ask you. I actually talked to her about it. I may have seen him a few nights back, but he was gone before I realized who he was. Carly has my card and is supposed to call me if she sees him again.”
“He was with Gran? Alone? What did he look like, Blake?” Concern was building for Everly as the story continued to unfold and the idea that there was a stranger in the background of their little town who had access to her ill grandmother.
“I didn’t see his face, he was walking away from me, already down the hall. Had on a black cowboy hat, pulled down low from what I could tell so probably wouldn’t have got a good look at his face anyway. Silver and black hair…mostly silver, a cowboy swagger with a limp. Dressed like an old cowboy really.”
“A cowboy? I just don’t know who that could be…”
“Carly said he was sweet, but standoffish. Brought the nurses some donuts or something a few times. Played the harmonica. That’s all.”
Everly rushed to the long table by the entry and grabbed her purse in a panicked furry, “I need to get up there. She can’t be alone, not with this…guy around. And the flowers…”
Doc pulled her into him and kissed the top of her head. “It’s okay, baby. She’s not alone and I’m more worried about you right now. Take a deep breath, this isn’t good for you, or the baby.”
“Jessie is with her and I’ve been up there every night you haven’t, Ev,” Blake assured her. “He hasn’t been back and we don’t even know who he is, or if he’s even a threat.”
“Someone broke into my damn house and left me the same flowers they have been leaving for Gran…it isn’t one of us so forgive me if I’m a little panicked at the moment.” Holding back tears was no longer an option as they streamed down her face, both from worry and fear, causing her bottom lip to quiver. “Not a dead bunny or something threatening…flowers. I’m sorry, but there is something a little more sinister about this. Flowers?”
“Doc’s right, this isn’t good for the baby, or you. I want you to stay here tonight with Doc. The house checks out, just make sure you’re locking your doors. For all we know, this was a friendly gesture and someone dropped them by thinking it was Lou’s house...an old friend who had the two houses mixed up since you live next door to each other. I’m going to stay up at the hospital tonight with Jess.”
Logan stepped forward with a sympathetic look and calm but concerned tone. “Yeah, I don’t live but a mile or so away out on the old service road by the creek. I can be here in minutes if you need me. I’ll do some drive-by’s in my own truck too, less conspicuous that way and less likely to scare anyone off like a squad car would.”
“Thank you, Logan. We appreciate that.” Doc didn’t know Logan’s story but he already liked him. His aim may have been more to please his boss, Blake, but either way, the effort was helpful and his sincere demeanor would be a perfect fit in McKenzie Ridge.
Blake pulled Everly in to a rare hug offering her comfort. “It’ll be okay, kid. Don’t worry unless we have a reason to, okay? I’ll let everyone else know – if there is someone up to something, it won’t take long to figure it out around here.”
A quick handshake with Doc later, and Logan and Blake were headed for the door, each tasked with duties that would hopefully lead to answers. Before closing the door behind him, Blake stopped and turned to the couple.
“Congrats, by the way.”
Everly and Doc looked at each other in confusion before returning their bewildered gaze to Blake.
“The engagement…” He nodded to Everly’s hand. “Nice ring. Congrats.”
On his way to the hospital, Blake dropped Logan off at the House where Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical all cohabitated, so he could pick up his own vehicle and Blake could get to the hospital. He had left Everly and Doc smiling, reminding them of their exciting news that he assumed was only hours old, rather than leave them lingering in worry. He replayed the scene over and over, trying to find the missing link.
Though flowers felt innocent and lacking danger or a threat of any kind, there was something heavy in the air that made his skin prick with an intuitive sense of menace. With only an old man of mystery as their clue, even he didn’t feel like the missing piece. Something about his bumpy swagger and slow stroll suggested he was as ominous and scowling as the harmonica he was said to play the entire time, each visit.
There was something wrong, however, he felt it as he always did and would continue to keep an eye on his people until he could rule out imminent danger altogether. In the meantime, he would spend his time with the one person who shared his wary skepticism, watching over Lou…Jessie.