A Love for all Ages (Crockett County Trilogy Book 1) (4 page)

Chase walks down the hallway stopping at the nurse’s
station to get an update concerning Stephanie.
Knowing the fact
he is a Sheriff allows him to obtain the information otherwise
confidential to the public.
He also knows too well the policies
when it comes to the HIPPA procedures, still he doesn’t feel guilty
for using his badge to get her medical information.

Being told Stephanie has to stay at least two more days,
Chase proceeds to her room, opening the door he stares at the
woman on the bed, seeing her in her yoga trance; he just stands at
the door watching her.
She has her hair down with a few strands
flowing down the front of hospital gown.
Sitting with her eyes
closed with her hands upside down on her lap she looks relaxed,
which is what she needs; he hates to interrupt her.
Deciding to
allow her time to finish the yoga exercises he moves to the ugly
orange chair quietly he sits down.
It seems over the last three
days he has spent a lot of time sitting here watching her.

He observes she is not as pale as she has been; she is getting
the healthy glow to her face.
Acknowledging yet again, Stephanie
is a beautiful woman.
The facts he learned about her through his
investigation proves she is a woman that has experienced loss, she
pretends to be loner and has a generous heart; she would give a
stranger the shirt from her back if they needed it.
In his eyes she is
beautiful both on the inside and outside.

He has spoken to her employer, her old landlord, and a few
of her peers, all had great things to say about her.
All had stated
she was a loner, didn’t socialize much, but always had a kind word
or helping hand for anyone that needed it.
She lost her brother to
a car accident a few months back, her Mother passed away several
years ago, and no one knew anything about her Father.
A few of
her coworkers said she never discussed her Father and they didn’t
question her.
He found out she and her brother had volunteered
at a soup kitchen, she would visit the local children hospital, and she
helped several elderly neighbors with housecleaning.
The small
suburb town of Madison, just outside of Orlando, in Florida, her last
known address has lost a good resident.
Scratching his head, he
tries to figure out how someone that is so involved in the
community would be considered a loner.

Shifting in the chair Chase regrets not going to his apartment
to change out of his uniform; after wearing it all day it is wrinkled
and sweaty.
He should have showered and put on civilian clothes.
Knowing he had wanted to come to visit as soon as his shift was
over, Chase had patrolled the last several hours closer to the
hospital.
Once his shift was over, he radioed dispatch told Karen
he was off and filled her in on his whereabouts so she could relay to
Deputy Johnny.

When Chase is out of county Deputy Johnny is in charge,
Chase depends on him as second in command.
Crockett County is
small with only about 900 people, but covered about fifty square
miles.
The town of Dusten consisted of a drug store, general
store, gas station, tractor supply, one diner, two churches, one
school that provides the education for the children, and last but not
least his sheriff office.
This is his home town; he was born in the
house where he was raised.
Even away at college he knew he
wanted to come back here, hopefully to one day get married and
raise a family. Chase knew Dusten was considered Small-town,
USA, but he loved the town, the people, the traditions and values of
family.

Still batting zero on the investigation Chase admits he
doesn’t want to think someone from his county, someone he knows
could be involved; he pushes the thoughts to the back of his mind.
Tonight he may look like Sheriff Chase Peterson, but he is defiantly
off duty.

Wishing once again he had changed his clothes before
coming to visit.
Chase doesn’t want to be in his Sheriff role
tonight, tonight he wants to get to know Stephanie from a one on
one perspective, not through his endless phone calls to strangers.

For the last four days he has been in Darrin County more
than his home county, due to Darrin General was the closes hospital
to Dusten, and the one where Stephanie is.
With the two counties
side by side, he knew most of the doctors, nurses and technicians.
Darrin General Hospital wasn’t a big flashy hospital but does have all
the latest equipment and he knew Stephanie is being provided the
best care.

Having been lost in thought Chase senses a change in the
room, focusing his eyes he sees Stephanie sitting on the bed staring
at him.
They seem to smile at the same time, each glad to see the
other person.

“I hear you are a Darrin County resident for a few more
days.” Rising from the chair as he speaks, Chase walks to the right
side of the bed then sits down on the edge of the mattress.
Taking
Stephanie’s right hand in his, he locks their fingers together, letting
them rest on his thigh.

Seeing Sheriff Chase in his uniform, Stephanie decides she
likes the way it fits him, snug without being too tight, the stripes
going down the side of his legs accents his height.
Looking down
when he laces their fingers, she allows him to hold her hand.
Stephanie actually likes the feel of his calluses against her smooth
skin.
Blowing out a breath, she smiles bigger “I wanted to go
home today, but I am logical enough to understand why I need to
stay a few days more.”
Adding, “Not sure what I am going to do
when I get released, I have no car, and the car rental company won’t
bring me the car, I have to find a ride to go get it.
Then I have to
find a map so I can find the way to Della’s farm, because the one the
attorney gave me was in the car I no longer have.”
Starting to feel
frustrated Stephanie pulls her hand from Chase’s and begins picking
at her cast.
Not used to having to depend on others for help she
wasn’t sure how to handle this situation.
Should she ask him for
assistance or wait until morning then check if there is a taxi service?

Releasing her hand when she pulls away, Chase listens as
Stephanie states her concerns, barriers to her, knowing she feels
overwhelmed and unsure of the next move.
He lays his hand over
hers to stop her from picking, thinking the cast looks as if she picks
at it a lot.
Calmly in his best crisis controlling voice, he gives her
solutions to her problems.
“I can pick you up when you’re ready to
go home.
I don’t need a map to get to Della’s place and I can make
sure all your belongings are accounted for.” He smiles at the relief in
her eyes.

Before she can open her mouth to decline or accept, he
continued “I really think this is for the best; I know the area.
I
know your concerned for your stuff and I can make a report is
anything is missing.
I am actually quite useful to have around.”
Finished speaking, he flashes a boyish grin to help persuade her.
He has been told his smile could melt butter; of course it was his
Mother that told him that.

Laughing out loud, Stephanie agreed with Chase.
It would
be good to have him take her to Della’s place.
For all the reasons
he stated and a few she will keep to herself.
Putting her right hand
out to seal the deal, he places his palm against hers for a handshake.
Not sure why she wanted Chase to assist her, she decides maybe it’s
her hormones.
Sheriff Chase Peterson is a sexy man and he does
seem interested in her, more than just for the investigation.
Even
if she has miss read the signals she figures it won’t hurt to have a
sexy sheriff as a friend.

Over the next several hours they talked, discussed favorite
things and got to know each other. Through mutual agreement
they began using each other’s first name, a feeling of familiarity as
they started the process of becoming friends.
They went for a
walk up and down the hallway, with Chase rolling the IV stand
beside her.
He delivered her back to her room and helped her on
the bed.
He then leaned over brushing a kiss lightly on her temple.
Straightening he had looked into her eyes then turned walking from
the room.
At the clicking of the door closing Stephanie released
the breath she was holding.

Since it’s still early in the evening, Stephanie turns the
television on for background noise, not caring what is on the screen.
She picks up the pen and paper then pulls the bed tray closer she
starts doodling pictures of a vampire chasing a young lady; her latest
assignment a cover for a horror book.
After several attempts she
sits staring at the drawing, the horror book is not a romance novel;
yet the vampire and his victim looks like young lovers and have a
remarkable resemblance to Sheriff Peterson and herself.
Putting
the drawing away she decides to end this madness, concluding she
definitely needs to go to sleep.

Getting settled in bed, Stephanie turns the bright overhead
light off, closing her eyes she does her yoga exercises needing the
calm to flow through her.
Drifting to sleep, she sees an image of
Chase and on closer inspection she sees he now has fangs as he
beckons her to him.
The image is real for her but she is not scared;
she wants to help him.
Smiling in her sleep she snuggles her pillow
as her dream takes her closer to Chase.

Stephanie wakes a couple of hours later with a feeling of
happiness.
Shifting a little on the bed, she picks up the drawing;
there is just an enough light from the hallway for her to see the
couple on the paper.
Smiles she lays the drawing back on the bed
tray, closing her eyes she goes back to sleep, this time it is a
dreamlesssleep.

Sitting waiting for Chase, Stephanie is excited but nervous at
the same time.
Her stomach is in knots feeling as if she needs to
throw up.
Is it the waiting, the fact she will see Chase for the first
time since he kissed her temple, the drawing or is it her being in a
car since her accident?
Deciding it could be a combination of all
four; she rubs her temple feeling the start of a headache.
Pushing
the call button she asks for a pain pill when the nurse checks what
she needs. Within minutes Nurse Marty comes through the door
holding a cup with her pills and a can of soda.

“Here you go Stephanie, hope this helps quickly.
I saw
Sheriff Chase pull in the parking lot, he parked in the “no parking
zone’, figured he thinks you don’t need to walk any further then you
have too.” Laughing Marty watches as Stephanie takes the pills
and washes them down with the soda.
After swallowing Stephanie
joins in laughing with Marty.

Walking in the room Chase sees both ladies laughing, “Hey I
want in on the joke.”
Not understanding when they turn and
looking at him laugh harder.
“Now ladies, it is not nice to laugh at
the law.” Smiling he enjoys the sound of Stephanie laughter.
Not
wanting to intrude he observes Stephanie and Marty exchange
guilty looks before turning away.

Recovering her composure Nurse Marty leans over giving
Stephanie a hug, telling her to keep in touch.
She then picks up
the empty pill cup on her way to the door.

Left alone with Chase Stephanie feels her nerves start to
jump, telling herself to calm down; she moves to picks up her small
overnight bag, a gift from the nurses.
With a smile on her lips she
turns back to find him right in front of her reaching to take the bag,
their hands touch.
Stephanie releases the handle to Chase
allowing him to carry it.
Looking up, she sees him leaning closer,
knowing he is going to kiss her; she leans in as his lips touch hers.
Just that light kiss has Stephanie wanting more as he pulls back.
Looking in her eyes, he sees confusion, “We need to get on the road,
it looks like it may rain, and I don’t want you out in bad weather.”
Lifting her chin, when she drops her eyes, he continues “Stephanie, I
am an old fashion man, I believe in courting a lady, so be warned
Miss Tuney, I intend to court you.”
Seeing the surprised look on
her face, he takes her right hand and carrying the overnight bag
walks with her out the door.
Chapter Two

Once Chase has Stephanie seated in his car making sure the
seatbelt isn’t pressing on her ribs; he walks around to the driver’s
side, entering the vehicle he twists to reach something in the
backseat.
He hands her a plastic grocery bag; opening it Stephanie
screams with delight finding her purse inside.
Taking her purse out
of the bag she lays it on her lap; rubbing the leather.
She can’t
believe she actually feels better having her purse.

Shaking his head, Chase grins, “My Mother told me to make
sure I bring it today.
She went this morning to your place to
retrieve it for me.”
He would never understand the connection a
woman has with her purse.

Turning her head to look at Chase, “That was so sweet of her
to do this for me.
I will have to thank her.”
Stephanie continues
rubbing the leather on her purse; her eyes sparkle as she smiles her
appreciation. Facing the front of the car, she waits for Chase to
start the engine.

Still confused; Chase starts the motor, after releasing the
brake he puts the car in gear.
Pulling out of the parking lot he
turns onto the highway as he concentrates on driving.
After a few
minutes Chase starts telling Stephanie about Dusten; he describes
the town as if doing a tour.
Pointing out local landmarks and
sharing the town gossip.
She asks questions as he continues with
his stories.
He has her laughing, keeping her distracted so she
doesn’t notice when they drive by the area of her accident.

Knowing Stephanie has prescriptions to be filled, Chase pulls
into the parking area for the drug store, Wilson Drugs, the Wilson’s
had been filling prescriptions for over fifty years.
Helping
Stephanie out of the car, he holds her elbow as they walk in the
drug store.
“Hello, Mr. Wilson, how are you doing today?”
Nodding to the man behind the counter, Chase keeps holding
Stephanie’s elbow.