Protect Me (28 page)

After an hour or so she had successfully marked all of the items off of her list, with the help of Gabe, they made their way to the front of the store and unloaded the cart. As Abbi stood there she could feel the stares of the lady standing just behind Gabe. She was holding a magazine and kept looking from the cover to Abbi and back to the cover. After about two minutes of this Abbi could feel the irritation growing inside of her, finally it reached its maximum.

“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be rude lady, but what the hell are you staring at?” She stepped facing the woman.

“I’m sorry, I just wasn’t sure if this was you or not?” She held up the magazine. Scrolled across the front was a picture of Abbi, no make-up, hair up in a messy bun, large black sunglasses on her face with the question “What does Santa bring Gold digger’s for Christmas? A make-over? Who is Ryan Dixon’s mystery girl?”

She immediately grabbed the magazine and ripped the front cover off. She was tired of this. She had been with Ryan for months now, couldn’t they find someone else to crucify all the time. Given, no one knew it was actually her. So far she had flown under the radar of having her identity known, perks of being a no body, but she still knew it was her on the covers. She could feel the tears building behind the anger. She threw the magazine in the trash can sitting at the end of the clerks stand. One other time she had been pictured out on the beach with Judy and had a few close up’s of her so called love handles and butt cellulite. Other times she had been spotted out with Ryan, on their way out from a restaurant or at a baseball game. The headlines always tore her down, making her out to be a two timing hussy out to get Ryan’s money. She’d had enough.

“I’m going to have to charge you for that miss.” The clerk smirked from over the counter.

“Fine, just ring me up now!” She could feel Gabe’s hands patting her shoulders in an effort to calm her down. “I’m fine Gabe. I just want to go.”

The clerk finished ringing up her order and gave her the total in which she put on the credit card that Ryan had given her, which made her feel even lower. She didn’t understand how people could be so downright mean. She had never done anything to anyone, why was she always being made out to be the bad guy, like she would be dating Ryan for just his money. She could care less about the money. He could have shown up in her bar back home wearing a pair of cut off overalls and a bandana and she still would have fallen for him. She cried as she walked out of the store, as they put the groceries into the trunk, and on the entire ride home. She finally quelled the tears as they pulled into the driveway and she noticed Ryan’s truck in the garage.

She grabbed a few bags and headed towards the door as it came flying open and Ryan came rushing out.

“Are you ok?” He rushed up and wiped the tears from her face.

“Yeah.” She squeaked out before the tears fell down again.

She sat the bags down at her feet as Ryan took her in his arms, wrapping his arms all the way around her, holding her.

“Why are people so mean Ryan?” She looked up at him blinking away her tears.

“Have you ever heard the statement misery loves company? Well unfortunately it’s true. Those people who write those headlines are probably miserable and unhappy and they have nothing better to do than be mean and hateful to others.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Baby, please promise me that you will never let those things they say affect us. I would never think anything like that of you and I don’t want you thinking it either.”

“I would never let that come between us, it’s just that I already feel inadequate at times and then I saw that lady looking at me and then I read that cover. I mean I was on the cover of the damn thing again, then I had to use the card that you had given me to get the groceries. It just made me feel worse. At least they still don’t know my name.” She sniffled trying to regain her composure. “Hey, how did you even know?”

“Gabe shot me a text and told me what happened. And that card was given to you for you to use. Why would I expect you to buy groceries for our home and for our visitors with your money? That is my responsibility. I provide for you and for the house.” He wrapped her back into his arms. “Promise me that you won’t let that stuff get to you babe. You’re so sweet, and you care so much for other people.”

“I won’t, I am better now. It was weird. I just got really mad and then I got really upset.”

“Ok, let me help you get the groceries in. He knelt down and grabbed the bags around her feet.

She made her way over to the back of the car and noticed that Gabe had already gotten all the other bags out and inside. Geeze, what did he do carry ten bags in each hand? Guess it was better than making two trips. They headed inside and into the kitchen where the three of them began putting away the groceries. As she was putting away the canned goods she heard Gabe’s phone go off as he excused himself from the room. Ryan came into the pantry holding two jars of pickles.

“Get a hankering for pickles?” He smirked as he set them up on the shelf.

“Oh, put the bread and butter ones in the fridge. I have been craving them for about two days now.” She smiled at him.

“Oh Lord, you’re not pregnant are you? If I catch you eating these with peanut butter you’re going to the doctor.” He laughed as he walked back out to the kitchen.

No, she wasn’t pregnant. She always craved weird stuff before she started. What was with this man’s baby obsession? She laughed at the thought of him attempting to change a diaper. She didn’t know if he had ever even been around kids. With time, kids would come in time, but it wasn’t anything she was rushing right now. She still wanted to go on vacations and trips, without the giant baby belly.

*****

Ryan walked towards the smell of baking ham. Ham and burnt bread. He turned the corner into the kitchen to find Abbi standing staring at the tray of black crisp bread. He started to laugh, but then heard her sniffle.

Aw, babe what’s wrong? Is the oven broken? The oven must be broken. I will order a new one as soon as the store re-opens.” Maybe a little humor would brighten her mood.

She had been so emotional the past few days. He could only imagine how hard it could be going through the holidays with no family of your own. He could only do his best to make her feel like she was already a part of his.

“No, I forgot I put them in there and then when I remembered they were ruined.” She sniffled; wiping the tears from her cheek before they fell onto the red satin of the dress Ryan had surprised her with for their Christmas dinner.

“It’s ok babe. We can just make another tray.” He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. Gently kissing at her temple.

“This was the second tray I ruined.” She sniffled again before taking a deep breath. “It’s the Hastings bread burning curse.”

Ryan placed his hands on her shoulder slowly turning her around to face him. “Listen, it’s ok. I promise. You have done an amazing job with dinner already. Please don’t get upset over a little burnt bread.” He wiped his thumbs across her wet cheeks smearing the tears across.

“Ok, is everyone here?” She took another deep steadying breath.

“Yeah, I think Judy just came in and she was the last on the list. Why don’t you go in there and entertain. I will finish up all of this and get it out on the table.”

“Ok, are you sure you don’t need any help?” She stopped just short of the door grabbing her glass of champagne.

“I’m sure.” He smiled over at her as she headed towards the great room.

He grabbed the pan of bread taking it to the trash. Opening the lid he deposited it in on top of the other black pieces already in the can. After all of the food had been set on the table Ryan followed suit to the great room and ushered them all in for dinner. He wanted this to be a nice relaxing evening with friends and family. And he wanted Abbi to have a chance to relax and enjoy it, he tried to have it all catered, but she insisted on cooking a full meal and that she did. Mashed potatoes, honey baked ham, green beans, broccoli salad, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese. The spread went from one end of the table to the other. As the guests filled in, Abbi walked around the table lighting the white candles sticking up from the sparkling glass bases.

As Abbi took her seat just to the right of Ryan, he stood raising his glass. “I would like to make a toast. To the amazing woman sitting to my right, if it weren’t for her I can promise you that we would be eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches tonight.” He reached down grabbing her hand. “I cannot tell you, how blessed I feel having you all here with us tonight to celebrate. There are no words that I could say that would do it justice. Thank you all for coming to spend the holidays with us and I hope that this can be a tradition that we continue every year. Cheers everyone.” He raised his glass before taking a sip.

“Well, Abbi darling I have to say you have completely outdone yourself. The food looks absolutely amazing.” Janet smiled from across the table at her. “If you don’t mind, may we say grace before we eat?”

“Of course. Would you like to take the honors dad?” Ryan asked.

“I would love to. May we all join hands and bow our heads.” William stood, taking Janet’s hand. “Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you today to offer thanks for the many great things you have done in our lives. Thank you for bringing these amazing people into our lives and into Ryan’s as well.  We pray that you bring traveling mercies to those traveling to see their families. We pray you bless this food that we take into our bodies and pray our bodies will do your service. Amen.”

“Ok, now let’s eat!” Jace said enthusiastically, reaching toward the macaroni and cheese that had been strategically placed in front of his place card. All he could do was groan as he took his first bite.

“Jace, if you need that one for yourself I made another bowl to pass around.” Abbi giggled as she passed the green beans.

Ryan looked around the table seeing nothing but smiling happy faces. Faces that were indulging in all of the amazing food Abbi had prepared. Never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined having a Christmas dinner like this. Trish usually made food and left it in the fridge for him before she left to visit her daughter, and he would work his way through the holidays. He would mail gifts to his parents and have his assistant send out Christmas cards, but he never felt as though he had a reason to celebrate. Now he had his reason. This was what life was really about, family, and friends. Having people in your life that truly mattered.
He knew over the years he had neglected having people in his life, thinking that they would always be there. Relationships come and go. Ultimately, the ones that matter most are the people that last through everything and are there for you in the end. Knowing now who and what they were dealing with at the nightclub, made the thought even scarier. He only hoped that he would be able to defuse the situation before it self-destructed.

“Babe, are you not hungry?” Abbi looked over at him with a worried look.

“I’m sorry. I just wanted to make sure everyone had everything they needed before I started eating. This broccoli salad looks great babe.” He smiled reaching for the bowl in front of him.

For the rest of the meal they chattered and laughed. He noticed Jace’s glances towards Judy. He still wasn’t sure what Jace’s whole take was on her, but at some point he would have to make sure he wasn’t stringing her along. Judy was Abbi’s best friend and Jace was his, so he needed to know if they needed to be set at opposite ends of the table at next year’s dinner. They all talked about their plans for New Year’s Eve. Both Abbi and Judy pouting over the fact they had to work. It would be a busy night and he would send a few more agents to the night club undercover to make sure that everything went ok.

As the plates were cleared and the glasses refilled with wine or brandy, they all made their way into the great room. Once night fell, the room became illuminated with the sparkling lights cast onto every surface from the large decorated tree.
With the soft playing of holiday melodies in the background everyone took a seat around the room. On queue Ryan grabbed the fluffy red Santa hat and put it on heading over to the Christmas tree.

“Ok, I have my bowl of names here that I will be drawing from. The first person gets to choose the first gift from under the tree. By the amazing wrapping job I can tell we have some great gifts under there.” He shuffled his hand around in the bowl pulling out the folded piece of paper. “Ok, first person is… Jace. Step on up and pick your poison.”

“Whew, if you’re not first you’re last.” He strolled up to the tree picking a medium sized box shaped present from under the tree, and taking it back to his seat. “Feels heavy. This is gonna be a good one.” He ripped the paper off the box revealing a “Life” cereal box. “Man, must be a lot of cereal in here.” He popped the top open to find if filled with lemons. Laughter erupted around the room at his quizzical look.

“You know, when life gives you lemons.” Judy giggled next to him.

“Ok, next victim is going to be. Abbi.” He smiled over at her.

She approached the tree, looking at all of her options before picking a smaller square shaped present taking it back to her seat. She tore the corner off of it before ripping it all the way across. It was a picture frame, with a picture of a small gangly boy, covered from head to toe in dirt, wearing cowboy boots and holding onto a stick pony.

“Aww, Ryan is this you?” She glanced over at him.

“Nope, that’s George in accounting.” Jace said trying to contain his laughter. “I had to bargain two bags of beef jerky and a $20 Starbucks card for that picture.”

Again the room combusted with laughter. The same as when Ryan’s father unwrapped his plain white coffee mug, plain until he put it up to his mouth and scrolled across the bottom were the words “I am a douche”. His mother loved her redneck wind chimes made up of a stick with beer cans strung onto it. And Judy said she would get good use out of the belly button lint remover.

“We saved the best for last I guess.” Ryan grabbed the last present under the tree and came over sitting next to Abbi. Unwrapping it he found a canvas wall hanging with the words “Home, where the Ho & Me come together.” “Ha, well we can hang it next to the picture of George.” He held it up, as his mom and dad chuckled.