Rescue Me (Colorado Blues) (6 page)

“Hey,
baby, feel like a walk outside? Let’s go and see the animals.” She scooped him
up and walked outside. There was a nip in the air and the sky was crisp and
clear, but it was so good to be out in the country and not in the city anymore.
She could see the snow caps on the mountains and smiled. This would be a first snowy
winter for her too. Making snowmen with her baby was going to be so much fun—that’s
if she was here long enough to do so.

Chickens
scratched in the yard and a few of them ran up to her expecting food. When she
had nothing for them, they gave up and went back to their earlier foraging.
Fisher clapped his hands when he saw the horses in the paddock and Gina stopped
and called out, hoping to attract at least one of them but to no avail. They received
a curious glance and nothing more.

She
pushed open the door to the barn and looked inside for the chicken’s food. It
might be a good idea to feed them and collect the eggs. Every small job she did
around the ranch was something the others didn’t have to do and in a small way,
it also made her feel like she was pulling her weight. Tubs of wheat were lined
up against one wall and they had scoops inside. Gina looked around for a bucket
and half filled it with wheat and with Fisher on her hip, went looking for the
chicken pens.

She
sprinkled wheat as she walked, feeling like the pied piper as the chickens all
hurried to join her. Fisher squealed in pleasure and wriggled to get down. “Not
yet, baby. Let’s wait until we come to somewhere cleaner and you can go for it.”

When
they’d fed the chickens and collected the eggs, she carried Fisher up to the
house and let him down on the grass to play. Since she never went very far from
him, she sat down on the back porch and watched as he explored his new
surroundings. It was pleasant here. More than pleasant actually, it was
wonderful. She gazed out over the ranch and sighed. What she wouldn’t do to
make this work between her and Rory.

Gina
plucked a piece of grass and started shredding it with her nails. She’d been
prepared to struggle with her feelings for the man she was to marry and Gina
was ready for that. After just spending time with him yesterday and this
morning, she doubted not getting on with him was going be an issue. He held
down a good job, had a ranch of his own, and great family surrounding him.
Everything she was missing in her own life.

It
wouldn’t have been fair to Fisher to not take this chance. Staying in the city
hadn’t been worth thinking about, not when she had struggled with the decision
to give up her baby. It was close, so close, and now she felt sick in the
stomach thinking about it. It had taken days of soul searching after she lost
her job and couldn’t find another one. Days when all she wanted to do was hide
under the threadbare blankets on her bed and not be the adult she knew she had
to be. Days when she went hungry because the cost of formula was higher than
she could afford.

Now
Rory had given her another chance and she would do whatever she had to, to make
this work. Fisher jammed a fist of grass into his mouth and spat it out,
looking at her as if it was her fault when he found out it didn’t taste as nice
as it could have. Gina hooked her finger into the dribbles and pulled it out, wiping
it on the legs of her jeans. “Bubba, please don’t eat that. Yucky.”

She
scooped him up and ignoring his protests, headed inside to collect the washing
from the machine. She let Fisher play on the kitchen floor while she loaded the
basket, listening for any change of noise. Yes she was overprotective, she got
that. Living with the baby’s father had taught her that the only person that
was going to look after her and her child was herself.

Aden
had been fun when they first met. She was waitressing at a diner when he walked
in with a group of friends and sat at her table. He’d flirted shamelessly and
she’d been won over when he was waiting for her when she came off her shift.
Before she knew what happened, he’d moved in with her and they were a couple.

While
she worked, he disappeared, not saying where he was going or what he was doing.
It’d taken a few months before Gina realized he was using and no matter what
she said, he wouldn’t or couldn’t give up. Determined to better herself and
advance her career, Gina had told him to leave but he refused. He’d begged and
promised until it became too hard for her to fight anymore. The small amount of
savings she had hidden in her coffee jar disappeared and even that wasn’t worth
fighting over. Life had suddenly turned sour and she could think of no way out.
And once she found out she was pregnant, there was no point in trying anymore.

Aden
went on bender after bender and Gina knew it was only a matter of time before
he killed himself. One morning she’d rolled over and reached for him only to
find Aden cold beside her. Alone and pregnant with no prospects, no money, and
no hope, she took stock of her options and didn’t like what she saw. Aden might
have left her alone and destitute but there was no way she was going to lay
down and give up. She had a child to bring into the world and it was going to
take every scrap of her ability to survive. This wasn’t the time to fall down
and feel sorry for herself, and with no family on either side to lean on, Gina
had to strengthen her back bone and take on the unpleasant tasks herself.

The
first thing she did was sell most of her furniture and move into a flop house
taking only one room for herself and the bare necessities. She worked through
her pregnancy until delivery and only took of a few days before going back to
work. Her elderly neighbor sat with the new baby while Gina earned as much
money as she could. Her whole world revolved around Fisher and she was
determined to give him a better life than she’d had herself.

She
pushed the memories away and concentrated on the here and now. With the basket
under her arm, she took Fisher’s hand and walked him back outside to the
clothes line where he played with the bucket of pegs while she hung out the
washing.

Rory
looked forward to seeing Gina in town today. He’d all but invited her in since
she’d resisted every day since they’d arrived so far. Preferring to spend her
time at the ranch, she’d taken a bit of convincing to meet him for a coffee
after she’d done what she considered were her chores. Hopefully she would let Callie
look after Fisher and they could have some time together. He’d decided to take
her into the jewelry store and buy her a ring, making his intentions clear.
Chance was right, he was going to marry her regardless of his initial reaction
and she deserved to know that. It might make her relax and trust him more too.
He got the feeling that she was waiting for the axe to fall and he hated the
unsettled look in her eyes when she thought nobody was taking any notice of
her.

Rory
walked out past the front desk and spoke to the officer on duty. “I’m just
going to for a walk around town, see what’s happening on the streets today.
Call if you need me.”

“Sure
thing, Sheriff.”

The
sun was bright and he tipped down his hat over his eyes. Old Milly Forester,
their elderly neighbor, was over feeding the birds in the park as was her daily
habit. He checked the road and crossed over to say hello to her.

“Ms.
Forester. Nice day for a sit in the park.” He walked over and sat down on the
picnic stool, watching her crumble up the bread she’d brought from the bakery
as she did every day.

“That
it is, Sheriff.” She threw the handful of crumbs and the sparrows squabbled
over it like noisy children. “Hear tell your daddy is keen to see you. Been
back home for long enough to make the effort if you ask me.”

“Don’t
pull any punches, do you?”

“Why
would I do that? Known you long as you’ve been on this earth. Smacked that butt
of yours a time or two as well.” She cackled and nudged him with her elbow.

“That
so. Not sure I remember that.” He could still feel the quick slap of her hand
when he’d thought he’d gotten away with something. It was always a shock to
find he wasn’t a smart as he thought he was.

“Yeah,
well, only had to do it a couple of times and then you got yourself sorted out.
Stopped giving your poor father a hard time and do what you should have done in
the first place.”

“From
what I hear, not sure he deserved too much from his sons. I figured he thought
more of his bottle than his kids.” Rory sighed. He hadn’t meant to get into
this conversation with his parent’s neighbor today, he was just being
respectful saying hello.

“Now
you listen to me, young man. When your poor mother passed over, well your daddy
almost died along with her. Not saying it’s right or wrong, just the way it is.
Broke his heart and he couldn’t function no more. Lucky you had your big
brother to help out when he did.”

“So
I hear.”

“He’s
done well the last few years, you know. Been to AA and kicked the bottle.
Starting to get himself sorted out.” She threw more bread to the birds before
she looked up at him. “You should know what it feels like, son. You’ve been
though it yourself. I thought of you when I heard the news, Rory. Wish I’d been
closer to help out, sadly what’s done is done.” She screwed up the paper bag
the bread came in and pushed herself to her feet. “Don’t go making the same
mistake your daddy did either. You’ve got a chance at making a go of it with
that lovely little girl I met last week. Don’t blow it.”

“How
the heck do you know what’s going on?” Rory stood up and looked down at her.

“Your
brother still can’t keep a secret worth a damn.” She patted him on the back.
“Bring her to see me soon. Rather partial to that little one of hers, a right
little cutie he is. He helped me feed the birds the day they arrived. Knew
there was something going on in her head. Two of a kind you are, both needing
something and not sure if you’ll ever find it. Perfect match if you ask me.”

“Don’t
rightly know if I was asking actually.”

“Still
got that smart mouth of yours, Rory. It suits you somehow though.” She started
to walk away.

“I’ll
be sure to tell her you asked after her then.”

“And
don’t forget to go see your daddy. Man’s still hurting.” She waved an arthritic
hand in the air and tottered off, leaving him standing alone in the park.

Hurting,
right.
He crossed the road and started walking
toward the old house he’d grown up in. The front fence was badly in need of a
coat of whitewash and the gate was broken on one hinge. He wondered when the
lawns were last mowed and the thought of offering crossed his mind. Rory
stepped onto the cracked path and headed up to the front door. His mother’s old
rocking chair was still on the front porch. The cushions were faded and
threadbare, but it still held pride of place. It hit him in the gut and he
hurried up the stairs to the open door. The button hadn’t worked for years so
he raised his hand and knocked on the door frame.

“Come
in.” The crackling voice wasn’t how he remembered his father sounding. Rory
stepped into the hallway and the memories washed over him. Being twelve years
old and watching his big brother slam out the front door with a satchel over
his shoulder carrying everything he owned in the world hurt him beyond measure.
The growl of his father when the brothers made too much noise in the morning
when he was suffering from a headache as he did most mornings after a big night
on the bottle. The dirty clothes piled up beside the washing machine and dishes
nobody wanted to clean before they went to school in the morning.

“In
here.”

Rory
stepped into the kitchen and saw the bent old man leaning over the sink, his
hands in hot soapy water as he did his dishes.

“What
can I do for you?” His father turned and his eyes widened when he saw who was
standing there. “Rory, is that you son?”

His
father wiped his hands on a tea towel, dropped it on the counter, and walked
over. His eyes shone with wonder and he held out a hand to touch the face of
the boy he hadn’t seen for almost ten years. Rory held back. He needed a good
reason to forgive his father for the lost years before they were back to the
loving relationship they had before it all went bad.

Over
a cup of tea he listened to apologies and regrets for the way his father had
treated them. “I totally lost it, I’ll freely admit it. I loved your mother so
much my world fell apart without her.”

“You
had us, Dad. We lost her too.”

“I
know that, but there was nothing I could do. There was no reasoning with me. I
know that and I’ll never be able to forgive myself for ignoring you boys and
thinking of myself first.”

“You
know what I can’t forgive you for?”

The
watery eyes glanced down at the table as if that would stop what was coming.

“I
can’t forgive you for making Chance leave. For not stopping him.” Rory cleared
his throat, pushing down the emotion that rose and threatened to cut off his
air supply. “And you never once told us it was him that kept us fed and clothed
while you wallowed inside your bottle. How could you do that to him, to us?”

His
father’s hand started to shake, spilling tea on the old scarred formica table.
He put the cup down and gripped his hands together, steadying the shakes. “He
made my life easier. Meant I could drink my troubles away and forget about
everything for awhile.”

“It
wasn’t awhile, Dad. It was years and years.”

The
old man nodded his head. “You’re right. I didn’t give him any credit for what
he did. He kept this family together while I distanced myself from everyone I
loved, everyone I still love. He deserves a medal for that. He was more of a
father to you boys than I ever was.”

“Yeah,
he was.”

Rory
sipped at the almost cold tea, the taste bitter in his mouth. How long was he
going to hate his father for what happened? It seemed a waste of time when life
was so short. He knew that from losing Cindy. Hate and regret were emotions he
didn’t need in his life. Perhaps it was time for forgiveness and mending
bridges. Tyson seemed to have moved on, so why not Rory? It was time for
families to come together and build new relationships now he had Gina and
Fisher in his life. It would be nice for them as well to have more. He wondered
if Chance would think the same way eventually.

“Tell
me what’s happening with you. Mabel said you’re the new sheriff now.” The
clearness of his father’s eyes told the story. He wasn’t drinking anymore and
the house although old and worn, was clean. Rory made the snap decision to move
on and forgive.

“Yes.
After I lost my wife I didn’t know what to do, bit like you I guess. I wandered
around aimlessly for a few years until Chance managed to get hold of me. He
wanted me to come home and I was thinking about it to tell the truth. I even got
so far as to put in for a transfer. Then I received a call from Tyson. He’d had
a bad accident so I came back early.”

“Chance?
I hear he’s on the mend thank goodness. Do you think he’ll ever forgive me?”
His father’s lips trembled.

“Who
knows? Give him time and we’ll see. It was good to talk to you again, but I
really have to get back to work.” He stood up, the years melting away. “Call me
if you need anything, okay, Dad?”

Tears
rolled down the wizened cheeks and Rory wished he could take back the missing
years. He knew exactly how his father felt when he lost his wife. If Rory were
any other person, he could easily have gone down the same path of destruction
losing himself in a bottle. He reached for his father and held the frail
shaking body close.

“Thanks,
son. Appreciate it and I’m doing okay now I’m sober. Took me awhile. I have
things under control now.”

Rory
put his hat on and hugged his father again. “See you around.” He walked out,
thankful he’d had the chance to make peace with that part of his life.

As
he turned into the main street, a familiar car drove past and pulled up in
front of his office. Gina opened the door and slid her legs out, climbed out,
and smoothed down her skirt. His heart raced as she stood there looking around,
so timid but so lovely. He hurried back, waving as he crossed the road.

“Hi.
Glad you decided to come in. Where’s Fisher?”

Her
eyes widened when she saw him and a small hint of pink tinted her cheeks.
“Callie insisted on taking care of him. I think he has her wrapped around his
little finger.”

Rory
reached her and put his arm over her shoulders. “I know how she feels. He’s got
me sorted too, and Chance. Now that I have you here, how about a quick tour of
the town before we have a coffee. There’s something I want to show you.”

“Sure.
I said I’d be a couple of hours so I’m all yours.” She smiled up into his face
and let him lead her down the street. He kept up a running commentary as they
passed each shop. When they got to the jewelers, he pushed the door open and
guided her in. Her mouth dropped open and she paled.

“I
think it’s about time I let you know how I really feel, don’t you?”

“Are
you sure, Rory? Really sure about this?” She stared at him, hope in her eyes and
also fear that it would all come crashing down around her ears.

“Yes,
I’m sure. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and Fisher, and whatever
life throws at us. I’m sick of being alone and I want you if you’ll have me.”

He
ignored the gasps of the sales lady watching them and sank down on one knee.
“Gina Taylor, will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?” He held his
breath and waited for her to answer.

***

She
licked her top lip and swallowed the fear racing up her throat. His eyes
beseeched her to answer him. This was what she’d been waiting for and now he
was asking, her nerves were all over the place. “Yes, if you’re sure it’s what
you really want.”

He
stood up and leaned into her. Gina took a step back, her butt hitting the wall
as he dipped his head down to her mouth. She sank into the kiss, letting her
body take over. Starved of love and affection, she wrapped her arms around his
neck and opened her heart to him. His tongue pressed between her teeth, opening
her mouth twisting his tongue around hers with a need that thrilled her to the
core. If it wasn’t for the lady watching them, Gina would have raised her leg
and wrapped it around his hips to get her body closer still.

When
he moved back, she almost cried out in distress at the distance between them.

“That
is so romantic, Sheriff. You sure know how to sweep a girl off of her feet.”
The sales assistant clapped her hands, their one person cheer squad in full
flight. “I do hope you’re here to let me help you choose a ring. Heaven forbid
you’re just using the inside of my little shop to create shenanigans with the
lady.”

Rory
gripped her hand and pulled her to the counter. “Sally?” He looked at her name
tag and smiled with a charm that made her blush. “My fiancée and I would like
you to help us choose a ring.”

“Well,
it just so happens that you’ve come to the right place. What does the lady
prefer? Diamonds?” Sally looked eagerly at Gina.