Seeking Love in Salvation (6 page)

“Why don’t we take these drinks outside on the back porch?” Val suggested. Lois was grateful. She didn’t want to talk to this sheriff or be friendly or whatever. She just wanted to be alone and feel safe with her son.

The sheriff nodded his head.

“Enjoy the sandwich. We can talk more later,” he said to Kenny, and that really annoyed her. So when he looked at Lois before following Val onto the porch, she hadn’t expected to feel the tingling sensation or any sort of pleasant emotion as he winked at her and followed her sister outside.

* * * *

Ford did not get a good feeling at all when he entered the house. The little boy Kenny immediately went to hide next to the couch, and his mom, Lois, looked scared and timid. She was definitely on edge, withdrawn. He was grateful that Helena had warned him, but also a bit confused. She wouldn’t go into details about the story of their need to move here, just that he needed to give them space and allow Valentina to take care of her sister and her niece.

He took a sip from the sweet tea and then looked out toward his cousins’ land. He had never seen Jace so riled up about a person, never mind a woman, like he had been over Valentina. Boy, did he understand why. The woman was gorgeous and tough as nails. Figured it would take someone like that to get under Jace’s skin. He smiled to himself.

“So, you like it out here so far?” he asked Valentina.

“Yes, sir, seems that everyone for the most part is friendly and minds their own business,” she said to him, and he detected her attitude. He glanced at her and gave her the once-over before he countered.

“I’m not the enemy, or someone who is here to cause you and your family any more stress or worry.”

“Really? ’Cause I kinda get the feeling you are making my family uncomfortable. I think we should get something straight here, sheriff. Helena explained to me about your position and your way of thinking in town, especially all the men. We don’t need looking after. We sure as hell don’t need any guardians, either, or whatever you like to sugar coat it as. I’m more than capable of taking care of my family. Maybe this morning was an indication?”

“This morning you could have gotten killed or injured by Jace. He took it easy on you,” he replied.

“Easy on me? I had a gun to his throat.”

“He had one to yours. Hell, he’s a Goddamn Green Beret. Do you know our capabilities? It’s beyond police academy training.”

She went to reply and then looked away.

He exhaled.

“Listen, Valentina, I don’t know what all y’all went through back in New York. I know you were a police officer involved in special victims unit. I understand that you’ve been friends with my cousin for a long time, that it was her idea for you and your family to move out here. Watching your sister and nephew inside and seeing how defensive you are tells me that there’s more to your story.”

She looked at him.

“Why is it your business?”

“It’s how things work around here. It’s how we keep everyone safe.”

“Sounds more like a control thing to me.”

“It isn’t. Listen, this visit wasn’t meant to upset you or your sister. It was meant to introduce myself and to put you at ease. If at any time you need anything or need some help, I’m here for you. So if you have any questions for me, then shoot,” he said to her.

She looked him over. “Listen, I don’t have any questions for you. I don’t need any help right now. We’re just trying to settle in and adjust to this new town and to being in a new place. We don’t need men looking after us, or others questioning our capabilities. We just want to be left alone to live our lives and to feel peaceful. Do you think that you could possibly oblige us that?” she asked him.

He could see the defiance and the attitude in her eyes. She was protecting her family. He did not feel good about this. He felt like there was more to their story, and he had to make sure trouble wasn’t following them to Salvation.

“Are you in any kind of trouble? Could you potentially have someone looking for you, to come here to cause you or your sister harm?”

She stared at him and then shook her head.

“Where’s the boy’s father?”

“Dead,” she said, straight-faced. He swallowed.

“Okay. I’m going to leave this alone. Just remember what I told you about this town and how we take care of our own. We watch over the women.”

“I don’t need anyone watching over me.”

He stared at her and totally absorbed her defiance. She was from New York, from an area that didn’t understand this type of situation. She was tough. A street cop in New York, a woman who dealt with violent crimes. She probably saw crazy shit and thought he didn’t and couldn’t possibly provide any protection or security to her or her family. He thought better of continuing to argue. He set the glass down.

“Thank you for the iced tea. Have a good day, and I hope to see you and your family in town enjoying all that Salvation has to offer.” He placed his hat on his head and headed off the porch and then around the side of the house to the driveway. As he walked by, he glanced to the right and saw his cousin Jace standing there on the deck, arms crossed, leaning against the column. It gave him a thought, that maybe between his cousins and his brothers, they could all keep an eye on Valentina and her family, after all.

* * * *

Valentina exhaled. “He’s gone?” Lois asked, taking her time to ease onto the porch and look to be sure the sheriff was gone.

“He’s gone, but something tells me the man will be back.”

“Seriously?” Lois asked and she felt a hint of excitement about that despite her fears. She quickly submerged them.

She had been stupid to trust Caden and to fall for his charms, his military background, and his dominant ways. She knew when she was pregnant with Kenny and he struck her several times anyway that she was doomed. Then, to have him beat her, forcefully rape her in front of her son? God, she wouldn’t ever be normal or safe.

“Lois?” Valentina pulled her sister into her arms and held her. Lois felt the tears fill her eyes.

“Will I ever feel safe? Feel normal again?” she asked her.

Val caressed her hair and held her. “Yes, you will. As long as you stay strong and you fight, for yourself and for Kenny. He needs his mommy and you need to get stronger.”

Lois stepped back.

“Did you hear from Helena?”

“Yes, we have an appointment at the medical center tomorrow afternoon.” She swallowed hard.

“Do you think they’ll be able to help?”

“I hope so, sis, ’cause God knows we need some positive things to head our way.”

“He asked us to keep an eye on them,” Sparrow said to his brothers as they gathered around the dinner table.

“What the fuck for? She’s got a gun and an attitude,” Jace said as he cleared his plate.

“He probably got the same feeling I did after talking with them,” Ridge said to them, standing up next.

“Yeah, I got the feeling the woman has an attitude but more like she’s on the defensive. She’s protective of her sister and her nephew,” Beck added.

“Why is this our problem?” Jace asked.

“Ford said that he and his brothers will help, too. We’re around here, that’s probably why,” Sparrow added. He could tell the guys were uncomfortable with this. They liked to do their own thing.

“They don’t go anywhere, anyway. Just to the supermarket and, once, to the farm,” Bret said to them.

“To our farm? When?” Sparrow asked.

“Yesterday. You didn’t see them there? The kid liked the chickens. Laverty was there, too, and asked me if that was them. He said Ford told him to keep an eye on them if he sees them. We both noticed that Lois, the mom, was clutching a light sweater tightly around her and wore sunglasses like Valentina. They didn’t really socialize, just picked some things and then left quickly,” Bret explained.

Sparrow felt uneasy, but one glance at Jace, who usually disappeared this time of week, and he realized he was listening and seemed to care. Maybe he saw and felt the same things they had but wasn’t contributing. That would be surprising.

Jace had really closed up since they’d returned home. He didn’t spend much time at the farm, except to help load hay and do some chores. It made Sparrow wonder if his brother was attracted to Valentina. Then he thought otherwise. None of them entertained any women or went out on dates. They didn’t find anyone they were interested in dating and didn’t care to prance around town or go to dinner, or the movies, or walks and shit. They were Green Berets. They lived to do outdoor stuff—to hunt, fish, hike, and shoot shit up.

“We should go fishing this weekend?” he blurted out.

“Can’t. The farm has opening strawberry picking day, remember? We all said we would help,” Beck told them and they sighed.

“Maybe next weekend, then,” Sparrow replied, and they finished cleaning up from dinner. Everyone was being awfully quiet. It felt different in the house. Strange. Like something was on their minds and no one was willing to talk about it. Could it have something to do with their new tenants? Or just something to do with Valentina?

* * * *

Valentina was driving down the road on her way to town when she saw some people having a yard sale outside on a lawn. What stood out was the house, which looked to be a business of some sort, and there were a lot of kids running around. The various signs indicated that they were having some sort of fundraiser. She spotted several small bikes with training wheels and one tricycle in red. Plus, there was some sort of little jungle gym just the right size for Kenny.

She parked the car. got out, and was greeted by several little kids, all about ten years old.

“Good morning, miss. Would you like to buy some lemonade or some cookies form the bake sale?” She couldn’t help but to smile at the kid as he winked and then blushed. He was a little salesman.

“Sure thing, but can I look around first?” she asked. They nodded and then followed her around the yard sale.

“Are you looking for a bike?” the other little boy asked her as an older lady smiled and fixed some small toys on the table she was near.

“Actually, I am looking for a bike, for my nephew.”

“How old is he?” a little girl asked.

“Four, but he’ll be five in a few months.”

“So is he ready to learn how to ride a two-wheeler?”

“I don’t think so,” she said to the young man, who seemed to be the salesman of the group.

“I’m interested in maybe that one, with the training wheels.”

His eyes widened.

“That was my bike when I was just a little kid. I’m a man now, that’s why I let my mom sell it today,” he told her as he pumped out his chest and winked.

The other kids laughed, as did the older lady.

“How about the jungle gym? That looks pretty cool,” she asked and walked closer to it. Valentina thought it would be great in the yard for Kenny. She wondered if the landlord would mind it. Maybe she needed to wait. Then she realized that it was too big to fit into her car.

“You know what? It won’t fit in my car. I think I’m going to have to pass.”

“Awe!” they all exclaimed, and she chuckled.

“What’s going on over here?”

She heard the deep voice and turned to look who was there and was shocked to see Beck. She pushed some strands of hair behind her ear.

“She’s going to buy my old bike and the jungle gym for her nephew, but she doesn’t have a truck. I’m going to ask my brother. He’s like twenty, close to your age, and I bet when he sees you he’ll offer his truck,” the little boy said to her.

“And ask for her number,” the other boy said.

“She won’t say yes. She’s too pretty for your brother, and he’s always cursing,” the little girl exclaimed.

Valentina felt her cheeks warm, especially as Beck listened to the whole exchange with his arms crossed in front of his chest and a gleam in his eyes.

“If she really wants them, then I’ll take them in my truck,” Beck told the boys and they all moaned out in disappointment. She chuckled.

“Thank you for your help, though,” she added.

“Are you still going to buy some baked goods?” the little girl asked.

“Definitely,” Valentina replied and smiled.

“How much ya gonna spend?” asked the boy who had been helping her as he gave Beck the evil eye. It seemed he was really intent on having her meet his brother. She couldn’t help but laugh.

“If you have a box to hold enough things in it, I’ll probably take ten dollars’ worth. I’ll be over in a few minutes,” she said to him and his eyes widened.

“Yes,” he exclaimed and pumped his fist. All the kids went running.

“Looks like you made some friends,” Beck said to her as he swept his eyes over her body. She ran her fingers through her hair and turned away from him a moment to look at the jungle gym. Then she looked up at him.

“Is it okay with you and your brothers if I get this for my nephew and put it out back? I’ll understand if you don’t want to see the kids’ things around the yard.”