Lena's Happily Ever After [The Town of Pearl 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (3 page)

She got the chills as she thought about him.

Please don’t let him go after Sage.

* * * *

“So, you think she’s on the run or perhaps in some kind of trouble? You didn’t recognize her?” Pete’s wife Abigail asked him as he sat on the bed along with Frank and Will.

“I’m not sure, Abby. She was really scared but also polite.”

“Polite?” Frank asked, sounding surprised.

“Yeah, she was concerned over cleaning up the mess, and she apologized for it and cleaned it up.”

“That doesn’t sound like a troubled teenager. You didn’t recognize her at all or tell Kenny about her?” Will asked.

“Naw. I would have remembered if I had seen a teenager with eyes as bright and different as hers. They were aqua-blue and big. She wore a hooded sweatshirt, so I don’t know what color her hair was, and by her response to seeing police show up, I’d say she had a fear of cops.” He stood up from the bed and walked toward the window. He ran his hands through his hair. The concern for the teenager was consuming him.

“Pete, what’s the matter?” Abigail asked as she joined him by the window, placing her arms around his waist. He pulled her into his arms then looked at his brothers over her shoulder.

“There was something about her, Abby. I think she’ll come back again, at least I hope she does. I want to help her.”

Abigail smiled.

“Then help her. Maybe she’s from Turbank or somewhere like that. You find out, Pete. You’re great at helping those in need.”

He smiled, feeling confident that he could help the teenager. He just worried that before he got to see her again something bad might happen.

In the kitchen, Bryant poured another few shots of whiskey into his black coffee. The house was dark with the shades drawn tight. The kitchen was a mess. The entire house was. He really didn’t give a shit. He would have been fine living in his truck out in the middle of nowhere. His life sucked. He couldn’t sleep a fucking wink without waking up in a cold sweat or practically crying like a fucking baby.

His brothers, his fathers, and mom would fucking lose it. They would think he was weak.

He took a deep breath and exhaled as the pain hit his chest. Lifting the cup toward his mouth, he could smell the heavy sting of alcohol. But he knew it wouldn’t be enough to stop the constant feeling of pain.

His leg ached, his heart ached, and his entire body and soul felt numb. If he could drive the fucking truck without his leg cramping up, he would drive it off a fucking cliff.

He drank down the half a cup of coping medicine and closed his eyes as the burning traveled down his throat.

Why didn’t You take me? Why am I still alive?

* * * *

Dr. Jones knew that the teenager had returned the last few nights. He had left packages of food, clothing, and even a sleeping bag. The teenager was taking her time, and soon two weeks had passed. He confided in his son, Kenny, about the girl, and of course Kenny warned him to be cautious. Kenny wanted to wait outside one night and try to stop her to talk to her. He figured that maybe he could help as well. But that plan backfired as a group of young teen boys decided to do a little shopping at the supermarket after hours. They broke into the store and stole some cheap wine and chocolate chip cookies. He was currently searching for them.

Dr. Jones walked outside of his office around nine in the evening just as he had done the last two weeks and since the first night he saw her.

“If you’re out there, I’d really like to talk with you. I think I can help you if you let me. My wife said to invite you over for supper. Would you like to do that? Would you like to come meet my family?” He looked out into the darkness and hoped that she was there, listening to him.

The silence lasted a few moments.

“Thank you for everything you have left for me.”

The quiet feminine voice came from the side of the building.

“You’re welcome, dear. Maybe you can come out from the darkness and we can talk a while. I brought some bottles of sweet tea from the Caldoway store. They have lots of homemade things over there including jellies and jams.” He felt like an idiot, rambling on in the darkness.

“Is that deputy hiding out waiting for me?” she asked.

“Kenny? No, oh now, dear, that’s my son. He’s busy now, anyways. Caught some boys breaking into the local store to steal some food. He’ll be busy for a while.”

His heart hammered in his chest as the young teenager came out of the darkness and into the light. Her hood remained covering her head, and he could hardly make out her face, but she was there. This was the opportunity he had waited for.

“Where are you from?” he asked.

“Far away from here, mister.”

“Everyone around here calls me Doc.”

“What kind of a doctor are you?”

“Family practitioner. I deal with everything from the common cold to child birth.”

He swallowed hard and hoped that she wasn’t in some kind of trouble.

“I know what a family practitioner is. People like you a lot. They talk about you as soon as they exit the office. Heard them say that you were the best doctor around and a good person.”

“I’m the only doctor around for miles, honey.” He chuckled but she didn’t. “Are you going to tell me where you’re from?”

“A long ways away from here, Doc.”

“Well, welcome to Pearl. What’s your name?” he asked.

She remained silent but moved a little closer.

“How come there aren’t any public restrooms around here with showers?” she asked.

“No need for them.”

“I need one,” she mumbled then began to walk away.

“Hey, what about my invite, you know, to come meet my family?”

“That’s okay, sir, I mean, Doc. Thank you for the food and the clothes. I’ll manage. I just need to…”

She hesitated. He could tell that she wanted to ask something, but she fidgeted with her hands a moment.

“Is there anything I can help you with? Maybe call someone for you?”

“I just need to get a shower and get cleaned up so I can find a job. Do you know of anyone who’s hiring?” she asked, sounding kind of mature for a teenager.

“I can ask around. Got any experience with anything particular?”

“I’ve waitressed, cleaned houses, and lots of other small things.”

He thought about that a moment, and an idea began to form in his head.

“I have a shower and bathroom inside my office. I can get the things you need, and you can get ready in there.”

She stepped back.

“I don’t think so. How do I know you’re not some kind of pervert?” she asked.

He cleared his throat.

“I’m not, but I’m impressed that you’re wary and not gullible. I can call my wife Abigail. She can stick around if that makes you feel better?”

“Tomorrow, same time as tonight good?” she asked.

“Sure.”

“Good night, Doc.”

She disappeared into the darkness, and he felt both triumphant and nervous. She wasn’t very trusting, which indicated that she was used to being betrayed or lied to. He had to call Abigail. His wife would help him.

* * * *

Dr. Jones headed over to his son Bryant’s house. He knocked on the door then turned the knob when no one answered.

“Bryant! Bryant, it’s Dad, are you in here? Are you okay?”

“Leave me alone,” Bryant yelled, and Dr. Jones headed into the living room. He was shocked to see Bryant lying on the floor with a pillow under his leg and weights on the floor.

“What are you doing?”

“None of your fucking business.”

“Bryant, I won’t allow you to speak to me like this. I love you, son, and I want to help you.”

Bryant rolled his eyes.

“I can’t get up.” He stated.

Dr. Jones immediately went over to help him. He dodged old, empty boxes of delivery food and spilled coffee, beer, and soda bottles.

“This place is a mess.”

“Yeah, well I gave the maid the year off.”

Dr. Jones helped his son sit up.

“That’s all I needed. I got a bad Charlie Horse. I was lying there for a while just thinking about how this all sucks.”

“Well, maybe a cleaning person is what you need. You know, to just tidy up after you.”

“I don’t fucking think so and don’t send Mom or the fathers over either. Oh and fucking forget about Quinn, Blake, or Kenny.”

“We just want to help you.”

“You can help me by closing the fucking door on your way out.”

* * * *

Abigail knew immediately that the young girl was not a teenager but a young woman. She was stunning, and Doc had been right, her eyes were the brightest blue she had ever seen. When he said aqua-blue, Doc wasn’t kidding. Getting her to talk a little took some finagling, but Abigail was successful, and Lena was grateful for the hospitality. She could tell that the young woman was on guard and careful not to divulge where she came from or personal information on her.

“Your husband is very kind. I wasn’t sure what to expect when he didn’t call the police and report me but instead left food and blankets for me,” Lena told her.

“Yeah, Doc is a special man with a real big heart. He loves helping people. I’m glad he’s been helping you. He was concerned since the night he found you by the garbage pails.”

Lena looked a little embarrassed, and Abigail wished she had thought that sentence through before she spoke it out loud.

“The summer months are a lot nicer to stay outdoors than the winters. I would have been fine wherever I settled for the night. I wouldn’t stay too far in those fields or woods. I don’t know anything about the wildlife around Texas.”

“Yeah, I figured as much with that accent of yours. It’s smart that you stayed out of the fields. We have a lot of poisonous snakes, spiders, and animals that venture out at night. We’ll see what we can do to help find you better sleeping arrangements.” Abigail gave Lena some privacy.

* * * *

Dr. Jones was shocked to finally meet the teenager behind the big, bulky hooded sweatshirt.

“Doc, meet Lena,” Abigail stated as Lena walked out of the back room accompanied by Abigail.

Lena was not a teenager at all. She was a gorgeous young woman. Her long, black hair was as dark and shiny as onyx. It had waves of curls that fell past her shoulders and nearly to the center of her back.

“She’s gorgeous, isn’t she, Pete?” Abigail stated with a huge smile as Lena lowered her eyes and clasped her hands in front of her. She shyly placed her hair behind her ear as she spoke.

“I appreciate your help. If you can tell me who I can speak to about a job somewhere, I’d appreciate it.”

“Oh, Doc can find you a job.”

“I can ask Francine if she has any need for a waitress. Fourth of July festivities bring lots of crowds to town and especially for the pie-baking and chili-making contests.”

“Really? People actually do that for real?” Lena asked.

Abigail and her husband laughed.

“Yes, and it is just one of the many contests we have in town. The men from the ranches put on small rodeos. We host one on our ranch. All three of my husbands run the event along with two of my sons, Quinn and Blake,” Abigail told Lena.

“I’m sorry, did you just say husbands?”

“Yes. We better explain a few things about this town to you.”

“Oh, that’s okay. I think I get it. I saw a few couples and groups of people while walking around town. One had four men with one woman and another had two men with one woman. They were kissing her and both holding her hands. Isn’t that kind of illegal or something?” Lena asked, scrunching her eyes together.

“Well you see, honey, legally I am married to Doc, but I am equally committed to all my husbands. It’s acceptable in the town, and in many surrounding towns as well. As a matter of fact, more ménage relationships are popping up around the country. It involves true love and a commitment like no other relationship. It’s special, and we would like to believe that it’s fated by a much higher power than what most are used to.”

“Sounds too perfect and more like a fantasy,” Lena stated, and the Doctor chuckled.

“How about you start working here tomorrow morning?” Doc offered, the thought springing into his head. He still felt compelled to keep an eye on her and knew nothing about her.

“Really? Doing what?” she asked.

“Oh, do you know about computers at all?” he asked, and she raised her eyebrows at him as if he’d asked her the most stupid question.

“I don’t own one, but I know how to use one. I used to stay all day in the libraries and read and do research on the computers in the wintertime.” She swallowed hard and looked a bit uncomfortable about sharing a little bit about herself. The doctor wondered exactly how long she had been on her own and why no one helped her.