5. Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Roxie
Waking up well rested did nothing to lessen the uncomfortable feeling in my gut.
Lennox Hutton wasn’t expecting us.
I’ve already looked at a couple of options online this morning, and it looks like a town about forty-five minutes away is my best bet for lodging. Not ideal, but I’m not staying here and making a client uneasy. It’s never my intention to take advantage of someone or stay where I’m not wanted. And I certainly don’t want to put Ivy in the middle of it all.
I hear raised voices coming from the main area and cringe, knowing it’s more than likely about me. I’ve been up for over an hour, so I’ve packed what little we brought in and changed already. Ivy’s still crashed in the room next to me, but I expect that won’t be for much longer.
A shout tells me it’s time to come out and solve everyone’s problem the easy way. No use in letting Lennox get worked up over nothing. He needs to be resting and healing, not getting agitated and worrying about people in his space.
Lord knows I would hate it if the situation was reversed. I’m not sure of the ins and outs of their familial situation, but it’s not my job to be in the know. What I can do is create the best environment for Lennox to truly work through things .
I quietly walk down the hallway and pause when I see a more clean-cut version of Lennox. It’s plain as day that they are siblings, and except for the laugh lines on—I’m assuming—Ledger’s face, they could be twins.
“You don’t control my life!” Lennox yells, and I clear my throat.
I don’t want to overhear a family argument; I’ve had enough of that to last multiple lifetimes.
“You must be Roxie. It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Ledger.” He stands and holds his hand out with a small smile on his face, ignoring his brother’s outburst.
“Nice to meet you too. I just wanted to say I’ve been looking at places this morning, and I’ll be looking in Rosedale for a place to stay, so no stress or more miscommunication to worry about.” I plaster a smile on my face, glancing back at Lennox as I say it.
His jaw clenches tight as he breathes in deep. “That won’t be necessary.” Lennox’s deep, gravelly voice hits me right in the chest.
“It’s fine, really,” I urge, taking a step back from Ledger.
“I brought breakfast. Why don’t we all sit down, and we can discuss everything?” Ledger adds diplomatically.
I nod, but before I can take a step, a small voice sounds from behind me. “Mommy?”
“Good morning, Ivy Bug. How’d you sleep?” I squat down as she walks into my arms and lays her head on my shoulder, still clearly half asleep.
“So good. That was the bestest bed of all the times.” She sighs, content.
“The nice Huttons have breakfast for us. Are you hungry?”
She nods against my shoulder, and I pick her up, still cradled against me with her favorite stuffed animal—a beat-up raccoon she’s had since she was a baby. I turn to head to the table and stop in my tracks when I see both men staring at me with different variations of awe on their faces. I didn’t think about how my interactions with my daughter would be perceived, and I’m suddenly very uncomfortable at them seeing this side of me.
“So, breakfast,” I hedge.
“Right.” Ledger clears his throat and grabs a brown paper bag with a coffee logo on it. “I didn’t know what everyone liked, so Oakley tossed in a little of everything.”
I sit down at the small table with Ivy still in my arms as Ledger lays out an obnoxious number of pastries that look mouthwatering.
“I like your monster truck pajamas, Ivy.” Lennox’s words sound stilted, but they spark the little girl in my lap to life.
“Thanks! Monster trucks are my favorite. Do you know about monster trucks? My favorite is Bone Shaker; he usually wins in the videos I watch. I have a small one of him. He’s awesome.” She sighs, wistfully, and I barely contain my laughter.
“Uh, I-I, umm…” Lennox stutters.
“Bug, not everyone is obsessed with monster trucks like you.” I’ve told her the same thing every time someone shows an ounce of interest, even if it’s to make conversation, but she’s five and doesn’t get it. It’s adorable as hell, though.
Lennox is slow to make his way to the table, and I watch him carefully. He cringes every few steps, and it’s as clear as day that he’s pushing through pain he doesn’t need to be.
“Looks like Oakley packed a chocolate milk; is that okay for her to have?” Ledger looks at me before setting it down .
“Totally.” Ivy shifts in my lap, waiting exactly point three seconds before snatching the milk off the table and drinking half of it in one go.
“And he also sent a plethora of coffees, so pick your poison.” He sets down a to-go carrier with four cups all labeled nicely.
I pick a vanilla latte and close my eyes, moaning at the first sip. I open my eyes and lock onto Lennox’s. There’s a heat there that takes me by surprise, but he blinks, and it’s gone before I can really analyze it.
As Ledger sits, sliding one of the drinks to Lennox, he turns to me. “Are we okay to talk business in front of the little one?” he asks softly.
“Yep,” Ivy says as she sets down her milk.
I chuckle and look up at Ledger. “You’re good.”
“We—my sisters and I—were in a hurry to get someone here to start PT with Lennox. I mistakenly forgot to let him know—”
“Is that what we’re going to call it?” Lennox grumbles before rolling his eyes, picking up a Danish and eating half of it in one bite.
Ledger sends him a glare as he continues, “We wanted someone hired on ASAP, and you were perfect. I just forgot to tell him you were coming, or staying. He knew we were looking to bring someone in, but this was all my mess-up.” He has the decency to look apologetic, at least.
“It’s fine, really. It’s a big ask to be a live-in PT, and although it’s a huge help, we’re more than capable of finding someplace in Rosedale. It’s really not a problem. I can still be here every day for a few hours if needed.”
“Not happening,” Lennox clips, picking at the pastry like it personally wronged him. He’s a conundrum, this one.
“It’s not really your decision.” I tilt my head, keeping my tone sweet even though my message is anything but.
“It is if I’m paying you,” he murmurs under his breath .
My eyebrows lift to my hairline. I’m not really the person to threaten with money. He doesn’t know that yet, but he will.
“Well, we can just end the conversation right here, then, and I’ll happily turn down the employment.” I shift Ivy in my arms and stand up, making sure to grab the latte. It’s damn good, and I’m not letting it go to waste.
My mind is running a mile a minute as I turn to head to the room I was in last night. This is the right decision; however, it now means we’re homeless, and I don’t have a job to provide any type of stability. Ivy needs to be in school come Monday, and this just adds to the fucked-up mess that is my life.
I knew this was too good to be true.
My eyes well with tears at feeling like a failure again, but I suck in a breath and hold strong. I won’t let anyone hold money over my head again, no matter how much Lennox intrigues me. No matter how much I want to help him.
“Shit, Roxie, I’m sorry,” Lennox calls from behind me, his tone pained, but it doesn’t change my mind. I don’t stop, but a hand stops my progress. I turn to find Ledger giving me an apologetic look.
“Please stay. We can figure all of this out.”
My eyes shift between the two men, both looking ashamed and embarrassed.
I have two choices: stay and hear them out, at the very least, and keep this job I so desperately need, or I walk away with nothing in the middle of a small town with no job opportunities.
There really is no choice when I factor Ivy into things. And it fucking kills me that I don’t have any other options .
“Hey, Bug, can you go play in your room for a few minutes?” I ask before putting her down.
She looks up at me with a far too knowing look before nodding and running off to play with the toys she brought in last night. I watch her and wait until she’s in the room before I turn back to the men.
“Let me make this clear right now. I won’t allow you to hold a paycheck over my head. If—and that’s a big if—I stay, I need you to understand that the second you pull something like that again, I’m gone.”
Lennox nods rapidly. It’d be comical if I wasn’t still so shaken by his comment.
“That won’t happen again. I apologize for this … really shitty start.” Ledger sighs as he sits back down at the table.
“I’m sorry, Roxie. I didn’t mean to say that. My … people skills are severely lacking lately.” Lennox scrubs his hand over his face, looking every bit the shattered man I was warned about. “Sit, please.”
I join the brothers at the table and wait them out. If they want me to stay, they’ll need to show me this isn’t going to be a massive mistake.
The silence stretches for so long, I’m about to open my mouth and say who knows what when Lennox starts talking.
“Have you heard of the Tennison Strangler?” His voice is small and shaky. Pain and uncertainty shine on his face, and I feel like this is something huge for him.
Ledger startles next to me, looking at his brother wide-eyed and shocked, proving my suspicion.
“I have.” I nod, trying to keep my voice even and professional.
“I was his last victim,” he whispers.
His statement sends shockwaves through the entire house. Everyone knows who the Tennison Strangler is because it was on every news station for weeks, but it’s more of an abstract thing. I saw what he did and how terrible a person he was, but this makes it real, not just a story on TV. This is a true connection to the monster that sent fear to a nation with just his nickname. I can’t imagine what Lennox has been through, much less the aftermath of it.
“I’ve been struggling—a lot, not just with the physical limitations. It’s not an excuse, but I need you to understand me a little more if this is going to work.” There’s so much pain in his voice, I want to give him a hug. “I would like you to stay. Take over the whole guest side of the house; make it your home too. Just please … stay. I know I need help, but I may not be the easiest of clients.” His pained words give me insight to his real struggles.
Well shit. How can anyone turn down this struggling, sweet man? I’d be doing him a disservice by not helping, and my head is screaming at me to stay and make a real difference in his life, not just through physical therapy. I got into this career to make a difference, and I’m not sure there’s anyone who needs my help more at this moment.
I look over at Ledger, who has been startingly quiet over the last few minutes, and I can see his eyes are glossy and his jaw is clenched. I get the sense this isn’t normal for Lennox of late, being open like this, let alone with a stranger.
“Okay.” I clear my throat when my voice catches. “Okay, I’ll stay.”
The relief is palpable. Lennox’s shoulders release, and he slumps back into his chair. Ledger blows out a steady stream of breath before smiling over at me.
“Thank you. It means more than you’ll ever know,” he says .
We sit in uncomfortable silence while I try to figure out if this is a huge mistake. But I couldn’t say no. I’d never forgive myself if I walked away from Lennox.
“Umm, I’ll start getting stuff from my car,” I deflect. It’s not that I want to shy away from the emotions, but I don’t feel like it’s my place right now. I barely know Lennox, and although understanding some basics about what he’s been through helps, it’s not enough to warrant going any deeper.
And I got hired to be his physical therapist. I need to remember that.
“I’ll get it.” Ledger scoots the chair back with a squeak and walks quickly to the front door.
“I am sorry, Roxie. I don’t want to say I want to start fresh, but I do want you and Ivy to feel comfortable here,” Lennox says softly. He still looks unsure and shell-shocked, but I believe he’s being honest.
“I appreciate that. Once I get everything set up in our rooms, you and I can discuss treatment plans and where you’re at since the surgery. If that works,” I quickly add.
“Yeah, that works. I’m just going to hobble to the couch if that’s okay?” he echoes.
“Absolutely. We won’t be doing any exercises today. Think of it more as an assessment to see where you’re at currently and what your goals are overall, not just with your leg.” I gesture to his brace.
His face changes in an instant. He goes from hopeful to dread in seconds.
I have my work cut out for me on this one. But the good news about an injury this extensive means more time in Bluebell Falls. I can’t hope for forever, but longer-term would sure be nice .
Small-town life might be beneficial for both Ivy and me, but we won’t know unless I stick it out with this job and make the most of it.
A little voice inside my head says I need to be careful with Lennox, though.