Chapter 7 #2
“Fuck me,” he whispered as he grabbed the crutches and made it to the bathroom.
He went out to turn on the coffee pot, then went back to his room to dress.
Because he knew he would have to remove his outer jeans at the doctor’s office, he dressed in sweat pants that had snaps up the side, so they would be easier to remove, making sure he had clean underwear on.
He also donned a tee, and a flannel, then took his socks with him when he went back to the kitchen.
As he poured himself his first cup of coffee for the day, he sent a text to Faith, not expecting a response until at least seven.
He jerked when a knock came at the door less than five minutes later, and expecting it to be Tony, he called for them to come in.
“Faith,” he said in shock. “I didn’t expect you this early.”
“I said I was an early riser. I’ve been up since quarter to five. Showered, and packed. I don’t know whether this is a lull in the storm, or if it’s blown over. If it has, then once I bring you back here, I’ll head home.”
“How long is the drive?”
“Eighteen hours. I’ll make it in two days, I’ll stop for fuel and bathroom breaks.
I’ll eat when I stop for the night.” She looked at his expression and shook her head.
“No, I’m not starving myself. I’m not doing anything different than I normally do.
I always eat a hearty, heavy breakfast, a light lunch, and a hearty, healthy dinner. I never snacked between meals.”
“Oh.” He looked at her and grinned. “What do you consider a heavy, hearty breakfast?”
“Pancakes, French Toast, bacon, eggs, sausage.”
“All in one meal?”
“Yes, or,” she said as she took a package out of her pocket to place on the counter.
“What’s that?”
“Sausage. When Cole, Naomi, and Lois showed me the pantry, they told me I could take whatever I wanted. It’s thawed, and I was thinking homemade biscuits and sausage gravy.”
“I can wrap my head around that. What do I need to do to help?”
“First, pour me a cup of coffee, and set the table. I’ll whip up the biscuits, and then you can start frying the sausage.”
“Deal.” He rose and did as she instructed, finding it easier to get around on one crutch.
They worked in silence, and by the time the biscuits were slid into the oven, he had drained the grease off the meat.
Together, they were able to make the gravy, and instead of dirtying any more dishes, he set the frying pan of gravy on a pot holder in the center of the table.
“There are left over biscuits from last night. Not enough for us both, do you want them or the fresh ones?”
“Both,” he said with a grin. She brought all the biscuits to the table, and when he waited for her, she waved her hand at him.
“Dig in while it’s still hot.”
He did, and again, he closed his eyes to savor the flavors on his first bite. “I love this stuff, but never had a clue as to how to make it. I always saved it as a special treat if I ever went out to a restaurant.” He shook his head. “This tastes better than any restaurant.”
“Thank you.” They ate in silence, and cleaned up together. They had just settled back at the table when a knock came on the door. Shay called out, and it opened.
“Hey,” he said to the man and woman that stood there, taken aback that Faith sat at the table.
“I don’t know if you remember her, but this is Faith Webber. She was hired on as the resident jockey.”
“Hi, I’m Tony,” he said, and came over to shake her hand.
“I’m Staci, Tony’s girlfriend.”
“Are you the one that makes prosthetics?”
“I am. Do you need any?”
“No, but Tony said something about your job yesterday.”
“Oh.” She looked at them, then directly at Shay. “We stopped by on our way to work. Tony wanted to check on you earlier, but I convinced him that you’re a grown man, and would reach out if you needed anything.”
“Thank you, and I would have, however, Tony, when you and Cole took me over to see Caleb, Faith made dinner for us.” He shook his head and laughed. “She slept in her own cabin.”
“Not that it’s any of his business,” Staci said. “Again, you’re a grown man, and can live your life your way.”
“Thank you, anyway, Faith and I had dinner together, we talked, I got to learn a little about what she will be doing here, and then she went to her cabin. I texted her when the coffee was done, and she came right over. We made sausage, biscuits and gravy for breakfast, ate, and are now relaxing before we have to leave for the doctor over in Colorado Springs.”
“How’s the leg?” Tony asked.
“Ooh, can you teach me how to cook that?” Staci asked at the same time. “Before coming here, I didn’t know how to cook. Tony’s teaching me some things, but I want to learn more.”
“I can, it’s simple. When I return from Kentucky, I’ll teach you.”
“Why Kentucky? I thought you were going to Colorado Springs.”
“I am, to take Shay to his appointment. When we get back, I’m heading home to pack up my life there, put my house on the market, and come back. Thankfully, my friend is a real estate agent, and I don’t have to be present to sell my house. We can do everything over the internet.”
“Good for you. Do you know when you’ll be back here?”
“Three to four weeks.”
“Good, I’ll look forward to seeing you again.”
The men didn’t say anything as the women talked, but when they were done, Shay looked at Tony with a smirk.
“It hurts like a motherfucker.” He moved his legs out from beneath the table, reached down, unsnapped one leg, and flipped the material to the side so they could see how black his entire knee, half way down his calf, and the lower part of his thigh was discolored.
“Damn, I don’t think either Marcia nor I were that bruised, combined, after we hit the side of that mountain.”
“Yeah, I saw you both when you were brought into the hospital, and I have to agree with you.” He looked at Faith. “It’s not my story to tell.”
“You can tell it,” Tony said. “I don’t think Marcia would mind either.” He looked at Faith. “It’s all true, and it proves that we’re family and take care of our own.”
“Okay, he can tell me on the drive to Colorado Springs.”
“Let me know how it goes.”
“I will.” Shay nodded as they left, then he looked at Faith. “Do you want to head out now?”
“Sure, it’s never bad to arrive early. Maybe this doctor can get you in when we arrive. I know you’re probably going to have to have more x-rays, and an MRI.”
“Speaking of, we need to swing by Broken Two to pick up the file Caleb put together for me.”
“I can do that, just give me directions.” She watched as he snapped his pant leg back together and put on his socks, then slipped his feet into combat boots. He left them untied, and she smirked at the look.
Outside, she looked at him and pointed a finger at him.
“Wait here, I’ll go get my truck.” She turned and jogged away, in three minutes she was back with her truck, and because it was lower than his, he was able to slip into the seat without any problems. He gave her directions to the road, and then over to Broken Two.
Forty minutes after leaving his house, they were on the road, heading to Colorado Springs.