Chapter 17 Rachel
RACHEL
Ipeek around the arch and watch Rosco struggling to arrange Axel on his shoulder, ready to intervene should he need assistance.
He looks completely terrified but is managing to soothe the crying infant.
My ovaries are doing cartwheels at the sight.
It’s all I can do to not beg Shelby to take her son so I can drag Rosco off to his bed and make one of our own.
Whoa! Full stop!
Definitely not where my mind should be right now, not with my stepfather gunning for me and the boys. Sadness overcomes me. No matter how much I might want a relationship with him, it can never be. I can’t put him in that kind of danger.
With a deep inhale, resigning myself to accept this, I turn toward the kitchen once I’m convinced Rosco doesn’t need help. I look up to see Marley and Shelby with huge grins on their faces.
“What?” I demand, not even trying to suppress my eye roll. I know what they’re thinking. Hell, it’s what I was thinking, too, but I need to be clear. Rosco and I will never be a couple, no matter how much I want us to be.
“Come on Rachel,” Marley cajoles, “you want him and seeing him with Axel increases that want tenfold.” I can’t deny it. She’s one hundred percent correct. Yet it doesn’t change the fact I’m running from the mob and Rosco doesn’t want to want me.
“Wanting him and having him are two different things,” I say, moving to the refrigerator to see if he has anything to cook. I open the door and stare in shock at the stark shelves.
A nearly empty half-gallon of milk sits on the top shelf next to a molded lump wrapped in plastic. There are a few wrapped cheese slices in the door next to an empty carton of eggs. The middle shelf is completely bare, but all is not lost. He has several bottles of beer on the bottom shelf.
Fearing what I’ll find, I bravely open the meat and vegetable draws to find them empty, too, except for half a bag of wilted romaine lettuce and a very soft, nearly rotten cucumber.
“Eww!” I complain, pulling the drawer all the way out and dumping its contents into the trash. Marley and Shelby have joined me at the fridge. We all have matching looks of disgust on our faces.
“No wonder he’s always eating at our house,” Marley comments. She opens a cabinet door finding those shelves mostly bare, too. A lone box of cereal and one can of chunky vegetable beef soup are all that’s there. We open the rest of the doors finding even less.
“Well so much for cooking them a meal,” Shelby complains, opening a lower cabinet next to the stove. “At least he does have a set of cookware.” I look down to see a mostly pristine set, only one pot looks as though it’s been used with any frequency. I suspect that’s his heating up soup pot.
“It’s fine. I placed an order on the way over here.
It’s set to be delivered any minute now,” Marley declares, pulling out her phone and typing on it with gusto.
“Luke thought I was crazy to pay for Walmart+, but since the baby’s come along?
He’s more than happy I have it. It’s a life saver when you’re nearly out of diapers and wipes but too exhausted to think about driving to the store.
I just place an order, and a few hours later, viola!
Diapers and wipes and whatever else I order on impulse. ”
Shelby and I laugh at Marley’s excitement over having groceries delivered. It’s something I’ve never been able to afford, but I can definitely see the benefits, especially with a newborn.
“So, what did you order?” Shelby asks. Marley is still checking the app on her phone. She looks up briefly.
“Um, everything? He literally has nothing,” Marley answers with a laugh. “I knew we’d need everything. I don’t think he even has a salt shaker.” Sparing a glance at the stove, I spy the set.
“He does,” I say while picking it up. “But it’s nearly empty, and I don’t see a box to refill it.” Marley shakes her head.
“It’d be easier if everyone came to our hou—,” Marley begins, but I cut her off.
“No!” I insist. “You don’t want the mob coming to your house, looking for us. It’s bad enough Rosco brought us here, but at least he doesn’t have babies here all the time.” Both of them nod their agreement.
Just then, we hear an increase in volume coming from the other room. Jason, Dalton, and Matthew enter the kitchen, each one loaded down with grocery bags.
“Your delivery is here,” Jason announces, lifting his weighted down arms before depositing the bags on the counter. “I can’t wait to see what you’re cooking. I’m starving!” Dalton and Matthew are equally loaded down with grocery bags. Every available space is covered in seconds.
“Yell when dinner’s ready,” Dalton says over his shoulder as the trio stalks out of the room.
“We’ll be on watch.” The stark reminder of why we’re all here hits me.
All of these good people, my friends, are here to protect me and my brothers.
It’s been so long since we’ve had anyone other than ourselves.
While it feels good to know they’re willing to risk their lives to help us, it doesn’t seem right.
How can I allow them to put themselves in danger for us?
I don’t get time to think too much about it. Marley begins organizing the chaos. We keep busy putting away the groceries before we begin preparing the meal. There are a lot of mouths to feed. It’s going to take a while to prepare everything.
The men are still deep in planning how to keep my brothers and I safe, but I know they must be hungry. They’ll be at this for a while. I set to work preparing some appetizers to tide them over until the main course is ready.
Meanwhile Marley and Shelby prep and season enough chicken breasts to feed our large crew.
Then they wash the vegetables for the side dishes.
We work together in harmony like we’ve done so many times before.
It’s a comfortable feeling. I can almost forget why we’re here.
Almost, but not completely. The weight of impending doom hangs over me like a dark thundercloud. When are they going to strike?
I have no doubt my stepfather will find us if we remain here in Virginia Beach. It’s only a matter of time. I know what must be done, but I can’t think about it right now. It hurts too much.
Focusing on the task at hand, I push my worries away. I know at some point the boys and I will have to leave and start over again, but for now, I’m going to make the most of this time with my family and friends…with Rosco.
Once the appetizers are finished, I arrange the finger sandwiches, cheeses, and snack crackers on a tray. It’s not much and nothing fancy, just a little something to tide them over until we can get the full meal prepared.
“I’ll take this out,” Marley says, when I’ve finished filling it up.
“I want to check on the babies. I know Luke is more than capable of taking care of Markus, but I just need to see my sweet boy.” I share a smile with her as I hand her the tray.
If I had a beautiful baby boy, I’d want to see him every second, too.
“Check on Rosco and Axel for me,” Shelby insists before Marley can take a step. “I’m sure they’re fine, but I can’t keep from worrying about him. Bo has probably already taken him. I swear he’d hold him twenty-four-seven if I’d let him.”
We all chuckle. Both of the Robertson men are enamored with their sons, but Bo is definitely clingier. I don’t know how he has the time, because he is constantly making sure Shelby has what she needs, too.
The moment Marley is out the door, Shelby sidles up to me.
“So…?” I look over at her with curiosity.
“So, what?” I ask, feeling a bit perplexed.
“You never did tell us what’s going on between you and Rosco,” Shelby accuses. I huff and turn back to the vegetables.
“There’s nothing to tell,” I reply. When she doesn’t continue to press me, I look up at her.
She’s frowning at me with a hand on her hip.
Her eyes are boring into me. It’s obvious she isn’t going to let this go.
“Seriously! He just happened to find me right after I overheard my stepfather, and he could tell I was freaking out.”
“Um-hmm,” Shelby hums skeptically. “You looked nice and cozy in the recliner.”
“He doesn’t have enough furniture!” I protest lamely. “He was just being Rosco.”
“Riiiight,” Shelby drawls. “Care to explain what that means?”
“Oh, come on! You know what I mean!” I insist, growing frustrated. “He’s a Robertson. I know you know that that means.” Shelby lifts one eye brow at me.
“Grrrr!” I growl. “You know what I’m saying. He’s all Alpha and bossy. A take charge kinda guy.” She continues to wait patiently for me to finish.
“He’s just being all over protective and making sure I don’t freak out again. I kinda had a had a meltdown on him after leaving the event.” Shelby grins knowingly. “It doesn’t mean anything…not what you’re thinking.” I’m fidgeting. My skin crawling from her scrutiny.
“And what am I thinking?” Shelby asks with a laugh. She’s enjoying this way too much.
“That it means something,” I reply softly, losing my irritation. Even I can hear the longing in my voice. “He doesn’t want me like you’re trying to make it out to be. It’s not what you and Marley have with Bo and Luke.”
“Oh honey.” Shelby comes over to wrap her arms around me.
“He does. He’s just fighting it for whatever reason, but that man wants you.
” I don’t argue, knowing it won’t do any good.
Instead I hug her back and let myself pretend she’s right.
Shelby can believe whatever she wants. It doesn’t matter.
I can’t stay here much longer. I’m putting Rosco and all the rest of them in danger by staying, but I’m not ready to leave just yet.