Chapter Three. #2
“That is a family dealing with a lot. I hope the children can relax,” Trudy muttered before disappearing.
“Seems we’ve a little drama to deal with,” I muttered.
“If they don’t behave, I’ll throw them out or sic Lady Catherine on them,” Benedict replied. I laughed as he headed to the door to help Terry bring in the cases and the order he’d kindly brought us.
Lady Catherine
Agony screamed at me. The man, Adam, was in physical and mental pain.
It rolled off him, putting my teeth on edge.
I could see red spikes in his aura, and I winced.
This was a man used to being in charge and being one hundred per cent fit.
I could see what had happened to him: his leg, a brave sacrifice in defending the innocent.
But Adam didn’t see it like that, and it filled me with sorrow.
He was a man who loved deeply and would lay down and die for anyone he cared for. But that was lost in the self-loathing and guilt. His wife and children were also sad, grieving the man they’d known and lost. Because even though Adam was in front of them, he wasn’t the same man.
A smile crossed my lips. Mariah and Benedict had kindly given me a Christmas challenge!
Rina
“Those comments were uncalled for, weren’t they?” Adam demanded after I settled the kids in their room next to ours.
“Was it? They had no idea about your bad leg, and yet you snapped at their offer of help. I’m tired of you thinking everyone is judging you,” I replied.
“How do you know they weren’t?” Adam snarled, and I laughed at him.
“You were sitting down, asshole. Nobody could tell.”
Adam’s face twisted, and I knew he couldn’t argue it.
“You drew attention to it,” he accused.
“Wake the hell up, Adam. Anyone who watches you can see you’ve got a limp.
Nobody really gives a shit. It doesn’t make you any less, although in your mind it does.
I pity you, living with self-loathing, self-pity, and self-hate must be tiring.
I love you, but you don’t give a flying fuck that I do.
Honestly, I’m at the end of my tether. Wake the hell up and smell the roses.
You’re alive with a family that loves you, and sadly, Adam, that’s not enough for you. That’s just tragic.”
“I’m seeing Janet,” Adam whispered, and I stared at him.
“What did you say?”
“After last week, I called Janet. She says I’m suffering from PTSD,” Adam replied.
“Well, that’s damn obvious. We’ve been telling you that,” I retorted.
“Is this going to turn into a ‘I told you so’ session because if so, I’d like to be comfortable.” Adam sat down on the bed and stretched his leg out with a wince.
“Are you in pain?” I asked as concern flooded me. Adam’s leg hurt when the conditions were good. I could only imagine what the struggle with the snow had caused. Especially hauling our cases and luggage through the thick snowbanks.
“I always am. The doctors did their best, but the pain lingers. It always will, we knew that.”
“Are you slapping me back and saying I’m stating the obvious?” I asked, confused.
“No. I’ve gotten used to being defensive.” He sighed. “Yes, my leg hurts,” Adam replied.
“If we were at home, I’d call the physio. What can we do here? We’re snowed in.”
“Maybe ask our hosts if they have any heating packs?” Adam asked.
“Yes. Of course,” I said and hurried out.
If Adam were actually asking for help, I’d get it to him, because this was the first time since he opened his eyes after surgery that he’d asked.
I caught Mariah in the bar. “Hi, sorry to bother you, but do you have any heat packs. Adam’s leg is causing him pain.”
“We have some hot water bottles. Would those help?” Mariah replied.
“Most certainly, if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. There is a lift he can use if the stairs are too much,” Mariah suggested.
“Lift?”
“Elevator.” Mariah chuckled.
“Oh, that would help, although stairs are good for keeping his leg fit.”
“Well, the option is there if you require it. Do you need anything in your rooms?”
“No, we’re fine, thank you.”
“I’ll just fetch those hot water bottles. It seems that Benedict has some straps so that Mr Maddon can secure them to his leg. Lunch will be ready soon. Would you like to eat in your room?”
“No, I think we should keep to normalcy for Adam’s sake,” I replied. I could see the curiosity in her eyes.
“There was a fight in our hometown of Rapid City. An MC attacked the city, and Adam was wounded in defending it. He was shot, and his leg was ripped apart. We thought it would be amputated, but a stubborn junior surgeon saved it. It left Adam unable to do his job as a bodyguard, and Adam has struggled ever since,” I explained as briefly as I could.
“That was worldwide news. We read about it over here; we were horrified for you all. I’m sorry to hear about your husband’s injury,” Mariah said.
“Adam made it out alive. A good many didn’t. Including some close friends…” I trailed off awkwardly, as my mind flashed to the Unwanted Bastards. Inglorious was beginning to recover himself, and Nanci, his old lady, wasn’t taking prisoners.
“I’ll get those bottles and bring them to your room.” Mariah hurried away, and I headed back upstairs. As I did so, I thought I caught sight of a woman in a long gown watching me, but when I turned back, there was nobody there.
Adam
Five minutes after Rina returned, Mariah brought three hot water bottles and six straps to secure them to my leg.
Not wanting to make a big deal, I pulled on a slim pair of pyjama bottoms and strapped the bottles to my legs.
Over them, I yanked on a loose pair of sweatpants.
Sure, my leg looked bulky, but they weren’t overly noticeable.
Rina hurried the kids downstairs as I slowly made my way down.
A large table had been set up near a roaring fireplace, and I finally took stock of the inn. It was certainly old-fashioned and clearly hadn’t been modernised much. The history of the place seeped into the walls, and I realised the building I was standing in was probably older than my country.
There was a great deal of dark wood and white walls. The fireplaces were huge and made of stone. Inglenook, I think they were called. Nearby were many brass ornaments and other items. The inn was homely, warm, and welcoming, and I actually felt at ease here.
Mariah waved us to the Inglenook. Nearby was a window-side seat with a table in front of it and four chairs. I shuffled around and sat on the window seat, which had wonderfully padded cushions. To my surprise, a footstool had been placed close by, and Mariah dragged it over and placed it near me.
“Julie, the cook, she’s made steak and kidney pies, chicken, and lamb mint pies. There are warm baby potatoes and a selection of vegetables. Trudy will come and take your orders. If you don’t like pies, there is also a chicken soup and a beef soup on offer,” Mariah stated and took her leave.
“Wow. I assumed we’d get sandwiches,” I said.
“Me too. Adam, look out of the window,” Rina murmured. I twisted in my seat and gazed out of the leaded window.
“Wow.”
The snow kept falling while we unpacked, completely covering the tractor’s tracks. It was thick and surprised me. “I thought England didn’t experience much snow. I understood it was Scotland that did.”
“Oh no, some parts of England get a lot of snow. Sadly, we’re one of them, although this is far worse than usual for this time of the year,” Trudy said as she smiled at us.
That caused me to worry. How would I get out and about for the next four weeks? Did it mean I’d swapped one prison for another?
“What can I get you?” Trudy asked.
“I’ll take three chicken pies for the children, and I’ll have a steak and kidney, and we’ll all have the potatoes and vegetables. Adam?” Rina asked.
“I wouldn’t mind a lamb and a steak, please,” I replied.
Trudy nodded. “There’s fresh apple crumble and custard for dessert. We usually offer a more varied menu, but you’re our only guests, and clearly the public can’t reach us right now.”
“That’s fine. If it helps, we might consider ordering our meals beforehand,” I said, and Trudy beamed at me.
“That would be helpful. Let me go place these orders, and once you’ve eaten, we can speak to Julie.”
“Thank you,” Rina said as I turned my gaze to the thick snow. Would this also be ruined because of me?