Chapter 11
Addy stretched and then hissed when the stitches pulled on her arm. She rose, searching for Liam. It felt odd waking up without Zeus. Reaching for her phone, she dialed the number Kassie gave her last night.
“Hello,” Jake greeted.
Jake chuckled. “Carol and I rise early. I sent Taco to grab some of Zeus’ food last night while the police were still at your house. He’s eaten his breakfast, and I started him on an antibiotic. The belly cut appeared a bit inflamed. I’m keeping him calm to avoid him tearing his stitches.”
“Can I bring him home?”
“Give it another day, and we’ll see how he progresses. He’s sleeping comfortably,” Jake informed her.
Despite the night’s events, she slept better than she anticipated, too. Liam made her feel safe. Shaking away her thoughts, she returned to her conversation.
“May I please visit him? I still have a mess here, but I want to check on him before I get started,” she explained.
“Addyson, you’re welcome here anytime,” Jake told her. “Carol will be spending the day with Catherine. Zeus and I will keep each other company.”
“Thank you. I’ll get dressed and be down in a bit,” she said excitedly.
“We’ll see you when you get here,” Jake said before disconnecting the call.
Addyson entered her bathroom, showered, and dressed, hoping to feel better about her living arrangements downstairs.
She slowly took the stairs, noticing veterans taking garbage bags to their trucks. Increasing her pace, she gazed down at the former trashed living room to find it bare, except for the coffee and end tables.
She went into the kitchen where Liam shoveled broken glass from the floor.
“Good morning,” she said, bewildered by all the activity.
Liam glanced up and smiled. “How do you feel today? The crew rises early and we thought to get a head start.”
“How did I sleep through the noise?” she exclaimed. “I’d say you have more than half of the mess cleaned.”
“Your body needed the extra recovery time after last night. Why don’t you visit Zeus while we finish here? I don’t want you stepping on glass.”
“I can’t leave you to clean my house,” she argued, grabbing the broom.
Liam walked toward her. His gaze seemed intense as he stared at her, making her feel heat low in her belly. He drew closer, making Addyson tilt her head to see his face.
“We’re almost done. Go see Zeus. It’ll make you feel better. I put everything I discovered unbroken in a box for you later,” he said, lowering his voice.
“Oh, what about you? We’re supposed to take you truck shopping,” she said, suddenly recalling her promise.
“It can wait.” Liam took her hand and led her to the garage. “I want to check on Ragu. Leo called with an update last night. Surprisingly, the bullet didn’t do much damage. He’ll have to recover for six to eight weeks, depending on healing and therapy.”
“Oh, that’s great news. Can I come with you?” she asked.
“Sure, I’ll wait until you return,” he said, obviously pleased she wanted to check on one of his teammates.
“I’ll see you soon,” she said, jumping into her new SUV. She sent him a little wave as the veterans made room for her to back out of the garage. She rolled down her window and thanked them before leaving.
Her mind drifted to the night before and she still felt the cold steel of the gun pressed to her head.
She involuntarily shivered when she recalled him slicing her with the kitchen knife.
She still wasn’t sure what prompted her to think of calling Liam.
Instinctively, when she reached for her phone, she knew he’d come, but the police would’ve too.
Then, why did she dial his number instead?
As she pulled into Jake’s driveway, her mood shifted at the thought of seeing Zeus. She bounded up the porch and rang the doorbell.
“Hello, Addyson,” Jake said as he ushered her into his home. “We figured you’d show up sooner rather than later. Zeus is keeping Carol company in the kitchen.” He led the way into the cheerful yellow room. “Carol, pay up. I said she’d be here in under an hour.”
“Come on in and pay no attention to him,” Carol greeted her. “Zeus has behaved like an angel. We were just conversing over a bit of carrot and peeled apples.”
Addyson fell to her knees, and Zeus whined, and his butt wiggled with excitement at seeing her. “How’s my baby?” she crooned. “Leo’s team captured the mean man who did this to you, and he’s going to jail.”
“Do you want some coffee?” Carol asked. “Kassie mentioned he destroyed your entire kitchen and living room.”
“I’d love some, thank you,” she said, holding Zeus’ head in her lap and rubbing it.
“I’m glad Ragu didn’t end up having extensive injuries. When I ran in and saw all the blood, it terrified me. It’s one thing to see it at the hospital or triaging it, but it’s another to see it in your home on people you know.”
“I imagine it’d give me a fright, too,” Carol said, pulling on her jacket and picking up her purse.
“I’m spending the day with my daughter and grandchildren.
I’m sorry about rushing off and leaving you with my bored husband.
Joe and Maddie haven’t returned from their camping trip, and he’s hanging around Ivan.
Goodness knows, I love the man, but you put him and Jake together, and everything turns into a bet and a bottle of vodka.
I’m down twenty bucks, and I refuse to drink that stuff.
I’m picking up a nice bottle of wine for later. ”
“Awww, Carol,” Jake grumbled and winked at Addyson. “I gave you the option of betting differently and you complained I spoke with Victoria. You’ll have to pick the lesser of the two evils.”
“Between those two, there’s no such thing,” she scolded. “Why can’t you be like the other seniors in this town and hang out at the community center?”
“Because it’s way more fun to get you all flustered than sitting around listening to old men complain about their wives. I happen to love mine,” Jake said, kissing her. “Have a good time with Catherine and the grandkids. Tell her I’ll come tomorrow and take care of the leak in the kitchen.”
Addyson watched the exchange, wishing she experienced the type of love they did.
She and Sam shared a different type of love, born out of necessity.
Marrying another military member meant long periods apart and frank, brutal communication because they didn’t have time to argue.
Sam always made the larger decisions due to timing.
They kept their home filled with practical items due to all the transfers.
Then, when they finally decided to live their lives, Sam died.
Zeus pawed her hand, and she glanced down, realizing she stopped petting him. “I’m sorry, baby. I guess I’m still shaken up about last night.”
“Let’s see what we can do to calm your fears,” Jake said, kneeling at her side.
“He has some stitches here. When you take him home tomorrow, I’ll wrap it to keep him from chewing on it.
He’s feeling relaxed today, but we’ll ease off the medication tomorrow.
If he tolerates it, you can pick him up in the afternoon.
Bring another person with you, and I’ll send you home with meds and instructions on how to care for him.
The belly area will need to be kept clean and wrapped for the first couple of days.
I’ll check it then, and we’ll go from there. ”
“How much do I owe you?” she asked, taking her wallet from her purse.
“Nothing. We do for one another here. It’s my understanding you’ve taken a few shifts from Catherine. She’s having a tough time right now and we appreciate you helping her.”
“Oh, it’s not a problem. She has such a beautiful family, and I’m home alone. Except for Zeus,” she amended.
“Nonetheless, Carol has worried herself over her daughter, and we appreciate it. You fit right in with the Serenity family,” Jake boasted.
“Thank you for letting me visit him. It appears he’s in good hands and getting spoiled rotten. I’d better return home. The veterans showed up early this morning and helped Liam clear most of the house.”
“Take your coffee to go,” he said, rising to find a to-go mug.
“Thank you, but I’m heading to Bryanna’s, and I’ve heard about her amazing coffee and donuts. It’s about time I tried them.”
“It sounds like a plan. Treat yourself because life is way too short,” he advised.
Addyson leaned down and kissed Zeus’ head. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow.”
Jake walked her to the door. “Don’t worry. He’s doing great. We’re planning on watching a game this afternoon.”
“I’m sure he’ll enjoy it,” she assured him. “Thanks, Jake.”
“You’re welcome,” he said, closing the door.
Addyson drove the short distance to the bakery. She usually drove to Seattle for everything, passing the quaint little town. It seemed almost too…perfect. Knowing how life turned out, she didn’t want to be reminded of what she lost.
Parking the SUV in front of the bakery, she grabbed her purse and entered the store.
Saint’s wife, Bryanna, owned the bakery and she enjoyed the treats the baker left at the hospital. Deciding to bring back donuts for everyone, she approached the counter.
“Good Morning, Addyson,” Bryanna greeted. “I’m surprised to see you here.”
“I wanted to take donuts to feed about six veterans, a cup of your famous coffee, and do you have a way for me to bring some for the men? My visitor destroyed my kitchen.”
“I can have two of my helpers load two cartons in your car. It’ll cover them for two cups each,” Bryanna explained.
“Then I’ll take three dozen donuts,” she added to the order.
“I’ll get them boxed up for you,” Bryanna said, turning toward her helpers and giving them instructions.
Bryanna handed her a cup of brew everyone talked about. “It’s on me. It’s good to see you here. Don’t be a stranger,” she said, smiling.
“Thanks.” Addyson sipped her coffee and closed her eyes. It did taste good. It seemed like she said ‘Thanks’ more today than she had in the last three years. What changed?
The helpers loaded the big cartons into the back, and she headed home. Liam stood outside, chatting with the men.