Chapter Fifteen #2
“I like it here, too. It’s peaceful in ways I haven’t experienced in years.
We were always on the go when we were enlisted and could never rest if we were deployed.
Then we formed the club when we got out and that took a ton of work.
After that there was the situation with Darren and Cali and the sex trafficking ring.
I thought we were finally gonna be able to settle down and have some peace, but that doesn’t appear to be the case.
Not with all the rumors flyin’ and tryin’ to help Taleah,” I say as I take in nature and just the quiet surrounding us.
The only noises are from the animals as they move from the fields to the barn led by Roger.
“Yeah. Definitely thought we would have some calmness once we got out. Bein’ here is like enterin’ an entirely different world that operates on its own schedule.
No one here is bound by the restraints of time other than their appointments.
You any closer to gettin’ a second chance with your girl?
” Manic questions me as Roger exits the barn and wipes the sweat from his face.
“Not at all. She said we need to have a conversation, but she’s not ready for it.
I’m not about to push her when she’s been tryin’ to work through everythin’.
We’ll sort our shit out some day. I’ll just continue to be as close as she’ll let me for now.
I don’t like that she’ll be at her parents’ house on her own, but there’s not much I can do about it.
If I suggest her movin’ to the compound, she’ll turn me down without hesitation.
Think I’m usin’ it as a way to force the conversation from happenin’ when she wants it to.
I have to slowly earn her trust back and that’s not somethin’ that will be easy.
Not when she thinks I was cheatin’ on her,” I tell Manic as we start heading for the house while Roger steps up next to us and the three of us walk in silence together. “Is Bear allowed in the house?”
“He is. He’s potty trained and will let you know if he has to go out.
Just keep an eye on him if Charlotte’s on the floor.
I don’t see him hurting her, but she might get to him and do something Ivy doesn’t want her to.
I think Charlotte is getting sick because she was crying longer than normal when Ivy took her in for a nap,” Roger answers as Manic’s head snaps to him in silent question.
“I’m gonna have Ivy take her to the medical wing before dinner so she can get examined.
If she’s sick, we need to stop it before she gets worse. ”
“I’ll go with her. Next time call me if Ivy’s havin’ a hard time with Charlotte. She’s used to me and sometimes will only sleep if I’m holdin’ her,” Manic says as he quickens his pace and practically runs up the steps to disappear in the house.
“I’m gonna take a quick shower before starting dinner.
Annistyn is coming over tonight for a while.
She has a session with Debbie later but wants to hang out for a while.
I think she might bring Oreo with her. Bear might like to see one of his sisters,” Roger says as we head up the steps toward the front door instead of going in through the side door like I have been since that’s how Taleah was going inside.
I head for the refrigerator and grab a bottle of water.
Removing the cap, I down over half the bottle at one time.
I’m thirsty as hell since I’ve spent most of the day outside.
With the wind blowing slightly harder than normal, it kicked up dust. I feel like my body is covered in a fine layer of it.
Maybe I should take a shower now too. Though, I don’t want to miss Taleah if she leaves before I get done.
Putting the cap back on my bottle, I listen as Manic and Ivy talk softly in her room with small whimpers coming from Charlotte.
There’s movement from Taleah’s room and I know she’s still packing.
Maybe I do have time for a quick shower because this dirt is really starting to bother me now that I’m not moving around.
Making the decision, I head for my room just down from Taleah’s and strip down the second my door is shut.
Bear follows me and lays down at the end of the bed without me telling him to.
I get in the shower without waiting for the water to heat up.
Instead of lingering under the hot water like I normally do, I wash my hair and rinse it before moving on to my body.
I’m drying off in less than five minutes and know Taleah couldn’t have finished packing her things already.
At least that’s what I’m telling myself as I dress in a clean pair of jeans and tee-shirt, leaving my cut on the back of the chair where I laid it before heading into the bathroom.
Roger is already in the kitchen when I leave my room.
Ivy’s door is open now, but she’s not in the kitchen helping Roger so I’m guessing Manic walked her over to the medical wing with Charlotte.
Once Bear settles in at the end of the counter with his head tilted toward me, I get busy helping Roger prepare dinner.
He rarely cooks alone and I’m not doing anything right now.
There’s no reason I can’t help him as we work in silence.
Roger is really good about giving us our space and letting us open up to him when we’re ready.
Viper has talked to him a little bit about his past. I’ve seen them walk around the ranch so they could have some privacy a few times and Viper was really quiet when he got back with us.
The only time he goes quiet is when he’s having a hard day and thoughts of his past are hitting him hard.
While Roger and I work, I listen to Taleah moving around her room.
She’s still here. Hopefully she’ll share one last meal with us before she leaves.