Chapter 3
Gray
It’s been three weeks since the Stumps acted out at the restaurant. Beck has been hanging around to make sure Hannie is safe from retaliation.
Pausing to take a drink before seating the next log for splitting, I turn when I hear a vehicle approach. I wonder which one of the guys needs something bad enough to disturb my solitude.
It’s not one of the team, but an old familiar pickup that’s seen better days. Why the hell is Gerdie coming to visit me? I usually check on her every couple of weeks.
After shifting into park, she turns off the engine. It’s then I see someone else huddled in the cab with her.
Gerdie climbs out and lets Russett hop down as well. “Got a cold one, boy?”
I glance at the figure still hunched in the cab of the truck, then nod. Gerdie follows me into the cabin. I hand her a beer and take one for myself.
Making herself comfortable at the table, she chug’s a few swallows, then meets my gaze. “You were always one of my best students. I knew you’d make something of yourself. I followed your career. I know about all your medals and your selfless acts. You’re a good man, Gray.
“Heard you and your team stood up for Hannie against those Stump fools. You know, you’d make a damn fine police chief. We could sure use one that’s not a lily-livered drunk. Someone who could teach the deputies what it means to serve and protect.”
“Gerdie, I’m not looking for work. I got enough to do here.”
She nods and takes another swig. “Saw your name on the mail order bride site. Glad to see you’re finally looking to settle down. About time. I already found the prefect woman for you. No need for any more interviews.”
I choke on the swallow of beer I just took and cough. “Whoa, Gerdie. What the hell you talking about? I didn’t sign up for anything.”
She raises her eyebrow. “Got me a copy of your application.”
“Gerdie, I did not. There...” What the hell did Beck do? “It’s a mistake. I don’t need a wife. I don’t want one. And no one’s gonna want to live isolated up on this mountain. It suits me fine, but.... most women can’t handle it.
“I’m not made for town life.”
“Tsk tsk. Sour grapes. That twit you dated before the military was always too weak to be your wife. She was just interested in the money she thought your granddaddy would leave you.”
She takes another swig of her beer. “Look, here’s the deal. I got the form you filled out and the fee’s been paid. This girl needs a home. A real home and... safety. You get ninety days to decide if it will work and if you want to pursue the marriage. She gets the same.”
“Gerdie, this isn’t a home. It’s a cabin with minimal conveniences. She’ll be bored out of her mind.”
She glances around the cabin and smiles. “See you still got books. How about the garden? It still out back? What about the old chicken coop?”
“It’s there but needs work.”
“Good thing, since you like to work. I brought five hens and the feed.”
“Wait! I said no. I—I don’t need or want a wife. I don’t even know her.” Damn Gerdie, she gets something in her head and she’s a damn steamroller.
“Well, a few weeks and you’ll get to know each other.”
“Gerdie, what’s really going on?”
She sighs. “I don’t know the whole story.
I’ve known of the girl for a few years but only had a couple interactions.
She and her momma use to buy or barter eggs from me.
She loved playing with the chicks and would sometimes stay and help in the garden.
She will probably want to plant some flowers.
This place could use some,” she mumbles.
“Tawny’s been with me for almost three weeks.
She’s on her own. Got no one to turn to.
I’d keep her with me, but they might figure out where she is.
My aim is still damn good, but the truth is my reflexes aren’t what they used to be.
She needs a man who can protect her. A contract that can’t be questioned or broke. ”
“She’s trouble.”
“Now see, that’s semantics.”
“What kind of trouble is she in, and who is ‘they’?”
“You remember Millard Stump? He had three boys with his first wife. Little bastards just like him. His second wife had a son, Joey. Good kid stuck with asshole stepbrothers and stepfather. People like to say he’s just like them but he’s not.
You were already gone when he took his next wife.
She had a little girl, Tawny. He killed her mother about four months ago, just like he beat his first two wives.
Accident they called it. Now he and the older sons are coming after Tawny. ”
“How old is this girl?”
“Before I answer that, I’d like to remind you of your own youth. You joined the military at seventeen but due to your upbringing you were mentally well into your twenties by then.
“This girl has traveled the same path. She’s mature for her age, but her proper education was lacking. She just turned eighteen.”
I run a palm down my face. “That’s damn near a twenty-year difference. She’s a child. A mail order bride contract is the last thing she needs.”
“Age is relative and you know it. When you started army bootcamp, did you feel younger than the other boys?”
“Hell no. Half of them had never worked a day in their lives, had no discipline or stami?—”
She smiles. “It’s not the years it’s the miles you’ve traveled.
“The girl never really had a childhood. I’m not going to tell you her story, she needs to do that once she knows she can trust you. Just like you need to share yours.
“If you go through with this contract, you both might find some peace. If nothing else, you’ll keep her safe for a little while. Might get you outta your shell.
“We brought lunch. How about we all sit at the table and chat a bit. Then you can make up your mind. And so can she.”
“Gerdie, I don’t like people...”
“That’s a lie and we both know it. Half your team followed you to Oregon. You see them every two months. You like quiet and solitude, you like structure. You like control. You like honest people not users and manipulators. You’re also a protector by nature. It’s why you did so well in the military.
“You hide out here because chaos makes you crazy. As do liars. This was your safe place growing up while you dealt with your reckless mother. If you help this girl, even if it’s just for a little while, you may learn there is more to relationships than taking.
Hell, yours and Tawny’s histories are damn near the same. You should understand each other.
“I’m telling you the truth, and I know it’s not fair, but this girl needs protecting.”
“Why not just relocate her to some other town. Let her have a new start.”
“She’s got no money. She’s got no family.
She’s innocent in a lot of ways and it would be easy for her to trust the wrong person.
She needs someone who can protect her, look out for her, and give her a chance to grow into the woman she’s meant to be.
You’re a good man and would do right by her. You won’t take advantage of her.
“I don’t want to see her become another victim. Another statistic.”