Chapter 13 Sable
Sable
The next morning, I’m dragging ass, even with the double espresso I added to my iced coffee from Oak & Brew.
The reason being? Well, after Colt and I were mutually satisfied, we stayed on the phone for entirely too long.
We talked about a lot of things, the main one being why he wasn’t in his best form the first night we met.
I couldn’t believe what he’d been put through, and all at once, yet instead of wallowing in what could be nothing but emotional baggage with a heavy dose of trauma, he persevered.
Similar could be said for myself: I had two absent parents, a brother who more or less raised me, and then, when I could fend for myself, he enlisted in the Army.
Rafe did it for me, because money only got tighter, and our parents only became more irresponsible.
I’d been able to handle myself by keeping to myself.
Rafe sent home money for me to live a frugal but meaningful life until he could save up for a place of his own.
When he became an Army Ranger, he leveled up.
He’s definitely gone more than he’s home, but he’s helped set me up with a safe home to live in while he’s off saving what needs to be saved.
Needless to say, things got deep last night, and we both needed to conquer a few things together, apart from getting off. My core tightens as I think about how fucking hot being with Colt in any way possible feels.
I take a break from the sketch I’m working on today. I’m sitting outside the old building on which I’ll be painting the mural, trying to get it just right before I really start diving in and make a mistake that will take entirely too long to fix.
My phone buzzes beside my thigh, and I glance down and see an unknown number along with a message.
Unknown: Did you get your car fixed yet?
I roll my eyes at his penchant for diving right in without saying hello. Rafe didn’t respond to my last message. He’s been pretty quiet as of late, I figured it’s because of some top-secret mission.
Me: It’s being worked on tomorrow. The parts aren’t in yet. Everything good your way?
Unknown: Alright, transferring money into your account. Leaving here and won’t be around. You know what to do in case of emergency.
Me: Keep your money. I’ll only transfer it back anyway. I love you. Be safe.
Unknown: Take the money. I’ve got more than I know what to do with. Besides, you never told me about the cost for the last issue with the house. Love you, too. Talk soon.
My emotions nearly get the best of me. I want to cry or throw the phone, either one would probably feel good right about now.
But I can’t, so instead, I get back to sketching out the oak trees this town is known for, making it look timeless yet adding a bit of flair with the street name in the mix.
The scale is presenting a bit of a challenge, but it’s nothing I haven’t handled before.
I feel my phone go off again, and I'm getting annoyed that I might have to tell Rafe to leave me alone about the money issue. I will be sending the money back. It’ll happen when he least expects it, probably on his next assignment.
Then we’ll more or less pass it back and forth to each other, both of us getting annoyed over the fact but not doing anything to change the circumstances.
When I look at the screen this time, it’s not my brother. It’s Colt. An instant smile crosses my face, and I’m grateful for the slight reprieve from my work.
Colt: How are things going your way?
Me: They’re going. I haven’t started painting yet. I kind of need the paint in my car to do that
We’ve talked throughout the day a few times, him calling after he dropped Nellie off at school this morning and me shooting him a text here or there.
I very much know he’s a man who’s busy and works with his hands, which keeps him from being near his phone as much.
Exactly how I’ll be tomorrow when I’m finally starting the outline of my painting.
Colt: Shit, I meant to bring them over earlier today and got sidetracked. How about Nellie and I bring them to you when she gets out of school?
Me: I’d really like that. I don’t need the paint today but could definitely use it tomorrow.
Colt: I’ll get them to you. Now, because I know Nel, she’s going to come home from school starving. She’ll request a snack, so what can we bring you?
Me: Thank you! Aw, you don’t have to bring me anything. I’m well stocked up on coffee, and I only had breakfast a couple of hours ago.
Colt: Not taking no for an answer, plus you’ve got a couple more to go. Pick your poison. She usually goes for a fruit tray or a cucumber with gobs of ranch. Anything you want, it’s yours.
Me: Oh, I know. You more than proved that last night. As for food, whatever Nellie has, I’m good with. No reason to prepare different snacks.
Colt: There’s more where that came from, too. See you soon.
I don’t respond to his last text, mainly because there isn’t much left to say. Then there’s the fact that I’m sitting on the ground beneath an oak tree, knees up, sketchpad propped on them, when a shadow appears, blocking my view.
“Hey, Sable, I see you’re already working away. I thought you were taking a few days before you started?” I look up and see Ronnie standing in front of me. I hurriedly stand up while closing my sketchbook and dusting off my butt that’s covered in what I’m sure is dirt and grass.
“Hi, Ronnie, I thought that, too, but the mood struck.” I shrug my shoulders.
I notice the man standing next to her, covered in tattoos, a possessive hand on her waist. From our chat yesterday, I think it’s safe to assume this is her man. “You must be Jude.”
“I am, and you must be Sable.” He extends his hand for me to shake, so I do.
“That’s me. What are you two up to today?” I ask.
“We’re off to look for a piece of jewelry for Rory, Jude’s sister.
She’s graduating this year. We, excuse me, I thought it’d be a good idea.
She’d prefer another tattoo, but this guy is trying to hold her off from getting more right now.
” Our hour-long conversation shed a lot of light on their family dynamic.
Jude and Ronnie essentially adopted Rory when a tragedy struck, making sure his sister could have a great chance at life instead of being stuck in the system.
A fact that Ronnie made clear was never an option to begin with.
“You do know she’ll end up with both, right?
” I may not have any tattoos, but I also remember being her age and having free will.
Much to Rafe’s chagrin, I came home with a belly button and nose piercing, and when I mentioned getting more, he grumbled about spacing the time out a bit more before I had more holes than skin.
I didn’t stop. I got my helix done, then took a break.
“I figured as much. Still, it’s worth a shot. Do you need anything? A drink, lunch, maybe a chair?” Jude asks.
“I’m good, I promise. I’d rather sit on the ground.
It allows me to look up and see the visual from a child’s point of view.
” While all that is true, it’s also where I’m most comfortable.
As a child, we didn’t have much, but what Rafe made sure of was creating memories of the free variety.
A park with a playground, trees surrounding us, a blanket of sorts with a lunch thrown in the mix. It was my favorite place to be.
“Alright,” he responds.
“If anything changes, shoot me a text. We’ll be out and about, and we can always swing by and drop off the goods.” Ronnie moves in for a quick hug.
“Thank you. I appreciate the offer. It was nice seeing you and meeting you, Jude.” He gives a light nod, Ronnie smiles, and they head on their way.
I get comfortable on the ground once again, really digging the town and people of Whispering Oaks.
And I’m really looking forward to seeing a certain man with his adorable daughter later today, too.