Married For Jeremy (Under Fire Book 1) (5 page)

              "I don't have anything else to do tonight and we haven't talked in awhile," Roy said, climbing up into the truck beside James.

              "What do you want to talk about?" James asked.

              "I don't know, whatever. Tell me about your life."

              "It's pretty boring.” James didn't really want to tell him.

              "The last couple times I've seen you, you've seemed funny, I just thought I'd ask why."

              "I don't know, I guess I just have some things to think through."

              "Would I be able to help, or am I just prying and being annoying."

              James looked up. "Roy, you are never annoying. You just forget you don't have to counsel everyone all the time."

              "Meaning you're telling me to shut up?"

              "No, actually, Roy, can I tell you something?" Maybe it would help to get it out in the open.

              "Sure."

              "You can't tell anyone else."

              "You know what you tell me stays with me."

              "Okay, I, well, had someone who was kinda like a girlfriend and a couple days ago, she came by and told me she's pregnant and I don't know what to do."

              "Can I make an assumption and guess that you're partially responsible for this?"

              James nodded, then realized it was too dark for Roy to see him. "Yeah,” James said quietly. “What do I do?"

              "I don't know, what do you think you should do?"

              "I don't know. I can't go back and fix it."

              "No."

              "I guess try and support her, but she's really mad at me right now."

              "Do you blame her?"

              "No."

              "I know you won't like this, but have you considered talking to God about it?"

              James snorted. "No. God's just up there in the sky waiting to squash me for what I did."

              "You know that isn't true."

              "Maybe not, but I'm wondering if I believe in God anymore."

              “Can I pray for you?”

              “Now?”

              “Yeah.”

              “If you want, I don’t know what good it will do though.”

              Roy put his hand on James’ shoulder. “God, we know we can come before you with anything and right now we pray you’ll give James peace and show him Your presence.”

Chapter 5

              Ellen swallowed hard against a wave of nausea and wished she didn’t have to work so close to the kitchen. The strong smell of apple crisp, something she normally enjoyed, was upsetting her stomach. Normally the nursing home’s head cook offered her the first bowl whenever she made it and Ellen didn’t know how she was going to refuse it without people getting suspicious.

              Quickly finishing her task, she headed toward the laundry room, the furthest area from the kitchen. Maybe she could help make the beds and avoid that awful smell. She stopped at the staff washroom to splash some cold water on her face, then leaned her forehead against the cold tile on the wall, willing her breakfast to stay down. 

              “Ellen, are you all right?” Katie banged on the door.

              “Go away.”

              “Not a chance. I’m waiting right here.”

Embarrassed, Ellen pushed the door open and stepped out. Katie was standing in the hallway with a serious look on her face. “Now if you’re sick like those residents were, you’d better go home right now.”

              “I’m not.”

              “Baloney.”

              “Okay so I’m kinda nauseous, you want to make something of it?”

              “No, I just want to know why so I know if I should wear a mask around you,” Katie said sarcastically.

              “The smell of the kitchen made me sick. It’s really strong.”

              “It’s apple crisp, you love apple crisp.”

              “Not any more apparently.”

              Katie gave her a funny look. “Normally your favourite thing doesn’t suddenly make you start throwing up. Unless...”

              “Don’t even say what you’re thinking.” Ellen cut her off.

              “Have you...”

              “No.”

              “Been...”

              “No!”

              “You’re sleeping with James Walker aren’t you?”

              “If I had, why would I tell you?”

              “You know there are pills and stuff you can use to keep yourself out of this kind of trouble, but I guess it’s a little late now.”

              “Katie...”

              “I had the most amazing OB/GYN when I was pregnant with Hayden. I’ll give you her name so you can look her up. I think she’s still taking patients.”

              “Katie, cool it. I don’t need an OB/GYN.”

              “Maybe not, but sooner or later, your family doctor will likely refer you to one. I can’t imagine you want some kind of new grad working on you.”

              “You’re still sure I’m pregnant, aren’t you?”

              “You said it, I didn’t.” Katie grinned at her.

              “Listen. If you breathe a word of any of this to anyone, you won’t live to tell about it,” Ellen hissed.

              Katie grabbed her shoulders. “You can count on me. Your secret is safe.”

              “I don’t know what secret you’re trying to protect, but okay.”

              Katie grinned again. “Wow, this is really exciting. I wonder if the baby will look like James. Wouldn’t that be awesome?”

              An awesome reminder of her mistake. “I guess.”

              James looked up as a rough looking man came up to the counter. “Can I help you find something?”

              “I need some bullets.”

              “”Okay.” James reached under the counter and took the keys for the side cabinets off their hook. “Come on over the show me the ones you want.”

              James sold the man what he wanted, then, after the customer left the store, headed out to sweep the porch and front steps. It had been a slow morning, not unusual for this time of year. The man was standing in the back of his truck, rearranging some items in a truck box carrier. A large brown dog and a similar looking pup stood near the tailgate.

              “Nice pair of dogs you’ve got there,” James commented.

              “The one is, the other one’s about as useless as they get.” He roughly cuffed the pup when it ventured close to him and tried to grab his pant leg. “Dumb female dog went and found a mate. Got stuck with seven of the little mutts. Can’t get rid of this one ‘cause he’s blind in one eye and no one wants him. One of these days I might just drown him.”

              James quit sweeping and came to the edge of the steps. “Why, it’s not his fault he’s blind.” He forgot this guy was a customer and that he shouldn’t disagree with him on personal business.

              “I’ve got no use for him, I’ve got a dog.”

              “You want to sell him?”

              “I’ve tried.”

              “You haven’t tried me.”

              “What do you want with a dog like that. He’s not good for anything. And he’s as stupid as they come.”

              James tried to remember how much money was in his wallet. “Will you take twenty dollars for him?”

              “I got fifty for the rest of them,” the man said flatly.

              James came down the steps. “But you said yourself he isn’t worth as much as the other ones.”

              “I might consider letting him go for forty, cash.”

              James pulled out his wallet. “What about thirty? It’s more money than you’ll get drowning him.”

              “I guess.” The man grabbed the pup by the scruff of the neck and dropped it over the side of the truck into James’s arms, then stood waiting while James handed him all the cash in his wallet.

              “Have a good day,” James said as the man got in his truck and prepared to drive away.

              The truck drove off and James looked down at the bundle of fur in his arms. “You’re lucky, you know that?” The dog looked up at him. “Let’s hope the grocery store is still open late tonight so I can get you some food.”

              James carried the puppy inside and into the back room, knowing he needed to find a box of some sort to put it in. Finding something suitable, he punched holes in one side, lined it with newspaper and put the pup inside. “Now be quiet in there so Dave doesn’t find out you’re here.” He put the side with the holes in the direction of the wall, hoping Dave would just think it was a box of inventory.

              Everything was fine for the first hour after Dave arrived. Then James started to hear the occasional yip coming from the back room. He stayed focused on the shelf he was rearranging, hoping his boss didn’t hear it.

              “Did you get that new shipment of backpacks out here yet?”

              “No, but I’ll get right to it.”

              “It’s all right, I can do it.”

              James gulped as Dave headed into the back.

              “James!”

              “I’m coming.” James came to the door.

              “What is in that box?” Dave demanded.

              “Which box?”

              “Don’t play dumb with me, the one that is barking and rocking around there.”

              “It’s, well...”

              “It’s well what?”

              “A puppy.”

              “James, you know how allergic I am to...” Dave sneezed. “See, it’s bad already, get that thing out of here, then tell me why you brought your dog to work.”

              “The guy came in here this morning and was going to drown him.” James opened the box and scooped the puppy up.

              “Oh, so you rescued him? Cute James, just get him away from me.”

              “You should be fine. He’s just a little puppy.” James came closer.

              “I’m serious James!”

              “Okay. Where can I put him?”

              “I guess he can stay in here, just don’t let him make any puddles on the floor.” Dave sneezed again, “I have to go find some meds if I’m going to survive the day.”

              “Deal.”

              James arrived at the grocery store just before it closed and was able to pick up a bag of puppy food. Somewhere in the house, he knew he had a dog dish and some toys, but didn’t feel like looking for them tonight. He’d brought the box from work, it would have to do until he found a suitable crate.

              He placed the puppy on the kitchen floor and sat down to watch it. It was wary of everything at first, carefully sniffing around the edge of the counter, before venturing around the kitchen chairs and under the table. Satisfied that the place was safe, it scampered out and ran around the room. “Com’ere.” James tried to coax it back to him. It finally came and he rubbed it behind its ears. “I think you’re going to be a good decision,” he said.

              “Goodmorning Anna.” Ellen tried to sound more cheerful than she was.

              “Goodmorning Ellen. How are you today?”

              “I’m fine.”

              “You don’t look fine. I was wondering if we could talk before you get me dressed this morning?”

              “I guess.”

              “Ellen, may I ask a personal question?”

              “Sure.”

              “Are you expecting?”

              Ellen gave a small nod. “How did you know? Did Katie tell you?”

              “No, she didn’t. I was a midwife for many many years and got so I could see changes in a woman expecting a baby. I suspected it a few weeks ago, then with the recent changes in your figure, I felt I should ask.”

              “Does it show that much?” Ellen asked self-consciously.

              “To anyone else, it likely doesn’t show at all yet. Is James the father?”

              Ellen nodded again.

“Does he know?”

“Yes, I told him.”

              “I noticed that you two don’t seem to get along anymore. Why is that?”

              “Please don’t start trying to play matchmaker.”

              “I’m not, I just wonder what happened.”

              “Besides the fact that I’m having a baby thanks to him, nothing. I just don’t want to see him anymore.”

              “Every baby needs a father.”

              “I know James is your grandson, but I don’t think I can marry him.”

              “So you’ve talked about it?”

              “Yes, but this isn’t what I wanted. I...”

              “May I finish for you?” When Ellen didn’t say anything, Anna began. “You wanted to grow up and find a Knight in Shining armour who would rescue you from all the trappings of this fallen world. You’d fall in love, get married and live happily ever after. Right?”

              “Yeah,” Ellen agreed reluctantly.

              “I’m not going to say this is for everyone, but I didn’t marry for love. I married my late husband because we both needed help and that seemed like the only way to get it. It was hard at first, but we worked things out and had a good life together.”

              “Did you ever love each other?”

              “Yes. Our love grew a little each year and now, well, I still miss him. Remember Ellen, love isn’t a feeling, it’s a choice.”

              “So you think I should marry James?”

              “I’m not going to tell you what to do, and I’m not saying it would be easy, but James, while he has a lot of baggage, is a good man. He’ll take care of you, and be a decent father to your baby.”

              “What makes you think I need someone to take care of me?”

              “These days, few people truly need someone to take care of them, but every woman wants a man who can.”

              Ellen couldn’t argue with that, so she stayed silent.

              “I see I’ve given you a lot to think about. How about we plan to talk more later. Right now, I’d better get dressed or I’m going to be late for breakfast.”

              “Hi Grandma!” James walked into her room the next evening. “I brought something to show you.”

              “What’s that?” She was in her chair knitting, but had looked up when he arrived.

              “This.” James unzipped his coat and his puppy poked its head out.

              “You know animals aren’t allowed in here.” Mrs. Watt said sternly, though her eyes smiled.

              “I asked the lady at the front desk, she said it was fine just this once as long as I held onto him.”

              “I see. When did you get him?”

              “Yesterday. A customer came to the store and told me he was going to drown him because he couldn’t sell him. I ended up buying him.”