Unexpected Love (22 page)

Fifty-five

The next morning Sean looked a little better to her.  He had slept late.

She was already downstairs when he got up and went down.  Moving around a lot hurt so he sat carefully next to her.  “Let’s talk about what the doctor said.”

She rolled her eyes, “Must we?”

“Yeah.   You acted like I was going to run the other way and leave you standing in my dust.”

“I’m scared, Sean.  It’s a lot to deal with it and I’m not sure how I feel about it.”

“Well, don’t decide for me how I feel about it.”

She was silent for a minute and then asked, “How do you feel about it?”

He gave her an intent stare before answering, “It doesn’t scare me, if that is what you think.  It’s not the best news ever, but we can deal with it.”

We.  He had said we.  So did that mean they were a team, a couple?  She liked to think so.  He loved her.  She loved him.  She put her head on his shoulder and he wrapped his arm around her.  Maybe she really did have someone who would stand beside her no matter what.

They watched TV.  Tango sensed they were not feeling well and kept moving his head to Sean’s lap and her leg.

Sean gave him a half smile, “You don’t have to keep staring at us, Tango.  We’re both okay.”  Tango ignored him.

The next day, Sean was almost back to normal.  He was still sore, but he went back to work.  They had not talked about her liver issue again.  Sean knew she didn’t want to think about it but he hoped she understood that he did not care, they would deal with it and get on with life.

When she gave him a worried look he had told her, “Don’t worry.  Mayfield’s not going to let me go out on patrol.  He said he has some other things he needs done.  Sounds exciting, huh?”

She had laughed, “You might be really grumpy when you come home.  I’ve heard cops don’t like desk work too much.”

Sean shrugged carefully, “Maybe not, but it’s at least giving me something to do.  Not that I couldn’t find something to do here with you.  Try to get some rest today.  No sweeping porches or going to the gym today.”  He kissed her briefly on the lips and left.

Fifty-seven

Sean was surprised when he went work the next day.  Sargent Mayfield told him that they would be patrolling together until John was back. 

Sean got in the car and said little as they drove out of the parking lot.  “Don’t talk a lot do you, Sean?”

“I talk, sir.”

“Good, cause it helps the day go faster.  I like talking.  So tell me more about your girlfriend.”

Sean wasn’t sure what to say.  “What do you want me to tell you, sir?”

“Stop with the sir stuff.  It makes me feel old,” he chuckled.

Sean smiled, “I don’t talk much about personal stuff, Sarge.  John would tell you that.”

“I already know.  But Taylor seems like a really nice person.  I like her.”

“She is.”

“I know from the school she has guts.  She seems smart and kind.  Am I missing anything?”

Sean laughed, “Beautiful, interesting, amazing, cooks delicious food.”

“I got some of that tart and a cookie and outstanding chili.  We are going to have to have her send more food.  That woman can cook.”

“She’d like that.”

“By the way, you can do the running if needed.  I’m still a runner but since you are here and you’re younger, I’ll let you have the honors.”

Sean laughed, “Thanks a lot.”

The next three days went by quickly.  Sean learned more about his boss personally and he talked a little about Taylor and Tango and how they got him.

At the end of the third day, Mayfield told him that John would be back on Thursday.  Sean just nodded his head.  He already knew since he and John talked daily.  John had kidded with him about having Mayfield as a partner.

Sean called Taylor Wednesday morning after receiving news from Mayfield.  “Taylor, they found Walker and he is back in jail.”

“Oh, that’s good news.  Not that I was worried.  Were you?”

“No, of course not.  Just wanted to tell you.  I’ll see you later.”

“Bye.”  Sean thought she sounded relieved and he had to admit, it did make him feel better.

Billy called her early Wednesday afternoon and told her the final part had come in and her car would be ready by the end of next week.  She should be happy, but she wasn’t. 

Sean called her at lunch time and she told him about her car.  He didn’t sound happy although he said “Great.  Hey, how about I take you to dinner tonight?”

They went to the Mexican place she liked.  He held her hand during dinner and sat close, but had not kissed her. 

“Hey, everyone’s been asking when I am going to bring more food.”

Taylor laughed, “I can fix something.  John is back tomorrow?”

“Yes.  I’m glad.  It’s hard to ride with your boss.  You know, you should think about opening your own restaurant one day.”

“Hm, maybe.  I used to go to a place in town that served to go lunches.  You got your pick of a sandwich and it came with potato salad, a cracker, a deviled egg, and a homemade upside down frosted cupcake.”

“Sounds good.”

When they got home and went inside, Tango greeted them as usual.  Taylor rubbed his head, “He’s such a good dog, don’t you think?”  She looked at Sean’s face, “What?”

“Yes, he’s a good dog.”  He blew out a nervous breath.  “Taylor, I was going to wait, but I can’t.”

She gave him a puzzled look.  He bent down on one knee and held out a small blue box.  “You mean everything to me.  You are my best friend and the woman I love more than anything and I can’t imagine life without you.  Would you marry me?”  He opened the box to reveal a beautiful diamond ring with a blue stone on each side.  He knew blue was her favorite color.

She looked at him anxiously. “Are you sure, Sean?”

He shook his head and softly, “Listen, no matter happens we will go through it together.” 

“Of course I’ll marry you.”  He stood up and put the ring on her finger.  She threw her arms around him.  “I love you so much Sean.  Who knew that getting knocked down on a porch would be the best thing to ever happen to me?”

Fifty-eight

As soon as they got into the patrol car, Sean could not keep the big smile off of his face.  He looked at John.  “I asked her to marry me.”

John gave him a big grin, “I’m sure it took a lot of convincing to get her to say yes.  Congrats.  You’ve finally done it.  You are joining the ranks of married cops.  You know we don’t have many single guys in our division.”

Sean grinned back, “She said yes.”

“I can’t imagine why.  She adores you, which is obvious every time you two are together.  And you don’t ever look at any other women.”

Sean looked out the window at some kids playing.  He might have kids one day but not soon.  Taylor needed to heal.  Who knew what the future would bring, but he and Taylor would go through it together.

John pulled out his cell phone later towards lunch time.  He spoke briefly and then hung up.  “My wife and your soon-to-be wife are having lunch at the diner.  She says the ring is beautiful and to tell you great choice in ring and woman.”

Sean laughed.  He texted Taylor.

Showing ring off? Love u.

Taylor went into town with Sara, who had asked her to lunch.  John and Sean were on duty and she said she needed to get out of the house. 

The first thing she did was show her new ring to Sara.  She had already gone to Maggie’s home and showed it to her earlier in the morning.

Maggie had been delighted.  “I knew it!  I knew the day I met you that you two were right for each other.”

Taylor laughed, “Well, he is special, I’ll say that.”

“Yes and so are you.”

Maggie gave her a big hug, “Can’t wait to tell Walter.  He’s in surgery this time of day, but I’m going to call him later.  Oh, speaking of Walter, I promised to ask you if you would be interested in working at the clinic part-time behind the reception desk.  You could bring Tango to work.  He needs someone late mornings to early afternoon.  I told him it was a great idea, you’d be really good at it.  But only when you are ready to work.  And you can do it until you decide if you want to work at a restaurant.”

“Wow.  That is so nice.  I’d like to, can I talk to Sean about it first?”

“Of course, honey.”

“Let’s go out to dinner tonight.  For a celebration.  I’ll have Walter make some reservations at the Rackroom.  Have you ever been there?”

Taylor shook her head no. 

“I’ll call you later to let you know the time.  Sean will know where it is.”

Taylor and Sara went to the diner Sean had first taken her to.  As they walked in from the parking lot, Taylor got a funny feeling, like she was being observed.

When they were seated, she said, “This is the first place I ate at when I got here.”

Sara smiled, “Did Sean bring you?”

She smiled back, “Yes.  After he knocked me down on the Wilson’s front porch.”

“You have got to tell me about it.”  So Taylor told her about the incident and the one in the living room.

Sara remarked, “So he literally fell for you the moment you two met.”

They both laughed over that.  “You know, Taylor.  John thinks the world of Sean although he would never tell him that.  I think it’s a guy thing.  They’ve been good for each other.  Sean is quieter and John is more talkative.  I think they complement each other and I know they are close.  I guess partners have to be.  You have to know your partner has your back and is there for you.  Plus they spend a lot of time together.  John really likes you too and thinks you are perfect for him.  Anyways, it’s wonderful to see Sean so happy and in love.  It’s obvious.”  She added the last part because of the look on Taylor’s face.

Sara called John and spoke to him briefly.  A couple of minutes later Taylor got a text from Sean.  She texted back. 
Yes, showing everyone.  Love u lots. 

She got a text back. 
Let’s go out for dinner.   
 

She giggled. 
Maggie wants us to go to rackroom with them.  Ok?

Sean sent a message back. 
Sounds good.  Then we can celebrate at home.  Gotta go.  Love u.

She told Sara Sean was taking her out for dinner.  They chatted about the job, the officers and other wives, shopping, interests.  Taylor asked her if she thought being a cop’s wife was hard.

Sara replied, “Sometimes I worry.  But it’s worth it knowing that we are together and love each other.”

Taylor discovered they had a lot in common.  Sara loved to cook and Taylor told her about her last job. 

“Oh, you have to teach me how to cook better.  Please.”

“Of course I will but you are a good cook already.  When you had us over for dinner that night, it was really good.”

“I want to learn other things.  I’m kinda stuck in a rut.  I know how to cook a few things but I’m so excited that you’ll show me more.  Do you know I heard on the radio that the average person only knows 5 recipes or less?  That’s me.”

Taylor laughed, “Seriously 5 or less?  I would be happy to show you.  I can come over one night and we can cook dinner for the guys.”

“How about tomorrow night?”

“Okay, what do you want to fix?”

They discussed some of John’s favorite meals and ones she did not know how to cook.  They agreed on a menu and Sara was going to go shopping for the stuff.  Taylor said she would tell Sean.

Sara asked her about any family that might see her and Sean get married.

“Not really.  My mother is not much of a mother and I haven’t seen her for years.  My grandparents but I’m not sure if they could make a long trip.  My father passed away.  Only child.  What about you?”

“Well, my parents live in another state.  I have an older brother who is an addict.  He and John do not get along but then I don’t get along with him either.  He scares me frankly.  He’s so unpredictable.”

“I’m sorry about that.”

“It’s okay.  I have permanent restraining order against him so I have not seen him for several years.  My kids know nothing about him.  It’s better that way.”

Fifty-nine

Sean was greeted by Tango who was there at the door as usual and then he looked at her, “you look beautiful.”  She was wearing a red dress and her hair was down.  He kissed her.

“Have you ever been to the Rackroom?”

“I’ve heard its good, but have never been there.  What time are we supposed to be there?”

“Maggie called and said six.”

Sean looked at his watch.  It was 5:30 already so he went upstairs to get changed. 

On the way to the restaurant, she told him about going to Sara and John’s house.

He smiled, “I guess I can handle it.”

They met Maggie and Walter inside and were seated at a table.  They all ordered cocktails.  Taylor ordered a frozen daiquiri. 

Maggie handed Taylor a gift bag.  Taylor looked at her in astonishment and then over at Sean.  He said, “Open it.”

“It’s for you both.  Walter and I thought it would remind you.  I hope you like it.”

Taylor had to wait to order a drink and then she tore off the pretty wrapping paper that said congratulations all over it.

She opened to find a pretty silver picture frame.  The picture was of Sean holding her with her feet over the paint can and her laughing so hard.  Sean was laughing too and they were both covered in paint.

“When did you take this?”

Maggie winked, “When the two of you were too busy with each other to notice me.”

Sean said, “It’s great, Maggie.  Thank you.”  Taylor smiled and said thank you too.

“Just a little memento of the paint day.”

Maggie and Walter spent the evening talking about funny stories about them when they were first married.  Maggie talked about a couple of her wedding disasters. 

Sean and Taylor listened and laughed but neither of them offered up any remarks about their relationship.  At the end of the meal, Taylor hugged them and said thanks before they parted to their cars which were parked on opposite sides of the parking lot. 

On the way out to the car, a man and woman started arguing as they got out of their vehicle.  He yanked her by the arm and she slapped him.   They spoke in loud and angry tones.  Taylor wasn’t sure what they were arguing about.  It seemed like he was accusing her of something.  She looked over at Sean who had a grim look on his face.

“Stay here.”  He said over his shoulder as he walked over to the couple.  He spoke quietly so Taylor could not hear what he was saying but from the looks on their faces, they were startled.  The man nodded his head and quietly led the woman into the restaurant.

Sean came back.  “What did you say?”

He shrugged, “Just told them they were causing a disturbance and they needed to work this out.”

“It was more than that.  The man looked intimidated.”

Sean laughed and opened the car door, “Sometimes it takes a little intimidation to make people stop and listen to you.  Then they get their act together.”

“I don’t ever want to argue, Sean.”

He leaned over and kissed her, “Never.”

When they got home, Tango greeted them at the door.  They took him for a short walk on the side of the road.  Sean asked her if she wanted to meet the next door neighbors.

“Sure.  Have they lived here long?”

“Longer than I have.  They were really nice to me when I first moved in.  I’m sorry to say I have not been regular about staying in touch.”

She smiled as they went up to the front porch, “Now’s as good a time as any.”

When the door opened they were met by a middle aged man who looked like he had just come from a farm.  He had on overalls and was dusty.  But his greeting was warm, “Sean.  Long time no see.  Come on in.”  When Taylor hesitated because she had Tango on a leash, the man smiled, “He can come too.”

A woman came over and gave Sean a hug.  She was wearing a shift dress with flat shoes.  Her brown hair was short and curly.

When Sean introduced Taylor as his fiancée, she smiled.  At the title as well as the greeting.  She had not heard him use that word before and she liked it.

The woman told her that her name was Cathy and her husband was Frank.   Frank was the first to say congratulations.  They invited them over for dinner Friday night and Sean gave Taylor a quick glance and she nodded yes.  She told them she would bring rolls and dessert.

They took Tango and went home.  Taylor was really tired so Sean carried her upstairs and put her into the bed.