Vengeance (Oak Grove Suspense Book 1) (33 page)

Tom is on his feet, ready to get her everything she needs. “I’ll get you anything you want.”

“Honestly, I’d really like a big fat cheeseburger with everything. I probably shouldn’t eat something like that right now, but I haven’t eaten much in a while. I’m just hungry.”

We all chuckle. “You’ve got it. I’ll go to that new burger restaurant you like.” Her eyes grow wide in excitement. He kisses her head. “Anything else?”

“No bread and a salad.”

“How is that bad for you? I thought you wanted a big burger with the works?” I tell her with a laugh. She’s too healthy sometimes.

“Okay, fine. I want it on bread and a side of fries with a milkshake.”

Tom bops her lightly on the chin. “That-a-girl.”

We talk to Gale while we wait on Tom to come back. Shayla fills her in on as much as she’s comfortable with sharing. She doesn’t say anything about her sexual abuse and she skims over her physical abuse, but it’s understandable. Her mom has worried for so long, and knowing the person Shayla is and how much she cares for her parents, it doesn’t surprise me that she’s trying to downplay her experience.

Tom comes back with everyone’s food orders after about twenty minutes. Gale jumps up and clears off the rolling patient table for him to set the food on when Dylan stirs. We all look over expectantly and unanimously sigh in relief as my son opens his eyes.

“Smells good,” Dylan mumbles.

“Dylan!” Shayla rushes to him and kisses him.

“Mom, I’m fine. Stop.” He starts to laugh as Shayla peppers kisses all over his face.

“Sorry. I’m just so happy you’re awake. Do you feel okay?” She flutters all around him. He grabs her wrist.

“Hey, I’m okay. I promise.” She starts to cry. “Mom, please don’t cry.”

“I’m so sorry, Dylan. I didn’t protect you.”

“You did all you could. We’re safe now, right?” He looks to me.

“Yeah, buddy. You are both safe.” I grab his hand, my own tears springing to my eyes. I rub Shayla’s back. “Baby.” She turns and buries her face in my shirt. “Shay,” I murmur. She is totally losing it.

Dylan sits up gingerly and wraps his arms around the both of us. “Mom, please. I’m okay. I’ll heal. Please don’t cry.”

She pulls back and grabs a tissue from the bedside table. “I’m sorry. I’m just so thankful we’re okay. I mean, it could’ve been so much worse.”

“It could’ve been, but it wasn’t.”

I kiss her cheek and she doesn’t flinch. It’s a good sign, because earlier when I kissed her forehead she inhaled so sharply it startled me.

“Can we eat now?” Dylan asks, eyeing the food Tom and Gale are pulling out of the bag.

“Of course we can, baby. Pop got your favorite, triple burger with the works.” Gale hands him his food and he digs in.

As I watch my family eat, I can’t help but feel overwhelming love and thankfulness that they are finally safe. Things could have gone so differently. I could have lost one or both of them. I can’t even begin to fathom how I would have dealt with that. I’m truly grateful that God has brought them home to me. 

Shayla             

“How does that make you feel?”

I try to hide the smirk on my face. Ryan absolutely hates therapy and hates that question most of all.

“It makes me feel like I’m not going to come back if you ask me that question one more time.” I squeeze his hand and he turns to look at me. “I can see you trying to stifle your smile, Shay. It’s not funny.” He is such a grump today.

We’ve been home for going on three weeks. We’ve all been in therapy two times a week since. Dylan has, surprisingly, adjusted the best out of the three of us. He said he was knocked out so much that he really doesn’t remember what happened. Though, he has been a little clingy to me and worries constantly if we are apart and has had a few nightmares about Trevor beating him. He also freaked out when Ryan was the one to check on him during his nightmare. We’ve made mistakes and are learning how to cope with this horrible event in our lives. Things may never be as they were before, but things are getting better.

“Shayla?” I shake my head, having been lost in my own little world, something that seems to happen a lot for me nowadays.

“Sorry, what did you say?”

“I asked how you felt about Ryan’s revelation.” I stare at Doctor Martinson, blinking like a lost toddler. “You didn’t hear what he said?”

“Sorry. I kind of zoned out.”

She smiles. “It’s okay. Ryan, do you want to repeat what you said?”

Ryan shifts in his seat so he’s facing me and takes my hand. “I said that I’m tired of trying to fight what I feel for you. I know you need time. I’m willing to give that to you, but I hate going home alone at night. I hate being in my house period if you guys aren’t there, I want us to be a proper family. I want to get married. I don’t want to wait.”

I blink rapidly, trying to keep my tears at bay. “You want to marry me?”

“Yes, like on Saturday. You know, if you’re not busy.”

I jump up and start to pace. “Shayla, tell me what you’re thinking,” Doctor Martinson requests.

I turn and look at her, running my hands through my hair. “He wants to marry me. I can’t even kiss him, but he expects me to marry him … and … and, be his wife. I can’t. I … I…”

Ryan grabs my hand and slowly, as if I’m a frightened kitten, pulls me into his arms. “We don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for. I just can’t stand the thought of being without you as my wife for another moment. I’ve loved you my whole life, Shayla.”

“I love you too, Ryan, but I can’t be someone’s wife.”

“Shayla, we’ve talked about what Trevor did, it didn’t make you his wife. That paperwork was never filed. It was never legally, or spiritually, binding.”

“I know, but every time I think of getting married, I see him beating my son. Plus, he left all that property to me. It feels like it was real.”

“Yes, he left that to you in his will. He willed it to you, Shayla Thorn. Not to Mrs. Trevor Daniels. You can sell that property and be rid of him completely.”

I stop my pacing. “You think it’s that simple? I just sell the land and it’ll all be over?”

“I didn’t say it would be over, but it could help you move on. Give you some closure. Is there a reason why you can’t sell it?”

I sit down with a plop. I have no idea why the thought of selling that property sets me off. I feel anxious and scared. I know I could never go back there.

“Babe.” Ryan sits down beside me and offers me his hand; I take it without pause. “I’m here for you one-hundred percent. If you want to wait to get married, I’ll do it. I just don’t want him to be the one holding you back. I’m not him, baby. I’d never force you to do anything you were uncomfortable with. We can get twin beds, like those old TV sitcoms.”

I can’t help it, I burst out laughing. Ryan smiles at me, the same boyish smile that drew me in all those years ago. I don’t know what makes me act, I don’t think it’s a conscious decision, but I lean forward and kiss him. It’s a short sweet kiss, but a kiss nonetheless. Something I’ve not been able to do since he rescued me. We stare at each other in complete and total shock. He lifts his hand to my face, and even though the need to flinch is strong, I don’t, because I know Ryan would never hurt me. I lean my head towards his palm and close my eyes, covering his hand with mine.

“Can I kiss you?” he whispers. I nod and he leans forward slowly, kissing my lips in a soft lingering kiss.

“I’ll marry you.” I open my eyes and look at him. “I want to be your wife.”

The earth shattering smile that erupts on his bearded face is absolutely contagious. ”Really?”

“Yes.”

He pulls me to my feet and hugs me tightly to him, picking me up and spinning me around as we laugh together and steal a few more kisses.

“Well, I’d say we’ve had a breakthrough today.”

I’d totally forgotten that we were in Doctor Martinson’s office. She is smiling widely at us, so it obviously didn’t bother her in the slightest.

“Thank you,” I tell her.

“How about we end on that note?”

We both nod as she rises and walks out of her office towards the receptionist. We set our next appointment and leave holding hands.

“Wanna get some lunch?” Ryan asks.

“Yeah.”

“How about we order from Rosie’s and eat on the river bank?”

“Sounds perfect.”

We sit on the emergency blanket I keep in my car. Our impromptu picnic is perfect and quiet as we listen to the cacophony of sounds from the animal and insect life around us. It’s not an uncomfortable silence; it’s just a companionable one. It’s nice and refreshing after a long session, especially with such a huge breakthrough. The silence is broken with a small pop and a squeak from Ryan’s side of the blanket. I turn from watching the water to see that Ryan has knelt down on one knee and is holding out a small ring box with a bright shining engagement ring. I gulp.

“Shayla, I’ve loved you almost my entire life. First as a friend, then later as a girlfriend, and most recently as the mother of my son, but the most important thing I’ve realized over the past month is that no matter what type of love I have for you, one thing remains the same, I never want it to end. I want you always. Will you be my wife?”

I blink and wipe at the tears in my eyes. This isn’t like anything I’ve experienced. Not when Todd asked me to marry him and definitely not when Trevor forced me to marry him. This … this is what I’ve always wanted. I’ve always wanted to be Mrs. Ryan Jacobs, I just never thought it would be possible.

“Of course I will.”

He takes my hand and gently slips on my ring. “It’s beautiful.”

The ring is stunning in an understated beauty, a princess cut emerald wrapped in a ring of small diamonds on a platinum band.

“I’m glad you like it. I wanted something simple but different.”

“It’s perfect. I love you so much, Ryan.”

I launch myself at him, knocking us both to the ground. He laughs as he wraps his arms around me.

“Glad you like it. What’re you doing next Saturday?”

He brushes the hair back from my face and looks at me with so much love that I feel like I’ll burst with happiness. This is the look I’ve always dreamt of and haven’t had since we were together as kids.

“Nothing that I know of, why?”

“Let’s get married in our back yard, under the tree house.”

Maybe the thought of getting married so soon after a proposal should scare me, but after what I’ve lived through the past couple of months, I just don’t see why waiting would be necessary. I trust this man completely.

“I swear I won’t pressure you to do a single thing. You’re in the lead here.”

“Sounds perfect. I love you.”

We kiss for a few minutes, then remember we are in a park and need to keep it more G rated, so we gather our things and head back home. It seems like things are happening so quickly, but really I’ve been waiting for this my entire life. I love Ryan like I’ve loved no other. He’s always held my heart. I know this is the right choice. Our life may not be perfect, and we’ll have things to work through, but we’ll be just fine. We’ll do whatever it takes to make our marriage work.

~*~

A week later, I’m standing in front of my bedroom mirror, adjusting my wedding dress when there’s a knock on my door. I crack it open, then smile, and open it fully.

“Hey, baby.” I hug my son.

“You look beautiful, Mom.”

“Thanks.”

I go back to the mirror and fidget with my dress again. Dylan comes over with me, but after a few minutes, he squeezes my hand, making me stop my ministrations.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, sorry. I’m just really nervous. I shouldn’t be; this is what I’ve wanted since before you were born.”

“You’re getting your wish. We all are. I know I didn’t know about Dad for a long time, but even when I didn’t, I always dreamed of being a real family one day. This isn’t like with Todd, I could tell back then you didn’t really want to marry him. Then … yeah, that other thing was just messed up. This is your dream wedding.”

I smile at my very intuitive son. “It is. Everything looked so pretty last night. I can’t wait to go out there.”

“Then why are you so nervous?”

I think for a few long moments. “I guess because of what happened with Trevor.” Dylan winces and I rub his upper arm. I don’t want to think about it, but I feel it needs addressing. “I’m worried he’ll show up. I know that’s impossible, but we both know Jason is still out there. I have this overwhelming fear he’ll show up and ruin everything.”

“Dad said the last report he got was from Interpol saying that he was seen in Europe. I think you’re safe today, we all are. Try not to worry about it. Dad has this whole place on lockdown. I think every FBI and CIA person he and Pop knows is here. The whole police force would be here too if they didn’t have other duties.”

I giggle. “You’re right. Everything will be fine. I think it’s just pre-wedding jitters. It's normal.”

“Yeah, totally normal. I should get back out there. Dad needs his best man.” He turns to leave, but stops. “Oh, I forgot to tell you, I had sex with Faith.”

I stare open-mouthed at my son for a few minutes. “You did what?”

He throws his head back and guffaws. “Just kidding, I asked her to be my promise partner.”

Now I look at him confused. “What?”

“At church, we had an abstinence pledge night and they said if you had a girlfriend that you felt strongly for that you should give them a token of your love as a pledge to be each other’s promise partner. You know, to agree to wait for each other until marriage.”

A huge smile crosses my face and I hug my son. “I’m so proud of you. I had no idea the two of you were that serious.”

“Yeah, it wasn’t until the accident, but I realized when I thought I’d never see her again that I regretted not telling her I loved her. I don’t want to have any more regrets. I really like Grammy’s church and I really think the promise pledge is awesome. I mean, I’m telling Faith that she’s worth waiting for. That’s honoring her, isn’t it?”

I cup his sweet, sweet face. “Oh, baby. That is such an honor for you and her. I really am proud of you. That’s one of the best gifts I’ve received today. You’ve really turned into a strong young man. I love that you want to go to church and that it has inspired you in this way.”

“I do. I might want to be in the ministry one day. It would be awesome if we could go as a family.”

“You bet, sweetheart. I’d love to go with you.”

“Great! I’ll see you out there.” He turns again. “Oh, one more thing, I asked Dad if I could change my last name. I think we should all be Jacobs.”

He kisses my cheek and hurries out of the room. I start to cry. I can’t help it. My son is just too much for me to handle sometimes. I don’t know what I did to deserve such an awesome child, but I’ll thank God every day for allowing me to be the one he calls mom.

“Oh, why the tears?” My mom bursts through the door, looking worried.

I wave her off. “Just an overly sweet son.”

She grins. “He told you about the name change?”

I take the proffered tissue. “Yes, and about the promise pledge.”

“That’s wonderful, isn’t it?” I nod, but say nothing. I’m so overwhelmed with joy. “It’s time to get out there. Are you ready?”

“Yeah, let me touch up my makeup.”

It takes me a few minutes, and then she leads me down the hallway to my father. He wraps his arm around one of mine while my mom is on the other as we start our descent down the stairs and to the yard where Ryan waits for me. The joy on his face is enough to knock me down, it’s beaming so brightly. He looks fantastic in his black suit with white shirt, his hair is pulled back in a bun and his face is neatly groomed. I was against the beard for a while, but it’s honestly grown on me. He looks like a sharp polished businessman, with a fun playful side. Now that I think about it, that is very indicative of his personality, serious and hardworking, but fun and loving with those he cares about.

On the right of Ryan stands the preacher of the church Dylan attends, First Baptist of Oak Grove. To Ryan’s left is Dylan, Marsh, Jon, Riley, and Paul; his team and best friends. They went above and beyond what any of us could have asked for. They are truly part of our family now. On my side stands less people, but they are still important to me, Jessica, Julie, and Laney. Jessica was relentless in her search for Dylan and I. Julie has been there for me since I started at the hospital, but really stepped up to the plate when we were recovering. And Laney, my very soon to be sister-in-law, has never wavered in her love and support of our little family. These women have been a huge help and blessing to me.