Share
Chapter 14: Sarah
Related chapters
The Journey Collection Chapter 15: Sarah
Daddy sat in the chair that Charlie had managed to finagle out of the nurses, and he'd pulled my swinging table up to use it as a desk. There were papers scattered all over it, and he had his checkbook out and a pen stuck in it. "Daddy, why don't you let me help you with that?" Cross Acre's books had been my responsibility since I was in high school. "I can write checks and pay bills." My handwriting might not be pretty, but if a doctor got away with chicken scratch, surely no one would question my wobbly script. He ran a hand through his grey hair. I didn't think I'd ever get used to seeing Daddy without a hat. There were rarely times I saw him without one-church and supper; that was about it. But in the hospital, he never brought one, although I could tell he'd had one on in the truck from the ring it left behind. "I've got it, sweetheart." I sighed. "You're being silly. Just because my body isn't working right doesn't mean my mind won't function." I waited fo
The Journey Collection Chapter 16: Sarah
Charlie tossed out a card and then laid his hand on the mattress. "Royal flush." He was proud of himself and fought the smirk that indicated just how much. "Flush? I thought we were playing gin." I didn't really, but seeing his expression fall was nothing short of adorable. "I'm kidding." I tossed my cards onto the pile. I didn't have a clue about how to play poker. He could have had four of a kind and told me it was a straight, and I wouldn't have known the difference. "Another hand?" He had already started to shuffle the cards, and then as he started to deal, I picked them up one by one. "You're supposed to wait until the dealer's done before you pick up the cards." I rolled my eyes. "Remind me of that if we're ever in Vegas. I don't think anyone on the ward is going to call the poker police." "For some reason, I don't ever see you on the strip in Vegas." He chuckled and kept doling out cards before he stacked the remainder of the deck between us.
The Journey Collection Chapter 17: Charlie
After basically forcing Sarah out, the rehab facility took its sweet time actually releasing her. Maybe that was just how it felt, but between the time the decision was handed down, Jack delivered the message, and Sarah physically left, it had been days of wondering when it would happen. I couldn't say I was upset that she was going home, although I knew she wasn't looking forward to it. The drive to Laredo every day was a killer in a huge truck, and I was at Cross Acres every day anyhow. Even if I weren't, it was only a couple miles from my parents' property. I felt like I'd lived in an uncomfortable chair in a sterile room in Laredo for the last couple of months, and I got to go home every day. I could only imagine how Sarah felt. She seemed to have mixed emotions regarding the whole thing. Part of her wanted to be back in Mason Belle, part of her was afraid she wasn't ready to leave, and there was a part of her that believed I'd quit coming to see her-even if she hadn't verbalized t
The Journey Collection Chapter 18: Charlie
I gave her a half-bow and my best smile. And she rolled her eyes when I extended my hand, but she couldn't hide the grin that tugged at the corners of her mouth. She eased her delicate hand into mine, and I used the motion to run my hand up her arm and rest it against her back. I slid my other arm underneath her knees and shifted her toward me. It was a little trickier with the truck, but it gave me an excuse to get her close, so I'd make do. I loved the feel of her in my embrace, cradled against me-her weight, the heat from her skin, the breath she blew across my neck unknowingly. And then, Jack chilled those thoughts with his icy stare as he watched me move his daughter. I had no doubt that if Sarah so much as winced, he'd leap off that porch and come after me. And I pretended like he couldn't sense the pleasure I got out of having her pressed against me because that would be a death sentence in itself. Nevertheless, for a few brief moments, I got to enjoy the way her arms wound arou
The Journey Collection Chapter 19: Charlie
This was the first time since Sarah had started physical therapy that she would have a couple of days off. Even in the rehab facility, she'd had standing appointments on the weekend. It was a complete submersion into healing. Now she'd had the weekend without anyone poking or prodding her. I didn't know what Jack's plans were, and I hadn't asked. I just knew Sarah had to be back in Laredo for most of the afternoon, and I had more leeway with my time than he did. At some point, her dad had to get back to business. His business was cattle ranching, not hospitals and doctor's appointments. He hadn't called me, although he did look relieved when I hopped out of the truck in front of the barn. It was an expression I'd never seen much growing up-not from Jack-and saw it just about every day now. "Hey, Jack." I closed the truck door and walked over to the horse Jack had in hand. "Is Sarah about ready for her appointment?" He patted the horse's neck and smoothed its
The Journey Collection Chapter 20: Charlie
Five weeks and countless sessions later, Sarah was starting to show signs of improvement. I hadn't missed a single visit and drove her to Laredo every day. I was grateful I worked on my parents' farm and that they valued the Adams as much as I did. They encouraged me-and Austin-to do whatever it took to help Jack at Cross Acres. I didn't think they had any idea that would include falling for his daughter, but since they hadn't specified that was off-limits, I hadn't discussed it. Jack and Sarah needed help. Austin was working on his ranch, and I made sure Sarah was taken care of. I never asked again; I just showed up. It hadn't taken long for Jack to stop asking why I was there, and he quickly reached a point where he simply kept working. Lately, he wasn't even around when I arrived, and if he were, he would just raise a hand in "hello." Jack trusted me to take care of her, and somehow, that was a reward in itself. "Sunshine?" I called out for her as soon as I stepped into the
The Journey Collection Chapter 21: Charlie
The rehab facility had an entire room with different machines and contraptions specifically designed to assist with walking. The space was large, and multiple patients worked with different physical therapists at the same time. And while I'd thought that would give Sarah hope and encourage her to see other people struggled, too, somehow, it only made her struggles worse. Her insecurities were preventing her progress as she worried more about what other people saw than focusing on the task in front of her. No one inside these walls other than her own team paid the least bit of attention to her, yet in her mind, they were all staring. Her eyes scanned the perimeter of the room as the therapists got her into position between two bars. She held on for dear life to keep her balance, although she zoned in on everything else going on. Kappi-the newest therapist to her crew-was getting frustrated by her inability to reach Sarah. It was like Sarah had a wall up that she couldn't see pa
The Journey Collection Chapter 22: Sarah
I couldn't get him out of my mind. And that kiss. As far as kisses go, the steam level might not have been that great for anyone else, but for this girl-who'd never been kissed-it was amazing. Not only was it a welcome relief from all of the worry, all of the stress that had weighed me down the past few months, but it was Charlie freaking Burin. His mouth had touched mine; his tongue had parted my lips; his fingers had dug into my neck. It was just-ah. A girl could die happy after that exchange. Charlie had managed to nudge his way into my world without my really noticing that he'd come in, and he'd never left. It was Charlie who encouraged me through physical therapy. It was Charlie who picked me up when I was down. It was Charlie who believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. At my lowest points, he was always there to get me through. He marked every bit of progress as a triumph, and he tallied all the wins. One unassisted step at a time. And while it might not have bee
Latest chapter
- The Journey Collection Chapter 105: Jack-Epilogue-Five years later
- The Journey Collection Chapter 104: Austin
- The Journey Collection Chapter 103: Austin
- The Journey Collection Chapter 102: Miranda
- The Journey Collection Chapter 101: Miranda
- The Journey Collection Chapter 100: Miranda
- The Journey Collection Chapter 99: Austin
- The Journey Collection Chapter 98: Austin
- The Journey Collection Chapter 97: Austin
