Charity Ford is a Registered Nurse, and widowed mother struggling to raise her 1 year old son, Michael. Obsessed with finding her husband's killer, Charity took her vacation to learn all she could about what her late husband, and Army Ranger Lt. Eli...
Kyle sat stretched out on his king sized bed, massaging his bad leg. He had been pushing himself, putting too much pressure on himself lately, and not allowing his leg to rest. He knew he had to learn that not resting did not deminish him as a Sheriff. As he was finishing the rub down, there was a soft knock on the door.
"Kyle, may I come in?"
Throwing a cover over the mangled limb, he called out. "Uhhhhh, sure."
Charity could tell by his tone, that it wasn't really fine. But, she had to make sure he was all right. Opening the door she stepped in, and froze. Kyle sat leaning against the headboard, bare chested. His bronze skin still had the gleam of a shower.
'Okay. It's official. The Greek statues were indeed copied off of him.' He was built like a Greek god. Every single muscle was honed to perfection. She also noticed that his arms, good leg and across his chest were covered in tattoos.
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Most likely to hide the scaring, much in the same way her father had done.
Kyle watched her and couldn't help but smile. "While I appreciate your appreciation and believe me, you're more than welcome to enjoy the view, I have to charge for anythin' over five minutes."
That snapped her out of it. "Oh, sorry. I was just..."
He grinned, "No worries, it's actually a compliment. So what's up?"
Charity carried a steaming mug over to him and sat on the edge of the bed. "This is peppermint, and feverfew tea. It will help relax you, and ease the pain."
The Sheriff accepted the mug and sniffed at it's contents. "Hmmm. Smells good." After taking a sip he leaned back with a sigh. "None too sweet."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I should have..."
He shook his head and gave her a warm smile. "No. I was givin' you a compliment. See, I'm not a really big sweet tea drinker. Never was, not even as a kid. This is perfect, thank you."
Charity bestowed him with a brilliant smile, emerald eyes sparkling with an inner light. "I'm glad you like it. Umm, I know this is probably a bad idea, but I'm an ER Nurse, and well..." Looking down she sighed, "Never mind."
Kyle was pretty sure he knew where she had been headed. "Thank you for the offer, but I can handle the care of my leg for now. I know everyone means well, but this is somethin' no one can fix. I've gotten used to the pain, and the lifestyle."
She looked him in the eyes, "Kyle, I just want you to know that you're not alone."
He grinned, "I know. Thank you. I promise I'll spend the rest of today with my leg up, on a cushion, rrrresting. I'll give my leg the rest it needs."
"All right. Also, thank you for all you're doing. It means a lot. I know it's hard on you having us here, so if you want us to go, just say the word and I'll go stay with my folks. They could probably use some help with the boys anyway."
Kyle couldn't help but chuckle, "Ye're more than welcome to stay here. Besides, havin' you around to help cook, well, that's like a gift or reward for me."
She grinned, "And if my little brothers decide to barge in, like they did at my place?"
"You're kid brothers really are a rambunctious lot." He shook his head, "I think Randy Jr. is the worst of them all though."
She grinned, "He has a problem with my being nine years older than him. Oh, and as a reminder... Never call him Randy Jr. It really ticks him off. His name is RJ, and that's just how it is. "
Kyle chuckled, "Yeah, I remember that feeling. He feels that bein' the oldest boy, it's his job to look after both his mother and sister when his dad can't. I've been in his boots before. Comin' up with his own nickname also gives him his own identity. I was like him once."
She opened her mouth to answer but was cut off by the sound of his phone ringing.
"Blanton." Kyle answered.
"KB."
"Spence, what have ya got for me?" Kyle nodded at Charity.
Realizing that this was about her house she couldn't help but lean in a little.
"It's not good, bro. Her place is a wreck. Even the walls have been torn out. They were lookin' for somethin' an' this was an inside job too. The lock is still in one piece, and it wasn't picked. Also Eli's case files are missin', can't find'em anywhere."
"Say that again!" Kyle looked Charity in the eyes, "What do you know about Eli's case files?"
She shook her head, "I know Eli was helping with a few FBI cases, mainly as a consultant. Other than that..." she shook her head again.
"Spence, did you get that?"
"I got it. KB, I think you should take some time off and look after Cherry, and the kid. I have a really bad feelin' about this. You should see what I'm lookin' at right now."
Kyle sat up straighter, "What is it?"
"Do you have your phone on speaker?"
"No, why?"
"Bro, they came back after she left the house."
The Sheriff turned to Charity and held out his mug, "Honey, would you be so kind as to get me a refill?"
"You want to talk shop without me in the audience right?"
He grinned, "If you wouldn't mind."
Charity rolled her eyes and snatched the cup, "Fill me in later, Kyle. This is mine, and Michael's lives you're talking about."
He nodded, "If I feel it's somethin' you need to know, I promise you, I will not hold it back."
'Hmmmm. He worded that very carefully.' "I guess that's all I can ask right now." With that she left the room.
"All right, Spence."
"KB, I'm lookin' at a message painted across the baby's room, right above the crib."
Kyle froze, "And..."
Sigh... "It's painted in red paint. Still wet. Must have wanted it to look like blood."
"What does it say?" Kyle could feel his blood run cold.
Spence read the message aloud. Kyle could hear his voice shake with carefully masked rage, "Back off or join your husband."
