Fiendish: A Twisted Fairytale (44 page)

“Inspecting you for bruises! Because this is madness. Mal came back alone, saying you went off with some guy but you looked scared of him.”

“I
’m not scared of Seth! I was just a little shocked to see him and…wait, you think he’s beating me?” That hurt. “I know I’m not the best at standing up for myself, but for you to honestly believe I would let someone…” I didn’t finish. I couldn’t.

Seth had never hit me; he was dominating without the need for physical violence. He had been a little rough but never anything like she was implying.

“He doesn’t hit me, Macy. He’s never hit me.”

“Then what?
Please tell me so I will understand why you continue with this, with him.  When you’re up, it’s great, and I think maybe he’s just what you need. But when he does or says something bad, you crash down hard. You were a wreck when he disappeared! An absolute wreck! It’s not good, or normal for a person to have that much of an affect on you. So please make me understand,” she’d screamed at me.

“I don
’t have to explain anything to you,” I’d yelled back. “I’m an adult for fuck’s sake! I wish everyone would quit treating me like I’m a damn child!” I’d turned and retreated to my room, slamming and locking the door behind me.

*

We’d barely talked for days after that. We managed because Malcolm was still here visiting, but after he left, she spent a few nights with Mitch. I hated fighting with her, and honestly, before Seth, we hadn’t had any fights that were really serious. It had been a little over a month since that night. Eventually, we’d made up like always, but my relationship with Seth had become a sort of off limits subject. 

Our friendship got back to normal, mostly. We still talked and joked around, discussed work and shopping. She gushed about her and Mitch and how well things were going even though he worked more since things were picking up with his practice. I was genuinely happy for her. She was enjoying her relationship as she should, and I didn
’t mind listening to her talk about it as friends do.

Sadly, when it came to relationships, I didn
’t feel like I could share in the same way. I’m sure she would listen, but I didn’t want to deal with the eye rolling or watch her as she tried to keep her more negative opinions to herself. I knew she just wanted me to be happy, and she worried about me. I just wished she could understand that he wasn’t the villain she thought he was.

I hated that I made her feel like she needed to censor herself, and although she didn
’t come right out and say it, I suspected she felt like I was falling into a familiar, old pattern. He was trying to be better at controlling his temper and trying to curb his jealous tendencies. To help, I was learning to be more aware of my actions, and it felt like we were developing a deeper connection. Things weren’t perfect, but nothing in life was.

“So, it
’s just me? How long will I be on her shit list?” 

I turned to look at him, but he kept his eyes focused on the road ahead. “You
’re not. She’s just…”

“Worried about you.
Yes, I know. That has been your standard answer. What is she worried about exactly?” I heard the strain in his voice.

I was stuck in the middle. Macy didn
’t like Seth, and Seth didn’t like the forced politeness she gave him.

“Seth, you don
’t understand us, me, and how I was. She does. She remembers all the hurt and bad things I like to forget because she’s the one that was there to pick up the pieces. Give her time.” 

He gave me a look that
told me he wasn’t happy with that answer, but he wasn’t going to push it. Once we arrived at the ranch, Rick walked out of the barn to greet us. I sat in the truck as they exchanged pleasantries briefly before Seth came to open my door.

“Good to see you again, Calida.”

“Nice to see you too, Rick.”

“How is everything going?” Seth asked Rick.

“Good, they are really growing fast since the last time you saw them. Vanessa is in the barn getting ready to feed them the extra supplements.” 

I was totally lost in the conversation that they were having. As Seth led me into the barn, I saw what they were talking about. Standing in the barn were two of the cutest foals I had ever seen. Not that I had seen many, but these were positively adorable. 

“Hello there,” Vanessa said as we walked closer, I noticed a change in her as well.

“Oh, wow. Hey and congrats,” I said pointing towards her belly. 

Her smile was radiant as she rubbed her stomach. “Thanks. I’m so glad I’m past the morning sickness phase. I missed being out here.”

“Yeah, the moment she
’d step foot out the back door, she was running back in,” Rick chimed in, laughing.

“It was pretty ba
d, but that’s all behind me now,” she said looking lovingly at her husband. 

Rick walked over to kiss his wife on the cheek.

“Now, I can sit back and wait for this baby to make his or her appearance,” she continued, giving her husband a smile.

“You don
’t want to know what you’re having?” I asked.

“We do, but at the ultrasound, Peanut wasn
’t in a cooperative mood.” Vanessa walked over and gave Seth a hug. “And thank you. A whole nursery is a bit overkill for a gift, but I love it.”

“It was my pleasure. You deserve it.” 

There was something unspoken in their exchange as I noticed Vanessa tear up a little. I watched, silently wondering why Seth didn’t tell me they had so much going on. I wouldn’t have imposed on them had I known. 

“Oh,” Vanessa exclaimed then grabbed at my hand. “Do you feel that?” she asked as she pressed my hand to her belly. 

After a few seconds, I felt the flutter and thump when the baby kicked. It was a wonderful feeling seeing the look of sheer happiness on her face. It truly made me a believer about the glow of pregnant women. Slowly, I pulled my hand away as those familiar feelings of regret started to creep up on me. Seth was watching me when I glanced over in his direction. Diverting my eyes, I turned my attention back to Vanessa.

“So, can I help you feed them?”

“Sure thing.” 

Rick let them out of the stall then handed me a large bottle.
 I watched Vanessa for a moment before proceeding to mimic her actions. The foal was so adorable, and I was having so much fun watching him as he and his sibling gobbled down their food. The animal was stunning, and I would have been content staring into his big black eyes all afternoon. On first glance, one would have thought he was solid black like his sire, but he was very unique in having the black coat that was peppered with darker black spots like his mother. Almost as if she left kisses all over him, on his back hindquarter he had a large cow spot that was almost identical to the one his mother had.

“Do you want to brush him?” Vanessa asked as she put away the bottles.

“Sure.” 

Rick brought over the grooming bucket then handed me a brush. The foal
’s muscles twitched and flexed under my hand, and I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. 

“Have they been named yet?”  I asked, looking over at Rick.

“No. I like to wait to see their personalities first.” Seth answered, pushing off the wall, coming to stand behind me. “But since it appears you have taken to this one, I’ll let you name him.”

Seth wrapped his arms around my waist, and I leaned into the kiss he placed on my temple. I swiveled around in his arms to give him a quick kiss. 

“I’ve never had any pets, so is there some special way I go about this?  I know on TV the horses in the Kentucky Derby and things like that, always have really strange names like Moonlight Streak.”

“Well, we don
’t raise racehorses here,” Vanessa chimed in. “We give lessons, and we partner with Dr. Moore who runs a program during the summer for high school kids that are interested in large animal veterinary medicine with a specialty in equine medicine.”

“So, he doesn
’t need a weird name then?”

“You can name him anything your heart desires,” Seth responded, giving me a kiss on the back of the head. 

His arms tightened around me and those familiar butterflies began dancing in my stomach. I turned back to the foal before I completely lost track of my senses. Taking a long look at the magnificent animal in front of me, I knew instantly what he should be called.

“Phantom
’s Kiss,” I announced proudly.

“It
’s perfect,” Seth agreed.

***

I glanced over at Calida who looked so peaceful sleeping with her head resting against the window. She looked like a kid full of excitement all day and it was a welcomed change to see her being lively and carefree in my presence. We never went on our ride because she wanted to spend time with Phantom’s Kiss, so we spent the day sitting and chatting with Vanessa and Rick. Calida was very interested in the programs they offered at the ranch. We’ve had good days since that night in the park, but today was especially good for me.

This was good for her. She
’s not changing, you are. She needed more, she needed to know about you, she needed, she needed, she needed…
My hands tightened on the wheel as the thoughts bombarded me.
And what did you do? You gave; you gave her everything without a second thought. And why? What are you getting? From where I sit, nothing. She has leashed you.
My temper was rising.
You have to do something. There is only one way to get your balance back.

“No!” My outburst caused Calida to stir.

“Did you say something?” she asked sleepily.

“Sorry. There was a deer about to dart out.”

“Oh.”

She smiled at me then took my hand as she readjusted in her seat to settle back down before dozing back off to sleep. I wasn
’t leashed or out of balance. Things were exactly how I wanted them.

Chapter 34

“Just a few more pictures, and we will be all set,” Kerrin said while I finished packing up.

The nursery project was completed finally, and we were pleased with the outcome. Since the clients learned they were having twins instead of just one, the room we were going to make over changed to one of the larger spare rooms. Luckily, not much had been done when they found out the news, but they decided to turn that first room into a future playroom for the children. The job then became two rooms instead of one, and Kerrin allowed me to do the playroom as a solo mission of sorts. It was my first project, and I loved every minute I spent working on it. 

“I’ll go bring up the clients if you are ready for them to see the final outcome.”

Kerrin nodded her approval as she fluffed the stuffed lamb one last time. After a few hugs and tears from the very hormonal wife, we left with a promise from them to call when they were ready to transform the nursery into a kid
’s room. When we got back to the office, we heard Patrick on the phone, and he didn’t sound happy. These days that was happening more often. A few of his contractors had quit working with him, citing past due bills and bounced checks. I’d tried to ask Kerrin if this was normal, but she would always brush me off. However, she was starting to look worried, especially after Patrick was served the other day.

Kerrin handed me the camera so I could upload the shots to the client
’s file while she went to go see what he was yelling about. I started checking messages since Patrick acted as if he was incapable of answering the phones. She exited his office about five minutes later, and whatever good mood she had was now long gone. The briskness of her steps told me she was heading out to the patio for a smoke. He didn’t often rattle her, so it must’ve meant he was really in a mood.

“Calida!”
Patrick bellowed from his office

“Yes sir?” 

“Where the hell are the pictures from the completed job?”

“I, I haven
’t uploaded them yet.”

“What the hell are you out there doing? You
’ve had plenty of time. I pay you to work not sit around on your ass.”

“I wasn
’t. I was…”

“No
excuses, just get me the damn pictures.”

“Yes, sir.”
I noticed my hands were shaking as I attempted to pull the memory card from the camera. 

“Sometime today would be nice,” he commented, sounding very aggravated. He stood in the doorway of his office, tapping his foot impatiently.

“They are uploading now.”

I chewed on my thumbnail, watching the little green bar load across the screen: fifty percent, seventy percent, ninety percent, finally one hundred percent. I quickly highlighted them all then moved them into the client
’s file.

“Done, sir.”

“Took you long enough. Get me a fresh coffee.”

He retreated back into his office, and I glanced at the little clock on my computer screen, three-thirty. Still an hour and a half with him; I didn
’t know what crawled up his butt, but I hoped it blew over soon.