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Chapter 11: Charlie
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2022-10-26 14:22:02Related chapters
The Journey Collection Chapter 12: Sarah
That moment-time with Charlie-stayed with me long after he had left. I couldn't stop thinking about him. The way he had touched my face, how his gaze almost caressed my soul, and when he parted his lips and my name flowed past-I didn't even realize he knew my name. He'd been under no obligation to stay. I wasn't delusional enough to believe he'd been there for me in the first place. Heck, he'd flat out asked for Daddy, but he hadn't left. Charlie Burin had seen me at my lowest, yet instead of turning up his nose in disgust at my injuries and the aftermath of what the accident had left behind, he'd been tender, gentle, kind. It was a side of Charlie I didn't know existed, and I fell that much harder for the boy whose heart I'd never win. Either way, it had been enough to carry my spirits through the rest of the day, and I woke up today filled with more hope than I'd had since I came out of the coma. And then, there he was. He appeared early in the morning with two cups
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Journey Collection Chapter 13: Sarah
"Focus on breathing." His instruction was firm and left little room for discussion. "Deep, even breaths." He didn't move my knee while he spoke, waiting for me to align myself with what he'd told me to do. "When I bend your knee, I want you to take a deep breath in, and then as I straighten your leg, release the breath, trying to make the exhale last through the entire movement. Time your intake and exhale with each repetition, focusing on filling your lungs. It will bring oxygen to the muscles and help with the pain." All I could do was nod. The truth wasn't I didn't know if I could do it. I didn't deal well with pain, and this went beyond anything I'd ever experienced. "Ready?" Michael waited for my hesitant confirmation. "Here we go, then. Deep breath in, fill your lungs with as much air as possible. In, in, in, in." He chanted as he bent my knee to a ninety-degree angle, pressing my lower back into the immobilizer and my hip into the crummy hospital mattress.
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Journey Collection Chapter 14: Sarah
Each day was a repeat of the last, and Charlie kept showing up for every one of them. Therapy session after therapy session, he never missed one. I didn't have any idea how he managed to work at his parents' ranch or Daddy's along with being with me daily, but selfishly, I feared asking would alert him to the fact that he could be doing something else. Every morning, he appeared with two cups of coffee, and recently, he'd added breakfast. I didn't know the why behind that, either. And I almost didn't want to know the answer. If he was doing this out of pity, or out of deference to Daddy, or even if he just somehow didn't have anything better to do... I couldn't bring myself to believe that Charlie would have any ulterior motive for his attention. His attitude and actions went far beyond helping a family friend, especially one he hadn't previously been close to. He got along well with the therapists, and he had made friends with the doctors. Just like in high school, the guy ma
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The 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
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The 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.
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The 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
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The 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
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The 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
Last Updated : 2022-10-26
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The Journey Collection Chapter 105: Jack-Epilogue-Five years later
I threw the truck in park, glanced at the clock, and then jumped out, slamming the door behind me. It had been over an hour since I'd gotten the call, and I hadn't been able to reach Austin since. My feet refused to carry me as fast as I wanted them to move, and the second I made it inside the emergency room, I came to a halt. A flood of memories hit me, and they weren't the good kind.The last time I'd stood in this room, I was blind with rage. It was also the day Austin became a man, and I lost my little girl to the person who owned her heart. It took guts for him to step in front of her that day. Almost as much as it took for him to confront me when he got back from New York. I'd hoped that day would never come, but I prayed for it all the same. In order to atone for a sin, I had to confess it...and then deal with the punishment. Austin had made damn certain I understood that if I ever raised a hand to Randi again, there wouldn't be a hound in the world who'd sniff out my remains.
The Journey Collection Chapter 104: Austin
My phone rang for the fourth time since I'd left for work this morning. I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face seeing Randi's name flash across my screen. Her calls came at inconvenient times, but damn if it didn't make my day. I slid my hand from the glove I was wearing to swipe my finger across the screen. "Hey, sweetheart." "What are you doing?" The boredom in her voice was palpable, and it caused me to snicker when I responded."I'm working. The same thing I was doing the other three times you called.""Oh... I'm sorry. I'll let you go."I tucked the phone between my shoulder and my ear so I could talk to her and at least make it appear like I was working to anyone who might see me. "Everything okay?" "Yeah, I'm just bored."We'd had this conversation several times in the last few days. "Why don't you get out of the house? Go into town. If nothing else, go grocery shopping." She was afraid of the reactions she'd get without me, Sarah, or Jack at he
The Journey Collection Chapter 103: Austin
There'd never been a day in all the years I'd been coming to Cross Acres that I'd dreaded it. Even when Randi had shown up unexpectedly, it was never the ranch I didn't want to be near. For years, this place had been my solace. Today, however, I had to have a conversation I wasn't keen on having with a man I'd respected my entire life. Not even the sound of the gravel under my tires soothed the ache in my chest.I'd debated on whether or not to go straight to the farmhouse or get the guys out working before I pulled Jack aside. I'd opted for the second. If there were a scene, no one needed to be around to witness it. I didn't care if Jack had deeded the ranch over to me; this was still his home, and these men respected him.It had taken me a little over an hour to get everyone out of earshot, and once I had, I climbed the steps to the front porch. At a little after six, there was no doubt in my mind Jack was awake-it was in his blood. He'd get up when the rooster crowed for the res
The Journey Collection Chapter 102: Miranda
The four-day drive back to Mason Belle turned into seven. Austin and I used the time to catch up; although, not a lot had gone on in either of our lives. Our greatest sticking point had been my relationship with Eason. It took a FaceTime call to him and Garrett to get Austin to relax about the security of our friendships. By the time we'd hung up, Garrett had Austin howling with laughter and Eason shaking his head in the background. Austin and Eason would need to get to know each other, and that could happen over time. For now, they seemed to appreciate what the other brought to my life and left the mutual understanding at that.After stopping at the airport to pick up his truck, we arrived at Austin's house before lunch, and he'd insisted we go inside to eat before he went to Cross Acres. Unable to convince him that food and a nervous stomach didn't make a happy union, I gave in. It dawned on me that it wasn't his refrigerator he wanted to show off. Austin was proud of the two-story
The Journey Collection Chapter 101: Miranda
Every inch of my body coiled, and each step I took required more effort than the last. I'd left Austin to explore New York-well, the bagel shop at the corner-while I went to have a conversation with my best friend and boss. My stiletto-clad foot slipped on the marble floors in the lobby, and an older gentleman kindly prevented my fall. Heat rose in my cheeks, and embarrassment gripped what little hold I had on reality. "Don't worry, sweetheart. Happens to me all the time." He lifted his hand, and a nervous giggle passed my lips. Even at his age, he was spry, and I found humor in the cane he showed off with pride. I wondered if women found that attractive later in life, although I didn't ask. Instead, I patted his hand and thanked him. He then shooed off my apology. "A girl as pretty as you, the pleasure was all mine." Yeah, this guy definitely played the geriatric field. The man straightened his suit jacket, tipped his cane to the up arrow, and then pressed the button to ca
The Journey Collection Chapter 100: Miranda
It took me a moment to recognize the arms wrapped around me and realize the heat behind me wasn't a blazing inferno I needed to escape before the house burned to the ground. In the haze of waking, last night was more like a dream than reality, and his embrace reminded me that life didn't always follow an expected path. I wiggled free without rousing him and rolled to my side. As soon as I did, I regretted losing the comfort that being close to him provided. Although, the view made up for the loss of contact. Austin's disheveled hair gave him a boyish appeal in direct contrast to the maturity that age had given his body. My heart swelled, knowing I could think about him and not feel like a dagger had pierced my chest. He had the capacity to forgive, and despite the unknowns, that trait had the power to heal. Couple it with devotion and love, and somehow, we would get through this together. Austin stirred in front of me, and my picture of perfection came to life when he moved. His
The Journey Collection Chapter 99: Austin
We had talked late into the night. I didn't know where her roommate was, but I was glad he hadn't interrupted. Eason would throw a monkey wrench into any progress I made once she realized she hadn't factored him into the equation. By the time she had convinced me to spend the night, I didn't have a commitment from her to come home with me. She had, however, admitted that she wanted to be together. If that meant I needed to sell my house in Mason Belle and relocate to New York, then I'd do what I had to do. Life without Randi was no longer an option.She held my hand and led me down a dark hallway and up a flight of stairs. Randi didn't bother flicking on a light until we stepped into her room. Her life had changed drastically while she'd been in New York. Her family had money by Mason Belle standards-at least they had while she lived there-but she lived in luxury here. Her bedroom was the size of my den and kitchen combined, her king-sized bed overflowed with pillows, and while I did
The Journey Collection Chapter 98: Austin
I'd made it this far without nerves taking over or second-guessing my trip, not even on the flight from hell where I swore the masks were going to fall out of the overhead compartment at any given moment. Oddly, I'd been most apprehensive over leaving my truck in an uncovered parking lot at the airport. Now, standing on Miranda and Eason's doorstep, I hesitated to lift my fist to knock.For two days, I'd tried to reach Miranda, and for two days her phone went to voicemail, even after I assumed she'd gone back to work. That same lost feeling I'd experienced when she left the first time had returned, except this time, I wasn't willing to accept her decision as my fate. I didn't ask Sarah where she lived. I didn't talk to Jack about where I was going when I told him I needed a couple of days off. Not even my parents were aware I'd left the state. I made the choice to chase her, and no outside influence would alter my plans, so there was no point in discussing it. It proved a tad diff
The Journey Collection Chapter 97: Austin
I'd expected her to call. After the things Miranda had admitted, I thought she'd use my number when she got up. The minutes and hours barely moved on the clock. Exhausted wasn't a good way to spend a day on a ranch. The work was physical, the sun was brutal, and I needed it to end. Hearing from Miranda would have broken up the monotony, and I'd hoped the two of us could sit down to talk. The few hours of rest I'd had last night were spent mulling over every word she'd said. The things she had confessed brought on more questions than answers. I doubted I wanted the answers, but in the end, I'd need them. Since she hadn't called, it was clear, I would have to force the conversation. She needed to get her rental car from The Hut which gave me an excuse to be alone with her without making an issue out of it.But when I got back to the barn, the only vehicles there were mine and Brock's. I'd successfully avoided him all day, and if I played my cards right, I'd get out unnoticed. I didn
