Page 18 of Strip It Down (Spoiled by My Blue Collar Man #4)

Gentry

They’ve kept me in the hospital for twenty-four hours due to the concussion and Sayer’s insistence. He hasn’t left my side except to shower in my bathroom. Even then, he bribed a nurse’s aide to stay with me so I wouldn’t be alone.

Paul and MaryKatherine dropped clothes off last night and said due to the circumstances they’d rescheduled their trips and have been at the house with Ayla. They called earlier to say some of the guys have already completed most of the repairs and cleaned up the messes at the house.

Jarrett stopped by on his way back from the vets after checking on

Duke. The bullet grazed his shoulder, but the bone is okay. Several stitches and some drugs to keep him sedated with a promise he’ll be okay soothed my guilt.

All of this is my fault.

There’s a knock on the door before the Sheriff walks in. I’m already dressed and in the wheelchair ready to leave. I want to go home. Sayer stands beside me, placing his hand on my shoulder.

Tate smiles. “You doing okay?”

I nod. “Little headache but it’s under control.”

“Wanted to give you guys a little update. There’s not a lot I can share, but …

The crime team did find a jammer at the work site.

The fingerprints belonged to Deputy Michaels.

He’s currently under investigation and singing a couple tunes of blackmail and gambling debt with a side of drugs.

The DA is working on their case for Greg Archer.

The home videos of the attack you were able to provide were a big help. ”

He pauses, studying his hands before meeting my gaze again.

“Based on what Greg said on the video about your sister, we’ve been looking at some of the Archer family properties that are more isolated.

We got a court order to investigate further.

We’ve hired Jarrett and his cadaver dogs to see if they could be of help. ”

I meet his gaze. “He murdered my mother even though they couldn’t prove it. I suspected the same fate for my sister. Finding her body, and maybe the evidence that he did it would at least give me closure.

“How badly did I injure him? I-ah-didn’t hit the femoral, did I?”

Tate chokes down a snort. “Ah, so close, but no cigar.”

He stands. “You’re in the clear, debriefed and the video from your security supports your claim of self-defense. Now we have to wait to see what our justice system can do. The judge is… let’s say an advocate of real justice. That said, you two need to be careful and watch your backs.

“Truthfully, Greg Archer is not a favorite even in his own family. His heavy handed and sloppy criminal antics threaten to expose the more elaborate schemes of the rest of them. So this could go away quietly depending on what he chooses to do or say. I could see them turning their backs on him.”

He glances at Sayer. “I am thrilled that it exposed one of my department’s employee’s. Maybe the rest will leave of their own accord.

“I’m going to be following you home just for fun. I’ll be downstairs waiting when you’re ready.”

After he leaves, I look at Sayer. “I’ve brought nothing but trouble to you.”

He squats in front of me, taking my hands. “You have brought sunshine and hope back into my life. You are the woman I’ve loved all my life. The woman who loves my child and me. My dreams are finally coming true.

“We’ve stripped away all the rough spots, all the old stain and paint and are back to a smooth fresh start where our love becomes the finish that shines.

“Together we’ll get through this and everything else life throws at us. I love you Gentry Shaw and as soon as you say yes, I’m marrying you.”

As we pull into the drive, MaryKatherine is directing Jarrett and Brody to reposition the picnic table to just outside the kitchen door. Paul, her daughter Everleigh and grandson Myles are already carrying out food.

Sayer insists on carrying me to the lounge chair set up at the head of the picnic table. “A month minimum the doctor said.”

Ayla does her waddle-run to me and climbs onto my lap.

Stone follows, nudging my hand for his obligatory head scratch then settles beside us.

Everyone stops by as the table is set, offering condolences and praise.

Tate kisses the top of my head and whispers in my ear while Sayer scowls openly, causing the whole group to erupt in laughter.

Sayer brings me a plate and temps me with tiny morsels. I glance down the table. So this is what real family feels like. I’ve finally found mine.

I start awake when someone lifts me.

“Shh. It’s okay, sweet. I’m taking you up for a nap.”

Stopping at the bathroom, he insists on waiting then carrying me to his bed. Once I’m settled, he crawls in behind me and cuddles me. Safe. Secure. Home.

By Friday the second week, I’m ready to strangle him. He’s spending minimal time at the job sites, coming home at least three times a day to check on me. And trying to manage everything from the home office. No matter what I say, he insists the doctor said I need to stay in bed and rest.

The next time he comes in the room I’m dressed and waiting.

“Gentry, what’s wrong? What do you need?”

“The doctor wants to see me. Do you mind taking me? She says it will be quick. Paul said he’ll take care of everything, including Ayla while we’re gone.”

Sayer sits nervously in the chair waiting while Dr. Phelps examines me. As soon as she’s done, he stands next to me, arm around my shoulder.

Typical small town physician, Dr. Phelps started her career in Archer Falls when family practice was the whole family, and has known us both since we were children. A lot more grey in her hair these days, she still has a sense of humor and a ‘do as I say’ attitude.

She pulls a script pad from the drawer and starts writing. When she finishes, she looks at both of us. “This is important, and you need to start this immediately. I don’t want to have to hospitalize one of you.”

After handing the script to Sayer, she leans against the counter, folds her arms over her chest and winks at me.

Patient: Sayer Reed

Take two chill pills every hour until you can achieve a calm demeanor and leave the girl alone. She’ll be fine as soon as you quit hoovering. You both need to get back to normal.

Patient: Gentry Shaw

Cleared to return to work and a normal life.

Sayer glances up.

“Take her on a lunch date, and maybe shopping. The first should be repeated weekly. Now get out of here. I have sick people to tend to.

“Insurance would laugh if I tried to bill for this, so stop by the desk and the children’s fund jar and make a donation.”

Outside, he takes my hand and we walk in silence for a few minutes.

He clears his throat. “I’ve heard there’s a new coffee shop in town, but I haven’t gone there yet.

Maybe we could stop in and have a snack.

” He pauses in front of a shop door. “Then we could do some shopping to replace your ruined clothes.”

“Sayer, we don’t have to do this today.”

“Yes, we do. Doc is right. I need to romance you, date you, take my time before…”

“Before what?”

He glances down at me. “Before proposing.”

“How would you do that? Propose I mean?”

“I’d drop to my knees and beg you to marry me.”

“Hmm, could you show me?”

Dropping to his knee he takes my hand. “Gentry Shaw, I’ve loved you forever. Will you marry me and make my heart and life whole with your love?”

“Yes, Sayer Reed, because loving you makes my life complete.”

Cheers and laughter erupt from the doors of Bean Me Up. MaryKatherine gives me a thumbs up and walks away wiping her eyes.