Their Troubled Heroine Read online

  “Oh. Um, I guess so. I mean I’d love to, but…”

  “Don’t say no. Just come and you can leave anytime you want to. I need a second opinion that’s not Mayberry’s. He still says it’s just okay. I think it’s pretty damn good,” Dobbs said.

  “Well, okay. I’ll plan to come over. What time?”

  “How about six? I should be able to have it ready by then.”

  “Are you going to tell me what I’m going to be eating?”

  “Nope. It’s a surprise,” he told her.

  “Mayberry? Am I safe to eat it?” Her voice held a teasing note to it.

  Mayberry smiled. “Yeah. It won’t kill you. Can’t promise about how good it will taste, though.”

  “Asshole.” Dobbs grinned, as well.

  “Okay. I’ll see you guys Saturday then.” Dobbs heard her end the call. He pressed End and whooped.

  “She still has to actually show up, man. Don’t go getting your hopes up and end up bitch slapping them when she can’t come.” Mayberry had a sour disposition when it came to Libby. Dobbs wasn’t sure why.

  “She’ll come, and she’ll like what I cook. You’ll see.”

  He watched as his friend stood up again, grabbing the handle of the halter Colby wore.

  “Where are you going?” Dobbs asked him.

  “To the bathroom. Sheesh, do you have to know my every move?”

  “Sorry. I’m used to helping you everywhere. Guess I’m feeling kind of useless now,” he quipped.

  “Shut the fuck up. You’re happy you don’t have to guide me everywhere anymore.”

  Dobbs watched as his friend walked out of the room with more confidence than he’d shown before Colby had come into his life. Part of him was happy about it, but a small part of him missed the fact that his friend didn’t really need him anymore.

  * * * *

  Libby had thought of Dobbs and Mayberry more than she liked to admit to herself ever since she’d met them at Ellie’s house. They’d called and chatted almost daily ever since. She loved hearing their good-natured ribbing between themselves and liked that they felt safe sharing their worries with her. She knew that Dobbs feared he’d never get the hang of walking on the prosthesis and Mayberry felt useless since he couldn’t see.

  Though they didn’t know it, the two men had helped her tremendously by calling her when she wouldn’t have called them. She was almost positive that they knew that. They always said good-bye with the same statement.

  “Good-bye, Libby girl. We’ll talk to you again soon.”

  She’d come to anticipate their calls, and when they didn’t call soon enough, she began to doubt that they would. There was something about the two men that clicked for her. She wasn’t sure what it was, but she felt safe with them, and they weren’t even together.

  Now she’d told them she’d have dinner with them on Saturday, and that scared her. What if she panicked while she was there? Or, worse, what if she couldn’t even get out of the car to go inside? It would devastate her to not be able to go through with it once she showed up. They’d think she was ditsy or something.

  I shouldn’t have told them I’d go. Now they expect me, and I can’t promise that I’ll show up.

  Would they understand if she called them from their driveway and told them she couldn’t come inside?

  Something told her they would. More than likely they’d come outside to see her. She could almost imagine having a picnic in her car because she couldn’t go into their home. That thought had her smiling all over again.

  Just like that, her thoughts changed from morbid and depressed to lighthearted and excited. This would be another step in her healing. She had to believe she could do it, or she’d doom herself before she even started.

  Saturday evening Libby struggled with what to wear. She’d picked out her clothes the day before but was second-guessing herself like any woman would. Should she change into something a little more formal or keep it simple with the summer pantsuit she’d decided on? Why was she so stressed over what outfit to wear? It was just to dinner to taste Dobbs’s cooking.

  Both men sounded so excited that she was coming when they’d called earlier that day. Mayberry even sounded more up than usual. He wanted to show off how good he’d been at teaching his friend how to cook. They still wouldn’t tell her what they were eating. Whatever it was, Libby promised herself that she’d eat it and smile regardless of how it tasted. Somehow Libby figured it would be good. Mayberry wouldn’t have let Dobbs cook for her if it wasn’t.

  She finished dressing, forgoing makeup and opting for a little lip-gloss instead. She wasn’t going out anywhere, so there wasn’t any need for all that goo. She’d never enjoyed wearing it anyway. Mayberry wouldn’t be able to see her, and Dobbs hadn’t seemed to mind when she’d been at Ellie’s house.

  I’m procrastinating. I need to leave, or I’m going to be late.

  She grabbed her purse and walked out of the apartment, locking it behind her. Then she sat in the car for ten full minutes before she finally started it and backed out of the drive. It took her two trips around their block before she finally made herself pull into their driveway and turn off the car.

  Before she could sit and stew, the front door opened and Mayberry emerged with a pretty dog that must have been Colby. He walked to her side of the car and knocked on the window.

  “I’m not letting you sit out here and get hot while you decide to come in. I’ll sit with you if you can’t come in yet.” Mayberry leaned against the door.

  “It’s hot out here,” she told him through the glass.

  “It sure is. We’re all going to need a transfusion if we sit out here very long.”

  “Go on inside. I’ll be in soon.”

  “Nope. I’m waiting to escort you. Dobbs is finishing up the meal now.”

  “Shouldn’t you be directing him?” she asked.

  “He’s on his own now. I’ve taught him all I can for this dish.”

  Libby sighed. He wasn’t going to leave her alone to get up her nerve. She unlocked the door and slowly opened it while Mayberry backed up to let her out. When she’d closed the door behind her, he surprised her by giving her a kiss on the cheek.

  “Hope that was your cheek and not your chest. I was trying to judge by your voice.”

  Libby couldn’t help but laugh at him. “You got my cheek. I’m not sure what I would have thought if you’d kissed my chest.”

  “I’d have been a happy man, but the kiss on the cheek was nice enough.” He wagged his brows at her.

  “Well. Lead me inside.” She took his arm, and the two of them followed Colby’s lead back inside the house.

  “Hey, what took you so long? I was beginning to feel left out.” Dobbs met them at the door wearing an apron with a set of potholders in one hand. “Hi, Libby. You look nice.”

  “Thanks. You’re wearing an apron,” she said before she thought about it.

  “Learned the hard way that I’m not a good aim sometimes and stains are hard to get out.” He bent over and kissed her forehead before she realized what he was doing.

  The kiss felt nice. She couldn’t believe that she’d been kissed twice in one night and hadn’t panicked. Well, the night was still young.

  “We’re glad you’re here,” Dobbs said.

  “Come on, Libby. You can sit while we serve you,” Mayberry said.

  Libby followed Mayberry to the table and was surprised when he pulled her chair out for her. He was really doing well despite not having his eyesight. He’d obviously taken to having Colby to help him.

  She watched as he returned to the kitchen area and took a bowl from Dobbs and, using Colby’s harness, walked back to the table to set the bowl on the table across from her. Inside were noodles. She smiled. Spaghetti. She loved spaghetti. He returned with a pitcher of tea, followed by Dobbs and the pot of sauce.

  Dobbs poured the tea all around, and Mayberry returned with a plate of garlic bread. She was impressed by all of it. When they
sat down on either side of her at the ends of the table she realized they’d worked together without any fussing. She couldn’t stop the wide smile.

  “It all looks great, guys.”

  “If you’ll hand me your plate,” Dobbs said, “I’ll serve you.”

  When she took her first bite, she smiled and nodded. “This is very good. You both did an amazing job. I’m impressed.”

  “Thanks,” Dobbs said. “When he’s not bitching at me, Mayberry is pretty good at teaching.”

  “That sounds like a great idea, too.” Libby grinned.

  “What?” Mayberry asked.

  “Teaching. If you’re really that good at it, maybe you can teach once you’ve gotten the hang of working with Colby. I bet a lot of the guys at the hospital could use some help in the kitchen.”

  “I don’t know. Teaching Dobbs is one thing. Teaching someone else might not be that easy. Dobbs and I get along pretty well, even if I do have to punch him sometimes.” Mayberry nodded toward the other man.

  “I think it’s a great idea. Think about it.” Libby set her fork down. “I’m stuffed. I can’t possibly eat another bite. Thanks, guys. It was delicious.”

  “Why don’t you go sit in the living room while we clean this up,” Dobbs suggested.

  “I can help…”

  “No,” both men said at the same time.

  “We’ve got this. We invited you over to eat. You’re our guest.” Dobbs helped her out of her chair.

  “Okay, but I really don’t mind.” Libby stood and walked into the living room, where she looked around at how neat it was. Nothing matched, but it was homey and comfortable looking.

  “Feel free to turn the TV on and find something to watch,” Mayberry called out.

  Libby didn’t want to watch TV. Mayberry couldn’t, so she wouldn’t. Instead, she turned on the stereo and picked a station playing light rock. They could listen to music and remember how old they were when the song first came out.

  The rest of the night progressed easily as they reminisced about their teenage years and the crazy things they did as kids. Libby couldn’t believe how relaxed she felt around them. Not once had she had a panic attack or felt claustrophobic. Maybe she really was improving.

  “Guys, I’ve had a great time, and the food was wonderful. Feel free to use me to test your cooking anytime. I should be going though. It’s getting late.” Libby stood.

  “We’ve had a great time, too. Thanks so much for coming,” Mayberry said.

  “We’ll walk you to your car,” Dobbs added.

  When she opened her car door and turned to say good-bye, Dobbs leaned in and kissed her lightly on the mouth. It startled her but wasn’t unpleasant at all. He smelled good. Like clean soap and something woodsy. Mayberry lifted a hand and touched her cheek then kissed her lightly on the lips, as well. He smelled of leather.

  “Text me when you get home so we know you’re okay,” Dobbs told her.

  She fastened her seatbelt and nodded. “I will. Thanks again for a great night, guys.”

  When she backed out of their drive and started home, Libby sighed. It really had been great, and she’d survived without flaking out on them. Life was looking up. She prayed nothing brought her back down.

  Chapter Five

  “I swear sometimes you two sound like an old married couple,” Rex told Dobbs and Mayberry.

  “Do not.” Mayberry’s face fell into a scowl.

  “You bitch between each other like one. Sounds like you’ve been married forty years.” Rex shook his head.

  Dobbs wanted to punch him, but he wanted to punch Mayberry more. The man was seriously getting on his nerves about asking Libby out again. He wanted to, but why? She’d never settle for a crip like him. Mayberry maybe. He could get around pretty damn good with Colby now. Dobbs was still struggling with his leg. He was better, but his stump stayed sore. They told him that he was keeping his leg on too long each day and needed to let it rest more often.

  I don’t like being without my leg on. It reminds me that my real one is gone.

  “You’re going to end up with an infected stump if you don’t do what they tell you to,” Mayberry fussed.

  “Stop nagging me.”

  Rex chuckled. “See.”

  “Shut the fuck up, Rex. Do you like going without your leg during the day?”

  “I deal. It is what it is. You’re going to have to deal with it, too. I don’t have to take mine off nearly as often because I did what I was supposed to do in the beginning.”

  “He wears it to bed sometimes.” Mayberry took a couple of steps back so that Dobbs couldn’t reach him to pop him on the back of the head.

  “Asshole.”

  Rex chuckled. “Dobbs. Just do it. In the long run you’ll be better off. What will it hurt to sit up with your stump propped up for an hour every day?”

  “Yeah, right. I’ll try it. If it doesn’t help, I’m not going to keep doing it. Being without a way to get around easily sucks.” Dobbs hated it when he wasn’t right.

  “Heard you guys had Libby over for supper the other night. How did that go?” Rex asked.

  Dobbs smiled. “Fine. She liked my cooking.”

  Mayberry shoved him with his shoulder. “Our cooking.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Mayberry taught me how to make spaghetti without burning the sauce or ending up with gooey noodles.”

  “Sounds great. Did she do okay?” Rex asked.

  “Yeah. She did. We know about her past. I think she was surprised that she did so well,” Mayberry said.

  “I’m glad. Ellie’s been really worried about her. She stays in her little apartment all the time and rarely comes out. This is a big step for her. You guys really helped her.” Rex clapped Dobbs on the shoulder.

  “We didn’t do anything, but she seemed pretty relaxed, so that’s good,” Dobbs said.

  “I’d better go. Good luck with therapy today.” Rex walked off, barely showing a limp as he did.

  Dobbs wanted to walk like that, but he feared he never would. His stump stayed so tender that he all but hobbled along. Maybe leaving it off would work better. He just hated not having something on to fill the empty place where his leg used to be. It reminded him of losing it, and that sucked.

  “You’re up, Dobbs. Give ’em hell, man.”

  “I swear that therapist is a sadist at some S&M club.” Dobbs limped over to where the guy was waiting.

  “Hey, Dobbs. How are you doing today?”

  “Better than I will be after you put me through the wringer.”

  “You’re doing better. Have you had your prosthesis off some during the day?”

  “No. I’m going to though. I’ll try anything if it will help. I just don’t like it.”

  “No one does, but wearing it nonstop for over twelve hours a day isn’t good for you. It needs air and resting. Now let’s work on walking with the crutches without your prosthesis.”

  “Fuck. I hate doing that.”

  “Yeah, but if you get used to it, it won’t be so hard to go without the leg some during the day.”

  “You hurl. You know that, don’t you?”

  “I hear it every day at least twice a day, but I’m immune to the insults now.” He grinned, and Dobbs sighed.

  “Let’s do this.”

  * * * *

  Libby sighed and bumped her head against the steering wheel. Why had it been so easy to go to Dobbs and Mayberry’s house and still be so hard to go to the freaking post office for stamps? She’d been ordering them online and having them delivered, but she wanted to be able to go if she needed to. Instead of getting the correct amount of postage put on the envelopes she mailed to her company each week, she’d put too much to be sure it went just to save herself from having to go to the post office every week. It had to stop.

  She drew in a deep breath and watched as two people walked out of the building. Now was a good time before anyone else walked inside. Libby opened the door and climbed out of her car then forced herself t
o walk toward the door to the building. Just as she reached for the handle, someone opened it from inside and rushed outside, nearly knocking her over in the process. She cringed and sank down, hugging her knees to her body.

  “Crap, sorry. Did I knock you down? I’m so sorry, ma’am. I wasn’t looking where I was going. Here let me help you up.” The young man tried to pull on her arm.

  “No, please, just leave me alone. I can get up. It’s okay.” It all came out muffled because she still had her face pressed into her knees.

  “Are you sure? Are you hurt?” the man asked.

  “I’m sure. Just go. Let me get up on my own.”

  She was sure he thought she was crazy all balled up like she was, but there was nothing she could do about it. She counted to ten to ease her breathing then lifted her head and cringed. There were several people staring at her.

  Crap.

  She forced herself to get to her feet and resisted hugging herself. She started to go back to her car, but an older man opened the door for her standing back so that she could walk inside. She bit her lip but took one step after another into the building. Then she let out a breath of relief. There was no one in line. She could do this. It wasn’t a total loss.

  Libby approached the window and ordered her stamps. If she could do this, she would be able to mail her envelope from there at the end of each week. She just had to make it back home without a complete meltdown.

  “Here you go. One roll of stamps. Anything else, ma’am?”

  “No, that’s all. Thanks,” She paid then returned to her car without further incident.

  Despite the initial ordeal, she’d managed to complete her mission and return home without further panic. Libby was proud of herself. She could get past the fear and anxiety if she kept taking small steps like Ellie said.

  Her phone rang as she put away her keys. Libby dug it out of her purse and answered.

  “Hello.”

  “Hi, Libby. It’s Mayberry and Dobbs. He’s on speaker.”

  “Hey, guys. I just got back from the post office.”