Ben (The Sherwood)

“I will,” I mouthed back to her.

Then she disappeared into Heath’s truck. He had them lying low where no one could see them. I saw Matt look around then he came back into the house shutting and locking the back door behind him.

He walked by me without saying a word. He got Justin and went home without saying goodbye to me, Mom or Dad. “What is with him?” I asked when I heard the front door slam shut.

AJ walked into the kitchen preventing Mom or Dad from responding. “I’m heading home. I have plans.”

He kissed Mom’s cheek and hugged Dad who stood for him. “Later kids,” he said then walked out. Again, the front door slammed shut.

While we were outside, the kitchen had been cleaned. The bullets were gone. Fragments or wood and drywall had disappeared as well.

“I’ll take Disa to pick out a dress this week,” Mom told me as if her home had not been shot up. She was burying it. I sighed.

“That would be nice, Mom.”

“We’ll have reception at the pub, if you want,” Dad offered.

“Sure Dad. That would be great. Thank you. I think we’ll head home now too.”

I wanted to spend time with my baby and Disa alone in my home. I wanted to put this crazy day behind us and pretend for a second that we were normal. The Hatfield’s were never normal. I was beginning to realize this and the crazy started with Rachel and Simon Hatfield.

/> Chapter 22

I had a quiet night with Disa which we needed after the day that had turned into a nightmare. It felt good to be back at work on Monday and back into a normal routine where I knew what to expect.

Work was my haven where things weren’t disrupted by gunfire and a stalker named Ron Parson. For a brief time, I could put it out of my mind and pretend I had uncomplicated again if only from nine in the morning until I managed to leave at night.

Every morning I dropped Asia and Disa off with Mom. Dad was there until the pub opened at three. Then Seth came to their house and stayed until another brother could get there to stay with them and the kids.

We had it all planned. We crossed every T and dotted every I to protect our women and children. Times were tough for the Hatfield’s right now.

On Friday, I was heading into the break room for lunch. Everyone was gathered around the television mounted on the wall. I saw a fire out of the corner of my eye and ignored it. I had too much work to focus on trouble around the city someplace.

“An explosion…” I heard the word as I popped my chicken and broccoli into the microwave. Disa wanted me to eat healthier so she was making lunches for me that were healthy to take to work. “Two workers feared dead, inside the hall where the explosion occurred.”

I still wasn’t paying attention.

The microwave dinged, and I took my boring but healthy meal to a table and sat down to eat. At least she gave me two pieces of grilled chicken. In one week, we were going to be married. In three weeks, my daughter was legally in my sole custody. Things were looking brighter if we could get the Ron Parson’s issue under control my life would be perfect.

Then it happened. The guys surrounding the television called my name. I glanced over. “What?”

“Isn’t this your hometown of Sherwood?” Donny Hamilton asked me. A nice guy although a little slow. I thought he had it wrong. An explosion in Sherwood, deliberately set. A hate crime. Those were the words I had been subconsciously hearing.

Then I saw him on the screen. I slowly rose from my chair and walked to watch the interview with the guys. Ron Parson’s was aggrieved because of such a heinous act had terrorized his people. His face was grimy from soot from the fire as if he had fought the blaze himself.

“I’m weary,” he said. “Our hall where we celebrate birthdays, weddings and other events is gone.” He rubbed his hand across his nose like he was trying not cry. I shook my head. He was an actor. “We’re lucky no women or children were injured.”

I rubbed my hand over my face. My brother had orchestrated this attack somehow in retaliation for his man shooting up our parent’s house with us inside. Our babies lying on the floor where they could have gotten injured.

“We are peaceful, loving people who live here and never bother anyone.” I snorted at that comment and the guys looked at me.

“You know him?” John Miles, a floor foreman asked me.

“I do. He isn’t quite as innocent as he seems. More than likely this was retaliation for one of his criminal activities.”

“Wow, seriously,” Donny replied. He whistled between his teeth. “He’s a man of God, isn’t he? I forget what they called him.”

“An elder,” I supplied the answer. “They hide behind that title. The entire council is dirty but he’s the worst one.”