Lies Beneath the Surface (Buried Secrets 2)

Blanket over my face-check.

Cold shoulder-check.

Hateful moan-check.

So someone please explain to me why the hell my sexy fiancé ain’t gettin’ the hint that I just want to be left alone? He glides his hand under the blanket pinching my ass and that earns him a quick slap to his hand.

“Damn, darlin’. I like it when you’re feisty this early in the mornin’. What the hell you hidin’ under this heavy ass blanket for? Come here, woman.” He grumbles huskily as he tries to tug me closer to him. Generally, I’m very affectionate and love being cuddled, especially when I first wake up or when I’m going to sleep. This morning-complete and totally opposite. My body aches and I feel like I’ve been rode hard and hung wet.

“Sto-ooop!” I whine, putting my hands up defensively. A rumble of laughter shakes the bed again and Colton’s body frames the top of my chest, his elbows on each side of my head. I flutter my sleepy eyes open on a sigh. I tilt my head to the side rubbing my heavy eyes trying to gain a clear focus. I reach my hand up to cup his face, softly gliding my thumb over his cheek. He winces.

“Wh-what the hell? What happened to your face, baby?” I squeal.

He scoffs, rolling his eyes. “Don’t worry about that, baby. You should see the other guy. I’m sure he’s feelin’ it this mornin’ a hell of a lot worse than I am.”

Irrational thoughts consume me and a blind fury flashes through my eyes. I sit up, resting my back against the headboard. My eyes narrow, shooting daggers at him, “You have ten seconds to tell me why the hell your face is cut and bruised and why the hell you’re laughin’ like a stupid ass teenager fightin’ after a football game.” I don’t have the slightest idea why the hell he’s always so damn cocky, but the mood I’m in this morning I’m ready to knock him the hell off his high horse.

He releases a frustrated grunt, then rolls to the edge of the bed and pulls his boxer briefs up over his hips.

“Don’t walk away from me. I’m askin’ you a damn question, Colton Jacob.” I seethe! Climbing out of the bed, I grab my sweats from the floor and squirm my way into them. Trudging behind him closely on his heels I lean my hip against the counter while he makes coffee, my patience wearing thin as he bides his time.

He turns the coffee pot on, then grips my hips and pulls me towards him. Linking our fingers together at his side, he presses a soft kiss on my lips and quietly says, “I protect my family at all cost.”

We sway to the side lightly and I look down to see Heidi Jo with her chubby arms wrapped around Colton’s waist, then she shifts, extending her arms to my rounded belly. “Mornin’.” She says through a yawn. “Momma, can I have some cereal?”

And my tension fades as my heart skips a frantic beat.

Momma.

I never knew what hearing such a simple word would mean to me. I fell in love with Heidi Jo the moment I laid eyes on her, but as our family binds together and special moments and memories are made, I know that I’d protect this sweet girl, just as if she was my own blood. Heidi Jo and my sweet little monkey-they are my reason for breathing.

Now I understand what Colton meant when he said, “I protect my family at all cost.” I know that whatever he did and whoever he did it too, obviously got what they had coming to them. Yeah, Colton’s violent tempered and redneck crazy, but he don’t just go about beatin’ the shit outta people for fun. Not anymore, anyways.

After breakfast, we get ready to go to the hospital to see Bill. He had a stress test and an ECG early this morning. When Colton spoke to Emma on the phone she swore that if he didn’t get released from the hospital today she was leavin’ him for good. I guess he’s crankier when he’s confined to a bed and the only coffee to his avail is cold and weak. I brew a fresh pot of coffee, and fill Colton’s thermos to the brim before we make our way to the hospital.

When we get to Bill’s room, Heidi Jo climbs up on the bed and mashes a wet kiss to her Papaw’s cheek before rambling on endlessly about her fishing trip to the pond yesterday. Sweet girl doesn’t know silence in her waking moments. Hell, she mutters in her sleep. Ain’t ever seen a kid chatter so much. Bill’s eyes light up lovingly as he hangs on to Heidi Jo’s every word, her excitement building as she holds her arms out wide giving him a very inaccurate description of the bass’ size. Yep, she’s a Weston alright.

“Feelin’ better this mornin’, Old Man?” Colton asks, standing at the foot of the bed with his hands on his hips. He seems uneasy.

“Felt fine last night. Ready to get my ass out of here, and back to the garage. Got work to do.” Bill mutters hatefully, looking up over Heidi Jo’s head.

“Language. And I’ll be darned if you’re goin’ to that garage or even mentioning a truck until the doctor releases you.” Emma says, her voice straining as a red heat blankets her face. Standing up, she sneers, “I’m goin’ to get some air. Another minute cooped up in this room with you and a heart attack will be the last thing you have to worry about, Bill Weston. Come on Heidi Jo, my sweet girl needs some candy. Carly, walk with me.” She stalks around the bed, taking Heidi Jo by the hand and exits the room. I waddle behind her down the hall to the elevator and we make our way down to the hospital bakery.

After grabbing a few sweet treats, we take a seat at a high top table to eat. Emma’s cheeks are red and she huffs a frustrated sigh as she picks at the pastry. “Were you as surprised as I was seein’ Colton’s face bruised up when he came home last night?” She asks after Heidi Jo pushes her ear buds in her ears.

“I was asleep when he came in, so I didn’t see it until today. He wouldn’t tell me what happened, so to avoid an argument I let it go. He did say he’d protect his family at all costs, whatever that’s supposed to mean.” I say with a one shouldered shrug, pulling the straw to my lips to draw in the sweet, heavenly taste of my mocha frappucino.

“Just like his dad. I swear the two are so much alike, that’s why they don’t get along. One in the same.” She snickers. “You be sure to keep him in line. You see how I have to talk to Bill like he’s a five year old boy at times; scoldin’ him for his language and temper. I may be small, but I can be mean when I need to be.”

“He seems like he’s been under so much stress lately. I worry about him.” I say, making direct eye contact with her. Her brow tightens and waves of frustration roll from her as her face heats.

“Me too, dear. He worries too much over the company.” Her eyes drift closed and she shakes her head to clear her mind. “I tell him every day that time is slippin’ away. But he don’t care. He’ll die in the truck garage, Carly; almost did yesterday. Thankfully Drew was there and saved him.” Her eyes glaze with unshed tears and she inhales deeply, squaring her shoulders to stow her emotions.

Tilting my head to the side, my face contorts in confusion as I mull over her comment: “Thankfully Drew was there and saved him.”

“You alright, dear?” Emma asks reaching across the table to grasp my hand. I shudder, being pulled from deep thought by her contact.

“Yeah, I’m good. Just didn’t sleep well last night.” I roll my lip between my teeth mindlessly. “Did you say Drew saved Bill?” I pull another long draw of mocha from the chilled cup.