Paisley
Finally, I have a much-needed day off from the clinic. Trying to find the right help there has been a pain in my ass, but I feel comfortable enough now that I can spend the day here and get some necessary work done. After talking with Joe, he made me see we need some more hands to run this place. When I had this awesome idea about saving some animals that were either discarded or in really bad shape, I didn’t think it out thoroughly. I didn’t give enough consideration that there are so many reasons for pets and stray animals to be abandoned. But right now, that is neither here nor there because I’ve got a jam-packed day filled, not only with my chores but I also need to catch up on some vet work around this place. Gotta get my butt moving.
So, when Natalie called to say that she and Charlie were stopping by today unexpectedly, my antennas went instantly up. Yeah, I know Natalie more like an acquaintance, wouldn’t say we’re close friends. We don’t hang out. I can’t even remember her coming out here. Well yeah, there was that one time when I first reopened this place and had that adoption thing. She was in the clinic dropping off some donations and heard about it. I was surprised when she brought out all those hunky military men who in the end were very helpful—not afraid to get their hands dirty.
Today she told me they wanted to stop by for a few and catch up. What?? Again, the hair on my neck stood up, which I never ignore, so I kind of put two and two together and came up with three. They are showing up with Ollie, without telling me. I figure that’s what they are up to, bringing the SEAL on wheels out here to mess around with his pussies. I laugh out loud at that thought. Wow, oh crap, that sounded so bad. Thank God no one was here, and I didn’t say it out loud. The shit that goes through my head sometimes.
Running back to my room, I look in the mirror just because I didn’t know I was going to have company and since I am the owner of this place, I need to look presentable.What a crock of shit,I think to myself as I see the mess that is me. But damn, what can you expect on my day off, people. Not to mention I was up until all hours of the night making bread for this weekend. Damn, my hair is all over in a haphazard messy bun, with tendrils falling all over my face and neck. No makeup, well shit, I can’t remember the last time I even wore more than a bit of blush and mascara. And today it’s not going to happen either. Looking down between my threadbare T-shirt and ripped flannel, I’m the epitome of‘a littlewoman keeping her man’s home’asheused to say. No, can’t let my mind go there. Got to project my thoughts elsewhere, or that’s what my counselor told me. Once again, my mind wanders between my full day and Ollie. Which is so much better than any thoughts ofhim.And the last thought, which is of Ollie, is so much more intriguing than the first one on my mind—my beyond busy day of farm and shelter chores and vet duties.
As my mind drifts, I go back to when I first saw the SEAL on wheels. Just by looking at Ollie that night I wasn’t sure if he was in the wheelchair permanently or not. One thing I did know was he was in shape, for sure. My mouth waters as I strip both shirts off then grab a clean sweatshirt and pull it over my plain sports bra. Yeah, no Victoria’s Secret lacy jobby here, way too much money to spend for a bra. Going into the bathroom, I throw some water on my face again, brush my teeth, take my hair down, brush it, and put it back in a messy bun then head downstairs. I need more coffee to start my day. Coffee is my drug of choice. Without it I’m useless, and there is no way with all I have on my plate today to do I can do without. I need to fuel up. Filling my large mug and just as I’m putting the creamer away, I hear the crunch of tires, so I head to the front of the house, coffee in hand.
Stepping out on the wraparound porch, I take a sip of my joe as I watch the SUV stop short of the front of my house. Seeing the two heads in the front and one in the back lets me know I guessed right. Natalie waves as Charlie gets out and walks to the open rear hatch, grabbing—I’m guessing—Ollie’s fancy wheelchair. The back door opens, and I see a huge hand reach up and grab the top of the car, pulling himself out. Yeah, definitely Ollie with all those tattoos.
Dang, immediately I get a warm butterfly feeling in my tummy and before I can stop ogling him, his eyes find me. Damn, he’s one gorgeous man and so tall. I’m sure he has plenty of lookie-loos following him around for sure, wheelchair or not. He says something to Charlie who laughs and nods. As he gets situated in his chair, she goes back to the hatch pulling out a big box. Oh crap, please no more animals; I’m at full capacity. Smiling, I know myself so I’m pretty sure if it’s something alive I’ll take it because I can’t ever say no.
“Morning! How’s everyone doing today? Beautiful day, isn’t it?”
Damn, I realize I’m ranting when I see the glance between Natalie and Charlie. Ollie is concentrating on wheeling himself to my ADA walkway, managing quite nicely on his own. Well, of course, dummy, look at his massive arms, they look like tree trunks, for God’s sake.
“Come on up, just put on a pot of coffee. I’ll bring it out with the fixings. Be right back, make yourselves at home.”
Turning, I make it to the kitchen before it hits me, I didn’t even allow any of them to get a word in at all. That’s me as usual acting like a Nervous Nellie, I can’t just shut up, take a breath, and have a normal conversation. Damn, I gotta calm down, he’s just a guy, nothing special. Well, he is but whatever. Grabbing my tray, I stack some mugs on it and add the carafe after filling it with coffee and my cute cream and sugar holders. Then turning I go to grab one of the freshly baked loaves of fruit bread I made last night. Before I even turn fully, I hit something behind me and feel myself falling and can’t find a damn thing to grab on to. Hearing an ‘oh shit’ in a familiar deep growly voice, I panic for a split second before strong arms grab my waist and pull me back and straight down onto something as hard as concrete.
“Paisley, sorry, thought you heard the chair coming up behind you. Are you okay, Doc?”
It takes a minute for the shock to wear off before it hits me, I’m sitting on Ollie’s lap with my hands grasping his outer thighs for dear life. How the hell did this just happen? What a klutz I am, and he must think I’m a ditzy idiot. But taking a minute, I squeeze my hands and, wow, he’s solid. Before I can get a word out, his chest moves and again, holy crap.
“No, I don’t think you’re anything, Paisley. Accidents happen, look at me. You good though? I didn’t grab and jerk ya too hard with these bear paws? Just didn’t want you to bang your head on the way down. Came in to see if I can help but guess I screwed that up, again I’m sorry. Damn wheelchair.”
Again, before I even get a word out, he’s gently trying to push me from his lap when I feel something.OH, I think to myself, are you glad to see me or is that a flashlight in your pocket?That’s how big it felt. Getting my head out of the gutter, I realize he is trying to maneuver his chair out of the kitchen. My house is more of an open floor plan, even though it has a few walls. The openings are really wide so being in a wheelchair doesn’t really matter. I can tell and see he’s embarrassed, but damn, he doesn’t give me a minute to catch my breath and get my thoughts together so I can reply.
“Damn it, Ollie, hold up. Your way too quick on the rapid questions, then don’t even give me a second to answer. So, take a breath, please, and yes, you’re right. I’m okay actually. Thanks for the save, as I didn’t hear you come in, but that’s okay. Now since you’re here, I need some help, can’t decide and make a decision if my life depends on it. Need you to pick which bread to bring out. I have orange glaze cranberry, banana nut, or lemon blueberry. So, any one jump out and make your mouth water?”
His mouth drops wide open, and he stares at me for a minute or two. Then slowly he smiles one of the hottest smiles I’ve ever seen in person. His eyes seem to sparkle as they gaze deeply into mine. Suddenly, there’s a charge in the room as we both stay focused on each other so deeply that we are both startled when we hear Natalie ask from behind Ollie, “Are you all good, or do you need any help?”Immediately shaking my head to clear whatever is happening, I drop my eyes to the floor hoping I didn’t just make a fool out of myself, which I’m sure I did, acting like a schoolgirl with her first crush. Then I hear clear as day.
“Don’t know about those two, but I vote for the lemon blueberry. Thanks,Pixie.”
My head abruptly turns at that. Did he just give me a nickname? No one has ever done that. As I look to Natalie, she’s grinning, wide eyes big, looking in my direction. My cheeks are feeling warm, so I assume they are turning pink. Not sure if I’m blushing because I’m embarrassed or because I love what Ollie just called me.