Chapter Four

Sunday, Abbie sat on the sofa watching TV with the snowstorm raging on outside the windows. She could hear ice hitting against them. It looked like a bad one. As she tried to get into the movie, her phone vibrated. She picked it up to see Lorna's number. She chuckled as she read the message.

Are you alone?

Of course, I am. What do you take me for?

Well, let's see. You haven't had sex in two years, so I'm going with horny.

Abbie burst out laughing.

I didn't think I was until last night.

Did he stay?

No. We're going to get to know each other first, but man, can he kiss.

Lorna sent a laughing emoji back.

He's totally hot.

Yeah, he is. When you and I get together, I'll tell you about meeting him for the first time. It did not go over well!

Can't wait. Stay inside and keep warm. Talk soon. Love you!

Love you back! Give Lily a kiss for me. Bye!

Abbie set the phone down and wondered what Creed was doing on a day like today. If he had a ranch, no matter what size, she knew he had to be out working in this weather. Ranchers and farmers worked no matter what the weather. Baking in the sun, freezing in the snow, or getting soaked in the rain, they were in it. She picked up her phone and sent him a text.

What are you doing?

Freezing my balls off. You?

She laughed.

Not that. I'm watching a movie inside where it's nice and warm.

It's times like this I wonder why I have horses.

Well, I hope you're not out in it too much longer. I just wanted to check on you.

I'm heading in soon. We had a few of the horses decide not to come in. We got them back to the barn, and now I'm going home and get warm. Too bad you're not there to warm me up.

I would too.

That would be nice. Gotta run, darlin'. I'll call you later.

She placed the phone down, a smile on her lips as she thought back to their first meeting. She was glad she had met him, and last night had been enjoyable. She couldn't wait to see him again, but she wanted to get to know him better before taking things to the bedroom. Although she knew he would have stayed if she had asked, the thought of being with another man scared her. Jeremy was the only man she had ever been intimate with, and while it may not have been mind-blowing, it had still been nice.

"Nice? Sex should be more than just nice," she shook her head. "It should be passionate and intense."

On Tuesday afternoon, she met Lorna for lunch at the diner. After removing her hat and coat and hugging Lorna and Lily, Abbie slid into the booth.

"Is the hospital busy today?" Lorna asked.

"No, it's been pretty quiet. I heard there were some minor accidents over the weekend, but nothing major."

"That's good. Maybe people stayed indoors because of the weather. Eli said the town looked deserted when he came into the office yesterday."

"How are things going between you two?"

Lorna sighed, making Abbie grin. "I love him so much, Abs. If someone had told me I could feel this way about someone, I would have called them crazy. I loved Mac, but with Eli..." She trailed off with a shrug. "He completes me in a way no one else ever has."

"I'm happy for you. I can see how much he loves both you and Lily." Abbie glanced over at Lily coloring in her book. The little girl looked up at her with a grin before returning to her drawing.

"So, tell me about Creed. I couldn't believe it when Eli told me he was there the night Mac was killed. And now he has no memory of it?"

Abbie shook her head. "No, he doesn't. I asked him about the scar on his face and he said he didn't remember how he got it."

"That's probably for the best."

"I know, but I can tell it weighs on him. He deserves closure, even if it means facing difficult memories."

"Eli also mentioned he's a widower."

"Yes," Abbie groaned before telling Lorna about her encounter with Creed. From their first meeting at the Feed Store to running into each other again here.

"At least you were able to move past it. He seems like a nice guy, and that scar only adds to his good looks."

"I agree. Whatever happened must have been rough for him."

"It still haunts Eli. Some nights, he wakes up in a cold sweat because those men are still out there."

"Exactly. If Creed does regain his memory, he'll remember seeing all those men being shot before the rustlers got to him. He was completely alone." Abbie shook her head.

"It's heartbreaking. I understand wanting to remember, but at the same time, I'd be afraid of what those memories would bring."

As they ate their delicious lunches, they chatted about getting together for dinner one night. Abbie's heart fluttered with excitement at the thought of seeing Creed again, and she prayed that he felt the same way. She let out a heavy sigh.

"What was that for?" Lorna asked.

"I'm just so scared to have... s-e-x with him," Abbie admitted nervously, glancing over at Lily who was eating her fries.

Lorna nodded understandingly. "I'm sure I would have been the same way with Eli." She shrugged nonchalantly. "But, it just happened and it was nothing short of amazing."

"But what if it's not?" Abbie voiced her fears.

"Then move on. Don't settle for bad sex," Lorna advised firmly.

"Mama, what's sex?" Lily piped up innocently, causing several patrons to turn their heads toward their table.

Abbie quickly covered her mouth to stifle her laughter while Lorna's cheeks turned bright red.

"Um, you'll learn about it when you're older," Lorna replied awkwardly.

"We have to remember she hears everything we say," Abbie reminded Lorna with a laugh.

Lorna chuckled in agreement. "She even asked me what I was screaming about the other night."

"Oh my God!" Abbie couldn't contain her amusement, tears rolling down her face as she tried to calm herself down. "I have never had sex good enough to make me scream."

"As much as I hate to admit it, I never did with Mac either. But with Eli... oh my, almost every time," Lorna boasted with a satisfied grin.

"I hate you," Abbie teased playfully.

"That's how sex should be. You shouldn't just tolerate it; it should be enjoyable for both partners," Lorna emphasized, placing a comforting hand on Abbie's arm.

"I know, I know. I love my romance novels, but every time the woman screams during sex, I can't help but shake my head. I've never had an orgasm that intense," Abbie confessed with a hint of envy in her voice.

"I love it," Lorna said with a playful wink.

"Ugh, it's not fair," Abbie groaned.

"Remember, a man cannot just be in it for himself. Women enjoy sex too and it should be just as satisfying for us as it is for men," Lorna reminded her.

"Do you know how many times I faked it with Jeremy?" Abbie asked rhetorically.

Lorna smirked knowingly. "A real man would know when you're faking it."

"I've heard that before, but apparently Jeremy couldn't tell and if by some chance, he did, he didn't care. He'd finish before I even got started," Abbie admitted with frustration.

"Oh God, please don't tell me he asked ‘how was it for you' afterwards." Lorna cringed.

Abbie burst out laughing. "Close. It was more like ‘was it good for you, babe?' and every time I wanted to say ‘no, it wasn't. And stop calling me babe.' I detest that."

Lorna joined in on the laughter. "I know you do, but some women love it. Eli calls me ‘baby' and I love it."

"You need to stop because I am seriously starting to hate you right now," Abbie joked, feeling grateful for her friend's support and guidance.

After lunch, they parted ways with a promise to get together for dinner. Abbie told Lorna to talk to Eli about it and she'd ask Creed. She figured since Eli and Creed knew each other; it would be fun.

****

Creed's eyes snapped open, and he jolted upright, his heart racing. A cold sweat coated his skin, his breath coming in ragged gasps. It had been years since he last experienced such a vivid nightmare. Since the loss of Wren, but this wasn't about her.

The memory played out in his mind like a movie as he frantically scanned the darkness around him. He could feel the weight of his weapon in his hand, its metal cool against his palm. The dense forest enveloped him, making it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead. Every step he took was deliberate, cautious, as if any wrong move would alert his pursuer.

And then it happened, a rustling to his left. Without pausing to think, Creed raised his gun and aimed it at the source of the noise. But before he could see anyone, he woke up with a start. His heart pounded in his chest and he struggled to calm his breathing, trying to shake off the lingering fear from the nightmare.

He threw off the blankets and got out of bed, making his way to the kitchen. He flipped on the overhead light, squinting at the sudden brightness as he walked over to the fridge. He pulled open the door, grabbed a bottle of water, twisted off the cap, and gulped down half of it. Ranger sat in front of him, gazing up with concern.

"I'm fine, buddy. Just a bad dream," Creed reassured the dog as he scratched him behind the ears.

Taking a deep breath, he finished off the rest of the water, tossed the bottle into the recycling bin, and headed back to bed. Glancing at the clock, he saw it was three in the morning. Might as well stay up since he got up at four anyway.

"Looks like it's going to be a long day," he muttered as he returned to the bedroom before heading to the bathroom to shave.

Later, he arrived at the office, made his way to his desk, and dove into work. There were several cases that needed attention and he was especially interested in finding more information on the Fields case.

That reminded him of Abbie. He wanted to see her but decided to wait until the weekend. It would make their time together even sweeter.

"Hey, Creed."

He glanced up to see Eli walking toward him.

"Good morning, Eli."

"You're here early." Eli took a seat in front of Creed's desk.

"I woke up around three and couldn't get back to sleep."

"Hell, I've been there. Hey, did Abbie mention anything about getting dinner with me and Lorna one night?"

"Nope, but that sounds good to me. We already have plans for Saturday evening but Friday works for me. I'll have to check with Abbie though."

"Okay, I'll talk to Lorna. Abbie's pretty great."

Creed looked at him and Eli shrugged.

"Yeah, she is, but let's not start planning our wedding yet. We just started going out," Creed joked.

"Yet? That sounds promising." Eli laughed.

"You know what I meant. Damn Hawkins, don't you have work to do instead of pestering me?"

Eli chuckled as he got up and walked back to his own desk.

"I can take a hint. Talk to you later."

Creed nodded, smiling as he watched Eli sit down at his desk.

On his lunch break, Creed decided to visit his parents. He hadn't seen them in a couple of weeks.

Creed's footsteps crunched on the fresh snow as he approached his parents' home. The cold air nipped at his cheeks and nose, and he was grateful when his mother opened the door for him.

"Hi, Mom," he greeted her with a smile.

"Hi, honey. Come inside, get out of the cold." Muriel McBride opened the door wider and enveloped her son in a warm hug. "Would you like some coffee?"

"Yes, ma'am, please." He wiped his feet on the mat, removed his hat, brushed off the snow before entering, and hanging it up alongside his coat.

"How's work going?"

"Good. We're busy."

"Hey, son," Russ McBride said when he entered the kitchen.

"Hey, Dad."

Creed smiled when his mother set a steaming cup of coffee on the table in front of him.

"Thanks, Mom." He took a sip and let out a satisfied sigh. "That hits the spot. It's freezing out there."

"More snow on the way too," his dad remarked as he made himself a cup of coffee.

"Just what I need," Creed replied with a chuckle. "I'll never get this case resolved at this rate."

"What case is that?" Muriel asked with concern.

Creed explained about the Fields case and how difficult it was to track stolen livestock in the winter.

"I know how tough it is for you during this time of year," his mother sympathized.

"If they'd just leave tracks in the snow, it would be easy to follow," Creed grumbled. "But once it snows again, it's almost impossible to track them down. That's my dilemma with the Fields case. I can see their tracks, but they're buried under the snow."

His mother studied him intently.

"What's on your mind?" she asked gently, placing a comforting hand on his arm.

Creed sighed and shook his head. She always seemed to know when something was troubling him.

"I think my memory is trying to come back," he admitted.

"Why? What happened?"

"I had a dream last night," he began, his voice low and distant as he recounted the details. "I'm in the woods, carrying my weapon at my side. But then I stop and raise the gun up because I heard something to my left."

"Are you alone?" his dad asked, joining in on the conversation.

"Yes, or at least I think I am. I don't see anyone else, but I don't recognize the place. It's familiar in a strange way."

"Perhaps your memory is trying to resurface. I can't say if that's a good thing," his father commented.

"I understand, Dad, but I want to know what took place that night. I need closure and justice for Mac."

"I know you do, son, but don't push yourself too hard. If your memory returns naturally, let it be. Forcing it could only make things worse."

"Yes, that's what the therapist advised. I haven't actively tried to recall that night. Hopefully, it will come back to me in due time. That dream must hold some significance, but I can't figure it out."

"Don't let it consume you, son. Focus on your cases for now. Your memory may resurface when you least expect it."

"I hope so, Dad."

"Are you certain you want to remember?" his mother interjected.

"I have to know, Mom. I was the only one left standing, and I owe it to them to uncover the truth."

"But I'm sure it's going to be painful for you." His mother touched his arm.

"I'm aware of that, Mom, but it's tearing me apart not knowing. For three years, I've had no memories of that night, and now they're resurfacing. At least I think they are." He looked at her. "I want to know. If it's painful then I'll deal with it."

"You've been through so much in the past five years, Creed."

"I know, Mom, but I do want to know. Everyone thinks it's a blessing not knowing but I'm not sure about that. I could remember something about those men."

His parents said no more about it, but he knew they'd support him in anything he came up against. Memories and all.

Once he finished eating lunch, he left after hugging his parents, then drove back to the office. He wanted to give Abbie a call soon, but he had a lot to do when he got back. He knew he'd get with her soon, and he was looking forward to it.

****

Abbie's feet pounded against the linoleum floor, her sneakers squeaking with each hurried step. She darted past nurses and doctors, all rushing toward the open doors of the hospital entrance. The sound of ambulance sirens blared in the distance, signaling another emergency. The snow was falling heavily, creating treacherous driving conditions, making it no surprise that there had been a four-car accident.

As she followed one stretcher into a room, Abbie could feel the adrenaline pumping through her veins. She swiftly assisted the doctor in stabilizing the patient, her hands moving with practiced precision as she worked to help the patient.

When her shift finally ended, Abbie felt drained and exhausted. The thought of more accidents due to the inclement weather loomed in her mind, but thankfully, no one had suffered serious enough injuries to be admitted.

The drive home was slow and cautious, as the snow had now turned to ice. Abbie let out a sigh of relief when she finally pulled into her driveway. As she shut off the engine, she watched ice bounce off her the hood.

As soon as she stepped out of the car, she was met with a gust of ice and snow stinging her face. Braving the icy wind and biting cold, Abbie quickly made her way to the front porch and fumbled with her keys to unlock the door. She hurriedly stepped inside, hung up her coat and hat before heading to the kitchen.

"Oakley?" Abbie called out for her cat.

But there was no sign of Oakley. Shrugging it off, Abbie grabbed a can from the pantry and opened it for Oakley's dinner. Still no sign of the cat.

Frowning, Abbie headed upstairs to change out of her scrubs. To her surprise, Oakley was lying on top of her bed, staring at her with piercing green eyes.

"Don't give me that look," Abbie scolded. "I put food in your dish, and you have fresh water. You can be such a diva." But her words were met with a low growl from Oakley. "Your growls do not scare me."

After changing into comfortable clothes, Abbie returned downstairs to find something to eat. The clock on the kitchen wall read almost eight, and she couldn't help but yawn as she opened the freezer to see what she could whip up quickly.

Just as she was about to start cooking, her phone rang from the living room. She hastily closed the freezer door and answered it, smiling when she saw Creed's name on the screen.

"Hi," she greeted him warmly.

"Are you home?" he asked.

"Yes, just got here. Are you?"

"On my way. The roads are really bad."

"I know, and now there's ice mixing in too. Please be careful."

"I will. I'm almost there. Let's hope it clears up by Saturday."

"Yes."

"Eli mentioned getting together for dinner. I told him we had plans for Saturday, but I'd check with you about maybe meeting on Friday."

"That sounds great, as long as the weather cooperates."

"We'll hope for the best. Okay, I better go sweetheart. Need to concentrate on driving."

"Okay, text me when you get home so I won't worry."

"You'd worry about me?" Creed teased.

Abbie laughed at his playful tone. "Of course I would, so just send me a text."

"Yes ma'am. Talk to you soon."

"Bye." Abbie hung up and placed her phone on the counter before returning to the task of finding something to eat.

Despite her desire to go out with Eli and Lorna, the fate of their plans rested entirely on the weather. If it was anything like tonight's storm, she had no intention of leaving her house. All she really cared about was the forecast for Saturday, when she hoped to see Creed.

She knew she could make plans with the other couple anytime, but for some reason, she couldn't shake the urgency to spend time with Creed. There was something special about him that she couldn't quite put into words. As she finally managed to eat something, she climbed the stairs to her bedroom and nestled into her soft, warm bed. The TV provided a comforting glow as she settled in for the night. Oakley jumped onto the bed, rolled into a ball, and fell asleep.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, and she reached over to see a text from Creed.

I'm home.

A smile spread across her face as she quickly typed a response.

Good. Warm up.

I'll do my best. Just grabbing something to eat first. Talk to you soon.

Okay. Bye.

She set her phone down and snuggled further under the cozy blanket as the wind howled outside, rattling the windows. The occasional ping of ice hitting the glass made her shiver. She wondered if she would even be able to make it to work tomorrow with such severe weather conditions.