7. Spirit

Hearing footsteps behind me,I immediately pull my handgun, turning quickly and scaring the ever-lovin' shit out of Abigale.

"Oh my God, Spirit, I'm so sorry, didn't know you were out here. Wow, I'm lucky you just didn't shoot me first then figure out it was dumb old me. Next time I'll make noise, cough or just call out telling you I'm coming."

Her face is red as can be as she wrings her hands together in front of her body. My guess is she was trying to find Grey and instead came upon me. This cat-and-mouse game these two are playing is driving everyone here crazy. The electric zings that flow between the two of them is hotter than hell. Trudy and I have talked about it and, my guess, nothing will ever come from it. Grey is afraid to pursue Abigale and she's way too shy to make the first move. Trudy and I are trying to come up with a plan but nothing so far. I've enjoyed being here, especially spending time with Abigale's mom. She's everything anyone would want in a motherly figure, and she must have caught on to my lack of maternal influences. Somehow she's made me feel comfortable and at home with her kind words and gentle ways. I love watching her with the kids, she's such a good mom.

We've been here for almost two weeks and nothing. Since we have so much time on our hands, Grey and I are helping with some of the chores that need to be done but the women can't do alone. So all the fences are fixed, pastures cleared and cleaned up, and the barns have been gone through. One needed some roof patching, which Grey took care of, while I worked on spreading the crushed stone for the driveway. The two kids, Nicholas and Jorgie, lent a hand too. They are so frigging cute and good kids on top of it. Nicholas is almost thirteen and Jorgie is eleven, so I don't envy Trudy when they both get into that teenager stage.

Since I'm not sure how much longer we are going to be here, I told Abigale to go into town and pick up some paint so we could paint the farmhouse, as it needs it badly. The fire damage wasn't as bad as first thought, so in two days Phantom fixed everything and replaced the burned portion of the front porch. Today, we are scraping the old paint so tomorrow, weather permitting, we are starting the final phase, which is painting. We've waited until Saturday so both kids could help, though not sure how well they paint, but that's on Abigale and her mom. It's their home. I walk around to the side of the house to see Grey bent over, holding on to his head. Shit, he's getting one of his migraines. Paisley said to watch out for these and try keeping a record how often he gets them. Guess there's talk about another brain surgery, though Grey doesn't want any more. He told me he's had enough and whatever happens, happens. I call out to him before approaching his side.

"Come on, Grey, let me help you to the house. We'll get you into a dark room with an ice pack and your medication. Gotta get some water in you, probably dehydrated too. Hey, lean on me, big man, I'm not that weak. Let's go before you can't move and are stuck out here, 'cause if you go down, no way am I getting you back up. One step at a time."

As we make it around the house, I hear a gasp. Looking up I see Abigale watching us closely. Well, no better time than now.

"Abigale, can you help me? Grey's in the middle, I'm guessing, of a bad migraine. We need to get him inside to his room so he can rest. Nicholas, grab a big glass of water with ice. Jorgie, can you find either an ice bag or towel and fill it with ice. We're going to get him upstairs. Come on, Grey, almost there."

Between Abigale and me, we manage somehow to get him to the spare room he's staying in. I tell him to lean on me as I instruct Abigale to remove his boots and socks, as he mumbles he doesn't need help. When I tell her to undo his jeans, not sure which one of them blushes more. Yeah, Trudy and I are right, they each want the other. Fools, I think, wasting all this time. Once his jeans are off and he's barely standing in his boxer briefs, we get him on the bed after I pull the covers down. Once he's down, I go to push him onto his side when I hear the gasp. Well, more than one. Damn it, I forgot about his back. I look first at Abigale then the two kids with Trudy behind them. She's the only one not shocked, as she has seen it already when she walked by the barn and he had removed his shirt to wash up after working on the roof. Figuring best to address the elephant in the room, I give it to them all.

"As you can see, Grey was critically injured when he was in the Marines. Besides multiple brain surgeries, he suffered extensive burns on his back and shoulders. Now that you all know, let's make the man as comfortable as possible. Kids, bring that stuff over. Abigale, shut the shades and pull the curtains so it's as dark as possible. Trudy, do you have a box fan? Need to cool his body temperature down."

We work together as a team until Grey is breathing a bit better and seems to be relaxing under the ice bag Jorgie found. Trudy wet some towels and has one around his neck and the other is covering his feet and ankles. She said it will help with lowering his temperature quicker. Knowing Grey like I do, figure he wants some privacy, so we all walk out, leaving the door open a small amount so we can hear if he needs anything. The kids and Trudy head back to the kitchen for a snack, while Abigale and I head to the front porch. Sitting in the rockers, we both let out deep breaths. Guess the scraping will get done tomorrow.

"Spirit, hope Grey realizes how lucky he is to have you at his side. If I found him, would never know what to do, and he's not one who readily gives out information about himself."

Grinning to myself, I figure this is her way to find out if the two of us are together, which if we were, then we'd only need one bedroom not two, but I play along.

"I agree, Abigale. Since we've been at the Blue Sky Sanctuary, we've gotten to know each other pretty well. He's a great guy, though he has some serious issues he's dealing with. Survivor's guilt is one, not to mention Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. And from the little he's shared about his past; he doesn't have anyone who cares if he lives or dies. But to answer your unasked question, no, Grey and I aren't an item. Girl, just come out and ask, will you? This back-and-forth between the two of you is not only tiring but seriously aggravating."

Her head jerks my way with her mouth forming a huge ‘O,' which has me smiling her way. When her eyes narrow, I wait for it and Abigale doesn't make me wait.

‘Well shit, Spirit, why don't you just hit me on the head with a dunce cone? Wasn't too stealthy, was I? I'm out of practice, if you can't tell. I mean, with Grey I sometimes think he might like me and then others, I get the feeling he wishes I would just disappear and get out of his way. Talk about confusing as hell. And they say we give mixed signals."

Knowing I'd never betray Grey's trust; I start to explain why he's such a mess when we hear screaming coming from his room. We both jump up and make our way up the stairs, Abigale in the lead. She pushes the door open and before I can say a word, she flips the lights on, which causes Grey to lose his mind. He's on his feet instantly and reaches out for the first thing within his grip. Abigale. Goddamn it. Before he can hurt her, I grab his left arm, twisting it behind him. Roaring, he tries to jerk free but I tighten my grip until he stops moving.

"Abigale, go by the door. Please shut the lights off. No, it's not your fault, we all react differently. Grey, calm the fuck down, brother. It's me, Spirit. Hey, listen to my voice. Come on, breathe in and out slowly. You got this. Relax. One breath in and out. Grey, you're in Timber-Ghost, Montana. Remember Ollie and Paisley at the Blue Sky Sanctuary? That's where we met. We're buddies, Grey, you and me. Right now, we're helping Abigale and Trudy at their small ranch. Kind of a protection detail."

"Shit, Spirit, please tell me she didn't see me like this. Goddamn it, don't need her to think I'm a maniac."

"Grey, it's Abigale and I don't think that. Never could. Just listen to my voice, will you, please? Mom says it's very relaxing."

Then to my utter surprise, Abigale starts to sing and her voice is angelic. Soft and light, I can feel when Grey relaxes so I release him and help him back into bed. Abigale slowly moves toward the bed, picking up the washrag, then goes to the small bathroom. I hear water turn on and then she's back. When she sits on the side of the bed and starts to wipe Grey's face, I know it's my time to leave. I grab Grey's hand and squeeze then give a small smile in Abigale's direction, though not sure she even sees it as dark as it is. As I step out, I hear Abigale start singing "Save Me" by Jelly Roll and smile. That is one of Grey's favorite singers and songs.

As I pull the door almost closed, I see Trudy leaning against the wall, watching me. She slowly smiles when she hears her daughter singing.

"Well, I might have mentioned I heard Grey listening to that new singer, Jelly Roll. Glad to know my daughter actually listens to me when I talk. How bad was this attack, Spirit? I heard one earlier in the week but not nearly as bad as this one. Can't they do anything for Grey? I mean, he was willing to sacrifice his life and this is what he gets? Pisses me off, girl, I'm telling you."

I give her a sad smile then we walk down to the kitchen, so we can get something to drink and talk a bit. And when from a distance I hear Abigale start singing another Jelly Roll song, "Need a Favor," I grin at Trudy, who grins back. Our job here is done, now it's up to the two of them. Hopefully, they both get their heads outta their asses. We can only hope they do.