Town of Chance 5:Sweet Caroline(20)
“I’m not seeing anyone and not interested in dating.”
“Well I’m certain that will change when the right man or men come along.”
“I don’t think so.”
Martha fixed one of the shirts on the rack and looked at Caroline.
“You don’t have to tell me what happened, but it’s just that you get this look in your eyes every now and then when the store is quiet. You seem so sad and scared, and I can’t help but think between your broken arm, the need to be paid cash, and your reaction to men that some man hurt you.”
Caroline widened her eyes and looked around them. There was one woman in the store way at the back looking at purses and wallets.
“Nope, just being cautious,” she said but felt her whole body give up on the words as they exited her lips. Martha was so nice and she was willing to pay her off the books, no questions asked. Shelby said Martha could be trusted.
“I don’t want to lie to you, but I think it’s better if you don’t know anything.”
“Sweetie, Chance is an amazing town filled with caring and compassionate people. We have rules and we have safeguards for everyone living here and especially women. You don’t need to be afraid. The sheriff is a good man, and he’s trustworthy. Even if you have a secret and don’t want anyone to know about it, you can confide in him. He’ll do what’s necessary to keep you safe.”
Caroline felt her sincerity, but what she was saying, or maybe suggesting, wasn’t so easy to comply with.
“I’m good right now, Martha, but I appreciate the information. I met him and he did seem very nice.”
Martha smiled. She reached out and gave Caroline’s arm a little squeeze. “I’m here for you, too. Remember that.”
Caroline smiled and then watched Martha walk over to help the lady shopping for bags. She thought about what she asked her and about how the conversation started. She hoped that Martha wasn’t thinking that Hunter would be a good guy to fix her up with or something. That would totally freak Caroline out. She swallowed hard. If anything, learning he was some capable, well-trained soldier made him an even bigger no-no in getting to know or even be friends with. Men like him could do some serious damage to a woman like Caroline. No thank you.
* * * *
“Come on, Caroline. It will be fun. Spencer’s tonight then the beach tomorrow,” Shelby said as she stood by the table in the kitchen.
“I don’t want to. I don’t need to socialize with anyone.”
“Sure you do. It’s better than moping around here and analyzing all the things you think you’ve done wrong in your life.”
“I’m not doing that.”
Shelby crossed her arms in front of her chest and gave Caroline the stare-down.
“Don’t even try that with me. I’ve been where you are, remember? Hell, I’ll probably always look over my shoulder and worry about Skip showing up here, but I made the decision to live my life. To live a better life than the one I had back in New York. You need to start doing that, too.”
“But I don’t want to have to converse with people and make new friends or deal with any men.”
She squinted her eyes at her sister.
“What the hell does that mean?” Shelby asked.
“It means that going to a bar to hear a band and where there’s drinking and socializing that they’ll be men. Men that I don’t need to be around. Men that remind me of Cameron and how stupid I had been to believe him to be sincere. I can’t fall for the same bullshit lines and pretend compassion. I can’t. And to tell you the truth, until my ability to judge a person’s character begins to strengthen and be accurate, I have no problem sticking around here on my days off and my free evenings. In fact, I’m going to volunteer at the library tomorrow all day for their book drive event.”
“But I thought you would join all of us at the beach and get to know the girls.”
“Another time. I’m not ready to go prancing around in my bikini.”
Shelby felt her chest tighten with concern.
“Honey, do you have more injuries from Cameron that you didn’t tell me about?”
“Nothing like that. They’re all gone, and thank God no scars as reminders. Just another week and I can get this damn last reminder off.” Caroline rubbed the cast.
“It will be gone soon enough. I don’t have to go tonight. I can stay here and hang out with you.”
“No, go and have fun with your friends. I’m fine here, really.”
“Are you sure? I might be kind of late.”
“Go. I’m fine.”
* * * *
“Is that a new shirt?” C.J. asked his brother Hunter.