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    Safe Haven
    Safe Haven
    Safe Haven
    Ebook316 pages9 hours

    Safe Haven

    By B.L Wilson

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    About this ebook

    Joanna Fairfield AKA Ms. Smith AKA June Davis is on the run from a murderous man who wants more than her love. Vicious killer Vernon Brown wants to take Joanna’s son, adopt him and kill her. Running away for the second time on a dark stormy night, Joanna stops in a place called Eagle View, North Carolina. It’s the small town her grandmother always claimed was a good place to raise any child. Her son, Danny is ill and she needs a doctor. When she meets the town’s one and only family doctor, Dr. Ellie Winston, sparks fly.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherB.L Wilson
    Release dateNov 2, 2014
    ISBN9781311455024
    Safe Haven
    Author

    B.L Wilson

    B.L. has always been in love with books and the words in them. She never thought she could create something with the words she knew. When she read ‘To Kill A Mocking Bird,’ she realized everyday experiences could be written about in a powerful, memorable way. She wasn’t quite sure what to do with that knowledge so she kept on reading.Walter Mosley’s short stories about Easy Rawlins and his friends encouraged BL to start writing in earnest. She felt she had a story to tell...maybe several of them. She’d always kept a diary of some sort, scraps of paper, pocketsize, notepads, blank backs of agency forms, or in the margins of books. It was her habit to make these little notes to herself. She thought someday she’d make them into a book.She wrote a workplace memoir based on the people she met during her 20 years as a property manager of city-owned buildings. Writing the memoir, led her to consider writing books that were not job-related. Once again, she did...producing romance novels with African American lesbians as main characters. She wrote the novels because she couldn’t find stories that matched who she wanted to read about ...over forty, African American and female.

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    • 5/5
      Great story. Some angst near the end, but an enjoyable story. I'd recommend it for sure.

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    Book preview

    Safe Haven - B.L Wilson

    Safe Haven

    by

    B.L. Wilson

    SAFE HAVEN

    Brought to you by

    Patchwork Bluez Press

    Safe Haven by B. L. Wilson.

    Copyright © 2005 by B.L. Wilson

    Smashwords Edition

    This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

    All rights reserved. This book or portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without express written permission of publisher except for brief quotations in a book review.

    Created in the United States of America

    Edited and formatted by bzhercules.com

    Cover design by LLPix Design www.llpix.com

    Dedication

    For all those women who have suffered abuse at the hands of somebody who claims to love them. My wish for you is that you find your own safe haven and begin the healing process.

    If nothing ever changed, there would be no butterflies ~Unknown ~

    Safe Haven

    CHAPTER ONE …Who are you?

    CHAPTER TWO … Hello, Joanna Fairfield

    CHAPTER THREE … Lady Gray

    CHAPTER FOUR …Introducing the Winston sisters

    CHAPTER FIVE … County Hospital

    CHAPTER SIX … Leonard Whitefeather and the van

    CHAPTER SEVEN…Slow kisses and cold baths

    CHAPTER EIGHT …Joanna’s story

    CHAPTER NINE … Do you want me to leave?

    CHAPTER TEN … I can do it myself

    CHAPTER ELEVEN … I have to leave

    CHAPTER TWELVE … Where did they go?

    CHAPTER THIRTEEN … Ray’s cabin

    CHAPTER FOURTEEN … Hell is here and so is Nikki

    CHAPTER FIFTEEN … I’m all thumbs

    CHAPTER SIXTEEN … The big game

    CHAPTER ONE …Who are you?

    This time, it was going to be different. Vernon wouldn’t find them in this small town.

    Joanna saw the green sign with the silver-white metallic lettering that read Eagle View twenty miles away. She quietly let out the breath she didn’t realize she was holding. She remembered the town because her grandmother used to speak of it when she was a little girl. Nana claimed escaped slaves found the Native American village by following the flight of a large, black eagle illuminated by the full moon. The slaves were welcomed into the Seminole village called Eagle’s Nest, but maintained their own culture and traditions.

    After the Civil War, the government relocated the village further west to punish the Seminoles for not aiding the Union during the war. Many years later, the descendants of the former slaves and the Native Americans founded a new town called Eagle View near the original site to honor the bond between the two races. At least, that was what Nana said. Her grandmother made Eagle View sound like a fairy tale. It was a nice dream to tell a little girl when her grandmother wanted her to go to sleep. Joanna almost didn’t believe it existed until she saw the town on a map.

    It was too bad her grandmother wasn’t here to enjoy it with her. She had died seven years ago, which was four years before her great-grandson Danny was born. Joanna squeezed her eyes shut when a tear dripped down her cheek. Oh, how she missed her grandmother, but she was glad she’d died. She was certain her grandmother wouldn’t have liked what she’d become in the last four years.

    I’m almost in Nana’s dream town, Joanna mused, staring out the window of the bus. After such a rough night, Danny was finally asleep. He was as tired as she was, Joanna noted as she stroked his curly afro. She yawned and fell asleep looking out the bus window as the countryside flew by. The gentle motion of the bus stopped suddenly. She awoke with a start, then glanced out the window. Where we are? She worried, nervously peeking out of the window at the darkening clouds. Oh God, it looks like rain. If Danny gets wet, we’ll be in real trouble. He already has a bad cold. He doesn’t need to get pneumonia too.

    The bus driver broke through her grim reverie to announce this was Eagle View, the last stop before Raleigh, North Carolina.

    Hold it, please! Joanna shouted. I’m getting off here. She scrambled to get Danny and her suitcase off the bus before the driver started down the road again. Her nervous hands quickly dressed her lethargic little boy in his coat. She snatched the worn-looking suitcase from the rack above her head, then hurriedly buttoned her lightweight coat.

    The driver glared at her as she slowly walked down the aisle, pulling a sleepy three-year-old boy behind her. Come on, miss. I don’t got all night. I got me a schedule to keep. You got anything stored in the space outside?

    No, sir. I have everything right here. Joanna looked down at the battered suitcase in one hand as she gripped her son’s hand tightly with the other one. You know where the doctor’s office is?

    The driver glared at her, then noticed Danny half-asleep behind her. His eyes softened. Your boy ain’t feelin’ well?

    Joanna nodded, then warily peered out into darkness again. She was searching for someone and was frightened she might find him.

    If I members correctly, it’s a few miles outside town. The doc’s office is maybe two miles down the road. The driver looked through the wide windshield to the outside. Hmm, looks like a bad storm’s brewing. You got a raincoat?

    Joanna shook her head no. No, mister.

    Here; take this for the boy and you. The driver handed her a cheap, plastic poncho. Try askin’ at the bus depot inside there for that doctor’s address. Might be you can catch a car service and get there before the storm. He pointed to the building straight ahead. Good luck to you, miss. The driver tipped his hat and then swung the hydraulic door open.

    Joanna clutched her son’s hand and guided him down the steps. She picked up the suitcase from the driver when he leaned out the door to hand it her. She looked at the driver and smiled. Thank you.

    The driver caught a glimpse of her green-brown eyes in the moonlight and thought, Humph, what’s she doing in this one-horse town? She don’t live here. If she did, she’d know where the doctor’s office at. Well, she ain’t my problem now. He maneuvered the bus around and headed west. The driver stared out at the inky black night and muttered, Hope she make it before that storm come.

    Joanna decided not to stop at the depot to ask for directions. Too many witnesses could identify her. Her jaw tensed at the thought he might find her in this place. She hoped changing routes and traveling at odd times had allowed her to evade him this time. She made sure not to pay for the bus tickets with a credit card. She bought everything with cash. There was only one problem; she was running out of cash. She needed to find a new source of income quickly. But her immediate concern was finding a doctor for Danny. She needed that more than she needed money.

    Danny sneezed, then started to cry. He held his belly. Mommy, belly hurt.

    It’s okay, baby. Mommy’s gonna find you a doctor.

    Joanna picked up Danny with one arm and struggled to drag the old suitcase with the other. She walked toward the twinkling lights she saw in the distance. She passed by what looked like a department store, but it was hard to tell much through the dark, unlit window. It was cooler outside than she expected. I shoulda worn a warmer coat, she thought, shivering slightly. She walked by a small hardware. The large picture window displayed a variety of locks and doorknobs sets, cordless power tools, pails, and ladders. A sign said the store made keys too. The store had a closed sign hanging in the window.

    Joanna looked down the street. She could see a large, beige-colored building surrounded by lights. It was made of large stone slabs stacked on top of each other and reminded her of a small, two-story castle with an empty flagpole near the front entrance. She frowned, realizing the building was a courthouse. Beyond the courthouse, a large neon sign advertising Gerald’s Pizza & Salad hung over the entrance to a pizzeria, but it looked closed for the night. She walked further down the street, drawing closer to other bright lights. The next business she trudged past was a funeral parlor with a large awning at the entrance. The light at the entrance was on, but it looked like nobody was inside.

    The first restaurant she passed seemed to be closed, but the next one, Kettles and Pots, just up the street, was open. That was where she’d spotted the blue, yellow, and pink neon sign. A man striding ahead of her opened the restaurant’s door and walked into the place.

    She thought maybe somebody inside the restaurant could direct her to the doctor’s office. Danny was getting heavy. She struggled to shift his weight, carry the suitcase, and open the door to the restaurant. The delicious smells from the restaurant invaded her nostrils while the comforting warmth of the place hit her cold body and made her feel good. She wished she could eat here. If she bought dinner, she’d only have fifty-two dollars left. She needed to conserve money as much as possible. She didn’t know how much the doctor’s services would cost.

    She set Danny down with a sigh and then felt around in her coat pocket, searching for a pen. She found the crackers and cheese that she’d bought for the trip. She and Danny could eat them as they walked to the doctor’s office.

    A smiling, brown-skinned waitress walked over to her when she noticed the little boy peeking out from behind her coat. Come on in, hon. Where would you like to sit? She bent down to talk to Danny. Hey, little man. What’s your name?

    Danny stared up at her shyly and then moved quickly to hide his face in his mother’s coattails. He sucked a thumb silently.

    You are so cute, kiddo. I could just take you home for my nephew to play with. He’s about your age.

    That’s okay. We don’t want to eat, Joanna interrupted quickly before the waitress could ask more questions. Could you tell us where the nearest doctor is, please?

    The waitress studied Joanna for a moment, then shrugged. Let me go ask the cook for you. He should know, since his cousin and the doc are old fishing buddies.

    The waitress returned five minutes later with a small, hand-drawn map. This is where you are on Main Street, she remarked, pointing to a spot on the paper. This is the doctor’s place. It’s about two and half miles down the road. If you make a left by the bus depot, you’ll be on Creek Road. Just stay on it for about forty minutes if you’re walking. The doc has a sign in the window. There’s one on the mailbox too. The waitress studied Joanna again. Are you sure you don’t want coffee or tea? How about a hot chocolate for the boy? I mean, it’s a long, cold walk and it’s starting to rain. As cold as it is, it might even snow. We been getting some crazy weather here lately.

    Joanna shook her head. No, thank you, ma’am. We have to get to the doctor’s office before it gets too bad outside.

    Well, you take care. The waitress smiled and watched the young woman and her boy walk slowly out into the rainy night. I sure hope the doc is home tonight, she muttered. And not off on one of her weekly trips to the county hospital.

    * * *

    God, won’t ever it stop? Joanna grumbled as she looked up into the night sky, then wiped the rain from her face. I’m cold, she muttered, bending down to pull the poncho tighter around Danny.

    Danny started to cough, then cry. Mommy, I sleepy.

    Joanna sighed, then picked up Danny in her arms. Hold on real tight, Danny honey, so I can carry you better. She struggled to carry her son and drag the suitcase in the pouring rain for the next fifteen minutes. The seams on the worn luggage started to fall apart, but she managed to carry it another 100 feet before it disintegrated. She cried as she watched their clothes become a soaked, matted pile that she had leave by the side of the road. I’m so tired, she muttered, struggling to carry Danny and continue walking down the road. She stumbled on the uneven, gravel shoulder and almost fell into the road. At the last minute, she managed to right herself.

    She slowly plodded on, weighted down with her precious cargo. The road felt endless. To add to her misery, it was dark and lonely. She only saw one truck pass. The driver stopped to offer a ride when he spotted her and Danny, but she declined. She didn’t want to arouse his curiosity any more than she already had. She and Danny continued on their journey to find the doctor’s office. The thin plastic of the poncho was starting to tear whenever she pulled on it to re-cover her son against the strong winds and pelting rain. What he didn’t need was to get wet again.

    She felt the chilly wind whip through her thin coat and she shuddered. I shoulda put on a sweater. It’s cold, real cold, she remarked. That next house better be the one or we’re done for, Danny. Exhaling heavily when she spotted the mailbox with Dr. E. Winston’s name on it, she trudged up the four stone steps feeling like she’d climbed Mount Everest. Her hand trembled when she stretched out to knock on the front door.

    * * *

    Dr. Eleanor Winston had practiced medicine in Eagle View for the last eight years. Being the town’s only doctor could be a trying experience, especially when two patients had the exact same due date. She looked out the window and noted the spark of thunder in the distance.

    It’s gonna be a bad one, she remarked to the empty room as she settled down on the couch to watch the logs burn in the fireplace. Tonight was a good night to curl up by the fire and read one of the medical journal articles she’d been promising her nurse she’d read. She thumbed through the magazine, then put it down with a frown. It was a boring article or maybe she was just bored. She watched the flames lick the bark on the nearest log as her mind reflected on past events.

    After practicing two years in Harlem Hospital’s fast-paced emergency room, she preferred her peaceful existence here in Eagle View. What was losing a few hours’ sleep to deliver Jenny Spear’s twins and Linda Whitefeather’s son compared to repairing the life-changing results of gunshot and knife wounds, auto accidents, or resuscitating heart attack victims and then giving the victims’ families the horrible news when her efforts failed? The last time she had to tell a young mother that her seven-year-old son would be a vegetable for the rest of his life because he’d gotten caught in the crossfire between two rival gangs, she knew she had to leave the city. That helpless feeling filled all her days and nights back then, especially after Clara left her. It took her two years before she decided to leave the city, but who was counting? Humph, if Clara had waited, they might still be together. She’d finally reached the same conclusion Clara had. She couldn’t be a big city ER doctor. Too bad it took her longer to figure it out than it took Clara to leave her.

    Well, at least I reached the damned conclusion and moved on, she muttered, getting up to poke at the logs in the stone fireplace. This seemed to be a night for reflection, she mused. She leaned over the fireplace, pushing at the logs and watching them burn as she thought back to how she came to Eagle View.

    When the opportunity to work in a small southern town presented itself, she investigated the job inside and out for six months before she agreed to handle the former doctor’s practice. She grinned as she watched the sparks from the logs fly into the air and land harmlessly back into the fireplace pit. The old doctor’s practice was a joke. She rarely made a salary. She was sure the IRS probably got a good laugh when she filed her taxes and described the barter system Eagle View’s patients used to pay her. Still, she felt good about her decision to leave the city with its stresses. The move to the country with its peaceful setting and friendly, although sometimes nosy, neighbors suited her perfectly.

    Ellie sat back down in one of the large, comfortable chairs facing the fireplace. A knock on the front door drew her out of her trip down memory lane. It’s kinda late for visitors, she muttered, glancing at her watch.

    She rose, then strode to the door with an odd feeling in the pit of her stomach. She peeked through the curtains to see who would bother her on a cold, rainy night. She frowned when she spotted a brown-skinned woman carrying a bulky package, standing on her porch. Rainwater plastered curly dark hair to her skull and dripped from her torn bright yellow poncho.

    Ellie opened the door. She studied the woman with the wild eyes and dilated pupils. Taking a second look at the woman’s face, Ellie decided she wasn’t on drugs. She seemed nervous…and tired. She thought how much the woman resembled a half-drowned kitten. She knew trouble when she saw it. This woman looked like trouble in all capital letters. Can I help you?

    Joanna shivered as another bout of cold wind hit her. The waitress didn’t say the doctor was a woman. Is this the doctor? Can I trust her? They told me I’d find a doctor here.

    Ellie realized the bulky package was a child wrapped in a thin plastic poncho over a coat several sizes too large for him. The desperate look on the woman’s face should have been enough to send her running for cover, but instead, she invited the woman into her home. Yes. I’m a doctor. Please, come in. Here; let me take the child. She held out her hands, preparing to carry the child into her living room.

    Joanna turned slightly to ward off her advances. No, that’s all right. I can carry him.

    Suit yourself. Just follow me. Ellie guided the shivering woman over to the fireplace, then moved a second large armchair in front of the crackling flames. Why don’t you sit here by the fire while I get us some blankets?

    Ellie returned with an armful of blankets. She tucked them around the woman and her child. Besides being soaked, what seems to be the problem…miss? I like to know a patient’s name before I treat her.

    Smith, just call me Smith, Joanna replied, closing her eyes for a moment.

    Ellie waited for a first name. When it wasn’t forthcoming, she shrugged. All right, Ms. Smith. Is your baby sick?

    Joanna’s eyes popped open and she yawned. He’s been complaining of a tummy ache. Last night, he couldn’t hold anything down. I didn’t know what to do. He’s never been sick before. The cook at Kettles and Pots told me how to find you. She paused and felt embarrassed, but decided to continue. I …don’t have money to pay you, but I’m willing to work off the bill. She trembled suddenly, then coughed hard.

    Ellie studied her and thought, You look as sick as your kid and I haven’t even looked at him yet. Don’t worry about money right now, Ms. Smith. Let’s bring your boy to my examination room. It’s in the back to the right. She strode ahead to the rear of the house, but decided to check on the woman behind her when she didn’t hear footsteps following her. Shit! she exclaimed, rushing back to catch Ms. Smith and keep her from sliding to the floor, still holding the wet little bundle in her tired arms. The little bundle made his presence known by howling at the top of his lungs. I got you, Ellie murmured as she eased the woman onto the soft, thick rug in front of the fireplace, then took the child from her arms.

    Joanna grunted, then frowned. Her eyes remained closed. Don’t hit me. Please, don’t hit me again.

    Ellie’s eyes widened. Hey, nobody’s gonna hurt you. She covered Ms. Smith with several blankets, then took her pulse. It was a little fast. What worried her more was how warm the woman felt. Damn it. She had a fever. She’d probably be okay once she got out of those wet clothes. The kid worried her too. If he hadn’t eaten anything since yesterday, that could be a problem. Okay, kiddo. Let’s go in the back and see if we can help you.

    The little boy’s lips poked out. He looked ready to cry. I want Mommy.

    Ellie held the child against her chest, rubbing his back as she tried to soothe him. Aw, don’t cry, honey. Mama’s right here. See? She’s just sleeping. She shifted the boy in her arms until he could see over her shoulder.

    The little boy spotted his mother. That seemed to calm him and he stopped crying. Mommy sleeping?

    Ellie nodded. Yep, kid. Your mommy’s real tired tonight. She carried him into one of the rooms, then started to remove his wet clothing. She wrapped the boy in a thermal blanket and patted him dry as he sat on the table. She sang to him while she finished drying him. He felt warm when she touched his skin. Hey, kid, look at me, Ellie said, holding his head still and then looked into his eyes, ears, and throat with the penlight while he played with her stethoscope. She exchanged the penlight for the stethoscope so she could listen to his heart and lungs, which were clear. What’s your name?

    The little boy looked up at her with the penlight in his hand and smiled. Danny.

    Well, hello, Danny. How are you tonight?

    Danny grinned at her when she said his name and went back to playing with the penlight.

    Show me where Danny hurts? Ellie asked.

    The little boy pointed to his abdomen.

    Does this hurt, Danny? Ellie asked, gently poking and prodding the little boy’s stomach, but he didn’t react. Good boy, Danny; looks like nothing more serious than an upset tummy. Let’s see if we can find some dry clothes for you after we check on Mommy. Okay?" She wrapped the boy in a dry blanket and carried him out of the room.

    Kay. Danny nodded, then looked up at Ellie. He pointed to the hallway while he played with the stethoscope around her neck. Mommy in dere?

    Cute kid, she thought, returning his smile. Yeah, kid. Mommy’s in there. Let’s go see her.

    They went back into the living room together.

    Ellie set the little boy in the big armchair she’d recently vacated. She knelt down, reached over her second patient on the rug, and tapped her on the shoulder. Wake up, Ms. Smith. Let me examine you. We need to see if you’re okay too, like your boy. When the woman didn’t respond, Ellie sighed, then leaned over, pressing the stethoscope into her chest to listen to her heart.

    Joanna opened startled eyes and then struggled to sit up. My son, where is he? What have you done with my son? she demanded as she yanked on the necklace around Ellie’s neck and toppled Ellie onto her chest. She gripped the silver chain around Ellie’s neck in a stranglehold then tugged and twisted the chain, tightening it until she choked Ellie with it. Where is he? What did you do with my son?

    Ellie fought to knock her hands away. It was difficult because she kept shifting her grip on the necklace to avoid Ellie’s hands. Stop, you’re choking me! Ellie rasped. Just as Ellie thought she was about to black out, the woman suddenly released her hold on the chain around her neck. The woman’s hands dropped limply to her sides.

    Rubbing her sore neck, Ellie shifted off the woman’s chest and looked down at her. She could hear the woman wheezing as her skin turned several shades grayer.

    What’s going on with you? Ellie exclaimed in a hoarse voice. She quickly pressed into the woman’s chest with a stethoscope to listen to her lungs. They sounded blocked. She quickly rolled the woman onto her side, then pulled up the wet blouse to check her for wounds. Large bruises that started at the woman’s shoulder blades and ended below her panty line met Ellie’s surprised eyes. Damn it! Somebody beat you, didn’t they?

    Joanna shivered as Ellie gently held the stethoscope against her back to listen to her lungs.

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