Rescuing Riley

Rescuing Riley

Trade Paperback ISBN: 978-1-946608-15-4

Digital ISBN: 978-1-946608-14-7

Editor, Karen Block

Cover Art Design by Kim Jacobs

Warning: All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work, in whole or part, in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, is illegal and forbidden, without the written permission of the publisher, El-Roi Publishing.

This is a work of fiction. Characters, settings, names, and occurrences are a product of the author’s imagination and bear no resemblance to any actual person, living or dead, places or settings, and/or occurrences. Any incidences of resemblance are purely coincidental.

Reviews for Rescue Me, the prequel for Rescuing Riley

Iloved this story . I loved the town. I loved the peripheral characters. The writing is strong and well done. This is an author who knows her craft and a story to be admired. Well done all around.

~Reviews by Molly

With just enough passion blended with just enough lightheartedness, Jennifer Johnson has truly created a novel that I think is stellar.

~Romancing the Book Reviews

There is chemistry between the two characters and you can feel it... If I could give this book 6 stars, I would!

~Beck’s Book Picks

Rescuing Riley

Finding time to spend with his wife, taking care of his stepson, and chasing his demented auntie around town keeps firefighter Captain Riley Pennimon pretty busy.

But it’s all good.

He’s ready to call his family done. After all, what more can he ask for, other than a bell around his aunt’s neck so he can find her each time she runs away. And maybe a little more sleep at night.

Riley’s wife, Amy, feels the tension of a husband who’s too pressed by duty to make it home most evenings. Stolen moments here and there with half an ear listening for the phone to ring isn’t cutting it for her anymore. But what can she do? His loyalty and kind heart was what made her fall in love with him in the first place.

When Riley is injured in the line of duty, Amy determines to live out her marriage vows. But Riley’s not the same man he was before the accident—before their lives were turned upside down.

And so Amy decides she needs to protect him. She’ll keep her secret as long as she can, but if Riley finds out....

Chapter One

I’ll never have kids .

The words filled the cab of the pickup truck so that Riley wondered whether he had spoken them aloud. There’d been a time in his life when he’d been excited about being someone’s dad, raising his own son or daughter, extending the Pennimon bloodline. But not now. Tomorrow would make the decision of no kids a reality.

The sun broke over the tree line as he drove toward his house. He’d spent another night away from home because his elderly aunts needed him more than his wife and stepson. Riley’s truck crested a hill, and he spotted a familiar Camry traveling in the town-bound lane at a steady speed. Lon Carter, his father-in-law, must be taking Toby to school today. Riley pulled off on the side of the road and got out of his vehicle, knowing that Lon would do the same when he approached this spot.

Sure enough, a moment later the older man steered the car to the wide shoulder. Already the back window was coming down, and Riley saw his stepson’s smiling face.

Hey, Penny Man, the boy called, using his pet name for Riley.

Riley checked the road both ways to be sure it was clear, then crossed. Good morning, Toby Man. How’s my buddy today?

I hadn’t seen you in forever, Toby complained.

Here I am. Riley looked down at sweats and T-shirt he’d slept in last night with an ear pricked in case his Aunt Winifred tried to sneak out of the house again. He was really going to have to get somebody else to stay there so he could sleep in his own bed without worrying.

A car turned onto the road and approached. Riley stepped off the pavement and onto the grass. The traffic tended to be light on this road, so he knew most of the people driving out here. He lifted his arm in greeting as Harry McMinn went by.

Lon’s window was down, too. What cha say, Cap? Winifred take any midnight strolls last night?

Nope. How come you’re taking Toby to school? Amy’d been sick with a cold, but when he’d talked to her last night, she’d sounded better.

I had a hankering for a biscuit and thought Toby might too. Ain’t you going the wrong way for work?

I left my uniform at home. Riley shrugged. Come on out here, Toby, and give me a hug. Tomorrow I’ll pick you up from school, and we’ll do something fun, okay?

Toby’s door opened, and he climbed out. Stepping into Riley’s embrace, his arms reached around him and squeezed. Riley dropped a kiss on top of his head. Have a good day, today. Love you.

Love you back.

Toby returned to the car, and Riley shut the door. He patted the top of the car before jogging across the paved road to his truck. If Chief was taking Toby to school, that meant Amy was alone in the house. Maybe they’d have time to mess around before he had to go to work. A spark of unease followed on the heels of his desire. No birth control was one hundred percent effective. He knew that. But after his surgery tomorrow, Amy wouldn’t need birth control.

The decision to have a vasectomy had come after Amy had been a couple of days late for her period. When she’d told him, he’d not been able to sleep that night. He should have been happy about having a baby with her, but all he could think about was the grief that had swallowed him when his infant son from his first marriage had died. Eventually, the loss had killed his marriage too.

He couldn’t go through that again. Amy knew that, and she accepted it. She was fine with their family as it was. She’d told him so and even suggested he have a vasectomy, if he was sure this was what he wanted.

And it was.

Toby was the best stepson any guy could ask for. Man, he was a neat kid. He didn’t need to father a child of his own to feel like a father.

Riley’s life was good. It’d be even better if he could get naked with Amy for a little while before he had to turn around and go back to town to work.

HEY, SUGAR, RILEY quipped as he opened the shower curtain wearing a grin and nothing else. I’ve got to be at work in forty minutes. How about if I spend twenty of them making love to my wife?

Amy grinned. Twenty minutes, huh? She leaned her head back into the shower spray to rinse her hair. Dad had taken Toby to school this morning, and Riley must have just gotten home.

Having the house to themselves was a rarity anymore.

Come on, then, she invited. Let’s make good use of those twenty minutes.

Riley stepped into the tub and pulled her to him, kissing her as the water sluiced over their bodies.

I figure this may the last time for a while, he said, as he soaped up his hands and slid them over her body.

Amy closed her eyes loving the familiarity of his fingers on her skin. Between his work at the firehouse and being the only caregiver of his aunts, their nights together were not as often as Amy would like. On top of that, Riley’s vasectomy was scheduled tomorrow morning after he finished his shift at the station. There’d be no cavorting in the shower or elsewhere while he recovered.

What? Amy kissed his shoulder. You don’t think you’ll feel like making love tomorrow night?

I think I’ll probably feel like an ice pack to my cahonnies. With the soap washed away, Riley lifted her to him.

Nobody’s making you, Amy reminded him as she held his shoulders.

Riley paused. He gazed at her, all the love of their two years of marriage in his eyes. I love you.

Amy saw a hint of unease as well. He was worried about the procedure, or maybe more concerned over the finality of it. He was a better father to Toby than his own biological father. Riley loved kids. But they’d decided. She chose to focus on the procedure.

You’re going to be all right. In a week or as soon as you feel like it, we’ll be able to make love again.

Determination replaced the unease. He kissed her deeply and grasped her hips moving against her then easing into her.

Amy forgot the discussion and enjoyed the last time they’d be together until after his recovery.

LATER THAT DAY AMY sat at her desk where she served as the secretary at a church in the town of Lone Oak. She pulled a tissue from the box which sat next to her computer monitor and sneezed into it, then blew her nose.

It seemed even an extended hot shower hadn’t helped her sinuses any.

I thought you went to the doctor for that, Rebecca called from her office in response to Amy’s loud trumpeting.

Nurse Practitioner, Amy corrected her boss, the Reverend Rebecca Reynolds-Perry. She gave me an antibiotic and told me to do sinus washes.

Rebecca walked to her office door and leaned on the frame. She crossed her arms with a quizzical expression on her face. How do you wash your sinuses?

Amy opened her mouth to answer, but Rebecca raised her hand.

On second thought, I do not want to know. It sounds gross.

The telephone rang and Amy squirted some cleanser on her hands before picking up the receiver with a grin.

Amy dear, it’s Letitia. Letitia Brown was Riley’s elderly aunt. I’m sorry to bother you, but Winifred’s slipped out of the house again, and Riley’s on a call.

Amy grimaced. Winifred Brown, Riley’s other aunt, had dementia and lately had been doing her best to get out of the house and wander the neighborhood. With the firehouse next door to where his aunts lived, it meant the close proximity was a blessing and a curse for the fire captain.

Especially when he was needed in two places at once.

How long has she been gone?

I just went to the laundry room to do a load of clothes. When I came back out, the front door was open. I walked outside but I didn’t see hide nor hair of her.

Riley had installed a deadbolt hoping to stop the problem. How did she get the door unlocked?

I don’t know.

For a crazy lady, Winifred was pretty sharp.

Amy opened the desk drawer and retrieved her purse. She decided to fuss at Tish later about doing the laundry herself, when Riley was over there every other day to pick up their laundry and take care of other chores. Neither of the sisters had ever married and had lived together since the dawn of time. Riley was their closest relative, and he had been taking care of things for them for the last several years.

Sit tight, Aunt Tish. I’ll go look for Winifred. Stay at the house in case she comes back.

Fat chance. She never came back, just kept walking. Any had told Riley he needed to hire a sitter on the days he couldn’t make it over there, but he insisted Tish could take care of things. But Wini was getting worse and worse.

Where the heck was she going anyway?

Amy was tempted to follow her on one of her escapes one time to find out.

Hanging up the telephone, she stood.

Has Winifred taken a walk again? Rebecca asked.

Yeah. I’m sorry, but I need to find her. Riley’s working today, and apparently he’s out on a run. Shouldering her purse, Amy strode around her desk.

No problem. I’d go with you, but I’ve got a meeting in fifteen minutes.

Thanks. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Amy left the office and reached for her keys. She’d start at their house and circle the block. Then if she still hadn’t found her, she’d go west on Main Street. Last time Winifred had nearly been to the elementary school before a neighbor had stopped her. Amy drove the streets of her hometown canvassing the yards for the elderly woman. She was about to call 911 when she spotted a solitary figure sitting on a bench in the park. Pulling her car into the road which bisected the quadrangle, Amy studied the woman.

Yep. Winifred.

Amy sighed in relief as she parked and walked over to her husband’s aunt.

With a handkerchief tied around her hair and her purse clasped tightly on her lap, the woman watched Amy approach.

Hi, Aunt Winifred. Amy sat down beside her.

Confusion registered briefly in her eyes at Amy’s mention of her name.

She doesn’t know me.

I’m Amy. Riley’s wife.

Winifred laughed briefly and shook her head. Oh, my dear. Riley’s wife, she replied in disbelief.

Do you remember me?

Of course, I do.

Amy found solace in the woman’s words. She’d been so forgetful, losing whole years of her life. She’d called Riley by his father’s name on more than one occasion.

Your hair’s a different color since your pageant days. I’d change it back. It looked better before, and you know Riley loves a blonde.

Great. She thinks I’m Scarlet, Riley’s first wife.

Amy considered correcting the woman, but didn’t want to further confuse her. And besides, when else could she be mistaken for a former Miss Mississippi?

Ready to go home?

Winifred made no move. A squirrel scampered across the ground in front of them then climbed a tree. I envy the squirrel. So much freedom to run and play.

Sadness touched Amy, as if the old woman’s puddle of grief she’d stood in finally had soaked through Amy’s socks to her own feet.

She swiped her eye. I don’t envy a squirrel so much. They look too much like a rat with a fuzzy tail. Now a bird? I’d love to be a bird and fly whenever and wherever I wanted.

The older woman turned and studied her. What kind?

What?

What kind of bird would you be?

She drew a blank not knowing that many birds. Blue jay?

Winifred wrinkled her nose in distaste. The scourge of the aviary world.

Amy chuckled. She stood and held out her hand in invitation. Tish is worried about you. Let me take you home.

Without fuss, she took Amy’s hand and allowed her to pull her up. With careful steps they walked to Amy’s car. Silently, she helped Winifred inside and shut the door before going around the other side. Her cell phone rang, and when Amy pulled it out of her purse, she saw the Brown sisters’ phone number. Dern it. She should have called Tish and told her she found Winifred. She sat down in the driver’s seat as she hit the talk button.

Hey, I found her. We’re on our way.

Good, because I’ve gotten myself in a bit of a predicament here, Tish said. I hate to sound like a cliché but I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.

What? Amy started the car and backed out of the parking space. Geez, what else could go wrong today?

Certainly, I don’t mind lying in the floor, but I left the faucet running, and, well, I don’t want to drown before you get back.

How did you call me?

I’ve got the portable phone in my apron pocket. Now that’s good thinking, huh?

Amy looked at the dashboard clock. 1:20 in the afternoon. Could she get the Brown sisters situated before she had to pick Toby up from school at three?

We’ll be right there. She pressed the end button then called her Mom and Dad’s house. Her mom picked up. Mama? The Brown sisters are having a little trouble today. In case I get held up, can you pick up Toby from school?

Of course. Of course.

Okay. I’ll call you if I can get away before school lets out. Can you let Rebecca know I won’t be back in to work today?

Yes.

Thanks. Love you, ‘Bye.

Squaring her shoulders, Amy concentrated on driving.

One task at a time.

Get Winifred home.

Make sure Tish is okay.

Call Riley as soon as he gets back from the fire.

Half an hour later, Amy stood outside of the Brown Sisters’ house as two EMT attendants pushed Tish on the stretcher to the waiting ambulance.

This is silly, Tish said as she passed by her niece by marriage. I’m practically fine.

Amy didn’t agree. When she’d gotten the elderly woman off the floor, Tish’s leg had hung loose. And though she didn’t complain about the pain, she couldn’t walk on it.

We need to be sure, Miss Brown, one of the men responded, as they situated the gurney at the rear of the ambulance and slid it inside.

From overhead a life flight helicopter flew low heading toward the northern horizon. Amy took note of it briefly and decided somebody was having a worse day than she was.

Sandee Norwell, a neighbor from two doors down, walked across the yard. What in the world happened? she asked.

We think Letitia broke her hip, Amy told her.

What can I do to help? Sandee was salt of the earth and always willing to step in when needed. She was good that way.

Amy shrugged and watched the driver and attendant enter the ambulance.

Let me stay with Winifred so you can be with Letitia.

Amy shook her head. I can’t ask you to do that.

Sandee, in her housedress and slippers, didn’t look prepared to go running after a demented woman in case she took one of her treks.

Give me a few minutes to get some things together, and I’ll stay with Winifred until you can make it back or until Riley gets off work in the morning.

That’s asking too much, Sandee.

You’re not asking. I’m offering. Sandee’s graying hair quivered when she shook her head in emphasis. You know the last thing you need is having to answer the same question fifty thousand times ‘cause Winifred can’t remember what happened thirty seconds ago.

Amy’s lips pursed as she considered the bald truth of Sandee’s statement. I really hate to—

Don’t. I’ll watch her like a hawk to a mouse.

The open garage door was empty at the firehouse attesting that the company wasn’t back from their run. Would Riley think leaving Winifred with Sandee was a good idea? He hardly ever accepted help from anyone where his aunts were concerned. Not even from her.

Still.

It would make things a lot easier. And maybe Riley would understand if he didn’t agree with it. Just this once.

Okay, Sandee. Thank you.

After leaving, she called Riley’s phone on her way to the hospital and left him a brief message about Tish. Later she’d fill him in on Winifred’s latest Houdini act. No sense in overwhelming him with all of the trouble the aunties had gotten into in one afternoon when he was at work. Not until she could do it in person anyway.

SITTING IN THE SURGICAL waiting room, Amy looked up in surprise to see her dad walk in followed by Rebecca.

Hi, Dad.

Her father’s face creased with worry. He sat down next to her on the hard vinyl couch. He cast Rebecca a look, and she sat down in a chair across from them.

Tish’s in surgery. Her hip. The doctor said it was a clean break. But I’m glad y’all came to check on her, Amy informed them.

Lon’s eyes were red-rimmed. He looked older than his sixty-six years. Baby Girl. He took a shuddering breath. We...we’re not here because of Tish. He cast a glance at Rebecca who returned his look. Amy watched the silent exchange with interest.

Uh-oh. Something must be really wrong.

Toby—

Toby’s fine, Rebecca assured her.

A list of possibilities ran through Amy’s mind. Mama? Granny Delphia?

It’s Riley.

Amy’s blood froze in her veins.

He’s alive, but it ain’t good. A tear dripped out of her dad’s eye.

Amy watched that tear trail down his cheek.

My daddy is crying.

There was a wreck, and the truck turned over. Riley got trapped, and...well....

The truck overturned? The fire truck? How?

Where is he?

He’s in surgery upstairs. His leg was caught under the truck, and he lost a lot of blood. They’re trying to save his foot right now.

She and Riley were the same blood type. They’d laughed about it when they’d gotten their blood tests for their marriage license.

Amy stood up and walked