Ramsey Security (Ramsey Security #1-3)(70)

Suffering from similar traumas, Darla and Harlow fall into an easy routine together. They spend a lot of time downstairs at the high-end grocery store, shopping or eating meals. We often return from the office to find the women drinking coffee at the mezzanine while deep in conversation.

"She's my first friend who isn't connected to Shelley," Darla says one night while we cuddle on the couch. "After moving to Texas, Shelley made mom friends. After I ran from Locke, she always invited me to join her at play dates, but I felt awkward being around so many kids. I guess it's time for Shelley and me to have separate friends now that she's super mom, and I don't want to be."

When Rafael and Harlow decided to visit Galveston, they invite us to come along for a couples' weekend. Darla hasn't left the immediate Houston area since arriving in Texas. She's scared to go on vacation but agrees. Facing her fears, Darla has a great time at the beach, even if she's overdressed. No one cares what she's wearing, and Darla learns not to care either.

The media loses interest in Darla. Though people still recognize her when we're out in the city. She ignores their stares and manages a smile for those who say hello. Her confidence builds every day. Yet often for the many steps forward, she suffers a few steps back where she won't leave the apartment.

I don't care where we go or what we do. I'm happy watching movies every night while she works on her puzzles. I enjoy Vern's backyard parties, even though I have nothing in common with his friends. Darla feels the same way when we meet my family six months after Locke's death.

After a few false starts, Darla finds a therapist she likes. Soon, she's taking fewer pills and hiding less in her head. Every day, Darla reveals more of herself to me.

I finally take her to the shooting range where she hates the noise of the gun firing. I expect this problem, but I greatly underestimate her horrible shooting. Darla never gets close to hitting the target paper. Week after week, we practice without her improving even a tiny bit.

"Good thing I have you to protect me," she says, deciding to give up on training. "I think throwing the gun at my attacker will be more intimidating than me firing at them."

I don't disagree with her. The sessions are painful for me. Not because I want Darla to be a talented shooter, but because I don't want to laugh at her horrible attempts.

Darla and I marry on a lark during a trip to Wyoming. She's beaten me again in a skiing contest, and I decide her reward is my hand in matrimony. Shelley walks Darla down the aisle while Vern is my best man. The kids throw flowers at us while John wails like a fire truck. I never thought I'd make much of a family man, but Darla is the dream I never knew I had.





Epilogue


~~~

Darla

Freedom Found

A year after we meet, Troy and I learn the secret to a happy marriage. We flip a coin. Heads, I win. Tails, he wins. It's really this simple.

The idea came to us while building our home. While we agree easily enough on the ranch-style floor plan, disagreements appear quickly while choosing the interior designs. I liked one color countertop, Troy another. Same with the carpet and paint colors. We can't settle on a choice for anything.

Troy's solution is to arm-wrestle for the win. Clearly, I refuse to agree to this challenge. Instead, I suggest using rock, paper, scissors, but Troy swears he's jinxed and can't win that game. So we end up flipping a coin to choose the brick color for the house. I win this round. He wins the paint choice. Somehow, this tactic works, and no one feels screwed over in the process.

After we move into the house, I decide we need a pet. Kids remain off the table, neither of us craving a tiny screaming version of us. A pet though is something we both want.

Of course, he wants a dog while I want a cat. We flip, and I win. Adopting a nearly year old female from the shelter, I name her Sherry after her "daddy." Troy pretends to hate the tabby cat, but she's always climbing on him, and he's a big softie when it comes to the ladies.

After Harlow gets pregnant, I feel a bit of pressure to have a baby too. Shelley doesn't bug me about it, but her friends often ask when we'll start our family. I finally tell them I'm barren, which makes them feel guilty. Shelley just rolls her eyes at the entire thing.

At the beginning of our marriage, Troy and I make a habit of visiting kid-friendly places like the aquarium or zoo. We watch the families and wait for the baby urge to hit us. I used to believe kids were a given. Yet after a few hours at Harlow's new house with her babies, I'm ready to tear out my hair. I just can't deal with the noise.

"Let's not worry about it until you're thirty," Troy says one night while we sit outside in our hot tub.

I glance at the window where Sherry watches us. She hates her people to be so far away. Grinning at her big eyes, I nod at Troy's comment. No more zoo trips until I'm thirty.

At thirty, we get a dog instead of having a baby. Troy names the Puggle puppy Ham after me. I love the little dog and his big sis Sherry. I frigging adore their daddy too. I have great friends, my sister, and her kids. My heart is full, and Troy never brings up kids again.

We settle into a good life. As their first high profile client, I often take credit for the security company's success. After a few years, the company hires new contractors, allowing the owners to semi-retire. Eventually, Troy only takes jobs that will work with our relaxation schedule. We even begin traveling. Sometimes, we go with Rafael and Harlow. Other times, we join Shelley's family. For one weekend a month, we go away alone.