Troublemaker

Chapter Four

Walking home after dinner with Duncan was hard, not only because he could make her chuckle, but because the food she had eaten weighed heavy on her stomach. For the first time in a very long time she felt as though she had connected to someone, even if it was in mutual sorrows. Maybe that was why she was so drawn to him in the first place. There was still some weariness as the two were just getting acquainted, but she had nearly told him all about what happened with Martin.

There were still so many hurdles for Sheena to jump before she was ready to accept anything other than a friend in her life. However, from what she had witnessed of the man she couldn’t help be glad that the two had decided on a friendship. Cooper greeted her at the door with several long loud meows as though scolding her for being away for so long. Nicolet had fallen asleep on the couch, but it appeared their mother was gone for the time being, allowing Sheena to breath a sigh of relief. “Come on Cooper, let’s get her a blanket and you some food before I go to bed.”

There would be time for conversations later, but for now Sheena had to worry about being able to wake up for work in the morning. Her day had managed to be more draining than she had originally expected, which was saying quite a bit. Sheena covered her younger sister before sliding beneath the covers of her own bed and curling into her pillow for comfort.

Sleeping was much easier in theory than in practice for Sheena. Her mind had the habit of wandering to horrible places when she was alone in bed. After what felt like hours of laying with her eyes closed she grumbled and readjusted her pillows. Anyone that could just close their eyes and fall into a blissful slumber was met with Sheena’s jealousy. It took three extra hours of adjusting and readjusting before sleep finally overtook her. Once again she seemed to sink into a bittersweet memory.

Sun glinted through the car windows as Martin drove. His hair helped keep the pesky rays from causing too much trouble, but he squinted anyway.

“If you put down the visor it would help,” Sheena pointed out, with a smile.

He glanced at her with a playful glare, “I am man. I know best,” he grunted before flipping the visor down with a laugh. However, his squinting didn’t cease. “Hey, Sheena?”

“Yeah?”

“I know this is going to sound sudden, but I want to ask you something. Do you...see a future with me?”

Sheena took a moment to gaze at their entwined hands and put together her thoughts. “Honestly, if I didn’t see a future with you I wouldn’t waste your time.” As blunt and cruel as it sounded Sheena knew she wasn’t one to waste time on something she didn’t see in her future. It was a little odd that he questioned it as he knew that her sights were always set on the future.

Seeming content with her answer for a little while they traveled in silence. “You know I’d do anything to protect you, right? If I needed to I’d die for you. I love you.”

Maybe in that moment Sheena should have asked him if he would live for her. There was always cause to wonder what string of events may have saved Martin’s life, but of course she hadn’t known how things would turn out. Instead she gave a little laugh, “Well there’s no need for anything so drastic. I’m perfectly happy with a kiss.” As cheesy as it seemed when Sheena looked at the sun upon his face and their hands locked together her heart skipped beats. Something from deep within decided in that moment that this was the man she would spend her life with. Her heart soared up into her throat, leaving her unable to speak. Her only option was to bask in the moment of happiness that enveloped the duo in warmth. When he opened his mouth next the only sound to be heard was the obnoxious sound of her alarm.

Nicolet awoke to the sound of Sheena’s alarm followed by the familiar crashing sound of Sheena throwing it across the room to shut it up. She couldn’t help sigh as she stood and stretched. It would be best to get her sister a cup of coffee and maybe some breakfast since she didn’t know if her sister was still drinking.