Page 56 of Creed

I took a long drink of my beer then set it back down. “You tried to make her think there was something between us, and that I was in a relationship. I need her to feel comfortable in my home and thinking I’m going to bring multiple women, and a girlfriend there doesn’t help matters. There are boundaries and you crossed them.”

She repositioned to make her cleavage a little more visible. “She needed to know that she can’t get her hopes up. The men here aren’t looking for relationships and anything messywould put the community at risk. She’s exactly the person that shouldn’t be inside these gates. Plus, she spoke of the girls like they didn’t deserve her respect.”

“If you have a problem with any of our guests, you are to come to me or one of the Originals. Morgan has been through hell, and she needs our help. You disrespected me by trying to create a negative picture of my sex life and its not appreciated. There will be a child joining us soon and Morgan shouldn’t have to worry about who I’m bringing into my home. Dahlia and I ended our agreement, so you did give her false information, and you know all too well that I don’t bring women to my place. There also won’t be a problem between Morgan and the girls. She has an understandable distrust toward strangers, so just let her get to know them and form her own opinion. And let’s not forget, you chose the most tasteless morning to confront her. She was due at the funeral home to make arrangements for her life long best friend. I’d like you to leave her alone and only speak with her with respect if she approaches you.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re saying she gets the red carpet treatment only?”

I shook my head. “She is to be treated as if she’s someone we rescued. She may not have come from a slave farm or brought to us like you were a few years ago, but she was almost murdered. Also, you can’t speak for every resident in this place. Maybe some of them do want relationships. They’ve either retired from the military, or they were discharged by injury. Most of them don’t know what they want out of life yet. I get it, you lost Eggers, but that doesn’t mean nobody else wants to settle down. We’ve talked before about your treatment of the wives and its getting old, Felicity. If you want to stay at Creed’s Lake, you’ll do what I ask. Maybe talking to Bolton would help.You’ve been wearing your resentment like a badge ever since Eggers. That’s not Morgan’s fault and it’s not the wives faults either.”

“He saved me, married me, then brought me here only to abandon me. It’ll happen again, Creed. Some young girl will be led to believe she’s safe only to have them dumped at our doorstep.” She wiped a tear away, so I put my arm around her. “He chose his career over me.”

“Hey, you knew what kind of work he did. You knew he needed this life and its not like he chose to be injured. He had his reasons when he left. Yes, it was wrong, but neither of us stood in his shoes.” I tried to comfort her.

Distraction

Morgan

Irons was a nice guy, handsome too. I wasn’t sure what Delta Force put in their water, but the guys were so unbelievably hot, I’d easily say there was something supernatural happening. I didn’t even think Hollywood had that many hot guys in one place.

After Creed left, I broke down and cried when I realized I hadn’t done enough for Callie. I had moments where I laughed and that didn’t seem fair to her. I was able to set my grief aside and it made me feel guilty. I called Jason in California and asked him to send me all my photo albums and gave him my parents address. I wanted to make a collage of memories on a white board for Callie's services.

I was still crying when I started baking. I figured there wasn’t a bigger thank you for the guys than making them a pie. Once I was five pies in, I realized I was obsessing, but shrugged it off and baked some cookies. I loved baking, it was a good distraction, and I hadn’t had the time to do it in years. Something about it was soothing and I imagined baking with Addie in the future. Then I cried again, uncontrolled as I baked. I wondered if I would ever run out of tears. It was like everymemory I had with Callie played out in my mind. She was so much more than a friend, she was my sister.

Thankfully, when we went to the commissary I bought a small roast, carrots, potatoes, and onions. It was in the oven and I already mashed the potatoes and had them staying warm in a crock pot when Creed walked in the door.

“It smells amazing in here.” He said as he walked in, and I was in the cupboard getting the corn starch to make the gravy he wanted.

“Thanks, I did a lot of baking today. I thought maybe your friends would like pie and cookies as a thank you for helping me. I’m not sure what kind of diet operatives are on, but I thought there’s nothing wrong with a little guilty pleasure.” I turned to walk out of the pantry and hit a hard chest.

When I looked up and my eyes met his, I froze in place. He didn’t move but stood there like he was just as frozen as me. I wanted and needed to be close to him, but instead after a few long moments he stepped aside. I shut my eyes in disappointment for a short moment.

“They would love that, actually.” He said.

I set the corn starch on the counter and nervously tried to think of every distraction possible. There was something about being that close to Creed. It felt warm, safe, and most importantly, it felt right. Nothing like it felt anything like being near anyone else. His scent alone was comforting.

“Good, could you take them to work with you?” I asked.

“I could, but most likely they’ll all stop in eventually. They like to hang out downstairs when they don’t feel like being at the community center.” He walked over and stood behind me,leaning against the kitchen island. I busied myself by checking on the roast in the oven, even though it had a timer set. “Unless you feel like getting out of the house after dinner. There’s a poker tournament to keep the guys busy while the female residents enjoy ladies night at the bar. The kids are having a sleepover in the theater, so it gives couples a chance to socialize.”

I turned and looked at him, not sure I was ready to socialize, but at the same time it would be better than sitting around the house doing nothing but crying. “Are you sure they’d want me there? I know they’re all close and I’m just a stranger.”

He chuckled. “They’re all talking about finally meeting you. I don’t think you’ve got a problem there.”

“You really think so?” I was hesitant.

“I know so, we can head out after dinner. Whatever you’re making smells amazing.”

I knew he really just wanted me to feel at home in the community. “Okay, sure. Dinner will be ready soon then we can head out.”

He was looking at the cookies here and there. “Here, taste a cookie.” I offered them to him.

“Thanks.” He took one and I watched as he took a bite. His eyes shut for a moment then opened them and smiled as he chewed. “Damn these are good.”

“Thanks, they’re my grandmother’s snickerdoodle recipe. Have as many as you want and when they’re cool I’ll box them up and place them on your snack shelf.”

He tilted his head. “My snack shelf?”

I walked to the enormous pantry. “Yeah, I figured I’d make it easy for you in case you like to enjoy a midnight snack.” I opened the pantry door, and he stood behind me. Close enough for me to feel that safe and warm feeling. I shut my eyes for just a moment then turned to explain. “My mom says I have obsessive compulsive disorder. I like things to have their place, so I organized the pantry. I made a snack shelf here for you. I wasn’t sure if you enjoyed a lot of sweets, so when we were at the commissary I bought a variety. There’s almonds, cashews, granola for the yogurt in the fridge, raisins, chips, and some extra beer that can be transferred to the fridge when you run out of what I chilled for you. This shelf up here is cereal and breakfast foods, and that one is for Italian recipes, and this one is for hearty meals. I’ll put the cookies on your snack shelf.”

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