A/N I love all of you! Thanks so much for the nice reviews, PM's, the follows and the faves.
Monday morning Daryl stopped by the store to check on the women and girls before work, just about the same time Rick Grimes pulled up.
Rick let them know all the charges that we're being filed against Zach and that there was no way he'd serve less than seven years. "This is Oregon, any type of sexual assault is a minimum seven year sentence, and he's got two counts of sexual assault, plus breaking and entering and assault and battery, he's going to go away for a long time."
Everyone was relieved with that news, but then Daryl asked, "What about Blake, what's gonna happen with that bastard?"
"Yeah Daryl, that's a little tougher case and he's got a good lawyer. It should go to court in another couple of weeks then I guess we'll find out," Rick informed them.
Beth just didn't get it. Daryl had been by again Monday after work and Tuesday morning. She knew he was concerned for her safety and that of Carol and the girls, but he seemed so distant. He'd been so kind and comforting after what happened with Zach, but now it was as if he didn't even want to look at her, he certainly didn't have anything to say to her.
Late Tuesday morning Glenn called and asked if there was any way she could perform at the restaurant Saturday night. She let him know she had daytime plans with Daryl Saturday, but that she'd check with him to make sure she'd be back on time.
When Daryl stopped by after work she was nervous to even ask him, he seemed almost angry, "Um, Glenn asked me if I could sing at the restaurant Saturday night. Do you think that will work, will we be back in time? I don't want to rush whatever you have to do in Salem." "Nah, should be fine," he still didn't look her in the eye.
"You know Daryl if you don't want me to come to Salem, I'll make other arrangements to get Annie's shoes," Beth was trying to make at least a little eye contact. "No s'fine. I'll be here to get ya Saturday mornin' about 7:30. What about Sunnyside, who's gonna look after her Saturday night?" he asked. "I'm not sure I'll ask Carol first so Annie can be here at home. If I can't get Carol, Lori or Maggie to watch her, I'll just have to tell Glenn no," she stated. "K, you gonna need a ride to and from Glenn's?" he questioned. "I will, but Daryl I don't want to put you out. You don't seem very interested, and I could make other arrangements," she was starting to feel uncomfortable, what the hell was wrong? "Ain't no problem, I can do it," he shrugged and turned to go back to his truck.
Beth wanted to cry. What had gone wrong? Everything had seemed to be going so well between them and then boom, all of the sudden it was like he couldn't bring himself to even look at her. Was he just disgusted by what had happened to her? Did he see her as some kind of damaged person? Was it pity? All the questions she had were swirling around her mind. Doubts and questions were fueling more doubts and questions. She was probably just too much trouble for him. Every time he turned around the man had to rescue her from some nasty situation. He probably just didn't feel like she was worth the trouble.
By the time Carol and Sophia came down from working on homework upstairs, Beth was crying and Carol was concerned. "Beth, honey what's the matter," she asked so kindly it made Beth cry harder. "I just don't get it Carol, I'm just so confused," Beth then shared what was going on and what she was feeling. Carol knew better than to offer advice or try and guess what Daryl was thinking, she just comforted Beth as best she could and told her to be patient. She did add, "I'll be happy to watch Annie Saturday night, that part is no problem."
Daryl knew he was bein' a shithead with Beth but he couldn't shake the feeling she'd be much better off if she had never met him. She had a good thing goin' with the store, a great kid, nice friends, but ever since he showed up she'd been threatened, hit and nearly raped. He'd come to town and everythin' had gone to shit in a hurry. Trouble just followed Dixons around, there was no hidin' from it. He knew she'd be much better off if he didn't come around anymore. Maybe when he brought her back home on Saturday night he'd just tell her flat out. He'd do like he promised, then he was outta her life for good.
Merle was walkin' around on a damn cloud, Carol finally agreed to a date with him. Even if it was only lunch, it was a startin' point. When he stopped by the store on his way to work Wednesday morning she looked a little sad, "Sorry Merle, but I can't make it to lunch Saturday," Carol saw Merle's smile disappear. "It's not that I don't want to, it's just that my plans for Sophia fell through, and I certainly can't leave her alone," she explained. "Well, why don't she just come with us? Maybe we can't really talk about too much, but it'll still be good to just spend time with ya," Merle suggested. "Are you sure that's okay with you?" Carol was definitely surprised. "Course I'm sure, where all do you gals wanna go for lunch?" He was smiling again.
"There's a great Chinese restaurant in Newhope, how do you feel about Chinese?" Carol smiled back. "I got no idea Sweetheart, I ain't never ate Chinese food. Guess we'll just have ta find out," he winked. "Oh this is going to be fun," Carol laughed softly.
Beth couldn't help but envy their happy conversation. Why couldn't Daryl just TALK to her? It was all so frustrating. Why was she so stupid thinking he could have feelings for her? Obviously, what she'd thought were feelings was all in her imagination. She was starting to wonder if she was even still in the friend zone, maybe she'd been knocked down to the pity zone. But dang it, she couldn't seem to turn off the feelings she had for him. She was infatuated with him no doubt. He was kind, thoughtful, respectful, so great with Annie and it didn't hurt a bit that he was so handsome, but dang, he was also so reticent. She started thinking about an old song her Mom had loved and sang nearly non-stop for at least a year. It had been in a movie from the 70's they rented one time, and the song had been a big hit back then. After shift she was going to find it on YouTube and learn it, even if she never did anything but sing it for herself.
She knew she was obsessed. Her relationship with Johnny had been so different and had seemed to come so naturally. They were kids when they met at school and had an immediate friendship and attraction. They had never doubted or questioned their relationship or where they were going, it was like it just was. This thing with Daryl was just so up and down, one day he seemed interested, the next like he wanted to keep her at arms' length, or beyond.
Beth was quiet while she finished up work and chores. Instead of laying down for a nap with Annie, she put the girl down, then went on her laptop and found the song. She found the music online and practiced it on her guitar, it wasn't complicated music, but the lyrics of the song were perfect for the way she felt, like she'd been on a roller coaster ride.
Daryl picked her up Saturday morning as promised. He opened the door for her as always, but he stayed silent. She had feared he'd be quiet, so she'd brought a little embroidery project to do while she rode in the truck.
Halfway to Salem his curiosity got the better of him, "whatcha doin' there?" he asked. "Oh, I found this pink hoodie on sale at WalMart in Newhope, and I thought it would go perfectly with Annie's new princess shoes. I'm embroidering her name on it, and I'll put a few snowflakes on just for fun," Beth smiled at the thought. "S'real nice, I'm sure Sunnyside's gonna love that. You're a good Mama, Beth," Daryl said in an almost matter-of-fact voice.
Beth was shocked he'd talked to her at all, but he even gave her a compliment. She smiled in his direction and softly said, "thank you Daryl, that's very nice of you to say." And that was it, no more chit chat all the way to the Harley dealer.
When they arrived Daryl just looked over at her, "I'll be back." Once he'd gotten everything worked out, and dropped the trailer and Bike, he silently began driving toward the mall. When he'd parked they made their way inside.
Beth went right to the shoe department and found the shoes. Then she threw him a curve ball when she said, "I should really get Annie some underwear and a few other little things while I'm here." She was sure she saw Daryl's neck flush red, but he calmly said, "K, I'ma wait right outside the store on one a them benches. How long ya think?" "Oh no more than half hour," she smiled. Daryl just nodded and got the hell out as fast as he could.
Merle got to Carol's at 11:15, just as agreed. Since he was on his bike, and Sophia would be going with, they would be taking Carol's small Ford. "Guess I better get me a car if I'm gonna start escortin' you two fine ladies around town," he said with a smile. "Merle Dixon, you are one silver tongued devil," Carol chuckled.
Sophia enjoyed watching them, happy to see her Mom act so happy, and she liked Merle, he was fun, happy, loud and always nice to her and Annie.
The Chinese restaurant had a good size crowd but they were seated promptly. Merle definitely felt out of his element. He was more of a diner and burger joint kinda guy, "Now you ladies are gonna have ta help Merle out here, I got no idea what any a this food here is all about." Sophia giggled and said, "don't worry Merle, we won't let you get poisoned."
They ended up with three or four dishes of food on the table that they all shared family style. He liked the family style part but the only food he recognized was the rice. "It ain't bad," he declared, "I was expectin' ta hate it and have to head home later an eat a couple bologna sandwiches." Carol and Sophia both laughed at that. Carol smiled to her self thinking, "he's definitely one of a kind, which is just as well, I don't think the world's big enough for two of them."
The conversation was lighthearted and easy, and after lunch they all went for a walk on the beach. Merle was happily surprised when they got back to Carol's and she said, "thank you so much for a wonderful day and a delicious lunch Merle. I'm going to be watching Annie for Beth this evening, if you'd like to come by and keep the girls and I company, we'd enjoy that." "Oh yes Merle, please," Sophia said excitedly, "we haven't had a chance to beat you at 'Trouble' yet." "Well how can I turn down a challenge like that, reckon I'll be here ta try and defend my honor."
Beth made her way to the little girls department, got Annie underwear, pajamas and some new socks. As she was walking back toward the door a woman at the cosmetics counter stopped her, "how about a makeover, we're offering it free today to introduce our new make-up line." Beth couldn't resist, maybe she'd be able to hide her cut and bruise from where Zach had hit her.
Daryl had never been shopping with a woman and being a person who was always on time he began to worry when Beth wasn't back in half an hour, then 45 minutes. When it was close to an hour he started to panic. Had someone grabbed her, was she hurt, should he call the cops? Then he saw her, walking toward him with a big smile.
When she saw the look on his face her smile quickly faded, and he growled, "where the hell ya been girl? I's about ta call the cops. And what the hell is that on yer face?" "Daryl, shhhh, please. I'm sorry; I got caught up in the moment. I was offered a free makeover and it sounded fun. I'm sorry, I should have called or texted to let you know," she looked at him with those big blue eyes, now all outlined in black.
"Don't ever do that to me again, you gotta let me know where you're at so I know you're safe. And you don't need that crap on your face you're the prettiest girl around," he still had the edge of anger in his voice, but she thought he seemed to have calmed. "I'm so sorry Daryl, I promise I'll be better about letting you know if I'm going to be late," she replied softly. She guessed she should have thought he might worry, especially after all the recent trouble, and he was, after all, the protective papa bear type, but dang, why is he always so grouchy?!
"Fine then, let's get somethin' ta eat and get on home," he said with just the slightest snarl. She wanted to say, "Yes Sir Mister Dixon," but decided not to push it, "Sure Daryl, that sounds good."
Lunch and the drive home were very quiet. Beth kept herself busy with her embroidery, hoping to finish it so she could present Annie with her shoes and new pink hoodie after church in the morning.
When they arrived back at her place, Daryl jumped down from the truck, opened her door and extended his hand to her, carried the bags and her embroidery bag and walked her to the door, all without saying a word. She was starting to wonder if he'd ever speak to her again.
"Umm, so what time will you be by later," she tried to sound nonchalant. "Dunno, what time do you wanna go?" he asked. "Would leaving here at 5:45 work for you?" she was feeling decidedly timid. "Yeah, s'fine and it should give ya plenty a time to wash that shit off yer face," and with that he went back to his truck.
She didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and what neither of them could have guessed is what that night would bring.
A/N Please don't hate. I'm just as frustrated as you with Daryl. Geez man, no wonder you're single! You're all set up now, next chapter things heat up between Daryl and Beth, in more ways than one! Maybe we'll find out what that song is. I promise it'll be up tomorrow xo