by Fields, MJ
“I’m planning on it. My little friend invited me.” I wrapped one arm around Callie.
“Okay, class, let me see a big bubble.” Miss Ashley filled her cheeks with air, and all the kids did, too. She stood straight, and the students moved and got into a perfect line. “How do we want to walk to the cafeteria today? Callie, since it is your day, why don’t you choose?”
“Marching like military.”
“Okay, you heard Callie, today we are going to march. Left foot first. Left, right, left, right.” I smiled as I watched Miss Ashley lead twenty-five kids in a marching line.
“I have one more question for you, Deputy.”
“What’s that?”
“Can I have your number?”
“Yes.” I stifled a grin as I wrote it on the back of one of my cards and handed it to him. “I better go catch up with your daughter, I brought the class cupcakes.” I held up my duffle bag, which held said cupcakes as well as my own lunch.
“Great, let’s go. I’m having lunch with you two as well.”
* * *
I walked into Kidz Klub and was greeted by one bitchy-faced Lizzy. “Wow, how pathetic.”
“Excuse me?”
“I met Dr. Montgomery.”
“That’s wonderful. I’m glad that he’s going to bring Callie here.”
“Oh, he didn’t sign her up, they left.”
“I see what you mean, but I don’t think pathetic is the right word. Maybe sad?” I asked, thinking that maybe Lizzy and I were finally on the same page.
“No, it’s the right word. Pathetic is my description for you. The little girl wouldn’t even look around unless you were here, which was ridiculous. What do you do to them? It’s like you brainwash them or something. I don’t think it’s healthy that they all seem to get so attached to you.”
Wasn’t that the whole point of an organization like this? To make kids feel safe and secure? I really couldn’t wrap my mind around how she didn’t realize that they all loved me because I made them feel safe.
“How did you get this job? You do realize that it requires kindness and compassion, right? Whether you believe it or not, I connect with these kids so well because I was one of them. I know what it’s like to start kindergarten without a mom. To have all the other little girls coming to school with their hair in French braids but you’re lucky that your father can get a brush through it. Like flocks to like.” I practically spat the last few words before moving on.
Thirteen
Ryan
“Will you stop?”
I jerked at my mother’s shout and then followed her gaze. “Sorry.” I had Sadie’s card in my hand and was running it through my fingers as I tapped the corner on the solid oak table.
“Why don’t you go call her? Callie’s watching television, and I’m finishing up dinner anyway.”
“Okay, I think that I will.” I was nervous as I sat on the corner of my bed and stared at her number.
Here goes nothing.
I dialed her number and waited. God, what if she didn’t answer? Jesus, what was I? Four?
“Lazar.”
“Sadie? This is Ryan Montgomery, am I catching you at a bad time?” There was a lot of background noise and music. For a moment, I wondered if I had interrupted her out on a date.
“You’re fine. I’m sitting at Sixes with a few friends.”
“You’re sitting where?”
“Sixes. It’s a bar. A former deputy’s wife owns it. A lot of LEOs hang out here.”
“I’ve never heard of it.”
“If you aren’t doing anything, you’re welcome to come join us. That is, if you don’t mind hanging out with some of my friends. We haven’t eaten yet.”
I thought about it for a second. This was definitely out of my comfort zone, but something about Sadie made me want to step out of that bubble I’d put myself in. “Okay, if you’re sure you don’t mind.”
“Don’t mind at all. Do you know where the Bohemian hotel is?”
“Yes.”
“Sixes is just two blocks over on the right.” I tried to visualize where she was describing.
“Okay. I should be there in about fifteen minutes.”
“See you soon.” Sadie hung up.
I stood and ran my hands down my face. Holy shit, I had a date. Was this a date? Well, not really a date, but it was a start. I changed and freshened up before heading out to talk to my mom. “Mom, are you okay watching Callie if I go join someone for dinner?”
“Of course I am. Don’t hurry home.” The woman winked at me like she knew what I was up to.
“I won’t be late. It is just dinner, she’s already there with some friends. I’m just joining them.”
“I don’t care, enjoy yourself.”
“Who’s with friends?” I turned to see Callie standing behind me. Why was it that kid never heard me when I called her name, but when I was talking privately to my mom, she heard everything?
“Callie girl, Daddy is going to go have dinner with someone, but I shouldn’t be out late.”
“Who?”
“Umm, well . . .” I glanced over to my mom for support but she wasn’t offering any, she just had a huge shit-eating grin on her face. “Sadie.”
“Can I go?”
“Not tonight, but maybe we can ask Sadie out for pizza, how does that sound?”
“Okay.” Just like that, Callie was grinning and running back to the living room.
“Go,” my mom said. “Get out of here. Callie and I can have girl bonding time.”
I wasn’t sure whether I was happy or sad that it took less than fifteen minutes for me to get to Sixes. Happy because I got to see Sadie sooner but nervous because I was not ready.
Hell, I wasn’t sure whether or not I still had my moves. I glanced in my mirror for a quick second. Back in high school, I knew what to do, what to say, fuck . . . I knew how to unsnap a bra before the girl knew it was unsnapped. And knowing which girl wore what brand of panties had been my favorite subject to study. Now, I was out of my league, I had no clue what to do or if I’d even remember how to transition from talking to kissing.
Deciding that it was now or never, I got out of the car. Sixes was one of those places that, if you didn’t know what it was, you probably wouldn’t stop. Several marked police cruisers were in the lot, and if I had to guess, there were also several unmarked ones as well. There were also several vehicles with fireman shield stickers on the rear windows. I wasn’t sure quite how to describe it, it was . . . unassuming.
I pulled on the solid wood door, and music and the smell of greasy food immediately hit me. I found her in the corner, but she was completely immersed in a conversation and hadn’t noticed me yet. She was beautiful, and her entire face was aglow as she punctuated each word. Her eyes were big and expressive, this deep, dark coffee color. When she glanced my way, I faltered a small step, but I kept walking as if I hadn’t just done that.
Once again, I felt like a teenager. Though, this time a horny one as she smiled and bit her lower lip.
Down, boy, no need to have her think you’re only after sex.
Okay, I was after sex, but maybe something more, too. Sadie intrigued me and had this easy presence about her. She made me want to be near her even though I didn’t know anything about her.
“Ryan, hey.” Sadie stood and leaned in to give me a quick hug.
“Wow, I don’t think that I’ve ever seen you not in uniform.” The woman had a rockin’ body. She was in jeans and a tight T-shirt that proved just how unflattering deputy uniforms really were.
“Yeah, they don’t let me out very often, but when they do this”—Sadie waved her hands over her outfit—“is what the world gets.”
“When they let me out, you know what the world gets?” a woman with long black hair said to the man next to her as she trailed one finger down his cheek.
“Will you two shut up? Sadie, go ahead and arrest me now because I’m going to kill the two of them,” Bridget s
aid.
Taking a seat next to Sadie, I asked, “Obviously the two of them are a couple?”
“No, they aren’t.” I raised a questioning eyebrow. “That’s just Harley and Aiden, he’s Bridget’s brother. The two of them do it more to see who can make the other squirm.” Sadie leaned in closer, and her warm breath against my neck was making me squirm. “But Harley isn’t joking, she has the hots for Aiden, he’s just too blind to realize that she isn’t playing.”
I grinned and was about to say something but then the waitress pulled my attention.
“Hi. Welcome to Sixes. Can I get you started with something to drink?”
“A beer is fine, whatever dark you have on tap.”
“Got it. Anything to eat?”
“What are you having?” I asked Sadie.
“We just order appetizers for the table and then throw in money at the end of the night.”
“Sounds good, can you add two more appetizers, whatever is fine with me.”
“You got it, I’m Mikki if you need anything else.” She walked away, and I turned my attention back to the table.
“Let me introduce you to everyone. Ryan, that’s Harley and Aiden, I’m sure you won’t forget them.” Harley grinned and Aiden shot her an annoyed look. “You have already met Bridget.” She gave me a small wave. “And that’s Kat and Piper, Piper is on motors with me, but Kat is interviewing for one of the open positions. Next to her is Max. He’s also on motors. Everyone, this is Doctor Ryan Montgomery.”
“So, what do we call you? Doc?” Kat asked.
“Ryan is fine, unless you want me to call you Dep?”
“Touché.”
“How’s Callie doing?” Piper asked, and I was impressed that she knew my daughter’s name. “Certain calls make bigger impacts, and a missing child is one of those. Since it was Sadie who found her . . .” As Piper said that, I reached over and grabbed Sadie’s hand. Just hearing about Callie missing made my heart speed up. Then the thought of this woman finding her and keeping her safe . . . I couldn’t explain what it did to me.
“Callie’s fine, better in fact. She had a long talk with her grandmother about clothes, and I promised I’d take her shopping. I haven’t had time to yet, but she is definitely not wearing dresses anymore.”
“It would be so fun to take her shopping. Kind of like having a life-sized doll,” Kat said as she clapped her hands together. “Oh my god, I’ve wanted to shop in Justice so badly but I’m about twenty years too old. They always have the cutest, most hip outfits.”
“Who are you?” Sadie asked, and everyone laughed. “How the hell do you even know about this store?”
“Do you know how many cousins we have? Not to mention, the Christakos family is super close to my family, and they are all breeding. We are buying gifts for kids non-stop.”
“Thanks, I’ll make a note to find some place called Justice,” I assured her.
Mikki came by to drop off my beer along with our food and some plates. I took a sip and watched as everyone went into action moving stuff around, passing appetizers, and I realized that having friends was one of the things I’d missed out on over the last four years.
“Is this what you do after work?” I turned my attention to Sadie, wanting to know more about her.
“We usually come here once a week, but there’s no telling who’ll show up. Other than that, I’m home. Just me and Wasabi.”
“Who’s Wasabi?”
“My dog. He’s sort of a rebel.”
“He’s super badass,” Harley interjected. “I would strap that little fucker onto the front of my bike, get him a leather jacket, and throw on some Doggles. He’s that badass.”
“What makes him so tough?”
“You’ll have to see him sometime.” I liked the thought of that. “It’s hard to explain, but I think that Callie would love him, I know that he would love Callie.”
“Maybe next time you can bring him to my house so she can see him.” I left that hanging in the air so she could decide if this was a one-time thing or if I would get to hang out with her again.
“So, Ryan, what type of doctor are you?” Piper asked.
“A proctologist.” All faces turned to me and stared. “Just kidding, I’m an ER doctor, I’m not that big of an asshole.”
“Ha ha, I see what you did there.” Piper pointed to her eyes. “Proctologist—asshole. Which hospital?”
“Florida on Rollins.”
“That must be crazy, your hours must be even more hectic than ours.”
“Can be, but I’ve just taken a different shift to spend more time with my daughter. She seems to be going through something lately, and I think she’s having a hard time adjusting.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”
I nodded, not knowing what else to say, and Sadie leaned closer to me. “She must be so excited,” she whispered.
“She doesn’t know yet, I just found out this afternoon. So, just you two”—I pointed to Piper and Sadie—“are motorcycle deputies?”
“And us.” Max and Aiden held up a hand.
“I’m hoping to get the open spot,” Kat said. “Interview process is a little rigorous, so Piper has been working with me.”
“I want to, but I have six more months before I can interview,” Harley stated. She obviously saw my confused look. “You have to be with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for two years before you can apply for motors. I was with Seminole County before.”
“Sadie, do you still need a ride home?” Bridget asked and then cast her eyes toward me.
“I can take you if you’d like.”
“You sure that you don’t mind? I don’t live too far.”
“No problem at all,” I assured her.
“Thanks, Bridg, I got it.” I threw enough money to cover Sadie and myself onto the table. “That’s too much.”
“It’s for both of us.”
“You didn’t have to do that, I asked you here.”
“I know that I didn’t have to; I wanted to.” I cupped her cheek in one hand, and if her friends weren’t all watching us and we weren’t in the middle of a crowded bar, I would have closed the distance between us and kissed her. “You ready to go?” She nodded, and I glanced to everyone still seated at the table. “It was nice meeting you all. Hopefully we can do this again.”
“Nice meeting you, too, Ryan, maybe next time we can meet Callie,” Kat, the shopping fanatic, said.
“She would love that. A group full of kickass women, she would be in heaven.” We headed out and I made sure to open the passenger door of my SUV for Sadie. Once she was in, I made my way to the driver’s side “Where to?” Orlando was spread out, and on most days, twenty miles could take an hour and a half, depending on traffic. I would not turn down being stuck in a car with her for that long.
Too bad it took about ten minutes to get to her house, and far too soon, I was pulling into the split driveway of a newer duplex. I didn’t want to come across as a snob and definitely not as a father, but I wasn’t sure that I liked her neighborhood. “How long have you lived here?”
“I grew up in this area.” Crap, glad I didn’t say anything. “My folks live about two blocks away, which is convenient since they can come by and walk Wasabi for me.” She paused for a second. “You want to come in and meet him?”
“I would love that.”
As soon as she slid in the key, all hell broke loose. Barking filled the night air. “Holy shit, what type of dog is he?” She twisted the knob, and I jumped back, expecting something much larger than a rat to come barreling out. “What is it?”
“It’s a Wasabi.” She picked him up, and he moved frantically in her arms, excited that she was home. “Chill,” she commanded, and he calmed a bit. Although, his body was still shaking with excitement. “He’s almost three pounds, but to answer your question, he’s a poodle.”
“I’ve never seen a poodle that looked like that.”
Sadie laughed as we moved into her
tiny house, and she locked the door behind us. “Yeah, my dad was pissed when I got a male poodle because he thinks that poodles should be girls. I tried to explain to him that it would be impossible for them to breed, but he wasn’t having any of it. Then when I got him fixed—or, as my dad likes to call it, broken, since dogs are born fixed and I’m breaking him from his God-given, natural way—he demanded that I toughen him up. Hence the Mohawk and beard.”
“Yeah, Callie would love this dog, but she can’t ever see him.”
“Why?”
“Because then I’ll end up having to get her a dog. She’s too little to take care of a dog.”
“Oh, no, she isn’t.” Sadie put Wasabi down and headed into the kitchen. “Want a drink?”
“Water or soda is fine.” Sadie pulled out two bottles of water and handed me one.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure, anything.” I leaned back against her counter and watched her take a sip of water.
“How old are you? You’re a doctor, and I know that is a lot of schooling, but you don’t look a day over thirty. I’m twenty-eight, by the way.”
“Thirty-four, is that old?”
“We’re six years apart, so it isn’t like cradle-robbing. Am I too young?”
“No . . . you’re perfect.” I set my water down and then leaned forward. Rubbing the back of my fingers across her smooth cheek. “Can I kiss you?” She bit her lower lip and nodded slowly, her eyes locked on my mouth. I tugged her a bit closer and then bent to touch my lips to hers. I was out of my depth with this young, beautiful woman who was so alive and vivacious compared to my barely breathing self.
She pressed closer, tugging at my bottom lip with her teeth before kissing me deeper. Our tongues tangling, and the taste of her made me forget about being nervous.
Sadie let out a small mewling sound, and it was fuel that set me on fire. Her hands were cool as she dragged her fingers along my arms and then she was holding on to my face as if she were afraid I was going to break our contact. She didn’t realize that I couldn’t if I’d wanted to.
“Oh, god, Sadie.” I dove back in, tasting her and wanting to drink her down. “You taste so fucking good.” I sank my hands into her hair and tilted her head back, exposing her slender neck, the pulse, the life that beat there. My attention wholly focused on kissing the delicate skin as I worked my mouth behind her ear and then down her neck to the collar of her shirt.