Courage

by Kristen Proby

  And now, I’m never by myself.

  I can’t even go to the bathroom without one of the kids asking a question or waiting on the other side of the door.

  I finish the last of my wine and just as the clock clicks over to midnight, I go through and check out of the retailers, snagging some fun gifts for the kids.

  When I’m finished, I close the computer and set it on the floor, then watch Sam. He’s asleep. Snoring softly.

  He should have gone to bed.

  God, I love him. Everything about him. He’s handsome and funny. His smile can totally disarm me.

  We were thrust into this situation, this family. A year ago, I would have thought it would be awkward.

  But it’s not. It’s comforting. Comfortable. And surprisingly easy.

  Not that raising twins is easy, not at all. But with Sam here, working with me, it’s not just doable, it’s also fun.

  He sniffs and shifts his head, cracking one eye open.

  “Are you watching me sleep like a creeper?”

  I grin. “Yeah. Kind of.”

  “Come on, creeper.” He yawns and stands, holding his hand out for mine. “Let’s go to bed.”

  “You’re in such good shape for having a baby just a month ago,” I inform Fallon as we drive from the bigger city not far away back to her house.

  The storm had cleared by this morning, and by the time I drove out to the bird sanctuary to pick my friend up, the plows had been out to do their jobs.

  I didn’t have to miss Black Friday, after all.

  “Yoga,” she says simply. “It does wonders for lots of things. You should come to a class.”

  “I’ve actually thought about it. After the kids go back to school from Christmas break, I’ll do it. Are you feeling well?”

  “I’m great. I had some clotting issues after the baby was born, but it’s all been resolved.”

  I frown and glance over at her. “What kind of clotting issues?”

  “After I delivered the placenta, my body didn’t want to clot, and I bled a bit. Had to have a transfusion. It was kind of a mess.”

  “You could have died.”

  She nods. “If it had happened years ago, I likely would have. Thank God for modern medicine. Gave Noah a scare, but it all worked out. And now we have little baby Ezio.”

  “What does his name mean? It’s so different.”

  “Eagle.” I glance over as she grins at me. “It’s appropriate for our family.”

  “I should say so. I love it.” I turn down the road that leads to Noah and Fallon’s home. “Where are you going to hide all of these bags?”

  “In the garage,” she says and taps a button on her phone. The garage door opens automatically. “We’ll stash the goods in there.”

  “I’ll back up to it.”

  I maneuver the car around so I can open the hatchback of my SUV, and we can easily transfer Fallon’s things to the garage.

  When we’re finished, I toss the sheet I brought with me over my bags so the kids can’t peek in the back and see everything.

  We walk into the house, to utter quiet.

  “Where are the kids?” Fallon asks Noah quietly.

  “They’re all zonked out,” he says with a grin. “I ran them all ragged this morning. They just passed out about twenty minutes ago.”

  I bite my lip. “I hate to wake them up, but I really should head home.”

  “They can stay,” Fallon says with a shrug. “It’s the holiday weekend. They can go home tomorrow.”

  I frown. “Are you sure?”

  “They’re honestly no trouble,” Noah says.

  “This way, you can go hide your things without them lurking,” Fallon adds.

  “That’s definitely a plus.” I nod and then hug my friend. “Thanks. I appreciate it. We’ll come grab them tomorrow morning after breakfast.”

  “No hurry,” Fallon says. “Have a good evening.”

  She waggles her eyebrows, making me laugh.

  I drive home and take my time unloading the vehicle. When I have everything in the living room, I close and lock the car, and my phone rings.

  “Hey there.” I grin and close the front door behind me.

  “Hello yourself,” Sam says. “Still shopping?”

  “No, I just got home. I did some major damage today, but it was a lot of fun.”

  “Awesome. I’m about to get off work here in a few. Should I pick up dinner on the way home? I was thinking burgers from Ed’s.”

  “That sounds delicious. I’m starving.”

  “Cool. What do the kids want?”

  “The kids aren’t here.”

  There’s a pause. “Where are they?”

  “They’re staying with Fallon and Noah tonight. But I want my usual.”

  “Okay.” I hear a smile in his voice. “I’ll pick it up and be there shortly.”

  “Thanks. See you soon.”

  I hang up and get to work hiding the gifts. Most of them will fit in my closet, but not all of them.

  This house isn’t that big. It was perfectly big enough when it was just me, but with three other people living here now, it’s a bit cramped.

  I’m left with about four shopping bags, and I prop my hands on my hips to think.

  Where should I put these?

  And then I remember. I have a crawl space under the house. That’s the perfect place to store these.

  I hurry into the laundry room and lift the trap door that leads to the crawl space, but when I turn the light on below, I scowl.

  There’s about a foot of water under there.

  I don’t think this is normal. I don’t open the trap door often, but I don’t remember seeing water under there before. Could it attract critters?

  With the mental image of snakes and other things that I refuse to dwell on, I close the trap door and instead rearrange the linen closet so I can hide the bags on the top shelf, cover them with a towel, and close the doors.

  I’ll have to send Ty Sullivan, my landlord, an email and let him know about the water under the house.

  I’m exhausted. Sam and I went to bed after midnight, and I got up with him at five, so he could go to work. I stayed up and got ready for my fun shopping day.

  So I’ve had little sleep and lots of activity today.

  I’d give my right ovary for a nap.

  I flop down on the couch, cover my face with my arm, and enjoy the blessed quiet.

  Just as I’m dozing off, the door opens, closes, and I feel someone standing over me.

  Not to mention, I can smell the onion rings.

  I crack an eye and grin up at the tall man next to the couch.

  “Are you watching me sleep like a creeper?”

  He laughs and squats next to me. “You’re not sleeping.”

  I reach out and cup his cheek, but he takes my hand and kisses the palm. “How was work?”

  “We only got called out a few times. No one died on my shift today, so that’s a good thing.”

  “A very good thing.” I sit up and kiss his chin. “And you brought me food.”

  “Oh, you wanted food, too?”

  I narrow my eyes at him. “Hand over the onion rings, and no one gets hurt. You might be the first casualty of the day.”

  “So violent.” He clucks his tongue and pulls the to-go container out of the bag. “Here you go. I’d like to live to see another day.”

  “Good idea.” I scoot back and set the box on my lap, then open it up. “They even included extra mayo and ketchup.”

  “They know what you like.” He sits next to me and opens his box. “I’m glad you had fun today.”

  “I only had to elbow one guy who got in my way.”

  He stops chewing and stares at me. “Christ, Tash.”

  “Kidding.” I giggle and take a bite of my burger. I was hungrier than I thought and gobble down my meal in record time.

  When I’m finished, I lean back and sigh happily.

  “Thanks for grabbing dinner.”<
br />
  “You’re welcome.” He also leans back and opens his arms. I crawl over and lay right on top of him.

  “Wanna nap?”

  He kisses the top of my head. “Sure. After.”

  “After what?”

  His hands glide up and down my back, then slip under my shirt and under my pants until he cups the bare skin of my ass.

  “After I fuck you brainless.”

  Well, then.

  I swallow, and the next thing I know, he moves us, pinning me beneath him on the couch as his hand dives into my pants again, only from the front this time.

  Those talented fingers get right to work, fiddling with my clit before moving lower to my most intimate place, gliding over my lips only to dip inside and repeat.

  I gasp.

  Grab onto Sam’s shoulder.

  “Fuck me, you’re good with your hands.” I turn my head and bite his free arm that’s braced against the back of the couch.

  “You’re so damn wet, babe. I have to taste you.”

  He hurries to strip my pants down my legs. Suddenly, he’s kneeling on the floor next to the couch and turns me on the cushion, props my legs over his shoulders, and feasts.

  Freaking feasts.

  There’s no other word for it. I thrash about, going out of my mind as his mouth teases my pussy, sending me over the edge of sanity.

  I’m still quaking when he’s suddenly inside me, moving in and out in a quick rhythm as if he can’t hold himself in check for another moment.

  He leans over to brace himself on the back of the couch and stares down at me with intense blue eyes.

  “You’re so fucking sexy,” he growls, and picks up the pace. “I can’t stop wanting you. I don’t want to stop wanting you.”

  I can only shake my head and hold on as he does, indeed, fuck me blind.

  He growls with the force of his release. When I can see again, I can’t help but laugh.

  “What?” he asks, panting.

  “We’re half on and half off the couch. Your pants are around your knees. I’m half-dressed. And we look like we just made it through some kind of crazy, perverted war.”

  He grins. “Well, I was thinking of taking you to the bedroom to get you the rest of the way naked.”

  “I was thinking of getting the rest of the way dressed.”

  Sam scowls. “I’m not finished. Not even close. Not to mention, I’m no quitter. I will get you all the way naked before the day’s out, mark my words.”

  “We have to stop watching so much Game of Thrones.”

  “What? Why?”

  “Because now you’re saying things like ‘mark my words.’”

  He grins. “Come on Khaleesi. Let’s go to bed.”

  He picks me up, clothes and all, and carries me back to the bedroom.

  “I’m a mess.” I bury my face in his neck. “I should probably take a shower.”

  “Good idea. We’ll shower, and then we’ll work on getting each other messy again.”

  “What about the nap you promised me?”

  “I’m a man of my word.” His face is solemn. “I shall make good on the promise, Your Grace.”

  “You’re goofy.” I kiss his cheek. “I kind of like it.”

  Chapter 14

  ~Sam~

  “Hey, Sam.”

  I smile at the tall blonde behind the glass counter and nod at her husband as he walks out of the back at Cunningham Falls Goldsmiths. There are only a few weeks left until Christmas, and I need to get something special for Natasha.

  Something besides the fuzzy slippers and coffee mug that says, I’m a f*cking delight in the morning that I already got her.

  “Hey, Kate. Aric. How’s it going?”

  “Busy time of year,” Kate says with a grin. “So, no complaints from us.”

  “I’m looking forward to January when we can take a little time off,” Aric adds with a wink. “How can we help you today, Sam?”

  “I need a present for Tash.” I glance into the glass case and immediately feel overwhelmed. “And I have no idea what that might be.”

  “That’s what we’re here for,” Kate says with a wink. “Are you thinking engagement ring?”

  I blink at her, feel my cheeks flush, and then shake my head. “Uh, no. No, thanks. You have other things here, right?”

  “Yes, don’t panic,” Aric says with a laugh. “Your expression is priceless.”

  “I thought you were going to pass out,” Kate says, also giggling. “Okay, let’s look at some things.”

  We talk budget and colors. But everything they show me leaves me feeling…meh.

  “I know I’m being difficult, and I’m sorry, but I feel like it has to be something extra-special. She’s been through more than her fair share this year, and I want to give her something really great.”

  “We can design something,” Aric offers.

  “Do we have time for that?” My interest is piqued, but we only have a few weeks.

  “I can fit it in. Who needs to sleep, right?” He reaches for a drawing pad and pencil

  “You know, I always thought Tash would be gorgeous in emeralds,” Kate suggests. “With her dark coloring and gorgeous skin, they would just be awesome on her.”

  “I like that idea,” I say with a nod. “Maybe a necklace?”

  “An emerald pendant, but on a longer chain,” Aric says, clearly in the zone. He sketches quickly, his pencil moving in fast, short strokes. “Light yellow gold. Almost champagne in color.”

  “Agreed, you don’t want to take away from the stones,” Kate says, watching over Aric’s shoulder.

  The other man sets the sketch on the countertop and I blink in surprise.

  “Have you ever thought of ditching the goldsmith thing and being an artist?” I ask as I stare down at the gorgeous drawing. “This is amazing. Can I afford it?”

  Kate smiles kindly. “Absolutely. He wouldn’t show you if you couldn’t.”

  “Then I’m in.”

  “Give me two weeks. I’ll call you when it’s done.” Aric shakes my hand. “I guarantee you’ll have it by Christmas Eve.”

  “Perfect. Thank you for squeezing it in. Next time, I’ll remember to pop by earlier. I’m still learning.”

  “The learning never ends,” Aric replies and waves as I turn to leave.

  Now that that’s done, I need to grab the kids each a couple of extra things, and then I’m done. Tash took care of just about everything, and I owe her for that, too.

  She’s fucking amazing.

  She and the kids are baking cookies and getting ready to decorate the house tonight. I’m in charge of bringing home all the makings for tacos.

  And, just because I know she likes it, I’m going to bring home something sweet, too.

  I walk down to La Fleur and push through the door.

  Beth glances up with a smile. “Sam! Hey there. What are you up to today?”

  “Just running some errands. I thought I’d pick up some dessert for later, if you have anything left.”

  “I have a chocolate cream pie, huckleberry cobbler, and some lemon huckleberry bread that is to die for. But no pressure.”

  “I’ll take the bread for French toast tomorrow, and the chocolate cream pie for tonight.”

  “Oh, that’s a really good idea,” she says with a smile. “You could make a huckleberry compote to go on it.”

  “Right. I could. If I was Emeril.” I laugh and open my wallet. “What do I owe you?”

  “Nothing at all. This is payment for rescuing me off that mountain on Thanksgiving.”

  “What were you doing up there, anyway?”

  “My parents came to town, and I met them up there for dinner.” She shrugs. “It was kind of awful, and I was in a bad mood and not paying close enough attention to the road. Lesson learned.”

  “I’m sorry it was a bad trip for them.”

  “Oh, they had a great time.” She bags up the goodies. “I just didn’t see much of them, which is pretty typical.
Anyway, have a good evening. Enjoy these.”

  “I can guarantee that we will.” I nod and leave the bakery, feeling damn good about my progress this afternoon.

  I have to stop at the store but then it’s home for food, cookies, and Christmas decorations.

  I would have scoffed at the idea once upon a time. Monica always used to invite me to come over for evenings exactly like this.

  And I always came up with a reason not to go.

  I should have gone.

  If I had it to do over again, I would.

  But I can’t do it again. And it’s a waste of time to regret the past.

  I’ve just pulled into the parking lot of the grocery store when my phone rings.

  “Waters.”

  “Hey, Sam, this is Bruce Meyer in Spokane.”

  The fire chief. I cut the engine and narrow my eyes. “Hi, Bruce, what can I do for you?”

  “Well, I know that I told you to get back to me after the first of the year, but I’m going over the budget for next year and working on some scheduling. The thing is, I need to know in the next few days if we can expect you here in January.”

  “I understand.” I sigh and drag my hand down my face. “You’ve been more than fair, Bruce. Can I give you a call in a day or two?”

  “That works. I need an answer by Friday, though.”

  “Copy that. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  I hang up and try to convince myself that the knot in my stomach is just nerves. The job I’ve worked my damn ass off for is waiting for me.

  I love my team here in Cunningham Falls, and I’ve grown and learned so much here, but I’ve hit a wall.

  If I want to progress and climb the ladder, I need to go to a bigger community.

  And Spokane has a good rep, with an excellent chief, and room for advancement.

  It’s the right thing to do for my career.

  “Then why do I feel like I’m going to toss my cookies?” I mutter and scratch my head in frustration.

  Nerves. That’s all it is.

  “It’s time to decorate the tree!” Kelsey dances in the middle of the living room in excitement. “The lights are pretty.”

  “I want to put the star on the top,” Kevin announces.

  “No, I want to,” Kelsey demands.