When she woke again, Callie asked Lauren to explain her rescue. After the story, Callie hugged her tightly. “Thank you for saving me.” As the nurse entered the room, Callie turned to the nurse and laughed. “My veterinarian calved my truck and delivered me.” Callie squeezed Lauren’s hand and smiled at her. “I’m reborn, but thanks for not sticking straw up my nose.”
The nurse donned a polite smile, and Lauren knew the nurse assumed Callie was still disoriented from the hypothermia.
Lauren left Callie to sleep and phoned Val with an update. Then she paced the halls of the hospital as she struggled to control her temper. The woman and child she loved were in danger from creeps and assholes. Maybe this time the police would put an end to the harassment. If they didn’t, she’d find a way. It might cost her job or her license to practice. She didn’t care. For a long time, she’d thought her career was all she needed. What a fool she’d been. She needed friends and family, and most of all, Callie.
Chapter Thirty-four
Two nights after Callie’s truck crashed, Lauren was still staying at Poplarcreek. She’d taken Friday off work and said she would stay all weekend, but she wasn’t going anywhere. She’d be at Poplarcreek every night until Kyle and Heinz were in jail.
After the accident, Callie had called her parents and Martha had offered to come back to Saskatchewan, but Callie had said she was in good hands. Lauren was sleeping in the spare room and looking after Callie and Becky. When they finished dinner, they curled on the couch, Callie in Lauren’s arms and Becky in Callie’s, and watched an animated movie. After Becky went to bed, Callie and Lauren sprawled on the living room couch and watched a lesbian movie.
Lauren caressed Callie’s arm. Callie was doing better. Her movements were still a little slow and stiff, but she no longer lowered herself to a chair as if she were a hundred years old. The large bruises on Callie’s back were deep purple. Miraculously, Callie had escaped serious injury, but her truck was scrap metal. The Thresherton Garage had winched the truck up the hill. Before disposing of the truck, the men had carefully collected the contents of Callie’s purse and delivered it to Poplarcreek.
With a bit of coaching from Mark, and with Becky’s help, Lauren had taken over checking on Callie’s cattle. At least she didn’t have to subject Callie to her cooking. Five families couldn’t have eaten all the food friends and neighbors dropped off. Lauren had repackaged some of the casseroles, labeled them, and wedged them into Callie’s big freezer. She’d grown used to the surprised looks when townsfolk found her at Callie’s house. She was too happy Callie was okay to care if the whole world knew they were together.
Lauren sighed, a deep sigh filled with thoughts of Callie. She tried to tamp down her worry. Kyle had probably tried to kill Callie. Poplarcreek wasn’t worth her life. She longed to protect them, but the itchy scar down the middle of her back was a reminder that she couldn’t even protect herself.
Their goal was to collect evidence against Heinz and Kyle. Since their first visit to the police, she and Callie had reported every incident with the Krugers to the RCMP and Callie had handed over all the letters and emails from Heinz going back to before Christmas. Mitch had even arranged for a recorder to be attached to Callie’s home phone to catch any more phone calls from Heinz.
Lauren dropped a kiss into Callie’s hair. Callie lounged on the couch with her head nestled against Lauren’s shoulder while they watched the movie. When the movie ended, she sat up and stretched. “Thanks. Funny movie. I can’t believe I’ve never seen it. It was sweet.” Callie leaned in for a kiss. “And sexy,” she whispered against Lauren’s lips.
They lingered over the next kiss and as the heat built, Lauren’s head swam. She spoke when she could assemble words into a coherent sentence. “How’re you feeling?”
Callie yawned. “I’m full of yawns. I’ve had a long day of lazing on the couch.”
“Why don’t you relax some more? It’s not like there’s anywhere you need to be.” And if she was right there in Lauren’s arms, she knew Callie was safe.
“Okay.” Callie lay her head in Lauren’s lap. Then Callie kicked off her shoes and brought her long legs onto the couch.
“Here, try this.” Lauren positioned a small throw pillow beneath Callie’s head. She gazed down at the beautiful woman in her lap, amazed that she’d grown so comfortable with the idea of having someone in her life again.
Callie yawned again. “Thanks. I’m too comfortable. I’m liable to fall asleep on you.”
“Go ahead. I love holding you while you sleep. But I can keep you awake, too.” Lauren caressed her cheek and her finger feathered along the line of Callie’s jaw to caress soft lips that parted when touched. Callie’s pink lips, already flushed with blood, became darker. She does blush.
Callie sighed and her eyes fluttered closed.
Lauren smoothed her left hand in lazy circles on Callie’s stomach. Then she slid her left hand under Callie’s sweater and upward to cup Callie’s right breast. Her explorations paused. “You’re not wearing a bra.”
Callie smiled. “I don’t need to. You C-cup women don’t understand, I suppose? And besides I’ve been on the couch all day while you and Becky pampered me.” Callie put her hand on Lauren’s hand and shifted it over her breast. “Don’t stop.”
Lauren smiled as she swept her hand along Callie’s chest, skimming her nipples, teasing them as she brushed past. Under her palm, Callie’s heart raced. Lauren rolled each nipple between her fingers. “Tell me,” she said softly. There was no response. “Tell me, Cals.”
“Tell you what?”
“Are you too sore? Should I stop?” Lauren whispered.
Callie gasped as Lauren pinched her nipple. “Don’t you dare stop.”
“Then tell me what you want. I’ll do anything.”
There was a wicked set to the curve of Callie’s mouth. “Anything?”
Lauren grinned. “Try me.”
“Pull my nipples harder.”
Lauren tugged on each nipple and increased the pressure when Callie moaned. Her right hand continued its gentle exploration, and she traced the edge of Callie’s ear and down her neck to a pounding pulse. Callie turned her head and sucked two of Lauren’s fingers into her mouth. “Oh, Callie.” Lauren gasped in pleasure.
Callie struggled to sit up. “Wait.” Callie crawled off the couch and locked the living room door. It wouldn’t be good to have Becky walking in on them.
Lauren waited in anticipation for her orders. Her skin and lap were cold without Callie’s presence. Callie positioned herself in front of Lauren’s knees. Lauren splayed her hands on Callie’s flaring hips and round ass and drew her close. She lifted Callie’s sweater and planted a series of kisses on her flat stomach. “You’re athlete fit, Cals. I can feel every muscle and you taste like heaven.”
Callie leaned on Lauren’s shoulders and propelled her deeper into the couch. Then she tore off her sweater and straddled Lauren’s lap. Lauren accepted the invitation and kissed the breasts on a level with her mouth. She traced the junction of Callie’s breasts and rib cage with her tongue and licked her nipple. Callie moaned and arched her back. Lauren sucked and nibbled and strove to elicit deeper moans. As she explored Callie’s chest, she clasped Callie’s ass with her hands and squeezed. She rubbed her hands up and down Callie’s thighs. “Let me up for a second.”
Callie blinked, slid off Lauren’s lap, and stood weaving.
Lauren rose to her feet and cupped Callie’s face to kiss her. Then she removed her own sweater and spread it on the couch. She skimmed Callie’s jeans and panties down her legs and maneuvered Callie until she sat on top of the sweater. She kneeled in front of Callie and caressed her trembling thighs. “I’ve been fantasizing about doing this.”
Callie couldn’t speak but bobbed her head and spread her knees.
Lauren slid her arms and shoulders under Callie’s long legs before lowering her mouth to her center. She avoided Callie’s clit so she could delay the orgasm
and have time to explore. She kissed and licked the inside of Callie’s thighs, tracing the delectable flesh from one side to the other. Lauren skimmed her tongue across Callie’s sensitive center as she passed by. Then she blew over where she had licked.
Callie growled in frustration. “Now. Please, baby.”
Lauren ignored the request and continued to tease. So much for doing what she was told. Callie placed a hand at the apex of her legs to circle and rub herself. Lauren kept licking and kissing but watched from the corner of her eye. When Callie’s speed increased, Lauren said, “Stop. That’s my job.” She followed her command by nipping at Callie’s hand with her teeth until Callie removed it. Callie was open wide and exposed. She drank in Callie’s sweet smell and dipped her tongue to flick at her pulsing clit.
Callie’s body jerked once. “More, more.” Callie’s head rolled back and forth where it lay on the couch.
Lauren obliged, licking and sucking harder. Callie’s excitement tightened around the two fingers Lauren slipped inside her. She moved faster and faster with hand and tongue as she sensed Callie’s passion build. Callie stiffened and orgasmed. Soft gasps emerged in time to contractions as Callie held Lauren’s fingers inside.
Lauren slowed, though her fingers remained buried inside as she bestowed a series of small kisses along Callie’s thighs, labia, and stomach. When she sensed Callie relax, she withdrew and rose on her knees to gaze into satisfied blue eyes, hooded by drooping eyelids.
Callie shifted to perch on the edge of the couch and wrapped her arms and legs around Lauren as the soft aftershocks of the orgasm continued.
Lauren held Callie close. “I could do this for a week and never tire of pleasing you.” She enjoyed Callie’s orgasms more when Callie yelled her pleasure, but it wasn’t possible with Becky one floor above them.
Callie peeled off Lauren’s bra and tossed it on the floor. She pushed Lauren back on her heels. Then Callie lowered herself over Lauren’s lap. Lauren took the hint and slid two fingers inside Callie. While Lauren thrust, and rubbed her thumb against Callie’s clit, Callie rode her fingers.
Callie looped her arms around Lauren’s neck and their breasts rubbed together with each thrust. Then Callie pressed down hard and climaxed again, this one stronger than the first. Head thrown back, Callie bit her lip to muffle her scream of satisfaction.
Callie sagged in Lauren’s arms and they rested with their foreheads pressed together. “I hope my legs will hold me.” Callie grabbed Lauren’s hand and struggled to stand. “I’ve got plans for you. I want you upstairs, now.”
“My pleasure.” Lauren followed Callie toward the door. She stopped for a second to scoop their clothes off the floor and hand them to Callie. Then she positioned the screen in front of the glowing embers in the fireplace and accompanied Callie upstairs. They made love again before falling asleep under a thick comforter. They slept naked in each other’s arms, legs entangled, and skin touching everywhere possible.
The next morning, they snuggled in bed. Callie lay with her head on Lauren’s shoulder and caressed Lauren’s hand where it lay on Callie’s chest. “I guess we should get up.”
“When you’re ready,” Lauren said.
There was a quiet knock at the door. “Mommy, may I come in and visit, please?”
“Um no, sorry, honey.” Callie sputtered the sentence. She popped to a seated position and met Lauren’s smile with her own. “How about I get dressed and we make blueberry pancakes? We still have some of the berries Grandma sent us.”
“Yay, pancakes for breakfast. Can I flip them?”
“Yes, honey.” Callie sprang from bed and rummaged in her dresser for clean clothes.
“Do you like blueberry pancakes, too, Lauren?”
Callie whirled, clothing clutched to her chest, and gaped at Lauren.
Lauren mouthed, “Busted.” She smiled and pulled the blanket over her chest, just in case Becky came in. “Yes, thank you, Becky. Yummy.” Becky must have assumed Lauren had spent the night in Callie’s room. Kids were way too smart, sometimes.
“Okay, Lauren and Mommy. I’ll go get dressed.”
Lauren listened to Becky skip along the hall accompanied by Max’s hopping gate.
Callie stroked Lauren’s face. “I love having you here, but I should’ve talked to Becky before you stayed the night with me, when she was home. I don’t want her confused”
With her fingertip, Lauren traced lazy patterns on Callie’s bare back. “She didn’t sound upset.”
“Let’s hope not. I’ll shower, dress, and head downstairs. Join us when you’re ready.”
Eyes wide, Lauren did her best at an innocent expression. “Should I wash your back?”
Callie shot to her feet and waggled her finger at Lauren. “You stay put. If we go in there together, we’ll never get to breakfast.”
Satisfied, Lauren snuggled under the covers while Callie walked down the hall to shower. Life was good. She had slept with Callie in her arms and now there would be a big family breakfast. She was ecstatic, but still scared. She had been here before and lost it all.
* * *
“Those were awesome pancakes, kiddo,” Lauren said as she carried their dirty dishes to the sink.
“You liked the raspberry ones best. You ate four,” Becky said as she helped clear the table.
“Busted. I like blueberry, too. Callie, you stay put and rest. Becky cooked so I’m in charge of dishes.” Lauren hugged Becky and kissed the top of the head. Becky grinned up at her, and Lauren knew she was part of the family. The thought was far less frightening than it had been.
Lauren did the dishes while Callie sipped her coffee. It had been an awesome breakfast and Becky had run upstairs to play afterward. It felt wonderfully domestic and her soul was at ease. Her phone buzzed and she wiped her hands and pulled it from her pocket.
“Do you have to go?” Callie asked.
“No. Ian’s covering for the weekend. That’s Tommy. He wants to see us. What do you think?” Lauren tapped at the phone, disliking the Kruger name on the screen.
“I’m curious about why and I don’t think he’s the problem. I say let him come now, so we can get it over with. But he must come alone.”
“Agreed.” Lauren responded to the text and continued with the dishes. She put on another pot of coffee and sat with Callie to wait. Ten minutes later, a truck arrived followed by a knock on Callie’s door. Lauren gave Callie a reassuring squeeze when she felt her tense and rose to let Tommy in. He kicked off his boots in the mudroom, hesitated in the kitchen doorway and then sat across from Callie at the table.
Tommy sat with his head hanging and didn’t touch the coffee or muffins Lauren placed in front of him. “Tommy? You said you had something to tell us?”
“This has to stop.” Tommy hesitated and then his words poured out. “I can’t be part of this anymore. I know my father and brother have been hassling you, but I don’t want them to go to jail.”
Lauren frowned. “But it’s likely they will, given everything they’re into. And now with Callie’s crash—”
“She would’ve died if you hadn’t found her.” Tommy straightened and his eyes met Lauren’s. “And that’s not right.” He took a deep breath. “It was Kyle and it wasn’t an accident. It was my dad’s idea. If you died the farm would probably be auctioned and then he could get it for almost nothing.” Tommy’s head dropped and his shoulders sagged.
Callie slammed her hand on the table. “I knew it. I saw a black pickup truck.”
Tommy raised his head. “I want my family back, and I want to escape from my father and brother. Will you help me?”
Lauren leaned toward him. “Tell the truth. Tell it to the RCMP or to a lawyer first, but you must tell the truth or Callie and Becky will continue to be in danger. Confessing is the path to peace and your way back to life. Back to your wife and children. Nobody should ever give up on a chance to reunite with their family.” She would’ve crawled through broken glass to reconnect with Sam and Wil
liam.
“I will. I’ll make this right. I’ll go right now.” Tommy wiped the tears from his cheeks. Then he left.
That evening, Tommy phoned Poplarcreek and told Lauren and Callie that he’d gone straight to the RCMP detachment. “I told them I needed to keep my father and brother from hurting anyone. They interviewed me for four hours and I told them everything I knew. They know about the stolen cattle, and I told them about Kyle threatening Lauren that night at PVS, and how my dad wants Callie’s farm at any cost. And I told them how Kyle let Bulldozer go, hoping he’d crush Lauren so she couldn’t tell the police anything else. And how he ran you off the road, Callie. I’m really sorry about all this, you guys. I’ll make sure nothing else happens.”
After answering all their questions, Tommy hung up.
“Wow,” Lauren said. “I can’t believe it’s over.”
“Don’t be too sure. I’ll believe it when Heinz and Kyle are in prison.”
Lauren pulled her close and rested her cheek against Callie’s soft hair. “I’ll feel better when that happens too.” She shifted and kissed Callie gently. “So, what are we going to do when we’re not running from crazy people?”
Callie took her hand and pulled her toward the stairs. “I have some ideas on that.”
Chapter Thirty-five
On Saturday night, Callie dropped Becky and Max at Val’s house. Gwen and Becky were becoming inseparable and she was happy for them. Callie hummed as she drove the short distance from Val’s house to Lauren’s. Mitch had called the day after Tommy’s confession to say that Heinz and Kyle had been arrested, and between Callie and Lauren’s evidence as well as Tommy’s, they wouldn’t be getting out any time soon. The border authorities had tracked down the people Kyle had met with after crossing the border, and it had exposed a drug ring they’d known little about. The laundry list of charges meant neither Kruger would be getting out for a very long time. She shook her head to push the Krugers aside and enjoy her weekend.
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