ALittleTasteofHome

by AliyahBurke

  “I’ll warn Ali about it, but since he’s gone now I would just as soon forget it.”

  “We will stay with you until you close.”

  “Y’all are the best.”

  * * * *

  The men stayed with her and walked her back inside after she got her papers. Unknown to her, Gavin had returned earlier to the office and had witnessed the whole thing from across the street. His hand still bled from the broken glass in his hand.

  So angry and scared for her, he could only watch as that man took a swing at her. Gavin was amazed at her defense of herself. Finally the pains of the cut made him realize he was bleeding all over the windowsill, and so he went to clean it up.

  * * * *

  Once inside the restaurant, Sanura called Allison and filled her in on what happened. She made Allison promise to keep all the doors and windows locked until she got home. Then she turned her attention to finishing the paperwork.

  The house was dark when she got back and Sanura found Ali asleep in her bed. With a smile she covered up her friend and sought her own bed.

  Sunday came and Sanura was once again in church. She had done the deliveries to the shelters earlier so she stayed to chat with some of the patrons of the church about the upcoming choir’s performance. Sanura sang alto in the choir. She loved to sing and the choir was the perfect place. The gospel music got the room swaying and dancing.

  * * * *

  While Sanura talked with the deacon of the church, Gavin was involved in a conversation—or interrogation, depending on how one wished to view it—with his mother, who once again had shown up at his condo.

  “Did you hire a housekeeper?”

  “No, Mother. I cleaned it myself.” I’m not telling her Sanura was over here with me.

  “I must say I am impressed. The place looks acceptable. I bet Cathy would like to see it clean like this.” She dropped her gaze to his wrapped hand but didn’t make a mention of it.

  “Mother, I am not interested in Cathy, so don’t even start with me.”

  “Why not? She is everything you need.”

  Gavin’s eyes rolled as he wished for patience. “She has nothing I need or want. I am old enough to find a woman for myself, mother. Let it be.”

  “I need grandbabies. I’m getting old.”

  “By all means, Mother. Let me find a woman for the sole purpose of giving you grandchildren. Who cares if I’ll be happy or not.”

  “No need to be nasty. I get it. I won’t bring it up again. I want you to get that place to cater for me again. Only fifteen people this time. I want it for seven Sundays from now.”

  “What place?” Like he didn’t know.

  “That one you told me about before. Everyone loved it.” She made a gesture like the name wasn’t all that important for her to remember.

  “A Little Taste of Home?”

  “That’s the one.” Her hand waved airily. “That little blonde woman we spoke to was pretty cute.”

  “Mother.” Warning in that one word.

  “I was making an observation.”

  “Besides, they don’t deliver on Sundays, remember.”

  “That is when my party is to be. Why don’t they do it on a Sunday?”

  His mother sounding like a petulant child was not what he wanted to hear. Be patient, you only have one mother. “They deliver food to the local shelters, that’s why.”

  “Humph. I suppose that is a good enough reason. Well, better make it for a Thursday. Eight weeks from now.” She pulled the menu out of her overpriced purse and slapped it down on the clean countertop. “I circled what I want. Take care of it for me.”

  “Why me, Mother? You have plenty of people who can do this for you.”

  “Don’t get smart with me, boy. Just do it.”

  He swallowed his exasperated sigh. Truth be told he was okay doing it, for it gave him more time to be with Sanura. “Yes, ma’am. Tomorrow. I’m meeting Clint today.”

  “Good. He can come to the party as well, since you will be coming.” That statement was issued with a definite challenging glare. “Make it for twenty people and tell them I will pay the same. I have to go.” She turned her face and he dutifully pressed a kiss against her cheek. “Goodbye, son. You know, you could come visit your mother sometime, instead of making her come find you.” That said, she swept out of the room as regally as any queen.

  With a shake of his head he watched her leave. “Goodbye, Mother.” Spending time with his mother always left him feeling like he’d been run over by a speeding train, or was it a herd of elephants? Whichever, he was tired.

  He stayed busy with Clint for the rest of the day. They worked on the blueprints for the Harris account and looked at empty buildings for their new firm. Clint didn’t even ask about his hand; he had started to but the look Gavin gave him stopped the words dead.

  *

  When Monday rolled around, Gavin found himself looking forward to his morning visual fill of Sanura. He, along with Clint, stood in the break room at the normal time. When the smell of fresh muffins and donuts reached him his body began to twinge in expectation.

  The person that walked through the door was not Sanura, however. It was an unknown male. He went about his work quickly and quietly before leaving.

  Gavin looked at Clint, who shrugged his shoulders in confusion. As they got their usual fare, they walked back to Gavin’s office. Once the door shut Clint spoke, “Maybe it is her day off.”

  “I don’t know. But I have to go over there later today anyway. Mother is having another party, which you are invited to, by the way. So that means you have to come help and keep the women away from me she is forever trying to set me up with. She wants Sanura’s place to deliver food, like they did last time.”

  “Lucky for you. You have your mother as an excuse to go see her.”

  “Whatever it takes.” Gavin smiled at the thought of being with her in the backroom. Maybe Allison would leave them alone together.

  Chapter Six

  It was around eleven-thirty when Gavin took lunch. He left the firm and crossed the street to the restaurant. As he entered, he noticed there was an almost strained happiness. The people were still friendly but it was like something was bothering them. He went up to the podium and looked down at the woman there. It was Sherry, he remembered her from before.

  “Good morning, Mr. Rawlins. Would you like a table or booth?”

  “Actually, I needed to talk to the owners about catering another event.” He sent her a smile known to knock the socks of plenty of women. Apparently he hadn’t lost the knack for it, as a blush sprang up in her cheeks.

  “Allison is in the back, if you will follow me.” She turned and led him to the back office. She knocked on the door before she stuck her head in. “Ali, Mr. Rawlins is here about setting up another delivery.”

  “Send him in, Sherry, thanks.” Her voice was all scratchy and hoarse.

  “Go on in, Mr. Rawlins.”

  “Thank you.” He went in and stopped short at the sight before him.

  Allison had teary eyes and a red nose as if she had been crying. A lot. One of her eyes looked bruised like something hit her. There was a wad of tissues in her hand. She stood and he noticed the signs of a pregnancy. Ahhh, must be hormonal, or maybe it was smeared mascara.

  “Please sit down, Mr. Rawlins. I apologize for my lack of professional appearance.”

  He waved it away. “I appreciate you could see me on such short notice. My mother has another party planned for. . .”

  The ring of a telephone broke into his sentence. Allison jumped before she scrambled to answer it, sending papers flying off the desk to lie scattered on the floor. Allison didn’t pay them any mind.

  “Hello? This is her. How is she?” Her voice wavered with emotion as she gripped the receiver with both of her shaking hands. Tears began to fall again, streaking down her face. “Oh, God. A concussion? A mild concussion. Dislocated shoulder. Severe bruising. Oh my God. She what? Tell her I’m fi
ne. All I have is a slight black eye. Tell her she got there in time, she took the brunt of it.”

  What the hell is going on?

  Allison continued talking. “Can I come see her? Keeping her over another night for observation. But, I can see her? I will be right there. Thanks. Take care of her, doc. She’s all the family I have left in the world.” Allison replaced the receiver, totally oblivious to the fact she could hardly see for the tears streaming down her face.

  “Is everything alright? Ms. Drover? Is everything okay?” Gavin got out of his chair and put a hand on her shoulder. The amount of trembling her small frame scared him way more than he would ever want to admit.

  “No. I have to go. I am so sorry; I have to get to the hospital. Sanura needs me. Sanura is in the hospital and she needs me. Have to go now.” She fumbled around before she picked up the keys she sought.

  Sanura. Hospital? What the hell is going on? Did this have to do with what he witnessed Saturday night? “You are in no condition to drive. I’ll take you.”

  Red, puffy eyes looked at him as she nodded. “Okay.” She opened the door and announced to the kitchen she was going to the hospital. Everyone told her to give Mac their love, and as she nodded in response Gavin took a hold of her arm and led her out the back door.

  “Where is your car?”

  “I have Sanura’s Yukon. The black one over there. The bastard slashed my tires.”

  “What happened?” he asked as he helped her into the passenger side of the Yukon.

  “Grady Hospital. Please. As fast as you can.” Allison clutched her shaking hands together in a big fist and began to pray, her low prayer reaching his ears as he drove.

  He acquiesced. Sanura was right; she did have country music on in her vehicle. It was nice, but he scarcely noticed as he wove in and out of the midday traffic.

  At a red light, he grabbed his phone and called his office. “Tell Dorgan I am gone for the day. Emergency. I am not sure when I will be back, give my work to Clint and tell him to call me if he has questions. Thanks, Janice.” Gavin dropped it beside him and gunned the powerful engine once the light turned green.

  He whipped them into the visitor parking and they both hurried to the emergency entrance. Allison was visibly shaken up and he put his arm around her, offering silent support.

  They strode up to the admittance desk. “Where is Sanura McKie?” he demanded.

  The dour-faced woman stared unblinkingly at them. “Only family is allowed to see her.”

  “I’m her sister and this is her . . . her. . .” Allison stumbled over her words.

  “I am her fiancé. Where is she?”

  “Are you Allison?” The nurse questioned.

  “Yes. Where is she?” The blonde stood shaking with silent sobs as she waited for the woman to pass on the information.

  “Room 506. The police are in there and they will want to talk to you.” Allison was already sprinting towards the elevator.

  Once inside she smiled wanly up at Gavin. “Fiancé, huh?”

  “Working on it. But then I suspect you are already aware of that fact.” Until that moment he never really realized how much he meant it—this woman, Sanura, had touched a chord deep within him.

  “Yes I am, Mr. Rawlins. Yes I am.” For a moment, a moment, she sounded happy.

  The elevator stopped and they both jogged off and headed for Room 506. There were police by the door and they made to stop her from entering. Gavin stepped between them. “Let her check on Sanura and then she will answer all your questions.”

  With a quick recognizing glance at the powerful man in an expensive suit, they backed off and let the two worried people enter the room. A doctor was in there, and upon their arrival he stepped back from the bed and approached them. “Don’t stay too long, she needs to rest.”

  “Thank you, Doctor.” Gavin shook his hand as the older man left the room. Then he stood by the door, even though he wanted to run over to the body lying prone and gather her in his arms to cradle her against his chest. This time was for Allison, not him. It was a small room and they wouldn’t be offered privacy, but Gavin couldn’t bring himself to leave.

  “I am so sorry. Sanura, this is all my fault.” Allison’s hands tenderly brushed the face of the woman lying on the crisp hospital sheets. “I brought you your necklace.” Gavin watched her press something into Sanura’s hand.

  “No.” The voice was raspy, as if she had taken a powerful hit to the throat. “I’m sorry. Sorry I didn’t get there sooner. I should have been there. For you…for you and the baby. Should have known he would do something like this.”

  “No, look what he did to you. Why did you do it? It should be me lying there, not you.” Allison began another wave of tears.

  “Had to. You are going to be a mother. I can handle it, I’ve had worse.”

  “Oh, honey. You’re the best. I love you, Sanura. The police are here. I’m sorry, but it was the only way I could get him off you.”

  “I know. I saw them. Maybe they won’t think I did something wrong, this time.” She attempted to laugh, but it didn’t sound much like one. “How are you? Are you okay? Is the baby okay?”

  “Thanks to you. He only got me once, before you were there.”

  Gavin felt unshed tears stinging at the back of his eyes from the thought of someone hurting her like this. As he listened to Sanura and Allison talk, he realized he couldn’t leave her. Ever.

  ♣

  Sunday night, Sanura had closed the restaurant. Allison had gone home earlier. When she finally pulled into the driveway, she heard yelling coming from house. She had jumped out of the vehicle and ran inside in time to see Allison fall to the floor unconscious and Pete lower his meaty fist. He moved over to his ex-wife and drew his foot back to kick her right in the gentle swelling of her abdomen, where the unborn baby sat, helpless.

  Without thinking, Sanura leapt on the drunken man. Pete turned his rage onto her. He was much stronger and proceeded to pummel her with fists and feet. At some point, Allison must have made it to the phone somehow and dialed 911, for Sanura barely remembered seeing the police and paramedics hovering over her.

  ♣

  “Glad you are okay. I’m very tired. Go home and get some sleep. They took him away so he can’t hurt you anymore. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.” Her voice was fading with each word she said.

  “I brought someone with me. I think he wants to say hello.” Allison waved whoever was with her forward.

  Gavin approached the bed. His eyes widened in shock, then narrowed in fury. Sanura knew she was covered in bruises, rendering her almost unrecognizable.

  But she knew him, a glimmer of recognition sparked. “Hey. Do I look that bad? Never mind, I imagine I do. Why are you here?” Sanura would never admit how comforting it was to lay her eyes on him. Her words came through swollen lips almost too slurred to understand, but he did.

  “Missed you this morning. Thought you might be avoiding me.”

  “Never that. Keep an eye on her for me.” Despite her pain, warmth flowed all the way through her body at the idea he missed her.

  “She’ll be fine. I’ll see to it.”

  “Thanks.” Energy spent, she closed her eyes and succumbed to the comforting darkness.

  Every time she opened her eyes he sat in a chair next to the bed. There was an architectural book in his lap but those baby blues of his always seemed to be focused on her.

  His suit was gone and he was clad in black jeans, a white shirt and his cowboy boots. There were tons of flowers in the room. Balloons and other items, like teddy bears and cards.

  Sanura still hurt, but it was tolerable. She struggled to sit up and saw a giant sleeping uncomfortably in the chair next to the bed; Gavin had a small black stuffed panther in his lap. The sun had risen so she knew she had been here for at least one night. Gavin’s feet were stretched out on the foot of her hospital bed, head lolled back and the book had fallen from his fingers. It was her cowboy and he still wore the black je
ans and white shirt.

  She moaned softly as she moved too fast and he came instantly awake. His eyes were sleepy but alert as they ran over her in concern.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Keeping an eye on you.”

  “Why? Am I going somewhere in the hospital?”

  Gavin’s gaze was tender as he looked upon her. “How do you feel?”

  “Like I got run over by a Peterbilt truck.” She smiled countering his fierce frown. “That was a joke, his name was Pete. Oh never mind.”

  “You could have been killed. What were you thinking?”

  “I was thinking of saving my friend and her unborn baby.” Her head began to pound so fiercely, she squinted.

  “Want me to get the doc?”

  “No. I want to go home.”

  “They said you could leave today. Do you want a shower first?”

  “I know I smell funky, but I want to get home. Where is Allison?”

  “Work. I am taking you home.”

  “Don’t you have a job?” Warmed somehow by the thought of him taking her home and yet concerned because of who he was and what he had, so much more than she did.

  “It’ll keep. Come on, sit up.” He helped her and pulled out a clean shirt from a previously unknown about bag. “She sent you clean clothes.”

  “Sweet. Now all I have to do is dress myself.” Sitting up had utterly exhausted her.

  “I can help.”

  “I bet.”

  “Come on. I can call a nurse if you want, but they may think it kind of weird why you wouldn’t let your fiancé help you get dressed.”

  “Fiancé? Why would they think you and I . . .?” A faint blush flew up his cheeks and he suddenly found the contents of her duffle bag to be very interesting. With a feeble shrug of her shoulders she gave in. There wasn’t any extra energy for an argument. “Okay, let’s get this over with.”

  * * * *

  Gavin was thrilled she’d gone along with his suggestion. He wanted to be the one to do it, not have a nurse come in and help.

  As if he were dressing a child, he carefully removed her shirt. Her breasts sat there right before his lecherous eyes. On the side of her left one, over her heart, was a tattoo of a Celtic trinity knot. Swallowing hard, he slipped her clean shirt over her head and gently maneuvered her arms through. The sight of the bruises on her skin made him furious all over again.