Common Enemy

by Sandra Dailey

  “You’re going to stay in your room for the rest of the day, young lady. Be ready to go to bed as soon as supper is finished.”

  “What happened?” Connor looked Lizzy over for injuries.

  “Mrs. Rogers called me and Mrs. Thornton to pick up our kids. They’d gotten into a fight on the playground. Lizzy was still trying to get at the other kid as we were leaving. She’s out of control. She gave him a bloody lip and refused to apologize.”

  “Lizzy honey, why would you do something like that?” Connor asked.

  “It’s not my fault.” She huffed. “Allen is a big bully. He should have to say he’s sorry.”

  “You mean you got into a fight with a boy? And you gave him a bloody lip?” Connor was having a hard time hiding his smile, but Jordan punched his shoulder and frowned. “What did he do?”

  “He said mean things about you. I told him I love you and he had better take it back. Then he kept saying, monster lover, monster lover, so I smacked him in the mouth.” She folded her arms high over her chest and jutted her bottom lip out again. “I’m not sorry either.”

  “Your mom is right, Lizzy.” Connor’s smile was gone now, but his voice stayed calm and even. “She has to punish you. You were a bully today as much as Allen was. Go up to your room.”

  “I’m sorry, Connor. I didn’t have time to ask her how it started.”

  Jordan looked ready to cry, Lizzy was already crying, and Connor was giving it some consideration. How had an ordinary day gone to shit so quickly?

  “It’s not your fault. It’s not Lizzy or Allen’s fault either. In a way, it’s actually my fault. I’ll figure out a way to fix things. Don’t worry.” Connor walked back to the barn and hammered nails until his arm ached. They were all quiet at the table that evening.

  Lizzy began crying again on her way up the stairs after supper. “This isn’t fair,” she complained to Connor. Mom always says to stick up for what’s right. She didn’t even let me check the mailbox when we got home.”

  “You’re going to have to figure out a way to get your message across without hurting the other person.” Connor carried her the rest of the way. It felt good to have someone stick up for him, even if she was just five-years-old. “And don’t worry about the mail. I’ll check it for you.”

  Connor opened the roadside mailbox to find a large white envelope rolled up inside. He knew right away that it was trouble. He walked into the kitchen where Jordan stood, running dishwater.

  “Jordan, you have a letter from the county courthouse. I think you’d better open it.”

  “It would be just my luck to be called for jury duty a few weeks after moving here.” When she pulled out the notice and unfolded it, her hands started shaking.

  Connor read over her shoulder, Bobby Ray Butler VS Jordan Holbrook Re: Elizabeth Holbrook. He led Jordan to a chair before he finished reading. He paced the kitchen as he flipped through the pages.

  “I’m sorry, Jordan. I should have expected him to try something like this. It just didn’t occur to me that he’d think of it, especially this soon. I didn’t think he’d take any interest anyway, since you haven’t had any contact with him.”

  “What does it mean?” Jordan looked helpless and confused. “I couldn’t even get past his name. What is he trying to do? Can you make heads or tails of it?”

  “He’s suing you for joint custody of Lizzy.”

  “Can he do that? He’s a convict. He’s a violent man.”

  “I know that, but he’s done his time. He’s supposedly a reformed man now. He’s never done anything to hurt Lizzy or any other child.” Connor looked down at the letter to avoid eye contact. “He can try this, but he’ll probably only get visitation.”

  “No. He can’t do this. I won’t ever let him near her. I’ll take her and run if I have to.” The desperation was clear in her voice.

  “If you do that, you’ll only make his chances better. The court would see you as unstable and uncooperative. You’ll have to stay and fight. All the court knows, at this time, is that he is her legal father.”

  “Don’t say that. He’s never even seen her.” Jordan was approaching panic quickly. “I don’t even know how he found out her name.”

  “What does Lizzy know about him?”

  “She doesn’t know anything. She hasn’t ever asked. If she did, I wouldn’t know what to tell her. I figured she could live without a father like I did.”

  “But you had your grandfather.” To hell with the rules. Connor pulled her into a hug. “Didn’t you ever ask about your dad? Didn’t you ever want to know? Don’t you still wonder about him? I think I would.”

  “Yes. I wonder every time I look in the mirror. I guess I was just fooling myself. I’ve been wrong about everything. Now I know Bobby Ray’s out there and I don’t know what to do. He’s mad. He wants to hurt me in the worse possible way. I can’t even think about what he might do to Lizzy.” Tears flowed from her eyes as she sobbed against his chest.

  Connor grabbed her by the shoulders and forced her to look at him. “You’re stronger than this, Jordan. Don’t you dare fall apart on me. You just do exactly as I tell you and we’ll be okay. This is going to take careful planning. Do you trust me? We only have two weeks. Please, tell me you trust me.”

  “I guess I do.” Jordan sniffed. “I don’t know. I haven’t trusted anyone in a long time.”

  “Go upstairs and run a nice warm bubble bath. I’ll be back in a few minutes, I promise.” Connor watched her walk toward the stairs without a word. She was doing as she was told, no question, no argument. She had subconsciously slipped back into the submissive role her ex-husband had taught her.

  After a quick trip to his van, Connor returned with extra clothes and a bottle of whiskey. He set the alarm by the door before he went upstairs with a cup of hot tea. He found Jordan sitting in the tub covered in bubbles.

  “Drink this.” He handed her the mug. She choked a little, as she tasted the unfamiliar burn of whiskey in the tea. She held the mug in both hands sipping while he ran the sudsy sponge over her shoulders and back. Once finished, he wrapped her in a thick bath sheet and carried her to bed. She was nearly asleep. Mental exhaustion could be as taxing as a day of hard labor.

  He pulled a gown over her before tucking her into bed. He couldn’t help just looking at her. She was so beautiful. He couldn’t stand how helpless she seemed. He wanted the strong, funny, passionate Jordan back. The one he’d known before Bobby Ray Butler was released from prison.

  “I’ll be downstairs if you need me.”

  Connor reclined against the headboard in the spare bedroom to think.

  He’s close; he has to be. I could find him and kill him. He would never expect me to be here. He wouldn’t even remember me. I was just one of the many people he victimized.

  I could kill him in so many ways. I don’t care if I go to prison for the rest of my life. I could get my revenge. Jordan and Lizzy would be safe. Jordan could go on with her life. But, what if I fail? Who would look after them then? Would I then be the same to her as that monster? I would never see Lizzy grow up. Even if Jordan never loves me, at least here I would be near her. I could still watch out for her. No, this isn’t about me anymore. I have to help her fight. I have to use the skills I know best.

  Chapter Ten

  Connor woke the next morning to the sound of an alarm clock in another room. He rolled over to find Jordan lying beside him. He’d stayed awake until the early morning hours, and then fell into a deep sleep, too deep apparently. He couldn’t make that mistake again. She had come into the room and slipped into his bed without him knowing. He should have been more alert. If someone snuck up on him now, it could cost him a lot more than a few scars. He’d be risking Jordan and Lizzy.

  She was so beautiful. She smelled so good. He wished they could stay like this all day and just forget their problems. He moved against her to bury his face in the sweet fragrance of her hair. He placed a little kiss on her neck. Her whole body shuddered
and her eyes blinked open. When she recognized him, she smiled and snuggled closer, letting her eyes fall closed again. The sigh she released made his morning erection twitch to seek its favorite spot.

  She rolled over to put her back against his chest. All she wore was a large sleep shirt. He circled her with his arms as he found his way inside her with one smooth push. Her warm dampness was more than he could resist. As he moved slowly in and out, the silky tightness almost drove him wild. One hand messaged her breast as the other found the sensitive bud between her legs. She moved against him in the same rhythm, moaning softly. Her fingers clutched the blanket as her breaths came quicker. Their movements came faster until he couldn’t hold back a moment longer. When Jordan ground herself against him, his climax surged through his veins like a freight train.

  He lay breathlessly with her folded in his arms for a few long minutes. His heart ached to tell her how much he loved her. He had to get her through this mess, and then he had to leave. It was the only fair thing to do, for them both.

  “Jordan, honey,” Connor whispered. “I don’t suppose you’re on the pill are you?”

  “Of course not. I haven’t had sex since before Lizzy was born.”

  “Oh yes you have, unless you have another name for it.” Connor sat up on the edge of the bed. “We must have done it five times the first time, and here we are again.”

  “Why didn’t you do something? I can’t remember everything you know.” She sat up on the opposite side of the bed. “It’s been a long time since I had to worry about that kind of thing.”

  “You took me by surprise. I didn’t have time to prepare.”

  “With all the stress we’ve been under, I’m sure we don’t have anything to worry about.” Jordan caught her lip between her teeth and paused. “I have to get ready for work.”

  “By the way,” Connor said, before she reached the door. “You’re pretty damn amazing for being so out of practice.”

  “Right back at ya, Romeo.” She smiled.

  Their hearts were a little lighter, even though Connor insisted on driving her to work.

  After he dropped Jordan off, he took Lizzy on to Mrs. Rogers’ daycare. The other children stared in silence as he walked her inside. Mrs. Rogers nervously twisted her hands when she saw him approach.

  “Good morning. My name is Connor McCrae.” He shook her hand. “I heard you could use some help keeping these little ruffians in line this morning. I brought a book I thought they’d like to hear.”

  “I think that would be a great idea,” Mrs. Rogers agreed. “Make yourself at home Mr. McCrae.”

  By the end of the morning he’d handed out juice, read two stories, and roughhoused with every boy on the playground. At first, the smaller kids had shied away. But they eventually wanted in on the fun too. He promised to come by again the next week, after the kids had all begged him to stay.

  Lizzy was the envy of her playgroup—Allen Thornton had been properly shown up—and Connor had made a dozen new pint-sized friends.

  “You know, you could handle big people just as easily.” Mrs. Rogers laid out mats for the children’s’ naps. “If you put yourself out for people to get to know, the way you did today, you’d be the most popular guy in town.”

  Connor simply shrugged and waved goodbye.

  After backing out onto the road he pulled out his new cell phone and started the more important work of the day. He knew people in Tampa that would be a big help to him now…if they’d still talk to him.

  ****

  Jordan sat in the break room at lunchtime, stirring a cup of soup and thinking about her morning. She remembered waking up at about three o’clock, sensing him in the house. Jordan was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. She desperately needed Connor’s warmth and strength. She hadn’t planned to have sex with him, but once he’d touched her, she needed him more than breath in her lungs. Jordan hadn’t ever needed anyone like that before and no one else would do. Only Connor could make her feel this way.

  She was getting too attached, too dependent. Connor was a drifter. He’d be moving on, leaving her empty and alone. He’d walk away and never look back. That’s the way he lived his life. Jordan was sad to realize that she would never feel this way about another man for as long as she lived.

  Bobby Ray was out there somewhere. Connor had made it clear he planned to put himself between them. She felt as responsible for his safety now as she did Lizzy’s. Would any of them make it out of this mess in one piece?

  ****

  Bobby Ray stood on the balcony of the small apartment he and Nita had rented with her husband’s money. She still had six thousand dollars, but he’d need to find a job if he was going to make a good show for the court. Besides that, it had been part of the agreement he’d made with the parole board. He’d given them a sad story about how desperate he was to see his only baby girl. The parole people allowed him to transfer down here with tears in their eyes…the suckers. He’d do the same with the judge if Jordan didn’t do what she was told.

  Soon he would have his revenge on the bitch. Once that was done, he planned to leave the country and never come back. He liked the idea of living in Mexico, if all the little senoritas were as friendly as Nita.

  He turned to watch her through the glass door. True to her word, she was more comfortable naked…and she did like it rough. He’d have to lighten up a little on her, if she was going to do him any good with his plans. The bruises and bite marks stood out, even on her dark skin. They wouldn’t make a good impression on polite society, but shit, she was game for anything. She even loved his pictures. Not everyone who’d seen them really appreciated his art. That’s why he’d hidden them for so long. But Nita actually posed for him sometimes. The only thing she had objected to was his heavy leather belt around her neck. That was okay; he’d save that for Jordan.

  He caught a glimpse of his reflection in the glass. Nita had helped him change his image. He looked like a respectable businessman. His jeans and T-shirts had been changed to slacks and light cotton, button down shirts. His dark curly hair had almost touched his shoulders. Now it was clipped to barely more than a shadow. His scruffy beard had been trimmed into a neat goatee. He had a good body. The equipment in the exercise yard had helped him stay in shape.

  He couldn’t wait to see Jordan’s face when he walked into that courtroom.

  He wished he could have seen her face when she received that court notice. He’d let her stew over it for a while before he made contact. He was such a good guy; he was willing to give her some options.

  Chapter Eleven

  Connor pulled away from the bank after dropping Jordan off for work on Friday morning. He’d moved into the house for the duration of the Bobby Ray complication. Every morning he found Jordan curled up in his bed like a scared rabbit. They didn’t talk about it, but they both knew how much trouble could be coming their way.

  Jordan was changing as time drew closer to the court date. She was quiet and sullen. She couldn’t seem to make decisions. She couldn’t focus on the simplest task. Just this morning, he had to choose her breakfast cereal. She would have gone to work without her purse if he hadn’t thought to grab it on his way out. It was a wonder she could dress herself these days.

  He understood that she was under a lot of stress, but she had to pull herself together before the hearing.

  Even Lizzy sensed a problem. When she fell into one of her zombie trances, she tried to draw Jordan out. They were almost in a role reversal with Lizzy taking care of her mother. He’d have to talk to Jordan about this soon.

  Connor’s cell phone vibrated in his pocket. “McCrae here...”

  “I’ve got a list of every visitor and every inside contact the guy had while he was put away. I even have a list of the books he checked out from the prison library.” The familiar gravelly voice didn’t offer a greeting. His old friend John was all business. “This is a really friendly bunch of people. The guards and employees say our boy was a model inmate, but the
other inmates I interviewed don’t agree. They gave me a complete rundown on every move the guy made. Now I’m ready to start looking up his old friends and co-workers. Anything else I can do for you, kid?”

  “You’ve done a great job as usual, John. You always were the best. Get all the background you can for me. Send all you have to the same fax number as before. Okay?”

  “How do you want me to send the tape and photos?”

  “I’ll call you back with an address. I want it overnight. Do you still have enough money?”

  “Caleb says not to let you worry about that. He has it taken care of. He did ask me to have you call him though. He really wants to hear from you.”

  “I know. I will.” Connor rubbed his left cheek. “I’ve got to get through this mess right now.”

  “Okay. I’ll talk to you again soon.”

  “Thanks John, you don’t know how much this means to me.”

  Connor sighed when he pulled into the driveway and looked at the old barn. This had become a bigger job then he’d expected. It was becoming obvious that he needed help to finish, and he had a good idea where to find it.

  That evening Jordan sat in front of her untouched dinner staring into space. She hadn’t said a word since they sat down. Connor had sent Lizzy to her room to get ready for her bath while he cleared the table. He saw that the mail still laid on the counter unopened. His frustration had about reached its peak.

  He threw a spatula into the sink, making a loud crashing sound. He turned when Jordan fell from her chair. She lay on the floor curled into a defensive position with her arms over her head and her eyes closed tightly. He grabbed her arms and pulled her to her feet.

  “Look at me dammit. Do I look anything like him? Why are you doing this to us? You shut down just when we need you. Pull yourself together, Jordan. I can’t help you if you’re like this. If you want to save your daughter, stand up and fight.” Connor hadn’t meant to raise his voice, but if that’s what it took, so be it.