*****
Roman came home from work exhausted. They had to figure out what he was going to do with his overseas plant. He’d invested way too much money to shutter it, but they might have to at least close it temporarily. Especially since, two of his employees were killed in a roadside bombing attack on their way to work this morning.
Kate was a godsend. He didn’t know what he’d do without her. She’d been standing shoulder to shoulder with him during the crisis. He was going to take a quick shower, grab a bite to eat, and then head back to the office.
However, he didn’t get into the door good before he ran into his sister. The look on her face sent off warning bells.
He spoke as he took off his jacket, “Hey Lisa.”
“You’ve got to do something about Sandy! If you don’t…I will.”
Frustration evident in his voice, “What happened now?”
“I wasn’t here, but she really upset mom. Her blood pressure is through the roof, and you know with her medical condition we can’t have that.”
“Is she alright?”
“She’s resting. You know how that blood pressure medication works. But, seriously, I can’t understand her being so disrespectful. And, to your mother!” Lisa spat out, “Mom said she called her a racist. A racist, Roman!”
“Sandy wouldn’t say anything like that.”
Lisa crossed her arms underneath her breasts, “Oh really? So, mom and me are lying?”
Roman rubbed his forehead, “All I’m saying is I’m sure it’s a big misunderstanding.”
“I don’t know how you can misunderstand the word, racist! I’m going back upstairs to check on mom, but like I said, you need to handle this thing with Sandra, or I will!” Lisa turned in a huff and went back toward her mother’s bedroom.
All Roman could think was that he didn’t need this…not today.
*****
He dragged himself up the stairs not having the energy to deal with this right now. However, he needed to handle the escalating tension between Sandy and his mother and sister.
When Roman entered the bedroom, her back was to him. She was on her laptop sitting on the bed. He knew that she’d heard him come in because he could see her body tense up.
Roman dropped his jacket and briefcase on a chair beside the bed, “Did you really call my mother a racist?”
Sandy slowly turned around while still sitting on the bed, “Your mother said some pretty vulgar things to me…”
He raised his voice, “So you called her a racist?! That’s below the belt. She’s my mother for god’s sake. You need to show her some respect!”
She was seething, “Respect? I’ve shown that woman nothing but respect while she has disrespected me and insulted me at every turn!”
“So…now…she’s that woman? That is MY mother you’re talking about! And, I’ve never seen her disrespect you. I told her and Lisa the day they showed up at my door that I wouldn’t tolerate it. They’ve respected my wishes because they love me regardless of how they feel about you.”
Sandy wanted to scream, “I can’t believe you’re letting them manipulate us like this.”
“I’m letting them manipulate us? Me? You called my mother a racist, but I’m the one who’s being manipulated by them? You were wrong Sandy. And, you need to apologize.”
“What? You’ve got to be kidding me? You don’t even know what actually happened, and I’m not apologizing. Hell will freeze over ten times before I do that!”
Sandy went over to the closet and pulled out an overnight bag. She stalked passed him into their bathroom to get her toothbrush and other toiletries. When she came back, she threw them in the bag.
“You're a bit over dramatic don’t you think?”
She wouldn’t even look at him, she was so furious, “Vicky asked if I would stay overnight and watch her mulatto children while she and Jason go out.”
He flinched, “Mulatto? What the hell?”
“Ask your mother about it. She’s the one who called my godchildren and any potential children we might have that god awful word.” Sandy threw a pair of yoga pants, a t-shirt, socks, some gym shoes, and undergarments into the bag. “I think it’s a good idea to get out of this house to cool off before one of us says something we’ll regret.”
Sandy snatched up her laptop, put it in the bag, threw the strap over her shoulder and left.
Chapter 13
Vicky was rushing, “I’m late. Jason’s going to kill me. He’s meeting me at the hotel since its closer to his office.” Muttering to herself as she turned around the room, “Where’s our overnight bag? I just had it.” She spotted it on the floor next to the desk in the family room, “Oh…there it is. Now, what did I do with my keys?”
Sandy pointed across the room, “Are those your keys next to the lamp on the desk?”
She blew out a loud breath while grabbing her keys, “Yes. I’m losing it. They’re right here.”
“No…you’re just in a hurry and want to make tonight special. No sex for six weeks can make you crazy. And, knowing you and Jason that had to be almost impossible.”
Vicky laughed, “Oh my god when I called to tell him the doctor finally released me Jason was ready to leave work right then and there.”
“I bet.”
“I can’t thank you enough for coming over to watch the kids on such short notice. Jason’s parents, Aunt Shirley and John Lucas are still on vacation together. They were supposed to be back today but extended their trip. Our nanny was going to stay until they got here. But, she had to leave due to some kind of an emergency. As much as we love our nanny, after everything with Angel, you know how I feel about an overnighter. Did you park your car in the garage?”
“Yeah, I don’t blame you. And, yes. I parked in the garage. Because, if I wake up tomorrow, and any of those obnoxious teens down the street has teepee my car like they’ve done to your neighbors, I’m likely to run them over.”
Vicky laughed.
“You’re laughing, but I’m dead serious. Anyway, where will you be staying?”
“I wrote everything about where we’re staying right here along with all the other instructions.” Vicky picked up a large sheet of paper from the desk.
Sandy tried to keep her face blank instead of laughing out loud at the book of instructions. Considering, this was Vicky’s first time leaving the kids since Jay was born, she decided to tease her about it on his fifth birthday. But, for now…she listened intently.
“Let’s see…Angel should be down for the night. Jay was just changed and had his last bottle about an hour ago. There are several pre-made bottles in the refrigerator. There should be plenty until we get home tomorrow.”
While mulling everything over, she spoke mostly to herself, “What am I forgetting?” Nervously, she chewed her bottom lip, “I can’t think of anything else. But please call me if you have any questions. I mean it…anything. Anything at all.”
“I will…promise.” Sandy crossed her heart, “Angel and Jay will be okay. Now, go have an amazing time. And, please don’t make the hotel manager have to call the cops because of all the screaming that will be coming from your room.”
Vicky hugged Sandy one last time before she headed out of the door. She gave her an impish grin, “You might as well get our bail money ready. Anyway…remember call me for anything!”
Once she made it to the garage and into her car, she called Jason to let him know she was on her way.
He answered on the first ring, “I was about to call you. I’m here in this hotel room alone waiting on my sexy wife. Where are you?”
She was pulling out of their garage and heading for the street. “Sorry, I’m late. There was so much to do since our parents extended their vacation. Finding a babysitter on short notice wasn’t easy. I almost thought we were going to have to cancel tonight.”
“No way was that happening.”
Vicky laughed, “Eager aren’t you?”
“Very.”
“I n
eeded to spend some extra time going over everything since this is Sandy’s first time babysitting the kids overnight.”
Jason lay on his back on a luxurious bed in an unbuttoned shirt and slacks. He’d kicked off his shoes but sat up on his elbow when she’d mentioned Sandy. He took a quick look at his watch, “Sandy? What is she doing there? I thought the nanny was going to stay until somebody else arrived at 7 PM?”
“She had some emergency and couldn’t stay until then. So, I called Sandy.”
“It’s just…I’m confused. Did Franklin call to say he couldn’t make it?”
“Franklin? Why would he have called to say anything?”
“My assistant didn’t call to tell you that Franklin was going to stay over to watch the kids tonight? When you called to say mom and dad extended their vacation, and we might have to cancel if we couldn’t find someone we trusted to watch the kids, I called Franklin.”
“I didn’t talk to your assistant today. I was running around so much that it’s possible I could have missed her call or any messages she may have left. So…are you saying that Sandy is at the house to watch the kids, and Franklin is on his way over to watch the kids? Oh…boy. I better call her.”
Jason responded with a devilish grin, “No. Don’t call her. I mean…we’ll call them…just not now. Let’s call them say in a few hours.”
Vicky giggled, “Mmhmm…you are so bad Mr. Rutherford.”
“Just the way you like me.”
*****
Sandy came down the stairs after checking in on Angel and Jay with the baby monitor in her hand. They seemed to be sleeping soundly.
She rubbed the back of her neck as she went into the family room. Unbeknownst to Vicky, staying over tonight was a welcome reprieve from all the tension at home.
Roman’s mother and sister were driving her insane. They did an excellent job of pretending all was well until he wasn’t around. The second he was out of earshot, they were the rudest women she’d ever met.
On a couple of occasions, she had to put them in their place. However, each of them had gone back to Roman telling him versions of the story that in no way resembled the truth. Then, he’d come home, and they’d fight over it. It was really amazing, how in such a short period, the strain that was being put on their relationship because of it. Sandy was sure that…that was exactly what his mother and sister intended.
And, it was more than tiring trying to defend herself all the time. Sandy had no idea when they were leaving, but she was more than ready for them to go. Thank god they lived in another state.
She walked over to close the draperies in the picture window but decided she wanted to see the sun completely set. Instead, she turned the television on for company but kept the volume low.
Curling up on the couch, she pulled out a book called A Storm Is Coming by LaShawn Vasser. She’d been trying to read it over the last couple of weeks but had been too busy. Tonight, she planned to find out what all the fuss was about.
*****
“I don’t understand why you have to stay over?” April was more than a little upset, “I get that King Jason asked you to watch his children but why couldn’t they bring them to your house?”
Franklin pulled up into the circular driveway, “Sweetheart, the baby is only six weeks old. If he were my son, I wouldn’t want to bring him out either if I could help it.”
April pouted, “I still think it’s ridiculous.”
“I promise, I’ll make up for canceling our dinner plans.”
“You better.”
“I will, and I’m here…so I’ll give you call a bit later.”
April’s voice dropped into a sexy whisper, “Please do. You know I can’t sleep until I hear the sound of your voice.”
“Then, I better make sure to call. I promise…I’ll call you.” After she said her goodbyes, he disconnected his phone.
April was pissed. Jason always seemed to come in between whatever they had going on. She’d had her own plans for tonight. As a matter of fact, she’d stopped by the intimate apparel store and picked up a cute new lacy bra and panty set. Spent the last hour taking a hot soak in the bath and had a bottle of wine chilling in the refrigerator.
How was she going to get Franklin to propose if he wouldn’t be there? April got up and stomped passed her closet. Her eyes rested on a black raincoat. Could she do it? No way would Franklin expect her to show up at Jason’s in nothing but a raincoat and her sexiest bra and panties. Could she pull it off? If she wanted to be Mrs. Franklin Roth she’d better try.
*****
Franklin stepped out of the car with his overnight bag. He hadn’t had to use the key to Jason’s house in years, but it was a good thing he still had it. Otherwise, Jason would have had to drive all the way from the office to his condo to drop one off.
Walking up to the house, Franklin didn’t see anyone in the family room just soft lighting as he looked through the large glass windows. He unlocked the door and turned off the alarm once he entered the foyer.
The house was mostly dark except for a dim light on the wall next to the main door and the soft lighting coming from the family room. The nanny must be upstairs with the kids.
Franklin walked down towards the light. As he looked inside, he could see the form of someone laying on the couch.
Sandy was so engrossed in her book that she didn’t hear anyone enter the house and almost jumped out of her skin at the sound of a male voice. Franklin?
“Hello?”
Sitting up quickly with her hand over her heart, she visibly relaxed once she saw that it was him.
“My god…you scared me half to death!”
The one woman who sometimes haunted his dreams was sitting wide-eyed before him, “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He looked around the room to keep from staring, “Where’s the nanny?”
“She had some kind of emergency, so she left. What are you doing here?”
“Jason called earlier today. I guess something happened, and they needed someone to watch Angel and Jay at the last minute.”
Sandy was skeptical, “And he called you?”
Franklin walked fully into the room and dropped his bag on the floor next to the sofa, “Well…yeah. What’s wrong with me?”
“I…I guess nothing. But, do you even like children?”
Shaking his head, “After knowing me all this time there are still a lot of things about me you don’t know. As a matter of fact, I love kids. I could ask you the same question. What exactly are you doing here?”
“Well, Vicky called. She asked if I’d watch the kids too.” Tilting her head, “You don’t think those two are plotting do you?”
He chuckled, “Jason maybe. Vicky definitely not. They probably just got their wires crossed.”
Right on cue, the sound of a baby crying came through the monitor.
Sandy stood up, “He’s probably hungry. It’s been a couple of hours since he had his last bottle. Why don’t you go get him before he wakes Angel and I’ll get his bottle ready?”
“Sounds good. I haven’t seen my little guy in a couple of days. I’ll be right back.”
Chapter 14
By the time Sandy came back from the kitchen, Franklin sat on the sofa holding the baby. The sight of him with Jay did something weird to the pit of her stomach. He’d taken off his suit jacket and rolled up his sleeves. Tenderly, he rubbed Jay’s back. Jay was still crying but not nearly as robust as before.
Her throat felt thick, and she needed to clear it before speaking, “I have his bottle. It’s ready.” Unfortunately, the sound still came out as a croak.
However, Franklin acted as if he’d barely noticed as he reached for the bottle, “I’ll feed this little guy.”
Sandy held the bottle out to him. As he took it, their hands touched briefly. It was just a second, but did everything around them stop moving? The crazy energy that seemed always to sizzle just underneath the surface was present no matter how hard they tried to ignore it.
Sandy could use a bottle of wine, but drinking while babysitting probably wasn’t a good idea. Instead, she would settle for some lemonade. “There’s some lemonade in the refrigerator. I’m going to get a glass would you like one?”
Franklin looked up from feeding the baby, “Um…yeah. That would be great actually.”
The sense of peace he felt as he fed Jay was only eclipsed by the intense feelings for Sandy that he’d kept tucked hidden away in the deep recesses of his heart. But, right now…those feelings were threatening to escape.
She still wore the same fragrance. Franklin wasn’t immune to the light smell of jasmine because it had always driven him crazy. It floated throughout the room even after she’d gone to the kitchen. That scent would forever remind him of her. He closed his eyes briefly, recalling the first time he’d held her in his arms and made love.
Sandy’s touch even her voice had always been a lifeline. What he wouldn’t give...No. He couldn’t let his mind go there. It was over. He’d made his decision. At this point, too many people would get hurt. And, Sandy seemed happy. That’s all he ever really wanted was for her to be happy.
How many different ways could Sandy imagine killing Vicky and Jason? She was probably already up to at least ten as she poured lemonade into two glasses. Of all nights to be alone with Franklin, it’s the one night that she and Roman had one of their worst fights.
Sandy tilted her head to the right then the left like a boxer while talking to herself, you’ve got this. It’s no big deal. He’s just a man who put his pants on one leg at a time just like any other man. Oh…and don’t forget Sandra. He dumped YOU! And…you have a guy at home who loves you to pieces. Although, he may be on your last nerve, he still loves you to pieces.
After a couple of deep breaths, she was ready, “Alright. I’m ready. I can do this.” She walked back into the family room. Franklin had Jay over his shoulder patting his back trying to get out a burp.
The Battle Within Page 10