by Mimi Barbour
Angie had closed in, but she’d stopped from touching Kayla when she saw the bizarre condition of her friend, the paralysis, the spooky appearance of someone in agony… the white-faced, bulging-eyed shock.
Like a statue, Kayla hadn’t moved, hadn’t spoken. It was as if she’d held her breath and hadn’t let it out. Her gaze fixated on Dylan, who lay spread-eagle on the floor, his hand holding his stomach as if in disbelief.
Charli’s arms gathered her close and were the catalyst to bring the girl back. Sobs broke out, and she wailed so loudly, bumps formed on Charli’s body and her hair stood to attention. Her hold tightened.
Understanding the cry released a lot of the terror the poor girl had suppressed for the last few weeks, she rubbed Kayla’s head, smoothing back her hair, and whispered, “Shush, baby, everything’s going to be okay.”
“C-Charli, is he dead?”
“No. He’s alive. You only gut-shot him, no less than he deserves. He would have killed us all. You know that, right? You saved us by what you did.”
“I thought I’d killed him.”
“No. He’ll live to spend the rest of his life in jail. And we’ll all be witnesses at his trial and get the satisfaction of putting the low-life away.”
Knowing that Charli was who Kayla needed, Angie ran to help the struggling old man get to his feet. “Take my hand, Poppa John.”
“Kiddo, that’s not gonna be enough to get this old body upright again. You’re just a mite; a good puff of wind could blow you over.”
Pretending to be insulted, Angie groused, “Yeah? But I’m a really strong mite. Come on, let me help you.” She put her shoulder under his arm and between the table and her support, John succeeded. The dog watched them carefully, making sure that the girl didn’t upset her idol.
And once John stood steady, she ran to lean against his knee, shivering, whimpering in her joy to see him upright. Slowly, he bent over to pet her, and said. “You’re a good doggie, my girl. It’s Milk Bones for you, as many as you can eat.”
Angie also petted the happy animal and agreed, “First chance I get, I’m buying her a big fat chewie bone and a stuffed play toy. She’s wonderful, Poppa John.”
He hugged Angie to him and added, “No better than my other girls. You are all heroes, especially poor Kayla.” The two joined arms and walked toward where Charli and Kayla were still entwined.
Angie stepped closer to add her support. “You did good, girlfriend.” She tentatively touched Kayla’s back and looked pleased when the girl reached for her hand. “But you said you weren’t going to take one of the guns after you knew I’d snuck into Blake’s stash.”
Kayla’s grin was sickly, but a good start. “See, I’m a liar.” She flipped her hair back over her head in her Kayla way. Then she looked toward where the EMT’s were rushing at Dylan. “But at least I’m not a killer.”
Charli laughed and ruffled her hair before moving to where Bill Newton stood next to his boss. He helped Blake rise after getting the signal and led him to the stack of pillows to use as a leaning post. Bill gave Charli the eagle eye, and in a mock-mad tone, he said, “The boss waved off the paramedics, Agent Madison, he said it’s only a scratch. But the stubborn man needs attention.”
“I’ll make sure he gets it, don’t you worry, Lieutenant.”
“It’s Bill, ma’am. Bill Newton. I’m very pleased to meet you at last.” He held out his hand, and they shook. “It’s a good day when a killer is stopped and heading for prison. Thank you for what you and the girls did.”
“Like they say in the movies, it was all ad lib. Nothing went as planned.”
“You’re right. I’ve never seen anything like what just happened – an academy performance.”
Blake grinned, “Meet my new family.”
Chapter Fifty-five
Later that night, Charli’s gaze passed over her new family gathered in the kitchen, sharing the steaks that John had grilled for them on the barbecue. There’d been a lot of laughter and high jinx, reaction to what they’d all undergone that day.
After they’d released Blake from the hospital due to his insistence, everyone had been taken to the police department where they’d been interrogated – answering pointed questions, each giving their own accounts of what happened.
Since they’d done nothing inappropriate while saving their own lives, their individual statements were taken, and they were all released. Even the dog had come home with them.
At the warehouse and then later at the police station, the canine had freaked when they’d tried to separate her from John’s gentle touch. Because of his persuasion, promising the dog would behave, they’d looked to Blake for approval, and let John keep the animal with him the whole time.
Even at the house, the pooch hadn’t left John’s side. Charli heard her Poppa John’s gentle voice talking to the pet, helping her to relax. The dog allowed the girls near her, but still had a problem with Blake.
Could be his voice had a deep tone like that of a previous owner. No one knew, but her nervous reactions included slinking behind John when Blake entered the room, growling when Blake touched one of the girls and outright snarls when he embraced Charli.
“Jesus, the mutt hates me.” Blake grieved while the others laughed at his fake distress.
“She’ll behave once she settles down. Now that I think of it, she didn’t like Bob, I mean Dylan, or whatever his real name is, much either.” John picked up the contrary animal, and had his face lovingly washed for his trouble. “She put up such a stink at the police station earlier, that twerp, Dudley, had to behave while he had me in that cubicle.”
“Gramps!”
Not in the least sorry, Poppa John winked at the others, adopted a fake pathetic attitude and answered, “I apologize.”
Charli just shook her head, trying to hide the grin.
“You still haven’t told us the dog’s name?” Blake interrupted, saving John from further censure.
“I never heard her referred to with an actual name now that I think about it. Dylan told me the dog had been in the animal shelter when he found her. She’s quite young, not a pup, but not fully grown either; I’d say maybe a year or two old. When we return her, they should be able to tell us.”
Charli rushed to the chair where he sat with the shaking bag of bones on his lap, leaning against his chest. Golden hair with soft curls, her black eyes huge, and a plume of a tail that only tucked under when Blake came near, she wasn’t exactly ugly, just skinny. “That dog’s a star; she saved our lives, Gramps. You really think she’s going back to the pound? She stays with us and will be loved and spoiled until she takes her last breath, right gang?”
The chorus of agreements was varied.
Kayla’s came loud and clear, “Absolutely.”
Angie’s was a little more colorful and so was her face once she realized her words might be controversial. “Fucking A.”
Blake was the last to respond, and got a resounding cheer for his vote. “If she lets me, I’ll be her best friend, since what she did for us makes her ours. She stays. But only on one condition.”
Everyone stopped breathing. He’d gotten their attention, big time.
“Since she’s your star, you have to stay here and look after her, John. Besides, we need your calm, steadiness in our lives. Once I talk Charli into marrying me and we buy a bigger place, we’ll be family. When that happens, we’ll need the ultimate warrior who can keep us all in line.”
Poppa John looked pleased, alarmed and thoughtful all at the same time. She could see multiple thoughts shifting in his head. Earlier statements he’d made came back to her. Old people should live in homes, and let the young ones live their lives unencumbered by the worries of seniors and their problems.
She took his hand, so he’d look into her eyes. “It’s different with us, Popsicle, you know that. We all need you.” Charli petted the furry head gently. “Star needs you.”
“She has her name.” John laughed when the dog added he
r persuasion by jumping up to lick his face, her teary, loving gaze almost as potent as Charli’s. “Please, Gramps—”
“Alright, already. Don’t beg. It would be my pleasure to stay here with you all.” He wiped his eyes with his gnarled fingers, trying to hide the shakes.
Hugs and embraces followed and the uproar didn’t settle down until they returned to their earlier conversation of what had taken place at the police station.
Kayla bragged, “I had Detective Newton—”
“He’s Lieutenant Newton, Kayla.” Blake interrupted.
“Even better. I got the bigshot to interview me.” She beamed at everyone, and they all snickered. “He was really nice. Told me I was brave, and though he didn’t agree with me having taken the firearm, since I’d used it to protect myself and everyone else, there’d be no charges.”
Blake interrupted, “Speaking of taking firearms, how did you two know about my safe and the combination?”
Charli answered before the girls could, “They have a habit of listening at open doorways and heard your code.”
Kayla looked away, her face red. But Angie just grinned.
“Right. I’ll make sure it’s changed.” Blake added, “And close the doors before I reveal any more secrets.”
Kayla started to apologize but stopped when Blake put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close for a hug. “Don’t ever apologize for today, Kayla. You did good, sweetheart, acting at the exact time you were needed.”
“That’s what the lieutenant said. I asked him about being a police officer, how his family felt about him being in danger sometimes, and he mentioned he had a daughter my age who’d asked him repeatedly to teach her how to use a gun, and he’d refused. He hated to think of her even near such a dangerous weapon. After what happened to us, he’s rethinking his decision.”
Blake cut in, “You go to the same school as Lisa, his daughter. She’s a good kid. I’ll introduce you two sometime.”
Charli saw the slight withdrawal from Angie and squeezed Blake’s knee where her hand had been resting while they sat with their chairs as close as possible. Not dumb, he picked up on it and added, “You too, Angie. You’ll like Lisa, she’s quiet and unassuming, but gets top marks in all her classes. Newton is damn proud of her and brags to the point of where I want to shove a roll of toilet paper in his mouth to stop it.”
Laughing and brightening instantly, Angie nodded. Charli had noticed an extreme change in her new ward over the last two days. When she’d arrived with piercings in her eyebrows and multiple ones in her ears and lip, Charli had pretended not to be disturbed by anyone mutilating their body so savagely. Now that they’d been removed, she kind of missed the silver balls she’d previously gotten used to as part of the girl’s identity.
Angie’s hair, washed and tamed from the old style, now lay flat, an ordinary brown and lifeless, giving her the appearance of a stranger. Charli surmised the girl wanted to fit in to some stereotype she’d formed in her head.
They needed to have a talk. She’d soon let the girl know that she’d be loved no matter if she had a silver ring hanging off the end of her chin. If she liked her old image, she needed to keep it or find whatever suited her best.
She watched as Kayla reached over to take Angie’s hand as her way of including her into their plans. As much as her heart went out to Angie’s desperate need for stability, love and reassurance, Kayla had notched her own space in Charli’s heart.
She’d proven to be an anomaly that needed to be researched carefully, with love and attention so the girl would bloom into her potential.
After the police had arrived at the scene earlier, Kayla had refused to let Charli go, as if she needed the reassurance of her arms and her soft voice telling her, “You did good, kiddo. We’re fine, thanks to you. You’re a hero now, baby.”
It wasn’t until she’d whispered the magic words that had Kayla pulling back so she could look into Charli’s face. “I love you, too.” Her response – a confession of such huge proportions that Charli knew she’d never said those words before.
After her grandfather had agreed to be a part of their newly formed family, they’d all joined in to clean up the dinner mess and separated to change into their swimming gear for late night family fun in the pool, a playful time of splashing, racing and diving, a wonderful release to the stress they’d been under.
The stars had provided a surprising light show and the warm evening air carried a lovely breeze that spread the fragrance of the surrounding tropical flowers. It swirled around to add a layer of detail to a night Charli would never forget.
She watched her grandfather swim carefully to the edge of the pool where the gradual stairs and a railing were there to help him get out. He scooped up Star, who’d waited impatiently for him to emerge, and held her close, his hand petting and calming.
Charli joined him there and listened as he spoke low. “It’s been a wonderful night, kiddo, one of the best in a very long time.”
“I’m glad, Popsicle. And I’m thrilled you agreed to stay with us. The girls need you just like I did when you brought me to live with you after Mom and Dad died.”
“You were in so much pain; I wanted you to always know you weren’t alone.”
“You see, you’re a genius, because I never felt that way. And now, Kayla and Angie will have the same good fortune of knowing that they belong because you’ll be there to make sure.”
He squeezed her hand. “For as long as I can stay with you, darling. Just know I’ll try my damnedest not to kick the bucket too soon.”
She giggled, like he wanted her to, but she also understood the warning as his way of reminding her his time with them would be limited. Even more reason not to waste a precious minute.
As she always did, she pushed the thoughts away and leaned her head on his shoulder. “Then we’ll have to love you twice as hard while you’re with us, won’t we?”
They held hands as they sat on the stairs to watch Blake race Kayla and Angie from one end of the pool to the other, beating both, but having to work hard to outperform Kayla with her long legs and strong arms.
When Blake swam to the edge and pulled himself from the pool, his muscles glistening in the patio lights, Charli almost swallowed her tongue. The man’s body exemplified that of a male model in a magazine sold to thrill women and spur on other men to work harder.
Every nerve in her body reacted. Not only for the pleasure she anticipated, but for the sheer need for them to have time alone. Everything had moved so fast, and though it all felt right, there were plans to be discussed and assurances made. And… a long honeymoon to enjoy.
One thing she did acknowledge. Any time she’d imagined joining into a relationship with a man, having a family, she’d had trouble picturing the scene. Everything inside her would scream, are you out of your ever-loving mind? Keep things simple, stupid. Live alone. Be yourself. Keep the doors locked between you and all that pain from the unknown.
Those thoughts were completely overshadowed now by her anticipation of life surrounded by people who loved each other. She couldn’t make it happen fast enough.
Except for one thing… did Blake really know what he was letting himself in for?
Chapter Fifty-six
Everyone else had settled down, the pool party ended, and finally Charli watched as Blake closed the door to their bedroom, shutting out the world.
He swept her into a hug, proving the last little while had been as hard for him as it had for her. “Alone at last! I love our family, but I couldn’t wait to get you to myself.”
“No kidding. The constant looks you were giving me were very revealing. They threatened all kinds of enjoyable compensations that had me on the edge most of the evening.”
She kissed him with all the yearning he’d raised from those long, intent gazes and fleeting touches, the quick hugs and hands caressing her neck and hair. He’d seduced her with his eyes, and she’d loved the growing passion swirling around inside, with
promises of a night to remember.
In seconds, his breathing turned harsh, his hands began exploring and he deepened the kiss.
“Blake, we should discuss details—”
“No talk. I need to be inside you, our bodies joined the same way my heart’s connected to yours. It’s magic, baby. Pure spiritual. I’ve never felt like this before.” As he talked, he helped her lose her swimsuit, and then chucked his own. Lifting her in his arms, her lags wrapped around his waist, arms around his neck, he carried her to the bed and lowered her. Leaning in so she could see his face, he stared into hers and stopped, looking his fill as she watched him memorize her features.
“What?”
“You’re beautiful.”
“Funny thing, I was thinking the same earlier about you.”
He laughed. “Men aren’t beautiful. They’re too mundane and… and well… basic.”
“And idiotic.” She couldn’t believe he had so little conceit. “Anyway, I wasn’t just thinking of your body, silly, although that’s a major turn-on. I was talking about that big old mushy heart you’ve kept hidden from all the other women in your life.”
He appeared befuddled, endearingly so. “Do you realize if it wasn’t for your grandfather, I’d be surrounded again? Even Star’s a female. Thank God for John.” He leaned in for a blistering kiss. Then he threaded his gentle fingers through her curls as he liked to do. “I have no doubt the good Lord will grace us with a family, and just to be persnickety, they’ll be daughters as well.”
She wriggled to remind him of his earlier intentions and grinned when she saw his interest flare.
Interpreting the hint, he slipped inside her and loved her so well that afterwards she lay gasping, sweating and totally drained… fulfilled.
In love.
She lay next to him, listening to his heavy breathing, and knew he’d had the same breathtaking experience that had rocked her world.