Laughing, Del allowed the taller woman to pull her up and start leading her to the house. “Poor Kasey, I’m not sure she knew quite what she was getting into with that one.”
A Chapter 23 a
Del could not remember a time when she’d laughed so hard in her life. Will had been regaling them stories of his travels across North America, throwing in accents along the way. He was a charming guy and Del could see why the women fell at his feet. Raelin had been quiet, but she had expected that, keeping some form of contact with the witch almost the entire way through dinner.
She’d also been right about Jenny torturing Kasey. While the others hadn’t noticed, Del’s keen eye had noticed the way that Kasey’s eyes would widen slightly every so often, and she could only guess the hand that Jenny had kept in her lap, wasn’t actually in her own lap. Jasper had been watching and laughing along with the rest of them. Overall, it had been a good supper; the steaks had been grilled to perfection and the wine sweet.
She was just turning her attention to ask Raelin something when a trill from a phone sliced through the room that had all three agents and Del reaching for theirs.
Looking at her display Kasey realized it was hers. “It’s mine. I need to take it, I’ll be right back,” she rose from the table and Del could swear she looked relieved for the break from what she assumed were Jenny’s wandering hands.
“Spaulding...you need to come in...there has been a development, and I don’t want you to say anything to anyone right now,” Director Jacob’s voice brooked no argument.
Kasey made sure she was out of earshot before she answered. “What’s going on?”
“I would prefer not to say until you get here. I expect you within forty-five minutes.” And the connection was closed.
Kasey just looked at her phone in confusion for a few minutes before she closed it and returned to the dining room. “Hey guys, hate to be a spoil sport, but that was Director Jacobs. She needs me to go and fill in some forms. She said it couldn’t wait. I shouldn’t be gone too long though.”
Jenny stared at the brunette with worried eyes, afraid that the woman was upset at her for the teasing during dinner and was now making up an excuse to leave. Swallowing hard, she looked down at her plate, and started shredding the napkin in her lap.
Kasey saw the worried look on Jenny’s face and wracked her brain for an excuse to get her alone. “Jenny, can I talk to you for a minute? I just need to clarify some things about your statement so I can fill the paperwork out when I get to Canal City.”
“Uh...sure. Will my room be okay?” The young woman tried not to rush to her feet so she excused herself and headed towards the utility hallway.
“I’m just going to clarify some things with her and then take off. Like I said, should be back in a few hours. Ryerson, you stay here at the house until I get back.” Not able to stand the knowing look she was getting from Del, Kasey took off to join Jenny in her bedroom.
Jenny was in the sitting room, waiting for the Fed to walk in. She was still unsure if Kasey was upset with her for the teasing.
Having closed the door, Kasey looked down at the forlorn girl on the couch. “Hey pretty girl, what’s wrong? I’m not going to be away too long.”
“You’re coming back, right? You’re not upset with me because I was teasing you all through dinner, are you?” She looked up into chocolate eyes with a hopeful look.
“What? No, Jacobs just called me and ordered me to hightail it out there,” she replied, squatting in front of Jenny.
Jenny reached out to let her fingers trace the woman’s strong jaw line. “Would it be all right if I wait up for you?”
“I don’t see why not? Jen, what’s really wrong? You’re never usually this unsure of yourself,” Kasey said, resting her hands on Jenny’s thighs, her thumbs tracing the inseam of her jeans.
Looking down at the hands that were on her thighs, the younger woman whispered, “I’m afraid that maybe I teased you too much during dinner, that I made it too hard for you to behave normally. I didn’t mean to...I just needed to touch you.”
Kasey smiled, reaching around Jenny’s waist to pull her off the couch and onto her lap. “It was fine Jenny. It’s not something I’m used to, but I like having you be playful like that. It makes me feel good to know that you want to touch me, that you need that contact with me. It makes me feel like I’m wanted and needed even if it’s a little frustrating for me,” she chuckled into Jenny’s hair, hugging her close.
Tucking her head into the crook of Kasey’s neck, Jenny sighed in relief, breathing in the scent that was all Spaulding. “So you won’t be gone too long?”
“Not if I can help it. You see, I have this pretty girl I need to get back to and I don’t like to keep her waiting.” The Fed smirked, her fingers tangling in the ends of Jenny’s hair.
“Just kiss me Kasey before I jump you right here,” Jenny pleaded.
Grinning, Kasey pulled the younger woman into a deep kiss, stealing her breath away and swallowing the whimper that Jenny couldn’t hold back.
With Kasey’s lips against hers, Jenny let her hands roam over the Fed’s back, loving the play of muscles under her fingers. Breaking the kiss, she pulled back to gaze at her lover. “Please be careful. I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you.”
“I’ll be okay. Just there and back I promise. Besides, I need to pay you back for all that teasing.” Kasey leaned forward and rubbed her nose against Jenny’s. “So are we okay?”
Bringing a hand around to the front of Kasey’s shirt, Jenny let her fingers slide inside to brush the top of the Fed’s breast. “We will be as soon as you get back.”
Swallowing back the groan that threatened to break free, Kasey took Jenny’s hand and slid it out of her shirt. “You are bad, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. I need to get going now,” she said quietly, not really wanting to leave at all.
Reluctantly rising off Kasey’s lap Jenny backed away and held her hands behind her so that she wouldn’t touch her lover again. “I’ll be right here waiting for you when you get back.”
Kasey offered a smile as she stood and dropped her head down to give Jenny one last kiss before she left. “Stay safe Jenn. I’ll be back soon.”
Turning away, she left the room and poked her head into the kitchen. Seeing only Jasper, Will, and Del, she offered a quick nod. ”I’m off guys; you have my number if anything comes up.”
She left the house and started for the SUV parked in the front yard, packing her files in the back seat.
“Kasey,” Raelin’s voice came out of the darkness.
The woman jumped at the sudden voice and whirled around to see Raelin standing behind her. “Lord, you scared the hell out of me. You make a habit of sneaking up on people like that?” Kasey laughed.
The older woman stepped forward. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. I came to ask you a favor.”
Closing the car door, Kasey gave Raelin her full attention. “Sure Raelin. If it’s something I can do, I’ll try my best.”
Glancing down at the ground, the witch took a deep breath before she looked back up at the Fed. “Things are going to get a bit hairy from here on out and since I promised Delaney that I wouldn’t use magic like I did with Sumners, I won’t be able to protect her. I need you to promise that you will try to protect her...keep her safe.”
“That goes without saying. I’ll have her back, just like I know she’d have mine. I’ll keep her as safe as I can considering the circumstances,” Kasey replied seriously.
“Thank you. Would you mi...would you mind if I blessed you? Give you a protection spell? You mean a lot to Jenny, and every little bit helps,” Raelin quietly asked.
“If you would like. I don’t see how it would hurt anything. Umm, what do I need to do?” the agent asked awkwardly.
Reaching out, the brunette lightly touched the woman above her heart and gasped. “You really love Jenny, don’t you? I wasn’t trying to ‘see’ th
at...it just came through as clear as day.”
“I do, I wasn’t expecting to find someone like her, here of all places. My last few relationships, well they weren’t very healthy and this all happened so fast, I barely had time to think about it. It scares me a lot, that I’ve opened up so quickly, but then she looks at me and it doesn’t matter that it’s only been a few days. Does that make sense?” the agent rambled nervously.
Smiling, Raelin replied, “Both you and Delaney have discovered something that you didn’t know you were looking for, and all of us got lucky. I won’t touch you again, sorry about that.” Closing her eyes, the witch drew a little from the lines and placed what she saw in her mind’s eye as a golden orb around the young woman. Muttering a few words under her breath, she ‘watched’ as the orb throbbed slightly and it contoured itself to agent’s body.
Stepping back, she dropped her hands and let out a cleansing breath. “Thank you.” Reaching into her pocket, she drew out a key. “Here’s a key to the back door. You’ll be able to get in without setting off my alarms. When you get home and send Will to Jasper’s, just say your name and the wards will reset. Drive careful.”
“I don’t feel any different,” Kasey said, holding her hands up and looking at them oddly. She took the key from Raelin’s hand and quickly attached it to her key ring. “I’ll be careful. Tell Jenny I won’t be long.” Tossing a smile Raelin’s way, she jumped into the SUV. Rolling down the window, she poked her head out. “Thanks.” She smiled before she pulled out of the yard and headed for Canal City.
The brunette stood in the dark, watching the taillights of the SUV get smaller and smaller until they disappeared from view, and she was left there alone. Leaning her head back, she looked up at the clear night sky and at the twinkling stars. “Can you see me Momma? I’m sorry if I disappointed you this afternoon. It won’t happen again.” A shooting star blazed across the sky.
“I don’t think she could ever be disappointed in you Darlin’,” Del said quietly, leaning against a post at the top of the porch stairs.
Raelin turned and smiled up at the blonde. “You don’t know that for sure, but thank you for saying so. Did you get enough to eat?”
Del winced a little and put a hand on her tummy. “I had more than enough. I’m surprised you guys don’t have to roll me around after that meal. Everything okay? I felt the pull from the lines.”
“Just put a protection spell on Kasey...things are going to get dicey from here on out and she means a lot to Jenny, so I wanted her to have a little bit of help,” she ran her hands up her arms. “Would you mind if I headed up to bed?”
“Not at all. You want me to run you a tub to soak in before you crawl into bed?” Del asked, watching her witch closely. She could tell that the stress of the day was taking its toll and she wanted to do anything she could to help the brunette relax even a little.
Walking up the steps, she let her hand brush against the blonde’s. “No, you can stay up with Jasper and Will if you want. I’ll just take a soak and go to bed.”
“Do I at least get a kiss goodnight?” Del grinned catching Raelin’s hand as she moved past.
Letting her other hand slide up into silky hair, Raelin stepped against the blonde. “You can have anything that you want,” she murmured against Del’s lips.
“Lucky me,” murmured the blonde before she pressed more firmly against Raelin. She melted into the kiss, taking it in, and memorizing the feel of Raelin so close. Finally, she pulled back enough to look at the witch. “Goodnight Darlin’. I’ll be up as soon as Kasey gets back.”
Slowly the witch walked inside and headed upstairs, passing through the kitchen. “Good night Jasper. Good night Will. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Del watched Raelin head up the stairs to the bedroom, indulging in the view for a few seconds before returning to the kitchen to help with the cleanup. Walking in, she found Jasper and Will laughing over one of Jasper’s tales. “Thanks for helping with the cleanup, guys,” Del said, sinking her hands into the dishwater to get a start on the pile of used dishes.
“Well, we helped make the mess, so we help clean it up,” Jasper stated.
Will agreed, “I come from a big family so I’m used to chipping in where I’m needed. If I didn’t, my momma would tan my hide.”
“Well, at least we know there’s one woman out there who keeps you in line,” Del laughed, rinsing off a plate and flinging some of the suds at the young agent.
“I grew up in a house with five sisters and my parents. Girls I know...most of the time,” the younger man admitted.
“Then you’re doing better than me. I still can’t figure them out half the time, and I am a woman. Thank you for not pushing it with Jenny. Most men wouldn’t be that polite,” Del said gratefully, finishing the last of the dishes.
Drying a plate, Will admitted. “One of my sisters had been in a partnership for the past five years, so I understand how hard it is. I hope that Jenny’s girlfriend treats her right though. She’s a sweet girl.”
“She is, and I don’t think you have to worry about Jenny. Besides, Raelin would have the hide of anyone who hurt Jenny.” Del laughed as she started scrubbing the platter the steaks had been marinated in.
“Well Missy, I think that I’m gonna head on home. It’s getting too late for this old man to be up. Here’s Raelin’s truck keys. I really am sorry about today. I wish that I could have done more to help her.” The retired agent put the keys on the counter, then stuck his hands in his pocket.
“It’s okay Jasper. It could have been a lot worse if you hadn’t been there. They’d find a way to make her life difficult anyway, I think. I wish they would just leave her alone already,” Del snarled, setting a plate in the second sink none to gently.
“I’ll talk with you folks later.” Jasper slapped Will on the back. “Don’t wake me when you come in. Night Missy.”
“Night Jasper. Thanks again.” Del smiled, watching him as he went. “So Will, what made you join the bureau?”
j
“So after we went back over all the notes and evidence, we found out some things that didn’t add up and came up with some rather shocking evidence. I’m sure that you will agree for the need of utmost discretion.” Director Jacobs handed Kasey a file, and then folded her hands on top of the desk and waited.
Kasey’s eyes darted over the paper in front her and once she’d made sense of it, she gaped for a few seconds. “Well fuck me,” she breathed before she scanned them again barely able to believe what she was reading. “Are you sure these sources are reliable? It doesn’t make sense.”
“I personally checked everything twice. So that’s why we’re moving up the timetable. You can inform Ms. Delacroix on the change, but do not tell Agents Wilkins or Ryerson until we arrive at the antique store tomorrow. I have something to take care of first thing in the morning so we should meet there at noon.”
“Uh yes Director. Is there a reason for informing Ms. Delacroix and not Ryerson?” she asked, still trying to make sense of the information she’d read.
“After looking over his personnel file, I discovered that he might have a problem in keeping his mouth shut when he should. He’s a good agent; just needs to learn what he can, or can’t say. Anything else?” The Director picked up a pen and looked over some paperwork.
“Uhh, just one thing. Why was I given lead position on this when I’m only a rookie agent? I’m not complaining. I’m just a little surprised.”
“Because there is no one else. I see a lot of potential in you Spaulding. You were top of your class at the academy, and your research work has been exemplary. I thought I would let you have an investigation and see what you could do. Besides, Ryerson is there if you need him. Now, you prove to me that I wasn’t wrong and we’ll see what we can do about other openings,” the Director said, not looking up from her notes. “Now, you need to get back to the house. Don’t disappoint me.”
“Uh thank you, Ma’am. I won’t disappoint you. I’ll s
ee you at the designated spot tomorrow at noon.” With that Kasey turned and headed out of the makeshift headquarters, all the more anxious to get back to the house.
j
“So Delacroix, it’s your bet. Do you feel lucky?” Will had a pile of toothpicks in front of him and was holding an ace and a king off suit with a jack, ten, and a three showing.
Del sat looking at her own pile of toothpicks and pathetic hand. She had pretty much nothing aside from the two of a kind with the three in her hand and the three showing. She’d been hoping to bluff Ryerson into oblivion, but he was a damned good poker player. Sighing, she tossed her cards. “Fold. Got a whole lot of nothing. Maybe if the dealer knew how to toss some cards around I’d be better off,” she laughed, watching as he grabbed the pile of toothpicks.
“Everyone always blames the dealer.” The young man laughed, picking up the cards. “I just wish that we were playing for money.”
“If we were playing for money I might actually be trying, and then where would you be?” she threw back grinning as he shuffled a new hand.
There was a light tap at the back door before it opened and Kasey walked in. “Hey...I’m back. Hope that you weren’t playing for money with him. He had a reputation with the cards also.”
“Toothpicks, thank God.” Del laughed. “How did you make out?”
Sitting in an empty chair, the agent ran her hands through her hair. “Sumners hadn’t signed the expense reports, and I had to go over them and turn in Jenny’s final report before they shipped Sumners back to DC for an evaluation. Pretty simple.” Turning to Will, she smiled. “I won’t make you stay any longer. Head on back to Jasper’s, and I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Sure thing Spaulding. Call me when you are on your way in,” he picked up his coat and headed for the door, turning to flash a charming grin Del’s way before he left. “Next time we play for real,” he laughed when Del chucked a handful of toothpicks his way.
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