by Dianne Miley
“What are you saying?” Brett’s eyebrows kicked up and his mouth fell open. “We got a job in air conditioning?”
“Yes!” Chad pumped a fist in the air.
“No way! NO WAY!”
“Way, man!” Chad slapped his back, football style. “You know Carter Racing out on Route 4?”
“Yeah, I applied for a job there, but they don’t build suspensions, only race engines.”
“Too bad. Big bucks out there. Two million dollar shop...air conditioned.” Chad wagged his eyebrows. “As soon as we finish this job, probably in a week or so, we’re there.”
“Hallelujah!” Brett hooted. “What’s the job?”
“Remodeling. Guess the shop layout isn’t working. The trick is we’ve got to stay out of the way.”
“Hey, cool me off and I can stay out of the way.” Brett grabbed the water jug and dumped it on Chad’s head.
His boss leaned back in the cool water and let it spill down him. “I’d be ticked if that didn’t feel so good.” He wiped his face and grinned. “So what was that for?”
“Why didn’t you tell me about this job before?”
“I wasn’t sure until now. I didn’t want to get your hopes up.” His face got serious. “Hey, what do you know about Carter?”
“Not much.” Brett shrugged. “I guess he’s from over in Riverside and his father’s some wealthy businessman or something. Carter seems like a nice guy. Awesome place. Remarkably clean for an engine shop. Almost makes me wish I’d gone that route instead of suspension engineering.”
“Hmm. That’s a shame.” Chad scratched his head, making his wet hair stick up in all directions. “But you got old man Carter pegged. He owns hotels all along the southern coast. Lives down south most of the year. Max holds down the fort here. I guess he needs space away from dad.”
“Hey, I can relate.”
Chad laughed. “Yeah, but this guy gave Max a trust fund for business ventures. He’s about my age—twenty-seven, twenty-eight—and he has access to millions.” He paused for effect. “Said money’s no object. Just get it done right.”
“Maybe we can milk this job for the rest of the summer,” Brett grinned from ear to ear.
“Hey, hey, don’t be messing with my reputation,” Chad teased. “This job ought to carry us through the season, easy.”
“That’d be awesome.” Brett loved this guy. Too bad he built houses instead of cars. But maybe Carter would come through yet.
****
Laura hit the rewind button as movie credits rolled across the screen of Rachel’s television. Nestled to Brett’s side, she glanced down the hall where her nieces slept quietly. Alone at last. Living with her parents was sure getting old.
“Sorry I have to go,” he apologized. “Chad expects me in early tomorrow.”
“I know.” She nodded. “I hope things work out with Max Carter. Maybe once he gets to know you, he’ll hire you after all.” She thrilled at the thought of him getting a job in Riverside. He’d talked about taking a less desirable job to stay with her, and she wanted to trust him.
“I hope so.” He sounded like he was withholding something.
But he’d done nothing to make her suspicious. Fear of losing her heart was transforming to fear of losing this wonderful man.
“Thanks for helping me baby sit.” She suddenly realized how much it meant to her. “I know it’s not an exciting date.”
He smiled. “Beats spending Friday night watching the fights with my father. We usually end up fighting with each other.”
How did he live like that? Even though her parents sometimes drove her crazy, she knew it was love that made them overprotective. It didn’t seem that Brett’s father loved him at all. She looked into his eyes with compassion.
His fingers touched her neck, and a chill raced down her spine. Her eyes fluttered closed as his hand tangled up in her hair. Pulling close, he kissed her. His warm mouth tasted of salty popcorn and sweet cola as his tongue teased her lips. Her every nerve electrified.
Exhilaration mixed with fear. She hoped one of the girls didn’t wake up and find them making out on the sofa. Risk invigorated her, overriding reason. Her fingers raked through his hair as the kiss grew hungry and intense.
Brett pressed against her, whispering her name. Hot fingers slid over her torso and she sucked in a sharp breath.
Then he pulled away, his eyes wild with passion and his usually perfect hair messy. A flush crept over his cheeks.
“I’d better go,” he said, standing quickly.
She followed him to the door.
He turned to her and ran a hand through his hair. He searched her eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to push you. And I nearly forgot where we were,” he admitted.
“I know. We’d better take it slow.” But she hadn’t wanted him to stop, even if they were on her sister’s sofa.
He moved closer, enfolding her in his arms. “I can’t help touching you.” His earnest eyes locked with hers. “But I want to do things right. I promised myself to wait until marriage.”
Her eyes widened. “Me too. I never thought I’d find a man who agreed with that.”
His lips brushed her mouth, ever so gently. “If I stay, I’m afraid I’ll break that promise.”
She nodded, knowing she’d let him too.
One last kiss had her melting in his arms.
When he withdrew, her overheated body felt cold and alone in the hot night, as if part of her was suddenly gone.
“Good night, Laura.” He touched her cheek and slipped out.
Standing at the screen door, she wrapped her arms tightly around her middle, missing his warmth. She licked her lips, savoring the taste of his kiss. “Good night.”
As he walked down the stone path, she yearned to pull him against her, to mold her lonely body to his. “Brett,” she whispered, touching the door handle. “Please don’t go—”
Out of earshot, he opened his car door with a hesitant wave and a longing smile. The Corvette’s engine roared to life and its headlights backed out the driveway. She pulled vintage lace from the window and watched red taillights trail down the road. She hugged herself, wishing she could have him—right now and forever. Wishing their future wasn’t so uncertain. Wishing, for the moment, that her morals—and his—didn’t prohibit what she wanted so badly.
Two red dots disappeared around a bend in the road. Chasing after him crossed her mind, morals or not. But she was babysitting. Rachel didn’t get off work at the pizza shop until midnight. Of course, she wouldn’t need a second job if it weren’t for Jake’s drunk driving. She should let him rot in jail.
Snapping on the antique floor lamp, Laura wondered how her sister managed so well on a limited budget. With an assortment of hand-me-downs and flea market finds, Rachel had transformed the tiny cottage into a welcoming home with Victorian flair. A refurbished trunk served as a toy box. Used decorating magazines stuffed a wicker basket on the floor, and an old beige shawl graced the back of a chair. Rose-patterned slipcovers and a hand-knitted afghan showed Rachel’s impeccable workmanship.
Flopping onto the overstuffed sofa, Laura flipped through the television channels and became intrigued by an old love story. She sprawled her bare legs and languished for Brett, wishing he’d come back. When she heard the screen door, her heart leapt with joy. She stretched like a sleepy cat and smiled a come-and-get-me grin.
Lilacs For Laura
Lilacs For Laura
Chapter 10—Peppermint and Whiskey
Horror faced her. Jake the Snake slithered toward her with a gleam in his eye. Laura bolted to her feet.
Raising an eyebrow, he whistled low. “Relax, babe. You were lookin’ mighty cozy.” His voice was sultry and thick. Red lips smirked as one muscular arm leaned against the wall.
“Uh, I’d better go,” she said casually, striving to hide her fear. Conviction gripped her about leaving the girls, but he’d never hurt them. Jake posed far more danger to her.
“Don
’t be a tease,” he slurred. Smells of whiskey and cigarettes emanated from him. “Stay and keep me company.”
“No,” she stammered. She wanted to run, but he blocked her exit. Her purse, with her car keys inside, hung on a hook behind him. To deter him, she replied, “Rachel will be home soon.”
“Not for another hour.” He staggered toward her. The sheer size and width of him dwarfed her. She darted away, but he grabbed her arm and she couldn’t pull loose.
“Let go of me!” she demanded between clenched teeth, mindful of his sleeping daughters.
The big lug laughed at her. Outwitting him shouldn’t be too difficult, even on a sober day, but this wasn’t the Jake she knew. He certainly wasn’t the charmer Rachel married.
“What if the girls wake up?” she reasoned.
He stole a glance down the hallway, then looked at the clock. “It’s almost eleven. They’re down for the night.” His face leaned closer. “Come on, baby,” he purred.
“No!” Fury boiled in her, replacing the fear. “You’re drunk, Jake. Now let me go before you do something stupid.” She narrowed her eyes and her nostrils flared.
“Ooooh. I like it when you’re feisty.” Lust and mischief danced in his dark eyes. He grabbed a fistful of her blouse and it tore. He let out a wanton laugh.
Panic seized her. With her free arm, she struck his head as hard as she could.
Jarred, he grasped her flailing arm and dragged her to the sofa. He tossed her down like a rag doll and jumped on top of her as she scrambled to get away, kicking with all her might. Pinning her with the force of his body, he snatched both her arms and held them over her head.
His breath smelled of mints that didn’t mask the whiskey. His shirt reeked of smoke and cheap perfume. He pressed his mouth to hers and his throaty laugh vibrated against her lips.
Peppermint laced with Jack Daniels. Nausea rose to her throat. She clamped her mouth closed and pulled back as far as she could, but he pushed harder, suffocating her.
She twisted and wrangled, but couldn’t get free. The weight of his body, and the clasp on her wrists told her without a doubt that he could manhandle her easily. She was no match for a big drunk with sex on his mind.
Terror welled and thoughts of escape raced through her brain. She spied Rachel’s knitting needles in a basket of yarn beside the sofa. She yanked one arm, but he tightened his grip on both. Pain shot through her wrists and her hands went numb.
He sucked her mouth greedily, and fresh fear rippled through her, sending a quiver down her spine.
Jake moaned. “Yeah, baby, I know you want me.”
His reaction to her shiver turned her body to ice, causing more chills. She shook violently. His eyes burned with passion.
She fought back a sob.
He grasped both her hands in one of his. Through growing fear, she braced herself, ready to make a break. Oh, so briefly, he loosened his hold. Her hands sparked with feeling.
Lightning quick, she jerked one arm free and grabbed a knitting needle. With all the force in her body, she speared the needle into his back.
Jake yelped in pain. Wrenching loose, he scrambled off the sofa with drunken clumsiness. Torment shadowed his eyes.
Laura bolted to her feet, wielding the sharp pink weapon.
“Get out,” she hissed. “Get out now!”
Jake swore, narrowing his eyes. “You’re nothing but a tease. Just like your sister.”
Laura’s insides quaked, but she stood her ground and kept a threatening grip on the knitting needle.
“You need to learn how to treat a man,” he continued, “I’m gonna teach you real soon.”
She advanced on him with the blood-stained needle. Dejection flickered in his gaze. He staggered to the screen door and shoved out. Blood trickled down his white satin shirt as he careened on the step. Laura slammed the door and locked it while he tumbled to the ground, sputtering curses. Swaying to his feet, he looked in the window.
With a voice that sobered up in a hurry, he said, “This isn’t over, Laura.” He swayed to his car and roared out the driveway, backing over the mailbox. Again. He sped off toward Riverside with the tires squealing.
She shook violently. Overcome with fear, she collapsed on Rachel’s sofa and sobbed. She’d never seen Jake that way before. Her sister had married a charming Romeo, but he’d turned into someone Laura didn’t recognize. He’d tried to rape her!
When the clock chimed midnight, she dried her eyes and tucked in the torn bra strap that dangled from one arm. She stuffed her shredded blouse into her purse. In the bathroom, she scrubbed her hands and face, trying to relinquish Jake’s foul smell. With a dab of toothpaste on her finger, she cleaned her lips and mouth.
She found a long-sleeved shirt in Rachel’s closet and pulled it on. It covered the red marks on her wrists. When her sister came home in fifteen minutes, she’d claim to be cold.
Another lie. But the truth would shatter her sister. After tonight, Laura could only imagine how Jake treated her. How long would Rachel endure it?
From now on, she’d insist the girls spend the night at the farmhouse when she babysat. She’d make it out to be something special. They could sleep in their mommy’s old room.
Each lie was another sad attempt to hide her shameful behavior. If she hadn’t been aching for Brett, she would have heard Jake’s car. She could have locked him out before this happened. She was supposed to avoid him not pose for him.
So close to trusting Brett, she’d let her guard down. Shaken, she vowed to never be vulnerable again. Squeezing her eyes closed, she tried to block the memory from her mind. But even her hair smelled of another woman’s perfume. He probably went to find that tramp and have his way with her.
But at least he was away from Laura. For now.
****
Sirens pierced the night. Laura stirred in a fitful sleep. Peppermint and whiskey filled the air. Pressure bore down on her body. Then a blood-dripping needle sliced through her consciousness with frightening clarity. She bolted up in bed.
It wasn’t a dream. No, she was reliving a real-life nightmare. She buried her face in the pillow. The eerie whine drew closer. It neared the house and cut off abruptly.
Laura jumped from her bed and ran to the window. Red and blue lights flashed across her grandmother’s lawn.
“Daddy! Mama! It’s grandma!” She dashed into the hall.
Her parents were already on the stairs. “Throw on some clothes,” John instructed, “and meet us there.”
By the time she raced into the yard, her pale-faced grandmother was buckled to the stretcher and the paramedics were loading her into the ambulance. John climbed in with his mother.
“Follow us,” he said to Emily.
Laura climbed into her mother’s Buick. Emily James never drove at such speeds before. Yet they traveled in slow motion, the fifteen miles to Springfield Hospital stretching on and on.
The silence overwhelmed Laura. “What’s wrong with her?”
Emily shot a glance her way, then resumed a close watch on the bumper in front of them. Blue light slashed across her face, followed by red. “It’s her heart.”
Conversation over. Her mother’s white knuckles gripped the steering wheel. Blue, red, blue. Light shone inside the squad. People moved around, but Laura couldn’t tell what was happening.
At last, streetlights glowed up ahead as they neared the city limits. Air horns blared and the ambulance blew through a red light. To Laura’s amazement, her mother stayed on its tail. They sailed through the city in no time, and barreled into the hospital drive.
As they entered the waiting room, a paramedic barked, “Wait here.” Grandma’s stretcher disappeared behind swinging doors.
“Hurry up and wait,” John grumbled as he thumped into a chair.
Laura wanted to ask what happened in there. What were they doing with her grandma? Was she going to be all right? But her father’s clenched jaw forestalled questions as he stared at the floor. Her mother wru
ng a tissue in her hands, bowed her head, and let tears roll down her cheeks.
No one spoke. Doggone her reserved English heritage! Agitated and antsy, she paced the room. At last she spent her energy and flopped into a chair by the window.
Lavender light filled the sky by the time a doctor approached her father.
“Mr. James?”
“Yes.” John stood at rapt attention. His knee had improved.
“Your mother’s resting quietly now. We’ve done all we can for her.” He described the tests performed and medications administered. “She suffered a massive heart attack,” he explained. “Her heart is weak, and I can’t predict how well she’ll recover. Meanwhile, she needs to rest.”
“Can we see her?”
“Yes. But one at a time, and only for a moment.” The doctor motioned to them. “Come this way to intensive care.”
Laura waited in the hall with each of her parents while the other saw her grandmother. Communication was nil, except for friendly nods from passing nurses.
Emily emerged from the room. “Your turn, Laura.”
Rushing to the bed, Laura was shocked at the change in her grandmother’s face. White and pasty, her skin sunk into her bones and her eyes clouded dimly.
“Laura.” She lifted her fingers.
Laura grasped them gently and fought back tears. “Grandma, it’s gonna be all right.”
“No, honey. It’s my time.”
“Don’t say that,” she whispered, shaking her head.
“Come close.”
Laura bent down to her grandma’s face.
“I know too much. Can’t bear it.”
“I don’t understand, Gram.”
“Visions. Had one tonight.” Her eyes grew sharp and clear.
“I know what he did. He’s going to die,” Kate whispered.
Laura gasped.
Grandma patted her hand and let her head lean over.
“Who Grandma? What did you see?”
Her eyes misted, then closed.
Panicked, Laura felt beneath her nose for breath. The weak but steady breaths deepened as her grandmother drifted to sleep. Reaching for her hand, Laura held it for a long moment.