Clues of the Heart: Baytown Boys Series

by Maryann Jordan

  Sucking in a cleansing breath, Bill continued, “Anyway, it hit me hard and I decided to give the Eastern Shore Mental Health Group a call.” Finally lifting his head to survey the gathering, he concluded, “Should’ve done it sooner. So if me telling you this gets you out to do it too, then I hope it helps.”

  The members were quiet and Gareth remembered reading that those, like him, who served in the mortuary identification section had a high depression rate. Scrubbing his hand over his face, he sighed.

  As the meeting came to a close, he jumped up, ready to head to Finn’s Pub and see her again. It’s only been a couple of hours since I’ve been her, but it feels so much longer. As Gareth parked his SUV down the street and began walking toward Finn’s, he noticed Katelyn’s father standing near the door talking to another man he had seen at the meeting. As he approached, they turned toward him, Katelyn’s father calling out.

  “Gareth, that was a good report about the sports teams,” Eric MacFarlane started. Clearing his throat, he said, “I’d like to introduce you to one of our members...this is David Bayles.”

  Bayles…he must be Philip’s father. Uncertainty fled in the face of the man’s open expression. Shaking his hand, he said, “It’s nice to meet you, sir. I’ve heard wonderful things about your son, Philip. I’m sorry for your loss.”

  Shaking his hand, David said, “Thank you, Gareth. And, please, call me David.”

  As Gareth nodded, he noticed the hesitation in their eyes and cocked his head in silent invitation, girding himself for what might come.

  Rubbing his chin, David said, “Uh…I know this might sound…well, odd.” Then he rushed, “And you don’t have to, but…well, I wondered if you could tell me…” Sighing heavily, he turned his dark grey eyes to Gareth and finally said, “Can you tell me what it was like…at Dover…for those who…”

  Inwardly sighing in relief, he nodded in understanding. Gareth motioned toward the small table and chairs outside the pub and said, “Why don’t we sit, sir?”

  The three men settled into the seats and Gareth leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. “The first thing I can tell you is that the servicemen and women were always treated with the utmost dignity.” His mind slid back to a different time and place, as he continued. “I was struck, the first time I witnessed it, how each fallen servicemember, from the time they arrived until they left Dover to be transported to their place of burial, was so respected—as much as humanly possible.”

  David inhaled a shuddering breath, his voice raspy as he claimed, “No matter how many years have passed, I still feel Philip’s death as though it were now.”

  “I cannot imagine your grief, sir…but know that his treatment was filled with honor. And not just at Dover. From the moment a servicemember falls, they are treated with dignity.”

  “Can you tell me what you did at Dover?” Eric asked.

  “I was assigned to the Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner, involved in some investigating. Officially, I was a medical-legal examiner. I reviewed the circumstances of the death. I worked with the doctors who scientifically identified the decedent and performed an autopsy. Specifically, I would perform fingerprinting, dental analysis, and assist with DNA analyses.”

  David nodded silently, so Gareth took that as permission to continue. “There were changes made about the time I came in…it appears there was mishandling of…remains, and once made public, regulations changed and new military leaders came in. By the time I was assigned there, it was running the way it should have always been run. It was part of my job to do the forensic investigation, so that we knew how each servicemember died and the family could have closure.”

  The slight breeze from the bay swept over the trio sitting at the table, the stars filling the night sky, each to their own memories.

  David finally looked up, holding Gareth’s gaze, with a slight smile on his face. “Thank you so much for telling me this. It does help to know my son was handled so carefully. And it’s my understanding that you are now dating Katelyn?”

  Shifting uncomfortably under both men’s stares, Gareth nodded. “Yes, sir. I…I’m completely aware of her former relationship with your son, Philip. I…well, I care for her greatly and I’m not trying to take away from their past—”

  Raising his hands quickly, David interrupted, “Oh, no, no. Please don’t explain. My wife and I are thrilled that she’s finally found someone to be with.”

  Eric’s eyes twinkled as he leaned back in his chair. “You already know, Katelyn’s mother and I are happy as well.”

  Letting out a deep breath, Gareth allowed a grin to slip out. Not since his father had died had he felt such acceptance from those older than he. “Thank you, both.”

  “Katelyn’s a good girl,” David said. “She’ll always be special to my wife and me.”

  “Sir, I’d never try to take away that relationship,” Gareth assured.

  David nodded in appreciation. “Thank you. I was worried she’d never begin to move forward, but now I feel like you’re the perfect man for her.”

  “Well, then, let’s go inside and share a beer!” Eric said, slapping his hand down on the table. As the three men stood, their metal chairs scraping on the sidewalk, none noticed the pub’s slightly open window.

  Katelyn stood in the pub’s ladies room, her hands on the counter, staring into the mirror before dropping her chin to her heaving chest as she fought to blink back tears. She heard the door open and felt arms encircle her from behind, knowing whom they belonged to. Jillian…of course, Jillian.

  “Hey, sweetie,” Jillian greeted softly from behind, muffled, as her face was pressed against Katelyn’s back. “You okay?”

  Nodding silently, Katelyn said nothing, not sure she trusted her voice.

  “I saw you at the front window before you rushed in here. And I saw Gareth come in with your dad and Philip’s dad.”

  Nodding again, Katelyn swallowed deeply.

  “Should I be scared for you?” Jillian asked, her words still barely above a whisper.

  This time Katelyn shook her head before lifting it as Jillian slid around to the side, both women staring at each other’s reflection.

  “They were talking about Philip…and Gareth’s time at Dover Air Force Base. And then David told him that he would always think of me as a daughter, but that he was glad that I was moving forward with Gareth.”

  Jillian’s sky-blue eyes peered closely at Katelyn’s darker blue ones and she asked, “Isn’t that a good thing?”

  “Yeah, it is,” Katelyn admitted. “But it also seems very final. You know…like we’re all finally moving ahead, leaving Philip behind.” Sighing, she added, “I’ve held on to a dream for a long time. I never thought I’d love again, but the truth of the matter is that Philip might not have been my forever. I wanted him to be…I thought he would be. But we might not have been able to make our love last in the adult world.”

  She closed her eyes for a moment, swallowing back the lump in her throat. Opening her eyes, she pinned her best friend’s gaze with hers in the mirror. “I’ve fallen for Gareth. Mom and Dad approve of him and seem happy. Hell, even Aiden and Brogan are on board.”

  This time Jillian said nothing, offering a slight smile, her eyes warm and accepting, allowing the distant noise from the pub to fill the space. Katelyn turned on the tap and splashed cold water on her face as Jillian reached over to pluck some paper towels and held them out to her. Invigorated, Katelyn turned to face her oldest friend. “Come on…let’s go back out there. I’m ready to face the crowd…and my future.”

  Grinning, Jillian threw her arms around Katelyn, squeezing her tightly. “I love you, you know.”

  Laughing, Katelyn nodded, squeezing back. “I know.” Pulling away slightly, she added, “And thank you.”

  Arm in arm, the two women walked back into the pub, heading directly for Grant and Gareth, sitting in a booth. Sliding next to their men, Katelyn met Gareth’s worried expression.

&
nbsp; “You okay?” he asked, leaning in to whisper.

  As his breath washed over her ear, she shivered. “Yeah…I’m great. But how about we get out of here.”

  Eyes wide, he grinned as he hip-bumped her out of the booth and grabbed her hand. With a wave to their group of friends, the two left the pub, fingers as well as hearts, linked.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “My place or yours?”

  Giggling, Katelyn replied, “Which is closer?”

  “Mine, but your bed is more comfortable,” Gareth stated, firing up the SUV and pulling onto the road.

  “Then mine it is,” she said, and within two minutes he parked on the street in front of her house. She barely let him put the brake on before she launched herself over the console, claiming his mouth. With her hands clasping his face, she dove in, her tongue immediately tangling with his.

  Breaking apart only long enough for them both to leap from his vehicle, she jumped into his arms. Carrying her to her front door, he felt inside her purse for her keys. Unlocking the door with difficulty, he maneuvered them inside before kicking the door shut.

  Grabbing his stubbled jaws in her hands, she held him in place as her tongue vied for dominance. Sucking on his tongue, she felt his groan rumble through her chest.

  Twisting, Gareth walked forward until coming to the bottom of the stairs with her in his arms. He felt her legs move behind him then heard her shoes land on the floor. Setting her ass on the steps, he pressed her backward as he leaned over her, his body still pressed against hers.

  She released him long enough to slide up two more steps so she had room to unsnap her jeans. His hands replaced hers as he slid the pants down her legs before undoing his as well. Giggling at the sight of him fumbling when he forgot to take his boots off first, she watched as he jumped around, finally disentangling himself from his clothes.

  Her lips were kiss swollen as he leaned over her reclining body once more. She used her hands to scoot up two more stairs, giving her enough room to pull her shirt over her head. His face was at bra level and he leaned in, pulling her bra cups down with his teeth.

  Sucking a nipple in deeply, he grinned as her primed body began to writhe underneath his. “Bed,” she moaned as she twisted and attempted to scramble up the stairs.

  She managed to make it up three steps before he wrapped his arm around her waist, turning and lifting her. Slamming his lips on hers again, he carried her the rest of the way up, he in his boxers and she with her bra hanging off her body.

  They separated for a moment, breaths ragged and chests heaving. He stepped closer, his nimble fingers unsnapping her bra and letting it fall down her arms, her nude body now gloriously displayed.

  He slid his hand from her shoulder down her arm, soothing her skin as he admired her beauty. Her pale skin appeared luminescent in the moonlight streaming through the lace curtains on the windows. Her curves were inviting and his breath caught in his throat that she wanted him.

  Her nipples begged for his mouth and he obliged lifting her breasts to his lips. Her fingers held onto his shoulders, the short nails digging in as his mouth did wondrous things to her breasts. She heard moans, but was uncertain if they came from her or from him.

  Gareth, lost in the feel of her luscious mounds against his face, moved from one breast to the other, deeply sucking, nipping with his teeth before soothing with his tongue.

  Lifting his head, he grinned just before tossing her onto her back on the mattress, following as soon as he rid himself of his boxers. Laughing as the bed bounced, he captured her giggle as he kissed her once more.

  Moving his mouth over hers, he felt her fingers dig into his shoulders as her legs pulled him in. Sliding down her body, the scent of her arousal filled the air, intoxicating him. Lapping her juices as he plunged his tongue inside her warm channel, he knew there was no other woman for him.

  He moved his lips upward to latch onto her clit as he inserted one finger deep inside. Curling it, he found the exact spot that caused her hips to buck off the mattress. Smiling against her folds, he watched as she leaned up on her elbows to watch him, her eyelids half closed in passion.

  “I…I…need…”

  Answering her with another suck on her clit, she flung herself back on the bed, her hips unable to stay still as she pressed them upward against his face. Her core tightened and her breathing became more ragged. Lifting one hand to her breast, he rolled her nipple between his fingers while giving one last tug on her clit. Her senses on overload, she cried out as her orgasm roared through her.

  Quivering, she allowed her body to go along for the ride until the last spasm slowed. Katelyn was aware of the soft mattress underneath her and her legs draped over Gareth’s shoulders as the cool of the room finally penetrated. Lifting her head to peer down at him she saw his slow, easy smile as he licked her juices from his fingers.

  Moving up her body, he kissed his way over her stomach and breasts on his way to her lips. She tasted herself on his tongue—the heady combination of her juices and his own scent leaving her body needing his.

  Lifting an eyebrow at her as she rolled over to straddle his hips, she grinned, sliding down his legs until she was sitting on his ankles. Eyes wide, the idea of her lips around his dick knocked all other thoughts from his mind. She smiled as she leaned her body down further, sliding her full lips around the head of his cock. He groaned as her swirling tongue moved around the sensitive rim.

  Pressing her hand down on his stomach when his hips bucked up, she moved her lips up and down his impressive girth, relishing in the taste of him on her tongue. It had been a long time since she had given head and she worried if she was effective.

  He leaned up, the sight of her mouth sliding up and down his length nearly undoing him. She peered up, his cock sliding from her lips as she asked, “Am I doing this okay?”

  “Oh, hell, babe. If you do it any better, I’m going to blow too soon!”

  She grinned as her lips slid back over his dick, her tongue working its magic. The tightening in his lower back alerted him to the oncoming orgasm, but he wanted to be buried in her again. Lifting her shoulders, he pulled out of her mouth with another groan.

  “I want to be buried deep inside of you when I come,” he growled.

  Flipping her underneath him, he stopped suddenly. Pulling away from her arms as he raised up, he twisted his body, his eyes searching before he realized the condom was in his wallet, which was in his pants, which were at the bottom of the stairs. As he started to climb off the bed, her hands on his stopped him.

  “I’m clean...and I…uh…I’m on birth control.”

  His breath left him in a rush as he grinned at her implication. “I’m clean too. Are you sure this is what you want?” he asked, wanting to feel her with no latex between them, but wanting her to make the final decision.

  Her brilliant smile was his answer as she nodded, lifting her arms up to him. Nervous energy pulsated from him as he realized this was the first time he would ever be bareback during sex. Pushing slowly into her tight warmth, he let out a sigh as his body found its home. Moving deliberately, he refused to give into the desire to rush. Thrusting, first slowly and then faster, he found his pace as his cock dragged along the inside of her sex, the friction causing his arms to quiver as he held himself over her body.

  Katelyn bent her legs, opening herself as wide as she possibly could to accommodate his body as she looped her feet on his muscular ass. His pelvis rubbed against her clit, the shivers it elicited starting from somewhere deep inside and beginning to shoot outwards. The pressure built as she climbed higher and she threw her head back on the mattress, her eyes never leaving his.

  “I’m ready, baby. Are you close?” he panted, using all his control to keep from blowing before she had a chance to come again.

  Still thrusting, he leaned down, taking a taut nipple into his mouth, biting slightly as he tugged on the sensitive flesh. “Come on, baby,” he encouraged. “Let go and come with me.” His or
der was gentle, but the meaning was clear. He was holding on by a thread and wanted her to go with him.

  Whispering his name, her voice hoarse with need, she fell apart, the sparks finally igniting the explosion ripping through her body. He watched as her face tensed with the power of her orgasm, his balls tightening and his own climax roaring through him and into her. His arms quivered as they held him up, the muscles in his neck standing out as he strained before collapsing onto her waiting body.

  His legs quivered with the force of his orgasm, expending all his energy. Pulling out reluctantly, he fell face first to the mattress, arms spread out to the side, breath coming in gasps.

  For a moment they lay, their breaths labored, as the euphoria washed over them. Realizing he weighed her down into the mattress, he rolled to the side, taking her with him, their bodies still crushed together, slick with sweat. Her breasts pressed against his chest, heartbeat to heartbeat.

  “You okay, Katelyn?” he asked.

  Not trusting her voice, she simply nodded. Rolling to the side, he stalked into the bathroom, coming back with a warm, wet cloth. Gently, he cleaned between her legs before taking the cloth back to the bathroom. Sliding back into bed, he rolled her body so that she faced him, her head on his shoulder. Tracing patterns on his chest, he reached up and clasped her fingers in his, over his heart.

  “Do you feel this?” he asked.

  Not sure what he was asking, uncertainty settled in her gaze as she sucked her lips in.