La Fleur de Love: The Series: Books 1 - 4

by Leger, Lori

  He ended the kiss, leaving her weak-kneed and wanting more. “The radio—Yeah—I’ll—I’ll keep it turned on,” she stammered as Sam touched his forehead to hers.

  He muttered a low curse, before giving her another light kiss on the lips and then backing away from her. “Looks like the radios won’t be the only things turned on tonight.”

  “Looks like it,” she murmured, catching the grin on his face as he turned away from her to walk home.

  Carrie walked into the office the next morning at five minutes to seven. She sniffed appreciatively at the smell of fresh brewed coffee.

  J.C. glanced up from his desk. “Hey, Carrie, did you have a good Christmas?”

  She nodded and set her purse down on her desk. “I did, J.C. I got moved into my new place, so it was busy.”

  J.C. nodded. “You heard from Sam? I wonder what he’s been up to?”

  Carrie remained silent as she walked into the kitchen to pour herself a cup of coffee. J.C. followed closely on her heels.

  “I mean, when the rest of us left here that last day of work, you two were still here. I just thought maybe y’all had a chance to talk.”

  She prepared her cup in silence and took the first swallow before finally turning to face him. “We talked, and—stuff.” She gave him an innocent smile, wondering how long he’d last.

  “What kind of stuff?” The poor man was obviously past the point of simple curiosity.

  Carrie shook her head. “You are so sad. Just spit it out, Nosy Rosy. You know you’re dying to.”

  “Are you two a couple now, or what?”

  She paused briefly before nodding. “We’re a couple.”

  “I knew it,” he exploded. “Even when you were pissed off at him on your second day here, I had a feeling about you two.” He pulled up a chair at the small table in the kitchen. “Tell me.”

  “It’s a long story, J.C. You sure you want to hear it?”

  “It’s just you and me here today. We’ve got all day to talk.” Once she’d filled him in on all the happenings over the holidays, he shook his head in awe. “Sam wasn’t too afraid to leave you alone today?”

  “I asked him to stay home and watch my place instead. My kids are there.”

  “And you have no idea who the guy is?”

  “J.C., I have wracked my brain and I can’t figure it out. Grant says he’s seen that truck somewhere before, so we’re thinking it’s someone in Gardiner or Lake Erin. For the life of me, I can’t imagine who or why. I don’t get it.”

  “Hey, some guys are turned on by scrappy women.”

  “I’m not scrappy,” she insisted.

  He burst into laughter. “Oh, yeah, you are! You put Langley in his place and shoved your ex into a police car. You’re scrappy! Now, as for myself, I like a woman I can control. Someone who says ‘yes sir’ and ‘no sir’, someone who runs my bathwater for me, serves my food to me, and meets my every need,” he droned on.

  Carrie laughed so hard, she choked on her coffee. “Am I going to have to call Tracie over here to kick your ass?” she sputtered.

  J.C. shook his head and chuckled. “I said I like women like that, didn’t say I married one.”

  Carrie smiled at the sight of Toto waiting for her, tail wagging excitedly, as she pulled her car into her driveway later that afternoon. She walked over to the fence to praise him then frowned as she opened the door to the unlocked, empty house. Starting to panic, she reached for the newly-installed telephone, only to have it ring before she got to it.

  Sam’s deep base carried through the lines. “Grant left about an hour ago, but your girls are over here watching TV with Nick.”

  “They left the house unlocked, and I asked them to lock up if they were going to leave for any length of time. They aren’t being pests, are they, Sam?”

  “Nah, I like having them here, but I have to admit, we seem to be getting an unusual amount of company since word got out about those two being in the neighborhood.”

  “Oh, God,” Carrie groaned.

  “Babe. It’s inevitable. There are two of them, and they’re both as pretty as their mama.”

  “Flatterer.” Carrie bit her lower lip in worry. “Just send them home now, please. They need to pick up around here. I’m baking chicken for supper and you and Nick are invited.”

  “Sure, what can I bring?”

  Carrie checked the fridge and made a face. “Ugh, I can’t afford to support their addictions to canned drinks. They’ve cleaned me out already. It takes enough to keep them fed.”

  “Yep, I made a pop run earlier today. We’re a Coke family, but I picked up some DP’s since that’s your kids’ drink of preference. I’ll bring some over.”

  Carrie placed the seasoned pan of chicken, potatoes, and onions in the oven and glanced up as her daughters walked in.

  She pointed to Gretchen. “Just in time to fold some laundry.” She swiveled around to address Lauren. “You can wash the dishes. I believe I asked the two of you not to leave the house unlocked, or in a mess, didn’t I?”

  “Oh, sorry, Mom.” Lauren started to load the dishwasher.

  “Yeah, sorry. Nick and Mr. Sam asked if we wanted to go watch some TV over there, since we don’t have cable,” Gretchen added.

  “Lock up before you leave, that’s all I’m asking. When y’all finish up, I want you to go straighten your rooms.”

  “Okay, Mom,” the twins said, in unison.

  Gretchen turned to her. “Can we watch Oprah when we’re done? It’s supposed to be pretty good today.”

  Carrie couldn’t help but remember how Dave would fuss when he caught her and the girls watching the talk show in the afternoons. He claimed Oprah’s ‘men-hating’ opinions were a bad influence. “We sure can. Nobody’s going to tell us we can’t watch some Oprah, if we want to. New house, new rules, and I make them.”

  Later that evening, Sam and Nick walked into a home filled with the delicious aroma of baked chicken and vegetables.

  Carrie glanced up as she emptied two cans of green beans into a pan of sautéed onions and mushrooms. “Hey, guys.”

  Nick told her hello then met the girls in the living room. As Carrie stood at the stove, Sam walked up behind her and put his hands on her waist to pull her close to him. She leaned her head back against his chest then turned in his arms. “Hmm, I could get used to this set-up,” she murmured against Sam’s neck after a good, long kiss from him.

  “It’s wonderful having you and the kids so close,” he whispered. “You wouldn’t believe how much I missed you today.”

  “I think I would. I missed you, too.”

  He kissed her again. “Mm. Glad to hear it. I’d hate to think I was the only one in such dire need.” He gave her one last peck and back off. “Who was at work today?”

  “Only me and J.C. He said to tell you hello, by the way.”

  She headed to the back porch to tend to Toto. Carrie poured some fresh dog food into his dish, while Sam filled his water bowl. The dog alternated between eating and looking up at his mistress as though he adored her. Carrie knelt down to scratch him behind the ears.

  “That dog sure seems to love you and those kids,” Sam admitted.

  Carrie smiled and gazed into the eyes of her faithful pet. “He’s been in our family for nearly eight years.”

  “That’s a pretty good stretch for a dog.”

  She nodded and gave Toto one last rub behind the ears, then stood up to let him eat.

  After Carrie, Sam, and the kids finished a pleasant meal, interspersed with lively conversation, they watched a couple of one-hour programs on the tube. Nick walked home afterwards, and Carrie stepped out to the porch to talk quietly with Sam for a few minutes.

  “No cigarettes out here tonight?” he asked.

  She sniffed the air. “Nah, that guy won’t bother with me now that I have a dog. You’ll see. I can give you that radio back since my phone is connected.”

  “Hang on to it for a while longer, just until this thin
g is completely settled.”

  She hugged him tightly. “If you insist.”

  “Good night, ma belle fille. I love you.”

  She smiled and touched his face. “I know you do.”

  He smiled as he pulled himself away from her and headed home. She called out to him when he reached the street.

  “Call me later, okay?”

  “Yes, ma’am, I’ll do that. Now go on in and lock those doors, will you?”

  He watched as Carrie stood out there on her porch with Sam, hanging on to him as though he was the last man on earth. He found it increasingly difficult to control his feelings: hatred toward Sam for being where he didn’t belong, and disappointment toward Carrie for allowing Sam’s presence. He breathed a sigh of relief when Sam finally left her, nearly laughed at their requests. A locked door would be about as much help as that phone line would be tonight.

  By nine thirty, Carrie and her girls were showered and in their rooms for the night. Quiet murmurs came from Gretchen’s room as her girls talked and listened to music on a low volume. Carrie picked up her latest read from the nightstand, while she waited for Sam to call. The fast paced, romantic suspense demanded her attention, and after a good half hour of reading, she yawned and checked her alarm clock. “Well, hell Sam,” she muttered, slightly annoyed. “I thought you’d have called by now.”

  She picked up the phone and frowned, as dead silence greeted her from the earpiece. Carrie got up to check the other phones in the house, with the same results. She stood stock-still and felt a moment of panic before remembering the radios. Crawling back into bed, she pulled the radio out of the drawer. When she pressed the button, nothing happened. She took the back off and changed out the batteries with new ones. Still nothing.

  “Dammit!” Trying not to panic, she dropped it on the bed and put her hands to her face. Now what the hell am I going to do?

  She took a deep breath and rechecked the radio to see if she’d inserted the batteries correctly. When she noticed the switch was off, she flipped it on. Her radio emitted a shrill screech, indicating a page. She raised it to her mouth and hit the button. “Sam?”

  “Carrie! I was about to walk over there.” Her own panic was reflected in his voice. “Who’s been on the phone all night long? Over.”

  “Nobody,” she answered. “I’ve been waiting for you to call, and I finally picked it up to call you. All three of my phones are dead. Over.”

  “I’m calling Doug, and I’ll be there in a minute. Hang tight, Babe.”

  Carrie watched Sam’s departure from her window, amazed that the mere sight of him comforted her. She opened up the door for him. “Don’t upset yourself for nothing, Sam. I bet it’s just a short in the wiring or something.”

  He placed his hands on her shoulders. “Carrie, you don’t know how bad I hope you’re right. Where’s that flashlight?”

  By the time she walked out on the porch with it, Doug was also there with his own light. The three of them walked over to the box that fed the phone line into the house. Nothing looked amiss, until Sam reached down and pulled on a wire that came loose much too easily. The two men directed both flashlight beams on the wire and groaned, as Carrie’s breath caught in her chest.

  “That’s a cut,” Doug said.

  “Son of a bitch! That’s all it takes,” Sam said.

  Carrie’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh—God!” She turned to Sam, resisting the urge to vomit. “He did this! He cut the line.”

  Sam leveled a serious gaze on her. “Are your girls sleeping yet?”

  She lifted her gaze to the shadows surrounding them before nodding.

  “I’m getting Nick, Carrie. We’re staying here tonight.”

  She continued to stare blankly into the darkness, her eyes fixed on a particular spot. Then she turned toward the neighbor’s house and gazed at the spot they’d found the first cigarette butt. She pivoted slowly, adjusting her stare in the direction of the intersection where the truck nearly plowed into their children. She jumped back with a sharp gasp as a large hand landed on her shoulder.

  “Carrie, did you hear me?”

  “Wh—What?”

  “I said Nick and I are spending the night here,” Sam repeated.

  Carrie fixed her terrified gaze on him and spoke in a shaky voice. “Okay—I’m—Thank you,” she stammered.

  “We’ll bunk down on the couch and the chair.”

  She turned to walk into the house. “One of you can sleep in Lauren’s bed. When I checked the girls’ phone lines I saw them both asleep in Gretchen’s room. Grant’s futon is available, too.”

  “Doug, can you stay here while I go get Nick and pick up a few things?”

  “Sure thing, do what you have to do.”

  In Sam’s absence, Doug called the police station for some backup, then explained the plan to Carrie. “We’ll keep somebody posted outside for tonight. Between that, and having Sam here, you should feel safe.”

  Carrie put a hand to her belly. “The only thing I feel right now is sick.” She excused herself and went to her medicine cabinet to peruse its contents before popping the top on a liquid antacid. After a couple of good size gulps, she lowered the bottle and shuddered.

  Feeling vulnerable in her pajamas and robe, she retreated into her bedroom to change. She shed her robe and flannel pajama bottoms, and pulled on some faded jeans. Carrie stared at the windows, knowing he couldn’t see from out there. It didn’t stop her from turning her back to the window, just in case. She slipped out of her shirt, shivering as frigid air nipped at bare skin. Carrie rushed putting on her bra, wincing, sucking in, as cold fabric met with warm midsection. She hooked it then pulled the sweater over her head to ward off the chill.

  Carrie looked toward the door, hearing Sam and Nick’s arrival. She threw her pajamas on the chair and stepped into her wool-lined slippers, before turning off the bedroom light to get the boys situated.

  He watched her undress from the comfort of his spot, regretting the all-too-soon end of the free peep show. He mourned the loss as she covered her long legs with denim. But he’d damn near groaned aloud when those full, pale breasts disappeared from his sight. He smiled, thinking of the Special Forces slogan tattooed across his shoulders…so fitting in this situation. De Oppresso Liber…To Liberate the Oppressed. His mouth watered at the thought of liberating that pair of thirty-six D’s.

  This situation was tricky, but as any adrenaline junkie would admit, the bigger the risk, the higher the pleasure factor. Besides, that dog of hers had wounded his pride. Before the night was over, he’d even up the score with that shaggy mutt.

  He settled back into a comfortable position, knowing he’d have to spend the next few hours waiting for his opportunity to watch her. Now that he’d seen a little of what he’d be sampling, would he be able to resist touching her? Time would tell. Should he hold off since Sam and his boy would be spending the night in the same house with her? In his cocoon of darkness, he welcomed the added challenge. If the opportunity presented itself, he’d be more than happy to take care of Sam, as well as the son. For that matter, he could take care of everyone in the house, as well as the cop he heard them say would be posted outside, and all without making a sound. Carrie wouldn’t realize a thing was wrong until morning.

  When Carrie rejoined the others in the living room, Sam watched her try to shake off her obvious uneasiness. He saw her send Nick a look of apology.

  “Sorry about this, buddy.”

  The teenager shrugged. “It’s not a problem.”

  She pointed to a bedroom door. “Somebody can stay in there since the girls both fell asleep in Gretchen’s room.”

  Nick shook his head and laughed. “After griping about how they had to share a bedroom all those years?”

  “That’s my girls,” Carrie said, trying to smile as she gave his shoulder a gentle pat.

  Sam recognized her effort for what it was…effort without success. The smile hadn’t reached her eyes, but he loved her more for
trying.

  He stepped up and spoke quietly to his son. “Nick, you go ahead and take the bed. I’ll be on the sofa.”

  Nick nodded and lifted his hand. “Good night, everybody.” He disappeared into the room and closed the door behind him.

  Doug spoke from the front door. “I’m going on home too.”

  Sam handed him one of the two-way radios. “Carrie has one here, so you hang on to mine. Batteries are fresh, so it’s good for the night.”

  Doug stepped through the door with the radio. “Y’all stay safe.”

  Sam locked the door behind him and faced Carrie, who stood, attempting to ease her tense shoulders and neck by rotating her head in a slow circle. He walked behind her and began to massage her neck. After a few minutes of thorough manipulating, he wrapped his arms around her from behind and held on tight. “Better?”

  “Yeah, thanks.”

  He turned her around, saw tension and fear reflected in her face, and began to massage her tight shoulders. “Try to relax.”

  “I don’t think that’s going to happen tonight.”

  It wasn’t the words, but her tone that worried him. Tight and hard. No trace of the independence she’d worked so hard to achieve. She’d always had to be the one left standing. Not this time, dammit.

  “Let go, Carrie,” he murmured softly into her ear.

  “What?”

  He leaned forward to search her eyes beneath the furrowed brow—eyes shadowed with concern. “I said let go, let me worry about it for a while. Let go.”

  One stubborn shake of her head had him repeating himself. “Go ahead, I’m here. Just this once, let somebody else do the worrying for you.”

  At the first sign of tears, she covered her mouth with one shaking hand. “Come on.” He gave her shoulders a gentle shake. “You’ll feel better for it.”

  Another forceful shake of her head, and she turned to face the wall.

  He placed both hands gently on either side of her shoulders and turned her so she faced him. Felt the steel grip of her hands on his wrists, and watched her squeeze her eyes shut in denial. “I’m here, Baby. I’ll always be.”