Hutch Nightmare Men

by L. J. Vickery

  “I know.” She squirmed, tugging at her dress and brushing off invisible lint. “I’m just nervous.”

  “Don’t be,” he reassured her. “You’ll love each other.”

  Twenty minutes later, laughing her ass off, she had to agree with Hutch. Lance was not only an upstanding guy, he was a riot. Their time together felt less like an interview and more like friends getting together for some fun.

  He’d hugged her the minute they’d walked in, swinging her around in circles, telling her he was forever in her debt for taking Hutch’s sad, bachelor ass off his hands. He’d proceeded to show her pictures of himself, Hutch and Jim during their college days. Apparently, they’d made a name across campus as the guys who made public spectacles of themselves, performance art at its best.

  By the time they got down to discussing employment, Darby was so relaxed she held nothing back.

  “…, I was unable to continue with college, and even though my resume—if I had one—would be filled with continuous employment, my experience has been nothing you’d consider germane to the publishing industry.”

  Lance stroked his chin. “But if I did offer you a job, which sector would most interest you? I have room for a copy editor, but if you’re more inclined toward working with the public, I always have marketing and sales promotion openings.”

  Having researched the industry many times while dreaming of a better life, she knew what her dream job would be, and asked before she chickened out. “Do you have any call for literary scouts?”

  Hutch looked perplexed. “What’s that?”

  Lance sat up straighter and answered. “It’s someone who reads books…voraciously, and vets them for transition into other countries and languages, as well as movie scripts.” He turned to Darby, looking excited. “We’ve been expanding our international division. If you think you’d like to give it a try… It’s time-intensive.”

  “Seriously? Who wouldn’t?” she exclaimed, then felt her countenance fall. “Except we have a problem. I’ve committed to spending…working Wednesdays with Hutch.”

  “Really? In his office? As a receptionist?”

  She looked to Hutch for guidance and he took over.

  “Not in my office, Lance. At home. You see…”

  Darby sat back as he launched into his implausible story.

  CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

  Darby walked out of the building, her head reeling, and her feet feeling lighter than air. Not only had she been offered a job, starting in two weeks, but she got the okay to read at Hutch’s place on Wednesdays while she kept him safe and undisturbed.

  It had taken a while to convince Lance that Hutch wasn’t crazy. A phone call to Jim had eventually put his doubts to rest before he’d given Darby something else to ponder. He’d suggested that Hutch’s adventure would make one hell of a book…and that she might be just the person to write it. Her imagination had worked overtime ever since.

  “Earth to Darby,” Hutch murmured, so close to her ear she wondered how he’d gotten there.

  She jumped. “Damn, Hutch. Warn a girl before you sneak up on her.”

  He laughed easily. “No sneaking necessary. I approached like a herd of elephants, but you were so far away…” He let the statement linger and she knew he wanted an explanation.

  “I was thinking of the book Lance suggested.”

  “Seriously? I thought your taste ran more to historical fiction than paranormal.”

  “Generally, it does, but think about it, Hutch. It’s a fantastic story. And there’d be no chance of anyone thinking it was real because, well, would you believe in gods and goddesses if you hadn’t seen them with your own eyes?”

  “Most definitely not,” Hutch responded before turning serious. “That particular project will be up to you, but what did you think of the job offer?”

  “You have to ask?” she scoffed, getting into his car. “It’s a dream come true.”

  “Then why didn’t you accept there and then?”

  “You know why.”

  He closed her door and made his way around the car, sliding in.

  “Tell me again.”

  “Because.” She screwed up her face. “Cy has to be dealt with first. Then, even though the salary is very generous, I have to see if I can afford rent in Chicago before I give Arkie notice.”

  She heard him exhale, a frustrating sound. “I’ve told you how I feel, Darby. I love you, and I’d like nothing more than for you to move in with me.”

  She grimaced at his solemn tone. “It’s a wonderful offer, but Hutch, I need to prove I can make it on my own.”

  He shook his head, turning incredulous eyes to hers once he’d melded into traffic. “What, exactly, do you think you’ve been doing for the past thirteen years?”

  “Surviving,” she whispered.

  He had to slam on the brakes. He’d nearly run a red light in response to her words.

  “Really? And you think that makes you different from everybody else?” He shook his head. “The only difference between you and so many others, myself included, is that you’ve been going it alone. I have my family and friends to lean on. Others have colleagues, even pets. Darby, it’s not always about how much you make or how much you accomplish. Sometimes the light in your life is all about sharing.”

  It was Darby’s turn to blink as he resumed their drive. “I never thought about it like that.”

  “Because it’s been a long time since you’ve had somebody who wants to share things with you.” His eyes burned into hers. “If you let me, I’ll be that person.”

  She wrung her hands and gave a nervous laugh. “It’s all pretty sudden, Hutch. But I get it. I know how you feel. Can you give me time?”

  He nodded, pulling into his garage. “I’ve already told you I’ll wait as long as it takes. But do you really want to pay for an apartment while you decide? I have two spare bedrooms. They can both be yours. One to sleep in, the other you can use as an office.”

  Ah, hell no. If she lived with him, she’d be waking up wrapped around him every morning. “If I agree to move in with you, we will not have separate bedrooms. However,” she qualified, “you can’t pressure me into committing to anything long term. I need to come to that decision on my own.”

  A dimple in his cheek showed before he exited the car, and when he came around and opened her door, she was immediately drawn into his arms. “You think you can resist me?” he asked devilishly, nipping at her bottom lip. “If we share a bedroom, I won’t verbally coerce you. I’ll use all my superior, sexual prowess to wear you down.”

  She rubbed languidly up against his body and purred. “I look forward to you trying.”

  He drew back and his eyes widened. “Does that mean you will?” His voice actually cracked. “Move in with me, that is?”

  “Once we have the Cy situation under control, yes.”

  “Yeehaaa!” His exuberant cry echoed throughout the enormous garage as he did a triumphant two-step.

  She grinned after he calmed down. “Counting some chickens, are you?”

  “Yup,” he beamed. “The whole damned bevy, or coop, or whatever you call a bunch of egg-layers.”

  “I believe it’s flock,” she told him as they waved to Harvey on their way by.

  “Leave it to you to know your animals.” His eyes suddenly took on a different glint. “And speaking of animals…we’re allowed to have pets in this building.”

  She’d noticed the occasional small dog in the lobby. “I’ve seen a few.” Her heart started beating faster, almost afraid to contemplate where this was going. “Why?”

  He rolled his tongue around inside his cheek. “I’ve been thinking…now that you’ve consented to be my roommate, we could make it a trio and invite Malarkey to come live with us.”

  It was Darby’s turn to squeal, turning a few heads as they entered the elevator. “Are you serious? Truly?” Her brow scrunched up. “But Hutch, you haven’t even met him yet. And he’s big. And I don’t know how he’ll
behave or how much he sheds—”

  Hutch cut her off. “Does he adore you?”

  She scoffed happily. “Of course he does.”

  “That’s all I have to know.” He grinned. “Since we have that in common, I already love him.”

  “Oh my God!” The happy dance was all hers, now. “Wait ‘til I call Sissy. She’ll freak!”

  The rest of the afternoon was spent talking logistics: timing for giving notice to Arkie and her landlord. How they’d move her stuff, or—as she figured it—fill a dumpster, because most of her things weren’t gently used, they were extremely used.

  She knew she was jumping the gun in case the Cy thing backfired, but she couldn’t help herself. She called Sissy and told her the good news, which was received with joy that the Shephard/Samoyed mix would have a home, and sorrow that Darby would be leaving them.

  Hutch let her know he was serious about turning one of the bedrooms into her office, even though they’d share the master for…sleeping. The few personal items she had stored away in her bedroom closet in Minneapolis, family pictures and trinkets from her childhood, he assured her would be welcome on the empty shelves. She’d cried a little, because she’d never had room to display them before. Every time she took them out and had to put them away, it made her sad. But with Hutch in her life and a new beginning looking more and more hopeful, she felt only love at the thought of being able to gaze upon the faces of her mother and father while she worked.

  Jim had called. He had papers he wanted her to sign, updating the civil suit against the Abernathy’s. He gave her some indication they’d been frugal in their greed, retaining plenty of assets she could tap into if she won. The thought of having her own money, the capacity for independence, was a cherry on top of the utterly fantastic day she’d had. Knowing if things didn’t work out with Hutch she’d be able to take care of herself, was a comfort she could tuck into the back of her mind.

  When she mentioned it, Hutch wasn’t worried. “We’ll get you an advisor so you can invest, or my Dad will help. Or, if you feel uncomfortable because of what happened in the past, we’ll buy you a safe and you can stack it all up and lock it away.”

  Damn. He really did get her.

  By the time he whipped up a meal, and they’d watched a movie, her brain—which had been high on an adrenaline rush all day—crashed. She barely remembered him carrying her into bed, removing her clothes and tucking her in.

  “Good night, Darby. Sweet dreams.”

  “And no nightmares.” She might have yawned.

  He kissed her forehead. “Not unless I’m in them to keep the bogeyman away.”

  CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

  Saturday and the first half of Sunday flew by way too fast, much to Hutch’s dismay. The time he and Darby spent together had been amazing…and they hadn’t really done anything. Oh sure, they hit a few museums, the public library to get her a card, a couple of his favorite restaurants and the bank for cash to entice Cy, but most of the time they simply strolled. Hand and hand, walking through the parks, by the river, up and down random streets, they discovered more and more about each other, reveling in a new degree of closeness, sharing things they’d never told another soul.

  Sunday morning had dawned brightly, the late winter air redolent with a hint of spring as the thermometer reached for sixty degrees. They’d eaten bagels on a sundrenched public bench, sharing flavors of cream cheese…although he wouldn’t reveal that her favorite, strawberry, made him want to gag.

  Later, sitting on a stone wall surrounding a dormant fountain, they’d fed leftovers to the pigeons, and he’d laughed as she attempted to lure them onto her hand.

  The morning had been gloriously simple, yet time passed far too quickly.

  Hutch hesitated to break the spell, but… “It’s time, you know.”

  She sighed. “I know.” Lifting her chin and pointing across the square, she indicated the large clock on the face of a public building. “I’ve been watching the minutes tick by.”

  He decided to go with the positive. “But think. By Tuesday, Cy will be behind bars, and I’ll be back here, counting the days until next weekend when I can help you move.” He stroked her cheek. “You won’t ever have to dread time passing, again. I promise.”

  She elbowed him. “You can’t promise that, Doc. What if something bad happens to you, or you decide you don’t like me and kick me out? Moving in with you is scary as hell, and second thoughts pop up in my head about every thirty seconds.”

  He scoffed. “A delightful, human failing, our cautious brains, but Darby, I’m never kicking you out. And as for something happening to me? I can’t predict the future.” One arm encircled her shoulders. “As human beings we have a choice. Take a chance and enjoy the opportunities that come along, or hide away against the possibility that things will go bad.” He swept the hair back from her face where the warm breeze tossed it around her head in wild curls. “I have you pegged for a carpe diem kind of girl. Am I right?”

  She grew contemplative. “I used to be,” she admitted. “Not so much as an adult, because adventurous prospects haven’t exactly been falling into my lap.”

  “And now?”

  She turned clear, green eyes up to him, inhaling deeply. “Now, I guess I have a choice. Good things are right around the corner, teasing me with possibilities. And I can either hide my head in the sand or grow a pair.”

  He knew she wanted him to chime in with advice, but this was her decision. He waited anxiously for her verdict.

  She finally gave in. “Okay. You win. I’m carpe-ing the diem. Although I’m warning you, this won’t be the last time you have to talk me down.” She narrowed her eyes. “For better, for worse…and for right now, I’m all in.”

  Hutch bit back his cry of delight, and how much he’d cherish hearing those very same words in front of a minister. But before any happily-ever-afters, she had to admit to the love that shone from her face every time she looked at him. That would be impossible pre-Cy’s downfall, but after they were through with the petty tyrant, the gloves were off. He’d use every trick in his psychiatrist battle-box to get Darby to admit the true depth of her feelings.

  She stood abruptly and held out her hand. “You ready to go?”

  He nodded and let her tug him to his feet. “Lead on.”

  Packing took only a few minutes. With luck—and a little divine help—he’d be back in Chicago this time tomorrow, preparing for a new chapter in both their lives, waiting for her to join him. He was excited about the future, and tried to focus on that as they made the trip to his car, loaded it up and headed for the interstate. But try as he might to remain positive, contemplation of what they faced in Minneapolis placed a somber pall over his mood.

  Hutch was stuck in his own head for several hours, disquieted about their plan. Worried he wouldn’t get to Cy before he laid hands on Darby. He stole a glance at his silent companion, and knew she suffered doubts of her own. He wished he could alleviate them, but the unknowns over how Cy would act, dictated the outcome. Their villain might not take the bait at all, in which case they’d have to come up with a new plan…that would take time…which he didn’t have. Hutch had commitments in Chicago. He severely doubted he could convince Darby to come back with him if her problem wasn’t laid to rest, so he’d either have to stay with her, putting off his client load for an indeterminate amount of time, or return without her. Both options were unthinkable.

  He’d seen the error of his ways, and needed to be available for the patients who still believed in him, helping them and the Nightmare Men. But leaving Darby to deal with Cy on her own? That possibility ripped him apart.

  He could enlist Seth’s help and Marduk’s, extracting a promise that the human and god would keep her safe, but not to be there…

  “You’re thinking too hard,” Darby chastised as they left the highway, headed to her apartment.

  He blinked over at her, deliberating for a moment about hiding the truth, but decided she needed t
o hear his uncertainties. “I can’t leave you if we don’t trap Cy tomorrow.”

  She sighed. “You can, and you will. For all we know, it could be months before he makes another move. Or,” she shrugged, “maybe he won’t do anything at all.”

  Hutch shook his head. “You don’t believe that, do you?”

  Her eyes held enormous sadness. “No. If I did, we’d never have left Chicago. If I thought I was safe, I would have quit with a phone call and only come back with you next weekend to pick up my stuff…and our new dog.” She added the last with a tentative grin, clearly hoping it would lighten his mood.

  It didn’t.

  “I feel so conflicted.” He pounded on the steering wheel. There weren’t many instances in his life where he felt the need to do physical damage, but now… He took a deep breath, flexing his fingers on the leather. Save the mood for the bastard threatening his woman.

  “Don’t worry. He’ll bite,” Darby assured him with some force. “He won’t be able to resist your money, or my taunting. I’ll make sure of that.”

  Hutch couldn’t stop his groan. “It’s one of the things that terrifies me. If you antagonize him too much… From everything you’ve told me, he’s an extremely volatile personality. He could snap. Really hurt you before we’re ready.”

  “I’ll be careful. That’s all I can promise.” She reached over and stroked his thigh before withdrawing her hand to point out, “You missed our turn.”

  “I did. On purpose. We’re going to the Churrascaria to pick up food for dinner. I looked in your refrigerator before we left.” He attempted a grin. “It’s not a dealbreaker to our relationship, but I refuse to eat a mustard sandwich.”

  “Seriously? What do you have against mustard?” She entered into the teasing, even though neither of their hearts were in it. “It’s got vitamin C, magnesium, selenium…”

  “Selenium?” He raised his eyebrows. “You made that up. What’s that even good for?”