Home Again

by Lisa Emme

A pounding on the door startled her. “Allie? Sal? Let me in, goddamn it.”

  “Alright, alright. Hold your horses.” Sal hustled to the door, but instead of Brian, Allie was surprised to see Mike push his way past Sal.

  “Allie! Are you okay?” Mike hurried over and knelt beside her, concern etched on his face. He gave her hand a squeeze and reached up with the other to tentatively brush the hair from her face. He hissed, grimacing when he saw the damage to her face. “Damn it, Allie. Who did this to you?” Anger flared in his eyes.

  “I don’t know. Some guy jumped me in the parking lot.” She frowned, suddenly remembering he was supposed to be home in bed. “What are you doing here? It’s late.”

  “Sal called me.”

  Sal came to a stop in front of her and handed her an ice pack. “Here, put this on your cheek.” Allie took the pack and gingerly placed it against her cheek, hissing as the cold made contact against her abused flesh. Sal held out a second ice pack to Mike. “Here, this one’s for her head.”

  Mike pulled up a chair beside her. “Come here.” He gave her free hand a tug, and then patted his knee.

  “I’m okay,” she protested.

  “I know, but it will make me feel better.” Allie frowned, but shuffled over to sit on his lap. She leaned against his shoulder, holding the icepack to her cheek. Mike held the other pack to her temple, keeping his arms wrapped around her. Allie let herself go limp, relaxing into the shelter of his arms, feeling safe for the first time since waking up in the parking lot. She closed her eyes and inhaled. He smelled like clean laundry and toothpaste.

  “The paramedic just pulled up.” Sal strode to the door and unlocked it, letting the EMT and Brian in.

  The paramedic was a woman Allie didn’t know. She didn’t look the least bit perturbed at having been called out from her bed. The town was so small, emergency services after hours were done on a strictly on-call basis. She would have been paged at home. That was probably why Brian was on the call as well. Being one of the newer members on the police force, he usually got stuck on call, at least that’s what Becky always complained about.

  Allie settled back on her own chair and let the woman get to work. Mike walked over to lean against the bar, where Brian was talking quietly with Sal. After checking out the bump on her head, the paramedic cleaned up the cut on Allie’s cheek. “Any nausea or dizziness?” she asked looking at Allie intently. “Stiff neck?”

  “No. No, none of those.”

  “You sure you don’t want to go to the hospital?”

  “No, really. I’m okay.” At the woman’s smirk, Allie hastily added, “Well, it’s not that bad anyway.”

  The woman shrugged. “Well, your pupils look good, so I don’t think you have a concussion, but you did black out. I’d feel better if you got a scan. This time of night, they’d get you in and out pretty quick.”

  “No, really - ”

  “I’ll drive you,” Mike said at the same time, coming to stand beside her. Allie frowned. He crossed his arms, obviously not planning on taking no for an answer. “Do you really want to risk a complication that could kill you? Do you want Dougie to be an orphan?”

  “That’s fighting dirty.” Allie scowled.

  Mike shrugged. “It’s the truth though.”

  “Fine, fine.” She snatched the requisition form the woman held out. “I’ll go to the hospital.” Allie smiled at her. “Thanks for coming out to help me.”

  “No worries. It’s the job, after all.” She finished packing up her kit then headed out the door.

  After the paramedic was gone, Brian stepped up beside her. “Okay, before you get going to get that head examined, let’s go over things.” Brian pulled out his notepad. “You left the bar around one-thirty?”

  “Yeah, it was about that. I walked to my car and went to unlock it but the key wouldn’t work.”

  “It looks like something has been jammed in the keyhole.”

  “That rat-bastard.” Allie scowled and then winced, putting a hand to her head.

  “So what happened when you couldn’t unlock the door?”

  “I started to turn to go back to the bar, but I saw something out of the corner of my eye. A movement.” Allie frowned. “He was wearing a jean jacket.” She exhaled loudly. “Not that that really helps, given that two-thirds of the town population probably owns a jean jacket.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Just tell me everything you remember, no matter how small the detail.”

  “Okay, I’ll try. So I was turning around when suddenly I was slammed against the car. He grabbed the back of my head so I couldn’t turn it.” Allie hugged herself, suddenly feeling cold. Mike placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I just sort of reacted and kicked out. I was sort of aiming for his knee, but I caught his shin.”

  “Good for you,” Sal grinned.

  “Yeah, except that just pissed him off. That’s when he backhanded me.” She put a hand to her cheek then took another deep breath, trying to steady herself. “He told me to mind my own business or something like that, and then said I should get out of town.”

  “Can you remember what he said exactly?” Brian asked. “Was that how he phrased it? Mind your own business?”

  “No, he said I was sticking my nose where it didn’t belong. Then he said I should go back to the city because I didn’t belong here. He called me a whore and said I was just like my mother.”

  Mike drew in a long breath, scowling. Sal banged his fist on the bar and cursed. Brian didn’t look much happier. “Can you remember anything else? Did he sound familiar?”

  “He was tall, taller than me anyways. I’m pretty sure it was a jean jacket I caught a glimpse of before the attack and when I fell beside the car, I can remember seeing scuffed up brown motorcycle boots.”

  “Not cowboy boots?”

  “No, these were like the kind of boots you see on guys that ride motorcycles, not horses. Chunkier, with the squared heel and no fancy stitching.”

  “Do you think you would recognize the voice again?”

  Allie frowned. “I don’t know. His voice seemed forced, like he was trying to disguise it.” She shrugged. “Listen, can I answer the rest of your questions tomorrow? I just want to get home.”

  “But hospital first.” Mike added.

  “Yeah, hospital first.”

  “Sure, you go ahead. I’m going to do another search in the area to see if your purse turns up. More than likely, your attacker snagged whatever cash you had then ditched the purse in the trash or something.

  Allie gasped. “Crap! I had over seventy dollars in tips.”

  “Sorry Allie. But maybe your wallet will turn up so you at least won’t have to go through the hassle of changing all your ID and everything.”

  “Great, just great,” Allie replied glumly.

  ***

  After calling and waking up her aunt and uncle to explain where she was going and then spending another five minutes reassuring them that she was really all right, they left Allie’s car at the bar and drove to the hospital. Mike lifted a brow in surprise when she agreed without protest to ride with him and leave her car parked where it was, but Allie didn’t feel like driving, not with her head throbbing the way it was.

  The EMT was right and the hospital, a half an hour away in the next town, wasn’t busy, so she didn’t have to wait for her CT scan. Luckily, the scan was clean, no signs of internal bleeding.

  Still, despite the quick service at the hospital, it was after three o’clock by the time they pulled into the yard at the Roberts’ farm. Allie had been dozing in the seat beside Mike when he reached over to give her a gentle shake. “Come on, Kitten. You’re home.” He hopped out of the truck and hurried around to her door.

  Allie slid from the truck coming to stand before him. She put her hands against his chest and leaned in against him. “Ooooh, I’m sooo t
ired,” she groaned.

  Mike chuckled. “Well come on then. Let’s get you inside.”

  When they got inside the veranda, Allie gasped when she looked at the clock on the wall. “It’s after three a.m.” She turned to look at Mike, concern clouding her face. “What time do you have to be up to meet Ray Fortenberry?”

  “We’re meeting at six.”

  “Oh Mike, I’m so sorry. You’ve been up all night because of me.”

  “Hey, don’t worry about it.” He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her. He tipped her chin up to look her in the eye. “I’m exactly where I want to be. Besides, I can catch some sleep on the trip out to Ballard.”

  Allie blinked, feeling her eyes well up. She grabbed his face, pulled him to her and gave him a deep, hungry kiss. “Thank you.”

  Mike smiled. “My pleasure, and you can thank me like that anytime.”

  Allie laughed and gave him another quick, playful kiss then stepped over to the old couch. “Listen, why don’t you just camp out here so you can grab a couple hours sleep. Then you can drive into town and meet Ray.”

  “You going to keep me company?”

  “Yeah. If you want, that is.”

  “Sounds good.” Mike pulled out his phone and set the alarm. Allie grabbed an afghan off the back of the chair. When Mike had spread out on the couch, she lay down beside him, letting him spoon around her, resting her head on his arm. Mike settled the afghan over top of them.

  “Hmmm, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.” Allie wiggled her butt against the rather firm erection she could feel pressing up against her. “We’re supposed to be sleeping.”

  “Hey, I can’t help it. It’s what you do to me.” He gave her a playful swat on the butt. “Just quit wiggling around, you’re only making things worse.”

  Allie wiggled a bit more and turned so she could look up at him. “Are you implying it’s a bad thing?”

  “Now you’re just being a troublemaker.” He looked down at her tenderly and then his gaze turned to something more lust-filled. “It’s taking every ounce of will power I have not to ravish you right now.” Allie’s eyebrows shot up and Mike tapped a finger to the tip of her nose. “But we’re both too tired, and we both know your aunt and uncle’s porch is not the right place.”

  Allie sighed exaggeratingly. “I know, I know. I just don’t know if I can fall asleep right now.”

  “Oh, I think you will if you try.”

  Turned out, Mike was right. She was asleep minutes later.

  Mike’s phone vibrated on his hip as the alarm he had set went off. He must have fallen asleep shortly after Allie. He looked down at her peaceful face and then frowned at the bruises on her cheek and temple. If he ever found out who had hurt her…He really didn’t know if he wanted to finish that sentence, even in his head. He had never considered himself a violent person, but the urge to do serious damage to the man who dared to hurt Allie was almost overwhelming. What was happening to him? He had never felt this protective of anyone or anything. Allie seemed to have worked her way right under his skin. He thought about her constantly, loved being with her, missed her when he wasn’t. God, was he in love? He shook his head to clear the thought away and then tried to carefully slip his arm out from under her head. She looked so sweet and peaceful, even with her battered face, he didn’t have the heart to wake her.

  “You don’t really think you are going to just slip out on me do you?” Allie popped an eye open and squinted at the bright sunshine.

  “Well, no. I guess not.” He pulled his arm out from under her head and let her head fall back against the couch.

  “Oof!”

  “Oh, sorry. I didn’t think. Did that hurt your head?” Mike asked with concern.

  Allie stuck out her lip in an exaggerated pout. “Yeah, it did.” She smiled and winked. “You had better kiss it better.”

  Mike grinned back at her and then propped himself up on his elbow. He leaned forward to kiss her very gently above her sore temple. “There. How’s that?”

  “Good, but it still hurts here.” She pointed to her cheek.

  Mike grabbed her chin and turned her head to get a better look. “Well, we can’t have that.” He gently kissed her cheek.

  Allie smiled, tipped her chin up and pointed to her lips. “You missed a spot.”

  Mike chuckled then bent forward and caught her lips with his. The kiss was slow and lazy, but passionate. He nipped at her lower lip. “Better?”

  “Mmmm, much,” Allie purred.

  “Good.” Mike slapped her thigh playfully. “Then get your butt up. I have to get a move on.”

  Allie sighed. “Alright, alright.” She rolled off the couch and jumped to her feet, reaching out a hand to Mike. “Come on then.” Mike clasped her hand and she pulled him up with a groan.

  “Oh, man. Cuddling up with you sounded like a good idea at the time.” Hands on his hips, he stretched, arching his back.

  “A bit stiff?” Allie asked, cheekily checking out his crotch.

  “Huh, you wish.” Mike hitched up his jeans with a chuckle.

  Allie raked her eyes up his body. “Yeah, I do.” She sighed. “Too bad you’re in a rush.” She turned and walked over to the door. “Come on. I’ll fix you a quick breakfast for the road.”

  ***

  Allie’s day was filled to overflowing with too many things to do. After sending Mike off with a thermos of coffee and some of her yummy strawberry cream-cheese muffins for the road, she crawled into her own bed hoping to catch a few more hours of sleep before her own little human alarm-clock woke her up again. Unfortunately, sleep evaded her, and so, after tossing and turning for a time, she decided to heck with it and got up for the day.

  A quick shower left her feeling somewhat better, at least until she looked at herself in the mirror for the first time.

  “Holy shit!” Allie winced at the sight of the bruises on her face. She looked like she had gone a few rounds with a heavyweight boxer. She probed her battered cheek tentatively. There was a deep scratch on one side of the bruise – her attacker must have been wearing a ring. She filed that fact away to tell Brian later.

  Breathing a deep sigh, she shrugged. Not much she could do about her face now, other than hide it under a layer or two of makeup. Too bad she was never really much for wearing the stuff. Other than some eye shadow, mascara and the occasional lip liner, she didn’t have much in the face paint department. Hopefully, the bruises wouldn’t upset Dougie too much.

  Allie frowned as she pondered how much to tell her son. She had always tried to tell him the truth and not sugar-coat things, within reason of course. She’d just have to reassure him that she was okay and he was safe.

  She spent a productive hour or so, before the rest of the family woke, working on a set of black ink proofs for a freelance illustration job she was hoping to win. The sounds of her aunt and uncle getting up for the day brought her back to the kitchen. After reassuring them that she was in fact okay and trying to not let her aunt make too big a deal over her face, she started breakfast, knowing Dougie would be down shortly.

  Luckily, as usual Dougie seemed to take things in stride, the state of her face a shock, but one that was quickly forgotten. Although he did take a minute to don a super-hero pose, hands on hips, elbows out, proclaiming “I’m Super D, Mommy! And I’ll protect you from the bad guys”.

  By the time Brian pulled up in the yard in his police cruiser later that morning, the horses had been turned out, the chickens fed and the eggs gathered, the vegetable garden weeded and watered, and the last of the strawberries had been picked. Allie was glad to see the end of the strawberry season, even if it was a very large part of the farm’s income, because she hoped to have some free time to work on any freelance jobs she managed to pick up. If she could get this first job she was hoping for, the advance would be enough to replace
some, if not all, of her supplies that were destroyed in the fire.

  Brian climbed out of his car as Dougie hurried up to his side.

  “Unca Brian, Unca Brian! Did you come to give me a ride in your police car today?” Dougie beamed up at him hopefully.

  Brian smiled and shrugged, raising his brows in question at Allie. Allie smiled down at her son and ruffled his hair. “Sure, you can come with us if you promise to behave.”

  “I will, I will.”

  “Alright then, run inside to the bathroom before we go.”

  “Aw Momm-eee! I don’t hafta go.”

  Allie shrugged. “Fine, no bathroom, no ride.”

  “Okay, okay. I’m going.”

  “And don’t forget to flush!” Allie shouted at his retreating back.

  Brian chuckled. “Reminds me of my two.” He looked her over. “So how are you feeling this morning?”

  “Okay. Face is a bit sore.” She shrugged. “Any news?”

  “Well, I found your purse last night in the trash behind Hanley’s. It’s at the station, but you can probably have it back. Just have to sign for it.” He leaned back against the car. “Checked the lock on your car door this morning in the daylight and found a wooden toothpick shoved inside.”

  “No wonder the key wouldn’t fit.”

  “Yep. Must have done it to buy himself some time to sneak up on you.”

  Allie hugged herself and shuddered, remembering her terror from the night before. Brian reached out and pulled her into a bear hug. “Come on Allie Cat. It’s over. You’re safe now.”

  Allie frowned up at her friend. “I know. It’s just…” She shrugged unable to put her feelings into words.

  “I know. It’s just you can’t help wondering why so much trouble seems to come your way?”

  Allie smirked wryly. “Yeah, something like that.” She shrugged again. Brian was a good friend, even before he married one of her best friends. It was nice to be back home and have his support. “How’s Becky?”

  “Feeling like a beached whale.” He grinned, then hastily added, “Those are her words, not mine. I still think she’s sexy as hell.”