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Awkward Marriage 46
Jake went home and noticed how empty the place felt with Sue gone. Though Ralph and Lydia greeted him, it wasn’t the same. Sue definitely had a place in his life that no one else could penetrate. He knew he had a long night looming ahead of him, so he decided he would tackle Mr. Barnett’s envelope. Since Sue was gone, he wouldn’t have to face her while he was upset. Anything associated with his father upset him. He didn’t wish for her to see him like that. After he ate dinner, at a table that seemed unusually long and in a room that was unbearably quiet, he went to his den and shut the door. He glanced at the chair by the fireplace where Sue liked to sit. Everything seemed empty without her. How could one woman change his entire life in one month? He went to the painting that hid his safe and took it off the wall. He opened the safe. He removed two boat tickets from his breast pocket. He bought the tickets that day for the trip he planned to take Sue on. He smiled as h
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The next morning passed by swiftly as he finished getting ready for Mr. Brothers‟ arrival. He went to lunch by himself but hardly tasted his food. He returned to work and saw Justin with his wife and kids. Once again, the kids were hanging all over him. This time, Jake smiled and walked into his office. When Mr. Brothers arrived, he gave him the tour of his bank and discussed business. They shook hands and Mr. Brothers left. Justin came by his office. “How did it go?” “Very well,” Jake replied. “Everything is set. We have officially become a major competitor to George Leroy’s bank.” “Speaking of him...” Justin closed the office door and sat down. “No one has seen him since last Friday.” “Who’s in charge of the bank while he’s gone?” “Mr. Edwards but he has no idea where George is. George didn’t even tell him he was going to be gone.” “Does George’s wife know where he is?” “No. She went to the police, but they think he’s off with his mistress on a vacation.” “He’s always a
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Brian struggled to get away from him. “You can’t hold me here.” Jake grabbed him by his shirt collar. “I got your confession and I have no problem turning you in, Brian Silverman.” Someone hit Jake on the back of the head and he collapsed on the floor into unconsciousness. By the time he woke up, the police were talking to Ralph and Lydia. Jake groaned and sat up on the couch in the parlor. “Try to rest, Mr. Mitchell,” Lydia said, holding her sleeping baby. “Where is he?” Jake ignored her and stood up. The back of his head stung. “Here’s some pain medicine for the headache,” she offered. He swallowed the pills without bothering to drink the water she offered. Ralph was talking to two cops. “I found him lying in the entry way of the house. I was fixing the closet in one of the bedrooms upstairs when I heard him calling for me. Lydia was asleep with the baby. I ran downstairs and saw George Leroy hit him on the back of the head. The other man, who I didn’t
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ue held baby Kevin in her arms. She sat next to Gloria on the couch in her parents‟ parlor. Kevin was born the previous evening, and he had already won the hearts of his family. She smiled at the baby who was content to lay awake in her arms. It was nice to hold him. For the first time in her life, she allowed herself to entertain the notion that she might hold her own child one day. She sighed. She missed Jake more than she thought she would. It was easy to put him out of her mind while she was busy getting Gloria ready for the birth and cleaning up afterwards. The doctor came to deliver the baby, announced that everyone was doing well, and left. She was happy for Gloria and Jeremiah who looked proud to finally be parents. She knew that this baby was a miracle for them after having suffered through four losses. Gloria beamed. “I can’t believe he’s actually here. It’s so wonderful to hold him after praying so long for his safe arrival.” “It is,” Sue agreed. “He’s goin
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Perhaps he felt giddy too. He unbuttoned her shirt, exposing the flesh under her collarbone. She didn’t wear a corset on the farm, and it made her feel exposed. Not that such a thing mattered. He was about to see her naked. He kissed her neck and let his mouth descend to her cleavage. She gasped as she held onto his arms. His beard tickled but his warm lips made her shiver in anticipation. Though she wore a chemise beneath her shirt, the feel of his hands as they cupped her breasts seemed to scorch her skin. She had no idea that her breasts were so sensitive. Her nipples hardened and an unfamiliar ache formed between her legs from his caress. She laid back on the bed so he could have better access to her bosom. But he didn’t continue as she thought he would. He stood up and removed his clothes, his face as serious as usual but with a certain intensity in his eyes that made her pulse quicken. He wanted her. Really wanted her. The way that men wanted women they desired
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Her mother seemed pleased with the compliment. “You’re winning everyone over,” Sue noted. “I’d better. I don’t want everyone ganging up on me,” he replied. After breakfast, he asked her to go into the bedroom with him so he could change into Jeremiah’s clothes. “I have some things I need to talk to you about before we work on the chores,” he told her before he changed. “You may want to sit down for this.” Noting the serious tone in his voice, she simply nodded and sat on the bed. He took out his briefcase. “Do you want the good news or bad news first?” She hadn’t expected this. “Why didn’t you tell me this last night?” “Because for once, I wanted to put pleasure before business.” “Alright.” She shrugged. “I’ll take the bad news first.” Might as well get it over with. He opened his briefcase and took out the envelope from Mr. Barnett and a folder. “I sat down and read this on Tuesday evening. My father left me and my mother when I was ten. He never said why. One morn
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Loak at the trees, concentrate on balancing on the horse, remember where your father’s cabin is. But whatever you do, don’t think of her. He couldn’t afford to take his focus off his mission. He knew that when he set the dynamite off, he would die with George and Brian. I can’t let them live to harm her. She must be able to live. Don’t think of her. Focus. Keep your mind on business. He followed George. Brian followed him, his gun pointed at him. “So, George, how did you get caught up into this life of crime?” he finally asked. He knew that Brian wouldn’t kill him as long as he didn’t know where the treasure was hidden. “Don’t answer him, George. He’s trying to throw you off track,” Brian warned. “What difference does it make?” George shrugged. “He’ll be dead by tomorrow anyway.” “True enough.” George slowed his horse so he was riding beside Jake. Jake struggled to maintain his balance on his animal. “As soon as word got out about your fathe
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Sue leaned against the seat in front of Brian. “Ya know, I was jist recallin‟ a time when I first rode the mighta rails. It was the summer o‟ 1869. Oh wait. That ain’t right. That was when I git me wisdom teeth pulled. Look in me mouth. Nit a single wisdom tooth a left, but that process, it sor did hurt me a somethin‟ awful. That dentist didn‟ give me anything.‟ No alcohol or nothin‟. I ain’t never filt a pain like that befor an‟ hope I won’t „gain. Thank goodness, that be over. Anywhoo, what was I a talking‟ „bout. Oh I „member. The first time I rode the rails. I was a wee lad like yoself. Shoo, son. Ya looking‟ like ya could be thirty. No more than thirty-one. How ol‟ ye be ya anyway?” “Who cares?” Brian was irritated. “Leave me alone. George, maybe we should sit somewhere else.” “Oh no,” Gloria quickly gasped. “I git a run in me stockings‟.” She bent over and lifted the hem of her dress up to her knee. Brian and George turned around to watch. Luk
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