Dressed in their holiday finest, they headed into Saddle Creek. Chase, Lauren and Cameron led the way in the truck; Steve and Charlotte followed in the car. The inch or so of snow today had frozen on the roads, making them treacherous so they drove slowly. Chase checked the rearview mirror frequently; made sure Lauren's parents followed. Most of the streets were deserted as they drove through town, but the town was lit up with various colors and shapes of Christmas lights. Suddenly, there was no one behind them. Chase had taken his eye off the rearview for a second and the car wasn't there. Then the bodyguard's car appeared. What happened to Steve and Charlotte?Chase slid to a stop and made a quick U-turn. About a quarter mile behind them the car was parked at the curb and Steve and Charlotte were on the sidewalk talking to a man; a man Chase recognized; a man he hated for what he did to Lauren. Chase drove past and made another U-turn and parked the truck behind the car, the bodyg
VOLUME FOUR-PART TWO-CHRISTMAS DECISIONS-AN UPTOWN GIRL AND A COWBOYDecember 20"Good morning, good morning," Elliott sang to Sam as he entered their bedroom, but the bed was empty. He set the tray on the bed when he heard her throwing up in the bathroom. With a pack of crackers in his hand he opened the door. "Oh, Sam, I'm so sorry you have to go through this every morning. I thought morning sickness lasted only the first three months."Sam's rinsed out her mouth with water and accepted the offered crackers. Once back in bed, she said, "It usually is but some women have it the entire nine months. There's also the possibility we calculated wrong. Anyway, I'm seeing the doctor this afternoon. I've had enough of this." She stuffed another cracker in her mouth."Are you going to the gallery today? I don't have any trips scheduled so I'll be in the office all day and can go to the doctor with you." Elliott kissed her cheek and tucked a tendril of her light brown hair behind her ear.
Elliott moved forward and shook her hand, then pulled her in for a hug. "You look like Sam. That's why you looked familiar." Elliott stepped back to look at the two of the girls beside each other. "Yup, same shape face and eyes.""Really?" Sam asked, while she studied Morgan's face. Sure, she was three years older but the dark lines under her eyes, and the sallow color of her face made her look much older.Elliott nodded. "So, what brings you here? It can't be the weather, it's about the same here as upstate New York." He chuckled."I have nowhere else to go so I'm seeking refuge with my baby sister. Looking for a fresh start." Morgan's lips trembled; her words broken into pieces.Sam hugged Morgan. "It's okay. But what happened to Brian? You've been married since high school, graduated from college together. Is he parking the car?" Sam asked, clasping her hands to her chest."No, he's not with me. I have a rental car from the airport.""If you'd let us know we could have picked
They treaded up the back stairs to their small apartment, glad they had two bedrooms and two baths; the required number for out of town family."I can't believe you're here," Sam said to Morgan as she led her to the second bedroom through a short hallway. "The bath is just across the hall. Please let me know if you need anything. Elliott's grilling steaks tonight so you have some time to shower, change, freshen up whatever, and then we can talk." Sam started toward the door, but Morgan caught her arm and swung her around, hugging her close. "Thanks for not asking questions, Sam, and for taking me in. I really don't have anywhere else to go."Sam leaned back and searched Morgan's face. You're my family and family help each other through the rough patches. Everything's going to be fine." Sam slowly stepped away and closed the door.When Sam entered the kitchen Elliott asked, "Where did you put that fancy dude's card? I want Mitch to do a background check on him before Morgan meets h
Elliott entered the apartment to an almost-drunk Morgan and a sober Sam, both laughing their asses off. "What's going on? What's so funny?""Nothing really, just reminiscing." Sam said, as she went to get the steaks out of the fridge for him.Morgan still giggled but said, "I can't believe you don't have a Christmas tree. Christmas is the biggest thing in the world to Sam, well, until she met you." Morgan's words were slurred but he was able to understand enough of them to put them together in a sentence. She took another sip of wine."Is it, Sam?" He directed the question to Sam."Well, as a kid, sure. But now, I have a business and a small place. I'm not sure a tree will fit in here." Sam motioned with her hand as she swept it through the air."Come on Sam. You don't change overnight like that." Morgan tried to snap her fingers. Then laughed at herself before she fell onto the couch.Sam and Elliott stared at each other, and Sam shrugged her shoulders."Is the grill ready for
Elliott crushed Sam to his chest. He kissed her lips, and then tongued his way along her neck, around her ear, and then to her collarbone. Sam closed her eyes and concentrated on feeling; the emotion of love so large in her heart. When his thumb and index finger he tweaked a nipple, and she groaned. "Sshhhh, we aren't alone, remember.""But both doors are closed, and my sister has to know we have sex, especially when I throw up early tomorrow morning." Sam giggled. "I don't care who knows now anyway.""Me either." Elliott kissed her lips, as his hand held her breast, his fingers lightly dancing on a nipple.When his hand strayed south, his fingers played with her feminine curls and then her opening, inserting one finger and then two. Sam arched her hips toward his fingers. She wanted more; she wanted him, all of him.He moved to lay between her thighs, ready to enter her. She lifted her hips and he pushed forward. She met him thrust for thrust, in unison and they climaxed simulta
"Not really. We take one day at a time and we take it together. Elliott and I are very close. My business is growing, and it requires a lot of man-hours, as you can imagine. So, I'll soon need to hire more people, which means more scheduling and more paperwork. I've already been invited to put an assortment of my photos in a gallery in New York and I declined.""Why? Don't you want your business to grow?""Of course, but I'd need be in New York at least six months out of the year and leave Elliott here, which isn't going to happen. I simply want to take pictures.""It's tough when you're first starting out but you two will figure it out and do what's best. I'll keep that in mind when I meet with Bernard tonight." Morgan said as she crossed her booted legs. "Do you really like the black dress I bought?""We have so much work to do in only a couple days. Oh, by the way, Elliott and his three best friends since middle school all get together with the families at Rosie's Diner for dinn
Bernard Holland was ten minutes late; Morgan was glad she wasn't waiting in the cold outside like he'd suggested. Morgan stood inside the door of the restaurant where Brian had made reservations. Her pulse quickened with every passing minute. Morgan and Brian dated in high school and were married while they were both in college. She'd only been with one man her entire life, so she had no experience with the dating game. I'll wait another five minutes and that's it. Her muscles tensed and her chest tightened. She crossed her arms on her chest, while she tapped her foot. Morgan seethed, her body tensed, and her palms sweat. Fury filled her to the core. The next five minutes took forever. After checking the time once more, she shook her head, and turned toward the door. Bernard stood in front of her. His hands wrapped around her upper arms; she jerked her arms but couldn't release his hold on her. "I'm so, so sorry, Morgan. I hope you haven't been waiting too long.""I've waited fift
This would be Mitch's first time of attending the entire celebration with his three best friends and their growing families. He'd get to hear all the news first-hand and share his own. Last year he and Ronnie barely had time to stop in and say Merry Christmas but this year, he had news to announce. He was married to the love of his life, and already had a six-year-old son. He smiled as he buttoned his Christmas vest. This was about as Christmas as he got, and it would have to do.Wyatt blasted through their closed bedroom door, "Slow down there, son. Where's the fire?" Mitch asked."I'm ready to go." "I see that. Where'd you get that beautiful Christmas sweater? I love it." Mitch asked."Ron'er, Mom laid clothes on the bed and put on everything.""That was nice," Mitch said, as the bathroom door opened, and Ronnie stepped out.Mitch smiled; his wife was so beautiful, her eyes wide and her face glowed. She twirled around in her red sweater with a green print Christmas scarf
December 24thRonnie woke, still tired. She moved closer to Mitch and he automatically pulled her closer. "I'm still tired. Is it really time to get up?"Mitch rubbed her arm, "Me too," he mumbled. "What's all the noise out in the kitchen?""I don't know, it's probably Mom, Marie and maybe Tory making breakfast. Wyatt, hopefully, is still asleep," Ronnie said, her voice hoarse."So many things to do today. I need to wrap presents," Ronnie yawned stretched her arms over her head. "Maybe you can take Wyatt to the office.""Don't need to, I hired two new deputies who are working the next few days. I actually have a few days of vacation now. Maybe your mom and Tory could keep him occupied out there.""Maybe," Ronnie said, then Mitch kissed her neck. "Oh, a little frisky this morning.""Every morning, but we never have time, remember?""Oh, I remember, then I can't take my eyes off you while I'm at work.""Do I distract you?" Mitch said in a sing songy voice."Yes, you d
December 23rdRonnie helped clear the table and put leftovers away. "Wyatt, will you please go and get your shower and ready for bed now?"Wyatt did a double take and screwed up his nose. Ronnie wasn't giving him a chance to ask why or to say, "it's too early." She explained it, "I know it's early, but we have to share the water with everyone else who wants a shower.""Okay," Wyatt said before he scurried up the stairs.Mitch came up behind Ronnie, wrapping his arms around her waist. She tilted her head back and kissed his lips. "Still nine?" She asked."Yup, I'll be getting a shower next while you tuck him in and then it'll be nine, I'm hoping anyway.""Sounds good. I'll play with the baby until Wyatt is done and then after a story, I'll meet you in bed." Ronnie smiled when Mitch kissed her neck. The anticipation was unnerving. Marie and Janet were having after dinner coffee at the breakfast table back and suggested playing cards. Tory handed Angelina to Ronnie while Ma
Marie wiped her hands on her apron and then pretended to cry; her knuckles rounded in her eyes. "Don't I get a hug? I missed you the entire time you were gone." "Sure," Wyatt said as he left Ronnie's side to hug her."Oh, that felt so good. Thank you." Marie said."Something smells good. Are you baking cookies?" Wyatt asked."No, I did that earlier and don't worry, I left some for you to decorate. And do you know what we're going to do with all the cookies then?" Marie asked."Eat them till they're all gone," Wyatt guessed."No, silly, we, you and I, and maybe Janet here if she wants to help, are going to put them in these pretty containers and deliver them." Marie explained, her hands on her hips."Why would we deliver them? To who? I thought they were for all of us." Wyatt's eyes welled with tears."Oh, dear boy, don't worry. There will be plenty for us, we aren't giving them all away. The people we deliver them to aren't able to celebrate Christmas, they elderly and
After a quick hug for Ronnie's parents when she met them at baggage claim, she said, "Hi Mom, and Dad, how was your flight?""It was a long, I can tell you that much." Her father, John Travis exclaimed. "I'm ready for a nap.""You're in luck. I happen to know a great B&B that has a room with your name on the door." Ronnie chuckled as she helped load their suitcases into the trunk. "How's Tory and the baby?""The baby really getting cute, and you can talk to Tory yourself and find out how she's doing." Ronnie's mother Janet said, her voice tailing off at the end.Once settled in the back seat, Ronnie asked, "Do you need to pick up anything before we head home?""Nope, I'm anxious to get to that bed you talked about." He father mumbled.During the quiet drive home, Ronnie explained Wyatt's appearance to them and that he may become their adopted son, hence their grandson. When there was no response from the back seat, Ronnie asked, "Is that okay with you?""Oh honey, of cour
Ronnie stepped out of the bathroom, saw Wyatt standing right where she'd left him, "Oh Wyatt, why didn't you go the kitchen and find Marie?" She asked him.He was immobile, his head hung, staring at the ground. She reached out her hand and said, "Come on, there's nothing to be afraid of. I'm not going to run off or disappear, I promise."He grasped her hand and squeezed, then they walked to the kitchen together. Marie was putting something in the oven to slow cook for dinner. "Good morning, you two. How are you doing today, Wyatt?""I'm not in trouble yet, am I?" He looked at Ronnie."Of course not. I can't even think of anything you've done since you've been here to be in trouble about. And just so you know, if or when you are in trouble, I'll make sure you know why and what the punishment of any is. Now let's eat." Ronnie smiled at him."How about French toast, Wyatt? Do you like that?"He shrugged. "Let's give it a try if you've already made it, otherwise we can have
The following morning, Ronnie woke up late, or so she thought, because there was more light poking in her squinted eyes. She tried to move but something heavy was laying halfway across her chest. "Mugsy, come on, time to get up." But there wasn't any change. She opened her eyes and looked in the childish face of Wyatt. He was laying on her left shoulder, rolled into a fetal position and hanging onto his teddy bear's one arm. Awe! She smiled.There was no way she could get out of bed without waking him. She reached for her phone and checked the time. It was after eight, Mitch had already gone to work, and Mugsy probably got up with him for breakfast. She caressed Wyatt's baby-soft cheek and brushed his light brown hair off his forward. He needed a haircut, she thought. Then his hand released the bear from his grasp and wrapped his arm around her neck. I love you too, Wyatt, my sweet innocent boy. She rubbed his arm that lay across her neck and studied his face. He smiled in his sle
Ronnie ran into a number a shops, and bought underwear and socks for Wyatt as well as deodorant. She also found a toy store and, with the help of the clerk, was able to provide her with an assortment of games and toys for her to select from. Her choices filled two bags. "Can I leave these here until my husband can bring the car around? We're parked a couple blocks over." Ronnie asked the store clerk while on the lookout for Mitch or Wyatt. They had to be done by now and waiting on her."Sure, I'll put your name on them and keep them behind the counter. What's your name?" She asked."Rogers," Ronnie answered and smiled."Like the Sheriff?" She asked."Yes, exactly, I'm his wife." Ronnie said."I heard about him getting married, but I didn't realize he had any children," the clerk stapled the paper onto their bags."Thank you and Merry Christmas!" Ronnie said as she turned and headed out the door. She stopped in front of a store that cut off the bitter cold wind and called
Ronnie took everything out of Wyatt's small suitcase and placed it on the bed to take inventory. He only had a few shirts and some 'hi-water' short pants. No sweaters, or long pants. He'd have to wear the pants and every shirt he had. Two pair of clean underwear included but looked way too small. "Okay, sweetie, this is what we're going to do. You can wear all these shirts today, so which one is your favorite?" Ronnie asked.Wyatt looked them over like he'd never seen them before, then chose a blue Batman one. Ronnie helped him remove his pajama top and get the T-shirts on one after the other. The outer one he chose was long sleeve and fit perfectly over the others. Then she handed him a pair of pants, the longest ones she could find. "You put clean underwear on last night after your bath, right?" Ronnie asked. Wyatt nodded."You look nice and warm," Mitch proclaimed from the doorway. "Maybe we ell be able to sled ride later after all.""After a few stores, he'll be fine