Page 15
Story: Samael
It was a relief when Adrianne finally drifted off. If she hadn’t been so distracted and tired, he wouldn’t have been able to sidestep the issue of his feet. It had been stupid to take off without his boots.
There was no way to explain how he managed to chase a man through the woods without sustaining a single cut.
One of the perks of being him was he’d healed as soon as the damage happened.
He kissed the top of her head and inhaled her sweet scent. It combined with the faint hint of lavender from the sheets to create something unique.
His entire life he’d been restless, always in search of the next thing to occupy both his brain and body. Adventure, technology, gambling, fast planes and cars, the thrill of business wheeling and dealing—and, yes, women—had consumed his every waking hour. All in a bid to keep him from admitting his loneliness.
The boundless energy that defined him, demanding he keep moving and keep busy, was missing. He was right where he needed to be. It had nothing to do with his assignment and everything to do with the woman sleeping peacefully in his arms.
She and Chief Johnson were right: Sam’s presence had angered the stalker. He was growing bolder and more violent. It might even accelerate her death, robbing her of hours or days. It shouldn’t matter—given the ultimate outcome—but it did.
He captured a lock of her hair, admiring the way it curled around his fingers. He tucked it behind her ear and turned her enough so he could see her face. Her breath was coming in short puffs. She’d fought it, but exhaustion had taken her under. He frowned when her eyes fluttered beneath her lids, a sign she was dreaming.
He hoped it wasn’t another nightmare.
While she slept, he racked his brain for some way to change her fate. For all his years and experience, he came up empty. No amount of pleading or praying would change what would be. No one cheated death when it was their time.
Bitterness filled his heart. He wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to forgive his father for putting him in this position. This wasn’t a lesson but punishment. What his father deemed a lack of compassion, Sam understood to be a necessity to hold on to his sanity. What his father had never understood was that he hadn’t cared too little but too much.
In desperation, he’d turned off his emotions and buried the pain, assuming a mask of indifference until he no longer recognized any other face but the one he showed the rest of the world, hiding even from himself. When Adrianne crossed over, he wouldn’t be the man he’d been. The mental and emotional barriers he’d built over millennia were crumbling. With her, he’d rediscovered joy in the simpler things of life. She made him want to be the man he’d been so long ago.
He feared he’d become a monster once she was taken from him.
“I can hear you thinking,” she grumbled. Her eyes were drowsy, and a sleep crease bisected her cheek. She looked warm and cozy and utterly delicious. Giving in to temptation, he brushed his lips over hers. “Hmmm. You taste good.”
His dick was hard as stone. If they were alone, he’d roll her onto her back and seduce her out of her clothes. But he could hear the police moving in and around the house.
A sense of urgency drove him to gather as many memories as he could before time ran out. “I didn’t mean to wake you.” Not that he minded that she was awake. Every second was precious.
“That’s okay.” She licked her lips and glanced over his shoulder and out the window. “Sun’s coming up.”
If he stayed here beside her, he was going to say to hell with the people outside this room and make love to her. If he hadn’t known with certainty she’d be embarrassed after the fact, he wouldn’t let their presence stop him.
“I’ll tell the chief you’re up and clear it with him for you to get into your room.” It took a massive effort to pull himself from the bed.
“I can do it.”
He grabbed his shirt and dragged it on. “I’m already up.” She laid a hand on his arm when he reached for his boots.
“Let me look at your feet.”
That would lead to questions he couldn’t answer. He gave a quick shake of his head. “They’re fine. I took care of it.” He jammed his feet into the boots. “Be right back.”
The door to Adrianne’s bedroom was open. The worst of the glass was gone. The sheets had been stripped from the bed. By rights, she should replace the mattress to be safe, but a good vacuum would probably do the job. The chief was standing outside the open window and waved him over.
“We’re almost done with the house. We’re going to be taking a second look in the woods.” He tugged on the brim of his hat. “Did she sleep?”
“Some. Is it cleared for her to get some of her things?” He sensed the ripple in the air when she walked into the room. She frowned at the naked bed before walking over to join him at the window.
“You took the sheets?”
“They’re not evidence, but it’s not safe to use them, even if you wash them. Don’t want to take a chance with glass slivers.” The chief cleared his throat, his cheeks turning ruddy. “We swept up the worst of it, but you’ll have to give it a good vacuum. I’d wear shoes inside for the next while until you’re sure you have all the glass.”
“Thank you. I appreciate all you and your men have done. If it’s okay, I’ll grab some clothes and shower.”
“Once you’re ready, we’ll head out.” Sam expected her to object, but she nodded.
“I won’t be long.”
He waited until she’d gathered what she needed and retreated to the bathroom. “How fast can you get someone out to fix or replace the window? Cost isn’t an issue.” She didn’t need to come home to this.
Chief Johnson gave him a long, assessing look before slowly nodding. “I can call Joshua Franks at the hardware store.” He checked his watch. “It’s early yet, but he’s usually in by eight. I’m sure when I explain the situation he’ll send his boys out to take care of it.”
“You do that. I’ll make sure he’s paid promptly.”
“Can’t say I rightly understand you, Blackwell, but whatever your reasons, I’m glad Adrianne has you.” His blue eyes turned glacial. “Remember, hurt her and there’s nowhere you can hide. I don’t care if you have more money than God himself.”
He really was that rich but kept that to himself. “Hurting her is the last thing I want to do.” It was unavoidable in the end.
“Then we have no problem.”
Leaving the chief and his men to finish, he wandered out to the kitchen, desperately ignoring the fact that Adrianne was naked in the shower. Chester ran up to him and butted his head against Sam’s shin.
“Hungry, are you?” That was something he could take care of.
As he placed fresh food and water down for the cat, he made himself a promise to make sure the creature was taken care of when he left. Like the farm, she cherished the furry beast. He couldn’t stay. Not without her. Nor could he bear any reminder of her in his life outside Redemption.
Not if he wanted to remain sane.
…
It was an odd sensation not to be driving, but Sam hadn’t given her a choice, all but tossing her into the passenger seat. She hadn’t fought him. Truth be told, she wasn’t sure she was fit to be behind the wheel.
She tilted her head back against the seat, letting the breeze flow through the window. There were a million things she should or could be doing, but right now, she was going to enjoy the respite. The road between her home and town was a black ribbon winding through some of the prettiest land in the state. It struck her how fortunate she’d been to grow up here, to have family who’d loved her unconditionally. Like most people, she hadn’t appreciated it enough until she’d lost it.
But she’d come back. Not in time for her grandmother, but there was time to build a life for herself, to honor the legacy she’d been left. She was self-aware enough to understand her desire was partly penance for the past, a way of making amends. But her time away had taught her what was important. She’d lost sight of that and had paid a heavy price. Now Redemption was where she wanted to be, to reclaim her roots and thrive like the lavender in the fields. Her life was waiting for her to embrace all the possibilities. Providing they caught her stalker. Shivering, she rubbed her hands up and down her arms.
“Cold?” His lips were pulled down in a frown. Those same lips had kissed her this morning. The memory had her internal temperature rising.
“Not really. Just thinking about things.”
His fingers clenched around the wheel. “The police will do what they can.”
“I know, but there’s not much they can do.” And that was the problem. She couldn’t have someone with her twenty-four seven indefinitely. Sooner or later, she was going to come face-to-face with her stalker, unless he made some mistake and got himself caught. He’d proven he wasn’t giving up. “I wish I understood. Wish I knew what I did to draw his attention.”
“You didn’t do anything. Whatever his reasons for focusing on you, they’re manifestations of his sick mind. You can’t take any blame for them.”
“I know you’re right. The therapist I had a couple of sessions with back in Chicago said the same thing, but it’s easier said than done.” She shaded her eyes against the sun, doing her best to ignore the onset of a headache behind her eyes. Lack of sleep and stress were catching up with her. And she was done talking about her problems, at least for now. “What about you? What are your plans?”
He tapped his thumbs against the wheel as he made the final turn toward town. “They’re open-ended.”
“What about your father, your business? You can’t put your life on hold forever.” She already had enough guilt over dragging him into her mess without adding to it.
“Trust me, there’s no rush.” His clipped tone warned he was done discussing the issue. Whatever the family problem, he wasn’t ready to deal with it.
She rubbed her forehead and sighed, wishing she hadn’t asked. It was strange that he was directly involved with her business while she knew so little about him. She could tick off every point on one hand. He was a successful businessman, lived in Las Vegas, had a complicated family situation, was honorable, and could make her body sing in bed. Not a lot when it came down to it, but he was intimately entwined in her life.
When he slowed in front of the diner, she groaned. “It’s already crowded.” It had been wishful thinking to hope they’d have the place mostly to themselves at this early hour. She pressed her hand against her churning stomach. “I’m not sure I’m up to the inquisition.”
Rather than stop, he drove on past. “Is there somewhere you prefer?”
“How about Baker’s Dozen?” She pointed at the storefront up ahead. “It doesn’t look too busy yet.”
He pulled the truck into an empty spot right in front and parked. Before she could get out, another vehicle pulled in alongside. Adrianne groaned at the sight of the custom pink pickup. Just her luck Joley was out and about early.
“Why, Adrianne, honey,” she called through the open window. “I didn’t expect to see you in town this morning, what with all the trouble at your place last night. I was at Susie’s when one of Redemption’s finest came in not a half hour ago. He was picking up coffee and some food before heading out to your place to relieve others who’ve been out there most of the night.”
The smile was sugary sweet, but the words were cutting. “I thought I’d buy a few boxes of pastries and take it out to them, to show my appreciation, you understand. We’re depending on them to keep the rest of us safe now that you’ve brought trouble to town.”
The barbed point struck her right in the heart. As much as it might not be her fault, the result was the same—Joley and other local women might be in danger. What if the police didn’t catch her stalker and he transferred his attention to one of them?
Maybe she was being selfish by staying, but this was her home. She’d forsaken it once and paid a terrible price. She’d lost years with her granny, and she’d lost herself in the pursuit of excitement and money and a life she’d thought would make her happy. She’d let her family down and wasn’t about to do so again. It didn’t matter that they weren’t alive to see it. If that made her stubborn, so be it. This was her line in the sand. If she left here, she was admitting defeat.
Financially, this was the best place for her. She owned the house and the land and had a ready-made living with the lavender. Sure, she could get a job in some financial institution in some big city, but she was done being unhappy. Piece by piece, she’d been reclaiming herself and her past. She wasn’t anywhere near done yet, but she was on the road to a life she was proud of.
Joley climbed out of her truck, looking fresh as a daisy in her buttery-yellow sleeveless blouse and white jeans. “But you’re a lucky one, aren’t you?” She amped up her smile and fluffed her hair. “You have a strong man looking out for you. Some of us aren’t as fortunate.”
Sam’s hand closed around hers. The small gesture helped calm the sick sensation inside her. “Be careful, Joley.” As much as she disliked the other woman, the last thing she wanted was for her to be harmed. “Maybe you should stay with your parents for a few weeks.” Surely, by then, this would be over—one way or the other. Sweat beaded on her brow. The confines of the truck began to close in around her.
Joley appeared startled, her smile dimming, but only for a brief second. “Don’t you worry yourself about me. I can take care of myself.” With that, she jumped back into her pickup and pulled away.
“I guess the officers aren’t getting any pastries.” Sam’s dry observation surprised a laugh from her.
“We’ll pick up some to take back.”
“They’ll probably be gone by then.” He climbed out and came around to her side and opened her door.
“Then we’ll take them by the station.” It was something concrete, something positive she could do. She slid out of the passenger seat and surveyed the small storefront. The building was painted a crisp white with dark-blue trim. The name was painted across the top of the window in the same blue. It looked cozy and inviting. It was also, for now, empty of customers.
Taking a deep breath, she strode to the door. A bell tinkled when they walked in. The color scheme carried to the inside with the blue walls and white countertops. A short run of counter across the front window gave seating for three stools. Six two-seat wooden bistro tables ranged around the room. But the glory was straight ahead.
A long glass case was filled with pastries and cookies of all kinds. Behind the counter, attached to the wall, were removable wire racks, currently filled with rows of golden muffins and glazed cinnamon rolls. The amazing aromas of coffee and sugar made her stomach rumble. “I’ve died and gone to heaven.”
“Just what I want to hear.” A woman with sunny blond hair pulled back in a tail came around the counter, her arms wide-open. “I’m so sorry for your troubles, Adrianne.” Strong arms wrapped around her and she was enveloped in a cinnamon-scented hug.
“Georgia.” They’d gone to school together and hadn’t been particularly close friends, but the honest gesture and offer of sympathy smoothed out some of the rough edges Joley had stirred. “I’m sorry I haven’t been in until now. I just found out you opened your own place.”
“Don’t worry about it, Adrianne. From what I’ve heard, you’ve had reasons. Plus, you’ve been busy with the farm. I’m so sorry about your granny. She was a wonderful lady. She was always encouraging me to open my own place. I finally listened.” She wiped her hand on her apron and stuck out her hand to Sam. “Georgia Baker.”
“Sorry, I should’ve introduced you. This is Sam Blackwell.” He was a large presence at her back.
“Good to meet you.” She gave his hand a quick pump. He seemed bemused by the greeting.
“Georgia and I went to school together.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Baker.”
“Call me Georgia. Now, what can I get you both?”
“Coffee, please.” If she was going to stay awake, she needed a good dose of caffeine and sugar.
“Plain or would you like something more adventurous? I do lattes, cappuccinos, mochas.” She pointed at a hand-printed board behind the counter.
“Regular this time.” A bit more settled than she’d been, she perused the glass cases. “You always baked for school sales and to make money on the side, but this is incredible.”
“Thanks.” She hurried behind the counter. “You want this for here or to go?”
“To go, please.” She wasn’t up to an inquisition, and if they stayed, someone would eventually come in and ask questions.
Georgia filled two large takeaway cups. “Sugar, honey, cream, and such is down there.” She indicated the far end of the counter. She nibbled on her bottom lip. “I saw Joley outside.”
Beside her, Sam stirred. Adrianne reached back and grabbed his hand before he said something. “It’s nothing.” She wouldn’t allow it to be anything.
Georgia snorted. “Like I believe that. She hasn’t changed since high school. Most of us grow up.” She glanced out the window and shook her head. “Some of us never do.”
It occurred to her how much she’d missed having a female friend. While she hadn’t been particularly close to any of her colleagues in Chicago, she missed the lunches and dinners out, along with the occasional shopping trip or event. If the mess of her life finally straightened out, she promised herself she’d reach out to Georgia, who was as kind and genuine as she’d always been.
“Listen, I know this isn’t the right time with everything going on,” Georgia began. “But when things quiet down for you, can we talk business? I’ve seen the cards for sale on your website. They’re wonderful, so whimsical and fun. I wondered if you’d consider helping me come up with a logo for the shop. I’d pay you for your time, of course,” she hurriedly added.
Pleasure, sharp and unexpected, filled her. A few months ago, she would have said no, but now she was surprisingly tempted. Making connections, making friends, was part of her plan for the future. “I can’t commit to anything right now.” Her life was in too much chaos. “But I’m interested.”
“That’s wonderful. Thanks so much. There’s no rush, but I have ideas.”
The shop bell rang, and two women walked in, cutting off their conversation. They took one look at Adrianne and their happy chatter stopped.
“Good morning,” Georgia said, greeting them. “Your usual?”
“What would you like?” Sam asked, guiding her closer to the case and away from the women, who she recognized as mothers of people she’d gone to school with. Their names momentarily escaped her—another reminder of how much she’d kept herself isolated since her return. He eased her to his other side, making himself a physical barrier.
It’d be like this for a long time to come—conversations stopping when she walked into a room, starting again once she was out of sight. She swallowed heavily.
Suck it up.
She’d do it if it was the price she’d have to pay to reclaim her home, because for every Joley, there was a Georgia. And most folks were curious, not malicious.
“Adrianne.” Sam canted his head toward their coffees. “Why don’t you take them out to the truck? I’ll get a selection of muffins and pastries. What we don’t eat, we’ll take home to give to the officers.”
There was that word again— we . While she could stand on her own—had proved that in Chicago and the last six months here—she was grateful for his steadiness. The events of last night had been more traumatizing than she wanted to admit.
“I can handle it,” she said. She pointed at the muffins. “How do you feel about chocolate chips?”
Approval shone in his eyes even as he raised an eyebrow and sneered. “They belong in cookies, not muffins.”