Carol's Image (36 page)

Still holding a sleeping Carol in his arms, he just shook his head. “Hospital shrink came by twice, but she wouldn’t talk. She also refused any medicines other than for pain.” He looked down at the fragile beauty in his arms, cradling her close to his heart. “Almost lost her,” he spoke on a whisper, his voice raspy with emotion.

Rob pulled Laurie in tightly, as tears fell from her eyes. Jake, still shaken from the events on the roof as well, walked over and placed his hand on Tom’s shoulder.

“Honey,” Sofia said quietly to Tom. “You need to get her to her counselor and you need to go as well.”

Tom just nodded. “Yeah. Already put a call in. We’re goin’ in the morning.”

Jake squeezed his shoulder, “Good man.” Looking around the room, he announced, “We need to leave so Carol can get some rest.”

They all stood to leave, saying their goodbyes, as Jon checked with Tom to see if he knew how to take care of the leg wound. Receiving Tom’s assurances, he left as well.

With Carol in his arms, he carried her upstairs to their bedroom. Laurie had already turned the bed down, so he just laid her gently on the sheets. Carefully sliding her yoga pants off her body, he looked at the neat stiches running down her thigh. His hands tightened in fists as he thought about that fucker with her. Drugging her. Terrorizing her. Chasing her. Taunting her. Shaking his head, he headed into the bathroom to shower.

Climbing in bed with her later, he gently pulled her body tightly in next to him, knowing the only way he would ever be able to sleep again was if she were wrapped in his arms.

*

“You ready, dearie?” Jon asked Carol as Sofia fussed over her.

“You’d better be ready to go meet Mr. I’m Gonna Give You Some Loving Detective waiting at the alter,” Sofia chimed in.

A smile lighting her face, Carol beamed, “Oh yeah. I’ve been ready!”

They watched as Laurie and Sofia walked down the aisle first, then the music began the bridal march. “Then let’s get the show on the road.”

Floating down the aisle, Carol made her way to the front of the church where Tom waited. Jake and Rob stood with him, creating a wall of masculine gorgeousness, but she only had eyes for Tom. Tall, blonde, handsome, his chiseled face in a panty-melting grin, he was her Viking.

The last two months had been difficult as she alone and then with Tom, went through counseling with Ronda. Reliving her nightmares and fears had been traumatic, but day by day she was getting stronger. Glancing to the side, she saw Ronda in the church smiling at her. Returning her smile, she was so proud that she had not binged or purged throughout the ordeal. Looking back to Tom, she realized once again that she had what she had always wanted.
Trust. Companionship. Care. Comfort. Love.
She made her way to his side, placing her small hand in his much larger one.

*

Tom watched the beauty as she made her way to him. Heart near bursting, he felt the sting of tears. Blinking them back, not wanting to miss a moment of her journey down the aisle, he smiled as she approached his side. Taking her hand, they turned toward the minister.

Minutes later they were pronounced man and wife. Tom lifted her up in his massive embrace, kissing her the way he had been wanting ever, since he saw her at the back of the church. A kiss filled with love, promise, passion, hope.
Forever.
Slowly letting her slide down his body as the kiss ended, blue eyes gazed at blue eyes.

“I hear your heartbeat, Mr. Rivers,” she said with a smile.

“Angel, it beats for you, Mrs. Rivers,” came the heartfelt reply.

(5 years later)

“A
ngel, we’re gonna be late,” Tom called up the stairs.

“We are hurrying,” came the reply.

Tommy looked up at his dad. “Why does mommy always say that?”

Hoisting his four-year old son up in his arms carrying him outside to the truck, he replied, “Son, it just takes women longer to get ready than men. We don’t fuss about our hair and clothes like your momma and sister do. But when they come out, make sure you tell them how pretty they are. Remember, we take care of our women.”

Carol and two-year old Joanna came running out of the house, hustling to get to the car. Tom looked over at his beautiful wife and little girl, but before he could say anything, Tommy piped up, “You two look beautiful. Daddy says we have to say that and take care of you.”

Rolling her eyes, Carol just laughed. “Oh he did, did he? Well, I guess your daddy is right,” she declared as she leaned up for a quick kiss.

“Ew, mommy’s kissin’ daddy,” Tommy proclaimed.

“Son, that’s the good stuff,” his father said, while buckling him in the car seat.

Arriving at Bernie and Mac’s place for the Thanksgiving meal, the kids ran over to play with Richie and Sarah, Jakes’ children with his wife Emma, and Brock and Caroline, Laurie and Rob’s children. As the adults tried to settle the children down for the meal, they couldn’t help but laugh at how far they had come in recent years. The boys didn’t want to sit with the girls, but their dad’s managed to convince them that girl cooties wouldn’t jump on them.

Tom stood looking at Jake and Rob, saying, “You know, it won’t be too many more years before these kids start pairing off. And I’m, telling you right now, your boys start sniffin’ around my Joanna, I’m gonna have my eye on them.”

Jake spoke quietly, “You think I’d let either one of your boys anywhere near my Sarah?”

Before Rob could retort, the women walked over. “Down cavemen,” Carol said. “The boys’ll be fine and so will the girls. We just raise the boys to respect women and the women to respect themselves, and they’ll be just fine.”

Nodding at her wisdom, the adults made their way over to the food laden tables. Bernie and Mac still presided over the table of family and friends. Jake’s mother, Mary, sat with Tom’s parents, Charles and Nancy, at the other end of the table. Christina toddled over to her parents, and Rob picked up his daughter, cradling her as he leaned over to kiss Laurie. Jake and his wife Emma were sharing a look that only lovers and partners can know. Carol recognized it because it was the same look she and Tom gave each other.

She continued to look around, appreciating the simple concept of family and friends gathered around a table. The food no longer bothered her. Eating was for nourishment and enjoyment, but not for stress relief. When she looked in the mirror, she saw the image of a strong woman and was determined to raise her daughter that way.
Healthy. Happy. Accepted. Loved.
Family.
Tom leaned down for a kiss before the meal began, still amazed at the beautiful woman at his side.

As the meal was ending, Tommy and Joanna crawled into their parents’ laps, feeling nap time coming on.

“Daddy, I hear your heartbeat,” came Tommy’s small voice as he hugged his dad.

“Me too,” came Joanna’s sleepy voice with her cheek pressed up against her mother’s chest.

Over the heads of their children, Tom and Carol looked at each other. Blue eyes gazing at blue eyes.

Together they said, “It beats for you,” hugging their children close to their hearts.

The End

Love’s Taming

Chapter 1

T
he illumination from the dim street lights provided little guidance, but perfect cover for the man slipping through the darkness. Staying to the shadows next to the brick buildings, he carried his heavy load, watching carefully around for signs of life in the alley he dodged into. He knew his destination. He’s been watching her for weeks, knowing that at some point, the time would be right. It hadn’t been hard, watching her. She was beautiful but he wanted her for her skills.
Yeah, keep telling yourself that. She is fuckin’ gorgeous.
His mind drifted to watching her in the neighborhood. Nice. Sweet. Wholesome. Clean.
Not for you, man. Not where you’ve gone and what you’ve seen. Fuck!
Rubbing his hand over his face, feeling the rough stubble of his unshaven face, he locked those thoughts down.
It’s a job. Just do your fuckin’ job.
Looking down at his arms, he wondered how long he would have to wait before making his next move. I’ve got to get her when she is alone. Knowing her routine, it wouldn’t be hard to do that.
Jesus, a woman alone, keeping the same routine. In another world, he would have protected her. Made sure she was safe. Now, she was just a mark. A mark with skills he needed.
Shifting his weight so that he was more comfortable, he crouched down, waiting. He’d done a lot of that in the past two years. Just waiting.

*

The radio alarm belted out the latest country music at five-thirty a.m. as Annie Donavan jerked awake. Slapping her hand on the snooze button, she rolled over keeping her eyes tightly shut.
Just ten more minutes.
A soft pad touched her face. First her forehead. Then her closed eyelid. Then a wet nose sniffed her ear. Opening her eyes, she grumbled, “Go away, Boo,” while reaching out her hand to stroke the large tabby cat’s fur. Letting her hand fall back to the bed, she attempted to snooze once again. In what seemed just seconds the alarm was playing again, only this time when she opened her eyes she had an up close view of a cat butt.
Great. Just what I want to see first thing in the morning.

Pushing the cat to the side, she turned off the radio while swinging her legs over the side of the bed. Boo quickly came back, rubbing his whole body against hers. Two more cats wandered in the bedroom, circling her legs while meowing in unison.

“I know. I know, guys,” she acknowledged, heading into the kitchen to feed her menagerie. Putting the coffee on to brew, she walked back to the bathroom. Pulling her long, copper-colored hair in a messy bun, she quickly washed her face and applied simple makeup. Changing out of her pink drawstring pajama bottoms and matching pink camisole, she dressed in clean scrubs. Her cats had finished their breakfast and were lying on the living room rug cleaning their faces by the time she walked back into her kitchen.

Pouring milk into her bowl of cereal, she walked into the living room, sitting on the sofa to eat. Her thoughts were already on her day, as they were each morning.
First thing, surgery. Two spays, one neuter, one dental. Jesus, I hope Mrs. Rosini remembers to not feed her dog before bringing him in. After surgery, seven known appointments, not including walk-ins.

Finishing her cereal, she allowed her eyes to roam her small apartment as the morning’s sunlight began to filter through the blinds. All three cats, moved over the dark green rug, trying to find a place in the barely-there sunspot. The green rug covered the wood floors, which were not in bad shape, but worn from many years of tenants. The tan sofa Annie sat on, was as worn as the floors, but it was clean and since it came with the apartment, she couldn’t quibble about a free couch. Two chairs faced her, both bought on Craig’s List, along with the coffee table in between.