Laurie's Time (The Fairfield Series) (5 page)

“Hey Rob!” His mother’s voice broke through his thoughts. Jerking his head up, he looked into her sparkling eyes. Smiling back, he headed over to the edge of the counter where she was waiting.

“Are you all right, son?” she asked. “You looked lost in thought.”

“I’m fine, Mom,” he assured her. “Just letting my thoughts run away with me today.” Rob had a good relationship with his parents, finding that he could usually tell them anything. But he wasn’t ready to talk about his personal life right at the moment, knowing that as soon as he did, his mom would start trying to set him up with all the single women she was constantly scoping out.

Watching him carefully, she pulled him in for another hug. Considering that he towered over her by at least eight inches and about sixty pounds, he still found her hugs comforting.

“Well, make sure when you get back to the station you only let your father have one pastry. His cholesterol was a little high last month,” Bernie instructed.

“Sure Mom,” Rob agreed, knowing his dad would have at least two pastries, if not three. He walked out of the bakery, his arms full of a large coffee container and bags of his mom’s goodies. Leaving the shop, he turned to the left to head to his truck.

*

Coming immediately from the right, Carol and Laurie walked up to Bernie’s Bakery. Glancing over, Laurie noticed the huge dark haired man walking away from them, his arms loaded with Bernie’s bags. She wondered if Fairfield was full of well-built men. Her eyes traveled down his back, landing on the jeans stretching over his ass and thighs. Eyes widening in surprise, Laurie thought that he might be the same man from the grocery store.
Good god, I am recognizing someone from their ass! What the hell is wrong with me?

Just as the man was getting ready to turn around to get into his truck, Laurie was pulled into the pastry shop and away from the gorgeous mystery man.

Bernie looked up and saw Carol entering her bakery with another woman that she didn’t recognize. The stranger was petite, with the most beautiful hair that Bernie had ever seen. It hung long, thick, and wavy down the woman’s back. As Carol and her friend approached the counter, Bernie could see that the new girl’s face was enchanting. Grey eyes, shining in laughter, smooth ivory complexion, and the barest of makeup enhancing her features.
Oh, please let her be single!

Laurie was looking around the bakery in awe. The soft pink walls were decorated with pictures of baked goodies that made her want to sit and try them all. The white chairs, paired with white and pink tables were so inviting. And the smells…. it made her realize how very hungry she was. She was so entranced with the delightful shop, she did not notice Bernie walking over to them.

“Carol,” Bernie greeted warmly. Carol turned and hugged Bernie, then turned back around to introduce Laurie. Before she could even get the introduction out, Bernie had already moved in to hug Laurie. Laurie, surprised by the greeting, hugged back.

“Carol, who is your friend?” Bernie asked, looking Laurie up and down approvingly.

Carol laughed, knowing Bernie’s propensity to want to make matches for her son, Rob. “This is my new roommate, Laurie. She just moved in and will start teaching first grade at the elementary school next week.”

“A teacher?” Bernie asked, glowing with the information. Laurie felt like a bug under a magnifying glass, although she felt sure that she was meeting Bernie’s approval. Approval for what, she did not know. She turned, looking quizzically at Carol.

Carol, knowing Bernie’s desire for her son to settle down with a nice girl, wanted to relieve Laurie’s unspoken questions. “Bernie has an unmarried son. Rob is a gorgeous fire fighter here in Fairfield, and I think Bernie is wanting to introduce the two of you.”

Bernie laughed, but noticed Laurie’s discomfort. “Oh, my dear, please ignore me. I do want my Rob to settle down, but I would never force anyone on you. But… perhaps an introduction wouldn’t be bad.”

Laurie could not help but smile back at the older woman’s enthusiasm, but had to answer honestly. “Bernie, it’s so nice to meet you but I have to say that I am not looking for anyone right now. I’m just getting started with a new job, a new apartment, a new life.”

Bernie pulled Laurie into another hug, patting her back lovingly. “That’s fine dear. But if you ever want to meet him, you let me know. Who knows? Perhaps it could be the start of something wonderful!”

Letting the girls find a table, Bernie took their orders and headed back to the counter. Seated at the quaint pink-and-white table, Laurie looked over at Carol who was smiling at her. Carol reached over and patted her hand. “Did she make you feel uncomfortable?”

“Oh no, honestly!” Laurie exclaimed. “I just feel like so many new things are happening in my life, and adding the stress of trying to meet a man right now just seems overwhelming. I got the feeling that Bernie would expect instant love!”

Carol laughed along with her. “Actually, Bernie has a good eye for people and I know she could tell that you would make an amazing partner for Rob. But… well, I do have to say that even though I know Rob and he is a great guy, I would warn you that he has a reputation as being a player.”

Laurie’s eyebrows rose that this new information. “Oh, then he’s definitely not for me! I have never been anyone’s one-night stand and don’t plan on starting now!” She spoke so vehemently Carol wondered if there was a story behind Laurie’s statement. She wanted to ask but knew that might be too intrusive. She felt sure that Laurie would share when she was ready.

The girls finished their coffee and treats, hugged Bernie goodbye, and headed out of the shop.

Bernie was already on the phone to Rob, working her magic.

T
he weekend before Laurie began her teaching job, Carol and Tom decided to meet at Smokey’s and introduce Laurie to several of their friends. Carol had warned Tom that while Laurie was gorgeous, she was not going to be any of his friend’s fuck buddies or hookups. He assured her that he would keep an eye on his friends to make sure no one acted inappropriately.

Laurie was excited to go to Smokey’s after hearing about their great food and that the locally owned bar was a town hangout. She knew from Helen and Roger that Smokey’s was owned by Wendy, their daughter, and Wendy’s husband, Bill. Checking with Carol to see what she was wearing, she decided on dark skinny jeans and a soft blue shirt that draped in the front, showing a hint of cleavage. She paired the ensemble with her trademark heels. Always hating being the shortest woman around, she usually wore four inch heels with all of her outfits. Simple but elegant makeup enhanced her naturally beautiful features, and she brushed her long hair, allowing it to fall down her back.

They were meeting Tom at Smokey’s since Laurie wanted to have her own transportation. Knowing that Carol would leave with Tom, she wanted to have control over when she could head back home. Hopping into her VW, they headed down the road towards the bar, singing loudly to the radio.

*

Rob, Tom, Jake, and several other friends were already at the bar, having just arrived. Rob’s mom had already filled his head with her impressions of Carol’s roommate. Hearing she was a beautiful girl made him dread meeting her. While he trusted his mom’s assessment of a beautiful girl, he also knew that his mom was looking for wife material. Right now, Rob was looking for more than a hookup but Carol’s roommate would be a disaster. If he didn’t like her, it could be awkward. And being Carol’s roommate, he would never be able to have her for his usual “fuck and run”.

“Guys, remember to be on your best behavior tonight. Don’t do anything that’ll piss off the new girl. That’ll piss off Carol. And if Carol gets pissed off, that’ll piss off me!” Tom reminded them.

Jake and Rob looked over in amusement. “Just how pussy whipped are you, man?” Rob asked.

“Fuck you, Rob,” Tom scowled back. “It’s just that for once try to be a gentleman, for the girls’ sakes.”

Jake just laughed. He never went for a hookup in Fairfield. It was too difficult in his job as a detective to take a chance on constantly running into a previous fuck. At thirty-one, he was ready to settle down, just waiting for the right one to come along. And a sweet twenty-four-year-old girl was not what he was looking for. But Rob? Jake continued to chuckle. A sweet twenty-four-year-old just might knock Rob on his ass.

Rob strolled over to the pool tables in the back to shoot a game while waiting on the women to arrive. Not overly interested in spending time with them, he was in no rush to be introduced. Within a minute, he was joined by one of the local barflies, fake breasts falling out of the top of a barely-there shirt.
What else is new? Same old, same old.

*

Laurie and Carol entered Smokey’s right on time. Laurie, looking around, was immediately impressed with the beautifully restored bar. The dark wood floor and walls were clean and gleaming. The polished wooden bar lined one side of Smokey’s, with a large mirror behind it. The mirror was decorated with brass lighting fixtures, giving the place an old-time feel. Behind the bar was a mountainous man, who was big and bulky with a heavy beard, filling drink orders. Beside him was a blonde beauty, who Laurie recognized from pictures at Helen and Roger’s office as their daughter, Wendy. Looking up from behind the bar, Wendy waved to Carol, pointing towards the back indicating where Tom was. Carol pulled on Laurie’s arm, leading her towards the back of the bar.

As Laurie and Carol approached the table in the back, she recognized Tom, and noticed several handsome men sitting there as well. The men stood as the women walked up, Tom leaning over to give Carol a kiss before moving back to greet Laurie. As introductions were made, Laurie glanced around nervously. She wondered if Bernie’s son would be there, but he wasn’t at the table. Sitting down, Tom handled ordering for the group.

Laurie noticed one empty chair at their table, just as she heard Carol whispering to Tom, “Where’s Rob? I thought he was coming tonight.”

Tom whispered back, “He’s over by the pool tables, of course.”

At this, Carol rolled her eyes, nodding in understanding. Laurie couldn’t help but wonder if Bernie knew of her son’s reputation as a player. Surely she must, Laurie thought. This town is not that big. Right then, her eyes drifted over to the pool tables, and she noticed the gorgeous man that she had seen at the grocery store and outside of the bakery. There was no way she could miss the way his faded jeans stretched tightly over his thighs and ass. He was huge, easily over six feet tall and built like a football player. Wide shoulders tapered down to his waist, thick thighs filled out his jeans, and his dark T-shirt stretched tightly over his pecs and abs. Muscular arms bulged from the sleeves of the T-shirt.

Laurie knew she was staring and wondered who the man was that had been filling her dreams for the past two weeks. Suddenly she realized that his eyes were staring right back at her.

*