Once Uopn a Dream

Chapter 1

Devils Lake, North Dakota

“Samantha? Samantha Brandon?” A familiarly rich resonant hoarse voice from her past asked a few spaces from behind her in line of the local grocery store. She was next in line and prayed the determined man would take the notion she didn’t want to talk to him. A large hand tried to reach her but she moved ahead as the person in front of her left with a bag of goods.

She impatiently waited as the cashier tallied her purchases trying to ignore the annoying man. She inserted her cash card through the terminal and waited for the frazzled teen cashier to finish the process. She gratefully shoved her full cart out of the store. One of the front wheels of the cart rattled sloppily as she went to her Jeep trying to make her escape from a painful past best forgotten. Yeah, that’ll happen when pigs get their wing and fly like sweet angels.

“Kayla, where are you?” She grumbled irritably beneath her breath, a cold blistery wind raced across the parking lot and powdery snow fluttered fell from the darkening sky. She glared at the empty black Jeep with a frown of anxiety flooded through her body. Something didn’t feel right to her, her eyes swept the area about her but saw nothing wrong. Although, she knew better than to not trust her instincts when they screamed at her that rotten news was coming her way.

Samantha told her teenage sister to wait for her in the Jeep so she could quickly grab a few things they needed from the store. Now, where did that kid wonder off too?
“Hey, Sam! Wait up.” Dear God, please don’t let it be him! I just can’t take much more unwelcome drama in my life! It’s all a nasty dream and I’ll wake up in my bed.
“Sam, it’s me, Ben. Ben MacGregor.” Like she could ever forget whom that sensual voice belonged too. She almost laughed at the bitter irony of all her hard work going up in smoke when her true love waltzed back in her life like nothing changed.

Of course her luck hasn’t been that great lately. Her sister was gone and her ex-lover found her at a time she didn’t want to see him. She gazed at a patch of pure blue sky the threatening winter clouds didn’t cover and frankly asked God what she did to deserve all these problems. She was a good person helping others when she could but why send Ben MacGregor back to her she asked the Fates.

All she wanted to do was go home, put the food away and take a much-desired nap. Lately she was so exhausted all she could think about was sleep and dream of Ben MacGregor. She threw the brown paper bags in the trunk and rolled the cart to the metal cart holders a few feet from her Jeep. “Now if I could just as easily get my life back in order.”

“Sorry, sis but a few guys from school stopped by and wanted to talk to me.” Kayla walked away from a car full of teen boys giggling secretively. Her cobalt blue eyes sparkled mischievously before she caught her older sister glowering darkly at her.

“What?” Kit’s smile weakened at the panic in her sister’s eyes that were the same as her but darker.

“Let’s go.”

“Hey that hottie’s waving at us. Do you know him?” Kayla waved back at Ben as came closed the distance between them. Traffic outside the store caught him and had to wait until he could cross into the crowded, snow encrusted parking lot.

“We’re leaving. Now.” Samantha grabbed her sister’s arm and dragged her back to the Jeep. She couldn’t deal with Ben just now. The shock of finally hearing from him after all the time that passed was too much. Not after all the months he could of come after her. Things were just way too different for them now.

“Can I drive?” Kayla beamed gleefully excited because she passed the written driver’s test recently and needed to badly practice her new skills. God help them all!

“No, now get in.” She unlocked the doors, frantic to leave before Ben caught them. She was about to close the door when the man of her passionate fantasies boldly steeped back into her life.

Ben MacGregor seized her door before it closed and held it open. “Didn’t you hear me, Samantha?” His breath was heavy and raspy from the mad dash to her vehicle.
“Couldn’t you take a hint, Agent MacGregor? I don’t want to see you or talk to you!” She tried to close her door but he refused to let go. Dammit! She had enough to do without further trouble from this man.

“Yeah, but I don’t give up that easy, lady mystic.” He laughed wickedly and she wanted to slap him so hard he would feel the pain for the rest of his life. Miserable wretch.

“Let go.”

“Never,“ he breathed softly so her companion wouldn’t hear him. His black eyes turned smoky as he thought of their time together. He often wondered what happened to her after she left him one crisp spring morning in New York a little more than seven months ago.

“What do you want, Agent MacGregor? I’m sort of in a hurry, if you hadn’t noticed.” Why did she call him that damned name? She usually called him MacGregor when she was annoyed with him. Troublesome female. He wouldn’t be able to figure her out if it him a whole lifetime and than some.

“Yeah, I noticed. We need to talk in private.” His bottomless black eyes touched hesitantly on Kayla wondering who she was to Samantha. She didn’t really talk too much about her family but the younger woman looked a lot like Samantha. Well, it couldn’t be her daughter since the girl was at least a teenager, almost an adult.

“You could of easily called instead of coming all this way for nothing, Agent MacGregor. Now I really have to get home before the food begins to freeze from the cold.” She smiled a little too sweetly as she started the engine and firmly closed the driver’s door.

“Hi, Mr. MacGregor. I’m Kayla Brandon and I apologize for my sister. Sometimes she’s in too much of a hurry. Mama would of have been shocked, Sam. Don’t you think you should invite Mr. MacGregor to dinner at the very least for all his troubles?” She cautiously leaned over Samantha, offering her small hand to him, and completely ignored her sister’s soft groan of doom.

“Why, thank you, Kayla. I would love to and my name’s Ben MacGregor.” He smoothly accepted before Samantha could object and glowered at them both for making these plans without her consent. She was not going to have him in her house and cook food for him. No way on a frosty day in Hades!

“I don’t think so, you two. I’ve got an appointment with Stefan this evening that I can’t miss.” She already missed too many Lamaze classes because their younger sister, Rachel Ann, that always wanted to stay with her. “Anyways, Kayla aren’t you going to the rally tonight at the high school?”

“Of course, silly beans. I only wanted Mr. MacGregor to be with you so you wouldn’t be lonely after I left.” Kayla rolled her dark eyes as the wheels in her brain planned feverishly. She knew who Mr. MacGregor was to her sister. Samantha could hardly keep her eyes off of the tall, dark handsome law enforcement agent.

“What’s the address?” Ben pulled out a small notepad from his coat’s pocket to take the much-desired address. He also was very curious who this Stefan fellow was and what he meant to Samantha. Did she replace him so soon after their brief affair? He kept his head bent as he quickly repeated the directions Kayla so graciously provided. He gave her his business card before he stepped back with his cell phone number on the back.

“In case you need me, Sam. See you tonight, baby.” The sultry promise that rolled so easily from his tongue made her shiver with an intense, bone melting desire. Did he glimpse at her thickening belly before she safely got into the Jeep? She wasn’t about to wait and find out either. She didn’t waste another second to drive away. She pulled out of the parking lot onto the snow slush road before peering at her meddlesome sister.
“Quite pleased with yourself, Kayla Michelle?”

“So, is he the one?” Kayla totally disregarded the brusque question and the full name usage firing a question instead. She could hardly contain her delight as she waited enthusiastically. She couldn’t believe the shocking news Samantha told her once she got back from New York after helping the FBI on a special case.

“I don’t want to talk about it, okay?” She turned on the harden dirt packed road to their house and refused to say another word about Ben MacGregor.

“Aw, c’mon. I saw the way you guys were looking at each other. Spill.”

“Help me with the bags. I have to leave soon to get Rachel Ann from day care.” She parked the Jeep and took a few minutes to relax her tense muscles from the confrontation with her ex-flame. She thought Ben might have noticed the weight she put on before she got back to the Jeep. Luckily for her she was wearing a navy blue maternity dress that hid most of her body.

“I’ll get the bags if you want to rest. I hope you let Ben come. I’d feel a lot better knowing he was here for you instead of…Stefan.” Kayla took a couple of bags into the house then came back out for the rest.

“What’s wrong with Stefan? He’s a good friend who only wants to help me.”

“Well, for starters he’s not the father of your baby and he’s way creepy.” Kayla shuddered in revulsion picturing him with pretty her sister. She told Samantha that he was oddball when they first started to date. It wasn’t like Stefan was unattractive but there was something about him that rubbed her the wrong way.

“So? I think some of your friends are creepy, also.” She coerced herself to defend her friend that desperately wanted to help her before her, ah…problem began too big for her to handle by herself. He never even tried to kiss her for Heaven’s sake! This was ridiculous and she didn’t see the point in quarrelling with her teenage sister any further.

“What? Which friend do you think is creepy?”

“Listen I don’t have time for this. I’ve got to pick up Rachel Ann.” She backed out of the long gravel driveway, sighing heavily as her baby decided to strongly kick her at that moment. She stooped at the red light outside of the daycare, her blinker winking at her as she immuring herself of happier times. How she wished things could have worked out differently between her and Ben. She tenderly rubbed the spot the baby kicked at got lost in her reverie. She reflected on the day long ago when she brought up the greatly dreaded topic of children. They had been living together for a few weeks in his spacious hotel suite in a ritzy hotel the government was paying. When she was first brought in on the case to help find their man she hardly thought she’d find love. And love him she did.

“So, what do you think?” She had asked him hesitantly a shy smile curved her soft trembling lips watching him from the bedroom doorway getting ready for work. She’d loved to watch him all day, watching his strong sleek muscles rippled every time he moved.

"What? Kids as in you and me?” Ben laughed uneasily as he shoved his feet in a pair of shoes seat on the rumpled bed of tangled sheets and blankets. He sure as hell hoped she wasn’t trying to tell him something. He didn’t know if he’d ever be ready to be responsible for a baby. And there was no way he was prepared for kids let alone a duty to a wife. But the idea of Samantha carrying his baby made him feel tenfold more like a man than he ever had in his entire life. Hold it there, MacGregor! Your job is hazardous for a family.

“I’m not ready for curtain climbers, honey. You’re not trying to tell me something are you?”

“Oh no, I just wanted to know.” Like she’d ever tell him now for at the time she only strongly suspected she might be. Her monthly was two weeks late and she was never late. They had used very method of birth control but it was said it sometimes it wasn’t enough. How bloody true!

“What’s all this talk about kids, anyways?” He knew there was a problem when her shaky hand smoothed back an errant strand of hair from her pallid face before quickly turning away from him. “Hey, sweetheart I think I better tell you a little more about my childhood.” He walked up behind her his strong arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her securely back against him as he carefully choose his next words.
“It’s true I have a fear of becoming a father. My dad wasn’t all that great and I’m afraid I’ll be just like him. No, I want you to listen to me for a change.
After my mom died my dad became a nasty alcoholic overnight. If me, my brother or sister did anything that irritated him in the slightest he would grab a belt and…anyways, it not anything I want to subject to any kids I possibly might father.”

“But you’d be a wonderful father!” She fiercely defended him whirling about in his arms. “You’re too hard on yourself and I won’t have it. Do you hear me, Ben MacGregor? I lo- er, like you too much.”

“And I especially, ah like you.” He snickered slyly mocking her words before his tousled dark head stooped to hers tenderly kissing her. “Dammit, I’m late for work. I’ll see you later, okay?”

“Ben? I wanted you to know that I love hearing you laugh. I wish you could do it more often.” She gently confessed her blue eyes darkened sadly for she knew her time was scarce with him.

Ben felt his heart knot tightly in his chest knowing he fell in love with her at that moment wearing only his buttoned down faded cotton blue shirt. Her long golden curls jumbled riotously about her blushing cheeks. Just like she would if he said what he wanted to do to her delicious little body in a crowded restaurant or expressed his thoughts when he was lost deep inside of her wet tight core.
He never known a woman could be this beautiful with the early morning sun filtering through the lacy curtains on the windows behind her. She offered him a hot cup of fresh coffee to him, steam curled from the top caressing her grinning lips. And suddenly it hit him like bird flying for the first time, experiencing a freedom so unadulterated he lost his breath at the same time his heart skipped a few precious beats. This was the woman he wanted to sleep with each night for the rest of his life and grow old with.

Ben glanced over his board shoulder grinning wolfishly from the front door. He’d see her tonight after his shift ended and that was all that mattered. He’d tell her of his love then. He blew her a quick kiss and as if in slow motion turned to leave. Never did he think it would have been the last time he saw her and he would later remember she didn’t promise him she would see him before he rushed off to work.
It was nearly unbearable to leave him later the same night when he phoned to tell her Wiley Webb was taken into custody. He found the file she prepared based on cold hard facts, not her physic power of sight. He read through it while talking with his partner, Hunter about any recent activity on their most wanted man. She had been extremely determined to help him in any way she could every time he scoffed at her abilities. When he stubbornly refused to listen to the information she researched she threw the thick vanilla file across his messy desk in a fine fit of pique and stalked out of his office. She had other problems to deal with other than what he thought about her. Stupid ape of a man, she huffed mutely to herself trying not to laugh at the mental picture flashed across her mind’s eye.

Her knees buckled beneath her and tumbled weakly into a chair behind her as she numbly hung up the phone. Her forehead pressed wearily on her crossed arms thinking only of the pleasure was apparent in his voice as he shouted, “It’s over! We got him, babe!” And the loud party at his office celebrating in the background echoed deafeningly through her aching head. She just ran out of time to prove him he could be a great daddy to their unborn baby. She got the positive results back on the pregnancy test she took a few minutes before. What was she going to do now? Tell him or leave him?

She knew their time together was over because couldn’t allow him unmask her incredible news when he wasn’t ready to face the fact he was nothing like his drunk of a father. And he would know once her belly began to swell with his baby. Her pants were already beginning to feel tight around her waist. She tried numerous times to convince him he was nothing like his father and failed each time when he change the subject by making sweet, slow love to her. She tried to compose a letter to leave him but couldn’t explain why she had to leave so suddenly. Every time she began she would end up crying so hard her shudders made it impossible to read her handwriting.

“Hey lady, turn already! The light’s green now.” A man honked his horn repeatedly, angry that he was losing time he needed to get to work on time. She was rudely snapped her from her heartrending reflection of a taunting past best forgotten and waved her hand before turning into the daycare without further delay. The large pick up truck behind her squealed his tires almost clipped her back bumper in his haste to get a move on.

“Sorry I couldn’t move faster for you, jerk!” She hissed beneath her breath as she parked in the first spot by the building’s doors. “I’m glad something’s turning out right for a change.”

“Miss Brandon, you’re late again.” The daycare clerk hastily pointed out as soon as Samantha entered the building. Her bright pink hair caught Samantha unaware at first and didn’t have the chance to open her mouth. “One more time and your rate rises.”

“Why, hi to you, too Kelly. Pleasant day, I take it? I’m sorry I’m late but the darnest thing happened-”

“Every mommy has a story, Miss Brandon and I can’t bend the rules just for you just this time or I’ll have to for all the other late mothers. Policy’s policy. ” The cheeky clerk smiled boorishly, pushing away from her table desk to fetch Rachel Ann.

“I was three damned minutes late.” Samantha complaint ruefully after the abrasive clerk who looked more like a teen punk than a responsible employee. But who was she to what was normal these days.

Susan Whitmore, the director of the daycare was headed her way once she saw Samantha by the desk. What now? As if she didn’t need another thing to go backfire on her and add to her mountain of increasing problems.

“Miss Brandon, we need to talk.” Why did everyone want to talk to her? Did she have a big lettered sign stamped on her forehead that said, “Problems? Sure, talk to good ole Sam and she’ll take care of it.” If she didn’t know better she would think she’s the popular one in a lot of people’s lives.

“What can I do for you, Mrs. Whitmore?”

“We’ve been having some problems with Rachel Ann for some time now. Have you noticed any changes in her behavior lately?”

“No.” In fact her youngest sister seemed to be just fine. She was such a happy adorable child for three years. “She’s been very happy. Why?”

“Miss Johnson who takes care of her age level has some mild concerns about her. She told me Rachel Ann upsets her class more than once a day. It takes a lot of time to settle the kids and very hard to get back to the lessons outlined for the day.”

What lessons? The fine art finger painting the swell choice for every three year old?

“What are you so kindly trying to tell me, Mrs. Whitmore?”

“No, let me go!” Rachel Ann screamed as loud as her lungs would allow, fighting against her caregiver like an enraged tiger cub. Her sister’s little body strained fervently from the woman’s tight hold. “You’re hurting me.”.

“Let my sister go!” Samantha hissed reaching for her and narrowed her livid blue eyes on the Johnson woman. “If I ever see you treat her like that again…”

“I won’t take that troublemaker back!” The riled governess snapped before she huffed back to her room.

“Is this the kind of people you allow to care for children?” Samantha turned to the director with Rachel Ann whimpering in her protective arms. “I never had a problem with my sister and wouldn’t use force like that!”

“Please, Miss Brandon, calm down. Miss Johnson is one of the best people I have here. She hardly has such a time with the other kids. I think it best if you find another daycare for your sister.”

“Don’t worry about that, Mrs. Whitmore.” She carried her sister back to her Jeep and wondered what on earth she was going to do now. She had a business to run and it wasn’t a place for children. Well she has to compromise anyways with her baby on the way. “Are you okay, sweetie?”

“Ah-huh.” Rachel Ann sniffed bravely as she was buckled in her child seat in the backseat. “Me no like, Mama Sammy. Me home, pleaze.”

“Yes, you home for now, sweetie.” She buckled herself in the driver’s seat feeling very tired. She wished she could take a warm bath and go to bed, but she had her class in about an hour. And Stefan was going to be at her house soon. She didn’t even want to think about why Ben MacGregor was here in Devil’s Lake.


“Did you find Miss Brandon, Ben?” Hunter Wolverton asked when he met him a while later back at the SUV. Darn airlines misplaced one of his bags. They barely arrived from the airport when he was told his bags were on their merry New Orleans. He needed to stop at the local grocer store for some personal items until his bags could be returned to him.

“What? Oh yeah, I found her all right.”

Hunter looked at his partner of five years and speculated at his terse tone. Guess things didn’t work out quite as his friend wanted. He knew there was something between them before Ben and Samantha did. He remembered the sparks that flew every time they were in a room together.

“Did you tell her Webb got away?”

“I didn’t have a chance when I caught up with her.” Wiley Webb was the reason Samantha was involved in the first place. She was a respected psychic with many police forces around the country. She helped solve many cases but those had to do with missing person’s not cold-blooded murderers. And Wiley Webb was the most callous evil man Ben seen in some time.

They first scorned any attempt Samantha tried to help. This was official federal concern and the police brought in a fortuneteller. How the boys at the Washington the office laughed at that one. Two of their top agents couldn’t track a killer and needed a psychic to even get any information on the devious prep.

“Do you know that Sam has a sister?” Ben suddenly asked as Hunter drove to their hotel.

“How should I know? You were the one she spend any time with.” Ben looked out he window losing himself in his troubled thoughts. He knew something was bothering Samantha other than Webb before she left him. He just didn’t know what kind of trouble she was having at the time. Then she dropped the bomb on him when the kids’ issue was kept being thrown in his face. He tried all he could to make her understand why he didn’t want to be a father.

“Are you pregnant, Sam?” he blurted out in one of their many heated arguments, his heart thundered so loud in his ears that she had to repeat herself.

“No. I only wanted to prove to you that because you had a terrible father doesn’t mean you will be.”

He couldn’t take it anymore and the only way to silence her was to take matters into his own hands. His lips slanted hard over hers, his arms tightened around her when she fought against him easily lifting her onto the kitchen counter standing between her spread legs. His large hands harshly caressed down her slender back to her firm bottom then hooked behind her knees to rise them high on his hips. He growled ruthlessly as the pleasure coursed in hot waves through him as their bodies fitted tightly concurrently. His hardening groin sharply rocked against her hot moist core the perfect cradle for him. As if they shared one mind. And the reckless need to make love now.

“Do you know what you do to me, woman?” He demanded to know, his groin already hard as he rubbed against her soft core. “I want to kiss you all over until you beg me to take you.”

“Oh God,” she moaned arching her suddenly heavy bare breasts to his furry chest. She didn’t recall him shoved her shirt and braw out of his way. Her resistance evaporated faster than water on an open fire. Her slender fingers combed through his soft dark hair holding his head to her straining nipple as he lovingly worshipped it with his searing tongue. His pants became painfully constricting as she restlessly writhed against him. “Do you like that, honey?”

“I need, ah God…”
"What? Tell me what you need, baby.” He groaned heavily across her opened mouth waiting for her to come to him. The need he had himself had nearly sapped his self-control. He wanted to shred his pants off and bury himself do deep inside of her she could only know of her need for him. Damn the pleasure almost killed him as she frantically took him deeper…

“Hey Macgregor, we’re at the hotel.” The rental truck was smoothly parked and Hunter nudged his partner from his deep musing. “Hey, what’s with you, man?”

“Nothin’. I want this to be over so that Samantha is safe again.” He had to hide the stiff affect of his fantasy produced his wayward body.

“Yeah, well, I’m sure she can handle herself until we talk to her.” Hunter assured his partner, gabbing his bags from the backseat. “I’ll go and check us in.”.

“I think I’ll take a ride over to Sam’s place.” He took the car keys from Hunter and slide over to the driver’s side. “You already know where to find her?”

"Yeah, I saw her at the store.”

“Damn, if you’re not a lucky so and so.” Hunter shook his golden head good-naturedly going inside the hotel the bureau were paying for them during their stay.
Ben wasted no time, staring the SUV to get to Samantha’s house on the edge of town. He followed the red sport’s car in front of him as it too turned down the same dirt road. He frowned as he watched the car before him turn into Samantha’s driveway. It couldn’t be Webb could it? How could he find Sam so soon after his escape?
He closely studied as an average sized man with chestnut hair sauntered up to the sweeping porch of the lighted house. “What the...? Well, well Sam what do we have here?” He whispered faintly as she opened the door for the man, an affectionate smile glowed on her flushed face.

Ben parked the truck a ways down the road and dashed back to the sprawling white house with his gun in hand. Sweat broke out all over his body hoping he didn’t have to use force with Samantha and her sister at mortal risk. He wanted to know what was going on before he barged through the door and possibly make a complete ass out of himself.
He peered through he window to see the man warmly embrace Sam and lightly kiss her lips. Was it true? Had Samantha replaced him after she spent so much time trying to convince him she loved him. That she thought he could be an admirable father of her children? Something just didn’t quite add up right. He ducked when he saw Kit race down the stairs followed by a little girl and skidded to an abrupt halt. Who the hell was that? But more importantly did they see him?

“Oh great day, will you please stop kissing my sister! You do know there are young eyes in the house, right?” Kit retorted tartly turning Rachel Ann’s head and covered her ears with her hands.

“Kissin’, sissy Kitty?” She giggled impishly her bright green eyes alight with merriment. She pushed away from Kit and latched onto Samantha’s leg. “Kissy me, Mama Sammie? Me like kisses.” Her little pink lips puckered for a quick smooch.
Samantha awkwardly bent down to brush her lips across Rachel Ann’s. “There now you aren’t left out, honey bear.”

“What about sissy Kitty, Mama Sammie?” Her wide emerald eyes focused on Kit and frowned gravely. She felt bad to leave feeling Kit all alone than ran back to her. “Me love you too, sissy Kitty.” She hugged her leg then raised her lips for another kiss smiling when she received one.

“And I love you, little sister.”

“We really need to leave, Samantha dear. We don’t want to be late.” Stefan looked at his watch feeling extremely unnerved with all this show of family affection. The first time he saw Samantha he thought her a beautiful woman and had to have her. It didn’t matter to him if she only wanted to friends, but he hoped for so much more. That’s why he decided to help her with the baby.

“Yeah, right. So, Kit after the rally you’re on your way home, right?”

“Aw, c’mon sis! All my friends get to stay out until at least midnight.” Kit scoffed trying to get a later time than her cure view of ten o’clock. She didn’t want her friends to think she was a silly snot nosed little kid. Sorry, Rachel Ann but this is really important. It was her senior year in high school and there was Scotty Williams. All the girls thought he was so hot and he asked her to go to the party after the rally.

“And if your friends jumped from a bridge would you, too?”

“You sound just like Mom for crying out loud!” Kit huffed dejectedly her shoulders slumped in mock defeat. She knew how to work her older sister when she really wanted something Samantha was dead set against.

“You are sweet to say so and you do that too well for your own good, kid. Slumped shoulders were always a weakness with me. I guess that Scotty Williams asked you to the party after the rally, then?” Sam laughed at Kit’s guilty flushed cheeks knowing she was right.

“How did you know?”

“I don’t give away my sources, kid. But you have until midnight and if you’re not back here in the house, I’ll send the police out for you. Devil’s Lake Lodge, right?”

“There has to be something that you don’t know!”

“If we don’t leave, Samantha dear, we’ll be late.” Stefan prompted again after he nosily cleared his throat. He had hoped Rachel Ann would of stayed with Kit tonight but it looked like that wouldn’t be the case.

“I’m sorry, Stefan. Let me grab our coats and my bags. I‘ll meet you in the car.” She went to the closet and took two winter coats out. She helped Rachel Ann with hers then she put hers on. “Remember midnight.” She warned Kit as she walked out the front door with Rachel Ann close on her heels.

“Sure thing.” Kit waved to them while they drove away and stepped on the porch looking intently through the darkness. “Okay, Agent man, you can come out now. My sisters are gone.”

“Who’s the guy?” Ben bit out between tightly clenched teeth holstering his weapon beneath his heavy winter coat as he stalked over to Kit.

“Ah, yeah. She can do a lot better than that patronizing social climber, Stefan Grayson. I tried telling countless times he wasn’t right for her, but if my sister isn’t more hardheaded than a ton of donkeys in a wooden barrel.” Kit’s gentle laughter chimed softly so much like her older sister’s Ben felt his heart melt. Kit was really beginning to like the father of her niece or nephew more and more. He was a guy who’d stay with Samantha and help her when the baby was born. He had the one thing that was most needed to be more stubborn than her sister.

“So, what are you going to do about it, agent man? Surely you’re not going to let him have her without a fight.” She daringly taunted him hoping against hope she was right about him for she listened to Sam talk on hours about him. If she, a young adult of seventeen, could realize how right they were for one another than why couldn’t they? If this was what the rush it meant to grow up and distinguish “the mystery of love” she rather not. Oh hell no! She had to many issues as it was with high school and soon for college. She leaned against the wooden railing her father built added to the old ranch house some years ago for Mama’s birthday. Life might be bitterly tough at time but it did offer breathtaking rewards also.

“What do you know about it, kid? Your sister’s an adult and hardly has to answer to me.” But what would he give for that privilege. “Whatever Samantha and I had was finished months ago.”

“First of all, I’m not a kid and secondly I know Sam a lot better than you. I wouldn’t be so hasty to say anything when it comes to my sister, agent man.” What was it with the Brandon sisters that they all dubbed him agent man. It was getting damn irritating to put it mildly, not to mention the kid did have a point about Sam. He did want to get Samantha back in his life any way he could. It looked like his way back was through her two younger sisters.

“I think you should stay here and wait for my sisters to come home. They should be only about an hour or less. Come on in,” she waved to him as she headed back into the house to fetch her coat. “I have a rally to go to and my ride just pulled up. Bye!”

Ben watched rather flabbergast as she merrily left him alone in the house. What could she possibly be thinking? He was starting to believe none of the Brandon girls thought much of all than leaving him in the dark.

“Well might as well get comfortable,” he sighed to the empty lighted house throwing his coat on the couch. He reached for the phone to call Hunter and let him know not to except him back any time soon. His keen eyes roamed about the living room and got caught on a picture of him and Samantha together, smiling brightly on their legitimate first date. They went out to a late dinner then a carriage ride in the park with the moon as their only light. What a fantastic night it was then it go par amounted higher as they spent the night cuddling in each other’s arms.
“What happened to us, Sam?”


“God, Samantha dear, you look exhausted. Are you all right?” Stefan said for the umpteenth time in no more than five minutes leaving her class. She should have gone by herself because she was about ready to seriously damage her friendship with the man driving the car. “Maybe I should stay until Kit gets back from the rally.”
“I’ll be fine, Stefan. Really.”

“I would feel much better if I stayed just in case Rachel Ann would need something.” He grasped the idea long ago that if he wanted to help her sisters more she usually caved. He wanted to more time alone with her without her siblings in the way. He spent too much time to give up when he was so close to his goal.

“If you want too.” Samantha nestled comfortably in the leather plush seat closing her eyes to get as much rest as possible. She had to get up early in the morning for work and figure out what to do with Rachel Ann since the daycare banned her from coming back. Besides she didn’t want her there after what she witnessed to today.

Stefan rolled into the Brandon’s driveway quietly as he could turn off the engine without waking Samantha. He peered out his shoulder to make sure Rachel Ann was asleep before he turned his attention back to the woman seated next to him. He took a moment to study the beauty sleeping and his slender unsteady hand reached across to cup her swollen breast. He gently unbuttoned her dress so his hand could slip beneath her lacy bra to fully caress her soft velvety skin. His fleshed heated and started to expanse, his excitement mounted unbearably urging him to lower his head to taste her.

He shifted awkwardly in his seat to relieve some of the strain his tight pants caused his throbbing aroused flesh in the crotch. His head slowly lowered towards her when he got slapped across the face.

“What the devil do you think your doing, Stefan?” Samantha gasped appalled by his underhandedness of her venerable state. She immediately covered herself tightly clutching her dress together in a fisted hand. She opened the door nearly fell out in her haste to flee. She snatched her baby sister from the backseat and ran to the house.

“Samantha, wait!” Stefan dashed after her slipping on the slick ice under the dirty snow. He hadn’t meant to go so far but she was temptation itself even when she was with child. He couldn’t seem to help himself while he was close to her.

Samantha slammed the door in his flushed face trying to calm Rachel Ann from her rude awaking as well as herself. Kit was so right about Stefan she wondered why she didn’t see it before. God, she was so gullible when it came to men. Even with Ben she was a bigger fool than she was with the persistent man pounding on her front door.

“Go to bed, honey bear. I’ll be right with you.” She watched the child scurry upstairs to her room not wanting her to hear the clash that was about to violently explode. She leaned her forehead against the door wishing everyone would leave her in peace. Her hands soothingly knead her queasy stomach taking deep gulps of air to calm her frazzled nerves.

“Please open the door Samantha.” Stefan tried the doorknob but she had flicked the lock and bolt behind her like she always did. His doubled fists beat fiercely against the door while begging her not to be mad at him. That he was sorry and requested for her forgiveness.

“Go away, Stefan!”

“Samantha, dear please let me explain.” The desperation and crazed uneasiness cracked his voice as he realized the grave seriousness he committed against her. He shouldn’t have touched her yet he wanted her for so long he disregarded her wishes to be only friends. He knew she would never forgive him but he had to try. Her appeal to him rose extremely as fought vainly against the locked door..

“How can you ever justify your hand in my dress, you little sneaky jackass?”

“He did what?” Samantha startled, panicked at the furious resonant voice snarled in back of her like a mighty roar of thunder of a vicious oncoming storm that was headed her way. Slowly she turned to face a livid Ben MacGregor, astonished to see him uninvited in her house. If she thought those three little words he spat was dangerous it compared nothing to witnessing it first handed. It scared the living hell out her as she unblinkingly watched his face darken even more as she remembered what she asked Stefan. Then she got angry with both men for the chaos they were created in her life.

“Who had his hand in your dress, Samantha Brandon? It sure as hell wasn’t me and I demand to know who was. Was it that loser I saw with you?” His large hands fisted tightly at his sides his knuckles whiten, waiting for her to answer.

“How dare you, Ben MacGregor! You have no right to be in my house and question the choices I want to do with my life.” She pushed past him walking down the long corridor to the kitchen to get a glass of water. She needed to out as much distance between them as she could. He looked even more gorgeous than she remembered and still was affected by him. She couldn’t let herself fall for him again like she did in New York. Things had changed for her and she didn’t want to get hurt again.
Ben opened the door but the coward was long gone now. He slammed the door closed locking it behind him as he followed Samantha to the kitchen. “What did he do?”

“None of your business, Agent MacGregor. I think you better leave now. Isn’t it unlawfully for you to be here uninvited?” She drank her water over the sink her back faced him. Her heart pounded like a drum as she breathlessly waited for him to leave.

“If I leave I’ll find that guy and beat the hell out of him. And your sister had enough sense to give her permission for me to stay.”

Samantha silently groaned her tense shoulders slumped in defeat too tired to fight him. She slowly faced him and tugged her coat tightly about her. She wanted to avoid this for as long as possible but it seemed the time had come to face the music.

“Are you cold?” He softly asked, his dark eyes glittered his amusement knowing she rather have him go. He had waited months see her again and he wasn’t to be rushed. He reached for her coat laying it over one of the kitchen chairs. “Do you know how stunning you are to me?"

“Oh yeah right! I’m big as a house in case your blind or just plain crazy.” She forced a laughed spilled form her lips as tears clouded in her jewel like eyes. The tip of her nose was pink from the attempt to keep her emotions locked within her. God it hurt to look at him and know she couldn’t have him.

“I’m crazy for you, Sam.”

“Please, don’t. I can’t hear this now. I want you to leave.”

“And I want you. Want to love you until you know you belong to me.” His hands gently framed her face, his thumb caressed her bottom lip. He drown himself in her wide blue eyes wishing she never left. They lost so much time as it was and he wasn’t willing to loose any more. His firm lips replaced his thumb tenderly greeting her the way he dreamed each night he fell asleep. He wanted to sleep again with the taste of her on his lips and the fell of her softness cuddled against him. “Do you know what you do to me, honey?”

The roughness of his voice had her fighting for her sanity not the illusion of paradise with him waiting for her. The promise of tomorrow in his strong arms and to be blessed with the love her parents had celebrated. She selfishly wanted her whole dream with Ben MacGregor because she couldn’t bare to have half of him. At that precise moment her belly shifted against him as their child settled for a comfy spot. It’s tiny foot kicked inside of her and thumped against his father.

“What the hell was that?” Ben flinched away like he got stabbed with a doubled bladed knife, totally freaking out. “What’s wrong with your belly?”

Samantha read the panic in his dark eyes as he took a few steps back from her. His eyes fastened on her protruding abdomen in astonishing shock. His mouth literally hit the floor watching it move again. He really hadn’t noticed how well along she was for he was too wrapped in his desire for her. He never actually thought she was over him and another man got her pregnant. No, not his Sam.

“I’m pregnant.” She whispered breathlessly once she found her voice, her eyes glistening brightly at his complete look of revulsion. Her hands covered her face as her tears fell over the rim of her lids tracking salty down her ashen cheeks. She had no idea how he was going to respond when he was told about their baby, but this absolutely had to be the horrible of them all.

“Is it mine?” He lashed out out of habit whenever he felt cornered as he did now. He couldn’t believe she’d keep this from him. You gave her no reason to tell you. But he ruthlessly silenced the mocking voice in his head.

Okay so she was mistaken. This had to be the most miserable her life has been since the death of her parents and tackling the responsibility of keeping her family together. She had to prove to a court not to take them from her that could take care of her two sisters when she still lived beneath her parent’s roof. She didn’t understand what she had to give up but she wouldn’t have it any other way. God she was so weary of fighting to be strong that tomorrow was going to be better.

“Get th fuck out,” she chocked harshly leaned heavily against the counter. The pressure of stress weighted on her shoulder until she felt older than time that ticked from her grandfather clock.

“Mamma Sammy?” Rachel Ann pocked her head though the kitchen door impatient for her to tuck her good night. She smiled at the Ben slowly walked up to him. “Are you my daddy now?”

“Get to bed Rachel Ann! I’ll be there in a moment, poppet.” Samantha suppressed her sorrow as she wiped the useless tears from her face. She couldn’t bare Ben’s rejection of her little sister when he had a tough time with the news of their baby. He actually had to ask her if the baby was his! What a spineless coward.

“Your so right, Ben. We don’t need a shameful father like you. I’ll take care of it all as I always did. Please lock the door on your was out. Now you understand why I left you so I didn’t have to saddle you with a family.” She ushered her sister back to her room telling her not to fret that she was here for her.

But why not for me, Ben wondered as he numbly left almost forgot to lock the door behind him. What just happened here? He was going to a father that’s what and he was scared spite less about it. He needed to clear his head to think about the life altering news he discovered. The only thing he knew for certain was he was going to help Samantha in any way he could other than marriage. He helplessly watched his mother die and his father turn into a drunk. He didn’t want his child to know his only grandfather was a mean drunk loser who knew nothing about love. No, he’d keep his child from feeling like he was never good enough for love.

“My Sam is having my baby. Our baby.” It wasn’t as difficult as he pictured this dreaded day in his life. The words he said didn’t fill him with uncontrollable terror in fact they seemed to sooth him. He wanted to shout it to the world that Samantha Brandon was having his baby and he was happy. Happy? He was beyond happy. He couldn’t describe what he was feeling but it all was unbelievably wonderful.
Ben whistled a cheery tune as he walked back to the SUV imagining what his life would be like with Samantha, their baby and her two sister. A ready-made family. His family. He’d teach his son…his son how to play sports and take him to watch the Yankee’s games.

“I’m going to be a father!” He shouted as loud as he could into the night not caring who heard him. He drove back to the hotel feeling fortunate enough to have found a woman like Samantha Brandon. He planned to marry that woman no matter how long it’d take him.

Mischievous Goth Lover

The festival of the Moon Goddess was tonight and considered scarce to many who worshiped the Goddess. This was the only night where she would grant almost anything to her followers. Large bond fires were blazing in the center of the festival, shooting flames high to the darkening skies casting a soft glow over the horde. Delicate gray smoke swirled about radiating a pleasant faint sage scent. This night belonged to the Dark Goddess and these people who came here to celebrate her greatness.

I wandered around the different sites with my sisters of our coven, looking for a missing link. My long soft leather skirt silted almost to my hips on either side for easy movement and knee high black boots laced snuggly to my legs. Wicked, lethal pure silver daggers tucked at my thighs, waist and on back in between my shoulders blades. Goddess, I loved being loaded!

“Hey look at the left fire! Isn’t that… Jericho? Oh shite,” one of my sisters nodded over to the large man dancing with a wantabe sister; clinging to him like any man’s sweet wet dream. Of course, Jericho being a male didn’t complain even though he belonged to her.

“’Tis time for my male to be claimed, don’t you think?” My coven hooted me on as I broke away from them stalking my prey. The brilliant moonshine bathed everything in a silvery glow except where the fires touched.

My sinful heeled boots crushed the lush green Irish grass beneath my feet, greedily consuming the space between us. Just then the woman backed up her ass to his cock, rubbing him like she was fucking him. That sealed it; the bitch is dead! I grabbed the back of her head by her short curly hair and yanked her to face me. Shock widened her black lined eyes, and her equally heavy black lips formed an O of surprise. Without so much as by your leave, I hauled back my arm and bitch slapped her to the ground. I stepped over her fallen heap, reaching for his leather corded necklace that held his talisman. “You’re mine and I keep what is mine, savvy?”

Clamping his large hand on my hips, he urged me to dance with him. His savage onyx eyes burned down at me afore he lifted me from my feet, swinging me around the fire. “Savvy, woman. Now, let’s play.” His breath painted my moist lips; his tongue lapped my lower lips before he pulled back. By the Goddess Robes, his voice was the best thing I heard in a long time, tiny jolts raced to my throbbing nubbin aween my thighs.

The thunderous rumble beat of the drums vibrated through us, grinding his blood stiffening cock into my flat belly. The rigid corset shoved my full breasts at him, chafing my tender nipples and the pearled tips of them sharpened into tight diamond hard points. My corset abraded over his naked hot chest making him purr in delight. His flat male nipples peaked, rubbing them against my unyielding corset like he couldn’t get enough. Cheeky bastard!

Settling me back on my feet, he turned my back against him so my back was to his chest. His erection jabbed the crack of my ass and I swear I was going to cum then. I pushed out of his arms leading him to the nearby forest, and the beat of the drums drifted behind us. I hid behind a large tree watching him walk past me; hunting for my special scent as he sniffed the air. I pulled out my handcuffs hiding them behind my back while I whistled for him.

Jericho turned sharply, his dark eyes pinned my feet to the ground. He seemed to grow bigger and taller the closer he stalked over to me, much like a sleek panther on the prowl. Also, he really liked my come-fuck-me boots, drooling a little at the mouth.
“When I fuck you, woman, I want to feel those naughty heels digging my flanks. There are some other things we’ll sample that will make you shriek your pleasure for all to hear.”

Liquid heat settled low in my belly, weakened my knees, but not my resolve to claim his ass. My aureoles tightened with painful allure imaging his wicked lips sucking them.” Back against the tree, Jere.”

“Do ya want tae tie me then, little one? Would ya suck me hard cock with that hot wee mouth, eh? I’d like that verra much.” The back of his hand wiped at his mouth, backing up against the tree with his thickly muscled arms raised to a high branch. “Get tae it then, wee witchling.”

The loud click of the metal handcuffs on his wrists excited him so much his thickly veined penis pulsed harder and his silted head beaded with clear precum, sliding down his shaft to his taut ballocks. My fingers caressed down his chest skipping his abdomen, and massaged the front of his tented leathers. “Ah, so you wanted me to suck your cock, baby?” I purred kittenishly before my mouth suckled his flat male nipple then bit him harshly. Gentle laps of my soft tongue eased the aching sting I gave him while my free hand unsheathed one of my daggers, glinted sharply from the fires from the village. “Be still. I wouldn’t want to nick you.”

The cold blade slowly traced a line down his happy trail to the bulging laces over his large aroused cock. He sucked in a harsh breath pulling in his lower belly, and staying still like a statue. His bronze skin covered hard rippling muscles of his chest, belly and thighs. His ruined clothes fell to the moonlit ground at his feet.
“Get down on your knees like a good wee little lass and suck me cock like I’ve dreamt of.” His rough brogue sent tingles of sweet sweet pleasure to my throbbing clit. Really was there anything more delicious that having a grown alpha man make his demands known? “Show me those sweet-berry tits!”

“What don’t you like my corset, baby? I wore it just for you and no panties. My juices are hot and thick, waiting for you to fuck me hard.” Just the thought of his magnificent penis penetrating me sent me into a frenzy of wild lust. “But just not yet. I haven’t played with my new toy nearly enough.”

Sliding down to my knees, my moist breath puffed across his wet pretty head and I licked my lips at the tempting sight. I put the knife down on the ground within easy reach because there still was a chance an adversary might have followed them. My fingers tenderly cupped his heavy sacs full of cum, massaging his stiff balls in small circles. The head of his cock reddened as more of his blood rushed to his groin, his excitement building. The hot creamed liquid spilled freely from his silted head, running down the long thick shaft to his ballocks.

“For the love of the Gods, woman you best take me deep intae your fuckin’ mouth!” Straining against his bonds, he tired to reach for me to no avail while I took pity on him. Very slowly I licked the salty precum from his near bursting head, and down his rigid stalk. My mouth fastened greedily on his tortured ball sacs, sucking them deep into my hungry mouth. The taste of him almost knocked me to my aching ass, but I managed to stay on my knees. “Fuck me now, witch afore I spend my seed outside of your delectable body. I’m ‘ungry for your tits. Come give us a taste, now.”

I couldn’t take much more, however I wasn’t through with playing either. As I stood my constricting corset loosened and my aching nipples peeked up at him, beseeching his ardent mouth, teeth and tongue. My long skirt slithered to the ground revealing my swollen labia to his ravenous eager demon eyes. That’s when I saw the horns on his thickly haired head extend fully. This is what I wanted. After I devised myself of my clothing, I relevantly stroked his impressively long horns to their sharp points, then back again. A harsh shutter racked his big body, leaning into my touch. “Do me now, witchling.”

Reluctantly I let go of his fascinating horns to wrap my long bare thighs around his narrow waist. The sharp points of my high-heeled boots rasped against his strong flanks like he wanted as my hands clutched at his shoulders. His cock brushed back and forth against my wet silt, demanding his girth to stretch me in delightful thrusts. Gasping a moan, his mouth latched onto my tall proud nipple. Holy Goddess, his fangs erotically scraped my puckered aureole sparking another blistering flood of hot liquid to my nether lips, coating my thighs and his heavily veined penis. Licking my lips, I tasted his essences again and my head fell back giving him greater access to my considerable charms.

“Feed me intae your hot wee body, baby.”

Adjusting slightly, I impaled myself on his turgid erection and we both groaned in appreciation. It took a few slow thrusts to get him all the way in my tight weeping channel.

“Next time I want you to fuck me blind.” I breathed in a soft sigh, grinding his cock in and out of me. The near unbearable tension in my lower belly tightened excruciatingly wanting his hot cum to bath me so badly my sight dimmed slightly. His stroking hardness pulsed against my stiff little clit creaming even more for the blissful climax I knew only with his body. “I’m aching so badly, Jere! I want you to spurt your cum in my womb to make me cum so hard, baby. Please!”
Sweat poured off us like raindrops from the Gods as he grunted with each heavy thrust into me. One…two…three more lunges I came so severely I practically passed out. A sharp tug had his arms free from the handing branch and he grabbed the hard globes of my ass, setting a challenging pounding to my weightless body. One sharp smack to my ass had me coming hard again just as he shouted my name, pumping spurts of his hot heady creamy cum in my womb. Little aftershocks of my climax racked my body, holding him tight within me, while he tenderly carried me to the large pool, deeper in the woods.

Heart Ache

How to say Good~Bye to You:
I’m not sure where to begin since I don’t have the words to express My Sorrow…
Losing My Best Friend was bleak, but losing Both of You tears at My Soul;
I don’t know how strong My Heart is or how much more I can take
Without You (Both) I feel bare to all the World…You were always there for me as I for you, yet I feel like I failed Both of You…
When will my agony lessen…? I know it will NEVER end so I’m not foolish enough to ask
How to say God~Bye:
It is not an easy thing…perhaps because I don’t have many close friends left in this world.
How I hope…pray…You (Both) wait for me to Join You, but for now I must go on
A day will not Pass easily for me
One thing that brings me comfort is You Are Together

~February 1, 2009
L.M. Acton

Diane and Ray Ashford 2007

I got a phone call this afternoon that my boy, Ray had passed away from a massive heart attack early this morning. He tried to get help, dialing 9-1-1, but it was too late.


His wife of 8mths had passed away with cancer on October 10, 2007 7pm. They were married since February 14, 2008. They worshipped each other and had a great time together.


Ray told me (after Deker) passed that the last months of her life were the happiest in her life. She was a stay-at-home wife.


So now, 2 people I wanted to grow old with are no longer around to share my life. I had wanted both Diane and Ray Ashford to see me graduate from College, watch movies and hang with.


I stayed often with Diane and Ray throughout the years I known them, and we had such fun.


But now they are together again...and they better be waiting for me when it is my time.

First Kiss ~ Short Story

Soft sweet butterflies flutter my belly as my heart pounds under my full aching breast. I wonder if you know what I’m feeling or how badly I want the first kiss…the chaste fleeting touch of lips, breaths mingle sweetly as we take a deep excited breath (waiting in anticipation) before our lips met again. Only this time there’s an undeniably hunger of a leisurely deeper sampling…

Insatiable wet tongues encounter initially to fulfill this open, ravenous pulsing raw need to taste and to be tasted. Finally, just as the lack of air burn our lungs (to bursting) reluctantly we part gasping for much needed breath, and hearts thundering in beat like sharing one body. Eyes meet and lock greedily observing the hot sweltering yearning of two halves met in one soul. Arms swathe about each other for fear we might fall…but too late for the ground beneath us trembled…


~Written By: L. Marie Acton (copyright) January 11, 2004

Fallen Angel ~ Insert

Prologue

Sweet Haven, Texas

“Dear Lord, I really need your help.” A somber little girl prayed aloud her golden head bent and her big sad brown eyes squeezed tightly as she concentrated with all her might over her small steeped hands. “I need help with Papa. Ever since Mama went to Heaven to be with You, Papa’s been different. I need a…” She opened her big brown eyes glancing about the empty old church in hopes she would know what to ask God.

Her eyes studied the small wooden cross high on the wall in front of her wondering why her mother had been called to God’s kingdom last year. But she wasn’t bitter not like her Papa. He was a different papa now that Mama was gone. He wasn’t mean but he was just so sad it made her want to cry. Sweeping the large chamber with one final glance, she noticed something. Something that could solve her dilemma and hopeful get her Papa back again.

“That’s it!” Closing her eyes tight she reached her little chin on her hands, her heart beating frantically, she took a deep breath to steady her. He was just so sad and hurt when Mama left he didn’t seem to care about his children. “Oh Lord, please send my daddy an angel!”

“Who are you talking too, my child?” Father Conner asked softly standing quietly behind her coming to stand behind her in the quiet church. He had only heard the last of her conversion something about an angel but he wasn’t sure why Jerome Hawkins’ daughter was doing here, alone in the old church. The Hawkins’ haven’t been to a sermon since the untimely death of Jerome’s wife, Clara.

“Oh, Father Conner!” Rachel Ann Hawkins gasped as she sharply twisted about from her knelling position before the alter. A guiltily blush colored her cheeks as if she was caught with her hand in the cookie jar. “I came to talk to God, Father. Mama always said when I wanted to talk to God it was best to come to the church.”

“Bless you, child. Your mother was a wonderful woman. I miss her friendship very much.” Father Conner patted Rachel Ann’s golden curls as he past her. “I came here to work on my sermon. Would you like to hear it?”

The church doors slammed opened against the wall as there stood her father. “Rachel Ann Hawkins!” Jerome roared furiously charging up the aisle like an enraged lion. His hand shot out and grabbed her arm hauling her to her feet. His smoldering black eyes savagely racked down his tiny daughter‘s form looking for any injury. “What did I say about wonderin’ off like that? What if something happened to you? What if I never found you again?”

“But Papa, all I wanted to do was talk to God like Mama did.” Huge crocodile tears ran down her pale cheeks watching her father become even angrier with her. “I-I-I’m so-sorry, Papa. I won’t do it again!”

“You can’t always do what you want to do, young lady! Now I missed my pick up at the store. And where the hell is your brother? He was supposed to be watchin' you." His strong arms scooped her up safely wrapping about her trembling body holding her tightly against his thundering heart. He could have so easily lost her! His son was going to answer to him for allowing his baby girl to wander away like she did.

Rachel Ann stubbornly remained mute waiting for the storm to abate. She didn’t want to get her brother in trouble with Papa. Lately, it seemed they were constantly fighting with each other over stupid little things. How she longed to have her loving Papa come back to her and hold her and tell her everything was going to be all right? Where did that Papa go? Did he go with Mama and this mean angry man was the only thing she had left? Not wanting to get her older brother in trouble, she bowed her head hoping for her miracle angel would appear.

“I see you found her and in one piece.” Warren Hawkins sauntered up to them like he didn’t have a care in the world. He studied his baby sister cry dispassionately on their father’s shoulder and envied her that it was al right for her to cry because she was a girl, and the baby of the family. Lord knows how many times he wished he could go to his unfeeling father and cry his grief on his other strong shoulder. But men weren’t allowed to show any sissy emotion like tears or any other weakness in front of others. His emerald green eyes narrowed on his father wishing again he could be held like that then became angry at himself for such an unmanly thought. He was eight years old and that was old enough to be a man.

“Wait until we get home, son.” Jerome snarled hotly reining his boiling temper sharply. He’d be damned to hell if he would chastise his children before Father Conner. He carried his precious daughter from the church and his son somberly followed suit.

“I’d really hope you all would come back to church on Sunday. We miss having you here.” Father Conner’s kind words drifted after them falling on deaf ears. He somehow knew he wouldn’t see Jerome or his children any time soon.

“Oh Lord, what is going to happen to them now? Who is strong enough to save their souls?” Only silence answered his heartfelt prayer as he reluctantly opened his Bible for his sermon on Sunday

Heaven’s Hall

“Angels in training please come to order!” The High Spirit, or most commonly known as Mother Spirit, commanded softly waiting patiently for the young spirits to settle down. Her compassionated pale lavender eyes swept over the gang of heavenly beings trying to located one that would heal a grieving family over a recent loss.

“Angel Amber, where is young Sapphire?” Mother Spirit demanded to know of the second in command for she hadn’t seen the one she knew would be perfect for the upcoming assignment. This was the case that would decide is the young Spirit Sapphire would get her wing and join the ranks of her fellow angels.

“I sent her to fetch the Book. She should be back by now.” Angel Amber said absent mindedly as she turned to the entrance of the Hall a slight scowl marred her smooth brow. “I think I hear her coming, Mother Spirit.”

The racket blasted form the tall arched opened doors and all reeled about to see what it was all about. A young spirit with long pale honey brown hair disarrayed about her slender shoulders stood clutching the big Book that was requested for the meeting.

The other spirits broke into soft laughter like bells chimed on a breeze causing Sapphire’s cheeks to glow rosily in embarrassment. She tried to ignore the rude gloating amongst her sisters spirits as she thrust her chin out proudly and carried the Book to the High Spirit’s alter.

“I’m sorry I’m late, Mother Spirit.” She carefully laid the Book in its cradle on the dais before she quickly took her seat with the others.

“So Saphie, did you meet anyone on your journey?” Spirit Lesley asked spitefully fully knowing that she hadn’t been sent on her final assessment that would gain her wings.

“Lesley, leave her alone! Not every spirit has the good fortune of completing it’s training.” Twinette defended her best friend pausing for a moment to ponder about something then said, “Oh, wait! You haven’t been either, or at least I don’t see your wings!”

“Attention, attention Heavenly sisters. Mother has called this meeting in haste and we cannot afford to delay any longer. Please take your seats.” Angel Amber smiled at her girls satisfied as they quickly settled down again. She was worried about Sapphire and Lesley. It seem of late Lesley was growing to be a dark angel not like Sapphire and the other spirit’s emotions were turning for the worst. She would have to talk to Mother about it.

“As you all well know, the Father received an urgent plea to help a young child’s family through a difficult time. He wanted me to hand pick the spirit for this special case.

“The Father wants us to understand that this project will be vastly difficult and very trying for the most experienced of angels. But, alas I can only pick one that shall truly heal this desperate family.” Mother looked at each spirit in turn settling on Sapphire longer than the others before she cleared her throat to continue.

“I need to see Lesley, Twinette and…Sapphire in my private chambers for their assignments. The rest of you are free to enjoy the glorious day.” Mother nodded to Angel Amber before she retired to her chambers.

Angel Amber cleared the Hall without further ado then showed the three apparitions to Mother’s chambers. “Twinette, you will enter first, then Lesley.” She took Twinette’s trembling hand in hers as they entered the silent chambers.

“I should have been the first to see Mother!” Lesley whined childishly waiting impatiently for her turn with only Sapphire’s company. When would she get to be Mother’s favorite? She was tired of waiting for Sapphire to mess up royally, Nothing that spirit could do would change Mother’s feeling for her! It wasn’t fair!

Sapphire disregard her peer’s repulsive manners too busy fretting over her future. She longed to be just like Mother Spirit for so many years. This mission would decide her future as a heavenly angel. Would she at last get her coveted wings and finally call Heaven her home? Would she finally have the respect of her peers and not their hurtful ridicule?

She didn’t know how long she sat there on the hard wooden bench or how long she prayed, although it felt like what humans called a lifetime before Angel Amber stood in front of her with clasped hands.

“Sapphire it is time,” she smiled reassuringly at the nervous girl spirit knowing exactly how she felt for Angel Amber had been in the same position centuries ago. Amber remembered long ago when she was called for her assignment and she has been so nervous she thought she’d never get her wings, and here she was with her heavenly wings on her back.

“Follow me.”

Sapphire took a deep breath to calm her anxiety as she dutifully trailed behind the beautiful angel hoping her assignment would help someone in need. Saying a quick silent prayer that her knees would support her weight and not buckle beneath her making her look like a foolish clutch.


“Mother, here’s Sapphire as you requested.” Angel Amber announced to the older siren angel then withdrew from the chambers wondering what task Sapphire would be given. It would prove to be interesting to say the least.

“I shall make this short, my dear. You are being sent to Earth to help heal a family’s grief. It is up to you as to how to accomplish this. I see you have completed your angels-in-waiting training. Godspeed.”

“Wait! Is there anything else you can tell me? Please,”

“Only that you will become mortal once again with no memory of your time with us and you’re heart will guide you.”

Then Sapphire felt herself weightlessly falling from the large fluffy clouds like a leaf fluttering down from a tree branch. How was she going to accomplish this vital task set before her? More importantly what family would need her to heal their grief?

Chapter One

“Emma, Papa’s lookin’ for you.” Millicent Retch, her younger spoiled cousin gleefully told her as she came into the old drafty barn. “Are you in here, Emma? I said my papa is lookin’ for you.”

“I am here, Millicent,” a petite sprite with large amethyst eyes and a wild mass of golden brown hair, cautiously stepped from her little room in the back of the barn. She had been all about the property looking for her black kitten with white feet she named Boots. “Have you seen Boots?”

“Papa found that varmint on the porch this morning. He said you are to come to the house right away. I think it’s to punish you for slacking in your chores and your stupid dumb kitty. He’s waitin’ for you in his study.”

Without another word, Emma raced from the barn afraid for her pet and what her uncle wanted from her now. She had finished all her chores early wanting to visit with her precious pet for a few moments. She still found it hard to believe her beloved mother had died when she was a child for she swore she could still feel her love all around her…until she was with her uncle. She was only eight when she came to live with him after mother’s death. Now it was ten years later and not much has changed other than her relatives became more demanding in their needs.

“Where have you been, little trouble maker? Your aunt had to serve her guests refreshments herself. You were supposed to be in the kitchen, Niece.” Uncle Kyle growled from behind his large dark desk too busy reading a contract to glance at her. “What do you have to say for yourself this time? I am getting weary of all you excuses for not getting your work done.”

“Where’s my kitten, uncle? Millicent said you saw her this morn.” She always finished her chores but lately it was getting too much for her to handle alone. Trying to look on the brighter side of life was getting harder and harder. She had hoped her uncle and aunt would learn to love her as she had love them. She prayed to God they would see she needed their love more than their distain.

“What did you say to me, you ungrateful bag of trouble?” Slowly the thick contract was placed on his desk as he turned his attention to his head strong niece. Only when she first came here did she ever dare defy him for she knew what the punishment was for such defiance. However did his dolce sister give birth to such a defiant wench? Must have been from the father whoever he was, damn and blast his soul for saddling him with another mouth to feed! It was left to him to see the girl was raised properly but it galled him to do so.

“I want my kitten, Boots back.” Her slender shoulders were thrust back as her chin notched in stubbornness, knowing what her defiance was going to bring and for once not caring what happened to her if only her kitten was fine. Please Lord, let Boots be all right!

“Let me sure I have this right, niece. You demand to have your little kitty back at this very instant? Do you remember what happens to a certain girl who back talks me? I believe a trip to the barn is in order. What do you think?” His large hand reached for the ever present thick leather belt he had at hand when he talked to her.

“I want my pet back and I don’t care if you beat me. Boots didn’t do anything to you. Millicent said you had Boots this morning and I want to know what you did to her!”

“You…demand?“ he sputtered in disbelief staring at her for the very first time and seeing a beautiful young woman. He felt his boiling blood raced though him settling in his groin. How long has it been since he felt like this? Months? Year? “Let’s go.” He forgot the belt as he cruelly grabbed her upper arm and dragged her to the barn. He would teach her to defy him!
Emma tried to keep calm as the barn doors closed behind them and her uncle’s angry command to his men, “We’re not the be bothered!”

“Yes sir,” one of the cowboys said as he stood guard at the double barn doors. His kept his eyes averted not noticing this time Kyle forgot his belt. The last time someone tried to stop the malicious old bastard he was fired and thrown off the ranch without pay.

“Your mother never gave me this much trouble when she lived with me. She unlike you knew her place. Haven’t I been good to you since you came to live with us? I’ve tried again and again to tech you how to behave as a woman should and you refuse to do so! I guess it’s time for you to learn what’s its like to be a woman, huh? Well I’m more than man enough to teach you, girile.
Emma was alarmed by his uncharacteristic tirade not to mention the sudden tension in him. What was happening? What was he talking about to learn what it means to be a woman? She’s been a woman since she first bleed five years ago.

Suddenly her musings were shattered as Kyle took great delight in taking hold of her frayed shirt and tore the buttons from their moorings spraying them all over the barn’s dirt floor. Her poor shirt listlessly hung open baring her to Kyle hot beady eyes. His busy hand destroyed her thin chemise in short order.

“What are you doing? Stop it! No!” Emma slapped his hand away to no prevail vainly covering her quivering bosom with her arm. “Help, help!” She knew it was useless to cry out but she wasn’t about to allow whatever her uncle wanted from her. Just as he pinned her again the rough barn wall with his legs forced between hers and his sloppy wet kisses tried to take her nipple into his mouth was he yanked off her.

“What the hell…? What are you doing here Father Conner?” Kyle gasped breathlessly his passions weakened his keen mind as he shook his lust from his head. “This is between me and my niece. You have no right to stop me! Get the hell out of here before I have you thrown from my property.”

“Oh’ I’ll leave all right but not without the girl.” The man of the cloth towered forebodingly above them. He couldn’t believe old man Retch was trying to rape his niece and no one tried to stop him. He was on his way here to do visits with the Retch’s but now that wasn’t possible after what he witnessed here. There was no way he could leave the girl here defenseless again this monster.

“What do you mean you’re not leaving without her? She’s none of your concern, man. Just leave before I loss what patience I have left.”

“Come, my child.” The Father held out his large hand to the frightened girl willing her to trust him to keep her safe but her hesitating wasn’t promising either. “Do you really want to stay here?”

Emma grabbed his hand without further thought for indeed she didn’t want to see one more day slaving for these people. She quickly brushed down her shirks and her other hand clutched her shirt closed. It occurred to her that if her relatives were going to change they would have long ago. No, they would continue to work her into an early grave and there were things she wanted to do in her life before it was over.

“I won’t let you have her, Father. Randy, Hoss, Billy get your asses in here right now!” Kyle bellowed loudly as he could gratified when his men showed up running.

“Thank you, but perhaps you should just leave. I’ll be fine.” Emma lied badly for she trembled under his reassuringly arm wrapped about her shoulders. She wouldn’t be able to live with herself should any harm come to her rescuer. No it was better to send him on his way before his foolishness cost him his heath.

These three men were only called when her uncle was unable to defend himself and Emma was suddenly scared for Father Conner. He would be picked apart in no time.

“No you won’t be. Besides you’re a terrible liar, little one.” His amusement colored his voice as he set her behind him ready for whatever was to come. One thing he did know was they would have to kill him before he handed her over to her uncle.

“Uh, boss I’m not goin’ tae rough up a preacher man,” Hoss shifted uneasily looking at his friends to see what they would do and they nodded in agreement. They would do just about anything for money but to harm women, children and preachers went against their code and honor.

“Cowards! I pay you to do as I say, dammit. Fine then, get the man out of here but Emma is to remain here.”

“I’m not leaving her with you a moment longer, Mr. Retch.” Father Conner took Emma’s hand in his own warm one as he started for the gaping open doors. “I will say a prayer for all your souls and I expect to see you all in church come Sunday, boys.”

“Yes sir,” they mumbled in unison shamefaced.

Father Conner helped Emma into his wagon when a weak meow cried out to them. The Father bent down and saw a young kitten crawling to them in a pitiful heap. Gently he scooped up the injured animal giving it to Emma.

“Boots!” She cried happily holding the baby cat to her aching bosom. “What did he do to you, sweetness? You were supposed to stay in the barn where you’d been safe. Oh, look at your poor self.” The kitten was filthy as if she gotten into mud under the house and her soft fur was matted with some blood.

Emma’s heart twisted for her poor pet as she cuddled her closer to her warmth. “Don’t worry my sweet, we are leaving and never coming back.” Please God don’t let her have to ever come back here! She was glad when the wagon left Retch land and headed back towards the church.
She hadn’t been to church since her mother passed away years ago. What would she find there? Her aunt told her it was a shame the church fell to hard times for it was once one of the beautiful places in Sweet Heaven. Too bad it went to ruins she would have loved to see it in all its glory.

“I don’t know how to thank you enough Father Conner. I haven’t any money to give to the church and I want to repay you for going against my uncle. Not many people would dare.”

“That’s good you don’t have money for I have little use for it. But I do need your help.” Father Conner patted her hand reassuringly for in a few minutes they would be at the church. He would need her help with a certain problem he was having with one family.

“What could I do to help you? I only know how to be a servant and I don’t think you need a housekeeper for the church. “

“We’ll get you some clothes from the patrons that donated to the church for others worst off first of all, then after dinner we’ll discuss how you can help me. Indeed God works in mysterious ways, my child.”

True to their word Hoss, Randy and Billy were present at church that Sunday however curiously her uncle, aunt and cousin weren’t and Emma was secretly glad. She wouldn’t want to embarrass Father Conner for all his kindness he shown her over this past week with her uncle causing a scene.

“Journey of the Inner Mind?”

Time has come to choose which style in life that is best for me:
I think too much about things that could occur, but may not
How, oh how does one really know…what channel to surf, as well as feel free in the decision this is the best method?
Only one person could ascertain the aces in their deck…discouraging, yes not to know which avenue to design, but imagine how dreams are born in our very hearts and arise to certain greatness
Nevertheless, my friends… think of the wondrous campaigns to find yourself
Ponder for a moment, the free will we are granted in life…we can be or do anything we desire
The only device stand in one’s way mayhap be the daunting fear of the unknown
…Or possibly a deeper appetite of failure… or even not the self-esteem of worth…
To inscribe my bequeath is to be a writer here and now; a piece of me to will live after my spirit is called to the mighty Heavens of our Gods…
Just thing of all the outcast, bias, repugnant baggage we face as one bloodline and that reflect on what can I better for myself as well as others…
And in that conceivably your revelation shall lay.

~L.M.ACTONMarch 3, 2001

Hearts Ablazed ~ Insert

Chapter One

November, New York

“Don’t forget we have a doctor’s appointment today after work, boss lady.” Maggie Sterling reminded her busy boss as she passed by her opened door bared down with other fashion accounts.

“What are you talking about, Maggie?” LaRayne DeWinter briefly looked up from her clustered desk trying to make sense of the jumbled Jackson Enterprises accounts. They were a mess with missing information and costly materials changes. Although to no fault of her little company their clients had made so many changes since the original designs patterns. The last minute alterations had prices skyrocketing from the original contract that the client only wanted to the best to be working on it. So that meant her since she was the boss.

She had only just received notice from the contact person, a Miss Christy Adams, today that her boss personally requested to have her work hands on the reinventions of the Jackson’s cruise lines. At least one of the ships the owner had didn’t like any of the color skits her top designers had spent so much time and effort to put together.

So for the most of the morning, afternoon and early evening this was her top priory in order to finally make her little designer store world known. Her dream ever since she was a little girl almost a reality after years of growing up poor with a baby sister to help her mother raise. The man who has sired them came from a very wealthy old family from the South and who believed her mother was social suicide to marry beneath his station. LaRayne wasn’t about to let her mother and sister fall through the cracks of the welfare system making just enough money not to collect any type of aide.

LaRayne threw herself in her work harder and faster to be able to help support her humble family. Now was her chance to get her mother the little cottage by the lake she always dreamed about and lastly to get them out of the city, and that little rat hole that housed her family in the seedy part of the city.

“Don’t tell me you forgot! LaRayne Lisbeth DeWinter, I cannot believe you!” Maggie quickly passed her an armload of files of another worker before she closeted herself in her boos’ office. “The most important doctor’s appointment about your health you have to go to every month ever since you came back from your cruise! Really, I don’t know what you would do without me.”

“Perhaps, have a bit more money to sink back into my company?” LaRayne mischievously teased soften by a tiny grin on her pouty pink lips, but her friend wasn’t having any of that. “I was only kidding, I’ll have you know. Of course, I would be a basket case without you, Mags.”

“Your health isn’t a laughing matter with me as well as you know.” Maggie had lost her husband at an early age because he refused to see a doctor about the lump he developed on his chest. He was later diagnosed with fatal cancer and only had a couple of months left to live. If he only had went to the doctor's earlier they might have been able to detect it and give him a fighting chance.

“I didn’t mean…” Words rarely failed LaRayne and this was one of those sporadic times, so she snapped her mouth shut in graceful defeat. “Listen, I’m sorry but I’m not like William. I really have to finish this report by the end of the day.”

“At the risk of losing your baby? Try again.” Her personal assistant sharply recapped her boss’ condition, her cat like green eyes lower her LaRayne’s slightly curving belly and was filled with remembered pain for not only did she lose her husband but unborn their baby to boot. “I don’t think that I could live with the fact you miscarried with improper health care. I had to live through it once.

“And speaking of babies and where they come from…” she hedged stubbornly ever since LaRayne told her she was having a baby. “Are you ever going to tell me who the father is? I know you had to met him on the cruise! Spill!”

“I told you it shouldn’t have happened. He is a married man.”

“That didn’t stop him from bedding you before he got around to telling you about his snooty physco bitch of a screwball of a wife. You must have a picture from the cruise you went on. He’s got to be in at least one of them!”

Maggie had surprised LaRayne with a vacation cruise to get away from the stress of the office and to enjoy herself since she rarely took the time to enjoy life. It had to do more with the plain fact she was driving her staff crazy because everything had to be perfect.

So, for one month with nothing to do but relax in the sun and enjoy the sun on a tropical voyage, all she had to do was to enjoy herself. At least that was the plan until she met the man of her dreams. Tall, dark and handsome with stormy fervent dark bedroom eyes that could strip a nun naked without feeling like it was a sin.

Those weeks were magical for her as she spent every moment she could with him, never daring to believe another woman already had claimed him for a romantic cruise. God, if she started to think about him she would cry and never stop, felling her eyes brimmed with hot moisture. No, it was safer to tell herself it was all a beautiful dream that nothing that wonderful could be real. Until she ended up pregnant from their incredible one night of steamy hot love one read only in romance novels on a stormy night when the power when out.

She would never believed such passion was real till it nearly knocked her down and stole her breath from its tenderness. She was too much of a practical person to think the ‘movie magic’ syndrome that came in the size of the man of her dreams.

“Ohh, don’t you dare shed a tear for that jerk! Whoever he is! You didn’t know until it was too late to put an end to it, honey.” Maggie gathered her close trying to calm the raging storm that brew within her since the day she read the home pregnancy test and all those rushed runs to the bathroom before she tossed her cookies.

Doctor Rakel Nolan had told her her morning sickness would be waning soon. The sooner the better, LaRayne firmly kept telling herself over and over again. All she needed to do was munch on toast or crackers for the morning sickness to leave her in peace. The only problem with that was just the mere thought of food…“Oh no!”

Maggie barely got the wastebasket to her as she dry heaved herself silly and then some for good measure. “C’mon, let’s get you to the sofa, ‘mom’.”

LaRayne leaned heavily on Maggie’s offered shoulder praying the nausea and the queasiness away. She wondered what God she offended to have to endure this part of being a woman. Her mother told her time and time again she had spent a single day with morning sickness with her two joyfully beautiful babies.

Her mother hardly talked about their father, only that he was an important man with other responsibilities. Adrian LaRayne DeWinter always had a sad far away look in her soft blue eyes each time they asked about their father.

LaRayne hated him for that, hurting the most sweetest woman she ever knew and for leaving them to fend for themselves. When she would meet him one day she would tell him he didn’t deserve her mother or his daughters. She would also inform he they were too good and important to have him in their lives.

She could only surmise this was just punishment of sleeping with a married man. If she slept with a single man surely she wouldn’t be punished like this. It was the only thing she could tell herself other than soon this semester would end…only for another to begin.

“I don’t understand why God made woman bearers for children. I would love to see a man try to handle this.”

“Ah, but we women couldn’t hold it over their heads for the rest of their lives.” Maggie chuckled wickedly a bright twinkle lit her usually somber eyes. “Just think if you told me who the father is I’d make him suffer worst than you, my friend. You know you can count on me.”

“I can just image,” LaRayne sighed wearily wishing the day was over so she could go home to her new kitten and her big comfy bed. Ahh, Heaven. Yet for now not a possibility because she had to get in order the Jackson account and then go to her doctor’s appointment.

“We have to leave now if we are to make the appointment, dearie.” Maggie took the papers from her hands laid them on the clustered desk with varied samples skits for the hotel rooms. She grabbed their coats from the coat rack by LaRayne’s closed office door. “I’m driving.”

“We?” LaRayne groaned uneasily especially when she had to have Maggie drive her anywhere. The woman was a road warrior terror in any kind of traffic. She would be safer taking a cab or the subway than driving with her.

Throwing up her hands in surrender she snatched her purse from her desk drawer as she followed. She hoped after seeing the doctor she would be able to get back to the office to do some more work.

The drive wasn’t as bad as LaRayne thought although, there was a time when she thought she’d end up in the hospital when another vehicle cut them off in front of them from an oncoming ramp. Her ears were still ringing from the words her assistant threw out the window while they passed the truck. Luckily it stopped there and the big intimating man took the next exist not before he threw her the finger.

“What did I do?” She whispered to herself having enough to do with men to last her a lifetime. They were nothing but trouble from the first she met the man that impregnated her. Just take a long good look at her.

“We’re here to see Dr. Nolan.” Maggie told the desk nurse not about to wait for the nurse to service her. She took care of all the paper work as LaRayne silently fretted as she had every time she had to come see her doctor. She knew she wasn’t following Dr. Nolan orders and the woman would know it just as soon as she had her sitting in a paper gown seated on the edge of the table.

“Are you okay? You look a little pale.” Maggie hovered closely a frown marred her smooth brow chancing a look at her when she had asked her a question on the form she didn’t know.
It was really wonderful to have her childhood friend for her assistant because there weren’t many uncomfortable moments between them. They had met nearly twenty years ago through the old neighborhood.

Maggie had family across the street from where she lived on the better side of town. It was instant friendship and they became very close despite the years they attended colleges. LaRayne had always tried to keep tabs on her afraid she would have lost her very best friend.
“Earth to Rainy? Are you okay or do you want me to get Dr. Nolan right now?”

“Ah, no I can wait. Really, I’m fine. I think it was something I ate that didn’t agree with me.” She lied smoothly hating to do so but she didn’t want Maggie to worry about her when she was finally dating again. She knew if Maggie knew about the high-risk pregnancy she would never leave her alone. Some things LaRayne needed to do alone and nurturing her baby was one of them.

“You don’t look all right to me. I’m getting the doctor, so you might as well give…” the words fazed out with an insistent buzzing in LaRayne’s ears. She tried to shack her head but her vision dimmed and suddenly her body strangely heavy like she was falling.

“Oh my God, get Dr. Nolan now! Don’t just stand stupid there!”

“LaRayne? Can you hear me? It’s Dr. Nolan. I want you to open your eyes for me. Can you do that?” A female harried voice demanded to know as LaRayne felt a cold compresses on her forehead and around her neck.

Why did doctors always ask insane questions like that? Of course, she could open her eyes! When she tried they suddenly felt so heavy like they had tiny persistent weighs tied to each lid. How was she going to get them open, she wondered in a dazed panic.

“I warned her about this.” Dr. Nolan sighed heavily still trying to revive her patient from her faint. She hazarded a glance over her shoulder at Maggie. “You shouldn’t be in here.”

“Warned her about what?” Maggie blithely ignored her as she snapped sharply worried about her friend and her unborn baby. “She didn’t tell me anything about being warned. Tell me, Dr. Nolan just what did you warn her about?”

Oh dear God, please shut the doctor up! Please don’t let her say anything to Maggie. LaRayne prayed silently knowing she would never hear the end of it. She just wanted to sleep and have a little peace in her life.

“Who are you? I don’t remember Miss DeWinter with you the last time she came for her visit.”

“I’m her sister, Jewel DeWinter. Can’t you see the family resemblance? I had a lot of people think I was my sister.” Maggie innocently introduced herself not about to let up until she had her questions answered.

LaRayne would have happily strangled her if she could get her body to follow her orders. Pity, she remained where she was laying.

“What’s wrong with my sister?” Maggie folded her arms across her chest impatiently waiting for the doctor to spill the beans. “The only way I’ll leave you alone is if you tell me. All right, my sister would want you to tell me. I promise.”

“Weeelll…the stress is the main cause LaRayne is experiencing compilations with her pregnancy. This is one of the many warning signs. She has to take it easy or she may end up losing the baby if not her health.”

LaRayne felt like she was in a coffin and the doctor’s helpful words hammered the loose nails nicely through the lid. She wanted to have her baby! She already loved it with a fierce protectiveness that stole her breath away each time she thought about the baby’s father finding out about them. She knew without a doubt he would take the baby away once she gave birth given by his wife’s spiteful words the night she caught them together. She wasn’t about to let that happen. She would be damned to hell for a lifetime before she gave up her baby to anyone. Even to the Grim Reaper him or herself!

“I can’t believe she didn’t tell me! When she wakes up, just she waits until she gets a load of me.” Maggie’s harsh words caused LaRayne to inwardly wince. She could only image the terror Maggie would reign over her and the months to come. Actually she may never want to come out from her faint. Could she actually fake a coma?

“I can’t have you adding to her stress, Miss DeWinter.”

“Call me Jewel, please and I would never add to her stress, but take as much of it away as I can.” She reassured the doctor a gleeful smile that brightened her face.

“Very well,” then to she turned all her attention back to her patient. “LaRayne, I want you to focus on my voice and slowly open your eyes for me.”

The first thing she saw was Dr. Nolan’s concerned face then “Jewel’s” cheerfully vengeful one. Oh yeah, she was in some hot water here. She could only wait and see what the little imp had planned for her and nearly groaned aloud her misery. As if morning sickness wasn’t punishment enough. God made sure she had Maggie to hover over her like a wet hen wanting to protect her chic.

“Welcome back, there.” Maggie’s smile increased delightfully as the doctor began to check her patient. “Image the good report Dr. Nolan kindly informed me.”

LaRayne had been moved to an examining room in the back of the doctor’s office after her faint and for which she was eternally grateful. She didn’t want to think of the scene she caused when she fainted or the even bigger fuss Maggie caused.

“I see that you also lost more weight, LaRayne. It could be from the morning sickness, but you need to really start eating more or it’s another risk to you both.” The doctor commented gravely but overall pleased how the trimester was coming along. “Pretty soon you’ll feel a fluttering in your belly. That will be the baby moving.”

“Moving?” LaRayne squeaked nervously looking at Maggie for support only to find her so-called sister smiling from ear to ear. She knew babies moved within the womb but to her it was akin to unbelievable. “I changed my mind. I don’t want to feel it moving inside of me.”

“Calm down, now. It’s perfectly normal and by the by it’s too late to abort the child.” Dr. Nolan’s practiced smile plainly told her she became used to mothers-to-be about things like this nature. She knew LaRayne wanted the baby or she would have terminated the pregnancy long before now. They had discussed the options available to her, but LaRayne flatly refused to do anything except have her baby.

“It doesn’t hurt, Rainy.” Maggie confided in a soft whisper beside her. “It feels soft like angel wings the first couple of times. Then as she or he grows to be a bit more forceful.” A sad longing entered her green eyes as she relived her nightmare of the past two and a half years. “Excuse me, please.”

“What happened to her?” Dr. Nolan inquired after they were alone, still looking at the closed door.

“She recently lost her baby about a year ago. She would have had a daughter. The funeral was trying at times especially went she had to name her.”

“What did she name her?” Rakel almost didn’t want to know because the lingering grief from both women.

“Cleo Rana, after her grandmother and me.” She slipped however the young doctor was still focused on the closed door.

After a few more firmly warnings about her health, LaRayne was free to leave. She found Maggie waiting outside in the parking lot, completely composed and more than ready to leave. They were almost to LaRayne’s little house outside of the city when she was brave enough to break the strained silence.

“If this becomes too much for you, let me know now. I want you there at the birth but if you rather not­­-”

“I will be there, LaRayne,” she only used her name like that when she was wholly serious about something. “Nothing short of death could stop me now. I have to make sure you and our daring baby come through this ordeal in one peace. Don’t worry about me. Just worry about you and your little one.”

“I want you to be godmother.” LaRayne felt the tears filling her eyes at the brave face her chum put on for her. She could never image the pain of losing a baby and prayed to God never to find out.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way, my friend.” Maggie pulled into the driveway hoping she could keep the tears at bay until she was alone. No stress for LaRayne the doctor’s words rang in her ears or she’d be at a higher risk of losing her baby. Actually it wasn’t so bad now that some time had passed but she still left like she had this huge hole in her heart and soul. Her heart went with William and her soul with her baby girl.

“Are you going to be all right, sweetie?”

“Of course, silly! You better get to bed now. I’ll be here in the morning to pick you up for work.” Maggie pasted a strained smile on her stiff lips and quickly took her leave. She was forced to pull over a few blocks from her apartment because her vision blurred terribly and sobbed her grief into her cupped hands.

That night for LaRayne was like any other night since she met Jase, the father of her baby. She had meant to get his last name but that was before his jealous wife rudely walked in on them. God, she could still see clear as day…

LaRayne finally decided on the last night of the cruise would be the night she and Jase would become lovers for the first time. It would make the cruise that much more memorable and a start to what was between them. They had spent every spare moment he had between his business dealings he was on getting to know each other. She wore her silk white sundress that showed off her tanned skin and put a glow of good health about her.

Jase had somehow arranged to have a private romantic dinner for them complete with candlelight and soft music in his staterooms. It was his surprise he promised her on their second date, although he never hinted at what the surprise was going to be. Just that it would be special for both of them.

“How did you do all this?” She breathed in a delighted whisper hardly able to believe this man was real and not a whimsy fantasy she had dreamed. He gracefully seated her at the table for two before he took his opposite her. He reached out took her trembling cold hand in his large warm one.

“You’re cold as ice, baby. Come here let me you.” He urged her around the label and into his lap wrapping his arms closely about her. She could feel the steady beat of his heart next to hers as their eyes locked. She couldn’t look away even if she wanted to, which she didn’t.

“Remember, when I told you the time would be right…”she hedged hoping he wouldn’t make her say it. She felt the blush start at her thinly clad breasts up her throat to settle on her cheeks.
Jase remained silent encouraging her to say the words that would release him from the promise he made to her the first time they almost came together. He promised not to rush her until she told him she was ready for the next step in their relationship. But that didn’t by any means stop him from seducing her every chance he got. He wasn’t about to let her get away from him. He wished she’d understand his dark little secret he had kept from her in the beginning.

“You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you?” She gave a nervous little giggle wanting to hide her face in her hands. She fought the urge afraid what she would miss seeing in his steamy black bedroom eyes. Her finger wanted to tangle through his neatly combed mussing it like she always did in her dreams.

He kept gazing in her steely sapphire eyes a wicked grin enhanced his handsome face. Still he waited breathlessly for her words. He wouldn’t move a muscle or save her from her embarrassment of admitting she wanted him. His hands rested deceptively at ease on her slender waist although his thumbs stroked her through her dress as if to test her softness and warmth. God, how he longed to carry her to the bed in the room behind them and give her all the loving he had within him.

“You know this is silly really.” She faltered skittishly taking a minute to ponder a way to save her dignity but still have him make love to her without saying the words. She gave him the smile he thought was just for him before her golden head dipped to the place between his neck and shoulder to sample a taste.

Jase felt her breath on his skin and almost said the hell with his promise yet it was extremely important to him for her to trust him completely. When he felt her soft wet tongue lick a taste of his hot skin he nearly cleared the table with a ruthless sweep of his arm and took her there. But he wanted more than just the sweet release she could give him every time they met. He wanted her in his bed with soft begging cries of passion on her lips. And he would have it even if it killed him.

“Say the words, woman!” He roughly commanded still holding his iron control over his intense passion for this little sprite.

Her legs straddled him and her lush hips bucked against his feeling his need for her. She cried in soft enchantment feeling how ready he was for her. She wanted him to carry her to bed and end this foolish game between them.

She wasn’t sure who cried off first, but suddenly she was in bed with him doing blissful delicious things to each to other and finally knowing what it was to be a woman.

“Why didn’t you tell me, baby?” He breathed heavily in their aftermath of wondrous passion. “Why didn’t you say I was your first man?” He was incredibly pleased his was yet not sure why she didn’t trust him enough to say anything.

“So, this is the little tramp you’re with!” The bedroom door flung opened by a tall willowy woman accompanied by bright flashes of a camera taking horrid pictures of them together in bed.

LaRayne sprang away from his arms clutching the sheet to her heaving breasts trying to take in what was happening. A small little man eagerly taking her picture escorted by a pretty woman with short black hair and flashing brown eyes. She couldn’t understand what she was saying but she heard the word husband and wife flung about her.

“My God, you’re married?” LaRayne looked through Jase as if she hadn’t just given him the only precious thing she could offer a man. Tears gathered foolishly in her eyes blurring his stunningly handsome facial features. The proud straight Roman nose, the bottomless ebony eyes, and the softly lying lips that introduced her to her first taste of love. Love…? She scoffed bitterly suddenly needing to be away from him and this striking gorgeous woman that was his wife!

“She didn’t know, Jasey?” His wife laughed ruefully as if finding her husband with another woman an every day occurrence. “Of course, you weren’t the first one and sadly to say not the last. Oh, you poor poor dear, don’t tell me his was your first? Even though he is a magnificent lover.

“Ah, I see he was. Well as much as I hate to tell you he really likes to have women that are rather poor. I can’t image why he would go for you because you seem well together, my dear.” Laura made sure she did her homework before she barged in on them and was tremendously satisfied watching the emotions fluttered across the tramp’s face like an opened book.

“You see, dear, we are came for this cruise to rekindle our love and try to make a baby. Jase so wants babies and we tried very hard during this trip. Time will tell, won’t it?” She couldn’t stop the last barb to go left unchallenged.

“You’re here with your wife and not a business trip?”

“Business trip?” Laura gaffed looking adoringly at her husband standing by the bed with the comforter wrapped about his lean hips.

“Oh my God!” LaRayne swathed herself with the white sheet like a mantle as she rose from bed leaving behind her favorite white dress and favorite sandals. She had to escape while the going was good. She didn’t spare a look at her lover as she ran for the door. Tears already cut a bitter path down her pale cheeks and wished to hide them from these people. Especially from Jase.

“Rana, dammit! Wait!” Jase tried to go after her but Laura managed to stop him with the help of the cameraman. “Let me go, damn you!”

“You can’t go after her, darling. I need to tell you something. Please stay with me.”

“Perhaps it’s best for now…”the door slammed closed cutting off the rest of what he had said to his wife.

That was all LaRayne needed to hear to destroy her dreams of being with him. She dashed to her room where she stayed until the ship docked. She was the first one off that dawn morning foolishly thought it would be with Jase and to their new beginning. What a laugh!

And now here she was pregnant with his baby dreading to tell her mother and sister what she had done in a weak romantic cruise that ended horribly. What would they think of her? Usually LaRayne was the one that had it all or so it would have seem. Her little sister looked up to her and her mother depended on her for financial support until after Jewel was finished with college.
Her new business was barely beginning to show a profit, at least one enough to be able to give money to her family and to live comfortably.

The main concern for her was how to break the news to her mother and Jewel? And Mother tell her father that he was soon-to-be a grandfather? God in Heaven! How would her mother take being a grandmother when she was about to have an empty nest?