Somebody To Love

by Wendy Vella

“For a person with your smarts, you’re not using your head.”

  “Are you deliberately trying to insult me?”

  “Just get on the back Bailey.”

  His hair was standing up off his head, and she saw the exhaustion in his face too.

  “I’m tired, Joe, so I’m going home. See you.” Lifting a hand, she started walking.

  “Get on the ATV, Bailey. You’re coming back to the main house for a meal, and then you’re staying the night with me. You don’t need to be alone.”

  Her stomach made a loud growling noise at the mention of food, but she didn’t think he’d heard that. “No, but thanks. I’m good, Joe. I just need some time to process today, and to do that I need to be alone. Plus, Maggs will be there. You go on back to your aunt Jess, and spend time with her and your family.”

  She thought she’d won, because he said nothing else.

  “Funny how I never noticed that stupid streak right off.”

  Bailey shrieked as he picked her up and dumped her on the back of the ATV.

  “Stay!”

  Stunned, she didn’t move in time, and suddenly she was grabbing Joe’s waist as he turned them around and headed back where he’d come from.

  “You c-can’t just do that!”

  “Seems like I can.”

  “Take me home then.”

  “No.”

  He drove up the drive while Bailey argued with him, and then up to his house.

  “Okay, we shower here, then go down to the main house for food.”

  “Do I get a say in this?” She tried to glare at him.

  “Not so much.”

  Once inside, he nudged her up the stairs to his bedroom, then into the shower. While he turned on the water, she slumped onto the toilet. Her legs had finally given up working.

  “Okay, in you get.”

  “Where is Buzz?”

  “With Aunt Jess. She’s one of his favorite people, because she feeds him constantly. Now strip.”

  “I’m just taking a minute here.”

  “Lost the use of your limbs?”

  “Something like that.”

  “How about I help you?”

  “I got it.” Bailey attempted to rise, but he was there and simply lifted her to her feet. “I said I got it, Joe.”

  “I get that suddenly you have this newfound need to be in control of your own destiny... really, it’s admirable,” he said, reaching for the hem of the jacket she wore. “I’m all for strong women, but right now you need my help, so let me give it.”

  “You are not undressing me.” She attempted to slap his hands aside as he reached for her clothes. Resistance, it seemed, was futile. “I’m sure I should be putting up more of a fight.” As the words finished on a yawn, he snorted.

  “Just give in gracefully, sweet cheeks.”

  “Sweet cheeks?” Bailey was now naked, and too tired to care.

  “You are sweet, even dirty and tired.”

  Bailey found the mirror that was rapidly steaming up. Her face was pale and dirty, and her hair hung in a damp braid.

  “Get in the shower, Bailey.”

  She did, because she wanted to. The spray made her moan.

  “That good, huh?”

  “And more. Sorry, Joe, I won’t be long, I know you must be tired too.”

  “I have another shower in the house if I wanted to use it.”

  “Why don’t....” Bailey’s words trailed off as he stepped through the door.

  “Got room in there for me?”

  “I’ll be out soon.” Her mouth had gone dry.

  “It’s my duty to make sure you don’t fall down the drain. So move that cute butt.”

  And suddenly the shower stall that had seemed big was now not. He moved in, all sleek muscles and big body.

  “I’ve never showered with someone before.”

  “Let me educate you, then,” he said, picking up the soap, and beginning to do just that.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  They pulled up outside the main house thirty minutes later. Bailey was quiet as she got off the ATV. Joe followed, moving to stand behind her as she looked up at the house she’d lived thirteen years of her life in.

  They’d showered together, and he’d washed every inch of her lovely body. He’d then taken her right there against the wall. It had been slow and wet, and he’d swallowed her moans, bracing her hands above her head while he kissed her. Joe wasn’t sure he’d ever get enough of her.

  He’d found her one of his old denim shirts to wear. It came to her knees, and the cuffs had to be rolled several times. Her hair was loose and damp, face bare, cheeks pink from the shower. On her feet were the peach sneakers. She looked innocent and sexy at the same time.

  “You’re rocking that look.”

  She didn’t take her eyes from the house.

  “Your family will know this is your shirt, Joe.”

  “Sure, and that we’re sleeping together, so you probably just need to deal with that fact.”

  “I’m a private person.”

  “I’m not,” he said, touching her shoulder. “And they’re all good people who like you, Bailey.”

  “I like them too.”

  She hadn’t taken her eyes off the house yet.

  “That’s good to know.”

  Her sigh came from the soles of her feet.

  “I don’t know if I’m ready for the memories that will hit me when I walk through that door, Joe.”

  “They weren’t all bad surely?” He moved in behind Bailey, and wrapped his arms around her.

  “No, not all of them.”

  “It’s changed in there now, baby. Come and see.”

  She didn’t speak, just let him lead her inside. Her eyes moved around the entrance that was now bigger than when she’d lived here.

  “We knocked out a few walls, and opened it up. So things are going to look different.”

  Bailey touched the wood paneling as she walked. Her eyes went left to right as she took it all in silently. He walked her through the big lounge that had large, comfortable furnishings and an open fireplace. Piper was into plants, so there was plenty of greenery scattered about the place.

  “We went for light colors inside, with a few feature walls. There were plenty of battles over what eventually went up, with so many strong-willed people involved, but we got there in the end.”

  She stopped by a window they’d put in recently, and looked out.

  “Speak, woman.” He didn’t like her silence, or not knowing what she was thinking.

  “It’s a different place now. I still see touches of the house I lived in, like the paneling, of which there are forty boards, by the way. But I like it, and somehow it feels easier being in here because of the changes.”

  “You counted them?” He moved closer to touch her cheek.

  “What?”

  “The boards, how come you counted them?”

  “When my mom called me down for dinner, I would count each one before I went to the dining room. It was like a nightly ritual, and a small rebellion on my part.”

  “How did you figure that?”

  “Because I wasn’t coming at once like she wanted.”

  “Such a tough girl.”

  She gave him a small smile.

  “I’m glad you like the changes, Bailey.”

  “I really do. It’s lovely, Joe. I like all that I’ve seen so far. I mean that. This place was like a show home when I lived here, but now I have a feeling it’s a family home.”

  He’d known about her mother. How Bailey wasn’t allowed to touch anything. Everything had to be in its place and spotlessly clean.

  “I stayed here for a while, until my place was built. And I used to imagine you here. Where was your piano?”

  She lifted a hand to the right. The room was now a small study off the main living area. “That was the music room when I lived here.”

  “Okay, I hadn’t figured that. I thought you’d be in the living area.”

&nb
sp; “My mother didn’t want sheet music all over the place.”

  Bitch. Joe kept that thought to himself, but he’d come to the conclusion long ago that Mrs. Jones wouldn’t win any awards for child-rearing, just like his parents hadn’t.

  “So I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. Want some food?”

  Her stomach rumbled again.

  “I’ll take that as a yes.”

  The family was gathered in Joe’s favorite room. The hub of the house, Aunt Jess called it. A big, open-plan kitchen and dining area, with tiled floors, a huge wood burner on one wall, and a long, solid dining table. The kitchen had a big cooking range, and spacious benchtops with plenty of cupboards and every appliance Aunt Jess wanted. An island separated the kitchen from the dining area. His family was all lounging in seats while Aunt Jess threw together food. She didn’t like anyone else in the kitchen while she was.

  “Something smells good,” Joe said, walking in with Bailey. “Aunt Jess, this is Bailey Jones. Her family owned this house many years ago.”

  “Well, aren’t you a pretty thing.”

  Her fingers eased their grip on his as his aunt smiled, and then Bailey was gathered into the arms that had held Joe and his siblings many times, over many years.

  She accepted the hug, but wasn’t exactly relaxed, and then Joe nudged her to the seat beside Luke. He took the one on her other side.

  “I heard about how you saved my Jack, and put out that fire in the stable,” Aunt Jess said.

  “Oh well—”

  “Now you take the praise I’m handing you, sweetie, because anyone who looks out for my kids deserves it.”

  Aunt Jess had always been someone who spoke her mind.

  “You must be exhausted, Bailey, after the day you’ve had. First the fire, and then that horrible business with Elijah.”

  “I’m okay.”

  “You want a coffee?” Piper offered.

  “Yes, please,” she said.

  They talked about Aunt Jess’s trip, then moved on to what had been happening while she was away.

  “And you think your father is responsible for everything?”

  “We can’t say for certain, but he did ask me for money, and then make those threats,” Joe said. “I know this is upsetting for you, Aunt Jess.”

  “He’s my brother, and yes, it’s never easy to realize your blood is bad, but I reconciled myself with that long ago.”

  “I’m sorry you had to.” Bailey surprised Joe by speaking. “You should be able to rely on your family.”

  Sliding his hand under her hair, Joe stroked the soft skin of her neck. She shivered, but didn’t pull away.

  “You should, but it’s not always the case,” his aunt said, looking at her. “Friends step in then. They’re just as good if you don’t have family. Of course, I have this lot, so I have plenty of support.”

  Bailey nodded. “Yes, friends are important.”

  “Chief Blake is looking for him, our father,” Jack said.

  “He is, but we need to be diligent also.”

  “You don’t think he’s involved in Elijah’s murder, do you, Joe?” Piper asked.

  “I don’t know why he would be, or what the connection could be there, but we can’t rule it out, to my way of thinking.”

  They discussed that in detail, as was their way. They gnawed on a subject until everyone was happy before moving on. Beside him, Bailey sat silently listening. She didn’t add anything else to the conversation, but he knew she was taking it all in.

  “You doing okay?” He stroked a finger under the collar of her shirt... which was actually his shirt.

  “Yes, thank you.”

  “And there’s my polite Miss Jones again.”

  She turned, her face now close to his.

  “I’m trying to work out why your father would want to harm you. I understand that he’s angry you didn’t give him money, but to want you hurt or worse... would he really do that to his own children?”

  “You know what he’s about, Bailey. You remember,” Joe said.

  She nodded. “I remember him hurting you, and wanting to hurt him back because of it, but to kill? That’s different again, don’t you think?”

  Joe shrugged. “He’s an asshole. My take is he’s just moved that up another notch, and has no regard for anyone or anything.”

  “You need to be careful, Joe.”

  He leaned in and kissed her. Around him, his family talked, but he knew they were taking it in.

  “You worried about me, sweetheart?”

  Her cheeks went pink, but she stood her ground.

  “Of course, and me too, as I seem to be caught up in it.”

  He thought about the fire that seemed so long ago, and how he could have lost her.

  “Yeah, you need to take care too, because I won’t let anything to happen to you... ever.”

  “You can’t protect me, Joe.”

  “Yes—” He kissed her again. “—I can.”

  “Evening, all.” Mr. Goldhirsh walked in, and Joe dragged his eyes from Bailey’s. The man had been coming and going from the house for years. This time he had a large bunch of colorful flowers in one hand.

  “Aww, you bringing me flowers again, Mr. Goldhirsh?” Luke teased.

  Mr. Goldhirsh ignored him and made for Aunt Jess.

  “And there she is, the most beautiful woman in Ryker Falls.”

  His aunt blushed as she always did, and took the flowers, accepting the kiss he gave her.

  Joe caught the shocked look on Bailey’s face before she took another mouthful of coffee.

  “They’ve had a thing for years.”

  “Really?”

  “Really.”

  “That’s very sweet.”

  “It is,” Joe agreed. “It makes them both happy.”

  “How come you only get out of your running gear for Aunt Jess?” Jack asked.

  “She’s special,” Mr. Goldhirsh said, pouring himself a coffee. He wore black trousers and a collared gray shirt. “You lot aren’t.”

  This produced hoots of laughter.

  Mr. Goldhirsh then made for Bailey. Placing a hand on her back, he leaned in and kissed the top of her head.

  “I heard how brave you were today, girl. I’m proud of you.”

  “Thank you,” Bailey said politely, and the smile she gave him was genuine.

  “You need anything, you call.”

  “I will.” She patted the hand he had on her shoulder.

  Joe wondered if she knew how many people she was friends with in Ryker. How many people would be there if she needed them. The girl who’d been alone for so long, wasn’t anymore.

  The meal was laid on the table, and consisted of burgers, fries, and chocolate cake. Food for the gods, as far as the Trainer siblings were concerned, and Bailey didn’t look unhappy either as she picked up a handful of fries and stuffed the lot in her mouth.

  She raised a brow at his look. “What?”

  “You’re losing more of your prissiness.”

  She poked out her tongue, which made him laugh, and then placed more fries in her mouth.

  “Oh my God, tell me that smell is homemade burgers, Aunt Jess?” Fin arrived, looking as tired as anyone else in the room, and probably more so considering he’d spent time calling people, and dealing with the local authorities.

  “It is, and you come on here for a hug, then you can eat.” Aunt Jess treated Fin like one of hers.

  They ate, they talked some more, usually over each other, and Bailey observed, her eyes moving around the table, her face bemused. Joe wondered if she’d ever shared a meal like this with anyone, or eaten alone most of the time. The thought made him sad. He’d always had his siblings, even if he hadn’t appreciated them.

  When a knock sounded on the door, Mr. Goldhirsh went to answer it, and came back with Clark Munro on his heels, which turned an already shit day into an even bigger pile of crap.

  “Clark, what you doing here?” Bailey got to her feet, and w
ent to him. He reached for her, hugging her hard. Joe was pleased to note she patted his back, but didn’t lean into the man like she did when Joe hugged her. She then stepped back out of reach.

  Munro’s eyes shot to the people all seated around the table, listening and showing no shame about it.

  “Can we go somewhere quiet, Bailey?”

  “Clark, I’m tired and hungry. If you want to talk, it will have to wait, because those burgers are probably the best I’ve ever tasted.”

  He hadn’t expected that either. Joe noted the surprise on his face that Bailey hadn’t complied with his wishes. Believe it, buddy, this girl is changing.

  “I was in a store on the main street, and was told about the incident, and that you were involved. The fire, Bailey....” He seemed at a loss for words. “And then going up into those hills on a horse to look for the man. I don’t understand what you were thinking, to behave in such an irrational manner. Is it true you dived into the water to retrieve the body?”

  He looked confused and worried. Joe guessed he was used to the quiet, subdued version of Bailey.

  “I didn’t even know you could ride a horse before I came to Ryker.”

  “There’s a great deal you don’t know about me, Clark, or that I know about myself for that matter, but I’m enjoying finding it out... for the most part anyway.”

  Joe wondered if she was thinking about him or Elijah Neil. Looking at her in his shirt, hair loose, face scrubbed bare, Joe guessed she was a world away from the uptight, label-wearing pianist Clark Munro knew.

  “We don’t stand on ceremony here. I’m Aunt Jess, and Clark, is it?”

  The man nodded as Joe’s aunt got to her feet.

  “It is, and please excuse my manners for not introducing myself to you sooner.”

  He was slick, Joe would give him that, but nothing else. The man had been in Ryker too long as far as he was concerned, and the sooner he left—alone—the better.

  “Wouldn’t hurt you heathens to learn a few of his manners,” Aunt Jess said, taking the hand Clark held out to her, and pumping it twice.

  “Thanks for that, Clark,” Jack drawled. “She’ll spend the next two months making us dress for dinner and pull out her seat now.”

  “You ignore them now, Clark, and take a seat. Have you eaten?”

  Looking trapped, he turned to Bailey, but she was already back in her seat, inhaling food.