Chase_The Sons of Crosby

by Kathi S. Barton

  “You have no idea how bored he is right now. Last night, I caught him going through seed catalogs. And he’s talking about getting a small tractor to use. I think he really wants to work with his hands, but since he can’t do much more than dream of this garden project because of the time of year, he’s trying to find things to keep his mind going.” Chase asked her if Jamie was really going to be a house husband. “Yes, though not all the time, but most of it. He said that he might need adult contact after a while, but he wants to be there for our child.”

  “I think it’s wonderful.” Neither he nor Emerald had told anyone that she was breeding. He hadn’t been sure that anyone else, like his brothers, might know, but they didn’t seem to. “How are you liking the new doctor?”

  “I love her. She’s a hoot. But I’m glad that you’re here today. I have a problem with my last check, and the two other checks that I got.” Chase asked her what it was. “Well, it’s double, for one thing. Then I have a check for a vehicle that I need to purchase. And the third check is for a building. I went to look yesterday. I thought it was a typo, that it was for an office, but apparently, I’m to purchase this entire building and have it in my name. Why are you guys doing this?”

  “The family is, yes. And there are two reasons. One, we like you, and expect you to do great things for both us and the pack that you’re working with. Secondly, we like you.” She pointed out that he’d said that already. “Well, it bears repeating. As for the increase in your pay, we realized that we were only paying you standard for being a company attorney, but you’re far more than that. You’re being an attorney for our family and businesses, as well as the pack. That is double duty on your part.”

  “It’s really not, and both are very easy to do.” Grayson laughed. “Why is that funny?”

  “You have no idea what sort of trouble we get into all the time.” He smiled at her when she looked at him. Grayson wasn’t telling her the whole truth, but in this, he thought it was a good idea to let her think she was going to be very busy. “Besides, you’re learning a lot of law that you’d never find in books at college. You will need it in the coming years, and we’re thrilled that you can do it for us.”

  Jamie joined them again, but he looked perplexed. When Grayson asked him what he’d found out, he said that he needed one more phone call to come in. And once that was in, he’d be able to tell him. The phone rang in that minute and he answered it. As he spoke to the person on the other end, Chase got nervous.

  ~~~

  Jamie hung up and stood there. This was the strangest thing he’d ever dealt with. So, when he sat down again, he looked at the two men with him. One he owed his very life to, the other had become a good friend as well.

  “Bates, as you might have guessed. I had no idea that he could.... Well, what he’s done is put it out there that you’re under investigation. For what, no one seems to know. But after I got the last call, it became clear for all of us. He told them to look into you for being an alien. Not like from another country, but a different realm.” Grayson laughed, and so did Chase. It was funny, he supposed, but also a little frightening for him. “He is telling his people, the ones that worked for him, to cut all ties you have with everyone. I’m not sure why your business was the first one, but it’s been taken care of now. My buddy at the offices, he’s putting it out there that not only were you helping the government with some projects that have to do with bee pollination, but also their effects on winery. A lot, I’m told.”

  “Yes, bees are extremely helpful to all plant life. So, he’s had this notion put out there so that I’d be in trouble. Now what?” Jamie told Grayson that it was done. That no more would be said about it. “So that’s it? Everything will be fine now?”

  “No. I have a feeling that since you’ve been put out there as a man with a mission, helping the planet, you might see an increase in business. At least that’s what my buddy told me. He’s going to make sure of it.” Grayson laughed again, and Jamie felt better. “You’re not mad?”

  “No. I mean, I might have been had it worked for Bates, but no, I’m not mad. What good would that do?” Jamie nodded, wishing that he could be more like these men, taking things in stride and not getting upset when it didn’t go his way. “Now, I need you for something. No biggie, but it’s going to help us both. What do you know about gardening?”

  “Nothing. I’m guessing that Kristie told you I was bored. I am, but you don’t have to make up work for me.” Grayson assured him that he wasn’t. “Then I’ll help you in any way that I can.”

  Grayson told him what he needed, what the dragons needed, and where the new gardens were being put in. It sounded like a huge undertaking, but he was game for anything that got him out of the house for a few hours and gave him some way to work his head. He really wasn’t used to being idle so much.

  “I can do that. I mean, I’d have to learn, of course, but I can help with the planning.” He was to organize and make sure that the faeries were having plants coming on at different times of the year. Not all just in the spring. “I’ve been reading up on plants for this region. There are a great many of them that we can work with.”

  “That is something else. The land that is closest to and on the faerie land can be planted year-round. It’s not really all that big, but they use it for things like starters, as well as trees that they’re trying to cross pollinate.” Jamie stared taking notes, something that he did all the time, but now it was fun looking them over when he put them in his computer. “I love to read, so I have a lot of books on a great many subjects, but I can recall things better than most computers, I think. So, if you have any questions about this or any of the projects, all you need to do is ask. I’m sure that if I don’t know the answer, someone will be able to help us.”

  When the two of them left, Jamie sat down at his computer again and started making lists. All the plants that he’d wanted to put into his own garden were still there, but the second list he made was for timing. There was an art to it, he’d seen, so that gardens, flower or otherwise, would be blooming year-round, as they wanted to happen.

  By the time Kristie came to remind him to come up for air, something that she’d done when he’d been working for the government, he stood up and danced with her around the room. She started laughing, and Jamie realized how much he’d missed that from her. Just the simple sound of her laughter.

  “If you’re in this good of a mood just because you get to play in the dirt, you’re going to love this. I just got a call from Elliot. He has a home in France that I need to go see to make sure that its repairs are being done. And if not, then I’m to make it happen.” He asked her if he could go. “Of course. Elliot said that we should scope out the other houses around, to make sure that there wasn’t anything for sale that he might like to purchase, and I’m to bring home things, on their credit card, that might be a nice addition to the shops here in town. Oh, Jamie, this is going to be fun, working for these men.”

  He had had it in his head that they’d be making up work for him to do. Something easy that would keep him working and paid, but not too difficult. Not that going to France or making lists was hard, but he could see the real value in it. The reasons that these men were very wealthy…they did nothing half-assed. Nor did they spare expenses when things were needing repairs.

  “We should be gone a week, he told me. And while gone, they’ll have someone come in and keep the house for us. Cleaning and watering the plants.” Jamie nodded, already thinking of things that he’d like to do while in France with his lovely wife. “He said that there are tickets for shows, too, that we might as well use. I looked into it, Jamie. There really are tickets that they don’t use, and usually end up donating them to someone else to go. This job is going to be epic if this keeps up.”

  Today was Wednesday and they were leaving on Monday. A lot of planning needed to be done and things arranged. Not only was he having the nursery set up, but now he could get it done without her knowing. Making a m
ental note to call one of the brothers to help him out with it, he was excited to have this happening when it did.

  “You know, I asked him about the baby and how we would travel after it’s born. He said that I wasn’t to worry about it, that I’d have more than enough babysitters should we need them. Not to mention, the trips would all be baby friendly, as well as a nanny would be with us to help with the extra work. These men really know how to treat someone.”

  “I agree. And the fact that I’m going to be working for such a big project, I’ve never felt so good in my life, honey. I mean, yes, it’s stressful, but in a fun, I’m enjoying this too much to have a heart attack sort of stress.” She told him he’d better never have another heart attack. “I won’t. I promise you. I mean, I’ll promise you that I won’t let myself be that stressed again.”

  “I can live with that. We have a child to raise, and we’re going to raise it together. I don’t want to be alone doing this, Jamie. I need you here.” He nodded and held her, feeling the baby kick him as he held his momma. “I love you, with all that I am.”

  “And I love you. Now, what do we need to get going on this job of yours?” They were laughing as they made their way to the bedroom to see what they would need to take or buy.

  Jamie had yet to tell her that they were both going to live forever. Chase had told him only the other day, and he was trying to think of a way to break it to his lovely wife. Their children would be around as well. And while Jamie was sure she’d not be mad about it, he just didn’t know. And that was what was keeping him from telling her.

  But perhaps this trip would be the perfect time. She’d be happy, and so would he. He thought about buying her something pretty while there, and wondered if any of the Crosby men knew of a place he could get his pretty wife a gift for simply loving him. He was sure they’d know…they were men that had a good knowledge of a great many things, he’d come to find out.

  Chapter 14

  Elliot walked up and down the new aisles he’d put in today. They were straight and long, much better than the original ones he’d had put in a decade ago. Crosby Flowers was doing a much better business than he’d ever dreamed it would, and he was planning to hire six more people this year to help with the planting.

  He had a strange business for a vampire. Elliot knew this, but it was fun for him too. People, humans especially, would never guess that he was a night walker. Sometimes even he had trouble remembering he was. As he set up the water system, Elliot thought of all the things he’d done in his lifetime. Most of it had been outdoor jobs, but there had been a few that had kept him in a building.

  For a while he’d been a grave digger. It had only paid the bills, as far as he was concerned. There was nothing, not one thing else, that he could think that was good about the job. He had hated it more than he did himself back then.

  Then he’d been a surgeon. That hadn’t been a smart choice for him. He was good at it, very good, but when one of his patients would pass over, he’d go into a deep depression that would last for several days. He’d gotten out of that line of work in about ten years.

  Elliot knew that in order to have the plants ready for spring planting, he had to work most of the colder months. November would be for set up. Since he didn’t have to do it all on his own this year, he was actually thinking of waiting until December. Then the rest of that month into early March, they were not just planting herbs for the spring plant, but also long-term things. Tomatoes for one thing. Then there were flowers that would be ready for Memorial Day.

  The water started flowing in the direction that he needed it to. As soon as he didn’t see any leaks, he turned it off. Just as he was turning to see to the other lines, he saw the little boy in the corner, his coat almost the same color as the gray walls he was near. Instead of scaring him, Elliot continued working on his lines.

  When he was finished with all of them, he pulled out his lunch. He hadn’t really planned on eating it. There was a perfectly good cold pizza at home that he had planned on having for dinner, but the kid was hungry. Even from the distance across the room, Elliot could hear his belly growling.

  “I have two sandwiches here if you want one.” The kid didn’t move, so he opened the bottle of water he had as well. “There is a roast beef one with tomatoes on it, as well as a turkey and bacon one. Which do you want?”

  The kid came out of the corner, but he didn’t move any closer. Elliot knew that he was afraid of him. So, he not only didn’t make any sudden moves, but told him what he was going to do next. As he pulled out the napkins that were also in his bag, the kid took a few steps toward him.

  “You’re a vampire.” Elliot said that he was. “I don’t know how you’re in here when you’re that. The sun has been shining for a long time.”

  “I have a special power. Do you want one of these?” He nodded, but didn’t move. “If you want one of them, you’re going to have to come and get it. I won’t wait on you hand and foot.”

  The kid moved to the little table, but didn’t reach for the sandwich or the offered bottle of water. Instead, Elliot cut the two sandwiches in half and bit into the roast beef one.

  “My momma is dead.” The kid sat down and took the other half of the beef sandwich. “She’d been real sick, and my dad, he’s not happy with me.”

  “Why is that?” He gave him the bottle of water and wished that he had something like juice for him. “Is he upset with you, or the fact that your momma died?”

  “I don’t know. He’s always mad, I think.”

  Elliot reached out gently and read the boys mind. The kid was abused. A great deal, and had been staying in the green house for several days now, hiding from his dad.

  “Are you gonna tell him that I’m here?”

  There was more there too. Like the fact that the mother hadn’t just died, but had been killed. And no one, not a person of authority, knew about it. She was under the porch, wrapped up in a plastic tarp.

  “No, not if you don’t want me to.” And he wouldn’t either. If the police asked him, which he doubted anyone would come to him about a missing kid, then he’d have to. But for now, the kid could stay here as long as he wanted. “I’ll make sure that you have food here. Nothing to cook, I’m afraid. The microwave took a dump a few weeks ago.”

  “I don’t mind cold stuff. I hope you don’t care, but I had your candy bar for breakfast.” Elliot would make sure that there was less candy in his desk and more good snacks from now on. “This is really good. Did your momma make it for you?”

  “No, my mom is gone as well. She died when I was younger.” The kid nodded but said nothing as he ate the other two halves of sandwiches. “What’s your name? I don’t need your last, but I have to have something besides ‘kid’ to call you.”

  “Dad calls me shit for brains. I don’t want you to call me that, okay?” Elliot said he didn’t want to call him that either. “My real name is Cody. I’m nine.”

  “My name is Elliot Crosby.” The kid polished off the sandwiches and was looking around the room. “I have a cot in the office that you can use. There’s a telephone in there as well. I’m going to write down my phone number, and you can call me when you need to.”

  “You gonna eat me? I know that you said you was a vampire and all, but you ate a sandwich. Are you gonna make me pay you back with my neck?” Elliot told him he didn’t feed from friends. “Am I your friend then, Mr. Crosby?”

  “Yes, so long as you don’t hurt anything in here, we’ll be just fine.” He knew on some level that he should tell someone that the boy was in here. But he also knew that the kid trusted less than he did, and that was saying a lot. “Also, there will be food in here. And water. You eat what you want, and I’ll replace it. Does anyone else know that you’re here?”

  “No. Just you. Did you know that there are kids that come around here at night and try to get in?” He said that he didn’t, but he’d make sure they couldn’t get in. “Thanks. You’re not going to hurt them, are you? I think
they’re just having fun.”

  “I’m not a terrible person, Cody. Just a man that has a business. Who just happens to be a vampire.” Cody nodded and played around with the water circles on the table. “You want a job? I’ll pay you. I need someone to make sure that the heat stays on in here at night. I’m worried that if it gets too cold, the pipes will burst, and I’ll have to start over again.”

  “I can do that. It’s nice and warm in here now.” Elliot told him that he was warming it up to get the soil ready for planting. “That’s a good idea. I’d sure hate to have all those pretty plants die that my momma liked to look at.”

  Cody made his way to the office, and Elliot gently reached out to see what sort of injuries had been done to the young man. Plenty. Some of them old, but a lot of fresh wounds too. He was going to have to figure out who his father was and where he lived, to make sure the man understood the precious gift he’d been given.

  Elliot showed him the office and helped him make up the little cot. It had been in the place when he’d bought it, and he’d had no reason to use it. Not only did it have a couple of worn out blankets, but a nearly flat pillow too. Cody acted like he’d given him the keys to the toy store, he was so happy.

  After making sure that the kid was going to be all right, Elliot made his way to the store. There was a nice fridge in the place, but he wanted to make sure that Cody had something more to eat than just cold food. Buying a microwave along with the food, he was checking out the produce when he saw a pack member, Libby, standing in front of the deli. Going to her, he asked if she was all right.

  “I.... Yes. I was just thinking about this man that was in the parking lot when I came in. He gave me the creeps.” Elliot asked her in what way. “I don’t know. It wasn’t like he’d done anything to me. Or even said anything other than asking me about his little boy and a dog, but I had the feeling that there was more to it than that.”