"You?"
"Me what?"
"A girlfriend or boyfriend back home I should be aware of?” The look he shot her was filled with more than just neighborly interest
"No, neither."
"Good."
Before she had time to wonder what he meant by that, her thoughts were frozen by the touch of his lips against hers. It was a soft, gentle kiss. Testing the waters to see if she was responsive.
And responsive she was. She had been too long without male interest, and even longer without a man she was interested in.
The kiss ignited passions she had long thought dormant, and they flared to life explosively. Her arms wrapped around his neck as his reached around her waist and pulled her into him.
There was no fight for supremacy, no attempt to subdue her to his desires, just a gentle sharing of each other's desires.
Gently he pulled away, and lay his forehead against hers.
"I should get home.” She needed to be rational. She could do rational.
"No, you shouldn't."
"Yes, I—"
He moved back to look her in the eyes. “Sarah, trust me, you do not want to go back into that house tonight. And until you can get the locks changed and change your alarm code, I'm not letting you go back."
Sarah knew she should be offended that this man thought he could dictate what she would do and when she would do it, but she felt protected instead. It was kind of nice.
"Okay, agreed. I wasn't looking forward to seeing the damage anyway. How bad is it?” She cringed waiting for his response.
He shook his head. “Pretty bad, I'm afraid. But you can deal with that tomorrow. You'll have to fill out a police report. And go over everything for insurance. Now, it's bedtime for you."
Oooh, bed. With him?
"I have the spare bedroom already made up."
What is wrong with me? Did I hit my head when I fainted? I must have. Why else am I having these fantasies about a man I just met? She hadn't had sex since leaving Darren, and that had been over two years ago. And the last few years with him it had been rare, and not very good when it happened.
She must be suffering from withdrawal. Could a person suffer from sex withdrawal? It would probably be better if she just went to bed alone. She was ready to jump this man and hadn't even been introduced.
"Thank you, Detective. I appreciate it."
"Jack."
"Excuse me?"
"Call me Jack."
Sarah smiled weakly. “Okay, Jack."
Jack led her up the stairs to a guest bedroom. “The bathroom connects to the other room through there. I'm on the other side of the hallway if you need me for anything."
* * * *
Sarah woke up to the smell of fresh bacon.
"Good morning, sleepyhead."
There he was. Her hero from last night. She felt a tingle run through her body at the sight of him standing there in her door, holding a tray with breakfast on it.
He was wearing jeans and a dark blue polo that left his biceps bare. She hadn't realized quite how muscular his arms were last night, and she went wet at the sight of them. She knew she was strange, but the sight of nice, toned upper arms had always affected her more than a wide chest or nice legs.
"Ready for breakfast?” he interrupted her train of thought. God, how long was I staring at him?
"Um.” Nice and intelligent, Sarah. “How long have I been out? What time is it?"
"It's ten. I figured you needed to sleep in, so I let you."
Before she could say anything, he strode into the room to the side of the bed. Suddenly she was conscious of only wearing one of his T-shirts. He hadn't wanted her to go back into the house last night, even for something to sleep in, and she hadn't really wanted to go either. His offer of a shirt had been heaven-sent last night. But now, covered in only it and a sheet, she felt as naked as if she wore a skimpy teddy.
She scrambled up, and pulled the blankets up as far as they would go. Unfortunately, with her sitting up, they barely made it to her waist.
"As soon as you're done eating, we can head over and see about the house."
"Do I have to?” Sarah's stomach grumbled both at the sight of a plate full of food, and at the thought of facing what was in her house.
Jack smiled. “Sorry, but you're going to have to eventually, and believe it or not, sooner is better than later."
"I know, I know.” She smiled back as she finished eating the breakfast he had brought her. “Thank you, that was wonderful."
"All part and parcel of rescuing damsels in distress."
"And I definitely am one of those, aren't I?"
"Well, I don't know. You weren't screaming help, and there wasn't a bad guy for me to beat up for you, so I guess we can just say you were distressed."
"It's a deal. I guess no time like the present, huh?"
Jack reached for the tray. “I'll meet you downstairs. If you want to take a shower here, feel free. The towels are in the closet in the bathroom."
"Thanks. I think I will take a quick one for now, if you don't mind."
"No problem."
Jack walked out the door, and turned down the hallway without a backward glance.
Sarah sat there for a few more minutes reminding her body to calm down before getting up.
* * * *
"Oh my God. Is this normal?” Sarah was standing in the middle of her living room floor looking at the damage the intruders had created the night before.
"Honestly? There is usually much more damage than people expect, but it usually isn't this bad. Most of this looks deliberate. There was no reason to tear up everything the way they did.” He gestured toward the couch that had been slashed beyond recognition. “They weren't looking for hidden goods here. This was just plain destruction."
Sarah looked around her once again. She didn't know much about normal break-ins, but he was right. A lot of this looked deliberate, like someone really wanted to hurt her.
It had to have been Darren. Darren or someone he hired. He knew she didn't have the tape at her place, so this had to be a scare tactic.
"Care to tell me about it?"
Sarah looked her next door neighbor in the eye. He was a cop. Will he feel beholden to take me in after he hears my story? Regardless, he was owed an explanation.
"I was married to a very dangerous man for fifteen years. I was finally able to convince him to give me a divorce just over a year ago. As soon as the divorce was final, I ran from him."
"And you've been hiding here ever since?” At her nod, he continued, “And you've been here, what, six months?"
"Yeah."
"Sarah, I have to tell you unless you got your name and social changed, he could have found you a hell of a lot sooner than this if he wanted to. What would have made him come after you now?"
"I don't know."
"What about your visitor? The one who you took to the airport last night?"
"No, Kathy never would have told him. In fact, she was my law—oh, damn. If he found out she was coming, he might have assumed she brought the video to me."
"Video?"
Sarah sighed. In for a penny, in for a pound. “Kathy, her late husband, Darren and I all went to college together. She found an old video a couple years ago when she was going through her husband's stuff. There is a section with Darren and a couple of the other fraternity brothers doing coke."
"That was years ago, it's not like he could get in trouble for it now."
"But he wants to run for political office. That will keep him from doing it."
"Aah, so that's how you got him to give you the divorce."
"Yeah, and leave my mother's estate alone. He wanted her money for his campaign. I convinced him not to try to touch it in the divorce."
"So, I'm still confused, if you're divorced, and the settlements are final, why would he come after you now?"
Sarah didn't say anything for a few minutes. “To scare me. To remind me who really has all t
he control in my life."
"And does he?"
"Jack, I have a phone call to make. Thanks for bringing me home.” Her voice had grown hard. She was going to take care of this once and for all.
"Oh, no."
"What?"
"You are not going to get rid of me that easily. Go make your call, and I'll wait here."
"But—"
"Sarah, I'm not leaving. Just go make the call. I'll be here when you're done."
Sarah took her cell phone out of her purse, and went to her bedroom to call Kathy.
* * * *
"Yes, I'm sure."
Sarah listened to Kathy protest what she had just asked her to do.
"Kathy, you know him, he won't give up until he has it. If he really wanted to hurt me, he would have. He just wants the tape back. It served its purpose, now give it to him."
"Can I at least make a copy?” Kathy's voice sounded tinny over the airwaves, but Sarah could still sense the anxiety in it.
She laughed. “I would expect you to. He wouldn't expect me to. He thinks I'm still the innocent naïve woman he married. But you, on the other hand, are a duplicitous bitch."
Kathy's relieved laugh came through the phone lines loud and clear. “Yes I am, thank you very much, and by the time I'm done, you will be, too."
"Thank you, Kathy."
Kathy's voice grew soft. “Anything for you, Sarah. Anything.
"Now go find that hot cop and get your brains screwed out."
"Kathy!” Sarah smiled widely. Feeling truly relieved for the first time in over a year. This would finally be really over. Deep down she had known Darren would find her again; it had only been a matter of time. Giving him the tape was the right thing to do, if only for her conscience.
"Go. Darren will have the tape by the end of the day. I hate saying it, but you're probably right. He made his point, let him think he won."
They said their goodbyes and Sarah walked back into her living room.
"Are you going to tell me what that was all about?"
Sarah smiled. “No, I'm not. But I didn't do anything illegal, and I didn't do anything that will get me in trouble."
Sarah looked around the room. The bookcase had been straightened, and all the books had been placed in both subject and alphabetical order, the damaged ones Jack had left off to the side. He had replaced the couch cushions, even though they were ripped, and the floor was clean of any trash.
"I tried to pile up the papers and stuff that were salvageable. Not much was broken, though. You apparently aren't big on knickknacks?"
"No, candles are my decorating scheme. Don't have to dust them.” She shook her head as she looked around at all his hard work. “You didn't have to do this, you know."
"I know, but I wanted to."
"Thank you, I appreciate it more than you can ever know."
"Then go out to lunch with me when we're done here."
"Only if I can pay."
"You don't have to do that, Sarah."
Sarah walked up to him, close enough to put her arms around him, but not wanting to take that final step.
"No, I know I don't, but I want to. Not just for this, and not just for last night. But let's say as a celebration of my finally beginning my new life. This time for real."
His arms snaked around her body, pulling her tightly into him. “A new beginning? Is there room for new friends in this new beginning?"
"Yes, new friends, and a whole lot more."
Sarah wanted to say more. To explain everything to him, but that could wait for later. Right now, she decided she would just lose herself in his kiss.
THE JUDGEMENT
by
Michelle Hasker
"I can't believe you dragged me in here, especially after what happened to you."
Abigail watched from the back room as Grace Evans led her reluctant friend into the store. She remembered Grace very well, and was pleased to see she'd survived her ordeal and was looking better than ever. Death suited her.
"I know you hate these things, but she nailed me, Ada and Cybil. I really think this would be good for you. There is a nasty black cloud hanging over you lately and I wish I knew what to do to help you."
"Well for a start, you could stay here while the crazy psychic pretends to tell my future."
Grace snorted. “Fat chance. I want to hear what she has to say."
Abigail nodded and stepped out of the room. She'd known Charlie Rose would be one of her hardest, but she'd need that barrier to guard her through what was to come.
"Charlie Rose. My name is Abigail Montgomery. It is my pleasure to meet you. If you are ready, we can step into the back for your reading."
"How did you know my name?” The tall, leggy redhead narrowed her eyes.
"Grace called ahead and said she was bringing you. Besides, I watch television."
Charlie glanced back and forth between her and Grace. “If Grace believes you and says you are legit, then I'll give you a chance. But any funny stuff, and I'm outta here."
"You are much more graceful and polite on screen then you are in real life.” Abigail hoped Charlie would think about her words. Harsh as they were, they were the truth. This one had a long journey ahead of her.
"So did Grace tell you what to say or are you going to make it up as we go?"
"Your sarcasm is unnecessary, and unbecoming, my dear. Are you this polite to all the young men you meet?” Abigail paused and watched Charlie flush. “It's no wonder Grace thought you'd need help planning your future. If you don't watch yourself, you'll find yourself old and alone."
"Like you?” Charlie snapped.
Grace gasped, but Abigail laughed. “You have a lot of rage inside of you, but who are you really mad at, Charlie? Me? Or yourself?"
"I have no clue what the hell you're talking about.” Charlie turned and glared at Grace. She asked in a low whisper, but Abigail could hear her clearly, “What the hell did you tell this old hag?"
"I speak of something not even Grace knows. Something from your past.” Abigail sat down and picked up her deck. As she shuffled the cards, she watched Charlie pale. If Charlie didn't get a hold of her emotions, she was definitely headed for that nervous breakdown the tabloids predicted.
"There are many things she doesn't know.” Charlie laughed. “In fact I bet there are a lot of things about her that I don't know."
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you,” Grace whispered.
Charlie didn't seem to hear Grace, so Abigail cut the deck and drew the top card. She hesitated before flipping it over. “I'm going to do a one card reading of your immediate future. When you are ready and come back here of your own accord, I will give you a longer, more-in-depth reading. Look at this as your free sample."
"Free?” Charlie smiled and sat up straighter. “You just said the magic word."
"The card about your immediate future is Judgment."
Charlie stared down at the card. “Judgment? What the hell are you talking about? Who is judging me and for what? An upcoming movie? A new television show? Tell me, old woman."
"Your patience knows no bounds.” Grace sighed and gave Abigail a sympathetic smile. “Please ignore her. She's in a bad mood. I thought this would help her."
"No apologies necessary, Grace. I am pleased enough just to see you.” Abigail turned back to Charlie and tapped on the card. “Judgment. This card is about rebirth, resurrection, changes. It could mean something as simple as a job change, or a move. But in your case, it doesn't."
"What do you mean?” Charlie leaned forward and stared at the card. “It looks like a good card to me."
"It is a good card. There are no bad cards. In fact, Grace drew Death and she can tell you that nothing bad came of that."
"She's right,” Grace said.
Charlie leaned back and blinked. “You got Death?"
Grace nodded. “And Ada got The Magician while Cybil pulled The Hermit."
"But Ada married a magician and Cybil a herm
it. Why aren't you dead?"
"But, my dear, I am dead."
Charlie quickly slid her chair back, but then stopped and started laughing. “I almost believed you for a minute."
Grace shrugged and looked back at Abigail. “So what does this card mean for Charlie?"
Abigail caught Charlie's gaze. “It means she needs to deal with something in her past. Something she would prefer remain hidden. She must face something she doesn't want to. It won't do any good to hide. Everything is going to come out whether you want it to or not. Face what you have to face, make that decision. Change. Heal and renew. You can overcome the obstacles and come out on top, but you won't be unscathed. Don't run; meet him face to face and rectify the wrong."
Charlie stared at her, horror in her expression, but she composed herself and stood up before Grace noticed. “Thanks so much for the enlightening reading, but you're wrong. There is nothing in my past haunting me. Come on, Grace. Let's get out of here. I need a drink."
Abigail watched as Charlie stormed out of the backroom, and out of the shop without a second glance. Grace gave her a hug, then ran after her friend.
"Good thing you have such a loyal friend looking out for you, Charlie. You will need her before this thing is through."
* * * *
"She's a quack,” Charlie said as she ordered another Sex on the Beach.
"She is not."
Grace grabbed her arm so Charlie turned to look at her. “What?"
"She does know the future. She has predicted it three times so far for me and my friends and numerous times for the ladies at my work. If she says you have something in your past waiting to rear up and bite you, then I'd keep a close eye on my rear end."
"She is wrong. You'll see. My life is an open book. There's nothing hidden in my closet.” Charlie hoped Grace wouldn't notice the slight tremor in her voice as she spoke. Or if she did, that she'd attribute it to the drinks.
Grace sighed. “Hiding won't help you."
Charlie felt a twinge of guilt, but quickly pushed that aside. She'd have gotten nowhere in this business if she'd allowed emotions into her heart, and now it was just too easy to not feel anything. So what if I do have a brash exterior? It was better to keep everyone at bay so she couldn't hurt anyone again.
Tarot Card Anthology: Synchronicity Volume 1 Page 16
