Murrook Farm (Sam & Jody Series Book 2)

by Lois Kay

  “It’s wonderful to see how you and Trishia have grown closer together over the past few months,” Joan finally spoke. “You seem happy, Lucy.”

  “Oh, Mom, I am,” Lucy couldn’t hide a smile. “Trishia is such an amazing person.”

  “Not to mention sexy as hell,” Fiona mumbled from the backseat, which earned her a warning glare from Yarra.

  But Lucy’s excellent hearing had picked up the comment, and through the rearview mirror, she sent her youngest sister a quizzical look. “How would you know?” she asked calmly, refusing to take the bait. “I didn’t realize you were an expert in that field, Red. Care to share?”

  “I’m not blind, Luce,” Fiona answered. “I have eyes, you know. Besides, I know half the women at the police station have the hots for her. I heard them talk in the break room.”

  “You did, huh?” Lucy mumbled, refusing to let jealousy get the better of her.

  “Yeah,” Fiona answered, waiting for Lucy to break down and ask her exactly what she had heard. But Lucy remembered the look in Trishia’s eyes the night before and the way she had asked her to be her partner for life and she knew that, no matter how much Trishia’s coworkers lusted after her, she was hers and hers alone.

  “Don’t you want to know what they were saying?” Fiona finally asked, not able to hide the disappointment in her voice.

  Lucy glanced in the rearview mirror and softly chuckled. “No, I don’t. I’m sure it was all praise and glory and who am I to argue with that?” she sent Fiona a wink.

  “Good one, Lucy,” Yarra complimented her, and she cast a teasing look at Fiona. “It doesn’t happen too often I have the opportunity to see Fiona McDonnell lost for words. You made my day.”

  *

  They must have called in help from other police stations, he was certain about that. In all the months he had lived in the area he had never seen so many police cars in one day. Not just the regular ones that screamed ‘police’ from a distance, but also the unmarked cars, always with two occupants, who were obviously on a stake out. He could see them around every corner.

  At first, it had scared him, and he was about to hit the brakes, turn the car around and drive the opposite way as fast as he could manage to get away with, but he had decided to taunt fate. Squaring his shoulders, he had driven past a dark-colored car, and he had even cast a look at the people inside, who were clearly not paying attention because the driver looked him in the face and didn’t even flinch.

  It was an officer Martin had not met before. Most likely from a different district and called in to help Inspector Wong’s pathetic team to locate him; Martin Coles, the smartest one of all.

  Martin smiled and cast an appreciative look in the mirror, wondering why he had not dyed his hair before. It looked good on him, he thought. He was sure the ladies would love it. Although he was couldn’t tell them it was dyed of course. That would be his secret.

  Martin chuckled and turned the car onto the main street, heading north. He drove past a group of teenage girls, and for a moment he thought his heart would stop when he saw a familiar blond head.

  “Alice,” he whispered huskily, parking the car alongside the road and watching the girls through the back window.

  His eyes focused on the blonde and a smile tugged on the corner of his mouth when he saw the girl throw her long hair back over her shoulder and turn to another girl to say something. They both laughed, and Martin gritted his teeth.

  “Your laughing will end soon, Alice,” he whispered. “You are a bad girl, and you know what happens to bad girls.”

  He licked his lips when he remembered the punishment he had in mind. He could almost see the dilated pupils in a sea of blue, shining with pain and horror. He remembered the warm, thick fluid that, again would coat his hand as a symbol of his purity. To sanctify with blood.

  Soon he would be free.

  It took a lot of self-restraint to stay in the car and not walk up to the girl who was challenging him. But even in his delusional state of mind, Martin knew that an action like that would attract unwanted attention. So, he clenched his hands into fists and took a deep breath.

  Soon, he promised himself. Very soon. But first, he had to pay a visit to a lovely little farm. There were some loose ends he needed to take care off.

  *

  Alice took in the room with wide eyes. In her entire life, she had never seen anything like it. Maybe in pictures or on TV, but she had never actually stood in the middle of a hotel room that was so spacious and luxurious.

  Sam had driven her and Jody straight to The Reef and had parked the car in a private section of the underground parking garage. From there she had ushered them to a small elevator, that had brought them to the intended floor after Sam had inserted a key card and had punched in a four-digit code. In response to Alice’s wide-eyed look, Sam had explained to her it was a private elevator, and only people who had the key card could use it. After last year’s fire, the executive floor had been renovated, and the elevator was added to give high-paying guests the opportunity to get from the room to the car in the fastest way possible.

  Alice had nodded, happy to know she would be able to enter The Reef without having to walk through the main entrance. When she had exited the elevator, she noticed they were standing in front of a door with a shiny brass plate on it that said ‘Executive Wing.’ Curiously she had followed Sam and Jody when they had stepped inside and slack-jawed she had looked around.

  There was a hallway with rooms on both sides and on the far end was a huge balcony with sliding doors that had been opened to let in the cool breeze from the ocean, making the floor-to-ceiling curtains gently move back and forth.

  A comfortable leather couch and two large recliners created a sitting area near the sliding doors, allowing anyone who wanted, to sit down and relax with an uninterrupted view of the ocean that stretched out to the horizon. The walls were decorated with modern art, full of unusual shapes and colors. An entertainment center sat in the corner, and a classy desk with a computer, printer and fax machine complimented the room, making it look like a well-used office as well as a living room that exuded tranquility and style.

  “This will be your bedroom, Alice,” Jody indicated, opening one of the doors in the corner. “You’re absolutely free to share it with Yarra and that wacky sister of mine, but if you’d rather not, we can put them up in another room.”

  “No, no, it will be fine,” Alice stammered, eager to share a room with her two friends, especially after Fiona’s promises of movies and popcorn. She was excited to experience what it would be like to be part of so much fun. She followed Jody into the large bedroom and sucked in a breath. In the middle of the room stood the biggest bed she had ever seen. Alice quickly calculated it could easily and comfortably hold four adults. Large ones.

  “I know it’s a bit much,” she heard Jody’s voice behind her. “But this wing is usually reserved for people who are willing to pay for abundant luxury and for business relations who need to be softened up.” Jody chuckled and walked toward the window. “And of course, for family,” she added over her shoulder.

  “You work here?” Alice asked.

  “Yes, I do,” Jody answered, turning around and leaning her hip against the window sill.

  “What do you do?”

  “Oh, nothing earth shattering,” Jody smiled, downplaying her role in the resort. “I manage some things. Troubleshooting. Keeping people happy, that sort of stuff.”

  “What she means to say, Alice is that she runs the place,” Sam added with a grin, stepping closer to Jody, and giving her a playful, one-armed hug. “Don’t let her fool you. Jody makes it sound like there’s nothing to it, but believe me, it’s quite the job.”

  Alice looked at the couple near the window, and she felt a surge of warmth settle in her chest. Anybody with eyes could see how much Jody and Sam loved each other. They radiated happiness when they were together, and it struck Alice that, to keep her safe, they were willing to be apart, not know
ing for how long. To Alice, who didn’t have anyone care about her for a long time, it was a genuinely unselfish act of friendship and love.

  “I… I’m sorry about all of this,” she stammered, not able to look Sam and Jody in the eye. Instead, she stared at her feet. “I really…appreciate what you are doing for me and…I …I’m so sorry that Sam will have to go back to Murrook Farm and you can’t be with her,” she ended in a whisper.

  Jody and Sam exchanged a knowing look and Sam let go of Jody so she could walk up to Alice and gently put a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry as well,” Jody admitted. “I’ll miss Sam, but you know what, Alice? If staying here, at The Reef, until the police can arrest Martin, will be safer for you, it will be worth it.”

  Alice looked up, and her eyes nervously darted from Jody to Sam and back again. On their faces, she could only see legitimate concern, warmth, and compassion and she knew in her heart that Jody had meant every word she had said. It filled her with gratitude that was almost too much for words. “I really don’t know how I can ever thank you,” she whispered. “I mean, what I…supposedly did for your mother is nothing compared to what you’re doing for me. I can never repay you for that.”

  Jody smiled. “Don’t even try.” She squeezed Alice’s shoulder. “I’ll always be grateful for you helping out my mom, but that’s not why we’re doing this. Look at me, Alice, please?”

  Alice raised her gaze to meet Jody’s and was immediately sucked into a pair of warm emerald green eyes. “We like you, Alice. You are our friend. That’s why we’re doing this. Not because of some obligation or debt. It’s very simple, really. We care about you, and we want to be your friends.”

  “And you are,” Alice agreed, barely audible.

  “Good, I’m glad we have that established,” Jody said with a twinkle in her eyes. “Why don’t you get acquainted with the place and pick out the best spot to sleep, before Fiona and Yarra come barging in? And, Alice, a word of warning—.” Jody chuckled when she saw the apprehensive look in Alice’s eyes. “Whatever you do, don’t sleep near Fiona. She kicks. If the three of you decide to bunk in that humongous bed together, make sure you put Yarra in the middle. She has dealt with Fi before.”

  “I remember that.” Sam grinned. “We were all camping, and Yarra and Fiona decided to share this tiny little tent. When we woke up in the morning and crawled out of our own shelter, Yarra was sleeping outside. Apparently, Fiona had been kicking her so badly she had decided to rather face the creepy crawlers of the night than wake up bruised and battered.”

  “Thanks for the warning.” There was a hint of amusement in Alice’s voice. “I guess I should stay on the other side of the bed. Although,” her eyes fell on the huge couch in the corner of the room. “I suppose I can always sleep on the sofa.” In fact, Alice mused, compared to the places she had used for a bed before, the couch would be extremely comfortable. It would make an excellent bed.

  “Whatever you feel comfortable with, Alice,” Sam answered, looking at the door when she heard muffled voices. “Here are the girl scouts,” she announced with a wink.

  The door opened, and Fiona and Yarra came stumbling into the room, both carrying an overstuffed bag.

  “Hey, girls,” Fiona greeted with a big smile. “Here is the entertainment crew.”

  “Really?” Sam asked, raising an eyebrow. “What would that be? The two Stooges?”

  “No, Dumb and Dumber,” Lucy’s tired voice sounded from behind the teenagers, making Fiona turn around and shoot her an insulted look. Yarra just grinned and dumped her bag on a chair in the corner.

  “Wow,” she exclaimed, taking in the room with big, dark eyes. “This is a palace.”

  “Hardly,” Sam replied dryly, turning to Jody. She extended her hand that was immediately grabbed and held tight. “You princesses make yourselves comfortable. Jody and I will show Lucy and Joan around, and then I’ll head back home. Make sure you behave,” she added, addressing no one in particular, but her eyes were looking at Fiona, who did her best to smile sweetly and look innocent.

  “We will, Sam,” Yarra promised.

  “Good,” Sam smiled, pulling Jody with her to the door. “I expect all of you to use your brain and be sensible.”

  “We will, Sam,” Fiona promised, noticing the darkening of Jody’s eyes. Her heart went out to her because she knew how hard it was for her sister to say goodbye to Sam, and Fiona decided to be on her best behavior and support Jody as much as she could. “Be careful, okay?”

  “I will, Fi. I promise,” Sam answered. Her gaze traveled to Alice who stood near the window with a forlorn look on her face. It was obvious to Sam that she was close to tears. She squeezed Jody’s hand and reluctantly released her hold, so she could walk up to Alice, who looked up at her with tired eyes.

  “You’ll be safe, here, Alice,” Sam said gently. She put a hand on Alice’s slender shoulder, pleased to see she accepted the kind gesture without flinching. “I’ll keep in touch with Jody and if there’s something you need…anything at all, just let me know, okay? I want you to be comfortable here.”

  Alice chewed on the inside of her lip and nodded, not knowing what to say. She liked Sam, who radiated self-confidence and strength. But those same qualities were also slightly intimidating, and she found it hard not to shy away from Sam’s kindness. If only she could be a little more like Sam.

  “Thanks, Sam,” she finally managed to whisper when their eyes met briefly.

  “You’re welcome, Alice,” Sam responded. She brought her head a little closer and cast a look over her shoulder. “Keep an eye on those two, will you?” she stage-whispered with a smile. “They are famous for getting themselves in trouble.”

  “I will,” Alice smiled back, appreciating the joke and the look of indignation on Fiona’s face.

  “Thanks,” Sam winked, giving her shoulder a last squeeze, before turning around and walking back to a patiently waiting Jody. When she walked past Fiona, she affectionately ruffled her hair and quickly stepped aside to avoid being punched in the stomach. Still laughing she wrapped her arm around Jody’s shoulder and guided her out of the room, closing the door behind them.

  *

  Half an hour later, Jody followed Sam out of the elevator into the private parking garage underneath The Reef. Sam had postponed her departure for as long as she could, but the inevitable moment had finally arrived. During the brief descend of the elevator they had silently stood together, wrapped in each other’s arms.

  “I really don’t want to leave you here,” Sam had whispered, closing her eyes and reveling in the feel of Jody’s body against hers. “But I know it’s the best option. Please, be careful. Stay inside and if you have any doubts or questions about your safety, call me. Gary Larrabee will be outside the door, and there is an extra security guard at every entrance.”

  “Okay, Sam,” Jody had responded, pressing her face against Sam’s chest, breathing in the familiar scent of sun-kissed skin, and soaking up the warmth and love that Sam always gave her in abundance.

  Jody reached up, and her fingertips caressed Sam’s cheek. She let her hand travel down her shoulder, and her arm, until she reached her hand, where she tangled her fingers with Sam’s, that were resting on her hip.

  Sam glanced down and sent Jody an encouraging smile. “You look like you are a million miles away, sweetie.”

  “I know,” Jody said. “I can’t help it, Sam, I’m worried. I can’t help thinking about what happened last year. I don’t want to be separated from you again. I’ve been through that once,” Jody managed to choke out, trying to swallow away the lump in her throat. “I nearly lost you then. I don’t think I can go through that again.” The tears were rolling down Jody’s cheeks now, and she used her free hand to wipe them away, while her other hand was clutching Sam’s.

  Sam chewed her bottom lip, feeling her own tears sting her eyes and she rapidly blinked a few times to keep her vision clear and pulled Jody close, feeling her bury her face against her shoulder
.

  “I wish I could promise you this whole situation will be over soon,” Sam’s voice was calm and gentle. “But I can’t. I can only hope it will be. But I can promise you I’ll be careful. I swear that I won’t take any risks and that I’ll stay close to Trishia and Peter. And I promise to call you every couple of hours. And that’s not only to reassure you, it’s for my benefit as well.” Sam smiled and used her fingers to lift Jody’s face. A pair of watery green eyes looked at her, radiating misery, pain, and worry.

  “You ground me, Jody McDonnell Stevens,” she continued. “You always have. Hearing your voice is not the same as being with you, but it will have to do for a short period of time. I’ll miss you, so much,” Sam swallowed hard, and Jody could see tears were clouding the clear blue eyes. “After what we went through last year I didn’t think we’d ever be in a similar situation, but here we are. I need you as much as you need me, but right now we need to think about Alice first.”

  “Yes, we do,” Jody whispered. “She’s our primary concern, I know that. It’s the bad memories that haunt me, Sam.”

  “I know, sweetie,” Sam answered, pressing her lips against Jody’s forehead. “But we’ll get through this, I promise.”

  “Yes, we will,” was the soft answer, before Jody pressed her cheek firmly against Sam’s.

  That simple comment contained all the confidence Jody had in her and Sam smiled wistfully, knowing that as long as she and Jody would be apart, she would be absolutely miserable. But the trust Jody had in her was endearing, and it gave her the strength to keep going and do her utmost to not disappoint the woman who owned her heart. “I need to leave,” she said after a long silence, in which both soaked up the warmth and love between them. “If Lucy or Fiona finds us here, we’ll never hear the end of it,” Sam joked gently. “They’ll probably think we’re in desperate need of some private one-on-one.”

  Jody snorted in response, and despite the situation, she let out a soft laugh. “That’s probably how Fiona would describe it, although she’d most likely come up with an insane expression only she can fabricate.”