Murrook Farm (Sam & Jody Series Book 2)

by Lois Kay

  “Are you torturing me?” Sam’s breath tickled Jody’s ear.

  Chuckling Jody looked up and wrinkled her nose. “Would I do that?” she asked innocently.

  Sam nodded. “Yes, you would.” She brought her lips closer to Jody’s ear and teasingly nipped the sensitive skin.

  “I…I was just trying to…whet your appetite,” Jody laughed, trying not to close her eyes and moan when Sam did not stop her tender ministrations. “Sam,” she breathed.

  With a smug smile, Sam took pity on her partner and lovingly placed her cheek against Jody’s. “I was just whetting your appetite,” she repeated Jody’s words with a laugh.

  “And you did.” Jody sighed. “It’s going to be a long night.”

  “Mmm…but what a great night it will be. Did you see the terrible three?”

  Jody playfully slapped Sam’s arm and then turned around to give her a hug, immediately feeling Sam’s arms pull her closer. “The girls were fussing over Peter and Angela’s twins,” Jody said. “Knowing Peter, he’ll have arranged a few nights out with his wife before this evening is over since he suddenly has three potential babysitters.”

  Sam’s laugh rumbled underneath her ear, and Jody smiled.

  “I can’t blame him,” she said. “That is too good a deal to pass up on.”

  “I can’t blame the girls either,” Jody mumbled against Sam’s chest. “Those twins are adorable.”

  With a wistful smile, Sam pulled Jody even closer, basking in the love she always gave so freely. Her gaze met Trishia’s, who winked at her and dragged Lucy to the dance floor they had created, just for the occasion.

  “You’ll be a great mom one day, Jody,” Sam softly spoke with all the warmth and love she felt for the woman in her arms.

  “As will you,” Jody answered. “I love the way you interact with kids. Peter’s eldest boy adores you.”

  “Only because I can beat up his father,” Sam joked, remembering an afternoon, not that long ago when Peter and his family had visited Murrook Farm, and she and Peter had ended up in a mud fight, which she had won.

  Jody snorted and gave Sam a loving squeeze, looking up at her with twinkling eyes. “You can deny it as much as you like, Samantha Stevens, but I know better than that.” Jody smiled. “I have seen you play soccer with the little tyke and you always lift him up your shoulders and give him rides. And there’s this tall, cute and sexy blonde who’s always eager to read the kids a story. Could that be you?”

  “Must be Alice,” Sam deadpanned, making Jody laugh.

  Jody untangled herself from Sam’s arms and turned around to look at the guests who were scattered around, chatting and laughing. Everybody had a good time. Her gaze traveled to the dance floor where Lucy and Trishia were doing a slow dance, while three smug looking teenagers were standing at a safe distance, making teasing comments. Even from a distance, Jody could see the sparkle in Alice’s eyes, and she smiled.

  “I’m so grateful Alice is doing so well.” She chuckled when Fiona started to push Yarra and Alice toward the dance floor, apparently telling them to go and dance. The two girls dug in their heals until a smirking Trishia jumped from the raised platform and pulled them back up with her.

  “Oh, boy,” Sam chuckled. “Poor girls.”

  Jody laughed at the partly embarrassed, partly shy glances Alice and Yarra exchanged. “They won’t mind.”

  Of course, Yarra’s two brothers produced a few loud cat calls, which made Alice blush and hide her face against the shoulder of a grinning Yarra.

  “Lisa Bailey has done a fantastic job with her,” Sam mused. “But then, Alice is strong-willed. Lisa told me she’s is her most determined client. She said that if anyone can move on from all she’s been through, it’s Alice.”

  “I’m so proud of her.” The affection in Jody’s voice was evident.

  “So am I,” Sam agreed. “I’m glad nobody made a problem of us becoming her foster parents.”

  “I believe Lisa and Carol Wong had something to do with that,” Jody said. She let out a soft laugh. “If a year ago, you’d have told me we’d be foster parents to a sixteen-year-old, I would have declared you insane.”

  “I know,” Sam answered. “But then, we already know we never do things the conventional way.”

  “True.”

  Sam smiled when she saw Carol Wong jump up and drag her tall husband with her to the dance floor, while the onlookers enthusiastically applauded.

  “What about us, honey?” Jody asked with a mischievous smile. “I want to dance as well.”

  “You’ll have to ask me…real friendly,” Sam teased.

  Jody chuckled. “I can do friendly.” She wrapped her arms around Sam’s neck and pulled her down to claim her lips in a long, deep and passionate kiss. When she finally released her hold and opened her eyes, she noticed the dazed look in Sam’s clear blue eyes. “Will you, please, dance with me?”

  Sam swallowed hard and fought the urge to grab Jody’s hand and pull her into the house, away from all the amused faces of the people that surrounded them, so she could continue what Jody had started the moment their lips had met.

  “Absolutely,” she breathed, feeling Jody grab her hand and tugging her along.

  By the time they reached the dance floor Sam’s heart rate had returned to normal again, and her face felt less flushed. She winked at a grinning Alice and cast a look at Gerald ‘Bird’ McDonnell who had volunteered to be the evening’s DJ, together with one of his friends.

  Gerald gave Sam a friendly wave and raised his eyebrows in a silent question, holding up two different CD covers, apparently wanting Sam to make a choice. Sam’s eyes sparkled when she motioned for him to play the left one and Gerald grinned with appreciation. She loved slow dancing with Jody, not caring who was around. Before the last notes of the tune had faded away and the dancers on the floor had the chance to step down from the platform, Gerald had made sure that the next song already began.

  With a chuckle, Sam saw Lucy snuggle closer into Trishia’s arms. A stubborn Alice was vigorously shaking her head and was trying to get Fiona to take her place. Fiona threw her head back and laughed out loud. Yarra was grinning, obviously very pleased with the first dance Alice had granted her.

  “Where did you say Trish and Lucy were going on their honeymoon?” Jody asked dreamily when Sam was leading her around the dance floor.

  “Nice try, Sherlock,” Sam said amused. “I promised Trish not to tell a thing. Even Lucy doesn’t know.”

  “I hope it’s someplace decent,” Jody mumbled, inwardly laughing when Sam took the bait.

  “Of course, it is,” was the indignant answer. “I thought that you, of all people…oh, wait a minute.” Sam laughed. “You little devil!”

  Jody smiled and pressed her cheek closer to Sam’s silk-clad shoulder, enjoying the feel of her arms around her. Being held by Sam always gave her a sense of peace and safety. “It’s okay, honey,” she mumbled. “I was just yanking your chain. I know Trishia asked your help in booking something because she wants to make sure it will be unforgettable. And I’m sure Lucy will love it.”

  “Oh, yes.” Sam thought about the luxurious cabin on the private beach, surrounded by nothing but palm trees, white sand and blue ocean. Maybe she should take Jody up there one day soon. For a second honeymoon.

  They danced in silence and Sam smiled when a pair of soft lips landed on the sensitive skin of her neck.

  “So, when do you think they’ll cut the cake?” Sam asked, secretly looking forward to the sweet treats and the accompanying coffee that was awaiting them.

  “As soon as they’re finished dancing, I suppose, Miss Sweet Tooth.”

  “Good, I’ll just switch off the power, and they won’t have any more music,” Sam said out loud, knowing Trishia had heard her.

  Trishia looked up and grinned when she saw Sam’s innocent face. “Honey, we need to feed Sam,” she stage-whispered to Lucy, who lifted her head from Trishia’s shoulder and looked around with a dr
eamy expression in her eyes.

  “Oh, ha ha,” Sam smirked, always enjoying the easy banter. “You better watch it, Senior Sergeant Waters, or I’ll slow dance with your wife.”

  “Oh, that’s a scary thought,” Lucy laughed, her eyes were sparkling. “Does that mean Trish gets to dance with my sister?”

  “Why not?” Sam shrugged. “But I doubt Fiona would want to.”

  They all laughed and Fiona, who had heard the exchange, made a face and stuck out her tongue.

  Trishia playfully swung Lucy around and led her away from the dance floor toward a big table in the center of the front yard.

  Sam motioned two of The Reef’s pastry chef assistants to bring out the cake and when the door was opened everybody was impressed with the beautifully decorated cake that emerged. Without accidents, the creation was carefully placed on the sturdy table.

  “Thanks, mate,” Sam said, patting one of the young men on his back. “You two have really outdone yourselves.” She collected the big knife that the other assistant was holding and turned around to look at the guests. “All right, people, gather around please,” she called. As soon as all the guests were standing around the table, Sam started to speak again.

  “I don’t do speeches very well,” she stated, winking at Jody who was standing next to her. “But, for this occasion, I want to make an exception. Especially, since I have known Lucy ever since she was a little brat, much like someone else we know,” she glared at Fiona who took the teasing good-naturedly and laughed.” Trishia and Lucy met during…most unusual circumstances and as family and friends we slowly but surely saw their relationship develop and deepen. We even suffered through their public displays of affection.”

  “Listen who is talking,” Fiona spoke up, making everybody laugh.

  Sam grinned. “That reminds me, I know this is about Trish and Lucy, but I sell tickets for anyone interested in a front-row seat when Fiona falls in love.”

  “I’ll take one,” Gerald yelled from behind the DJ’s table.

  “One for me,” Yarra’s brother Colin called out.

  Marron, Yarra’s other brother, raised his hand. “And me.”

  “I’ll have two,” Lucy chimed in.

  “Two for us,” Peter Jones called out, pointing at himself and his wife.

  “Do I have to make a reservation?” Jody wanted to know. Her eyes were sparkling.

  Sam shook her head. “No, I’ve got you covered, love,” she said. She tried not to laugh when she saw Fiona flipped her off behind her mother’s back.

  “Anyway, all I want to say is that Trishia and Lucy went through a lot already and that has only made them stronger; individually and as a couple. It’s been a beautiful thing to see.” She looked at Trishia and Lucy and held out a large knife. “Come here and cut that cake, girls.”

  The couple stepped closer to the table and smiled at their friends and family who had been there to share their commitment ceremony. When Trishia looked into Lucy’s sparkling eyes, a warm feeling settled in her chest and quickly spread throughout her entire body. The words Lucy had spoken during the ceremony echoed in her mind.

  You are my best friend and a rock I can lean on. I respect you for who you are and what you do. I admire your strength and wisdom. I cherish the warmth you give so freely. And I love you for all the things that you are. With you by my side, there is nothing I can’t do. One lifetime is hardly enough to spend with you, and right here, right now, I promise you, Trishia Waters, that I will always respect, admire, cherish and love you. Heart, body, and soul.

  “I don’t really want to make a speech,” Trishia’s voice was thick with emotion. “I do want to thank you all for sharing this day with us, it means a lot to have so many caring family members and friends. I also want to thank all of you, for your love and support after…after I was shot. I’ll always be grateful for the care we both received. And that includes the help with painting our new house,” she added dryly, which earned a round of laughter. “Let’s cut the cake, honey,” she said, covering Lucy’s hand and pressing the shiny metal through the layers of cream and cake.

  *

  Fiona, Yarra, and Alice shared a bench and were contentedly munching on the sweet pastry, observing the guests.

  “I am stuffed,” Alice sighed, placing her empty plate on a nearby table, lovingly scratching Kurt’s ears, who was lying at her feet, before leaning back again.

  “You?” Fiona pressed her hand against her chest in mock surprise. “That’s a novelty.”

  Alice didn’t answer, she just firmly squeezed Fiona’s knee, making her almost jump off the bench.

  “Yikes! Did Sam teach you how to do that?” she asked, rubbing the offended knee.

  “Yup, she did.” Alice grinned. “She told me you can’t stand that, so…I wanted to learn.”

  “You’re such a nice person, Alice,” Fiona replied, but she couldn’t hide the warmth in her voice.

  “Coming from you, I take that as a compliment,” Alice grinned, leaning closer to Yarra who was sitting on her other side.

  Yarra smiled and had to fight the urge to wrap her arm around Alice’s shoulders. Like Sam and Jody, she was amazed at the progress Alice had made on her way to recovery. The haunted look in those beautiful, blue eyes had been gone for a while now, and with the help of Lisa Bailey, Alice had been able to remember all the things that had been locked away for so long.

  Sam and Jody had taken Alice to Perth to visit the graves of her mother and brother. It had been tough, but it had helped her to find closure. They had also stopped by Alice’s old school where she had connected with old friends, who were now seniors. Alice was two years behind in school but determined to catch up as fast as she could. She had opted for homeschooling because she would be able to set her own pace. Fiona and Yarra provided her with all the help she needed.

  Since Yarra and Alice were neighbors, the girls often met and went on hikes through the forest, where Yarra showed her all her favorite spots and animals. They often sat on the bank of a creek, with their backs against a rock and talked for hours on end, developing a friendship that was strong and deep. Often, Fiona joined them on their trips. Even though it was clear that Alice and Yarra had a special bond, they made sure Fiona never felt left out. And she didn’t. Fiona secretly enjoyed the fact that her two best friends had grown so much closer.

  “Earth to Yarra,” Fiona’s voice suddenly sounded, interrupting her musings. “What was that smile all about?”

  “What smile?” Yarra asked with feigned innocence, not missing the sparkle in Alice’s eyes and struggling to keep a straight face.

  “We could have used that smile to solve our future’s lack of energy sources,” Fiona snorted. “Come on C.J., that was a ten-thousand-watt smile!”

  “You’re seeing things,” Yarra replied with a grin. “I’m just happy. It’s been an amazing day, we are surrounded by great people, I just had a piece of excellent cake. Life is good.”

  Fiona’s gaze traveled to Jody and Lucy, who were chatting with each other. She grinned at how both her sisters were wrapped around their respective partners. Jody caught her staring and winked, blowing her a kiss.

  Fiona laughed and mimicked the gesture. “Yes, it sure is a happy farm,” she said.

  The End