by Andrew Grey
“Come on,” Clay said gently, leading Andrew to his bedroom. “You take your turn in the bathroom.” He squeezed Andrew’s hand and then watched him go.
Clay took a deep breath, almost unable to believe his luck. When he’d talked dirty to Andrew at the party about tonight, he’d never envisioned that between then and having Andrew in his room, they’d make a mad dash to Baltimore to pick up Andrew’s niece and nephew. Man, what a whirlwind. Clay pulled off his shirt and shucked his shoes and socks. He sighed as he unsnapped his jeans, slid down the zipper, and pushed them to the floor. Clay tossed the dirty clothes into the hamper and pulled open his second drawer to get a pair of shorts. He thought that might make Andrew more comfortable.
The door opened, and Andrew slipped into the room, then stopped, standing still as Clay reached for the shorts. “No,” Andrew whispered. He walked over and rested his warm hand on Clay’s shoulder, sending waves of heat radiating in every direction. Andrew slid his fingers along the blade and down over the muscles to his arms. “Dang, I knew you’d be gorgeous, but….” Lips pressed to Clay’s back, and he held his breath, afraid to move.
“Andrew, I….” Clay hesitated. There was no way he was going to hide his attraction and excitement. They were on clear display. Slowly, he closed the drawer and circled around to face Andrew. His lips formed an O, and Clay wondered if that was good or not. “Come to bed.” He waited until Andrew slid between the sheets and then joined him, turning out the light. However much he wanted him, this was the time for quiet and caring. Clay tugged Andrew closer, holding him tightly. “Just relax and let it go if you can.”
“I’m trying.”
“The kids are sound asleep, and we’ll figure things out in the morning. We don’t have to have all the answers tonight.”
“But that’s just it. I’m used to having them and being in control of my life. Things are out of control, and I’m not sure how to get it back.” Andrew moved nearer and Clay held him tighter, wishing he had the answers for him.
“Morning will be soon enough to deal with it. Try to get some rest.” Clay doubted he was going to sleep very much, but he needed Andrew to sleep if he could. “Why don’t you roll over?” Clay suggested, and when Andrew complied, Clay slowly rubbed his back until some of the tension leached away and Andrew’s breathing evened out. Then Clay spooned to him. He needed to feel him close, and they settled with Clay holding Andrew as tightly as he dared. “We’ll get out of here tomorrow.”
Andrew nodded, and Clay closed his eyes, already half asleep, when Andrew’s phone dinged. Clay got out of bed, picked through Andrew’s clothes until he found it, and pulled it out of Andrew’s pocket to hand to him. What Clay saw turned him ghostly white.
“Clay?”
He turned to Andrew, showing him the screen. Clay grabbed his phone and called the station. “I need to speak to the sheriff. Now.”
“He’s at hom—”
“Renee, get him on the phone now.” He pulled on his clothes and left the bedroom, heading downstairs without turning on any of the lights. Petey follow him down.
“Yeah…?” Sheriff Hunter said. “This better be good.”
“Grange says he knows where Judge Phillips is. He just texted.” Clay peered out the front windows.
“What exactly did he say?” Sheriff Hunter’s voice was now clear as day.
“‘You can run, but hiding isn’t going to save you. I know where you are,’” Clay recited, those words burned on his brain.
“Fuck!” Sheriff Hunter spat. “How does he know he is there? And what the hell is wrong with your damn family?” he spouted, and Clay remained quiet. None of that was directed at him. “I’m going to call. Get your gun, wait there. I’m going to have officers there….” He paused, and Clay took a deep breath.
“Shit…,” Clay breathed quietly.
“Yeah. This could be a play to sniff him out. He isn’t specific about anything, is he?” Sheriff Hunter asked as Andrew joined Clay.
“Are there any more messages?” Clay asked, and Andrew nodded, handing him the phone. “There’s three in total. The first is what I read. The second says ‘I will get you and rip your icy fucking heart out.’ The last one is ‘You better get someone to save you before I get there.’”
“It sounds like he’s fishing. Wants to get the judge riled and scared. I can send cars over there, but that could very well give away where he’s at. I’ll call in, and you stay vigilant. If anything happens, we will have enough firepower there to take out an army in a matter of minutes.”
“What about the texts?” Andrew asked.
“Do nothing. Don’t answer them or anything,” Clay said, and Andrew shook his head. “Excellent.” He returned to the phone. “The texts haven’t been answered and we aren’t going to. He can stew and wonder if they’ve even been read.” Clay calmed, his head clearing and his calculating mind taking over. “I’ll keep watch and call if I need anything.”
“Good.” Sheriff Hunter disconnected, and Clay put his phone on the coffee table.
“Go on back to bed,” he told Andrew gently. “I’m going to stay down here and keep watch. If anything happens, I want to be vigilant. We think it’s a ploy to get you to show yourself.” Clay sat down on the sofa, and Andrew did the same. Petey immediately jumped up and walked over both of them to get attention before licking Andrew’s face and sitting on Clay’s legs.
“Do you really think I can sleep after that and with you sitting down here?” Andrew leaned closer. “If something happens, I don’t want to be caught….”
Clay stroked Andrew’s arm. “Honey, those kids are going to need you awake and ready to go when they wake up. We’re going to pack quickly and leave in the morning. Both of us can’t sit up all night just in case something happens. You go on up to bed, please. Check on the kids and make sure they’re okay.”
Andrew sighed and, after Clay kissed him, went slowly back up the stairs. Petey turned and watched Andrew for a moment before looking back to Clay, his dark eyes blinking. He huffed and jumped off the sofa, gazed back at Clay like he was completely stupid, and then his own dog climbed the stairs, leaving him all alone.
“Traitor,” he mumbled and turned on the television, keeping the volume low. He checked both the front and back, the yard and neighborhood quiet at this late hour. Then he returned inside to watch television, listening for anything out of place. Eventually he dozed off on the sofa, a blanket over his legs.
“HEY, HONEY,” Andrew said, shaking his shoulder. “I take it things were quiet.”
Clay sat up, wiping his eyes. “Yeah.”
“When did you fall asleep?”
Clay yawned and sighed. “Maybe an hour ago. Are the kids up?”
“Not yet. I’ve been quiet, so they’ll sleep. I have my bag packed and ready to go. I thought we could put my car in your garage, and then we can get out of town.”
“You stay here with the kids and get them some breakfast.” Clay grabbed his phone and called Pierre, who agreed to meet him at the house and give him a ride to the courthouse to get Andrew’s car. “Keep your phone with you and call if you so much as smell anything that isn’t right. I’ll be gone ten minutes, tops.” Clay took Andrew’s keys and got his shoes on, then met Pierre out front.
In less than ten minutes, he had Andrew’s car parked in the garage next to his. It was a tight fit, but the car was out of sight and Clay was back.
Duane and Auburn sat at the table while Andrew made eggs and toast. “Can we really ride a pony?” Auburn asked. She seemed to have found her voice and was enthused about something, at least for a few seconds.
“Yes,” Andrew answered. “Clay and I will take you and Duane to where you can ride ponies, and you’ll go swimming, and there will be plenty of places for you to play. You can each take your toys with you.” He set down plates, and Clay took a seat, receiving a plate of his own.
“Do you like eggs?” Clay asked Duane, who grinned as he shoved another spoonful in his mouth.
Auburn picked at hers and ate some, mostly drinking her juice and staring at the tabletop. “It’s going to be okay.”
“I want Mama,” she said softly, sniffling.
Clay set down his fork and went to gently lift her out of the seat, then carried her into the living room. She was heavy but let him hold her. Clay sat on the sofa, settling her next to him. “I know you do, and your uncle is here to try to help you until your mama gets better.”
She sniffed. “The lady, I heard her on the phone. She said that Mama was really hurt, and….”
Clay gathered her to him as Auburn burst into tears. He looked to Andrew, who sat down next to her. But she clung to him hard, crying and shaking. Of course she was afraid.
“Sweetheart. Your mom is sick, but she’s getting the help she needs. You will get to see her, and you’ll stay with me until she gets better.” Andrew patted her back gently as Duane came into the room, wiping his eyes, probably upset because Auburn was. Andrew hugged him, holding Duane on his lap until both of them calmed down. “Did you eat all you wanted?” Andrew asked Duane.
He nodded. “Petey eated it.”
Clay rolled his eyes. That wasn’t good for him, but Clay remained quiet. He figured he could talk to the kids about not feeding the dog—not that it was going to do much good. Petey was a mooch, especially if he thought there was any chance he was going to get fed. Clay never fed him from the table, but it seemed Petey had already figured out the kids were a soft touch.
“How about you?” Clay asked Auburn, who shook her head. “Then go eat and we’ll get ready to go.” Clay let her down, and she went back to the table. He sat with her while she finished eating and then put her in charge of getting herself and Duane ready. She slipped out of the chair, and Clay cleaned up the dishes before approaching Andrew. “I’m going to go up and pack. You got things down here?”
“Yeah.” Andrew sighed. It seemed the kids had forgotten all about going and were playing in the back family room.
“Okay, let’s get ready to go.” Andrew sounded so understanding, but Clay caught the slight edge to his voice. This situation was going to take some getting used to.
Clay packed quickly, getting his clothes in order, adding some supplies and his kit before closing the suitcase. He carried it downstairs and through the house to the back, where he found Andrew on the floor with the kids, playing some sort of pickup game. Now that was a sight—Andrew down on the floor on his hands and knees, that glorious, jeans-covered butt in the air.
“Everyone have what they want?” Clay asked with a glance, because, damn, he knew what he wanted. Now wasn’t the time, but… dang.
“I hope so,” Andrew said as he got the kids to go to the bathroom and get dressed. “Let’s go.” He was clearly on edge, and Clay got Duane and Auburn to help him carrying things out. They meandered through the yard, but eventually he got them into their seats, everything loaded, and the house locked up. He breathed a sigh of relief once they were all buckled up. Who would have thought how long it would take to get two kids ready to go?
Clay backed out of the garage, then closed and locked the door before heading out of town. He made a few extra turns to be safe and then got on the freeway.
“Are we there yet?” Duane asked, and Andrew rolled his eyes. Clay couldn’t help laughing.
“No. It’s going to be a couple of hours, so you guys just relax.” They weren’t likely to fall asleep. “Maybe you can sing some songs.”
“‘Wheels on the Bus,’” Duane shouted, and started singing at the top of his voice.
“I hate that song,” Auburn declared, and Duane sang louder while Auburn sulked.
This was really turning out well. Clay turned to Andrew, hoping he’d be able to help.
“Why don’t we play a game? I spy something red. Now you have to guess what it is.” He turned, and both kids looked around, Duane quieting midverse. Clay continued to pay attention to his driving while they guessed, and then it was Auburn’s turn.
The miles ticked away as they played. Andrew relaxed and seemed to be having fun. Clay was able to keep his attention on the road, and the kids were happy and entertained. It was all working out, at least for now. Clay knew to take the quiet times when they came, because, Lord, the last week had been one unexpected development after another.
Eventually the kids wound down, and they got off the freeway. He followed Andrew’s directions to his parents’ rental house, relieved it wasn’t out in the middle of nowhere. The town of Mt. Pocono was cute, with tourist shops and unique boutiques that seemed to cater to people with more money than him.
“Turn right here,” Andrew directed. “Now left and to the end of the road. It’s the last house at the end.”
Clay pulled in and turned to Andrew. “Is this really it?”
Andrew nodded, and Clay turned back to the impressive, two-story log cabin home. “Yeah. Mom and Dad bought it years ago when they were planning on a large family. Dad’s practice was doing well and he had political aspirations….” Andrew shook his head as his voice trailed off.
“What changed?” Clay asked, but didn’t get an answer.
“Are we here?” Duane asked as though he were in pain.
“We are,” Andrew said before opening the door. He stretched, and Clay watched for a few seconds, the simple movement beauty to behold. Andrew opened the back door, and Duane jumped out of the car and raced around the yard as though he couldn’t sit still for a second longer. Petey jumped out too, racing with him after he relieved himself. Auburn was more reserved and even helped by bringing in her bag.
Clay pretty much acted as a pack mule, carrying everything inside. Duane followed him, flopped on the sofa, and hugged Petey, talking to the dog nonstop.
“Do you and Aubrey want to share a room?”
“I share,” Duane said with a smile, and Clay turned to Aubrey, who nodded.
“Okay. Then you can have the room with bunk beds. Aubrey, you get the top.”
Duane jumped up and down. “I top, I top!” He raced into the room just after Clay opened the door and scurried up the ladder and over the safety rail.
“You need to be on the bottom, buddy.” Clay didn’t want him to fall out while asleep. “Is that okay?” he asked Aubrey. She seemed fine with the top bunk. Duane climbed down, his lower lip protruding in disappointment, but when Petey jumped onto the bed next to him, Clay was pretty sure he’d figured out that he got the doggie end of the deal. “Your suitcases are right over here, and I’ll bring in your toys.”
“I want Sesame Street.” Duane climbed off the bed and raced out of the room.
Clay sat down next to Auburn. “Are you going to be okay?” When she went to him, he hugged her, his heart aching for her. “When I was a year older than you, my mom got really sick. She went into the hospital for two months. They operated three times, and then all her hair fell out and she was really weak. I didn’t get to see her very often. But she got better.”
“Do you think Mama will get better?” Auburn asked.
Clay thought of giving her a pat answer, but stopped himself and went for the truth instead. “I don’t know. But there is one thing I can tell you for sure. No matter what, your uncle Andrew loves you and will take care of you for as long as it takes.” He hugged her tighter, remembering how scared he’d been when his mom was fighting cancer. While Duane wasn’t aware of the ramifications of what was happening, Auburn was just old enough for fear to be able to take a real deep hold. “Why don’t we see if your uncle Andrew can find out when you can talk to your mom on the phone. Okay?”
She lifted her chin and nodded, and Clay wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“Uncle Andrew is a judge, and he’s really good at taking care of people and making sure they’re okay. He’ll be there always.”
“But what if Mama never gets better?”
“Then you and Duane will live with Uncle Andrew.”
She looked to the door, where Andrew had appeared.
�
��That’s right. You and Duane will stay with me. I have a house in Carlisle, where you and Duane would each have a room of your own. And there’s a fenced backyard for both of you to play in.”
“But that lady…,” she pressed.
“Is never going to see you again.” Andrew approached and gently kissed Auburn’s head. He met Clay’s gaze with such power that it was frightening and a turn-on at the same time. “I’m a judge, and I’ll see to it that you don’t have to be near her again. Now, Duane is watching television, and you can stay in here and play if you want. Clay and I are….” He paused. “I’m going to get us pizza for lunch. Is that okay?”
“No cheese for me, and Duane is allergic to mushrooms,” she said.
“Does cheese give you a tummyache?” Andrew asked, and she nodded. “Then how about if I see what else I can have delivered and we can pick together.” He held out his hand, and Auburn went right along with him. “There are menus in the first kitchen drawer. Mom and Dad rent this place out sometimes, so they’ve gathered things for renters,” Andrew explained, and Clay followed them to the kitchen. He pulled out the menus and handed them to Andrew. “Don’t get Chinese—it’s pretty awful here. The sub place is good. They deliver, and they have great onion rings. What do you think?” Andrew asked Auburn.
She looked over the picture menu, and it seemed to meet her approval. She pointed to the ham sandwich.
“Good choice,” Clay said with a smile.
Andrew briefly got Duane to stand still long enough to tell them what he wanted. Clay added his order, and Andrew phoned it all in, explaining where the house was. Then he moved through the kitchen, checking things out. “We’re going to have to go shopping this afternoon. There is nothing in the house at all except for some spices. Everything else is empty.” Andrew closed the cabinet door. “I think after lunch we’ll go into town, get some food, and see about taking the kids to the water park tomorrow. One of the resorts has a huge one here, and I bet they’d love it. We’ll need to get them swim stuff, but we can do that. The resort also rents horses and has guides, so we can arrange everything for a day of fun.” He pulled out his computer, logged in, and got to work. “All ready. I was able to set everything up on the website. Each of us will ride with one of the kids, and….” Andrew paused. “Can you ride?”
