by Lori Leger
She crossed her feet at the ankles and placed her forearm over her closed eyes, wanting to block out the rest of the world for a while. After a good ten minutes of sulking in silence, she was forced to answer her chirping Blackberry. She rolled over and felt around for her purse until she pulled it out of the side compartment to answer it.
“Angelique, it’s Tiffany. I was at the hospital last night when they brought Mrs. Laura Guilbeaux in. Are you okay? I know how you can’t help but get close to some patients.”
Angelique raised herself into a seating position. “Hey, Tiff. It’s sweet of you to call. I’m feeling the loss, that’s for sure. She was—she was special.”
“I know she was, hon. Why don’t you come on over here for supper? You haven’t been since you came to see Briana just after she was born.”
Angelique wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “I think I’d really like that, as long as you don’t go to any trouble for me. You’ve got your hands full with work and that baby girl.”
“It’s no trouble. Red’s grilling some steaks. He asked if you still liked yours burnt,” Tiffany said.
Angelique stood up and gave a snort. “I like them medium-well, and he damn well knows it. Just because he likes his bloody doesn’t mean the rest of us are crazy.” She heard Tiffany’s laughter as she relayed the message to Red. “What did he say?”
“You don’t want to know. We’ll eat around six, but come over now so we can visit.”
“Tell your barbarian husband I’m bringing wine and fig tarts, but if gives me any more flack over my steak, we won’t share with him.”
“Oh, give!” Angelique pleaded, as she placed the bag of goodies and wine on Tiffany’s table to reach for baby Briana.
“Not yet, Aunt Angel—If I don’t nurse this child right now, one, or both of us is going to explode. Neither will be pleasant, trust me. Will you be uncomfortable if I nurse her here?”
“Of course not,” Angel said, cooing to the fussy baby.
Briana’s first angry squall was cut short as she latched on greedily to her mother’s breast.
The nursing mother dropped her head back on the sofa and sighed with immediate relief. “It was time—for both of us.”
Angelique watched the scene enviously. “What’s it like, Tiff?”
Tiffany gazed up at her through narrowed lids. “Painful, I have so much more empathy for dairy cattle. Throw our schedule off the slightest little bit and I’m leaking all over the place.” She looked down at her daughter who was staring up at her with big brown eyes. “Then daddy has to put up with two cranky girls, doesn’t he, Bree?”
Baby Briana smiled at the sound of her mother’s voice, exhibiting two deep-set dimples in her rosy cheeks. When she discovered that the act of smiling interrupted her supper, she quickly got back to her former activity.
Angelique smiled at her friend. “I meant having a baby in the house. I still can’t believe you and Red are parents.”
Tiffany smiled as her daughter wrapped the fingers of one tiny hand around her pinkie. “Sometimes I still can’t believe it.” She looked back at Angelique. “It’s the most exasperating, exhausting, inspiring, wonderful thing you can ever imagine. I can’t imagine how I lived so long without her in my life.”
Angelique gave her a wistful smile as Red walked into the kitchen from the patio and entered the living room.
“Hey, Angel, you got here quick.” He wrapped her in a hug then peeked inside the bag she’d brought with her. “Is that what I think it is?”
She nodded. “Yep, Mama’s fig tarts. I also brought my last bottle of wine from your cousin in Gardiner. If you two go anytime soon, could you pick up a few bottles for me?”
“We’re going tomorrow. I’ll give Jaimie a call and let her know we need some,” he said, as he opened the bottle to let it breath. Red leaned over to kiss Tiffany then gently cupped Briana’s head in the palm of his hand. “Hello gorgeous,” he murmured. “You’re looking more and more like your beautiful mother every day.”
Once again, Briana broke the suction on the food source to smile up at her father, flashing her adorable twin dimples. She cooed at him and blinked the long lashes of her sparkling brown eyes.
Tiffany snorted. “She’s going to be rotten as long as she can flash those eyelashes at her daddy. I can see it now, you’ll never be able to say no to her, Red.”
He beamed down at his daughter. “Naw, you’ll be here to remind me to man up. Besides, I don’t want her to be one of those kids. You know, the one’s that make everyone groan when they show up with their parents.”
Tiffany used the distraction to switch Briana to the opposite breast. “We’ll do our best, sweetie.”
Red poured himself and Angelique each a glass of wine before leaving to check on the steaks. He returned quickly, saying he needed to throw another one on the grill. “Liam Nash just called to see if he could come see the baby. I asked him to join us for supper. You don’t mind, do you, Angel?”
“Oh, don’t worry about me,” she replied. “Liam and I have an understanding.”
Red and Tiffany exchanged glances before Tiffany lowered her head to tend to the baby.
Angelique noticed the look that passed between them. “What?”
Red’s smug answer of “Nothing,” did little to satisfy her curiosity.
“Come on, what’s going on?” she begged.
“Well, since you’re asking—”
“Red McAllister, don’t you say a word,” Tiffany warned. “You are to keep your nose out of this, do you hear me?”
“But if she asks—”
“Angel’s a grown woman, and can make up her own mind. She doesn’t need you clouding her judgment.”
. “This must have to do with Mike and Liam. They both know I’m not ready for anything besides friendship, so don’t worry.”
Liam arrived ten minutes later, looking somewhat surprised to find Angelique there also. He gave her a huge smile before addressing her. “I didn’t expect to find you here. That’s why you didn’t answer your home phone.”
“I didn’t hear my cell ring. Did you need something?” she asked.
He shook his head and gave her a crooked grin. “I didn’t call your cell. I just wanted directions here or try to get you to come with me. So, I’m good.”
She smiled, soaking in his appearance. Good fitting jeans with just the right amount of fading, a soft blue chambray shirt, with brown boots. He’s good, alright. She turned abruptly from him and closed her eyes. When she opened them, her gaze clashed with Tiffany’s subtly amused expression.
Once Liam gave appropriate tribute to the new baby, he walked outside with Red to finish up the grilling.
Angelique settled back on the couch with Briana, who was satisfied from her meal and on the brink of falling asleep. “God, she’s beautiful, Tiffany, and growing so fast.”
Taking a seat on the couch next to Angelique, Tiffany smiled down at her drowsy daughter. “She is, isn’t she? Next thing you know, she’ll be crawling and walking.”
“Are you and Red planning for more than one?”
Tiffany cocked her head to the side. “I’d like at least one more, I think. Red says it’s entirely up to me, so I guess I’ve got a decision to make.” She reached out and gently pushed back a wispy curl from her daughter’s brow. “I have a husband and a beautiful, healthy, baby girl. Knowing from experience how quickly things can change, sometimes it terrifies me.”
Angelique smiled as the infant emitted a sigh before surrendering to her nap. “If anyone knows how quickly things can change, it’s us, huh?” She met her friend’s gaze again before adding, “..and Liam Nash.”
Tiffany’s eyes squeezed shut. “God, I heard. I don’t know how he lived through it. When he was Annie’s body guard last year, nobody even had a clue of how much he’d already been through. Is he okay?”
With a shrug of her shoulders, Angelique tried to answer honestly. “He says he is … He seems to be.”
<
br /> “You know,” Tiffany said, “I kind of hate to bring this up, but seeing as how you’ve already confided in me, I can’t help myself. Considering how difficult you said it’s been for you to keep your hands off Mike Harper the last few months, you must be in absolute agony with two eligible bachelors sniffing around.”
An involuntary shiver passed over Angelique. “You cannot imagine, Tiff…I’m crazy about both those guys.”
“So how long are you going to have to suffer through this?”
Angelique shook her head in frustration. “When I can look at one of them as a friend and the other as a partner for life, I guess I’ll be able to put myself out of this misery. Until then, I owe it to all of us to be strong.”
Tiffany placed a hand on her friend’s shoulder. “I guess I’m not the only one with a decision to make.”
By nine p.m., Angelique had already had phone offers for a night of dancing from Liam and a strong shoulder to cry on from Mike, both of which she passed on. Good and relaxed after a hot shower and a glass of wine, she’d curled up on the sofa and managed to get through three chapters of a romance novel when her phone rang again.
“Hello Tanner,” she said, after checking her screen.
“Hey gorgeous, I’ve got an offer I think you may be interested in,” Tanner said, brightly.
Angelique cringed, bracing herself for another invitation to leave her comfortable nest. “What kind of offer?” she asked.
“I have to go to Houston tomorrow, and I was wondering if you wanted to tag along.”
“What’s in it for you?” she asked suspiciously.
“Hey, I have to go and wanted some friendly company. If you’re not up to it, just say so,” he said, sounding slightly disgruntled.
Realizing too late that she’d insulted him, she squeezed her eyes shut. “Sorry. I had a bad day and I’m tired, but that’s no excuse to take it out on you.”
After a moment of silence he cleared his throat. “All right, so what’s going on?”
“Liam and Mike are both so damned available, and—” She exhaled noisily, “—and sexy as hell.”
“Hold up, now,” Tanner exclaimed. “Where the hell is this conversation going? I said I didn’t mind being your friend. I don’t remember saying anything about being your girlfriend.”
Angelique threw back her head in laughter. “Oh, God, Tanner! I didn’t think anyone could make me laugh today. So, tell me more about this offer.”
“Here’s the deal—every so often I have to go visit the parental units. When I do, I try to get in a trip to the Galleria. As much as I enjoy not having to fight the Houston traffic every day, the mall in Lake Coburn is lacking my favorite men’s store and it so happens I need a new suit. So, you want to come with me, or not?” he asked.
“Ooh!” she squealed with delight. “Shopping at the Galleria with my new bud-dy!”
Tanner made a clucking noise with his tongue. “Oh God…It’s a sad state of affairs when women just want me as a shopping buddy. Next thing you know Tiffany will be asking me to babysit that kid of hers.”
“Oh stop it, you jerk. You know you’re irresistible to women,” she scoffed.
“Not all women, apparently,” he snorted.
“Okay, to women who can’t see right through your chauvinistic tendencies and playboy ways,” she replied. “And I’m afraid we are few and far between.”
Tanner grunted. “Not so few, anymore. They must be teaching a class in college these days.”
“Maybe there’s a blog out there on the internet warning innocent women about you,” she teased.
Tanner gave a low groan. “Don’t even joke about something like that. And why is that ringing a bell of familiarity?”
“It was an episode of Three and a Half Men.”
“Oh yeah. Charlie was my hero before they killed him off,” he said, sounding sad.
“You reap what you sow, dude.”
“Well I should have a surplus of wild oats then. That’s all I’ve sown for years,” he groaned.
“Now might be a good time to think about sowing a different crop, not just switching fields.”
“You know, Angel, I was perfectly happy until I called you.”
Angelique rewarded him with a deep chuckle. “So, what time will you pick me up tomorrow?”
“It’s a three hour drive. Is seven too early?”
“No. Hell no. Not if it’ll get me to the Galleria as the doors open,” she purred.
“Now why doesn’t that surprise me?” he snickered. “I’ll pick you up at seven, then. We’ll make a day and evening of it. I’ll even take you to supper at my favorite restaurant.”
“Thanks, Buddy. It’ll be nice to get away.”
“Oh, do you mind if we swing by my parent’s place first? I have to go by and sign some papers for my father. It shouldn’t take long, unless my mom insists we stay for lunch.”
“Either way is fine. I’d love to meet your parents.”
“We’ll see how you feel this time tomorrow. My parents are dry as unbuttered toast,” he snorted.
“Hmm, think I’m capable of buttering them up?”
“I think if anyone can, it’s you.”
Angelique ended the call then sent out a single text to Mike and Liam. Hey guys…I’ll be shopping with a friend all day in Houston tomorrow. Later!
CHAPTER 9
Mike nodded to the officer he was about to replace at the door of Sarah’s hospital room. He wasn’t supposed to work today, but he’d volunteered for this watch. With Angel spending the entire day in Houston today, he didn’t have a damn thing better to do.
“Hey, Mel, anyone ask to see her?”
Officer Melanie Finley stood and stretched. “Nope,” she whispered. “I checked on her fifteen minutes ago and she was still sleeping. The poor thing is as good as a girl can be after her asshole husband beats the crap out of her and locks her up to starve.” She stopped suddenly and exhaled. “Sorry, Harper, but this one hits too damn close to home for me.” After jabbing a finger at the closed door, Mel spoke with emotion. “That is why I became a cop.”
Mike wasn’t surprised, knowing she’d grown up seeing an alcoholic step-father abuse his wife on a daily basis, until the woman had finally ended it, for herself anyway, by taking a bottle of sleeping pills. “I know, Mel,” he said, with a reassuring smile. “I’ll make sure she stays safe. You go on home now.” He watched as Mel disappeared around the corner, headed for the elevator.
Mike waited until he heard her moving around before knocking softly on the door of room 522-E. By then it was 8:00 in the morning. A soft voice told him to go in. He pushed open the door and cleared his throat softly. It’s Detective Harper. I wanted you to know that I’m taking over Officer Finley’s watch. I’ll be here until six p.m. Can I get you anything?”
“No, I don’t think so,” Sarah told him through lips that were still split and bruised. “Thanks for asking though.”
He frowned as he watched her clench her teeth through the pain of seating herself on the sofa near the window.
He walked over to help her. “Are you sure you wouldn’t be more comfortable in bed?” he asked.
She gave him a solemn look. “Maybe, but I don’t want to leave the window.” She raised her face, basking in the morning sun. “I wasn’t claustrophobic before but the thought of being shut in somewhere now…” She shivered before continuing. “I can’t stand to see the sun go down, either.”
Mike’s chest tightened with fury for the man who’d inflicted this tiny woman with enough pain and misery to scar her for life. He let loose a long, sad sigh. “We’ll get him Mrs. Ri … ”
“Don’t! Just … Sarah.”
He nodded, remembering her request when they found her. “How are your daughters, Sarah?”
She spoke from the couch without looking at him. “They’re good … I can’t nurse anymore, so thank God they’ve taken to the formula well.” She looked longingly at the clock on the bedside table. �
�I get so lonesome between visits. The nurse was supposed to be here five minutes ago to bring me to them.”
Mike eyed the empty wheelchair resting in the corner of the room. “I could wheel you over there, if it’s okay with the staff.”
She gazed up at him hopefully. “It wouldn’t hurt to ask.”
Five minutes later he parked her wheelchair inside the daycare and leaned over to lock the wheels. He assisted her in rising then walked with her over to the playpens holding her daughters. As the infants recognized their mother, first one chubby girl, then the other, squealed with delight.
Mike watched as unadulterated joy illuminated the young mother’s face, transforming her instantly.
“Hello, my babies! How are my girls this morning? Did you have a good night?” she cooed, as her daughters began kicking and rolling their way to her. She reached a hand inside and both babies began to get frantic for her to pick them up.
“Sit and I’ll bring them to you,” he suggested.
“I’d appreciate that.” She made her way to the softly cushioned sofa and settled herself to accept the first bundle of squealing baby. “Hey Sammie, how’s my girl doing?”
Mike picked up the second frantic baby and stood holding her, unsure of how to handle the situation.
“Someone usually sits next to me on the sofa with one because I can’t hold them both. I have to take turns.”
Seating himself beside her on the sofa, he tried to keep the squirming child from jumping out of his arms and over to her mother. “Whoa there, little lady! Not so fast!” he said, readjusting his hold on the infant. “Who do we have here?” he asked, holding her up in the air.
Sarah leaned over so her daughter could touch her face. “You have Danielle and I’ve got Samantha. Danni and Sammi.”
Even in direct comparison, he couldn’t see a difference between the two identical children. Both had the same big brown eyes and the beginnings of what would, no doubt, turn out to be golden brown curls. “How the hell…uh…excuse me…but how do you know which one’s which?”
