Third Love (Heaven Sent Book 3)

by Mary Abshire

  “I think we should slow down. We have a good thing going. Let’s not fuck it up.”

  He stopped in front of her and she straightened. “I love you.” He felt good for having said it aloud to her.

  She lowered her gaze and stepped around him. “Love is not the same as lust.” She opened one of the cabinets and gathered several plates from the shelf.

  Did she still believe she couldn’t be loved? Why couldn’t she believe him?

  He moved closer to her. “I know what I feel, and it goes way beyond lust.”

  She twisted around with the dishes and he took hold of them.

  “You said your emotions are stronger. Everything feels different here. How do you know what you feel is really love?” she asked, then let go of the plates.

  “Because I know.”

  “That’s not an explanation.” She pointed to the dining room.

  Taking the hint, he headed toward the table. While he set the plates down, his mind raced with finding the right words to say. He circled back to the three best words, but they weren’t enough. It was as if she needed hard proof and not the kind in his pants. How did one show their love? Gestures? Actions? Kissing? Holding? Protecting? A blood donation? His heart on a platter? What did she need from him? He returned to the kitchen to find her stirring again.

  “I don’t mind what we’re doing,” she said as he came to lean against the counter next to her. “But we should slow down.”

  He sighed heavily. He would give anything for her, anything to prove his love. If slowing down helped her believe him, then he’d suffer through her request. “All right. But I want to hold you in my arms every day. And I want at least one kiss.”

  Her lips curled. “Fair enough.”

  The doorbell chimed and he stiffened. Emily peered around him toward the microwave. He twisted to look at the clock. It read 4:40 PM.

  “If that’s them, they’re early.” She put the lid on the pot.

  Andrew headed for the hall. Emily stayed behind him as he strode to the door. He suspected a salesman had come to bother them since it was too soon for the kids to arrive. He hated solicitors.

  Emily stopped a few feet from him as he twisted the lock. He opened the door and Susan stepped inside carrying the baby in a car seat. The infant had her eyes open and was sucking on a pacifier. A large baby bag hanging on Susan’s shoulder slid off and fell down her arm. The young boy and girl stood outside near the door. Sara wore jeans and pink flowery top whereas Brian wore beige shorts and a navy-blue t-shirt with a cartoon advertisement.

  “I know Mark had said I’d drop them off after five, but I hate to interrupt Justine’s feeding schedule and I need to get to work,” Susan said as she set the car seat on the floor in the entry way. She set the bag on the ground next to the baby.

  “It’s fine,” Emily said as she stepped closer to the baby carrier. She crouched in front of the infant and tucked her long strands behind her ears. “Hey sweetie.”

  “I packed three bottles. She’ll need to be fed at five, nine, and one thirty. It’s very important you stick to the schedule. If the bottles are cold, I heat them up in the microwave. There are more bottles in the refrigerator at the house. If she wants more, it’s okay to give her more,” Susan said before she gestured for the kids outside to come to her.

  Emily stood. “Are there diapers and everything in the bag too?”

  “Of course,” Susan said as the two kids came to stand by her. Sara carried a backpack behind her. “Brian and Sara are to be in bed by eight thirty. They are not to watch television. Sara has homework she has to complete.”

  Her demanding tone made Andrew clench his fists. He held them behind his body. “We’ll take good care of them.”

  “Sara has the key to the house. If there is an emergency, she has my cell number and Mark’s too. Call me if you have any questions or concerns.” Susan bent and gave a kiss on each child’s head. “Be good for Spencer and Carrie.”

  The kids stood quietly side-by-side. Brian gazed around curiously while Sara kept her head tilted down. The bandage on her arm looked fresh.

  Susan stepped outside. She spun to face Andrew. “Thanks again for watching them. Please don’t hesitate to call if you have a question.”

  “Sure thing,” Andrew said.

  A sense of relief flowed through Andrew as she strode down the sidewalk, heading to the driveway. He couldn’t stand the demon. Although the kids were only under his and Emily’s care for a short time, they would be safe and that gave him some comfort. He closed and locked the door.

  “Do you guys like spaghetti?” Emily asked.

  Brian gave a jerky nod.

  “Yes ma’am,” Sara said softly.

  “Please, call me Carrie. Do you need a computer to help you with your homework?” Emily asked.

  “No,” Sara said. “I have my books and paper.”

  “Okay. Well, I’m afraid we don’t have a desk, but you’re welcome to use the coffee table or dining table to work on,” Emily said.

  “Either is fine,” Sara said.

  Emily crouched in front of Brian. “Would you like to play a game with Spencer?”

  “Mother made me bring a coloring book and crayons for him,” Sara said.

  Andrew shook his head. A five-year-old boy would not be content for long coloring pictures. The poor boy needed more physical activity and cognitive stimulation.

  Emily straightened. “We can play games after dinner if your homework is done.”

  The baby made a noise and they all looked down at her. The pacifier that had been in her mouth now lay on her chest. She pinched her eyes shut and rubbed her small hand over her mouth. Emily quickly returned the pacifier to the babe’s mouth. Slowly, the infant opened her eyes and lowered her arm.

  “Do you need to check on the sauce?” Andrew asked.

  “Yeah, why don’t you take Sara to the dining table and Brian to the living room?” She grabbed the strap of the bag, then hefted the infant carrier with her other hand. “I’ll take this one with me.”

  After Emily walked away from them, Andrew faced the kids. Arm extended to the end of the hall, he said, “Follow me.”

  He strolled down the hallway on the right side while he glanced over his shoulder. Sara held onto the straps of her backpack and stared ahead while Brian swung his arms at his sides and peeked inside each room as they passed by.

  Andrew led them around the sofa and pointed to it. “Have a seat here, Brian.”

  The little boy climbed on top of the couch. “When will we eat?”

  “Carrie started the sauce. It won’t take long to cook the pasta and garlic bread,” Andrew said before he glanced at Emily. She was stirring in the pot and had placed the bag and baby carrier on the center island. “Do you two like garlic toast or cheesy bread?”

  Brian shrugged. Andrew suspected the boy could eat either since most boys did care. He looked at Sara for an answer.

  “It doesn’t matter to me.” She stepped closer to the coffee table. “I’ll get his coloring book.”

  Sara pushed her backpack off her shoulders. She tried to stop the strap from touching her injured arm, but she hadn’t been quick enough. She flinched and made a pained expression with her brows and lips.

  “Do you need some help?” Andrew asked, reaching for her.

  “I’ve got it.” She set her bag on the table. After she unzipped the central part, she removed a book and box of crayons. She handed them to Brian. Andrew noticed pink marks around the boy’s wrists. Brian stood the box near his thigh and opened the book on his lap.

  “What kind of homework do you have?” Andrew asked.

  “Math and spelling,” she said.

  “Would you prefer to work at the bigger table?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “This way.” He led her to the end of the table where there weren’t any plates and then scooted the chair back for her.

  “Thank you.” She sat on the chair and lifted her backpack onto the t
able.

  “If you need help with anything, don’t be afraid to ask. I’m glad to help.”

  She nodded while she removed books from the bag.

  The two kids seemed well mannered and quiet. Neither asked many questions. Andrew thought it was odd for the boy. When Andrew had been Brian’s age, he’d been playful, curious, and very talkative. Girls were always more soft spoken. Sara’s polite behavior hadn’t surprised him. Girls were often more refined.

  A baby cry from the kitchen captured his attention. Emily lifted the infant from the carrier. She delicately put the baby in her arm as it whined. Andrew headed toward her and watched her cradle the babe. She looked so motherly and beautiful with the child.

  “Need any help?” he asked.

  She peered past him at the kids. “Do you think it’s odd how Susan dropped them off early?” she asked in a low voice.

  “A bit. I thought she was too bossy.”

  The baby cried more and she rocked it.

  “I think her feeding times are strange. Who sets exact times to feed a baby? They have their own schedule. I’m not waking a sleeping baby to feed it.”

  “Then don’t.” Andrew thought Susan’s schedule was unusual too and was glad to hear Emily bring it up. “You’re in charge now. Take care of these kids as if they were your own.”

  “Please don’t think I’m paranoid, but she could’ve put something in those bottles to poison the baby. Maybe she wants the kid to die on our watch so she doesn’t get the blame.”

  “You know I would never think you’re paranoid.” He glanced over his shoulder at the kids. Sara had her attention directed on her book. While Andrew couldn’t see Brian sitting on the sofa, he believed the boy hadn’t moved. “What do you want to do?”

  “There’s a drugstore on the corner. I can run there, get some formula, and be back in fifteen minutes or less.” She kept her voice low.

  Emily’s idea sounded like a good one. He could dump out the bottles to make it appear as if the baby had taken the formula. If the kids asked where Emily was going, he could make up a story.

  “I’m not taking a chance there’s something in the formula,” Emily said.

  “I’ll watch the kids while you go.” He reached for the infant.

  With gentle care, she placed the upset babe in his arms. “I’ll hurry.”

  “I take care of babies at work. I can handle this one.”

  She planted a kiss on his lips. “Thank you.”

  She hurried past him and then down the hall. The baby in his arms cried a little louder.

  “Shhh,” he said, cradling the babe. “Life is hard. I know. But coming back is even harder. Trust me.” He grabbed the pacifier from the carrier and offered it to the little one. She was slow to accept it, but she did and her whining ended.

  Emily darted from the bedroom with her purse. She disappeared down the hall. He admired her decision to get new formula. Maybe Susan hadn’t poisoned the bottles, but if she had, then another baby would’ve died and Susan would’ve gotten away with murder again. Like Emily, Andrew believed something would’ve happened while they cared for the children. He hoped he could destroy the demon as soon as he could to avoid any more deaths.

  His thoughts returned to Emily holding the baby. She had a motherly touch and a tender heart for kids. If he could stay on Earth longer, he’d love to have a baby with her. Emily was everything he’d always longed for. If he could have her and a child, then all his dreams would come true.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Emily sat at the dining table, holding the cute baby in her arm while she fed a bottle to her. Justine had light-brown hair on her head and eyelashes. Her miniature fingers held onto the edge of Emily’s tank top just above her breasts. She sucked on the baby bottle as if she were starved. Staring at the beautiful creation in her grasp, a touch of sadness grew within Emily. A part of her wanted the fairy tale life with a loving husband and family. But in reality she knew she’d never have either. She took too many risks. Although they were for good causes, such as to help Andrew or Troy, the dangers she confronted would catch up to her one day. She couldn’t fathom bringing a child into the mix and endangering him or her.

  “Do you want me to take over for a bit?” Andrew asked, sitting to her right at the head of the table. He had a plate full of spaghetti in front of him and a piece of garlic toast in one hand.

  “No, I’m fine,” she said.

  “You look good like that.”

  She wrinkled her brows. “Like what?”

  “As a mother.”

  The compliment made her smile, but she was far from ready to be a mother and she highly doubted she ever would be. “I’m enjoying the moment.”

  “If you want me to take over so you can eat, just let me know.”

  The plate of pasta before her could wait until she finished feeding the baby. Across from her, Sara sat next to Brian. The little boy had sauce around his mouth. He sucked in noodles and seemed to enjoy the food. He had yet to touch the cheesy bread on his dish. Sara took her time twisting the pasta before she took a bite. Her movements were careful and hesitant. It was as if she were afraid she’d do something and get in trouble. In the center of the table, a plate with slices of garlic toast and cheesy bread waited to be eaten. She hadn’t been sure which the kids would like, so she offered them both.

  Brian dropped his fork and it clanked on this plate. Sara stilled. Her eyes jumped to Emily.

  “Hey buddy, you can eat with your fingers if you want,” Andrew said.

  Brian didn’t wait to pick up a noodle and dangle it into his mouth. He grinned at his achievement. Sara’s eyes were wide as she watched him.

  “This reminds me of dinner when I was a kid,” Andrew said.

  “Did you have a brother or sister?” Sara asked in quiet tone.

  “I had a sister. She was ten years younger than me, so I was fifteen when she was Brian’s age,” Andrew said before he ate the rest of his toast.

  “Did you start trouble at the dinner table with your sister?” Emily asked, even though she knew the answer from a prior conversation.

  “Of course, I was a teenage boy.” He grinned.

  “Did your parents get mad at you?” Sara asked.

  “No, they didn’t mind. I threw food at her a few times just to annoy her. They’d tell me to stop, but of course I didn’t.”

  Sara listened intently to the conversation as she ate her food. Her long brown locks were straight and she had a few freckles on her face like Emily had. Sara glanced at the plate of bread and then looked away.

  “You’re welcome to have some bread, Sara,” Emily said, wondering if she were afraid to take a piece.

  Sara set her fork down without making a sound. She reached for a slice of toast and took one by the edge. Halfway to her plate, the slice fell from her fingers and hit the table, spilling crumbs. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” she said panicky as she sank back into her chair.

  “Relax, honey. It’s okay,” Emily said.

  “I can clean it up,” she said in a scared tone.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Andrew said. “And you can still eat the toast.”

  The way Sara reached for it with such hesitance made it seem as if she were afraid it might bite her. As soon as she had a hold of it, she hurried to put it on her plate.

  “Does your mom or dad get mad at you for dropping things on the table?” Emily asked.

  “Mother likes everything clean and neat,” Sara said.

  “My mother would get mad at me a lot and I wasn’t even starting trouble,” Emily said. “I have a younger sister and she would brag about getting good grades on tests. She always did it at dinnertime. My mom would act very proud and compliment her. She’d ask me about my test scores. I didn’t get the straight As my sister always got, so my mom put me down. I’d get mad and kick my sister under the table. Then my sister would complain to my mom. Sometimes I got sent to my room without being able to eat much. Fortunately, my good frie
nd Troy would ride his bike to my house and bring food for me.”

  “You never told me that before,” Andrew said.

  “I have plenty of stories like that. They’re in the past and I’d like to keep them there,” Emily said.

  “Kids make mistakes. I made plenty,” Andrew said. “Any good parent should realize this and be forgiving.”

  Emily shifted her attention to Sara. “Does your mom or dad get upset with you a lot?”

  Sara stopped eating the pasta and shrugged.

  “Do you like your foster parents?” Emily asked.

  Sara picked at the toast. “I guess.”

  “Is this your first foster home?” Emily asked.

  “No. It’s is my second,” Sara said with her gaze directed at her bread. “I stayed at the first home for six months and then they decided they didn’t want me.”

  Emily’s heart sank a notch. She suspected Sara probably thought she was a bad kid and deserved her punishments. Sara couldn’t be more wrong.

  Andrew leaned toward Brian. The little boy’s fingers and face were messy from the pasta sauce. Andrew pointed a finger at his wrist. “Do you know where these marks came from?”

  Sara set her half-eaten bread on her plate and refused to look up. It seemed Sara knew something, but was too upset or afraid to speak.

  “It’s okay if you don’t want to talk,” Emily said. “But you should know that anything you say to us will not be repeated to your parents. Spencer and I think you and Brian are good kids. You’ve been very respectful since you showed up.”

  Sara inched her head up. “Mother ties him to the bed or a chair sometimes to calm him down.”

  A chill ran through Emily. Although she had figured out the boy had been restrained, hearing the confirmed words from Sara still managed to stun Emily. She looked away from Sara before her emotions overwhelmed her. As much as she would like to kill the demon, Emily had to let Andrew follow through with his pan. And she couldn’t interfere to help the kids because it could ruin Andrew’s chances to kill the woman. The dilemma angered her and made her sad at the same time.