All I Ever Wanted

by Francis Ray

  Outside they saw Creed walking fast toward them, his cell phone to his ear.

  “Make me glad I hired you,” Luke said.

  Creed disconnected the call. “Reese was busted a couple of months ago for a phony ID. A kid at the store remembered seeing a man and a woman get into a white Ford sedan with a car rental decal. Vince is calling the rental agency now to see who rented that type of car. From there we should be able to get a name and a credit card number.”

  “You redeemed yourself. Now go sit with Cath and wait with them.” Luke was already walking quickly away. “They’re holed up someplace. It’s too dicey driving. I want the name of where they’re staying and fast.”

  “You’ll have it.”

  * * *

  Gordon stopped at the last unit of a small motel on the outskirts of town. Naomi opened the car door to run, but Gordon pulled out the gun. “I’d hate to miss our time in bed. Your choice.”

  Standing, she closed the door and rounded the car. She’d bide her time. By now, Luke would be at her apartment. They’d find her. She just had to stay alive.

  Opening the door, he shoved her inside and flipped on the light. The curtain was already drawn. The full bed dominated the small room with only one nightstand, a rickety desk, and a chair.

  “Don’t turn up your nose.” He grabbed her by the chin. “This is what you’ve reduced me to, but tonight I get some of mine back.” He shoved her away. “Strip. Slowly.”

  She reached for a button of her blouse, saw the hatred on his face. He wanted to humiliate her. Never again. Her hands fell.

  “I’m not afraid of you anymore, Gordon. You need a gun against a defenseless woman. You’re a spineless coward.” She couldn’t hold back her fury and contempt another second.

  Enraged, he advanced on her. “Shut up and do as I say, or I’m going back and get the brat you’re so crazy about.”

  “She’s safe by now. You’ll never get close to her.”

  “I’ve seen you with him. You’re a slut.” With one hand, he ripped her blouse. She stumbled and fell.

  One-handed, he reached for the snap of his jeans. “You’re going to be screaming for it, just like last time.”

  The bastard had raped her. Enraged, she came off the floor, reaching for the lamp on the nightstand as she did.

  Surprised, he lifted his hands seconds too late. She brought the bottom of the lamp down on his head. He howled in pain, staggering back to hold his head. He dropped the gun.

  Naomi rushed to pick it up. She tried to watch Gordon and get to the phone she’d knocked off the nightstand.

  “Give me that gun! You’re too much of a coward to pull the trigger,” he sneered.

  “Once, but not after you threatened my baby.” Her hand flexed on the handle.

  “Give me that gun! You haven’t the nerve.”

  Behind them the door burst open. Gordon swung around, a snarl on his face.

  “Yes, she does.” Richard said from the doorway. Luke stood behind him. “But I want a piece of you first.” He planted his fist in Gordon’s face. He went down like a stone. Richard jerked him up by the shirtfront and hit him again and again.

  “That’s enough. He can’t feel it anymore.” Luke pulled Richard off the unconscious man.

  Richard distastefully shoved the man away, stood and saw Naomi’s torn blouse. Enraged he went for the man again.

  “Richard, please take me to Kayla,” Naomi said, her voice and body trembling. “I know you took care of her, but I need to see her.”

  The anger cleared. Richard pulled out his cell phone. “She’s with Catherine and Fallon at your apartment. You can talk to her until we get there. Let’s go.”

  * * *

  Naomi and Kayla held each other a long time before either was willing to let go. Richard stayed close to them both. The police came and went, and then Fallon went home. Luke, Catherine, and his team were the last to leave.

  “I owe you,” Richard said.

  “You owe nothing.” Luke nodded toward Naomi and Kayla huddled together on the sofa. “Go take care of your family.”

  “Good night,” Catherine called. “We’ll talk tomorrow. “

  “Good night,” Naomi said, kissing Kayla on the top of her head.

  Richard closed the door. He wasn’t leaving.

  “Can me and Teddy sleep with you tonight?” Kayla asked. “We won’t be a bother or trouble.”

  “I’d like that, and why would you think it would be a bother?’ Naomi asked.

  Kayla looked at Richard and tucked her head before saying, “I heard some of the mothers at school say how much of a bother it is to take care of their children. They can’t wait for summer to ship them to their grandparents. I don’t have any grandparents who want me so you have to keep me.”

  Naomi’s eyes stung. “I love you, Kayla. You could never be a bother or trouble. Never. I’d be lost and miserable without you. You’re the most precious thing in the world to me. Remember that always.”

  Richard crouched in front of them. “Your mother loves you, pumpkin. As for the summer, I was hoping we could get in a little fishing, maybe some camping. The horses at my place would like to see you as well.”

  She perked up. “Really?”

  “Really.” Richard plucked her up in his arms, sat down beside Naomi, and picked up the remote control. “No school tomorrow for either of you, so we can stay up late. I called Principal Crenshaw and asked for a personal day for your mother.”

  The credits for Finding Nemo began to roll. Handing the control to Kayla, he put his arm around Naomi and drew her closer. His family. He wasn’t about to have it any other way.

  * * *

  Kayla was asleep ten minutes later. Richard didn’t want to release her or her mother.

  “I didn’t want you to stay because I knew Gordon would have a weapon. I went with him to keep Kayla safe, but I’d called Luke and knew Catherine was coming with him. He’d protect her with his life, but bullets stray.”

  Richard clamped his teeth together. She needed to get it all out. “I-I wouldn’t have let him touch me that way. Not after us, and not after realizing I wasn’t a coward any longer. You’re the cause of both.”

  His eyes squeezed tightly shut. She was making him weak.

  “I knew if I didn’t come back, you’d be safe and you’d take care of Kayla. You’d be her father.”

  Moisture formed in his eyes, and seeped onto his lashes and down his cheeks.

  “I realized weeks ago that I loved you, that you loved us. You went out of your way to ensure Kayla’s happiness and made sure she never felt left out even before we were officially dating. You’d only tried to love me, and I pushed you away because I let my past fears get in the way.

  “I finally realized tonight that committing to you won’t make me dependent or vulnerable; it will set me free. I’m going to live my life without fear or looking over my shoulder or second-guessing myself. I want you to be a part of that life—if you can forgive me.”

  “You love me?”

  “Hopelessly. Desperately. Endlessly. I love you will all of my heart.” Lifting her head, she kissed the wetness from his cheeks. “I think we should get married as soon as possible. What do you think?”

  “What took you so long?” he managed.

  “I was waiting to be the woman you could be proud of.” Standing up to Gordon had proven that she was woman enough for Richard.

  “You always were.” Lifting his head, he gently kissed her.

  “You’re all I ever wanted,” she said, closing her eyes, feeling safe and loved. She and Kayla were going to have it all, thanks to the man holding her. She’d never have another doubt.

  Epilogue

  “Kayla is going to be so excited.” Naomi sat on the side of her bed, waiting for her daughter to wake up. Richard had moved all of them last night into the bed so they’d be more comfortable. While she and Kayla slept, he’d held and watched over them. Naomi had never felt safer or more loved.
r />   “Just like I am.” His hands on both of Naomi’s shoulders, Richard leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.

  One hand on his, the other on Kayla’s, Naomi leaned her cheek into his kiss.

  “Mama.”

  Naomi looked around, praying she didn’t see fear in her daughter’s eyes. Kayla scrambled into her mother’s arms. Naomi firmly held her daughter to her and thanked God she wasn’t shaking, and her hold wasn’t desperate as it was last night.

  “Dr. Richard!”

  They reached for each other at the same time. “Good morning, pumpkin.”

  Her face bright and unafraid, Kayla smiled up at him. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  His hold tightened for a second. “Me, too.”

  Relishing the sight of them safe and happy, Naomi came to her feet. One arm went around Richard’s waist. Her other arm went around Kayla’s. “Richard and I have some exciting news for you.” She swallowed and fought the tears of happiness. “We’re going to be married.”

  “And I get to be your daddy,” Richard said, fighting his own lump.

  Kayla’s eyes rounded. “For real?”

  “For real,” Richard and Naomi answered at the same time.

  Kayla hugged his neck. This time she did tremble.

  Richard had to swallow a couple of times before he could speak. “I called my parents. They’re on their way back from Canada. They’re anxious to see you and already planning to do a lot of fun things with their granddaughter this summer. I’ll have to share you.”

  Naomi laughed. “They asked if they still had Grandparents Day at school. Richard’s mother wants to be a classroom volunteer in your class next year.”

  “I get to have grandparents, too?” There was awe in Kayla’s voice.

  “And they get to have the best granddaughter in the world,” Richard told her. “Just as soon as the minister marries us, you can start calling me Daddy.”

  “Daddy,” Kayla repeated. “I was just practicing.”

  He kissed her on the forehead. “I like the sound of that.”

  Her smile growing, Kayla hugged him again. “Wait until I tell Teddy. We’re going to have all we ever wanted.”

  Naomi smiled, felt Richard’s lips graze her hair, and heard Kayla giggle. She no longer felt like a failure when Kayla indicated Naomi hadn’t been enough. Loving Richard, and he loving her back, helped her to understand. “You’ll have more family to love, and who will love you.”

  “Wow!”

  “I’m going to cook my future family breakfast,” Richard said.

  “I wanna help,” Kayla said excitedly.

  “Not until you wash your face, and brush your teeth,” Naomi told her.

  Kayla scrambled down and left at a dead run. Richard and Naomi smiled.

  Richard curved his arms around her waist. “I love you.”

  “I love you right back.” She leaned into his kiss, the shelter of his strong arms, feeling safe and loved and cherished.

  Giggles sounded from the doorway.

  They lifted their heads slowly. Kayla would see lots of kisses and gentle touches. She’d grow up watching parents who loved each other.

  “I think my future daughter needs help,” Richard said.

  Her arm around Teddy, the toothbrush in her hand, Kayla’s eyes widened. “Daddy.”

  Richard picked them both up and kissed Kayla on the cheek. “Perfect. Just like you. Come on, Teddy. Let’s get our best girl ready for breakfast.”

  Naomi stared after them, ignoring the tears of happiness streaming down her cheeks. She couldn’t agree with Kayla more. They had all they’d ever wanted.

  Read on for an excerpt from

  ALL THAT I NEED

  by Francis Ray

  Coming soon from St. Martin’s Paperbacks

  Fallon Nicole Marshall had always considered herself cool under pressure. After all, she was a well-respected travel writer for some of the top magazines in the country. She routinely dealt with tight deadlines, demanding editors, computer glitches and uncooperative people. She’d baked in 107 degrees and frozen in 6 below to get a story and just the right photographs. She had the patience of Job and the tenacity of a terrier. Nothing—if you didn’t consider her need for two cups of coffee each morning—got the best of her anymore. She’d been there, done that.

  Or so she’d mistakenly thought.

  Slowing down on the highway, Fallon put on her signal and turned her rental onto the paved road three miles out of Santa Fe. Her slim fingers flexed on the steering wheel of the late model Taurus. She was only marginally pleased that they weren’t damp with perspiration. She might be a bit nervous about obtaining information for her next story, but at least she wasn’t showing her frayed nerves about meeting Lance Saxton again.

  It was perfectly understandable that she felt apprehensive—after all, she had been, well, rather abrupt to Lance Saxton two weeks ago when they’d first met. She’d practically accused him of being a thief and walked away from him in self-righteous indignation. Although he had to share some of the blame for that crack about “not handling their financial responsibilities correctly,” she had to take her share as well.

  She freely admitted that since her mother was swindled by the unscrupulous owner of an auction house, and Lance owned an auction house, she had judged quickly and harshly.

  And she’d been wrong.

  She hadn’t discovered her mistake until recently.

  Now she needed Lance Saxton to gain access to the Yates’ home for the article she planned to write. He might toss her out; then again, he might not. There was only one way to find out.

  Moments later the red barrel roof of a house came into view; then as she rounded a curve, she saw the sprawling Yates house. She slowed and came to a complete stop. It was simply beautiful with the afternoon sun shining on the roof and the adobe exterior. She could easily imagine coming home from work or a trip and catching the first glimpse of the house. She didn’t even live there and yet she felt a sort of calming peace. One day she’d have a house, a family, but for now she enjoyed her job. She loved to travel and was paid well to visit and write about some of the most exciting places in the world.

  The last thought had her squaring her shoulders. She was good at what she did. Nothing had ever stopped her in the past, and she wouldn’t allow Lance Saxton to be the first.

  Putting the car into motion, she continued down the mile-long road and parked on the circular driveway in front of the massive red double doors, reasoning if Lance threw her out, she wouldn’t have far to go to her car. Getting out, she again studied the sprawling two-story house.

  The home was originally built in the 1920s by oil mogul Thaddeus Yates. He liked the Southwest and chose Santa Fe as his base when he wanted to relax and get away from Lubbock, Texas. After his death, his only child and daughter, Colleen, expanded the six-thousand-square-foot home another five thousand square feet to include a loggia and pool house. Her son did more renovation on the house plus extensive landscaping, turning the usually parched grounds of the area into a verdant paradise with lush green grass and a rainbow hue of flowers.

  Fallon realized she was stalling, and with good reason. She wasn’t looking forward to ringing the doorbell and meeting Lance Saxton again. She didn’t mind admitting she was wrong so much as she didn’t like the idea of making that admission to a man she had a mild attraction to. She’d like to think he’d caught her at a weak moment, but that would be a lie. She traveled so much she didn’t have time for a relationship, and she valued herself too much to have meaningless affairs.

  Yet her girlie antenna had zinged the instant she looked into Lance’s midnight black eyes. He had the “Y” yummy factor in spades. At least six-feet-four in sinful jeans and a white polo that delineated hard muscles, she was almost fantasizing about the naughty things he could whisper in her ear—until she learned what he did for a living. And went as cold as an iceberg on the man.

  Sighing, Fallon removed her camera from the
case, looped the strap around her neck, and grabbed her notebook. Standing there wouldn’t get the job done. Closing the car door, she followed the paved path to the wide double doors, all the time telling herself that this was a story like all the hundreds, probably thousands, she’d written in the past.

  Fallon realized she was stalling. Again. She hadn’t called for an appointment. She honestly hadn’t known what to say. Hey, I’m sorry I accused you of being a thief, but I have this great idea for a story and two editors are interested so let’s forget about our first meeting. If the positions were reversed, she would have thrown him out. She had a bit of a temper—which had gotten her into this mess.

  Blowing out a breath, Fallon rang the doorbell.

  * * *

  In the small library of the Yates house that Lance Saxton had taken for his office, he slowly lifted his head when he heard the doorbell. He’d been waiting for the sound since Richard called that morning to tell him that Fallon had asked if he would be there. To Richard’s “Don’t blow your second chance,” Lance had said nothing.

  Since Lance didn’t have any other appointments and he wasn’t expecting any deliveries, he reasoned it was Fallon Marshall. His hand flexed on the pen in his hand. It didn’t take much to visualize the stunning woman with long curly hair, bedroom brown eyes, model cheekbones and lips to drive a man crazy. For some reason—perhaps because Richard was in such a great mood and Lance could tell his cousin was finally interested in a woman—the moment they’d met, Lance had found himself attracted to Fallon.

  It was the first time in months he’d had more than a passing interest in a woman. He’d honestly thought he had written women off except for the occasional ones he took to bed. It was purely physical for both of them; easily had and easier forgotten.

  The chime came again. This was the housekeeper’s half-day off. The people he’d hired to help catalog the house’s contents for the auction had driven into town for a late lunch. There was no one there but him. If he didn’t answer, she’d leave and he wouldn’t have to worry about forgetting his long-ago promise of steering clear of women he couldn’t easily walk away from. Yet he found himself coming to his feet and leaving the study. Fallon was just a woman.