The Damaged Heroes Collection [Box Set #1: The Damaged Heroes Collection] (BookStrand Publishing Mainstream)

by James, Sandy

  Laurie tried to jump up from where she had been reclining on the couch, only to quickly sink back down as if she was still in more pain than she’d realized. “Mama.”

  “Mon bébé! Ta mère est ici maintenant. Mama will make you better, oui?” The woman sat down next to Laurie and hauled her into a hug. When they pulled apart, the older woman ran a shaky hand across her daughter’s injured cheek and forehead. “My poor little girl. Deepika told me you were here. I have come to take you home.”

  Ross just stood back and watched. While he was happy Laurie was so pleased to see her mother, he wasn’t relishing the idea of turning Laurie’s care over to someone else. Even her own mother. When he heard that they planned to go back to Laurie’s house, he excused himself to make a phone call. By the time he returned, the two women were conversing in a rapid and confusing hybrid of English and French. He was fascinated with the exact wording Laurie’s mother used when she spoke English.

  Laurie finally looked up at him and smiled. “Mama, this is Ross Kennedy. Ross, this is my mother, Angelique Miller.”

  In that thick accent, Angelique said, “It is a pleasure, Mr. Kennedy. I thank you for caring for my Laurie.”

  “I’m happy to meet you too, Mrs. Miller. And you’re more than welcome.”

  Angelique turned back to her daughter. “Laurie, do you have a robe? You must be freezing in that tiny nightgown, chéri.”

  Laurie’s face flushed red. “I’m not cold.” She threw Ross a shy glance. “Ross, did Deepika pack a robe?”

  He shrugged while completely aware of what Laurie’s mother was implying. Not that she was wrong, but it made him uncomfortable anyway.

  “We will just get your things and I will help get you settled at home,” Angelique said in a voice Ross figured meant there should be no arguing. It amazed him how quickly adults could revert to childhood obedience when a mother took that particular tone.

  Laurie glanced up at Ross. “I really should go home. You need to be at work. I’ve taken you away too long already.”

  Ross almost begged her to stay. He would have pleaded with either of them if he thought it would help. For once, work was the farthest thing from his mind. The second Laurie had professed her feelings, the gears began to turn in his head as to how he was going to handle this whole situation. He desperately wanted her to stay, but he didn’t want to pick a fight with her mother on their first meeting.

  Patience.

  “Laurie, why don’t I help you get your things,” her mother said in a voice that demanded rather than asked. “I have a town car waiting.”

  “I can take you both to Bolingbrook,” Ross offered.

  “That is very kind,” Angelique replied in her authoritative tone, “but Laurie and I shall be fine.” She reached out to take Laurie’s hand. “Come, chéri.” Laurie followed her to the bedroom.

  * * * *

  Angelique gave a long stare to the rumpled bed, and Laurie knew her mother had immediately formed her opinion on the intimacy of the whole situation. Laurie’s hot blush probably didn’t offer a contradiction. Angelique picked Laurie’s bag up from the floor and took a long look around the bedroom.

  Though it hadn’t caught her attention before, Laurie was surprised how her feminine garments and trinkets seemed so out of place in the ultra-neat and masculine condo. Laying out a clean pair of jeans and a t-shirt, Angelique asked in English, “Is this all you have here?”

  “I know what you think, Mama, but—”

  “Laurence,” Angelique began as Laurie winced at the use of her formal name and took a seat on the edge of the bed, “you are a grown woman. I am just concerned. You have only known this man for a few weeks. What do you know about him? How do you know he is not a fortune seeker?”

  Laurie read her mother’s worry. “He’s not after my money.”

  “And how do you know this for sure?”

  Laurie smiled. “Because he didn’t know who I was.” She told Angelique the story of their meeting up until her arrival at the condo.

  Her mother still didn’t seem convinced. “We will get you settled at home. You will be more comfortable there. If he wants to visit, that will be fine.”

  “Mama, is there anyone you can’t read?”

  Angelique gaped at her. “Why do you ask?” She’d suddenly switched to French and began to nervously shuffle through the things in Laurie’s bag.

  Her mother had always been exceptionally forthcoming with answers to any type of question her inquisitive daughter had thrown her way. When Angelique deflected this one innocent query, there had to be an important reason behind it. She looked at her mother’s eyes and immediately read her apprehension. “What’s wrong?”

  “Do you love this man, Laurie?”

  “Yes, Mama. I do. And I know we’ve only been together a short time. But I’m twenty-nine years old. I’m not a child. I know my own heart. I want a family. I want what you and Dad have.”

  Angelique put the bag down and sat down on the bed next to Laurie. “I should have told you about this sooner. You haven’t really had a... But I figured you would tell me if...”

  “Answer me, Mama.”

  “Why are you asking me this now?” Angelique took Laurie’s hand into hers.

  “Because I can’t read Ross.”

  “Have you tried—?”

  “I’ve tried everything,” Laurie interrupted. “I get nothing. Well, I get flutters.”

  “Flutters?”

  She could feel her cheeks growing warm again. “He makes my stomach flutter. And my heart pound. And my head swim.”

  Angelique gave a resigned sigh and patted her daughter’s hand. “For the Beaulieu women, there is a saying. I know I should have told you this before, but you never had a beau who seemed so...serious.”

  “What do the Beaulieu women say?”

  “‘Wed the one who cannot be read.’ There is only one person I cannot read.”

  In instant understanding, Laurie answered her own question. “My father.”

  * * * *

  After helping Laurie and her mother into their town car, Ross returned to the condo. He immediately called Sheila, hoping for some of her sisterly advice.

  “Ross Kennedy’s office.”

  “Sheila, how’s it going?”

  “They should be done before she gets home. I can’t guarantee it’ll be exactly like it was, but it’ll definitely be a sight better than the mess I saw. Deepika and I rescued as many pictures as we could yesterday. Bruiser and I had a blast putting ‘em in new frames last night. You know, the guy has a real sense of style.”

  Ross snorted a laugh, thinking of a big bad ass like Bruiser doing anything as feminine as picking out frames for pictures.

  “I heard that. How’s Laurie doin’?” Sheila asked.

  “Her mother is here. She just took Laurie back to the house.”

  “Ouch. I can almost see that scowl you’ve got on your face from here. That’s why you wanted the place put back together so fast. Is she a monster-in-law?”

  “A what?”

  “A potential mother-in-law from Hell. As much time as you’re spending with Laurie, I figure you’re gonna marry her before she gets smart and runs the other direction.”

  “Stick a sock in it, Sheila.” He rolled his eyes at her responding chuckle. “And it’s too soon to tell. She seems to really love Laurie, but she looked at me like I was a child molester or something.”

  Sheila was her usual blunt self. “You are.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “In her eyes, you are. You’re taking away her little baby. You still don’t get it, do you? God, your skull’s thick.”

  “And you’re bossy. But I put up with you anyway.”

  She laughed at that. “Look, genius, remember that goon your sister dated last year? You used to say you were going to dispose of his body on the South Side. Remember?”

  Ross hated that reminder. “That’s different. That was Cheryl. And he was a dumb ass. I’m
not.”

  “Not what?”

  “Cut it out, Sheila.”

  He could hear her quiet chuckle. “Sorry. Should’ve guessed your sense of humor sucks since your houseguest got hauled away. How long are you gonna wait until you’re on the road to Bolingbrook?”

  “Another fifteen minutes.”

  “Just cool your jets, loverboy. Let her mother get her settled. Go out tonight. Take a pizza or something and tell them...”

  * * * *

  “I figured you’d be tired and wouldn’t want to cook,” Ross said as he held up the two large pizza boxes. “May I come in?” he asked Angelique.

  She eyed him suspiciously before finally opening the door wider to admit him. Ross thought he heard a resigned sigh, but he was trying hard not to judge the woman. He wanted her to like him so that Angelique wouldn’t be a wedge between him and Laurie.

  “Ross,” Laurie called from the couch. She was dressed in one of her huge sweatshirts and flannel pants. Wrapped loosely in an afghan, she was reading the black journal she’d dragged home from Montana.

  “Hi, Kit...um...Laurie. How are you feeling?”

  Angelique took the pizzas from his hands and nodded toward the living room. Ross took it as an invitation and grinned at her before he went to sit by Laurie’s side.

  Laurie smiled at him. “Much better. Just a little stiff. The headache is better though.”

  He instinctively reached up to touch the bruise on her cheek, and Laurie turned so that his hand cupped her face. Ross was surprised sparks didn’t literally fly from their contact. She wasn’t wearing the bandage on her forehead, so he lightly brushed his fingertips across the closed wound. “Does it hurt?”

  “No. But it looks like I had a frontal lobotomy,” she replied as she dropped her gaze to her lap.

  Ross put his finger under her chin to lift her head and stare into her eyes. “It’s fine. You’re still beautiful.” Her lashes brimmed up with tears, and her bottom lip quivered. “Don’t cry, Laurie. Please.” He bent in for a kiss he hoped would convince her of his honesty.

  The moment was interrupted when Angelique called from the kitchen. “Would you like another drink, Laurie?”

  Laurie swallowed hard and seemed to get a grip on her emotions. “Yes, please,” she finally called over her shoulder before turning back to him. “Ross, you want a soda?”

  “Sure.”

  “Mama, can you please bring Ross a soda?”

  Angelique was already carrying in a tray with two plates full of pizza and two cans of Diet Coke. She set it on the coffee table.

  “Thank you, Mama.”

  “You are welcome, chéri. If you will both excuse me, I am still having jet lag.”

  Laurie nodded. “You can sleep in my room.”

  “No, thank you. Deepika has me set up in the closet.”

  Ross gave Laurie a curious glance. “Your mom flew all the way from Europe and you’re making her sleep in a closet? That’s cold,” he said with a wink.

  She chuckled. “The fourth bedroom. The one with the clothes and stuff. We call it the closet.”

  “I think I remember seeing a bed buried under that department store you’ve got in there.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Kennedy,” Angelique said.

  “For?”

  “Deepika told me you sent over the people to help put Laurie’s room back to right. And she said you put in the alarm system.”

  “You’re welcome, Mrs. Miller.”

  “Please, Angelique.”

  “Ross.”

  They both nodded their acceptance. Angelique leaned down to kiss Laurie’s cheek before disappearing up the stairs.

  “It was very sweet, Ross,” Laurie said after her mother had left.

  “You didn’t need to see your room that way. Besides, you need your rest.”

  Laurie reached up to stroke his cheek. Sparks. Good God, there were sparks. “It was still very sweet. Thank you.”

  Trying to rein in his rampant libido, Ross pointed at the journal she still held. “Anything really juicy in there?”

  “I just started reading it again. This poor woman went through so much. It’s funny really. The things that happened to her seem so real, it’s like they’re happening now.” Laurie put the journal on the table, picked up the plate, and took a bite of her pizza.

  Ross grabbed his plate and did the same.

  Between bites, Laurie said, “Mama thinks the lady who wrote the journal might be related. I mean, we found it at the ranch and all. She’s probably my great-grandmother. Mama says my dad didn’t know his grandmother because she died really young. He only remembers a lady who lived on the ranch and kept house for his grandfather.”

  “Imagine that. Your great-grandmother might’ve been a singer in a Chicago speakeasy. How wild is that?”

  Laurie laughed. “I knew my family was really out there, but... Wow. And there’s also some missing diamonds. Maybe this thing leads to a buried treasure.”

  “Then you better give it to me,” he teased. “I love mysteries. Bet I could find those diamonds.”

  Her smile made his insides melt. “I’ll bet you probably could. But I’m not sure they’re even around anymore. Who knows where they ended up?”

  By the time they were done eating and Ross had returned the tray, to the kitchen, Laurie was standing up and folding the afghan.

  He came striding back into the living room to scold her. “Hey, hey. Sit yourself back down.”

  “I’m fine now. I was going to help you in the kitchen.”

  “No need.” He pushed her shoulders to make her sit. “I already threw the dishes in the dishwasher. Do you want to watch a movie?”

  “No. Do you?”

  “Not really.”

  Ross sat down on the sofa and leaned back so Laurie could recline against him. He found a comfortable and familiar spot with her back to his chest and sighed in contentment. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulled her closer, and nuzzled her neck. She shivered when his lips touched that soft spot below her ear she always seemed to enjoy having kissed. If there wasn’t a chaperone just up the stairs, he figured it wouldn’t take much for things between them to get serious.

  “Mama’s leaving in two days,” Laurie whispered, absentmindedly stroking his thigh.

  Ross smiled at the idea of having Laurie to himself again. “You know, I don’t know if I can sleep tonight.”

  “Why?” She turned to glance at him over her shoulder.

  “Because I have a problem with insomnia. I tend to wake up at odd hours and can’t get back to sleep. Except for those two nights in Montana, last night was the first night I’ve slept straight through in a long time.”

  “But that’s good. You broke the cycle.”

  “No, that’s bad,” Ross corrected.

  “Why?”

  “Because I think the reason I was able to sleep was because you were there. There’s just something about you being next to me that relaxes me. You make me comfortable.” He grew quiet for a moment before finally locating his courage. “I love you, Laurie. I really do.”

  Laurie turned in his arms. “I love you too, Ross.”

  He dragged her onto his lap and pulled her into a kiss that quickly turned passionate. She reached up to lace her hands through his hair as he kept trying to pull her closer. Their tongues exchanged caress after caress as they both tried to share their newly confessed feelings. When Laurie finally pulled her mouth away, she was breathing hard. He let a cocky smile cross his lips. Then he realized he was a bit breathless himself. “When did you say your mom was leaving?”

  Laurie chuckled. “Two days.” She ran her fingertip around the ridges of his ear, driving him to distraction.

  “You realize I’ll have you naked three seconds after she walks out the door.” He growled and nipped at her bottom lip. “Two seconds if you don’t wear a bra.”

  Laying her head on his shoulder, she let her fingers play with the hair on the nape of his neck.

&
nbsp; Ross had a brilliant idea. “I’ve been thinking...” He hugged her a little closer. “Your mom’s leaving in two days. That’s a Friday, right?”

  “Yeah. Her ticket is for early Friday morning. Why?”

  “We’re going to take a trip this weekend. We need to get away.”

  She breathed a weighty sigh. “Ask me.”

  “What?”

  “Ask me. Don’t tell me. Good God, you’re bossy.”

  The woman was a breath of fresh air. A smile crossed his lips. “Fine. How would you like to take a trip this weekend?”

  “Try ‘please.’”

  Ross kissed her cheek. “Will you please take a trip with me?”

  “I’d love to. I need to get away from all this for a while. Where were you planning on going?”

  “It’s a surprise.”

  Laurie face brightened with a smile. “I was hoping you’d say that. I love your surprises.”

  Chapter 17

  Things were going so well. We had found a place to stay in a little Illinois town outside St. Louis called Red Bud. But when T.J. went into the city, he was recognized by a goon he knew from Chicago. We threw everything in the car and hit the road again. T.J. said we can’t be too careful.

  I’m so very tired. I’ve gotten over being morning sick, but I want to sleep all the time. Now that we are in the car again for hours on end, I miss my freedom. It is only a couple of months until the baby comes. I wonder where we will be by then.

  From flower to flower the bees did flit.

  It was so hard to find a place to fit.

  His choice was made so long ago.

  Yet still my heart cried out in woe.

  Ross’s Lexus pulled up to the house around noon. He walked up to the porch and almost rang the bell. Just out of curiosity, he tried the doorknob. It opened without resistance. He shoved the door open and strode into the house. “Damn it, Laurie. I told you to lock the door and set the alarm.”

  She came out of the kitchen, drying her hands on a dishtowel. “Nice to see you too, Sport.”

  He continued glaring when she walked to his side and planted a quick kiss on his cheek. He couldn’t frown as much after that.