Protective Instincts (6 page)

"What's wrong? Is Brit sick?" he asked.

"No, S-S-Sir, not exactly." Julie waited for the sound of a second phone being lifted.

"I'm here, Julie. Now take a deep breath. What's wrong, honey?" She nearly lost her composure when she heard Ma Simpson's soft voice. Maybe she should have called her own mom and had her go tell these kind people.

No, she could do this.

And she did with only a few stammers and stutters. She tried to ignore sounds of Ellen crying softly or she'd cry, too. She'd thought she had shed enough tears in the privacy of the shower. Who would hurt someone as good and caring as her best friend?

"Oh, Julie," Dad Simpson's dear voice reminded her of all the times he'd been there for her when she needed a dad. "We're so grateful you're there."

"She's had a hard time but she'd handling things okay."

"Are you sure we don't need to come now? I can cancel my appointments or get someone to cover for me. Ellen can't drive yet after her surgery, or she'd be on her way as soon as we hang up."

"Brit said she wanted you to do your surgeries today. So you can wait to come here and bring Ma with you. Brit should sleep most of the day. She's worn out."

"Who'll stay with her, if you go to school?" Ellen Simpson asked, her voice tremulous.

"Well, Sam … Mr. Samuels will, until I get back from school."

"Mr. Samuels?" Dr. Simpson asked.

"Yes, Sir, the man who saved her. He's security and can help her feel safe. He said he'd call his mother to come by to help make Brit comfortable. His mom's fifteen minutes away and has doctored her own four kids through everything imaginable. Brit's in good hands."

"You just go on to school and do your conferences, honey; I'll call later and talk to this Samuels person. We love you."

She'd arranged for someone to cancel Brit's appointments, then rushed home to change for school. Keeping her mind on talking to parents about their kids and their math progress all day wouldn't be easy, but there was no help for it.

There was nothing she wouldn't do for her friend. She and Brit had always been closer than sisters.

* * * *

Sam had been alone with Brit for two hours when he had to grab the phone to keep Brit from awakening again.

"Hello, who is this?" He heard a woman's voice.

"Sam Samuels. You sound like Brit, Ma'am."

"Ah, Julie said you'd be there. How's my daughter?"

"She's sleeping. She's had nightmares. Julie and I finally persuaded her to take another sleeping pill. She should be up and around a little bit later today. That bastard, excuse my language, yanked her around and terrified her. She's sore but she can go to school Monday, if she feels up to it."

"Her father is driving us there this evening as soon as he can finish his last surgery and clean up a bit. We'll leave around six and be there in a couple of hours. I had surgery and am not allowed to drive yet," Ellen sighed.

"You be careful now, ma'am," Sam said. "Julie'll be here as soon as her conferences are over. I'll be just a phone call away. Mama promised to come by in a little while."

"Her daddy and I thank you for all you've done for her, Mr. Samuels. We don't know what we'd have done if, well you know, if anything had .... "

"Sam," he said. "Just call me Sam."

Sam slipped quietly into Brit's room and sat lightly on her bed. She looked so young in sleep. Dark lashes fanned across porcelain skin. Red lips parted slightly with each breath she took. He couldn't stop staring at her peaceful face. She'd have one heck of a shiner, but the bruising could have been so much worse.
Damn that bastard
!

"If the cops don't catch him and put him behind bars, I'll take care of that maniac, myself. I promise you."

While Brit slept, Sam called his office, catching his foreman replacing the night office person. All systems had proven clear, no break-ins for any of his clients. After giving instructions to start burglar-proofing Brit's house, Sam started a pot of strong coffee.

After a shower in the guest bathroom, Sam dressed in clothes Sean had delivered on his way to school. The boy insisted he would be better off at school, helping in the office 'til time for football practice, than sitting at home or hanging with his grandparents.

"Sam, what are you doing here?"

He caressed her forehead, brushing a lock of hair from her face. He lingered on her unbruised cheek.

"I'm here to feed you, Lady. Mama brought a pot of homemade chicken soup. It's waiting on your stove, I'll heat it."

"I'm not hungry." Brit frowned. "You look tired with those dark circles under your eyes …. "

Her sob tore at his heart.

"Oh, Sam! It was so awful!"

Sam pulled her onto his lap, so he could hold her and shield her from memories of yesterday's horror. He felt her tears wet his shirt as he rocked her, like he would a child after a nightmare. But this nightmare wasn't over. It might not be over any time soon.
That animal will pay for what he did to this kind creature
! The moisture in Sam's eyes burned.

"I'm here, Teach," he whispered. "I'm here. He won't hurt you again, I promise. Go ahead, cry, you've earned it."

Peace surrounded the two until Brit raised her tear-stained face from Sam's chest. "Sam, uh, I, I uh …. " She blushed as she whispered, though they were the only two people in her room.

"Oh, Teach," he stopped laughing. "I can't believe you're embarrassed about a little thing like that." He rose from the bed, scooped her soft body up in his arms and took her with him.

Before he made it the bathroom, Brit spoke. "Don't laugh at me. Put me down. I can walk. I meant for you to leave the room since I'm not dressed. Besides, I can't do anything with you waiting around."

"Don't let it bother you, Teach. I've tended to my mama and my sister when they were sick. I won't look."

He set her to her feet; close enough to grip the door jam.

"Get out so I can ... you know ...," she blushed even more. "Get out."

"Sure you don't need any help in there?" She still seemed groggy but she shooed him away. He could see most of her lush body through her gown. He should've realized she'd need a robe. He needed for her to have on a robe. This was no time for him to notice the dark area at the juncture of her thighs or her rosy nipples. Raising his gaze to her face, he realized she was speaking.

"Leave me alone or you'll mop the floor! I'll tell Julie. On second thought, Julie wouldn't help me. She thinks you're a hunk!"

Laughing, Sam turned and started for the door. "Just don't tell my mother, she thinks I'm a nice boy. I'll get your soup."

Sam felt the warmth of more than the stove as he heated the soup. He'd thought he could look after Brit. He'd tended his brothers and sister and, of course, Adrienne, Sean's mother. This was way different. He hadn't had to worry about resisting Adrienne, since he'd been married to her. Was Brit forbidden fruit? Had their shared danger caused his over-the-top reactions?

Sam insisted Brit eat some of the soup. Thirty minutes later she had eaten, despite her protests. She'd missed supper and refused to eat at the hospital, which Sam understood.

Her eyes drooped as she drifted toward sleep.

"Thanks, Sam," she murmured. "This doesn't mean anything, you know?" She left the thought hanging.

Oh, yes. It meant a lot to him. After so many years since his divorce he'd finally found a woman who touched his heart. He wanted time to explore what she made him feel. She was real and she made him feel things he had forgotten he
could
. Did he really want to take a risk? Maybe the feelings would go away with her danger.

* * * *

That afternoon Julie found the two sleeping, side by side. Brit lay snuggled under the faded, patchwork quilt. Sam lay on top of it.

Sam awoke. "What time is it?" he growled in a scratchy voice.

"It's three-thirty and I'm back from school. My last conference cancelled, thank goodness. Time for a tired hero to go home to his son who, by the way, is a brave young man." Julie laughed. "He worked in the office, showing parents to rooms.

Sam yawned and stretched. He glanced down at Brit, then eased from the bed. "Brit's parents will be here around eight. Let me know if you need anything. Have a good night, Ms. Julie." He left Brit's room. He turned when a thought grabbed him. "Oh, has Brit mentioned anything about getting crank phone calls or obscene calls?"

Julie's grin became a frown. "Why, has she had more wrong numbers while you were here?"

"Not exactly. Does that happen often?"

Julie's shrug told him nothing. "She didn't say. Just often enough to make it hard to sleep when they called at all hours. The caller never says anything." Julie shrugged. "Who you gonna call, the wrong number police?"

"The night before last the caller went too far." Sam didn't smile. "He knew entirely too much about this house. Let her tell you about him. He was stalking her before last night's attack. Sicko! Do you know of anyone who would have it in for her?"

"No. How do you know so much about that night?" Julie crossed her arms and glared at him.

"Long story. Ask her when she wakes up."

"Is she safe here? What if the cops don't catch the bastard?"

"They're watching her house and she's about to get a decent security system. I'll even send some of my men to watch, if I have to. Does she like dogs?"

* * * *

Brit slept quietly most of the afternoon. Julie dozed until loud knocking woke her. She rose to unlock the dead-bolt lock Sam installed earlier. Security lights streamed around blinds, reminding Julie to peek through the new, eye-level, diamond of glass before punching the code to unlock the door. Brit was gonna hate having to memorize and all. She opened the door to mom and dad Simpson.

"How is she?" Ellen enfolded Julie in a comforting, motherly hug.

"Yes, how is my girl?" Joseph stepped forward.

"She should wake soon. I know she'll be glad to see you." Julie loved these good folks. "Mr. Saxon, our principal, was distressed something like this could happen at our school. We were so lucky the media missed it."

Julie said her good-byes and pointed out phone numbers for Sam and the doctor who had seen Brit the night before.

"I hate to leave but I have papers to grade and I have to be at school tomorrow. I'll call you from school to check on Brit."

Julie gave both parents a guided tour of the new locks and security codes. Then Joseph walked with Julie to her car.

"I'm so glad you're here, Pop."

She hugged him and kissed his cheek.

"You did a good job, Julie, girl. We're proud of you."

It felt good to have someone hug her. She loved that he watched her get into her car as he would Brit.

"Buckle up and lock up."

"Yes, Sir."

He waved to her as she drove away.

* * * *

"Mama?" Brit whispered as she opened her eyes. Her mother's fragrance penetrated her sleep. "Oh, Mama!" Brit raised her sleep-heavy arms and shoulders to meet her mother in a tearful hug. Her daddy moved silently across the room to enfold his girls.

"Baby," her dad whispered with a teary voice.

"Julie said to tell you that your Mr. Saxon called from the school and said you were to call him if you needed anything, like extra time off." Ellen touched Brit's face.

She treated Brit to a body rub. It was good to have her mama here. Brit told some of the story and found it barely easier to face than when it happened. They had to know.

Morning found Joseph returning home, once he knew Brit wasn't seriously injured. He could leave his wife to tend their daughter.

Brit and Ellen shared a light breakfast, using TV trays in the bedroom. They had a good, long, heart-to-heart talk about what had happened. It was easier to tell her mama the details than it would have been to tell her daddy.

Mid-morning Brit's mother answered a knock at the front door. When Brit shuffled into the living room, she watched her mom look out the window toward the driveway, then speak with a man.

"Who was that?" Brit frowned

"Mr. Samuels sent him over. His truck had the sign Sam said it would. His name-badge photo looked just like him."

"Who, Mom?"

"Jacob McAllister."

"Mama."

"Honey, Mr. Samuels stopped by early and told your daddy and me he owned a security firm and he'd send people over to finish installing security stuff here. Didn't I tell you?"

"No, Mama, you didn't."

"We thought it would be a good idea, since you know him."

Later, workmen arrived to put up a fence and wire it to her house current. Then more workmen disturbed her quiet. The men presented work orders signed by John S. Samuels, owner.

Someone else installed security lights.

Brit called the number Sam had left. Presumptuous men made her see red, and she had some heavy anger to unload on someone. He hadn't even discussed his security measures with her. She was a grown woman, capable of making her own decisions. Protecting people was his business but he should've given her choices, damn it! Saving her life didn't make him her keeper. He had no authority.

"Mr. Samuels," she said when she was patched through to him. "What the Hell did you think you were doing? There have been strangers with work orders building fences, and putting in wiring, and making changes I didn't order. They're making my house feel like a high security prison."

Sam sounded weary. "Protecting you, maybe?"

"Did I ask you to?" There was a pause. "Security locks, an electric fence? What other decisions have you made for me?"

"I discussed my plans with your father this morning and when he stopped by my office on the way back home."

The man was too logical. Not fair, though he'd have needed time to ask questions and get people out here to put in a system, once she'd researched her needs.

"Still want to shoot me?"

She remembered his cocky smile. "Mr. Samuels, you should have discussed your plans with me. I'm an adult; it's my house, and I --"

"Ms. Roberts, someone made threatening calls to you and I found him attacking you last night. I failed to catch him."