Rekindled Dreams (Moon Child) (12 page)

“She smiled.”

“Probably gas.”

“Naw, she smiled.” He brushed Dana’s lips with a finger. “One thing I want to do is beef up the security on your computer. Take me an hour or so."

“Why?”

“To practice what I learned during training. Also if you’re selling the house you’ll have to leave when people walk through. Someone might become curious.”

“Good thought. Go ahead. While you play I’ll make dinner.” She handed him a card. “Password one and two.” She paused. “Steak all right.”

“Steak’s fine.”

* * *

Dana halted in the doorway. “How do you like your steak?”

“Medium.”

She continued to the kitchen and mixed the marinade for the steak. She zapped two baking potatoes to partially done. Some smaller ones along with eggs were set on the burner for potato salad for the picnic. She started a three bean salad. With deft movements she seasoned and breaded pieces of chicken. When the oil in the fryer reached the right temperature she fried the chicken and stored the ingredients for potato salad in the fridge. With preparations for the picnic almost finished she put the steaks and potatoes in the oven.

Once the food was done she called Simon to dinner. He stared at the food on the counter. “We having a feast?”

”That’s for tomorrow.” She placed salad and plates with steak and baked potatoes on the table. “This is dinner.”

“Keep this up and I’ll gain a hundred pounds.”

Dana laughed. “There are ways to burn off calories.” She lowered her gaze.

Simon ran a finger over her hand. “Are you tempting me?”

“Is it working?”

“Yes.” He cut his steak and took a bite. “This is delicious.”

“It’s the beer in the marinade.” She filled two glasses with iced tea.

“After I explain what I did to your computer we’ll work on calorie reduction.”

“A little later than that. By then Jenny will be hungry. Then I’ll get her ready for bed.”

“I’m a patient man.”

Laughter rolled from her gut. “Patience and you is an oxymoron.”

“I swear I’ve changed.”

“We’ll see. There’s strawberry shortcake for dessert.”

He groaned. "You’re killing me.”

“Hope not.” She dotted her potato with butter and sour cream. “Do you think we could visit one of the houses before we go to the lake?”

“Sure. The fourth one?”

“Three. I liked it the best.” When they’d toured the place she’d imagined Simon living there with her.

“So did I.”

Dana hid a smile. Maybe there was a chance.

Once they’d finished dinner, Simon cleared the table while Dana made the potato salad. They finished at the same time and walked to the family room where Simon booted the computer. Step by step he led her through the new levels of security.

Dana jotted notes. “Will take me weeks before the steps are automatic. Could I accidentally erase a file if I make a misstep trying to open a file?”

“Won’t happen. If you forget, call and I’ll tell you again.”

After the second trial Jenny woke. Dana carried her daughter upstairs to bathe and feed her. When she returned to the family room Simon sat on the couch. He’d turned on the television. She curled beside him. “I’m glad you’re back. I wish things had been different years ago.”

Simon tugged her closer. “I was a dumb, angry kid.”

“Not dumb. What the Grantlans did to you was cruel. You had a right to be proud and have your family see what you had achieved. Robert Grantlan saw a chance to show how important he was by arranging that gala for the private school on the same night as graduation. You were hurt.”

“Yah, I was. And immature. My temper used to control me.” He stroked her hair. “You have the coloring everyone one thinks means temper. I’m the one who erupts. Joining the Marines and working as a cop forced me to grow up. Tell me what you did after high school.”

“Went to college and earned a BS in Nursing. Loved the classes. Came home and worked at the hospital. Hated being a nurse. Left the hospital and worked at the nursing home. Didn’t like the work any better. Discovered I liked filling out forms and chasing figures better so I took courses in billing. Learned a bunch of codes.”

Simon frowned. “What was wrong with being a nurse? I think you would have been a good one.”

“Sick people, dying people, complaints and demands. Relatives trying to interfere. My new career suits me. Best of all I can work from home.”

Simon clasped her hand. “Did you meet Randy at the nursing home?”

She drew a deep breath. Though she didn’t want to talk about that time if she and Simon were going to be a couple he needed to know.

“I met Rob. We dated a few times. One evening we met Randy. Somehow he was the one who took me home.” Her grip tightened.

“It’s all right.”

She stared at their clasped hands. “He was charming and I was a fool. I thought I’d be alone forever. We dated for three months, he proposed and I accepted. A few days into the honeymoon and I knew I’d made a mistake. Then my parents died in the accident. Randy was supportive until he learned my parents didn’t leave me much money.”

Simon brought her hand to his lips. “Do you think we can leave our mistakes in the past?”

She met his gaze. “There’s one more thing I want to say.”

“Tell me.”

“When I told Randy I was pregnant he had a tantrum and hit me. Demanded I have an abortion. When I refused he filed for a divorce. He said he wasn’t the baby’s father and said he had no rights over the child. He and his father threatened to drive me out of town if I claimed a cent for the baby.”

Simon pulled her into his arms. “They were fools.” He couched his lips to hers.

The comfort of the kiss raised the desire simmering inside. His mouth made promises. Slowly the desire to experience a shattering climax again filled her. She drew back. “Come with me.” She rose. He embraced her. She felt his erection against her belly. “Upstairs.”

“I’d like that.”

With arms around each other’s waists they climbed the stairs. Dana’s body tingled with excitement. When they reached the bedroom she turned into Simon’s embrace. Their mouths met. She slid her tongue over his lips and explored. He caressed her rear sending tendrils of fire spiraling to her core.

She stepped back and pulled her shirt over her head and skimmed out of her jeans. Simon stripped as quickly as she did. He set a condom packet on the bedside stand and held her hand was they walked to the bed.

For the first time, Dana saw his back. She stared at the small irregular white patches. She ran a finger over one. “What happened?”

Simon shuddered. “Randy and Patricia.”

“What did they do?”

“A week after I came to live there she held me down. He dripped hot candle wax on my back.”

“Why?”

“So I wouldn’t be perfect. Only Grantlans and their chosen friends were perfect.”

She kissed each scarred area. No wonder he disliked his cousins. “Did you tell anyone?”

“Not a good idea in that house. I learned how to fight. Within a year, other than verbally, they ignored me.” He stroked her face. “Matt’s father taught me to box and some judo. Those lessons came in handy many times.”

Dana pressed her face against his chest. The enormity of her marriage to Randy brought a realization. How badly that news must have hurt him. She stroked his chest. When his nipples tightened against her fingers she slid her hands over his belly. He sucked in a breath and his abs tightened. Her fingertips danced over the ribbed muscles to stroke his erection.

Simon groaned. “You’re killing me.”

“I’ve only begun. On the bed.”

“You taking charge?”

“Believe I am.” She stepped back and pointed to the bed.  He sat on the mattress and lowered his body. His erect penis caused her body to react. Moisture oozed from her channel. She moved onto the bed and massaged his feet. His groans of pleasure brought warmth flooding her body. She stroked his calves.

When she reached his thighs she bent and kissed the ragged scar. Her fingers brushed his inner thighs. She stroked the bush of hair surrounding his erection. He reached for her.

She shook her head. “Let me have my way with you.”

“Don’t torture me forever.”

Dana licked the head of his erection. Slowly she drew him into her moth. Simon’s groans turned into growls as she circled the length with her tongue.

She raised her body and reached for the condom. As she sheathed him her vulvae pulsed. She straddled his thighs, rose to her knees and bent to run her tongue over his lips. He sucked her tongue into his mouth. Dana’s body quickened. She grasped his erection and slowly took him inside.

When Simon’s fingers found her clit, she rocked. Arrows of fire shot through her body. She moved into a frantic pace. Simon continued his stimulation.

The roaring blaze became an inferno. Dana arched her back and soared. Her inner muscles tightened. Simon cried her name. An orgasm exploded through her and she collapsed on his chest.

He stroked her back. Aftershocks slowly ebbed. She raised her head and brushed his mouth with his. The light kisses soothed her. She lay with her hand on his chest and dozed.

The ringing of the phone woke her. Tension tightened her shoulder muscles. She reached for the receiver.

“Remember,” Simon said.

Dana nodded and lifted the receiver. Silence greeted her and lasted for what seemed to be long minutes. Then she heard a click.

“Five minutes,” Simon took the receiver from her. He hit several buttons until a number appeared on the screen. “Think we caught something. Monday I’ll check at the office.” He sat on the edge of the bed. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket. “I'd better call a cab.”

Dana pulled on a robe. “Don’t. Take my car.” She followed him downstairs and handed him the keys. “Come back for breakfast.”

“Are you sure? What if you need the car? What if Jenny gets sick or something.”

“I’ll call a cab.”

“You’ll call me. My number is in your cell directory.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “Until tomorrow.”

Dana stood at the door and watched him drive away. She closed the door. One day he wouldn’t leave.

Chapter
10

“Come for breakfast.” Simon woke with those words flowing in his thoughts. And stay forever. Those words were his and he hoped to hear Dana say them. He stretched and slid to the edge of the bed. What time had she meant? He hadn’t asked so he hurried through his morning routine. He had plans for today.

As he took the box containing the ruby ring he’d bought on a whim years ago, he grinned. At the time of the purchase he hadn’t remembered the gem was Dana’s birthstone. Should he give her the ring today? Would she accept his proposal? Maybe today was too soon but he wanted to know she and Jenny were his. He wanted the family he’d lost when he’d been ten.

He left the apartment, drove to the grocery store, bought a cooler, ice and a selection of beverages. Though beer was his preference for the picnic lunch he passed. Not with Jenny and Dana as passengers. They were the most important people in his life.

Outside he loaded the cooler and placed the container in the trunk. His cell vibrated. He hit answer and saw Matt’s number. “What’s up? Problems with the business? Do you want me to start today?”

“Not until tomorrow. Wanted to invite you to dinner unless you have plans.”

“I do. Dana and I are taking a picnic to the lake.”

“Is this serious?”

Simon drew a deep breath. “Hope so. There are some loose ends to tie off.”

“Her marriage to Randy?”

Simon closed the trunk. “A dead issue. Patricia has threatened to sue Dana for custody of Jenny. I have a phone message she left on Dana’s answering machine. Patricia says her father supports her. Then there are also hang-up calls waking Dana every night. I think Patricia’s making them.”

“When was the last call?”

“Around midnight. Dana kept the line open enough for the tracer to catch the number. I though Monday I’d run a check to see who.”

“These threats. Are you sure it’s not alcohol talking. Patricia’s behavior is a town scandal. Why would she want the baby?”

“Jenny is Randy’s biological child. Patricia says he left her everything he owned so she’s claiming the baby is one of his possessions.”

“Back up a bit. What’s with the biological remark?”

“In the divorce settlement Randy insisted on giving up any rights to any baby boy or girl. He denied he was the father. Dana agreed not to seek child support or put his name on the birth certificate.”

“So she can’t go for Social Security benefits,” Matt growled. “Trust a Grantlan to think of that.”

Simon opened the car door. “I doubt Dana cares. She wants nothing from them.”

“Tell her to be careful. Patricia isn’t glued tight.” He paused. “I’m on my way to the office. I’ll see if we caught anything.”

“Call me.” Simon hung up.

After pulling into the driveway at Dana’s house he walked to the door and rang the bell. When she answered the aromas of coffee, bacon and her made him smile. He brushed her mouth with his.

“Good timing,” she said.

He winked. “I’m starved.” He draped an arm around her shoulders and walked with her to the kitchen.

After eating cheese eggs and bacon, he carried the cooler to the car and returned for Jenny. Dana checked the fastenings on the infant seat and added the diaper bag and a quilt to the trunk.

The realtor waited to open the door of the house Dana wanted to re-visit. She carried Jenny in the sling while she and Simon walked through the house and the small apartment.

Dana turned to him. “This is the place.”

The realtor smiled. “Come on Monday and we’ll make the offer and start the paperwork.”

“And talk about my current house. When it sells I’ll pay off this one.”

“Will you give me an exclusive on yours?”

“For a month.” Dana turned to Simon. “Let’s go.” Once they reached the car she unfastened the carrier. “Do you think this is the right house?”

“Yes.” He pointed to the side yard next to the small apartment. “You could fence in that area. The windows would look into the yard.”

“You’re right. Now to find a contractor.”

“Let me ask Matt. Maybe the one who worked on the warehouse.”

“Would you ask?”

“Tomorrow.”

Dana fastened Jenny into the infant seat and settled beside Simon. They drove to the lake and found a parking space. Jenny cried.

“Find a shady place. I’ll feed her and then we’ll join you.”

Laden with two coolers and the quilt, Simon strode down the path through the trees. He found a spot beneath a large oak. As he spread the quilt his mind raced with possibilities. Would Dana let him adopt Jenny?

He set the cooler at the far edge of the quilt and sat with his back against the rough bark of the tree. A pair of sailboats skimmed across the water. Maybe he would buy one.

When Dana and Jenny arrived he rose and lifted the infant into his arms. He placed her on the quilt.

“Are you excited about tomorrow?” Dana asked.

“Yah. Matt says we’ll soon be busy. I want to interview and work with men who can become guards. They’ll need to learn what I did. Probably start with two or three.”

“Where will you train them?”

“At the warehouse. Most of the bottom floor is set up for that reason.”

“That’s good.”

“When you’re settled in your new house, we’ll install a security system.”

“Why?”

“So I can practice what I learned and because you’ll be working from your home.”

She rose and fitted Jenny into the carrier. “Let’s walk before we eat. It’s been years since I’ve been here.”

“Too plebian for my cousin?”

“Actually he came here to sail and drink. I didn’t trust him enough to come with him.”

For nearly an hour they strolled along the lake shore. Occasionally they encountered people Dana knew and some he remembered.

Simon grinned. The warmth he felt each time she made him known to people she knew brought a realization he could become part of her family.

When they returned to the quilt, Dana opened the coolers. Simon popped the cap on an iced tea and drained half the bottle. They feasted on chicken, potato and three bean salad and sliced strawberries.

He sprawled on the quilt with his arms beneath his head. “If you keep feeding me this way I’ll soon be unable to work.”

Dana winked. “We’ll definitely work on calorie control this evening.”

He turned on his side. “That’s an offer I won’t refuse.” He slid his hand into his pocket. Was this the right time to ask?

Dana pulled Jenny into her arms. “No.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Patricia is headed this way.”

Simon sat and slid his arm around Dana. “I’ll handle her.”

His cousin halted in front of the quilt. “What are you doing here?”

“Picnicking,” Simon said.

“You’re not wanted in Fern Lake. Go back to your cop job in the city.” She turned to Dana. “Give me the child. I want it.”

“You won’t have her,” Dana said.

Simon eased to his feet. “Go home, Patricia. You have no right or reason to harass Dana.”

Patricia’s lips formed a sneer. “The kid is Randy’s. He left me his possessions. She’s one.”

Dana rose and stepped to Simon’s side. “He didn’t want her. Even if she’d been a boy, he didn’t want any child of mine. Check the divorce settlement and see what I mean. His name isn’t on the birth certificate. She’s Jennifer Alexa Collins.” Dana gathered the remains of the picnic.

Simon grasped Patricia’s arm. He smelled the alcohol on her breath. “Go home and sober up. You’re only hurting yourself.”

Jenny cried.

Patricia turned. “You’re hurting her. I know you are,”

“Not me, you,” Dana said. “You frighten me and she senses my fear.” She stepped toward Patricia. “She’s also has a dirty diaper. Would you like to change her?”

Patricia backed away and staggered toward the path.

Dana pulled out her phone. “I’m going to call the police unless you plan to drive her. She’s drunk.”

Simon plucked the phone from her hand. “Doing that will cause you trouble.”

“I don’t care. She’s a danger to everyone.”

Fifteen minutes after Patricia zoomed away, Simon’s phone vibrated. He pulled it from his pocket. Matt’s voice boomed in his ear. “You did. Who? Are you sure?” He disconnected. “I have to leave.”

“Why? Who was that?”

He shook his head. “Stay here. This won’t take long.”

Dana grabbed the car keys from the blanket. “Not without me.”

Simon groaned. “Please stay here.”

“Your problems are mine. You’ll dash off and be gone forever. I have the keys. It’s my car and I’ll drive. You’re not running away again.”

Simon’s shoulders slumped. The identification of the caller had taken him by surprise. This had to be cleared today. “Fine.”

* * *

Dana fastened Jenny into the car seat. She turned to see Simon glower.

“The keys,” he said.

She shook her head. “Unless you tell me what that call was about I’m driving home and you’ll need to call a cab to take you to where you want to go.”

His hands clenched so tightly his knuckles whitened. “Matt traced the hang-up call.”

“Good. Then we have enough evidence for me to get a restraining order against Patricia.”

"Maybe.” His shoulders slumped. “I need to go to the Grantlan’s mansion.”

“All right. Get in. I’ll drive.” Whatever he’d learned she needed to know. Jenny was her daughter. She was the one who had received those nightly calls. “You can’t protect Jenny and me by keeping me in the dark.”

Simon
growled. “You could be right.”

She started the car. Could be right. Impossible man. She’d been in charge of her life since her parents’ death. The phone calls had upset her but they’d stopped and she’d been able to rest at night. Only when Simon returned had they begun again. Her hands tightened on the wheel. Was he the caller?

The momentary fear vanished. Not possible. He’d been in her bed when the last call had disturbed her rest. Had to have been Patricia. Why wouldn’t he tell her?’

Fifteen minutes later they turned onto the street where the mansion stood. Dana stared. What was going on? Wails and screams filled the air. Simon bolted from the car the moment she pulled against the curb.

Dana fastened Jenny into her sling and followed into the chaotic scene. Patricia’s red sports car with a crumpled hood touched the shattered rear end of a dark sedan.

Dana shook her head.
Dana followed Simon through the gate and studied the scene.

Patricia sat on the ground holding her forehead. Blood dripped from a slice on her forehead. Mr. Grantlan lay on the ground. Was he dead? His moan answered that question.

Dana opened the diaper bag and pulled out the wipes. “Simon, there’s a first aid kit in the trunk.” She tossed him the keys.

May knelt beside Robert. Her wails were loud and angry.

“Lean back,” Dana said to Patricia. “I’ll clean your forehead first.”

“Why?”

“You’re hurt. Head wounds always bleed a lot.” She took a wipe from the container and wiped the blood away. “You’ll need stitches. Did someone call for an ambulance?”

“I did,” Simon said.

May rose from her husband’s side. “You can’t do that. Robert forbid any calls.”

“Too late. Ambulance and the police are on the way.”

“What?” Robert Grantlan roared.

Simon stood over the man. “Your daughter is bent on destroying herself. Patricia has threatened to take Dana’s baby. Your wife makes calls to Dana late at night and hangs up.”

Dana placed a dressing on Patricia’s forehead. A wailing siren sounded in the distance. Dana walked to May. “Why would you make those calls?”

“Simon would never do the right thing if he wasn’t worried you and the baby were in danger. Jenny is my grandchild. I don’t want you leaving town so I can never see her. I think it would be better if we raised her. Patricia was right about something.”

Robert Grantlan scowled. “If you want another mongrel I’ll get her for you.”

Simon shook his head. “Your family will leave Dana alone. If not there will be consequences.” The ambulance neared. Simon took Dana’s hand. “Let’s go home.”

“Not yet.” Dana stood with her hands around Jenny. “She is my child. Your son wanted no parts of her. If you don’t stop all this badgering I will file charges against Patricia and May. May, I have and would let you see Jenny any time you wanted. Leave us alone. You’ve all lost your chances.”

“I’ll back her up,” Simon said.

Dana halted at the ambulance to tell the EMT what she had done. "Her arm may be broken. There wasn’t time to check Mr. Grantlan. Oh, you may need to do a blood alcohol on Patricia.” She placed Jenny in the car seat.