Rescue for the Carer

  Rescue for the Carer

  Jeri K Raine

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Epilogue

  Chapter 1

  Christian

  Mimi is the last of the kids, waiting to be picked up from the Lil’ Blossoms Day Nursery. Pretty in her tired little cornflower blue dress, she’s hunched on the porch with her knees pulled up, trying not to take up space. Breaks my heart.

  * * *

  I’m here strictly as security. Mimi finds the candy I left for her on the step. She doesn’t look up to me, like I don’t look over at her.

  * * *

  They’re all special kids, but I get the sense that this one deserves a little extra protection. That’s in no way connected with the heavenly curves of the woman I look forward to watching whenever she comes to pick little Mimi up, several times a week. She’s Jessica Fincher, the named carer today. For me the sun came out, just seeing her name on the Named Carer list and knowing I might see her.

  * * *

  Mimi sees the big, hulking guy lumbering up the hill this way when he’s half a block away. She recoils, sliding as far back on the step as she can. Making herself small. I hate to see that. I can see that she wants to dash back into the nursery. Of course, it’s closed and she can’t, poor kid. She looks like she’s in distress.

  * * *

  I move away from the steps and straight down the path to the little gate, checking back with a look to Mimi. I raise eyebrows. Widen my eyes. Show her a comic face. Make her feel like it’s all okay.

  * * *

  The guy barrels straight toward me. Like I’m going to just step aside for him. I’m giving him twenty pounds or so. He’s hunched, leaning his heavy brow forward with a surly scowl He’s projecting angry, determined. Over-muscled in the shoulders, over-built in the upper-body. Classic gym rat, a diet of ‘roids, hormones and protein drinks.

  * * *

  Instinct tells me, that’s a whole list of good reasons not to let the asshole through.

  * * *

  When he reaches the perimeter of the property, I’m blocking his path. The fence is not that high, but he’s pretty heavy. He could clear the fence easy enough, but if he does, I can easily stop him. He’d have given me cause and he knows it.

  * * *

  He he doesn’t blink. Another bad sign. He just glares in my face. “You just get out of my fucking way. Let me pick up my little girl.”

  * * *

  Quietly and evenly I tell him, “Friend, I don’t know who you are.”

  * * *

  “I’m Mimi’s ever loving dad, that’s who I am. Now, are you going to get out of my way?”

  * * *

  “Mimi is listed to be picked up by a named individual who is very definitely not you. I’ll wait for that person to arrive.”

  * * *

  “You better back down, boy. You don’t know what you’re dealing with.”

  * * *

  I stay relaxed in front of him. That type, the fanatical workout junkie, they’re horribly strong, but slow. This one seems dull in mind and body, but I can’t take a risk to underestimate him. If he landed one of those fists, it would be like being hit by a truck.

  * * *

  His weight is forward on his right foot, and he’s coming up a slope. He’ll lead with his left hand and I can see him getting ready. My worry is, if he makes a move, my best defense is to duck and go in under his arms.

  * * *

  If he’s sharp, that would give him an opening to go straight over me. Then he could get to Mimi. I don’t think he’s any kind of smart, but I can’t take a chance. If I have to attack his face, it would be a labor of love, but a long, hard slog.

  * * *

  He’s got enough bone in his face to make a piano and the front of his head bulges like a rock face.

  * * *

  His exposure is the spot under his ear. One sharp jab and he’d sleep like a baby, but I could get a few of my own bones broken on the way to get there.

  * * *

  In theater, there would be plenty I could do, but these are civilian streets and I don’t particularly want to maim the asshole.

  * * *

  From the corner of my eye, Jessica Fincher is running up the street. She’s bounding like a little bunny, hard enough to get herself out of breath. The sight of her, panting, glowing, could almost make me lose my concentration. Damn, I could lose my whole self in her. Each time I see her, I’m expecting her and looking forward to seeing her, and then she’s even more ripe and sexy than I remembered.

  * * *

  About ten feet back from the big guy, she stops and looks at me. “I am–I’m here to collect Mimi.”

  * * *

  “I recognize you, Ma’am.” I look in her eyes. She has a beautiful, innocent look. She and Mimi, they have similar eyes. They could be mom and daughter, but I don’t think they are. Her harassed frown makes me want to protect her more than ever.

  * * *

  I want to know what the score is with the ugly ass standing in front of me. The guy is preparing to make a push on my shoulder. Yeah, fella. You just do that. It would be a lot of fun to plant a fist in the middle of that face.

  * * *

  He tells Jessica, “I’m here to collect Mimi, little sis, you better just stay out of the fucking way.”

  * * *

  I hold up a hand. “Language,” I say. Then, “This guy claims that he is Mimi’s father.”

  * * *

  She scowls at him. “Jake, you can be violated for just being here. You were in the courthouse when Tandi took out the restraining order. You’re not allowed within a hundred yards of Mimi and you know it.”

  * * *

  I straighten up.

  * * *

  I tell him, “I’m going to have to ask you to leave, now.”

  * * *

  “Oh, is that right?” He shoves me with the heel of his hand on my shoulder.

  * * *

  I don’t say it, but I’m thinking it. ‘Thanks for the opportunity, bud.’

  * * *

  I drive a hard, straight arm punch, square into his nose. Real fast. As his head tips back, I wind my arm back, cocked and ready to slam another one into his chin.

  * * *

  He stumbles back down the incline. His arms windmill and while he tries to recover his balance, he’s winding himself up for a run at me. I’m thinking, Yeah. Come on, asshole.

  * * *

  He runs at me, hauling all that weight up a slope. I take my time. I wait until he’s on me before I fire off an upper cut. It slams clean and hard under his jaw. I follow through and he arcs back. Lands with his head making two bounces on the cement.

  * * *

  I step forward, outside the gate but still covering the entrance. With a breezy smile I tell him, “Sorry about that, friend. You okay?”

  * * *

  Scrambling up onto his elbows he snarls but I don’t think he’s coming back for more.

  * * *

  He doesn’t take my offer of a hand to assist him up.

  * * *

  Still with the smile, I tell him, “You shouldn’t have shoved me. Feel free to do it again, though.”

  * * *

  The smile in Jessica’s eyes is worth every moment of this so far. She’s holding back a laugh. The jiggle in her t
its would be worth barrels of gold.

  * * *

  I tell the asshole, “If what the lady says is true, and there’s a restraining order, I have to call the police. I will give you twenty seconds before I do that, though.”

  * * *

  “No need,” Jessica tells me, “I’m calling them now.” She’s holding her phone to her ear. She says, “Jake, you know I have a copy of the order with me. I take it everywhere. You don’t want to be here when the police arrive.”

  * * *

  As Jake scrambles to his feet, I notice Jessica scuttles back several steps, real fast. Like its instinct. Mimi is behind the railing on the porch. I moved closer to him. I don’t like guys who make women and little girls afraid.

  * * *

  He sneers, “How fast you think they can come, little sis?”

  * * *

  I ask him nicely, “Would you like them to find you conscious or unconscious?”

  * * *

  “Man, you really do want to get yourself a beating. I’ll find you later. Don’t worry. I’ll give you what you need.”

  * * *

  As he turns to shamble away, he makes a lunge at Jessica. It’s obviously just a jump to make her scared. And it has that effect. Accidentally, I stick a foot between his legs. He stumbles. Then he turns, real slow.

  * * *

  “Man, I am so looking forward to our next meeting.”

  * * *

  He leaves, making it obvious he is in no hurry.

  * * *

  “If he sees or hears the police coming, he’ll pick up his pace fast enough.” I tell her.

  * * *

  “Thank you.” She says, looking up into my face. “You din’t have to do that.”

  * * *

  “All part of the service, Ma’am.” I give her smile, make a gesture like a cowboy tipping his hat. She lets out a little laugh.

  * * *

  She says, “He’s an ass but does tend to mean what he says, you know?”

  * * *

  “I very much look forward to a rematch.”

  * * *

  “Jake isn’t brave, though. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gathered a little posse to help him out.”

  * * *

  “If they’re anything like him, it would be a posse of pussies.” Then I quickly add, “Sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. Dealing with a guy like him…” I’m yammering, “Not what I expect at the Lil’ Blossoms.”

  * * *

  “I get it,” she touches my forearm. As the cool tips of her fingers land on my bare skin, a bolt like electricity shoots through my body. “Thank you.”

  Chapter 2

  Jessica

  I hate violence. I hate the idea of it. But I loved watching Christian demolish Jake. It felt like justice. I would strip and climb his body now if I thought it would do me any good. What I wouldn’t give to be wrapped around that hard body.

  * * *

  He’s tall, dark, broad, and hot, like he could have stepped out of an action movie. He gives me an ‘Aw, shucks’ smile and my panties are drenched. I sigh, wishing I could have a man like him in my life. Or a man even half as good as him.

  * * *

  He says, “It’s nothing. Mimi’s a lovely kid.”

  * * *

  I feel like I should take that as a compliment, but she’s not mine. I want to explain it all to him, but I have to go. I’m late. Like I’ve been late everywhere today.

  * * *

  “I’m sorry,” I say, “And it’s my fault it happened,” Mimi has run down to grip my hand in both of hers, and she’s beaming up at my new hero. “If I hadn’t been late, we’d have gone before he got here.”

  * * *

  I’m late too often. Getting away from the restaurant on time at the end of my shift is always hard. Gordo the chef always dumps tasks on me at the last minute. I’ve told him over and over that I have to collect Mimi, but he knows I can’t afford to lose that job. Worst thing about it is, the shifts don’t leave me time to find another job.

  * * *

  “Christian,” he holds out a hand. I’m not sure if it’s a question but then he says, “That’s my name. I’m happy I was here to help.”

  * * *

  I take his hand all too fast. When his hand closes around my fingers, a sensation of power and security washes through me like a splash of liquid electricity. My knees shake. I want to stay. But I have to go.

  * * *

  He moves with the grace of the dancer and the power of a fighter. He has a hunter’s eyes.

  * * *

  “Jessica,” I tell him. I think Mimi wants to stay because she holds back as I say, “Sorry,” and turn to go. I add, “Thank you again,” as we leave but it feels like it’s not nearly enough.

  * * *

  He calls after me, “Call me Daddy. And call me anytime.”

  * * *

  My stomach plummets and I feel like I’m going to implode. I’m jangling inside as we get in the car.

  * * *

  Mimi tells me, “Christian’s always nice to me,” looking back over her seat as I head out into the traffic. In the mirror I see him watching us go and I feel like it’s raining inside me.

  “That asshole.”

  * * *

  My sister’s voice on the phone competes with loud, hard shouts and clattering echoes. “He knows there’s a restraining order. He was in the damn court room.”

  * * *

  “It doesn’t mean anything to him, Tandi,” I can’t say a thing to calm my sister down. Not where she is. Especially not on the phone. I try to change the subject, or at least shift it a little.

  * * *

  “You should have seen the guy, Tandi. I’m telling you, your panties would have melted right off. Mine would have they hadn’t been stuck to me and bunched up, drenched. I had to change the moment I got home.”

  * * *

  “He sounds like a dish. You give him your number?”

  * * *

  A hollow laugh broke out of me, “A guy like him? I don’t think he needs the number for a dumpling like me.”

  * * *

  “Sis, you are way, way too hard on yourself. First off, you ain’t no dumpling. You may have some handfuls of dough, but they’re all in places that the guys will kill for. Second, any guy that doesn’t see the gold in your smile and in your heart, well he would have to be what doctors call an idiot.”

  * * *

  I’m laughing. Mimi looks up from her book, smiling.

  * * *

  I tell Tandi, “It just happened again, you know. Mimi’s little phone beeped with a text or a PM or whatever, she just silenced it and went back to her book. All the other kids, their phone lights up, it’s like somebody pulled their string and they dance to it. Even at her age, Mimi knows what she’s about.”

  * * *

  “Jessica, I can never repay you for taking care of her like you do. I swear, if it weren’t for you.”

  * * *

  “Sis, don’t. You know that I love her almost as much as you do.”

  * * *

  “But your studies…”

  * * *

  “I’ll be able to go back to them,” I try to reassure her. Sound like I believe it. “There will be time. Of all the things you need to worry about, you do not need to be worrying about me.”

  * * *

  Mimi is still watching me. Then, still smiling, she goes back to her book.

  * * *

  When I say, “I’ve told her I’ll bring her to see you on the weekend,” she looks back up quickly and she kicks her legs as her smile widens.

  * * *