BEN

Tracy had the dog in her arms, refusing to relinquish it. Samantha was down. One of them must have caught her off guard.

“Fuck,” I hissed under my breath. “Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!”

Now I had to save both Tracy AND the damn dog!

My backup was a good cop, Bill Oppenheimer. Op was in an unmarked car not far away and obviously saw Tracy enter the house and me rush around the side. Peeking around, I spied his face edging from the far corner and nodded.

I quickly scanned the situation. Samantha was sitting up, rocking and holding her bleeding head, shouting more curse words than I’ve heard in a row from a woman in a long fucking time. Then a burly man approached Tracy, shouting that she hand over the dog.

I have no idea how this was all gonna look in a report. Maybe I was just pumped up, doin’ what I’m used to doin’, or maybe I was just too close to the situation with Tracy right in the middle of all the shit. Instinctively I stepped out of the shadows and aimed for the bastard closing in on my wife.

“Police! Back off!” shouted Op.

The man swung and cracked Tracy across the face, knocking her to the ground as the dog raced for safety and one of the other men ran after it. Me? I pulled the fucking trigger, got the big fucker who hit my wife right in the back, just below the shoulder blade. Took a lot for me not to just kill the bastard. He fell like a rock and Op moved in to detain the others. The woman ran off, leaping the fence awkwardly and disappearing in the darkness.

“Don’t worry about her,” shouted Samantha. “We know who she is, we’ll get her sorry ass! Jesus!” She dropped to her back in the grass. “Fuck!”

Tracy shook her head clear and crawled to Samantha. “Oh! Oh God! Sam! You okay? Get an ambulance!” She screamed over and over. “Get an ambulance!”

Trying to comfort my wife, I looked down at Samantha. “How bad?”

“Just grazed I think, Sheriff.”

I called for medical assistance and a paddy wagon then tried to hold Tracy even closer. She wouldn’t allow it, scurrying back away from me, terror in her eyes.

“Darlin’ it’s over. You’re fine. Hush now.”

“Oh God, Ben! I’m so sorry!” she sobbed, tears streaking down her face as the sound of sirens came closer. “I wasn’t thinking anyone would get hurt. I was so afraid for that little dog! I’m so sorry!”

Sometimes a man’s just gotta do what he’s gotta do. I groaned to my feet, located the little fuzz ball, StuntDog, cowering in the fenced corner of the large yard and carried back. “Here sweetheart. StuntDog might be a little nervous, but he’s all yours.”

You’da thought I gave her a million bucks.

I guess it ain’t such a bad thing letting your wife have a dog, although in my day, dogs were heartier than this piece of fluff and yip. Gotta hand it to him though, StuntDog sure earned himself a commendation for his part in the bust.

“Oh,” Tracy sniffled. “I think I’ll call him Pierre LaFluff!”

SAMANTHA

I hate hospitals. I guess it’s the smell more than anything. I can handle seeing others in pain and somehow compartmentalize it all into a nice little box, but the smell never leaves one’s memory. And the nurses – I’ve never seen a more cheerful bunch of individuals and by the time I was finished in the E.R. I was ready to strangle each and every last one of them.

The bullet had just grazed my temple and the E.R. doctor on call told me that I was lucky. If I’d been one millisecond slower in ducking down, the injury would have most certainly been fatal. As it is, I’ll have a nice little scar to remind me of my clumsiness, but the look in Jacob’s terrified eyes when he and his father met me in the emergency waiting room afterwards will stay with me forever.

“Samantha!”

Egan tried to hold him back but he moved too quickly and broke free of his grasp. I knelt down and caught him in my arms, holding him close and cooing soft words of comfort as sobs wracked his small body. I glanced up at Egan and although his face was creased with worry he managed to give me a wink and a lopsided smile.

“I told ya she’d be okay.” He knelt down beside me and took us both into his arms. “He’s been beside himself with worry. We both have.”

Jacob pulled away and looked into my eyes, his hand reaching up to touch my cheek. “I was afraid that you got killed.”

I was so overcome with guilt that it almost hurt to breathe. I cupped my hand behind the back of his neck and kissed the tip of his nose. “I’m fine, little colt. We caught the bad guys.”

The three of us held hands as we left the hospital. Egan was even more quiet than usual during the drive back to his house; Jacob snuggled in close as I wrapped my arm around his shoulders, his hand holding tightly onto mine. My head hurt despite the painkillers I’d been given, although I wasn’t entirely sure that it was just from my injury.

I’ve always understood that my line of work would put me into danger; it’s a fact of life with any position of law enforcement. And although Egan has never pressed me into making a choice between him and my career, tonight I suddenly realized that Jacob’s reaction isn’t something that I can ignore. I glanced over at Egan and felt the weight of my future pressing down on me, what needed to needed to be done. My heart ached with the knowledge of how all three of our lives would be affected.

As we pulled into Egan’s driveway I reached over and placed my hand on his arm. “After we put Jacob to bed, I think you and I need to have a long talk.”

His expression hardened for a brief moment, but then he simply nodded before turning off the truck’s engine and getting out.

JOHN

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Damn if I’m not looking over my shoulder for some new disaster all the time. It seems I’m never really enjoying anything these days!

First of all, I’m a man on the edge. Any husband with a wife so close to delivery knows exactly what I’m talking about. Riley’s a bundle of contradictions these days. Now she’s saying she wants to have a party. Yeah, right. The last thing I want to see is her rushing around cleaning and cooking for a crowd. But do I say anything? Hell no. I ain’t stupid, I’ve been to this rodeo before. In ten minutes she won’t want a party. Best to just wait things out.

It’s not bad enough that I have a hormonal wife about to pop, I also have a distraught sister-in-law-to-be in the house. Eva has been great, really. Helping with Riley and trying to be part of our life, but in her quiet moments she’s so sad and worried for Terry and her brother, I just don’t know what to do for her to make her feel better. Truth? I’m kinda worried too. Every time Terry goes out in the field we all worry, especially since his injury. But, Terry’s a grown man, he knows his limitations. We’re all gonna have to trust in that.

Then … there’s Cal. Fuck, I don’t trust that dude. I mean really, to just leave a note and say he’ll be gone for a while is pretty suspicious. Granted, Riley is right, I have been watching over him a bit much, but hell, I’ve been stuck in the Portal and it ain’t pretty. Trust me, it’s the last thing Cal wants, especially with that heart pounding scene in the underground parking garage. Although intellectually I know he gets my drift, I can’t help but wonder if he’s inviting trouble and thinking his way back into his Portal. Trust me, I’d feel a lot better if he was here at the Inn where I can see him. Fucking with the Portals can be dangerous to us all, dammit!

“What I’m thinking about is like a ladies thing, an all girls get together, you know,” Riley says.

Damn! She still wants to have a party? “Uh-huh,” I say and flip the newspaper to the sports page.

EVA

There is a joy to having a caring family to carry you through a rough time, but I am unused to such kindnesses, and this family is as yet not mine. It is Terry’s. I’m grateful for the distractions. Riley is entertaining, if not a bit manic in her emotions. She’s gone far to make me feel comfortable and welcome, but there is something more I need. Something deeper … something … alone.

Every afternoon I walk the grounds. The Inn is a beautiful place and autumn only accentuates that beauty, calling ones attention from the mundane to the extraordinary … an eagle soaring above, the passing of a pristine white cloud, the reflection of brilliant leaves in the glass-like pond surface.

I sat on the bend to ponder those things, let them soothe the pain and worry in my heart.

“You are well?” came a distinctly male voice and I turned. Antony, one of the strange brothers from another time and another world joined me on the bench.

“I am well, and you?” I said, hoping he would move on with his duties and leave me to my moments of peace.

“Yes, yes. I have something for you.” He shuffled and finally retrieved a small item from his hip pocket. It was warm as he set it into my palm, a strange form of a woman, the details soft and worn, the stone unfamiliar but most likely not extremely valuable. “She is a goddess, Eva,” he said quietly as I fingered it. Was the warmth coming from its past residence inside his pocket … or was it coming from within. As though he’d heard my thoughts he chuckled.

“She’s always warm, that is how I know she is always within. You see,” he shuffled and turned to face me. “When I was a young soldier, that very goddess often saved my life. But she had done more than that. She has soothed my sorrows, calmed my fears. Given me hope when I believed there was no hope to have.”

“Oh,” I said, afraid to say more lest I find tears falling down my face. How lovely for him to offer me such a gift!

“I know you are afraid for Carlos and afraid for Terry, but you must trust that this hot little goddess is watching over them for you.”

“Antony,” I felt the first teardrop slide and chill the skin of my cheek. “I appreciate this more than you will ever know. And I assure you that when Carlos and Terry are home and safe, I will return this to you.”

He stood, shook his head. “No need. She is now meant to be yours.”

“Mine? How could you know such a thing?” I grinned, thinking that he was playing with me.

His face became very serious, his eyes glowed. “Because she has told me.”

Then he winked and walked away.

I held the little figure tight and prayed. I am Catholic, but I believe that God moves in many ways and speaks through many forms. If He had protected Antony so many centuries ago through this goddess, perhaps he will also protect Carlos and Terry.

NATALIE

Saturday morning breakfast in the Aubrey household, and for the first time in a long while I was content. Surrounded by family, everything was back like it should be … like it was before. It was if some magic eraser had been swiped and the events of the last few months had vanished from memory. Chelsea was chirping happily with Cheerios scattered across her high chair tray; Eddie practically gulping his food, eating as greedily as only a thirteen year old boy can; Jack and East discussing the stables and the plans for the day.

Yes, just like I wanted. Everything like it was. Yet … I glanced at the faces around my table as I played “airplane” with Chelsea, and noticed she was just about the only one smiling. Eddie, there was a furtiveness about his eyes, a hint of worry in his face. He started school a couple of weeks ago, and he seemed fine. He was happy to be with his friends and doesn’t seem to be struggling with the homework. But … I wonder. Maybe he’s not fitting in as well as I thought?

And then there’s Jack and East. East was always rather quiet, quick with a joke or a smile, but in a quiet way. Now, though, it’s like a stone wall has been built between him and everyone else. No smiles, no quick quips. Won’t meet my eyes. Breakfast is just another business meeting. Quick bite to eat, a little discussion, then he’s on his way.

Jack, on the other hand, has never been a quiet soul. He laughs loud, his voice booms. He lives hard, plays hard and everyone’s his friend. But now he’s guarded. Still the commander as he and East discuss business. But several times I catch him watching. Just watching. Eyes narrowed, mouth tense. Waiting for any sort of hint that things are amiss. He’d never been particularly jealous before. But, I’d never given him reason to be before.

My heart sinks and I realize there is no magic eraser and what happened, happened. And I wonder if it’s all going to work out or if the wounds are too deep. But, there’s no going back, and I can only move forward and hopefully the wounds will heal.

RILEY
 
T minus 30 days. It seems a milestone to celebrate but John’s not interested in celebrating. Sometimes he’s such a putz. I want a party. A really cool, really girly, silly party. Not lingerie or anything like that, after all, both me and Jessie are wide loads right now. Not a male stripper party. I mean really, all I’ll have to do is come home an attack John … he’ll get suspicious and all worried … and I’ll have a lot of explaining to do. Not that I think he’d mind if I had a male stripper party. Not like I haven’t seen other men naked … many of whom I still see almost every day. It’s just well, nowadays I’m just a little too tired for sex or sexual stimulation. Soon we’ll be off limits anyway.

Damn. I miss sex. I miss John. I miss seeing my feet. Sigh.

Where was I? Oh yes, party. I thinking something genteel and sweet. Everyone wears a big hat and gloves, you know? Tea sandwiches, neat little petite fours. Something like that.

No … no … maybe what I want is one of those chic flic parties! Pizza and good movies, the old kind in black and white. A Here’s lookin’ at you, kid kinda afternoon where we can sigh at the manly men and gush over the elegant dresses the women wear.

Oh … oh … I know! I always wanted to have one of those pamper parties! You know the kind, where you get a facial and massaged, where you meditate and  … nah …

It’s football season. Maybe I should have a woman’s football party? But who would watch the game? And nachos give me heartburn.

The male stripper party is looking more interesting, especially if there’s a football game playing in the background and we’re all wearing big hats and gloves?

What am I? Ten years old? What’s with the big hats anyway? And I hate tea. I hate football. I can’t get a back massage because new baby Biebe is in the way. Last time I got a facial I broke out.

Sigh.

“John?” I rolled over and woke him from a sound sleep.

“What? What? Everything okay?”

“Of course everything’s okay, silly. I just wanted you to know I still find you very sexy … and I don’t want to have a party. Oh, and never buy me a big hat. Goodnight.”

Huh. I figured he’d go back to sleep but he got up and went out to watch television. Way to be supportive, Biebe. Sheesh!

COLIN

Life runs at a slower pace here in Stowe and for some reason, I’m enjoying myself this time around. After spending so many months on the road in cheap motels, it’s nice to stay put for a spell. This is also the first autumn here where I’ve taken the time to notice the leaves changing color and mate, I haven’t regretted a moment. After all that’s happened this past year, I reckon it’s just time to sit back and take stock before charging back to life on the road.

The engine on the Barracuda is finished, but now the trannie needs rebuilding. Lachlan considered buying a new one, but I offered to stick around a bit longer and do the work myself. And why not? The team’s doing fine without me babysittin’ them 24/7. . Six weeks left to the circuit and then everyone home for the holidays before it’s back to the tracks and business as usual.

Vicky seems happy, and it feels good to know that I was right in bringing her out here. Jessie’s quite taken with her and the two of them get on like sisters. Life on the road is hard and lonely, and even though you build your own sense of family with your crew, it’s not quite the same as sticking in one place and hanging up your coat on the same peg every night. Earlier this week she mentioned the idea of getting’ her own flat and then this afternoon she headed off into town, asking me to wish her luck. When I asked what for, she just smiled and crossed her fingers before getting into the ‘Vette and driving away. When she came back a couple hours later she was lit up like a Christmas tree.

“You’ll never guess what I did!”

At first I thought she’d caught a bit of a nip down at Kennedy’s pub; her eyes were too sparkly and she was giggling like a school girl, but when she threw her arms around me for a hug, I realized her happiness had nothing to do with alcohol. I hugged her back and waited.

“I got a job!” She hugged me again and kissed my cheek. “That salon in town owned by the Sheriff’s wife – Tracie Wade? I went in and asked her if she still needed a stylist and she hired me on the spot. I start tomorrow!”

“Good onya, love. How’s about you lettin’ me take you out to dinner to celebrate?” This was good news. “Someplace fancy.”

She kissed my other cheek and slipped away just as I was about to give her another hug.

“Oooh, gourmet hamburgers with cloth napkins? You’re on!”

I watched as she ran up the steps to the house, most likely to share the good news with Jessie. I followed after her, still wanting to share in the excitement of the moment. Catching sight of my reflection in the front door window, I suddenly realized that it was time for a haircut … fancy that.