A Love for all Ages (Crockett County Trilogy Book 1) (15 page)

Turning her head Stephanie kisses Chase’s palm.
“Better,
thanks.”
She slides her arms around his waist.
Stephanie lays her
head on his chest; his heartbeat is steady in her ear.
“Did you
make your phone call?”

Chase wraps his arms around her, resting his chin on the top
of her head, he closes his eyes.
Counting to ten before he speaks,
“Yes, I spoke with Detective Rogers and he will be here in a couple
of days.
I think we should talk.”

The tone of Chase’s voice has Stephanie pulling back; looking
up in his eyes, she sees concern, “What did you find out?”
Sliding his hands down her arms Chase takes her hands in
his, stepping back a little, “Let’s go to the kitchen, I really need a cup
of coffee.”
Releasing one of her hands they walk to the kitchen.
Chase brings the hand he is still holding to his lips, after a brief
caress he releases it.
Moving to the counter Chase sees Stephanie’s mug sitting by
the coffee pot; he opens the cabinet selecting a mug for him.
Fixing his coffee Chase braces mentally for Stephanie’s reaction to
the investigation; turning around he sees she has moved to sit at the
table.
Picking up her mug Chase walks over to the table handing it
to her.
Sitting down across from Stephanie, Chase takes a sip of
his coffee, the hot liquid burn his mouth making him grimace.
Taking a deep breath Chase releases it, then begins, “Before I
start I want you to promise me you will not interrupt until I have
finished.” Stephanie nods in agreement. “Detective Rogers
called me, I had to tell him some of what has happened here,
otherwise he would have thought I was just a nosy county cop.”
She nods again.
“He asked me if I thought you knew more than
what you were telling the Orlando Police about your brother’s
accident.”
Stephanie opens her mouth but closes it again when he
holds up his hand.
“I informed the Detective you were upset over
the death of your brother.
You and Mitch were close and you miss
him.
I told him it was my professional opinion you were not hiding
any information, you would cooperate with him to the best your
abilities.”
Chase reaches across the table laying his hand over
Stephanie’s right hand.
“I love Mitch.
We were more than
siblings. He was my best friend.” She raises her eyes and sees
Chase watching her.
“Sorry, I promised I would listen to you.”
“Honey, never apologize for loving your brother.”
He
lightly squeezes her fingers.
Deciding to get this over with Chase
blurts out, “I was told Mitch had heroin in his system the night he
died.” The shock on her face told her disbelief, her hurt.
He
holds tight to her hand as she tries to pull away.
“Honey, I want
you to listen.”
Shaking her head no, “I don’t believe you.
Mitch didn’t do
drugs; he helped people get off drugs at the clinic.
He was not
using, he would never do that.”
The distress and disbelief in her
voice had Chase hating having to tell her.
He knew she wouldn’t
like hearing it.
And to be truthful, he should have handled it
better.
Still holding her hand he tells her, “I know this is difficult for
you.”
He lowers his voice wanting them both to remain calm.
Pulling harder on her hand, “Difficult, this is not difficult.
It’s ludicrous.”
isn’t letting go.
understanding.
believe the lies about Mitch, so it doesn’t matter what he tells her.
She will listen but she won’t believe it.
Keeping eye contact Chase takes a deep breath then releases
it.
“I don’t believe Mitch was using drugs and I am not just saying
Stephanie stops tugging her hand, realizing Chase
Staring him in the eyes, she sees compassion and
“Go on, finish your story.”
She isn’t going to
that.
The Detective doesn’t believe it either.
We feel Mitch was
set up to look like a user, we believe Mitch was murdered.”
This time when she pulls on her hand, he allows it.
Sitting
across from her Chase feels her anguish.
“Baby, I know this seems
like a nightmare.
I also know I should have done a better job of
telling you.
I never want to cause you pain.”
He watches as
Stephanie rises from her chair.
She walks around the table moving
to stand by him.
Sliding his chair back from the table he moves to
rise; Stephanie places her hand on his shoulder, Chase remains
seated half expecting her to slap him.
Stephanie slides around the edge of the table sitting down
on his lap; laying her head on his shoulder as he slides his arms
around her, cradling her close.
Chase feels her body shake as she
cries.
Closing his eyes he feels helpless as his heart breaks for her
grief.
Chase gives her a few minutes than reaches across the table
for a napkin; handing it to her.
Stephanie sits up blowing her nose.
When she is done, she offers a shaky smile, “Thanks.”
Leaning
forward Stephanie kisses Chase on his cheek.
Laying her head back
on his shoulder she asks, “So why was Mitch murdered?”
Her
voice quivers as she speaks.
Holding her tight Chase closes his eyes; the feel of her in his
arms and her fragile state of mind, has the combination bringing out
his protectiveness.
He knows he has to be honest with her.
She
deserves to know it all, at least the all he knows.
“Detective
Rogers wants to ask you about that.
Get your opinion.
I told him
you wouldn’t know anything.
But he said even little things that
don’t seem important to you, may to him.
I know that, it’s just
different when it’s someone you….care about.”
The pause was
slight but spoke volumes; if she wasn’t so upset, she would realize
he had come close to telling her he was in love with her.
He didn’t
want to tell her now, not like this.
He wanted to do it when it was
right for her.
When she wasn’t so upset or stressed.
Snuggling closer to Chase; Stephanie asks, “Is this all related?
Mitch’s murder, my accident, the break-ins and Archie; are we all
connected?”
Rubbing her back Chase knows she is right about the
situations. He answers with just a simple, “Yes.”
He thinks about
how well Stephanie is taking the news, the situation gets more
complicated with each new bit of information yet she adjusts and
moves ahead.
He knows they have to solve each one of the
mysteries, until then Stephanie is still in danger.
Sitting on Chase’s lap; him holding her, Stephanie feels safe.
Smiling at the thought; she has always been the giver, the one
everyone else came to for assistance, whether it was helping with
physical labor or just a sympathetic ear.
However she is now on
the receiving side of needing help.
Stephanie admits to wanting
Chase to be the one to give it.
He is the only male, other than
Mitch to have ever seen her cry. She never wanted pity from
anyone; she had always considered tears a sign of weakness.
With
Chase she didn’t feel weak or less of a person, he made her feel
cherished.
Closing her eyes Stephanie inhales the scent of Chase, he
smells of the outdoors, a masculine mixture of unusual spices and
lush woods.
She will forever associate the aromas radiating from
Chase with confidence.
Chase is a man who takes charge and
helps those he can; in this instance he is helping her, Mitch and
Archibald.
She knows him well enough to realize he will do
everything he can to solve the crimes while keeping her safe.
The
calm she feels whenever she is near Chase overwhelms her.
Having never experienced these feelings before, Stephanie discovers
she likes being taken care of, at least for now.
She can concede
Chase is an expert in his field; however he is smart enough to ask for
help when he feels the situation warrants it.
Therefore, if he can
ask and receive help, she can too.
Chase sits holding Stephanie; he loves the fragrance that is
her.
She smells of spring flowers with a soft hint of vanilla.
The
combination of the scents combined with her natural essence
makes for a blowing effect.
Rubbing her back he feels how tiny
she is, again this brings out the protectiveness in him.
He knows
she has taken care of herself for years but he feels his life was
meant to be here with her now; to protect her, to help her, and
above all else to love her.
As a police officer he understands her
need to be strong but as the man that loves her, he just wants to
take the pain, the sorrow, and her terror away.
He yearns for her
smiles; the kind that shines bright in her eyes.
Realizing he has it
bad, Chase closes his eyes as he holds her, loving the way she feels
in his arms.
The vibration of his cell phone in her ear has Stephanie
straightening up fast.
Keeping one hand on her leg, Chase reaches
in his shirt pocket and pulls out the phone, seeing the number
displayed he answers the call, “Karen, what’s the news?”
Stephanie tries to rise up to give him space for his call but he
shakes his head no.
As he listens to Karen a frown draws his brows
lower. “I will come to the office tomorrow; can you have the reports
ready by 9:00? I don’t want to be away from here long.”
Satisfied with the response, he ends the call.
Placing the phone on
the table, Chase turns his attention back to Stephanie.
“I have to
go to the office in the morning, just for a few hours.
I have reports
to read and sign, they have to be submitted to headquarters.”
Smiling, Stephanie slides from his lap, turning she faces
Chase, “I know you have work, I will be fine.”
Not wanting him to
worry any more than he already will; she keeps her back straight
and her nervousness hidden.
“I will work on the book; I have
never missed a deadline.
Not going to allow this to be the first.”
Sitting down on the chair she vacated earlier, Stephanie
smiles at Chase.
Opting to think of something other than the
danger surrounding them, Stephanie reveals, “I have been reading
Della’s journal, she loved Archie, not a schoolgirl crush, but a once in
a lifetime love. And he loved her.” Leaning towards Chase she
whispers, “They got married.”
Stephanie giggles when his eyes
widen.
Chase leans closer to Stephanie whispering, “When? How?”
Keeping in the mood Stephanie looks around the room, than
responds in a softer tone, “Archie told me on the way back from the
pond.
They stood in the living room, in front of the fireplace and
said their vows.”
Sadness filled her eyes as she explained, “They
were married for forty-six years when Aunt Della passed away;
Uncle Archie was with her.”
Seeing the tears forming in her eyes, Chase lays his hand
over hers, “They had a special love, a love that most of us only
dream about and strive for.
Their love for each other is eternal.”
The smile on her lips is a welcome sight for him.
The sadness in her eyes diminishes upon hearing his words.
Moving back on her chair, she continues, “As I read the journal, I
find myself believing in love again.
Believing in the forever lasting
kind of love usually only found in movies and sappy love stories.”
Keeping eye contact, Chase replies, “True love is never
sappy, the true love we strive for is a miracle that we must allow to
grow and nurture.”
Recognizing the implications of his words, he
smiles wanting to lighten the mood, “We need to clean the kitchen
then I need to go take a cold shower so I can get some sleep.
We
both have work in the morning.”
The slow smile spreading on her lips has him grinning as
she grasps the cold shower reference.
“Poor Chase.”
Stephanie
tries to sound sympatric however a giggle escapes. Hearing the
playful growl coming from Chase’s throat; Stephanie squeals as she
jumps up running to stand behind the counter.
“I am sorry Chase, I
won’t laugh again.”
Covering her mouth with both hands, she
struggles to hide the laughter bubbling inside her.
Chase standing up begins to slowly walk towards her,
keeping his eyes on her face, he moves around the counter.
Her
eyes are wide but she isn’t moving away, she remains motionless
except the laughter he can hear behind her hands.
“You are a
mean woman.”
Quickly he flips the water faucet on, grabbing the
sprayer he douses Stephanie drenching the front of her shirt before
she comprehends what he intended.
Screaming Stephanie turns to run as Chase drops the sprayer
catching her by the waist.
Pulling her close he kisses her soft lips.
Releasing her, “Now you know how I feel, go now and take a hot
bath.
I will clean the kitchen then join you upstairs.”
He turns
her towards the door, as he speaks.
Walking upstairs Stephanie accepts Chase is her true love.
Chapter 5

Having been sharing a bed with Stephanie for several nights
Chase finally has the item needed to completely make love with
Stephanie.
Thinking about the drive to Darrin County, as he knew
better than to go to Wilson Drug store, he had felt like a teenager
again sneaking to buy the box of condoms. He had felt silly driving
out of county but knew if he had purchased the condoms locally
everyone in town would know what he was planning.

Standing in their bedroom since he had moved his stuff in
here the first night; she had made room for him to unpack his
clothes and for his personal items in the adjoining bathroom.
Thinking about that night he smiles as he remembers her asking him
downstairs if he still wanted to get the spare room ready or if he
would like to share her room.
She had asked in a rush, with a
beautiful blush.
He had been trying to figure a way to suggest that
most of the past hour, relieved he readily said yes to her offer.

At bedtime Chase had changed into a pair of comfy gym
shorts he had for years, he gotten them when he played basketball
for the police academy league.
Stephanie had changed into a knee
length night shirt with a yellow bird on the front.
They had both
seemed awkward, until once in bed, she had snuggled up against
him in the same spoon position as when they had taken their nap
earlier.
peaches.
to keep it from tangling.
Chase figured she did this regularly as she
completed the task quickly.