Val Muller

Chapter 31 of Remy’s story is by Deborah Dera. Deborah traditionally ghostwrites articles and stories but is in the process of finishing up her first eBook to be released on the Kindle platform later this year. Keep your eyes peeled.

 Next week’s chapter will come from Val Muller, author of the Corgi Capers mystery series for young detectives and For Whom My Heart Beats Eternal, a time travel trio. Find out more at valm16.sg-host.com.

The Spot Writers’ blogs appear at the end of this story. Don’t forget to check them out.

 

***

 

Chapter 31

 Remy immediately froze where she was, her eyes locked on Barbara.

Sam, ever ready to take control of a situation, started to speak. “Barbara, Remy had nothing to do with Jeremy’s arrest.” As he spoke, he took a step over to try to block Remy from Barbara’s view.

Barbara was crazed, eyes wide. She raised the gun to Sam’s chest and motioned for him to move aside. “Get out of my way and don’t move again.”

Sam slowly moved but only a half step. Barbara turned her gaze back to Remy, who was still standing near the entrance to the kitchen, feeling miles away from Sam.

“I don’t get it. I don’t get what he sees in you. I don’t know why my husband wants to hang out with trash like you.”

Remy struggled to hear Barbara’s words over the sound of her own heart in overdrive. The sight of Barbara waving a gun in front of the man she loved made her realize just that. She did love Sam, and she didn’t want him to be caught in the middle of this mess.

Remy took a breath and tried to keep her tone soft. “Barbara, you know as well as I do that Jeremy’s been stalking me. And he said you’re not married. I don’t know who to believe, and I don’t care. I want nothing to do with either of you. I meant you no harm – not ever.”

Barbara shook her head and seemed to twitch her shoulder. “You’re such a liar,” she spat. “Just like him.”

As she spoke she took a step and started to raise the gun-wielding hand. Remy watched as Sam, startled by Barbara’s sudden movement, moved to reach for her arm. He managed to keep Barbara from raising her arm, but she pulled the trigger as she made contact. The loud cracking left Remy’s ears ringing as she helplessly watched Sam slump to the floor, clutching his thigh. Her heart felt like it was going to pound out of her chest.

Barbara never even looked down at the man she’d just shot as she continued towards Remy. Remy barely heard Sam shout for her to go as she turned to dash towards the kitchen.

The funny thing about life or death situations is they’re nothing like you see in the movies. None of the fast action or motivating background music exists. To Remy, everything seemed to be moving in slow motion, including her legs.

As she turned into the kitchen, Remy made sure to cut as far out of sight of the door as possible. She frantically searched for something to fight with and her eyes landed on the heavy iron skillet her mother had given her when she bought the condo. She’d never used it once – not for cooking, anyway. Remy grabbed the pan as Barbara’s footsteps approached the entryway.

She quickly swung the pan like a baseball bat, landing a heavy thud to the side of Barbara’s face and jaw the moment she crossed over the kitchen threshold. The gun flew from her hand and bounced across the floor moments before Barbara toppled over, unconscious.

Dazed, Remy hesitated.

“Is she out cold?” Remy peeked around the corner to see Sam on the floor by the door, positioned so he could see the kitchen doorway. Remy could only nod.

“Good. You did good, Remy. Listen to me. Don’t panic now. Go pick up the gun.”

Remy had never touched a gun before in her life. She moved quickly around Barbara’s body on the floor and picked up the gun. The tiny piece felt like it weighed a ton in her hand.

“Remy.”

Sam’s voice broke her from her adrenaline induced haze. Sam!

Remy rushed back out of the kitchen and slid onto her knees at Sam’s side. “Is it bad?” She tried to peel back his hand but he wouldn’t budge.

“Best not to look. Just call 9-1-1.”

Remy hurried to the phone and dialed as she ran to the hall closet for towels. As she spoke to the dispatcher, she managed to add the towels and extra pressure to Sam’s gaping thigh wound. Sam’s face was white, and he finally relaxed a bit, leaning his head back against the wall.

They waited.

 ***

 The Spot Writers- our members:

 

RC Bonitz

http://www.rcbonitz.com

 

Val Muller

https://valmuller.com/blog

 

Catherine A. MacKenzie

http://writingwicket.wordpress.com/wicker-chitter/

 

Deborah Dera

http://www.deborahdera.com

 

Jessica Degarmo

http://www.jessicadegarmo.com/

Chapter 30 of Remy’s story is by RC Bonitz this week- a little out of order due to various personal commitments.  RC’s latest book in A Little Bit of Baby which is available on a special offer from Silver Publishing.

Next week’s chapter will be from Deborah Dera. Deborah traditionally ghostwrites articles and stories but is in the process of finishing up her first eBook to be released on the Kindle platform later this year. Keep your eyes peeled!

The Spot Writers’ blogs appear at the end of this story. Don’t forget to check them out.

 

Chapter 30

 

“I’m very confused,” Remy murmured. “You’re my boss and we shouldn’t—”

“Never mind that. You can quit when—” Sam started,a twinkle in his eye.

“Are you teasing me? I need my job, Sam, I really do.”

“After we’re married?” Sam murmured.

Remy gasped and tried to calm her tumbling feelings. Married? “Sam, please, I told you, I need time.”

“For what? I love you. You love me. You do, don’t you?” Sam picked her up as if she were a feather and carried her to the bedroom, then stopped at the door, his face set in somber lines. “Don’t you?”

She hesitated, not knowing what she thought at the moment. “I said I needed time,” she whispered, watching worry lines appear around his eyes. He had such lovely eyes, brown and soft and gentle looking. She needed time for what- to decide whether to shag him- or marry him? She certainly didn’t have to seduce him- he was ready. And, oh yes, to be honest, she was too! That little tingle of excitement she’d been trying to squash down was setting her on fire! Decisions about marriage could wait. It was better to sample the merchandise before buying wasn’t it?

She grinned and touched her nose to his. “Enough about this time stuff. Kiss me.”

The doorbell rang.

“Do we need Chinese food?” Sam whispered.

Remy smiled. “We may need lots of energy tonight.”

Sam groaned and set her on her feet. “I’ll get the door while you get some plates ready.”

“No. I’ll pay for it,” Remy protested.

Sam shook his head. “I’ve got it. Dishes please, madam.”

She watched as he strode to the door, moving with a lithe grace she’d never noticed before. He really was an athletic looking man and handsome in his own way. Her heart warmed at the thought as Sam turned the knob on the door.

The door flew open with a bang.

“Who are you? Where is she?” a woman screamed, staring at Sam, then looking wildly around the room. “There you are, bitch. You got him arrested!”

Remy’s heart chilled. She’d seen that face before, a while ago. Barbara! She had a gun in her hand!

***

 The Spot Writers- our members:

 RC Bonitz

http://www.rcbonitz.com

Val Muller

https://valmuller.com/blog

Catherine A. MacKenzie

http://writingwicket.wordpress.com/wicker-chitter/

Deborah Dera

http://www.deborahdera.com

Jessica Degarmo

http://www.jessicadegarmo.com/

Chapter 29 of the continuing saga of Remy comes to us from Cathy MacKenzie, who has several e-books on Smashwords at: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/camack.

Next week’s chapter will be from Deborah Dera. Deborah traditionally ghostwrites articles and stories but is in the process of finishing up her first eBook to be released on the Kindle platform later this year. Keep your eyes peeled!

The Spot Writers’ blogs appear at the end of this story. Don’t forget to check them out.

* * *

Chapter 29

Remy heard the door close behind her and suddenly felt very tired but, at the same time, she didn’t want him to leave. She dropped her purse on the floor and turned around to face Sam, who was preoccupied with locking the door.

“I’m sure you’ll be safe tonight, but just in case, I’m not taking any chances.”

For the first time in a long time, Remy felt safe and had no qualms about spending the night alone. Except Sam was before her. In her apartment.

“Come on, sit down,” Sam said. “What can I get you?”

“Sam. This is my place. What can I get you?”

“Hey, you’ve been through a lot. I want to wait on you.”

“I’m fine. Really.” Remy sat on the couch and removed her shoes. “I’m just exhausted. It’s been a long day.”

“Things should be calm from now on. Jeremy’s behind bars. Who knows where Barbara is? Without Jeremy around, she’s probably lost.” Sam said.

“She’s one creepy individual, that’s for sure,” Remy said. “I don’t think she’s pregnant at all. Who does that?”

“Just the crazies. People who have nothing better to do.”

Sam sat down beside Remy. “What do you want for dinner? I’m hungry, I know that.”

“I guess I am, too, now that you mention it.”

“Why don’t I call out for Chinese?”

“That sounds good,” Remy said, starting to get up. “King Wok down the road is pretty good.”

“Sit still. I’ll order.”

Remy relaxed back into the couch. “There’s a take-out menu in the desk drawer by the phone in the kitchen.  Top drawer.”

“Anything special you want?”

“I like everything. Surprise me.”

While Sam was in the kitchen, Remy stretched out on the couch. She felt numb, yet alive; tired, yet refreshed. She felt comfortable, like Sam belonged there with her in her condo, and wondered what she had ever seen in Jeremy and why she never looked at Dr. Sam differently. She figured it was because Sam was her boss, and she had made it a habit to never mix business with pleasure. Somehow, though, Sam had changed the rules on her. And it seemed right. She felt content, although she thought things might be moving along too fast. Did she need more time before making a decision?

Decision? She thought. Why the heck am I contemplating a decision? Nothing’s been put forward to decide on yet. But she knew. She knew how Sam felt. She was just unsure of her own feelings. I’m too wishy washy, as usual.

“Okay, thirty minutes,” Sam said, reentering the room.

He sat down beside her. “You okay?” he asked.

“I’m fine.”

“Remy, I know a lot’s happened in the last little while. But you have to know my feelings for you.”

Sam searched Remy’s face for some acknowledgment, but found none. “I think I’m falling in love with you.”

“Sam, I…”

“You don’t have to say anything. I just want my feelings out in the open. But I think you know how I feel.”

“Yes, I do,” Remy said. “I just need a bit of time.”

“Remy, you can have all the time in the world.” Sam hesitantly put his arm around her shoulder and gave her a small squeeze. Then he pulled her in toward him. Remy looked into his eyes and knew what was coming. Sam brushed his lips across hers, before latching on. “Ah, Remy,” he said, when he released her.

Remy wrapped her arms around his neck and they gripped each other, neither wanting to let go.

***

 

The Spot Writers- our members:

 RC Bonitz
http://www.rcbonitz.com

Val Muller
https://valmuller.com/blog

Catherine A. MacKenzie
http://writingwicket.wordpress.com/wicker-chitter/

Deborah Dera
http://www.deborahdera.com

Jessica Degarmo
http://www.jessicadegarmo.com/

This week’s chapter comes from Val Muller, author of the Corgi Capers mystery series for young detectives and For Whom My Heart Beats Eternal, a time travel trio. Find out more at valm16.sg-host.com and www.corgicapers.com

Next week’s post will come from Cathy MacKenzie. Check out her two books of poetry and three books of short stories available on Smashwords.

* * *

Chapter 28

Remy sat in the small break room, Sam’s coat wrapped around her shoulders like a blanket. The police officer who sat across from her had convinced her to press charges, and he was jotting down the last of her statement. Remy looked around the room dizzily. The fluorescent lighting seemed to shine right into her brain. It was nauseating. And she couldn’t stop shaking, either. As she snuggled into Dr. Sam’s coat, she wasn’t sure it was just a matter of the cold, either. In a matter of moments, she had been asked to recall her whole sordid history with Jeremy. She could barely believe that the man who now sat outside in handcuffs, the man with the rapidly-swelling chin and drunken scowl, was the same man she had once dreamed of dating. She shook her head: she had always been bad with first impressions. It explained her bad luck with dating.

“Anything else?” Officer Dunlap asked.

“What else could there be?” Remy sighed. “Mistaken love at first sight, drunken jealousy, grief turned to craziness at his mother’s funeral? And a stalker, to boot. I sure hope there’s nothing else.” She longed for a normal, boring life. She’d had enough drama for a while.

“Okay,” the officer said. “If we have any follow-up questions, we’ll be in touch. We’ll look into this Barbara person, too, but if she bothers you again, you should contact us.”

Remy  nodded and snuggled into the coat. Then a shadow darkened the doorway, and Remy looked up. It was Sam.

“I’ve decided to press charges, too,” he said. “The boy was trespassing on my property and endangering my clients—and my employees.” His eyes found Remy’s.

Officer Dunlap nodded. “We were just finishing up here. If you don’t have anything else to add to your statement, Ma’am, you can—”

“No, let her stay here,” Sam said. “We can talk in my office.”

The officer nodded and followed Dr. Sam out the door. A heartbeat later, Irene flew into the break room and sat down next to Remy.

“My goodness!” she squealed, grabbing Remy’s hands.

Remy raised an eyebrow. “Were you listening at the door?”

“What?” Irene asked.

“You came in here so soon after the cop left, you must have been listening at the door.”

“Not me,” Irene insisted. “Dr. Sam. He was listening in. He said even if you didn’t press charges, he was going to. He wanted to make sure you told the cops everything you knew. Said he didn’t want you to go easy on Jeremy. Said the punk doesn’t deserve it.” Irene squealed again. “Did you see him lay out that punch? I mean…”

Remy couldn’t help the smile in the corner of her mouth.

“Anyway, Dr. Sam asked me to come in and sit with you as soon as the cop left. Said he didn’t want you to be by yourself.”

“Why? I’m a big girl.”

“But look, you’re still shaking.” Irene picked up Remy’s arm and held it in front of Remy. As soon as she let go, Remy’s arm started shaking. Remy pulled it down, squeezing it into her torso to steady it.

“Probably just shock,” she said. “Jeremy scared me. I’ve never been threatened like that. The guy needs help.”

The two sat in silence for a while. Remy kept her face grim and unchanging. Though somewhere deep down was an infatuation about her new hero, she would not allow such an idea to flood her consciousness until she had recovered from the shock of the incident. But Irene was clearly replaying the heroic occurrence in her mind: every now and again, her face cracked into a smile, and the semblance of a blush even crept across her cheeks. Then her face would blanch again, and she stared out into the distance with Remy, only to smile again a few moments later.

“Do you have anyone you can spend the night with?” Irene asked finally. “Or maybe someone who can just sit with you until you go to bed tonight?”

Remy shook her head. “I’ll be fine. I’m a big girl, remember?”

“No,” Irene said. “You shouldn’t be alone tonight. I have plans, but I’m going to cancel them. I’ll come to your place and sit up with you for a while. We’ll order take-out, and…”

“I’m fine,” Remy insisted. “Don’t cancel your plans on my account. I’ll be fine alone. You go have fun.”

“Yes,” Dr. Sam said, coming into the break room. “Go fulfill your plans, Irene. I’ll take Remy home and make sure she’s okay. Irene, see if my last two appointments will be able to reschedule. I’ll stay open late on Thursday to accommodate them if they’re able.”

Irene scowled.

“I’ll pay you overtime,” Dr. Sam offered. “It’s not every day something like this happens. Closing the office is justified. Remember, overtime on Thursday.”

Irene’s scowl melted, and she left to make the appropriate phone calls.

Alone in the room with her protector, Remy couldn’t take her eyes off Dr. Sam. Suddenly, his coat was much too hot, and she felt her face flush. And adding to the growing heat in her heart was the fact that as she stared into his eyes, Dr. Sam Kendrick stared right back.

* * *

The Spot Writers- our members:

RC Bonitz
http://www.rcbonitz.com

Val Muller
https://valmuller.com/blog

Catherine A. MacKenzie
http://writingwicket.wordpress.com/wicker-chitter

Deborah Dera
http://www.deborahdera.com

Jessica Degarmo
http://www.jessicadegarmo.com

 

Chapter 27 of Remy’s story comes to us from RC Bonitz, author of A BLANKET FOR HER HEART, A LITTLE BIT OF BLACKMAIL, and the recently released sequel A LITTLE BIT OF BABY. Find buy links at http://www.rcbonitz.com

Next week’s chapter will come from Val Muller, author of the Corgi Capers mystery series for young detectives and For Whom My Heart Beats Eternal, a time travel trio. Find out more at valm16.sg-host.com.

The Spot Writers’ blogs appear at the end of this story. Don’t forget to check them out.

 Chapter 27

Remy did her best to remain cool and professional as the afternoon patients came and went, but it was hard. Dr. Sam tried to play it cool, too, but his eyes twinkled every time he looked at her. He was clearly in a tizzy and her heart reacted, beating harder and faster as the day went along. Until four o’clock.

A patient entered the waiting room, Mrs. Timmons, a tiny ancient woman who’d been a regular patient for quite some time. Remy barely said hello when the door slammed wide open and Jeremy strutted in with a savage scowl on his face.

“There you are. You ignored my texts all day,” he growled.

“I’m working, Jeremy. I can’t deal with you now.” Remy said as calmly as she could.

“Like hell. Come with me. Now!” he barked as she took a step back.

“What’s wrong with you? Calm down,” she hissed, backing up against the wall.

“We need to get you fitted for a ring. I can’t wait any longer!”

His face had contorted into a mask of rage, and Remy trembled at the sight of him. Mrs. Timmons and Irene stared at him in petrified horror.

Remy took a deep breath and shook her head. “I can’t help you with Barbara. I’m not going to pretend we’re getting married.”

“Who’s pretending? Come on,” he roared and reached to grab her arm. He staggered and she realized he was drunk again.

“Please leave Jeremy, or I’ll call the police,” she snapped, trying to sound strong and brave- and surprising herself by the fierce tone in her own voice.

He reached for her again and she heard the door to the inner office open.

“Get lost jerk.”

The voice was Dr. Sam’s and it had a hard grating quality to it that drew Jeremy’s attention.

“Bug off, bud. This is between me and the lady,” Jeremy snarled.

“Sorry, wrong answer. Now get out of here before we call the police like the lady said,” Dr’ Sam said, sounding totally cool but in control.

“Bug off,” Jeremy said again and stumbled forward to wrap his hand around Remy’s wrist.

He never closed his grip. Sam’s fist connected with his jaw and Jeremy collapsed in a heap at his feet.

Remy gasped. Jeremy groaned and rubbed his chin.

“Hooray!” cried Mrs. Timmons.

Sam brushed his other hand across his knuckles and grinned at Remy. “Sorry about that. I’m usually civilized.”

“You hit him,” Remy mumbled, unable to turn her eyes away from his.

“He was about to grab you. He might have hurt you.”

“I know,” Remy murmured and her heart melted.

***

The Spot Writers- our members:

RC Bonitz
http://www.rcbonitz.com

Val Muller
https://valmuller.com/blog

Catherine A. MacKenzie
http://writingwicket.wordpress.com/wicker-chitter

Deborah Dera
http://www.deborahdera.com

Jessica Degarmo
http://www.jessicadegarmo.com/