That Which Leads Us Home - Chapter 7, ......... There's Fire
That Which Leads us Home
by Frakkin_Eh
Rating: K for now....
Authors notes: This story is a sequel of sorts to the Movie 'For All time' starring Mark Harmon and Mary McDonnell. It picks up in the second to last scene in the movie. If you have not seen the movie you should be able to follow the story anyway as I hope (fingers crossed on that one) that I've provided enough information in the story about what happened prior to the timeline the story takes place in. You should watch the movie though, for no other reason than it's a wonderful little movie and .. well, Mary's in it.
**** tayryn is the worlds BEST beta.... EVER!
Chapter 7 - ……. There’s Fire
“And a good evening to you too, Mrs. Kiley.” He called out, as he left the library.
Charles whistled a catchy tune as he made his way down the street. It had been a good week. No new incidents had happened since the fire, and Laura seemed a little friendlier than usual. While she wasn’t quite waiting for him with open arms she did smile at him the other day from across the street. And then yesterday at the store where their paths had crossed, she’d said, ‘Good Morning’.
Charles laughed at himself for considering this progress. “Hey” he told himself. “At least she didn’t turn and walk away like she’d done before. That, my friend, is progress.”
So caught up in his thoughts, he didn’t notice the three men standing in the alley behind the general store. Nor did he notice the man behind him until he felt the blow to his back that sent him into the small walkway between the store and neighboring building.
Before he could register what was happening, the wind was knocked from his lungs by a brutal kick to the stomach. As he rolled over on the ground he was greeted by another kick from one of the men behind him.
Coughing and spitting dust, Charles rose to his knees, only to be kicked again in the ribs. His ears were ringing, and his vision was blurred, as he felt himself being picked up off the ground. With his back pinned to the side of the building he received blow after blow to the stomach.
“Okay! That’s enough for now, boys.” He heard a voice say.
Still pinned to the wall, Charles squinted in an effort to make out the face in front of him. A very large stranger stood over him and gave him a sinister grin.
“Good evening, Mr. Lattimer.” The man said.
Charles wretched from the taste of blood in his mouth combined with the smell of the stranger before him.
“Mr. Thompson has asked me and my friends here to stop by and say ‘hello’…” Charles fought to breathe… each time he filled his lungs a wave of pain shot up his side that made it hardly worth the effort. “…you been causin’ problems for my boss, Mr. Lattimer. And he’s not happy.”
Charles spat blood from his mouth as he looked the man in the eye and asked, “What do you want from me?”
“We’d like you to stay away from Laura Brown and the Gazette. Whatever plans you have for the paper… well, sir… you can forget them and just go back to where you came from.”
“And if I don’t?” Charles asked.
“Then next time we come ‘round to visit… we won’t be so nice.”
The man then turned to his companions and gave his order; “Say goodnight to your friend, boys.”
All air left his body as a knee came crashing into his abdomen. A sharp upper cut caught him in the jaw as he buckled over. They worked him over for several more minutes before he felt a sharp pain as something hard connected with the back of his head, sending everything into darkness.
“********************************************************************************
“********************************************************************************
Brigitte opened the back door as she swept the last of the dirt over the threshold. It had been a busy day and she was grateful to have finally completed her last chore before closing up shop for the night. Just as she was about to close the door the cat scooted past her and into the alley. “Hey!” She called out. “Don’t you be bringing back any more mice into this house little missy!” It was then that she noticed a pair of shoes poking out from behind the fence. “That’s strange” she thought. “Why would someone leave their shoes there?” In taking a closer look she then realized that the shoes were attached to a pair of legs. “That damned hotel bar… sometimes I swear alcohol should be outlawed.” she muttered as she made her way over to tell the drunk in the alley to move it along.
Her heart nearly fell from her chest at the sight before her. She could feel the wave of nausea wash over her as she dropped to her knees next to Charles. “Oh my heavens!” she exclaimed. “Ormond!”
Charles moaned and slowly opened his eyes at the sound of her voice. “Laura?” he asked as he tried to focus on the woman kneeling beside him. “Shhhh, Mr. Lattimer. Don’t try to get up… please, just wait for Ormond… ORMOND!!”
Ormond came out the back door in a panic. “Jesus Mercy!” he exclaimed at the sight of his wife supporting Charles as he tried to sit. Charles’ head was swimming as the Rourkes helped him to his feet and into the back room of the store. “What happened?” asked Ormond as he pulled a chair over and eased Charles into it.
“A few of Mr. Thompson’s friends came by to say ‘Hello’,” Charles grunted.
“’Hello’ indeed,” Ormond said.
Ormond looked up as his wife hurried in with a huge bowl of water and a cloth. “We need to start with his head…” he said “… try to see how bad it is first before we do anything else.”
He then looked back to Charles. “Charles, what else hurts?”
Charles chuckled mildly before choking on his laugh. “Everything.” he said. His smile then disappeared as he answered “Especially my lower back, on the right side.”
“Okay, let’s get you to lean forward a little so we can take a look.” Brigitte said, as she gently eased him off the back of the chair. All blood drained from her face at the sight of his blood soaked shirt and tiny puddle on the floor. She turned her head quickly as the nausea rushed through her.
“Sweet Jesus.” Ormond muttered. “He’s been stabbed.” He quickly grabbed the towel from the table and applied it to the wound. He then motioned to Brigitte to come over next to him. “Brie, I need you to keep pressure on it until I get back. I’m going to find Doc. Slatter.”
“I…. I can’t, Ormond.”
“Yes you CAN, honey. Just keep pressure on the wound… and just don’t look at the blood. Keep your eyes closed if you have to.”
Brie simply nodded in agreement as he rushed out the door.
“********************************************************************************
“********************************************************************************
Laura finished the last article of the day and carefully stacked the papers by the typesetting machine. Tomorrow, Fred would take care of them so they’d be ready for print. “Thank God for Fred,” she thought.
Her thoughts drifted back to when he’d been off sick with the Croup and the pickle she had found herself in. Thank goodness Charles had shown up and saved the day. She gazed out the window as she recalled saying ‘Goodbye’ to him that day, and how he’d told her that he most likely wouldn’t return.
What had started out to be a nightmare of a day for her had turned out to be a wonderful one. The sudden appearance of Charles Lattimer was not only a pleasant surprise but a Godsend as well. With his help she’d managed to get completely caught up, all the while enjoying a wonderful visit at the same time.
===//===
As they made their way out of the Gazette that evening, Laura was sorry to hear that he’d be going.
“You could stay the night.” She suggested. Realizing how inappropriate her statement had sounded she backtracked quickly. “I mean…. Ummmm…. That is to say that the hotel has rooms.”
“Ah. You have no idea how good that sounds….” He responded, as they slowly made their way down the sidewalk. “… no, I have to get back” After a short pause he explained further. “Commitments.”
Laura simply nodded. “I understand that.”
“If I were only one hundred years younger.” He added.
“I don’t understand that.” She retorted with a curious smile.
He laughed as he confessed. “I have absolutely no idea what it means either.”
A soft tension hung between them for a moment before she asked, “When will you be back?”
“Hard to say…” Charles then stopped and turned to look at her. “…. I’m ahhh…. I’m not what you’re looking for.”
Laura felt as though someone else was talking as she replied, “I wouldn’t be so completely sure of that, Mr. Lattimer.”
“What I’m trying to say…” He paused, as though trying to find the right words. “… is that I might not be back.”
Disappointment was drawn across her face. “Oh! I see.” Laura responded in little more than a whisper. She then looked away, slightly embarrassed by her blatant display of interested.
Charles reached out to touch her face, bringing her eyes back to meet his. He caressed her cheek with his thumb as he looked at her with sadness and regret in his eyes. “Goodbye, Mrs. Brown.” He said softly.
Laura nodded in understanding before he began making his way towards the station without her.
Regaining her composure, Laura called out after him. “Mr. Lattimer!”
Charles stopped and turned around.
“Thank you for all your help.”
He simply smiled, tipped his hat, and then turned to make his way to the station and out of her life.
===//===
“What brought you back here, Charles?” she asked aloud.
It was in that moment that Laura realized that sooner or later she would have to hear him out. “I suppose sooner would be best.” She thought to herself.
“Tomorrow.” She decided. “I’ll talk to him tomorrow and just get it over with.”
With a sigh she got up from her seat, stretched, and then slowly made her way out the door. Just as she was about to climb in the wagon she noticed the ‘Open’ sign was still in the window of the general store. “That’s Odd,” she thought. “Oh Brie,” she said aloud. “I bet you forgot to lock the door again too.” Shaking her head at her friend’s absentmindedness she made her way across the street.
“Hello?” Laura called out as she entered the store. When no answer came she slowly made her way to the back room. “Brie?” she called out once more.
“Laura?” Brie answered in a shaky tone. “I’m in here!”
Laura dropped the bag she was holding and her legs nearly crumbled at the sight of him. She could feel panic in every morsel of her body as she rushed to kneel at his side.
In a breathless whisper she asked. “What happened?”
“Thompson.” Brigitte replied.
“Oh my God. How bad is it?”
“I’m not sure, Lore. Ormond left to get the doctor and I haven’t looked. I’m afraid to… you know….”
Laura nodded knowingly as she recalled the last time her friend had seen the sight of blood. It wasn’t pretty. It took them five minutes and pack of smelling salts to bring her back to the land of the living. She had no idea how Brigitte was managing to keep it together as well as she was.
Looking at the pale complexion and dead fear in her friend’s eyes she said. “Okay, Brie...” With a shaky hand she slowly closed her fingers over the towel and eased Brigitte’s hand away. “Why don’t you go outside and get some air. Then bring me a fresh bowl of water. I’m going to take a closer look and see how bad it is, okay?”
Brigitte simply nodded as a wave of relief washed over her face. Laura gave her an understanding smile and then motioned towards the door so as to say, “It’s Okay… go get some air.”
Charles groaned in protest as Laura pulled the towel away from his side. She then reached for the bowl of water and slowly began to clean the wound as best she could. Charles stiffened and jumped slightly as she touched the towel to the gash. “Sorry,” She whispered.
“It’s okay, ” He grimaced as he added with a grunt “… really.” Looking down at his side he asked. “How bad is it?”
“You’ll need stitches.” She said. “But I don’t think it’s any more than a flesh wound, thank God.”
“We need to get this shirt off so I can get a better look.” She added.
Charles winced as he tried to lift his hands to unfasten the buttons on his shirt. She quickly reached up and stilled his efforts with a gentle touch.
Time stood still as their eyes met.
Laura could feel a rush of warmth flow through her at the feel of her hands on his. “Let me.” She said softly as she eased his hands back down to his sides and began to unfasten the buttons of his shirt. With trembling fingers she worked each button until the shirt fell open, exposing his bruised and beaten flesh. “Oh, Charles!” Laura gasped, as she took in the extent of his injuries.
“You should see the other guys.” He said, with a faint smile.
Laura slowly eased the shirt off his shoulders and down his arms, revealing the full extent of the wound to his back. With a gentle hand on his shoulder she asked, “Can you lean forward just a little more?”
“I think so.” He grunted, as he shifted up in an effort to give her access.
Brigitte returned with more supplies as Laura placed a clean compress to the wound and then secured it in place with a long piece of cloth she tied around his torso. “That should keep it in place for now.” She said to Brigitte, who was more than happy to step aside and let Laura take over.
She then reached for the fresh towels and water that Brigitte had brought for them and began to clean the wound above his eye. “Brie, does Ormond still keep a stash of whiskey under the counter up front?” she asked.
“Oh, that’s a great idea.” Charles said under his breath. “Best pain killer available.”
“It’s for disinfecting, Mr. Lattimer.” she scolded.
“Oh.” He replied in a disappointed tone.
Laura dipped the tip of the towel in the water and began working on the cut above his eye while Brigitte fetched the whiskey from the store. She could almost hear her pulse pounding through her veins as she leaned into him, her face only inches from his. “Try to stay still.” Laura said softly, and dabbed gently at the small gash on his temple.
Charles jumped and jerked away when she applied a bit more pressure. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to hurt you.” She said.
“It’s fine, it doesn’t hurt.” He groaned.
“Liar.” She retorted with a smile.
Returning with the bottle of whiskey, Brigitte placed it on the table and turned her head so she couldn’t see blood. “How are we doing here?”
“I think he’s going to be alright.” Laura responded. “But we definitely need the doctor to take a look at that knife wound.”
“Maybe I should go find out what’s holding Ormond up.” Brigitte suggested.
“That’s not a bad idea.” Laura responded.
“Will you be okay?”
“Yes. I’ll be fine. Just hurry back, Brie.”
It took some time for her to finish cleaning his facial wounds. As Laura pulled back to inspect her work she asked. “How are you feeling?”
“Been better.” He said with a smirk.
“No doubt.” She said softly.
Before she knew what she was doing Laura reached up and gently ran a finger along his brow.
A new tension filled the air.
Laura could feel her pulse quicken as she looked into his eyes. She felt as though she would drown in his gaze… so full of want and tender affection.
Looking away she reached for a new compress. “Let’s take another look at your back.” She said, desperately trying to keep the trembling from her voice.
Standing in front of him she slowly moved to pull the compress back.
Laura trembled as her body brushed up against his. Her breath caught in her throat as Charles turned his head and gently nuzzled her as she reached behind him. She shivered at the feel of his warm breath on her neck.
“Laura.” He muttered, in a barely audible whisper.
Her hands seemed to move of their own volition as she abandoned the compress to snake her trembling fingers through his hair… pulling him closer to her as she rested her chin atop his head. A tiny hum escaped her lips at the feel of his hands on her hips as he pulled her down to him.
Her pulse was racing and her mind was spinning as his lips brushed lazily against hers… barely touching before pulling away to trail a gentle line along her jaw.
Laura exhaled in a slow hiss… need ran red hot through her veins. She closed her eyes and lost herself in the feel of his lips casting gentle caresses against her flesh. She cradled his face in her hands and slowly surrendered to his silent request.
She emitted a soft sigh as his mouth found hers… trembled with want as his tongue gently brushed her delicate lips. She parted them, granting him access and moaned as he took it hungrily.
She felt as though she were barely conscious as his tongue engaged hers in a delicate waltz and his hands ran across her back… pulling her closer to him… deepening their embrace until she could no longer tell where she ended and he began. With a soft sigh she responded to him, returning his kiss with a hunger of her own.
Lost in the moment, he shifted for a better angle sending a sharp pain shooting up his side. Charles groaned in agony causing Laura to straighten and try to pull away. He tightened his grip on her before she could break free, pulling her back and resting his cheek against her side. She reached down and cradled his head in her arms as she planted a kiss to the top of his crown. Silence filled the air as they both fought to catch their breath. “Laura…” Charles whispered.
Before any more could be said they were startled by the sound of the Rourkes returning with the doctor. Laura jumped away and quickly turned her attention to cleaning up the pieces of cloth and water that had spilled onto the table. Charles slumped back in his chair and tilted his head forward in an effort to hide his frustration.
As the doctor came in he went directly to Charles. He muttered his shock and dismay at what the thugs had done to him as he inspected the injury to his back. “It’s not so bad, Mr. Lattimer.” He stated. “A few stitches and a couple days bed rest and you should be fine.” He then looked over at Ormond. “Give me hand to get him up and we’ll bring him over to my office. It’ll be a lot easier to stitch him up there.”
Ormond nodded in agreement and followed the doctor’s orders. Within minutes the three men were on their way out the door.
Brigitte stood watching her friend gather the rags and first aid supplies from the table. She couldn’t help but notice the color in her cheeks, the trembling in her hands, or the breathless state they were both in when they’d arrived.
“Could we have possibly interrupted something when we arrived with the doctor?” she wondered. “NO! Not in his state, NO WAY!”
She then studied her friend’s face a little closer. “Hmmmm. Maybe,” she thought.
Suddenly aware of the scrutiny, Laura stopped what she was doing to look at her friend. “What?” she asked.
“I don’t know.” Said Brigitte. “I’m hoping you’ll tell me.”
A new wave of color filled Laura’s cheeks as she answered in a flutter, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
With a single arched eyebrow Brigitte gave her a quizzical look. “Don’t you?”
Ignoring Brigitte’s’ implications, Laura simply replied. “I’d better get home. Mother will be worried.”
Chapter 6 <> Chapter 8
Previous Chapters
by Frakkin_Eh
Rating: K for now....
Authors notes: This story is a sequel of sorts to the Movie 'For All time' starring Mark Harmon and Mary McDonnell. It picks up in the second to last scene in the movie. If you have not seen the movie you should be able to follow the story anyway as I hope (fingers crossed on that one) that I've provided enough information in the story about what happened prior to the timeline the story takes place in. You should watch the movie though, for no other reason than it's a wonderful little movie and .. well, Mary's in it.
**** tayryn is the worlds BEST beta.... EVER!
Chapter 7 - ……. There’s Fire
“And a good evening to you too, Mrs. Kiley.” He called out, as he left the library.
Charles whistled a catchy tune as he made his way down the street. It had been a good week. No new incidents had happened since the fire, and Laura seemed a little friendlier than usual. While she wasn’t quite waiting for him with open arms she did smile at him the other day from across the street. And then yesterday at the store where their paths had crossed, she’d said, ‘Good Morning’.
Charles laughed at himself for considering this progress. “Hey” he told himself. “At least she didn’t turn and walk away like she’d done before. That, my friend, is progress.”
So caught up in his thoughts, he didn’t notice the three men standing in the alley behind the general store. Nor did he notice the man behind him until he felt the blow to his back that sent him into the small walkway between the store and neighboring building.
Before he could register what was happening, the wind was knocked from his lungs by a brutal kick to the stomach. As he rolled over on the ground he was greeted by another kick from one of the men behind him.
Coughing and spitting dust, Charles rose to his knees, only to be kicked again in the ribs. His ears were ringing, and his vision was blurred, as he felt himself being picked up off the ground. With his back pinned to the side of the building he received blow after blow to the stomach.
“Okay! That’s enough for now, boys.” He heard a voice say.
Still pinned to the wall, Charles squinted in an effort to make out the face in front of him. A very large stranger stood over him and gave him a sinister grin.
“Good evening, Mr. Lattimer.” The man said.
Charles wretched from the taste of blood in his mouth combined with the smell of the stranger before him.
“Mr. Thompson has asked me and my friends here to stop by and say ‘hello’…” Charles fought to breathe… each time he filled his lungs a wave of pain shot up his side that made it hardly worth the effort. “…you been causin’ problems for my boss, Mr. Lattimer. And he’s not happy.”
Charles spat blood from his mouth as he looked the man in the eye and asked, “What do you want from me?”
“We’d like you to stay away from Laura Brown and the Gazette. Whatever plans you have for the paper… well, sir… you can forget them and just go back to where you came from.”
“And if I don’t?” Charles asked.
“Then next time we come ‘round to visit… we won’t be so nice.”
The man then turned to his companions and gave his order; “Say goodnight to your friend, boys.”
All air left his body as a knee came crashing into his abdomen. A sharp upper cut caught him in the jaw as he buckled over. They worked him over for several more minutes before he felt a sharp pain as something hard connected with the back of his head, sending everything into darkness.
“********************************************************************************
“********************************************************************************
Brigitte opened the back door as she swept the last of the dirt over the threshold. It had been a busy day and she was grateful to have finally completed her last chore before closing up shop for the night. Just as she was about to close the door the cat scooted past her and into the alley. “Hey!” She called out. “Don’t you be bringing back any more mice into this house little missy!” It was then that she noticed a pair of shoes poking out from behind the fence. “That’s strange” she thought. “Why would someone leave their shoes there?” In taking a closer look she then realized that the shoes were attached to a pair of legs. “That damned hotel bar… sometimes I swear alcohol should be outlawed.” she muttered as she made her way over to tell the drunk in the alley to move it along.
Her heart nearly fell from her chest at the sight before her. She could feel the wave of nausea wash over her as she dropped to her knees next to Charles. “Oh my heavens!” she exclaimed. “Ormond!”
Charles moaned and slowly opened his eyes at the sound of her voice. “Laura?” he asked as he tried to focus on the woman kneeling beside him. “Shhhh, Mr. Lattimer. Don’t try to get up… please, just wait for Ormond… ORMOND!!”
Ormond came out the back door in a panic. “Jesus Mercy!” he exclaimed at the sight of his wife supporting Charles as he tried to sit. Charles’ head was swimming as the Rourkes helped him to his feet and into the back room of the store. “What happened?” asked Ormond as he pulled a chair over and eased Charles into it.
“A few of Mr. Thompson’s friends came by to say ‘Hello’,” Charles grunted.
“’Hello’ indeed,” Ormond said.
Ormond looked up as his wife hurried in with a huge bowl of water and a cloth. “We need to start with his head…” he said “… try to see how bad it is first before we do anything else.”
He then looked back to Charles. “Charles, what else hurts?”
Charles chuckled mildly before choking on his laugh. “Everything.” he said. His smile then disappeared as he answered “Especially my lower back, on the right side.”
“Okay, let’s get you to lean forward a little so we can take a look.” Brigitte said, as she gently eased him off the back of the chair. All blood drained from her face at the sight of his blood soaked shirt and tiny puddle on the floor. She turned her head quickly as the nausea rushed through her.
“Sweet Jesus.” Ormond muttered. “He’s been stabbed.” He quickly grabbed the towel from the table and applied it to the wound. He then motioned to Brigitte to come over next to him. “Brie, I need you to keep pressure on it until I get back. I’m going to find Doc. Slatter.”
“I…. I can’t, Ormond.”
“Yes you CAN, honey. Just keep pressure on the wound… and just don’t look at the blood. Keep your eyes closed if you have to.”
Brie simply nodded in agreement as he rushed out the door.
“********************************************************************************
“********************************************************************************
Laura finished the last article of the day and carefully stacked the papers by the typesetting machine. Tomorrow, Fred would take care of them so they’d be ready for print. “Thank God for Fred,” she thought.
Her thoughts drifted back to when he’d been off sick with the Croup and the pickle she had found herself in. Thank goodness Charles had shown up and saved the day. She gazed out the window as she recalled saying ‘Goodbye’ to him that day, and how he’d told her that he most likely wouldn’t return.
What had started out to be a nightmare of a day for her had turned out to be a wonderful one. The sudden appearance of Charles Lattimer was not only a pleasant surprise but a Godsend as well. With his help she’d managed to get completely caught up, all the while enjoying a wonderful visit at the same time.
===//===
As they made their way out of the Gazette that evening, Laura was sorry to hear that he’d be going.
“You could stay the night.” She suggested. Realizing how inappropriate her statement had sounded she backtracked quickly. “I mean…. Ummmm…. That is to say that the hotel has rooms.”
“Ah. You have no idea how good that sounds….” He responded, as they slowly made their way down the sidewalk. “… no, I have to get back” After a short pause he explained further. “Commitments.”
Laura simply nodded. “I understand that.”
“If I were only one hundred years younger.” He added.
“I don’t understand that.” She retorted with a curious smile.
He laughed as he confessed. “I have absolutely no idea what it means either.”
A soft tension hung between them for a moment before she asked, “When will you be back?”
“Hard to say…” Charles then stopped and turned to look at her. “…. I’m ahhh…. I’m not what you’re looking for.”
Laura felt as though someone else was talking as she replied, “I wouldn’t be so completely sure of that, Mr. Lattimer.”
“What I’m trying to say…” He paused, as though trying to find the right words. “… is that I might not be back.”
Disappointment was drawn across her face. “Oh! I see.” Laura responded in little more than a whisper. She then looked away, slightly embarrassed by her blatant display of interested.
Charles reached out to touch her face, bringing her eyes back to meet his. He caressed her cheek with his thumb as he looked at her with sadness and regret in his eyes. “Goodbye, Mrs. Brown.” He said softly.
Laura nodded in understanding before he began making his way towards the station without her.
Regaining her composure, Laura called out after him. “Mr. Lattimer!”
Charles stopped and turned around.
“Thank you for all your help.”
He simply smiled, tipped his hat, and then turned to make his way to the station and out of her life.
===//===
“What brought you back here, Charles?” she asked aloud.
It was in that moment that Laura realized that sooner or later she would have to hear him out. “I suppose sooner would be best.” She thought to herself.
“Tomorrow.” She decided. “I’ll talk to him tomorrow and just get it over with.”
With a sigh she got up from her seat, stretched, and then slowly made her way out the door. Just as she was about to climb in the wagon she noticed the ‘Open’ sign was still in the window of the general store. “That’s Odd,” she thought. “Oh Brie,” she said aloud. “I bet you forgot to lock the door again too.” Shaking her head at her friend’s absentmindedness she made her way across the street.
“Hello?” Laura called out as she entered the store. When no answer came she slowly made her way to the back room. “Brie?” she called out once more.
“Laura?” Brie answered in a shaky tone. “I’m in here!”
Laura dropped the bag she was holding and her legs nearly crumbled at the sight of him. She could feel panic in every morsel of her body as she rushed to kneel at his side.
In a breathless whisper she asked. “What happened?”
“Thompson.” Brigitte replied.
“Oh my God. How bad is it?”
“I’m not sure, Lore. Ormond left to get the doctor and I haven’t looked. I’m afraid to… you know….”
Laura nodded knowingly as she recalled the last time her friend had seen the sight of blood. It wasn’t pretty. It took them five minutes and pack of smelling salts to bring her back to the land of the living. She had no idea how Brigitte was managing to keep it together as well as she was.
Looking at the pale complexion and dead fear in her friend’s eyes she said. “Okay, Brie...” With a shaky hand she slowly closed her fingers over the towel and eased Brigitte’s hand away. “Why don’t you go outside and get some air. Then bring me a fresh bowl of water. I’m going to take a closer look and see how bad it is, okay?”
Brigitte simply nodded as a wave of relief washed over her face. Laura gave her an understanding smile and then motioned towards the door so as to say, “It’s Okay… go get some air.”
Charles groaned in protest as Laura pulled the towel away from his side. She then reached for the bowl of water and slowly began to clean the wound as best she could. Charles stiffened and jumped slightly as she touched the towel to the gash. “Sorry,” She whispered.
“It’s okay, ” He grimaced as he added with a grunt “… really.” Looking down at his side he asked. “How bad is it?”
“You’ll need stitches.” She said. “But I don’t think it’s any more than a flesh wound, thank God.”
“We need to get this shirt off so I can get a better look.” She added.
Charles winced as he tried to lift his hands to unfasten the buttons on his shirt. She quickly reached up and stilled his efforts with a gentle touch.
Time stood still as their eyes met.
Laura could feel a rush of warmth flow through her at the feel of her hands on his. “Let me.” She said softly as she eased his hands back down to his sides and began to unfasten the buttons of his shirt. With trembling fingers she worked each button until the shirt fell open, exposing his bruised and beaten flesh. “Oh, Charles!” Laura gasped, as she took in the extent of his injuries.
“You should see the other guys.” He said, with a faint smile.
Laura slowly eased the shirt off his shoulders and down his arms, revealing the full extent of the wound to his back. With a gentle hand on his shoulder she asked, “Can you lean forward just a little more?”
“I think so.” He grunted, as he shifted up in an effort to give her access.
Brigitte returned with more supplies as Laura placed a clean compress to the wound and then secured it in place with a long piece of cloth she tied around his torso. “That should keep it in place for now.” She said to Brigitte, who was more than happy to step aside and let Laura take over.
She then reached for the fresh towels and water that Brigitte had brought for them and began to clean the wound above his eye. “Brie, does Ormond still keep a stash of whiskey under the counter up front?” she asked.
“Oh, that’s a great idea.” Charles said under his breath. “Best pain killer available.”
“It’s for disinfecting, Mr. Lattimer.” she scolded.
“Oh.” He replied in a disappointed tone.
Laura dipped the tip of the towel in the water and began working on the cut above his eye while Brigitte fetched the whiskey from the store. She could almost hear her pulse pounding through her veins as she leaned into him, her face only inches from his. “Try to stay still.” Laura said softly, and dabbed gently at the small gash on his temple.
Charles jumped and jerked away when she applied a bit more pressure. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to hurt you.” She said.
“It’s fine, it doesn’t hurt.” He groaned.
“Liar.” She retorted with a smile.
Returning with the bottle of whiskey, Brigitte placed it on the table and turned her head so she couldn’t see blood. “How are we doing here?”
“I think he’s going to be alright.” Laura responded. “But we definitely need the doctor to take a look at that knife wound.”
“Maybe I should go find out what’s holding Ormond up.” Brigitte suggested.
“That’s not a bad idea.” Laura responded.
“Will you be okay?”
“Yes. I’ll be fine. Just hurry back, Brie.”
It took some time for her to finish cleaning his facial wounds. As Laura pulled back to inspect her work she asked. “How are you feeling?”
“Been better.” He said with a smirk.
“No doubt.” She said softly.
Before she knew what she was doing Laura reached up and gently ran a finger along his brow.
A new tension filled the air.
Laura could feel her pulse quicken as she looked into his eyes. She felt as though she would drown in his gaze… so full of want and tender affection.
Looking away she reached for a new compress. “Let’s take another look at your back.” She said, desperately trying to keep the trembling from her voice.
Standing in front of him she slowly moved to pull the compress back.
Laura trembled as her body brushed up against his. Her breath caught in her throat as Charles turned his head and gently nuzzled her as she reached behind him. She shivered at the feel of his warm breath on her neck.
“Laura.” He muttered, in a barely audible whisper.
Her hands seemed to move of their own volition as she abandoned the compress to snake her trembling fingers through his hair… pulling him closer to her as she rested her chin atop his head. A tiny hum escaped her lips at the feel of his hands on her hips as he pulled her down to him.
Her pulse was racing and her mind was spinning as his lips brushed lazily against hers… barely touching before pulling away to trail a gentle line along her jaw.
Laura exhaled in a slow hiss… need ran red hot through her veins. She closed her eyes and lost herself in the feel of his lips casting gentle caresses against her flesh. She cradled his face in her hands and slowly surrendered to his silent request.
She emitted a soft sigh as his mouth found hers… trembled with want as his tongue gently brushed her delicate lips. She parted them, granting him access and moaned as he took it hungrily.
She felt as though she were barely conscious as his tongue engaged hers in a delicate waltz and his hands ran across her back… pulling her closer to him… deepening their embrace until she could no longer tell where she ended and he began. With a soft sigh she responded to him, returning his kiss with a hunger of her own.
Lost in the moment, he shifted for a better angle sending a sharp pain shooting up his side. Charles groaned in agony causing Laura to straighten and try to pull away. He tightened his grip on her before she could break free, pulling her back and resting his cheek against her side. She reached down and cradled his head in her arms as she planted a kiss to the top of his crown. Silence filled the air as they both fought to catch their breath. “Laura…” Charles whispered.
Before any more could be said they were startled by the sound of the Rourkes returning with the doctor. Laura jumped away and quickly turned her attention to cleaning up the pieces of cloth and water that had spilled onto the table. Charles slumped back in his chair and tilted his head forward in an effort to hide his frustration.
As the doctor came in he went directly to Charles. He muttered his shock and dismay at what the thugs had done to him as he inspected the injury to his back. “It’s not so bad, Mr. Lattimer.” He stated. “A few stitches and a couple days bed rest and you should be fine.” He then looked over at Ormond. “Give me hand to get him up and we’ll bring him over to my office. It’ll be a lot easier to stitch him up there.”
Ormond nodded in agreement and followed the doctor’s orders. Within minutes the three men were on their way out the door.
Brigitte stood watching her friend gather the rags and first aid supplies from the table. She couldn’t help but notice the color in her cheeks, the trembling in her hands, or the breathless state they were both in when they’d arrived.
“Could we have possibly interrupted something when we arrived with the doctor?” she wondered. “NO! Not in his state, NO WAY!”
She then studied her friend’s face a little closer. “Hmmmm. Maybe,” she thought.
Suddenly aware of the scrutiny, Laura stopped what she was doing to look at her friend. “What?” she asked.
“I don’t know.” Said Brigitte. “I’m hoping you’ll tell me.”
A new wave of color filled Laura’s cheeks as she answered in a flutter, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
With a single arched eyebrow Brigitte gave her a quizzical look. “Don’t you?”
Ignoring Brigitte’s’ implications, Laura simply replied. “I’d better get home. Mother will be worried.”
Chapter 6 <> Chapter 8
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