The Vicarage Bench Anthology (17 page)

She gave the doctor’s door an extra wallop. Dancing around, she clapped her hands with glee. She wiggled and jiggled like a child who’d just opened a very special, begged-for Christmas present. “We’ve got it,” she repeated over and over.

“What is it, Carrie? What’s happened?” The doctor had sleep lines across one cheek and looked worn out; as if he’d only dropped off in the last little while. His robe, only half on because one sleeve was turned inside out, dragged on the floor while his hand reached backwards, searching in vain.

“Don’t keep us in suspense,” begged Ashley, who’d just appeared but became instantly caught up in her excitement. “Tell us!”

“Rhett figured it out. It’s the rose. See, the first time, we pricked ourselves with the same rose.”

“But that was what we did today. We used the exact same rose. I was very careful about that.” Doctor Andrew’s crestfallen face mirrored his disappointment.

“Yes, but remember, on that first occasion, I pricked my finger first.”

“By God, you’re right. That’s it! He’s a bloody genius. I can’t imagine why I didn’t pick up on that myself.”

The doctor wrapped his burly arms around Carrie and danced her up the hallway. Ashley twirled and yelled with a horrible racket. Happiness surged between the three crazy fools.

Finally, after calm returned, they made their way into the kitchen for cups of hot chocolate and indulged in the earlier-rejected warm apple crumble smothered with vanilla ice cream.

“So, Rhett, it was you who figured it out.” Ashley’s face lit up with pride. “And you really believe it’ll work tomorrow when we try it?”

“Hey, little brother, have faith. If it could happen once, then it’ll happen again.” Relief was evident in his word choice, in the inflection of his voice, and in the fact that he’d even spoken at all.

Later that night, after the festivities had died down and the house was quiet again, Rhett opened himself to Carrie. His lovemaking was so beautiful that every nerve end in her tingled. The vibrations persisted, building while her body heaved in time. The blast of intense, enjoyable clenching seemed to go on forever. At last the rolling peaks of pleasure waned, but the twitches of ecstasy wouldn’t stop. She was drenched both with sweat and love juices and a sensation of swelling, an indication she’d been loved well.

“Rhett, that was wonderful, almost spiritual. I’m so in love with you. I’m happier now than I’ve ever been.”

“Soon, when I can hold you in my arms, I’ll be as happy as you.”

Carrie sighed. “Touching and being touched will be so different. I’ll be able to pleasure you in return. Now, it seems such a selfish interaction between us. I’m in heaven and you’re left behind.”

“Not true, Sweetheart. It’s as wonderful for me and a lot less exhausting. But you need your beauty rest; we have a busy day tomorrow. We actually get to meet in person for the first time.”

“I hope you like me.”

Whispered words resounded behind her closed eyes.

“I love you.”

Chapter Twelve

The next morning, three happy people pushed a silent figure down the street in his wheelchair. To be absolutely certain there wouldn’t be any hitches; they’d waited until the precise time of the original incident to repeat it.

They set up the scene, and this time Carrie pricked her finger first, then passed the same rose to the doctor, who pricked Rhett’s finger. They sat in the exact places as previously.

She felt a faint movement in the body balanced next to hers, and she held her breath. All three watched closely as the inert body returned to the land of the living. First Rhett’s eyes opened slowly, fluttered closed, then popped open again. Next he tried lifting his head. Within scant seconds it flopped down again, with his chin resting on his chest.

“Don’t rush things, Rhett. Go slow. Take your time.” The doctor was on his knees in front of the semiconscious man.

Next to the doctor, Ashley was on his knees also, his eyes popping in near disbelief at what was happening. Joyful tears gushed unrestrained as he expressed his stunned amazement at the phenomenon he’d just witnessed. His head bobbed up and down and he chattered encouragement.

“Absolutely fantastic! You can do it, Rhett. Come back to us. You can do it.”

Carrie sat quietly beside her lover, whispering prayers of thankfulness. Within a short span of time, maybe one minute, maybe five, Rhett turned to her. She finally got to look into his sleepy blue portals, where she saw love flaming in their depths.

“Hello, Sweetheart,” he croaked. His rusty voice was the most beautiful sound she’d ever heard.

“You’re back. I’m so glad.” Her happy tears flowed, while embarrassed tears still lurked in Ashley’s eyes, and happy relief showed all over Doctor Andrews’ face. Rhett’s visage was lit with pure joy.

All Carrie’s secret fears disappeared. Rhett was back. He remembered her and their feelings for one another and what they’d shared. She’d known for certain he remembered, as soon as he looked her way and spoke. Her inside emptiness seemed a small price to pay for the happiness embellishing the face of the re-emerging person. The transformation was a success. Her lover was once more his own man.

It would take days for Rhett’s physical weakness to dissipate completely. Thankfully, he’d had the best of care and was still quite strong, but the travelling had taken its toll.

Later that day, Carrie explained to Rhett that she needed to return home. He was very weak and couldn’t talk easily, but he groaned with frustration.

“Darling, I must check up on the Poppets, and I do have to return to work. You’re in very capable hands with Ashley and Dr. Andrews looking after you. Besides, it’ll give you time to be sure of your sentiments about us. I know how you felt before, but things could be different for you now, and you need to reconsider your choices.”

* * *

She needn’t have worried about the old dears, as they were in good form and more content with each other than she could ever remember. Gran’s smiling face and her granddad’s unusual, good-natured grins told her that the change they’d instigated the week before had continued. They were happy to see their girl home safe and sound, although she knew they were concerned about her paleness and preoccupation.

She had no contact with Rhett, as he couldn’t call, but she had expected that. Because everything had happened so quickly, she knew a cooling-off period wouldn’t hurt, especially for him. After all, he’d been imprisoned inside her through no fault of his own. Just maybe he’d reacted to her with love because he’d had to be so dependent on her. She felt it only fair to give him a bit of breathing room so he could make the choice—did he really want her?

Carrie resumed her place in her classroom the next day, and the time crept slowly. Her second day back at work, she found Robert sitting at his desk with the happiest expression she’d ever witnessed on his gaunt face. Once the class settled down, she called him to the front.

“Hello, Miss. It’s right glad I am ter see ya.”

“Thank you, dear. I’m happy to be back, and I must say how pleased I am that you’re here in school.”

“Not to worry, Miss. From now on I’ll be at me desk every day. Me da’s won a mittfull. A letter came by a special messenger, and there was a check in it from a bank overseas saying me da’s rich. A cousin he never even heard of went and left him a fortune, Miss. It’s that exciting, it is.”

His small hand found hers and they held onto each other, secreted from the others’ view by the huge, scarred, wooden desk.

Carrie sighed with pleasure. “What brilliant news! I’m happy for you and your family, Robert. Very happy indeed.”

“Do you believe in angels, Miss Temple? ‘Cause, ya know, I asked the angels to help us, and they’ve answered me.”

“Yes, Robert. I believe there are angels. In fact, I know one personally.”

Chapter Thirteen

Two long days alone in her body had been absolute hell. She missed Rhett’s essence, his voice, and the lovemaking—she missed the lovemaking most.

Robert was his answer, his special messenger. He would come. She knew it now, for sure. Anticipation built. Her eyes glowed, as did her skin, while happiness zinged around her like electricity from a live wire. Second and third glances followed her everywhere she went. She was not their old Carrie; there was a palpable difference.

That evening he appeared. The doorbell rang and her granddad answered. He looked up at the tall, handsome, well-dressed stranger. “You’ll be here to see Carrie, I’ll wager.”

The nervous man, clutching an armful of long-stemmed red roses enclosing a single white bloom in their midst, nodded. “You’d win,” he said. He stepped into the hall as the old man waved him in. He moved gracefully for his size. His suit, his grooming, his whole appearance shouted money and power.

Carrie had heard the doorbell. She flew down the stairs right into his open arms. The old man discreetly backed into the kitchen and winked at his wife as he closed the door.

The old woman asked, “Is he here, then?”

“Yep.”

* * *

Rhett’s lips on hers breathed the missing essence back into her lonely heart. She whimpered and kissed him back.

Finally he broke contact and said, “I’ve missed you so much, Sweetheart.” His voice caressed her as much from the outside as it had while inside.

“Rhett, you did understand why I left? You needed time to get strong and resume your life after what you’d been through. I wanted to give you that time, but it’s been hellish staying away.”

“Carrie, I missed you every single moment. I kept talking to you in my mind, but you weren’t there. I hated it. I came as soon as I felt strong enough to hold you in my arms and not fall over.”

“I knew you’d come tonight, as soon as I talked to Robert today at school. It was like a sign. Thank you for being such a dear man and helping his family.”

“He’s a cute little guy. I liked him. And he has great taste in women.”

He kissed her again, and again. Breathing wasn’t an option and, frankly, she didn’t give a damn.

Epilogue

Bury, England 2007

The attractive older couple snuggled on the bench in front of the ancient vicarage, their arms wrapped tightly around each other. Tears mingled. They kissed over and over.

“Please, Carrie. I can’t take this any longer. Let me go. Help me!”

“Yes, you’re right, my darling. Soon you’ll be with me again.”

Positioned on her knee was a beautiful white rose. She gathered it up and pricked her finger first. And then she pricked his. In the next instant, she propped up the man’s dead weight, holding him tightly. His brother moved forward and stopped him from falling to the ground.

“Rhett?”

Her insides, a quivering mess until now, exploded with joy when she clearly heard his voice inside her head.

“I’m here, Sweetheart.”

We’re One

Crystal was a celebrated Vegas star with a strong affinity to the animal world—except for the human male animal, that is. When she uses her trusty baseball bat to change the odds for easygoing Ashley Parks, who is getting beaten in an alley below her apartment window, the two end up having to run for their lives from a killer who wants revenge.

Ashley’s first kiss arouses her and all she wants is for him to do it again and more - but no strings. All he wants is strings - and to keep her safe. His bizarre solution is to put Crystal’s body into a coma and hide her in a hospital ward while her spirit is transported to exist inside him. Her reaction to his chivalry—”You bungling idiot!!!? Everything’s changed. It’s you he wants to kill now.”

Great Reviews for
We’re One

“I find myself wanting to read the other books in the series and the new one coming out soon. I’m so glad I did not give up on this story or author. I was pleasantly surprised by the ending and can’t wait to see what she has in store with the next book. You definitely need to pick up “We’re One” and all the other stories in this series. You will not be disappointed!

~Roberta - You Gotta Read Reviews…(You need to read!)

“I liked Crystal, I thought she had a lot of spirit and certainly loved the fact she rescued stray animals. They seemed to attach to her (a pregnant cat, her four kittens, turtle and two budgie birds were her current stable) and even though she says she will kick them to the curb, the amendment always is ‘Soon’. Her heart is just too soft for it.”

~Lexile - Night Owl Reviews

“A delightful quick read! We’re One is a feel good story perfect for a long plane ride or at the end of a stressful day.”

~K. L. Mc Loughlin, author of BABY STEPS, host of PIVTR’s Today’s Women

Chapter One

Las Vegas, 1969

A fist smashed into his cheek, cut his lip, and shoved his face to the left while the two punks holding his arms kept him upright. He shook his head for a second, then glared at the man watching.

“Joey, I’m warning you, don’t do this. You’ll regret it.” Blood poured from Ashley Parks’ mouth. His eyes were two chips of ice even as the swelling around them started to show.

“Shut up, Mr. Bigshot! You think you can tempt my girls away to your fancy casino and get away with it forever? I warned you what was gonna happen to you if you hired another one of my chicks, and you didn’t listen to me, did ya, smartass? Hit him again, Arnie.”