Finders Keepers

Part 14

"Guys! Hey! What did I say about running in the house?" Rachel watched her youngest children disappear onto the terrace, Dante in hot pursuit. "What has gotten into those two today? I think Carl must’ve fed them pure sugar this morning."

"I certainly did not," he laughed as he walked into the room. "They simply knew today was a party day."

"The word ‘anniversary’ holds no meaning for them you know," Rachel remarked.

"Nevertheless, they know when we’re having a house full over. The grubs like to hold them hostage with their winsome ways. But then Jules is accustomed to their showboating by now, aren’t you darling?"

"Oh yes. If I let them, they’ll talk my ear off. Like their father."

"Me? Talkative? I’m the very soul of social timidity. They get their chattiness from Rachel. She simply loves to talk. ‘Yes, Carl.’ ‘Now, Carl.’ Ow! Rachel."

"And like their father, they sometimes don’t know to quit when they’re ahead."

"Exactly," Jules agreed. "Once, at the clinic.."

Carl groaned. "Please, any story but that one."

"AT the clinic," Jules continued, sending him a pointed look, "this man here landed himself in rather hot water over a highly unauthorized field trip with several other inmates."

"See, she agrees."

"Patients, I meant patients. Anyway, he kept the group out all day and into the night. Never mind that I am beside myself with worry and the director is about to explode. Around midnight I finally receive a call from the police in a nearby town asking me to come bail him out."

"Jail? Carl, what did you do?"

"Actually, he was only in custody. So, I drove into town, my mind filled with disastrous thoughts. Outside the precinct stood the others…"

"Very happy people I might add," Carl interjected.

"Who look like they’ve had the time of their lives. I go inside and there he is dressed in an orange jumpsuit. He was sober and in one piece so I asked what he’d done. My mild-mannered patient had been disturbing the peace."

"That’s it?" one of the other guests asked.

"Well, disturbing the peace, indecent exposure, assaulting an officer. I think that about covers it."
"Carl!"

"That’s not all." Jules held her hands up to quiet the group. "By the time I drag him back to the clinic, he’s become a legend. And I manage to haul his sorry hide out of the soup by pleading his case with my employer. The entire time he’s standing behind me behaving quite well, or so I think. Suddenly the director’s face turns a deep purple and he nearly stops breathing. I’m about to call a code when I turn around to find the orange jumpsuit down around Carl’s ankles and his derriere pointed at Director Thacker! To this day I have no idea how I managed to keep my job."

The small group her story attracted dissolved into laughter.

"I can just see it," Rachel laughed, wiping tears from her eyes.

"Alright, we’ve all had a good laugh at my expense. What say we go outside and eat?" Carl stood as the others filed out to the terrace, laughing and chatting. "You are evil my dear."

"Not evil, dear boy, merely being sociable. Now, if I truly wanted to ruin you, I’d tell them of the infamous glue incident."

Rachel choked on her drink. "You didn’t tell me that one! Either of you."

"I like to blame it on the drugs and the newfound ability to walk. No one was harmed. Much."

"No, but the nurses began a sponge bath list longer than my arm." Jules laughed and followed them outside. "I have no idea how you manage him Rachel. He was an absolute handful for me."

Rachel linked one of her arms with Jules. "You know, we really need to discuss our techniques. Perhaps we can develop a strategy for controlling our wild man."

*(*)*

Carl popped a handful of tablets. The throbbing had intensified during the anniversary dinner. Between Amanda’s sniping and Matt’s cold shoulder he’d developed a desperate need for a respite. When he’d managed to get away from the crowd Jules had followed, pestering him to make an appointment. So why didn’t he just go ahead and do it? They’d given him a clean bill of health; there was nothing to fear.

Still, he worried. These headaches were much stronger, more intense, and no less scary.

Leaning back against the bed’s headboard, he rubbed his eyes. Rachel was downstairs on the phone with a business contact. She seemed excited at the prospect of the man but Carl just thought him rude. It was their bloody anniversary for God’s sake!

Carl closed his eyes. Maybe this nuisance would disappear before Rachel appeared, then they could enjoy what was left of their evening.

*(*)*

Rachel peeked in at the grubs before continuing down the hallway. The door to her room was standing slightly ajar, the faint glow from a bedside lamp illuminating the hallway. She knew before she even entered he would be sitting up in the bed waiting for her, fast asleep.

Tip-toeing in, Rachel found she was correct. Poor thing. She’d lost count of the times she’d found him like this in the last months. He was always waiting for her, waiting for the business to be over so he could steal some time.

Rachel lifted her tunic over her head wearily. Cory Enterprises was slowly sucking the life from her, but she wouldn’t turn her back on the company. Once this latest development was taken care of, things could slow down. Of course, she couldn’t recall how many times in the last year she’d thought that very same thing.

Skirt following her top, Rachel stood next to Carl. So much for her earlier preparations, for it seemed neither of them would get the chance to appreciate her efforts.

"Darling?" Carl’s eyes fluttered open. Reaching out he grabbed her wrist between his thumb and forefinger and placed a kiss on her open palm. "I unplugged our phone."

"I locked the door."

"I see you came dressed for the occasion."

"Black silk is always in style," she replied.

"Care to join me?"

Using his shoulders to steady her, Rachel climbed onto the bed and straddled his lap. With a tug she tore the band from his hair and ran her hands through it until it fanned out on his shoulders. "Such a shame you didn’t come dressed for the ball." Her hand wandered up his silk-clad chest. "I adore you in this darling, but it really must go."

With swift fingers she loosened the buttons. Under her hands his skin was warm and as delightful to the touch as his silken pajamas. With a fingertip she traced his collarbone first on one side then the other. She watched as he gulped, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. Leaning down she let her lips follow the path of her hands until they came to rest at the base of his throat.

"Shall I help?"

"Mmm, not yet. As an artist, I like to take my time when studying such an exquisite piece of work." Her lips met his. "I love you more every time we kiss. I will never be able to say it enough. I love you, I love you, I love you." She punctuated each statement with a kiss.

"You talk far too much darling." He pushed her backward on the bed, showering her with soft kisses.

Rachel wanted more and Carl willingly obliged.

*(*)*

Hours later Rachel stretched languidly against a warm fuzzy chest, happy to find strong hands stroking her back and lips brushing against her forehead. With a satisfied sigh she moved her head to meet his lips in a passionate kiss.

"Good morning," he whispered in her ear. Rachel opened her eyes to see the rosy beginnings of a summer dawn peeking through the window.

"Mmm," she said and giggled as his beard tickled her neck. "I’m glad you’re here. I was afraid I dreamt you up."

"I am quite real my love. Would you care for a demonstration?"

"That sounds inviting, but…"

"Stay with me today."

Rachel brushed his hair from his eyes. "I really should go in."

"Stay darling." He tenderly pushed Rachel into the mattress. "You’d rather stay and play wouldn’t you?"

"Carl, I have a meeting at, at um, at…OH" she gasped as his lips blazed a path to her navel.

His eyes rose to meet hers. "I’ll make it worth your while," he said and proceeded to prove his claim.