Rescue for the Carer
Jeri K Raine
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Epilogue
Chapter 1 Christian
Mimi is the last of the kids, waiting to be picked up from the Lil’ Blossoms Day Nursery. Pretty in her tired little cornflower blue dress, she’s hunched on the porch with her knees pulled up, trying not to take up space. Breaks my heart.
I’m here strictly as security. Mimi finds the candy I left for her on the step. She doesn’t look up to me, like I don’t look over at her.
They’re all special kids, but I get the sense that this one deserves a little extra protection. That’s in no way connected with the heavenly curves of the woman I look forward to watching whenever she comes to pick little Mimi up, several times a week. She’s Jessica Fincher, the named carer today. For me the sun came out, just seeing her name on the Named Carer list and knowing I might see her.
Mimi sees the big, hulking guy lumbering up the hill this way when he’s half a block away. She recoils, sliding as far back on the step as she can. Making herself small. I hate to see that. I can see that she wants to dash back into the nursery. Of course, it’s closed and she can’t, poor kid. She looks like she’s in distress.
I move away from the steps and straight down the path to the little gate, checking back with a look to Mimi. I raise eyebrows. Widen my eyes. Show her a comic face. Make her feel like it’s all okay.
The guy barrels straight toward me. Like I’m going to just step aside for him. I’m giving him twenty pounds or so. He’s hunched, leaning his heavy brow forward with a surly scowl He’s projecting angry, determined. Over-muscled in the shoulders, over-built in the upper-body. Classic gym rat, a diet of ‘roids, hormones and protein drinks.
Instinct tells me, that’s a whole list of good reasons not to let the asshole through.
When he reaches the perimeter of the property, I’m blocking his path. The fence is not that high, but he’s pretty heavy. He could clear the fence easy enough, but if he does, I can easily stop him. He’d have given me cause and he knows it.
He he doesn’t blink. Another bad sign. He just glares in my face. “You just get out of my fucking way. Let me pick up my little girl.”
Quietly and evenly I tell him, “Friend, I don’t know who you are.”
“I’m Mimi’s ever loving dad, that’s who I am. Now, are you going to get out of my way?”
“Mimi is listed to be picked up by a named individual who is very definitely not you. I’ll wait for that person to arrive.”
“You better back down, boy. You don’t know what you’re dealing with.”
I stay relaxed in front of him. That type, the fanatical workout junkie, they’re horribly strong, but slow. This one seems dull in mind and body, but I can’t take a risk to underestimate him. If he landed one of those fists, it would be like being hit by a truck.
His weight is forward on his right foot, and he’s coming up a slope. He’ll lead with his left hand and I can see him getting ready. My worry is, if he makes a move, my best defense is to duck and go in under his arms.
If he’s sharp, that would give him an opening to go straight over me. Then he could get to Mimi. I don’t think he’s any kind of smart, but I can’t take a chance. If I have to attack his face, it would be a labor of love, but a long, hard slog.
He’s got enough bone in his face to make a piano and the front of his head bulges like a rock face.
His exposure is the spot under his ear. One sharp jab and he’d sleep like a baby, but I could get a few of my own bones broken on the way to get there.
In theater, there would be plenty I could do, but these are civilian streets and I don’t particularly want to maim the asshole.
From the corner of my eye, Jessica Fincher is running up the street. She’s bounding like a little bunny, hard enough to get herself out of breath. The sight of her, panting, glowing, could almost make me lose my concentration. Damn, I could lose my whole self in her. Each time I see her, I’m expecting her and looking forward to seeing her, and then she’s even more ripe and sexy than I remembered.
About ten feet back from the big guy, she stops and looks at me. “I am–I’m here to collect Mimi.”
“I recognize you, Ma’am.” I look in her eyes. She has a beautiful, innocent look. She and Mimi, they have similar eyes. They could be mom and daughter, but I don’t think they are. Her harassed frown makes me want to protect her more than ever.
I want to know what the score is with the ugly ass standing in front of me. The guy is preparing to make a push on my shoulder. Yeah, fella. You just do that. It would be a lot of fun to plant a fist in the middle of that face.
He tells Jessica, “I’m here to collect Mimi, little sis, you better just stay out of the fucking way.”
I hold up a hand. “Language,” I say. Then, “This guy claims that he is Mimi’s father.”
She scowls at him. “Jake, you can be violated for just being here. You were in the courthouse when Tandi took out the restraining order. You’re not allowed within a hundred yards of Mimi and you know it.”
