Emma's Home (The Fairfield Series) Read online

  “Babe, we need to get you home. If we stay here, I am going to fuck you on my mom’s dining room table. While that thought has me hard, I don’t think you want my mom possibly walking in.”

  Emma took a deep breath trying to still her erratic heartbeat, then smiled slowly up at him. “I love you, Jake Campbell,” she said as he assisted her off the counter.

  Pulling her in for a tight hug, Jake kissed the top of her head. “Come on, darlin’, let me get you home.”

  Emma nodded in agreement, slipping her small hand into his much larger one as they made their way out to his truck.

  Once at her house, Jake took the keys from her so that he could enter first. Huffing, Emma complained that she was perfectly capable of going into her house by herself. Jake asked her wait by the front door as he made a sweep of the rooms. Understanding that his request was important to him, she waited, although not so patiently. Seeing her tap her foot as he walked back over, he wrapped his arms around her tiny frame, pulling her close.

  “Baby, I know you are capable, but I’m gonna protect you every chance I get with everything I have.”

  Leaning her head back to look into his piercing stare, she couldn’t help but smile. Feeling protected, feeling cherished, feeling loved.

  “Take me to bed,” she said softly. “Make love to me.”

  “Oh, Emma girl, it would be my pleasure,” Jake answered back reverently. He carried her to the bedroom, setting her down next to the bed. Slowly peeling her clothes off, he felt as though he was unwrapping a present. As he exposed her breasts, his hands palmed each one, measuring its fullness. Her nipples hardened and ached for his touch. Instinctively knowing what she needed, he rolled them between his forefinger and thumb, pinching slightly.

  Emma reached up, pulling on his shirt until he could shrug it off. Jake and Emma continued to undress each other until they stood bare, no clothes, no fears, no inhibitions.

  Turning slowly, Emma walked the few step to the bed, where she lay down on her back, raising her arms up towards Jake.

  He stood for a moment, looking down at this beautiful woman who wanted him. Lying there, waiting for him to love her. Not willing to waste another second, Jake moved to the bed and her awaiting arms. Holding her close, feeling her heartbeat against his chest, he kissed her with the reverence of a man in love.

  Emma felt the change in Jake. The air in the room was not only charged with sexual tension, but with an overpowering sensation of affection. This time, he truly was making love. Their kisses intensified as they explored each other’s mouths. Their hips began the age old mating dance of pressing on each other, as she grew wet and he felt the pleasure of his dick moving against her. Emma felt as though she would explode, but from what, she wasn’t sure. The emotion of the moment was consuming.

  Sliding his fingers into her wetness, Jake moved them in just the right rhythm to have her finally peak, splintering into a thousand pieces. Jake continually kissed her, positioning himself at her entrance. Seating himself with one plunge, he felt connected to her in every way. Heart, soul, body, life.

  Slow, languid strokes of his cock into her accepting body, Emma desired to hold on to these feelings forever.

  Jake’s strokes increased in pace, but not in harshness. Continuing to worship her body, he felt his release coming. She raised her legs to allow him deeper access and a few strokes later she felt her second orgasm explode. Jake pulsated inside, feeling the delicious sensation of spilling inside.

  After a few minutes of blissful unawareness, Jake raised up on his arms, looking down on the woman, who captured his heart. Her face flushed with passion, he had never seen a more beautiful woman. Eyes bright, china doll complexion, and long silky hair sweeping the pillow.

  Emma looked up at his baby blues, feeling as though she could drown in them. She didn’t want to move. She didn’t want him to pull out. She didn’t want him to leave her body, leave her bed, leave her house. Smiling, she pulled him down, placing her lips on his, putting all of her emotions into a slow, languid kiss.

  Driving back home early the next morning, Jake thought about Emma.

  I know what I want…Emma as my wife. I want to make love to her every night and wake up to her beautiful face every morning. But what about mom?

  Jake knew that Emma loved his mother and Mary certainly loved Emma, but how to have them both together? Emma loved her new house and he would love living there with her, but his mom’s disability would worsen and he needed to be available to assist her.

  Shaking his head as though to clear it, he arrived home with no easy solution in mind.

  Chapter 12

  Tom, Jake, and Mike were at their desks when Tom’s cell phone rang. Looking down at it, he saw it was Carol.

  “Hey gorgeous,” he answered. “What’s up?” Suddenly Tom sat up straight, grabbed a pen, and started scribbling. “Are they still alive?” he asked. Jake and Mike looked at each other, on alert. “Be there soon, Carol.”

  Turning to the others, he quickly gave them the information. “Carol said that two kids from the high school have been brought in. Both high on something, one acting aggressive. She said their parents have been called and the school’s resource officer is at the hospital.” Looking directly at Jake, he continued. “Emma’s there too.”

  “This may be the break we need,” Jake said as he was already heading out the door. Tom and Mike were right on his heels. Jumping into Jake’s truck, they headed to the hospital.

  Striding into the ER, the three detectives flashed their badges at the guard’s desk and were told to head back to Bays 5 and 6. As they were walking down the hall, they were met with a patrol officer. As he was giving them the details, Jake looked up, seeing Emma outside one of the rooms talking to a couple that he assumed were the parents. Jake looked at Tom and jerked his head towards Emma. Tom nodded in understanding and kept going over the information with the patrolman. Jake walked toward Emma, but stayed a discreet distance while she comforted the parents.

  Her arms were around the woman sobbing on Emma’s shoulders. Next to her, Emma looked so petite, but Jake realized what strength that tiny frame contained. Emma held the crying woman, continuing to talk to the father.

  “Mr. Jacobs, they are doing everything they can. We got to them quickly and got them here.”

  She continued to rub the Mrs. Jacob’s back, while trying to calm her husband. The doctor came out to speak to the Jacobs.

  Jake noticed Emma was trying to discreetly step back to give them privacy, but Mrs. Jacobs would not let go of her. She is everything. She cares with her whole heart. She gives without ever thinking of taking back. She loves with her whole being. I’m one lucky SOB to have her and I’m gonna find a way to keep her and never let her go.

  The Jacobs followed the doctor into their child’s room while Emma stood.

  “Emma,” Jake spoke softly.

  Recognizing his voice, Emma turned and ran the few steps into Jake’s waiting arms. Holding him tight, she listened as his heartbeat filled her with a sense of calm and rightness.

  Jake knew she would speak when she felt as though she could. He kept his embrace firmly around her, willing her to feel his comfort. Tom and Mike walked up and stood behind them. Carol, sliding next to her husband found herself wrapped protectively his arms. Tom and Mike had already spoken to the patrolman, but allowed Emma to tell them what information the doctor had given.

  “The boys will be fine according to the doctor. They were smoking pot before school this morning, which is not unusual for these boys. But it appears that is may have been laced with something, possibly heroin. They were speaking sluggishly, appeared intoxicated, and one of them became belligerent when a teacher approached them. The police were called when the nurse suspected drug use, and the principal asked me to come as the school representative.” After reciting the factual information, Emma suddenly felt very tired, the exhaustion draining every ounce of energy.

  Wrapping his arm tighter around her, Jak
e allowed her to lean her slight weight against him. He looked down at her pale face. “Babe, let me take you home,” he said gently.

  Emma nodded her acquiescence. “Since the parents are here, I am relieved of my school duty,” she explained, “so I can leave whenever you are ready.”

  Carol walked over to her friend, hugging her. “Jake, you finish up here, and I’ll take Emma to the cafeteria.” Thanking Carol, he watched the two women walk down the hall, arms around each other in support.

  Mike watched the women as well, then turned to Tom and Jake. “You guys have two of the nicest, not to mention prettiest women in this whole town. Damn bastards,” he jokingly grumbled. Jake and Tom agreed as they all turned back to continue the investigation.

  Carol’s shift was over before Jake was finished with his questioning. She volunteered to take Emma back to her car, which was left at the school. Emma hugged the petite blonde, noticing how very thin she was. She hoped she was not ill, but knew that Carol hated to talk about her weight. Driving home, she was lost in thoughts of everything that had happened that day.

  I hate that weed is so easy for the kids to get hold of, but now if it is laced with harder drugs that just makes it worse. Her thoughts turned to the kids whose grades were slipping or behavior was changing. What about Brad? Is he involved in drugs? As an athlete, would he chance his scholarship?

  Her mind continued to think of all of the strange events over the past couple of months, but like a puzzle that was missing some pieces, she just could not see a pattern.

  How are they getting weed with heroin? How many kids are involved? Do they even know their weed is laced? Who is getting these drugs to the kids? Why did Ted not want me involved? No way, she chastised herself. There is no way the coach would be involved. And yet he was so adamant that she leave “his boys” alone.

  *

  Emma arrived at home, no wiser for all of her musings. She parked in the driveway and headed up her porch steps. It was dark; she had anticipated being home earlier and had not left the porch light on.

  Feeling her way up the dark porch steps, she stubbed her toe on something next to the front door as she was trying to get her keys. She couldn’t see what it was, but assumed the postman must have left a package. Opening the front door, she leaned in and turned on the porch light, as Mister shot out of the door. Turning back around, she looked down in horror.

  A dead animal, its carcass ripped open, spilled out on the porch mat. She jerked back and started to grab her cell phone to call Jake. Before slamming the front door, she noticed a slip of paper lying on the mat. Looking around, the front yard was quiet, and she saw nothing else unusual. Slowly bending down, as if in a trance, Emma picked up the piece of paper and then carefully backed into the house, slamming the door. Remembering her cat was still outside, she opened the door, grabbing Mister as he sniffed the carcass. Slamming the door again, she set the alarm for the house before moving into the living room to look at the note. It was written on simple white computer paper.

  stop interfering and no one will get hurt – if you tell your police boyfriend the first one hurt will be a student and you know who I mean

  Emma sat down on the sofa, holding the note in her shaking fingers. She kept staring at the words as though if she read them over and over again, she would understand them. Her heart was pounding and the desire to call Jake was overwhelming.

  Don’t be hasty. Don’t call him yet. Someone may be watching.

  She jumped up and quickly closed all of the curtains and blinds. Walking into the kitchen, she turned on the coffee maker.

  This is going to be a long night. I just need to think it through, figure it out.

  Emma knew that Jake would be furious if he found out that she had been threatened, but she couldn’t take the chance that someone would get hurt by telling him. Taking her coffee back into the living room, she sat back down on the sofa holding the note in her hands again. Mister curled up next to her as though to assist with the task.

  Think Emma, you need to figure out what is going on.

  stop interfering

  Emma thought back to everything she had done with her students, that could possibly be considered interfering. She had looked into students who seem to be changing. She had talked to several of them, thinking of Brad in particular. She dismissed Brad; she knew he would never have left the dead animal or the note. She also did not think that students would leave a note that referred to someone else as a student. No, the threat had to be coming from an adult. The only adult she had spoken to about the boys was Ted.

  Ted? Could it possibly be Ted? No. No?

  Emma’s thoughts raced through her mind, desperately trying to reconcile the Coach Ted that loves “his boys” and the man who seemed almost angry that she was wanting to talk to them.

  police boyfriend

  Emma realized that that could be anyone since it was well known in town now that she and Jake were dating. I’m not getting anywhere!

  you know who I mean

  Emma thought of all the students she dealt with.

  Why does this person think I know who they will hurt? I don’t even know who is involved.

  Emma remembered her conversation with Brad that led to her talking with Coach Ted.

  Smoke. I smelled smoke on Brad. Somehow, someway he is involved.

  She looked at the clock and realized that it was late. Knowing she wasn’t going to make any more headway tonight, she took the note, folded it back up and tucked it between some books on her bookshelf. Heading to bed, she hoped that she would be able to sleep.

  Early the next morning, Emma went out on the front porch knowing she needed to take care of the carcass that had been left the night before, and she wanted to do it before Jake came around. She took her dust pan with some plastic bags and scooped it up. Trying not to gag, she carried the carcass to the edge of the woods and disposed of it. Getting back to her front porch, she made sure to clean up the area, tossing the mat into the garbage can. She quickly got ready for work and headed out.

  Pulling into the teacher’s parking lot, she found herself looking around as she got out of the car. The hair on her neck began to prickle, and she could feel someone’s eyes on the back of her. Emma turned slowly, looking behind her, seeing Ted standing next to his truck. He stared at her, holding her gaze for a moment before giving a little head tilt and walking away.

  That was creepy! Or am I just being paranoid?

  Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she walked toward the school. Once inside, she noticed Brad leaning against some lockers staring at her also. Normally Brad would give her a friendly greeting, but today he startled when he saw her looking at him, then quickly turned and walked away.

  *

  The day was finally over, and Emma was exhausted. Little sleep the night before, combined with racing thoughts all during the day, had Emma longing for a glass of wine and bed. Her phone chirped, and looking down she saw Laurie’s name. Grinning, she answered quickly.

  “Hey girl, what’s up?”

  “I haven’t seen you in the past few days and I miss my auntie Em,” Laurie joked. “Plus Carol and I want to have a girl’s night out. Please come with us,” Laurie begged.

  “God, I would love to!” Emma said. “I’m so beat, but I really need some serious girl time!”

  “Everything okay?” Laurie asked, not remembering hearing Emma sound quite so desperate before.

  “Yeah. Just stress. Job, fire, life,” Emma tried to joke. “Where are we meeting?”

  “Where else? Smokey’s,” Laurie declared. “About six o’clock all right with you? We were going to have dinner there as well. Tom and Jake are still at work, and Rob is on shift tonight.”

  “Sounds perfect. See you then,” Emma replied, secretly glad she would not have to see Jake tonight, knowing how hard it would be to keep the threat against her a secret.

  As Emma approached her car she noticed Ted standing near it. She looked straight into his eyes, de
termined not to show any fear or give away any anger.

  “Ted. What can I do for you?” she said in a steady voice.

  “Emma,” he replied. “I was just wondering if you’d thought anymore about what we talked about the other day. About not hassling my boys.”

  Shocked, Emma stated emphatically, “Ted, I will do whatever I have to do to protect these students.”

  Misunderstanding her meaning, her answered seem to satisfy him. “Good, good. I just don’t want anything to happen to keep my boys from scholarships.” He smiled and nodded at her as he began to walk away. “You take care now, you hear?” he said over his shoulder.

  Oh my God, Emma thought. The audacity. Is he the one who is threatening me?

  Jumping in her car, she slammed the door, and headed home. Pulling up to her house, she saw Jake sitting on her porch swing. Damn. Normally, she would be thrilled to see him, but emotions were churning and she wasn’t sure she could keep them hidden.

  As she got out of the car, he jogged down the steps and over to her. Picking her up, he gave her a big hug as he swung her around. “God, I’ve missed you babe,” he said burying his head in her hair. He and Tom had spent most of the day chasing leads that led to nowhere. Tired and frustrated, he wanted to see her before heading back out.

  “I’ve missed you too Jake.”

  He set her down, piercing her with his gaze, not liking what he saw. “Emma girl, what’s wrong?” Jake questioned.

  Emma sighed. It was both wonderful and a curse that Jake could read her so easily.