Authors: Violet Walker
A
s soon as Candy had come to him with the post card from Sally, he had booked a flight to Florida. She was living someplace called Singer Island near West Palm Beach. A few phone calls to local law enforcement and he had found out where she was living. He felt only slightly guilty about insinuating there was a legal reason he was looking for her. Evan rushed home and packed a small bag as his flight was leaving in about two hours. He called in to check on the office and Walker, who was acting Sherriff while Evan recuperated, assured him that all was well.
Evan raced to the airport in time to clear security and board the plane. Even though he hadn’t seen Sally in just about a month, these next four hours would feel like forever. He was so close. He wondered how she would receive him. Would she be happy to see him? Would she punch him in the mouth? Would she allow him to explain, beg, grovel, anything he had to do to get her back? The nerves were enough to kill him and his side was throbbing. In all the excitement and rush to get to Sally, he’d forgot to take his pain meds.
During the flight, Evan went over a mental script of everything he wanted to say to her. He dozed on and off and made polite small talk with the woman sitting next to him who was going to visit her granddaughter. By the time the plane was descending, he felt like a caged animal. It was all he could do not to push past everyone in the aisle to get off.
At the service desk, he picked up the car he had rented and asked for a map of Singer Island. Once he was settled into the car, he plugged the address into his GPS and drove to Sally’s, hoping to find her there. He knew from his conversation with Sherriff Barnes this morning that she was waitressing at a place called Tom’s Crab Shack but he didn’t want to have such an important conversation while she was at work. Evan drummed his fingers on the steering wheel as he drove, trying not to push the speed limit too much. Finally he spotted Sally’s apartment building and swung the car into the lot. Suddenly he was a bundle of nerves, unsure that his plan was a good one. Maybe he should’ve called first? Given her the opportunity to tell him whether she wanted to see him or not? No, fuck that, he thought. He’d wasted enough time already.
Evan climbed out of the car and the warm salt spray hit his face. He went up the steps gingerly, so as not to aggravate his side, which was still on fire from the flight. He found Sally’s door and raised his hand to knock when the door suddenly swung open and Sally nearly ran right into him. She looked as if she might pass out, so he reached out and grabbed her elbow to steady her.
At first, neither of them said anything. They stood in her doorway and stared at one another, Evan’s hand still on her elbow. Finally, Sally shook her head, breaking the spell.
“Evan, what are you doing here,” she asked, her brown eyes wide.
“I needed to see you Sally, I have so much I need to tell you,” Evan said, emotion in his voice.
Sally still wasn’t sure she believed Evan was actually standing in front of her. She thought maybe she was still dreaming, but the heat of his hand on her arm reassured her that he was, indeed, real. “I-I’m going to be late for work,” she said.
“Can’t you call and tell them you’re sick? Sally we really need to talk. Please,” Evan pleaded.
“I’m sorry Evan but no. I can’t,” with that, Sally pulled her arm from his grasp and ran down the steps to her car. She sped out of the lot, leaving Evan standing stunned in her still open doorway.
Evan wasn’t quite sure what to do but it didn’t seem right to go into her home since she clearly didn’t want to see him. He pulled the door closed behind him and walked slowly back down the steps. He saw the beach laid out in front of him and decided to sit for a while. He found a spot close to the water, hoping the waves would drown out the sound of his heart shattering into a thousand pieces.
S
ally walked into the restaurant and made a beeline for the bathroom. She looked at her face in the mirror and could still see the shock of finding Evan at her doorstep registered there. Why was he here? He’d said that he needed to talk, to tell her something. She had run because she’d been afraid of what he might say. But would he really have come all the way here just to belittle her again? She knew that he wouldn’t have. Oh she was a colossal idiot. The man she loved more than anything was standing in her doorway and she was here.
Damnit. She knew she couldn’t just leave now, not with only one week under her belt. She fished her phone out of her purse and punched in Evan’s number. When she got his voicemail she said, “Evan, it’s me. I’m so sorry I ran out, please stay. I’ll be home from my shift around ten. We’ll talk.”
Sally went to the serving station to grab her apron and ticket book. Brenda came up beside her.
“You feeling ok? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” she said.
“Yeah, I’m ok. Something just came up, is all. I’ll handle it later,” Sally answered.
She went to her first table, introduced herself, and took their order. She tried to settle into the routine of the evening. Luckily they were busy. But after the first hour and the second time she brought the wrong order to the wrong table and dropped two glasses, Tammy flagged her down.
“What’s up Sally? You’re a trainwreck tonight,” Tammy observed.
“I’m so sorry Tammy,” Sally said, “my head just isn’t in the game tonight. I haven’t been feeling well all day.”
“Well the crowd is thinning out. Why don’t you call it a night and get some rest,” Tammy offered.
“No, I’m ok, I promise,” Sally said. “I don’t want to leave you short-handed.”
“We managed before you and we’ll manage tonight,” Tammy said. “Go get some rest.”
It was all Sally could do not to rip her apron off and run out of the building. It was dark now as she drove the short distance back to her apartment. She went upstairs, hoping that Evan had gotten her message and waited for her. But her apartment was empty, the lights off. She could’ve kicked herself for running off earlier. She might have blown the only chance she’d have with Evan now. She turned to shut her door, tears streaming down her face, when a shadowed figure on the beach below caught her attention.
Even though the figure was sitting, arms hugging his knees to his chest, she’d know the set of those shoulders anywhere. The broad line that tapered down to the neat waist she’d wrapped her legs around on so many occasions. Sally ran down the steps and flung off her shoes as she stepped onto the sand. She approached Evan just as the clouds broke and the silver moon washed him in white light. He looked up at her and the pain etched on his face made her breath catch.
“I thought you had to work,” he said.
“I couldn’t concentrate. I was bringing out the wrong dishes and breaking glasses. They sent me home,” Sally said.
“I’m sorry, I hope you didn’t lose your job because of me,” Evan said quietly.
“No, my boss is pretty understanding,” Sally said. “Evan, why are you here?”
He looked up at her again and took a deep breath. “I wanted to tell you I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for the things I said back there. I didn’t mean any of them.”
“You didn’t,” Sally asked, sinking down onto her knees in the sand in front of him.
“No! None of it! I saw Walker coming in through the back and I knew I had to distract Cruz so Walker could get into position. It was the only thing I knew to do without putting you in danger. I never thought I wouldn’t have the chance to tell you it was all lies,” Evan said.
“Oh Evan,” Sally wept. “I was always so terrified that when you found out who I really am that you would feel all of those things. So when you said them, I just figured I had been right.”
“Sally, I don’t care who you were or what happened in your past. I love you. I would be so completely lost without you. When I woke up and found out that you were gone it about killed me,” Evan confessed.
“I’m so sorry Evan. I never would’ve left your side if I’d thought you wanted me there,” she said, moving into his arms.
“This whole thing has been such a mess,” Evan said, holding her close to him, resting his chin on the top of her head. “I’m sorry I ever gave you any reason to doubt my love for you.”
Sally lay her head against Evan’s chest, listening to his heart beat and reveling in how good it felt to be in his arms again. “I’m sorry I ever doubted you,” she said.
Evan hooked a finger under her chin and lifted her face to his, bringing his mouth down to hers. He kissed her sweetly at first but then the weight of the last month came tumbling over them and he crushed his mouth against hers in a deep, needy kiss. His tongue swept into her mouth and she melted against him.
“Evan,” she murmured into his mouth.
“Yes,” he asked.
“Take me home.”
E
van had been wondering what the hell he was going to do with the rest of his life when Sally had found him on the beach. He was so glad to have her back in his arms. He kissed her deeply and she asked him to take her home.
“Right this minute,” he asked.
“Well maybe in the morning,” she said, smiling.
Evan stood up and held his hand out to her. They climbed the steps back to her apartment and she led him into her bedroom.
“You know I haven’t been able to sleep in this bed since I moved here,” she told him.
“Well if I have anything to say about it, you won’t be sleeping in it tonight either,” Evan said playfully.
He grabbed her and pulled her against him, kissing her again and feeling her body mold to his. He slowly pulled her shirt over her head and freed her breasts from her bra. He plucked one hard nipple between his thumb and forefinger and she gasped at the sensation. Evan dipped his head to hers again and drew her into a searing kiss. Sally leaned into him and gave a murmur of anticipation when his erection pressed against her belly.
Sally stepped away from him and ran her hands under his shirt, over his washboard abs, coming to rest on the scar at his side. He winced ever so slightly when her fingers brushed the incision. She pulled her hand away, afraid of hurting him, but he caught it and brought her finger tips to his lips, kissing each in turn. He smiled down at her and saw so much love in her eyes it almost brought him to his knees.
“Thank you for saving me Evan,” she said.
“I think it was you that saved me,” he told her, letting her lead him back toward the bed where she unbuttoned his jeans and slid them over his hips. He pulled his shirt over his head and began to lay Sally back on the bed when she stopped him.
“No, let me take care of you,” she said.
Evan lay on his back and Sally settled next to him, her breasts brushing his bare chest as she peppered his face with kisses. She slowly worked her way down his chest and belly, pausing to gently kiss the scar at his side. Evan could feel his pulse pounding in his ears, the thought of her mouth so close to his throbbing flesh about to drive him mad. Just then, Sally dipped low and took him into her mouth, sucking long and deep. Evan groaned loudly and fisted a hand in her curls, pulling her up slightly before he exploded in her mouth.
“I need you,” he growled, his eyes dark with need.
Sally ran her tongue up over his belly and straddled him, settling above him for just a moment before lowering herself over him. Evan gritted his teeth against the urge to take control and drive himself into her in blind need. Sally’s wet warmth slid down the length of him and she started her hips in a slow rocking rhythm, taking him deeper inside with each move. Evan’s hands went to her waist in an attempt to control her rhythm but Sally smiled and shook her head at him, determined to satisfy him in her own time. Evan had to think of just about anything other than how good Sally felt riding him to keep himself from coming too quickly.
Sally put her palms on either side of Evan’s knees, leaning backward so she could draw him even deeper inside herself. She arched her back and moaned at the sensation, her walls clamping down on him. When Evan could take no more, he used his thumb to massage her swollen bud. Bucking against him, Sally quickened her hips until they both came in wave after wave of pleasure and she collapsed on top of him. Evan placed soft kisses on her eyelids and the tip of her nose, holding her close, not ready to disengage their bodies just yet. Finally after a few minutes, Sally rolled off of him and snuggled close against him, her head on his chest.
“I’ve missed you so much,” Evan said softly.
“Me too,” Sally replied. “You were wrong about one thing though,” she said.
“What’s that,” Evan asked.
“I’m definitely going to sleep in this bed tonight.”
S
ally woke in the morning, tucked into Evan’s strong embrace. She could hear him breathing deeply and evenly and didn’t want to wake him. They had stayed up until the early morning hours, talking and making love, trying to make up for the lost month together. She closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of him, etching it into her memory. She loved this man and he loved her. Happy tears sprung to her eyes, just as her stomach let out an audible complaint.
“Wow, someone worked up an appetite,” Evan said groggily.
“I guess so,” Sally laughed. “It’s the weirdest thing though, I’ve been so hungry lately but almost nothing sounds good.”
“You must just miss my cooking,” Evan said.
“I must,” she replied but then a thought popped into her head. Sally did some mental math and sat up, stunned.
“What is it,” Evan asked. “You ok?”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m fine,” Sally said, not wanting to say anything until she knew for sure that what she suspected was correct. “I’m just really looking forward to getting back to my life. Our life.”
Evan propped himself on his elbow and looked at her, “I noticed that you stayed Sally Andrews,” he said with a question in his eyes.
“It’s who I am,” she said, “it’s who you helped me to be. Casey Bishop is a part of my past. Sally Andrews is my future.”
Sally reluctantly rose from bed and stepped into a quick shower. She needed to give notice at the restaurant and pack up the few things she had brought with her for the trip back to Oklahoma. And while she was out, she needed to make a small purchase.
Sally drove to Tom’s and apologized profusely to Tammy that she was leaving so soon and on no notice. Tammy wished her well and Sally drove to the nearest drugstore to buy a few things she would need for the drive back to Oklahoma. Home, she thought with a smile. She couldn’t believe how dramatically her life had changed in less than twenty-four hours. This time yesterday she was miserable and lonely, crying to a stranger over a cheeseburger, and today she was readying herself to go back to the life she’d started with Evan.
Sally took her purchases to the register and paid the cashier before heading back to her car. A strange feeling of being watched came over her as she slid behind her steering wheel. She looked around, and noticing nothing particularly out of the ordinary, drove back to her apartment. She took the steps two at a time, eager to get back to Evan. She’d been gone less than an hour but it had felt like an eternity. She never wanted to be too far from him again.
She opened the door to find Evan on the couch, long legs stretched in front of him, watching TV. There was a plate of warm bacon and eggs on the counter making Sally realize she’d forgotten to eat. She dropped a kiss on the top of Evan’s head, hurriedly ate her breakfast, and set about packing up the things she wanted to take with her.
“I figured we’d drive back in my car,” she said as she folded clothes into a duffel bag. “Maybe take some time and see a few things along the way.”
“Sounds good to me,” Evan replied. “Walker’s got things under control back home so a few extra days shouldn’t hurt.”
Sally finished packing her bags and went into the bathroom with one of her purchases. She closed the door, telling Evan they could leave as soon as she was out, and pulled the pregnancy test out of the bag. She looked at herself in the mirror and tried to read the emotions on her own face. Excitement? Fear? Both? There wasn’t any reason to prolong the inevitable so she read the instructions and took the test. After what felt like the longest two minutes of her life, Sally glanced at the test stick and a bright pink plus sign stared back.
Holy shit! I’m pregnant. She splashed cold water on her face with surprisingly steady hands and looked again into the mirror. A slow smile spread across her face and she realized that she was happy. Ecstatic really. She was having Evan’s baby and she couldn’t wait to tell him, somehow knowing that he would be as happy as she was. She slipped the test and instructions back into the box and wrapped them in the plastic grocery bag and walked out of the bathroom.
Evan was on his feet and talking to someone on the phone. Even though his back was to her, Sally could read his posture and knew something was terribly wrong. Hearing her come up behind him, Evan ended the phone call and looked at her, the expression on his face wiping the smile from hers.
“Evan what is it,” she asked worriedly.
“That was Tom Brooks, the new deputy marshal in Tulsa. Teddy Cruz escaped from prison yesterday.”