"You Get What You Need"

 Preston walks through the kitchen door smiles at the sight of his grandfather sitting at the kitchen table reading the newspaper. The smell of dinner cooking on the stove the smell of bread heating in the oven this was always his favorite time of the day. He closes the door behind him placing his briefcase in the corner.
"Hey! There he is! How are you Grandson!" Ben folds the the paper placing it on the table as he rises from his chair and comes towards him arms outstretched.
"Hey Grandpop! I'm good!" He says grasping his grandfather to him and patting him back on the back.
"How are you?" He says taking a step back and taking a look at him. He'd adged a little more his hair a little less and what was left was a little grayer but he was still the strong spry man he'd remembered.
"Not too bad I can't complain. Sorry I missed you yesterday! If I had known you were  coming Don and could have postponed our trip!" His say clasping him playful on the back of the neck as they walk.
"That's okay Grand pop. How's Uncle Don? How was fishing?" He says walking to the kitchen sink and washing his hands as he talks.
 "Your uncles good and fishing was great!" He chuckles
"Mom told you I'm staying right?" He says shutting off the water and shaking his hands off.
"Yeah! She told me you, Well and Chase are doing something with the old mill making some kind of computer something." Preston laughs reaching for the towel and drying his hands.
"Circuit boards." His grandfather looks at him mildly confused and nods and chuckles.
" I told your mother some day you taking everything in the house apart and "Modifying it" as you called it would pay off!" He laughs.
"Hey, there's my baby!" Emma smiles coming into the kitchen and walking to the stove.
"Desi! come set the table!" She calls back over her shoulder.
"Hey Mom!" Preston leans in kisses her cheek as he hangs up the towel on the hook.
"I got it" Preston walks to the utensil drawer and pulls out the knives and forks as Desiree comes in and clears the table.
"Hey Desi!" He says over his shoulder as he counts out the utensils.
"Hey!" She smiles placing the paper on the stool then spreading the table cloth.
"How was your day?" Emma says lifting the lid off a pot and stirring it then placing the lid back on top.
Preston smiles waiting for Desiree to finish smoothing the table cloth.
"Pretty good we have the cubicles set up tomorrow they deliver the computer and get all of those setup." He says following behind Desiree as she places the plates down. Ben reaches for the glasses handing them to Preston who places one at each setting.
"Sounds like a lot of work."
"Smells good in here" Bill grins rubbing his hands together as he walks in the kitchen.
"Hey baby" He says walking to Emma and kissing her.
"Desi please put the rolls on the table?" She says handing her daughter the bread basket.
"Everybody sit down!" Emma calls as she places the steaming platters on the table walking back to the counter to retrieve another dish sticking the serving spoon in the bowl then places it on the table as she sits.
"It shouldn't be too bad Grandpop Mike's going to be working with us. He stated this morning. So, it's not like I'll be by myself" He says passing him the bowl of spinach to his father.
"Who's "Mike"?" He asks passing the bowl to his granddaughter with one hand and reaching for the bowl of white rice with the other.
"Mike Van Dorn, Chase's brother he's got a masters degree in computer engineering and looking at his resume he did really well too. He'll be a lot of help especially once we get up and running." Bill nods in approval as Desiree's eyes open wide with surprise.
" Huh, and all this time I just thought he was just another rowdy slacker."
 as Desiree's eyes open wide with surprise.
"Wow, He said he'd be working for his brother he never said it would be with computers" She says regretting having said them as soon as they were out.
"Yeah, when did you see Mike?" Preston asks making Desiree's heart race and mind stumble for an for answer.
"Excuse me, Bill say Grace before the food gets cold." Emma smiles placing the meat platter down on the table. Desiree silently breathes a sigh of relief as she bows her head for the brief reprieve. She had to admit he was a lot less shallow than he had been moments ago. Then smiles to herself thinking back to their encounter in the closet as her father prays.
"Are you okay?" She asks as they walk.
"I'm okay I've had worse" He shrugs and smiles then groans in pain.
"Here let me take a look" She stops looking up at him examining his jaw.
"Follow my finger." She says holding up her finger and moving it side to side making him laugh.
"Why?" Desire sighs stopping in mid motion.
"Because I'm a nurse so just do it!" She chides holding up her finger again.
"Fine." He shrugs following her finger as it moves.
"I don't think you have a concussion" Mike mouth twist into a teasing smile as he grasps her hand holding it in his.
"Why Ms. Davidson I didn't think you cared." He smirks loving the expression on her face when she became flustered as she snatches her hand from his grasp.
"Come on!" She huffs turning and walking through kitchen Mike following behind smothering a laugh.
"So what the heck was that all about?" She says over her shoulder as she leads Michael to the maintenance closet. Mike smiles then winces in pain and rubs his jaw.
" You known, hot headed Jake just being hotheaded Jake." He shrugs stepping into the closet behind her.
"I've known my cousin my entire life and he's a hothead but, usually something sets him off first." She says pushing the empty bucket aside and reaching for the broom.
"Well maybe I did shoot my mouth off a little but he deserved it." He laughs reaching for the broom she was handing him and placing it outside the door.
"But in my defense he was talking about my sister. You have a brother you get it." He smiles down at her leaning his shoulder against the door frame his head cocked to the side.
"So you'll forgive me right?" He asks his tone taking on a more flirtatious quality.
Desiree looks up at him and smiles momentarily lost in his gaze as a sudden odd shyness runs through her. She turns away feigning a search for the dust pan as she regains her composure by reminding herself once again that he was a nothing more than rowdy slacker in High School and he hadn't changed much since. Mike cocks his head to the other side thoroughly enjoying her stooped over search for the dust pan.
"Yeah" she says clearing her throat I get it but, let me ask you something?" She says turning back towards him and handing him the pan trying to avoid the teasing, knowing grin on his face.
"Are you going to spend the rest of your life working temp jobs and getting into bar fights?" She says sharply trying to shatter the stupid grin playing on his lips. He steps closer making her step back. She looks past him trying to see away out which didn't involve close contact with him only makes him chuckle harder enjoying the affect he was having on her.
"As a matter of fact no, I have a job starting tomorrow working at my brother new company." Desiree throws her head back and laughs.
"Doing what maintenance? From what my brother's told us it some high tech computer company not a bar!" She laughs again. He laughs with her shaking his head. Michael steps closer leaning so close she could feel the heat coming from and the energy flow between them like lightning through a rod making her feel almost breathless as he whispers.
"I don't think it would matter what I did. You'd still want me if I dug ditches all day and came home covered in mud and you know it." He smiles enjoying the the wide eyed shocked expression on her face. He reaches out and pulls her into his arms and kisses her letting loose all the desire he'd built up thinking about her in that kiss. Desiree body instantly responds even though her mind protested it she had no control on their own her arms wrapped around his neck and pulled him closer as her lips opened to his. His kiss fills her with a sense of longing and urgent need as she yields to his touch. Then he releases her just as abruptly.
"I'll see you later" He smirks picking up the dust pan and broom and walking back to the bar.
"Desi are you okay honey, you look a little flushed?" Her mother's voice pierces through her memory?"
"I'm fine Mom it's just a little warm in here." She says reaching for her glass of water hoping they'd all forgotten what they were discussing before grace and she could avoid the topic of Mike Van Dorn.



"Harbinger Falls" Copyright 2014

Free Falling

 Felicia shuts off the engine of her car smiles happily loving the image of Clay sitting on the porch his hat pulled low on his brow and feet propped up on the rail waiting for her.  She reaches for her bag snapping a picture on her phone before climbing out of the car walking up to the porch.
"Hey gorgeous how was your day?" He smiles broadly coming down the steps.
"Terrific I couldn't wait to get home." She drops the bag in her hand and throws her arms around him kissing  him passionately, content with the fact he was home at last.
""Me either coming home was all I thought about all day. Hey come here!" He grasps her hand pulling her up the steps giving her barely enough time to grab her bag and through the door into the kitchen.
"I made dinner" Felicia's smiles eyes open wide with surprise as he open the oven door showing her the succulent smelling chicken roasting inside,
"Wow!" A girl could really get used to this." She says nodding her head in approval
Why shouldn't you? I mean I can't promise every day but if I get home before you. I will" He says smiling proudly. She leans over and kisses his cheek wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Where'd you learn to cook?" She looks up at him surprised.
"You forgot my Grandparents own a restaurant!" He reaches over and stirs a pot with his other hand then brings the spoon to her lips to taste it.
"Mmm yeah!" She nods in agreement
"You've met my grandmother!" He laughs aloud at the memories. "Me and Preston peeled and washed more potatoes, snapped more green beans and shelled more peas than Green Giant!" They laugh. "You bet I know how to cook! Better than Lesley or Jake" She laugh then wags her finger at him.
"That's because you and Preston spent more time on punishment doing KP duty than everyone else!" They both laugh.
"But it was fun and look how impressed you are! And...." He laughs tugging her arm and pulling her into the bedroom.
"Ta-da! Check it out!" He says pulling open the closet door fists on his hips smiling like a cheshire cat looking from the closet to her proudly.
"Huh?" Showing her his clothes and shoes lined up neatly inside.
"What do you think?" Felicia smiles overwhelmed with happiness.
"It's perfect!" She says leaping into his arms knocking them both back on the bed leaving them both in a giggling heap.
"When did you do all this?" She smiles up at him he smiles back brushing a tendril of hair from her cheek.
 " I parked down the street waited for the two of them to leave then went back, loaded my truck with my stuff and left my key on the front table. Anything I missed Lesley will pick up for me."
"So this is official you're really here for good." She reaches up stroking his cheek.
"Yep, maybe you should be more careful what you wish for huh?" A devilish grin playing on his lips as he begins to tickle her making her laugh till she lose breath.  
 "Stop!" She laughs and shouts at the same time.
"I'm so happy that you're here." Her voice trails office.
"You're just worried about my father aren't you?"
"No," She says sitting up.
"Why would I worry about Jay he'll be fine, he always is. I'm worried about you. All you told me was you left. What happened?"
"I finally got fed up with him trying to control my life." He shrugs.
"But what did he says that finally made you leave?" Her voice tentative not sure she really wanted to hear his response.
"He was insisting I work in the office with him and Jake more. Get more involved with the  The whole business thing I hate!" He says rising from the bed and standing.
"Part time? Full time?" She says swing her legs off the side of the bed.
"Anytime for me would be too much time! I don't want any part of whatever he and Jake are up to and I told him so." Felicia reaches out for Clay's hand and squeezes it.
"I don't blame you infact I'm really proud of you. I know how hard it was for you to do that."
"Believe me it wasn't that hard. Jay made it real easy." His mouth twisting into a scowl at the memory of what Jay had said.
"You were with that Van Dorn girl" He snarls scrutinizing him closely.
"Of course Dad! Clay shouts watching Jay face go white with rage too flustered to speak.
"Don't look so surprised!  I'm a grown man you can't control me!  I don't have to answer to you I can be with whomever I want, do whatever I want and there's not a damm thing you can do about it."
"She's turning you!" Jay sneers. Clays eyes open wide then narrow at the utter ridiculousness of his statement
"She not doing anything! She doesn't care about your feud and neither do I! The only thing she has ever cared about is me! I love her Dad! I've always loved her!" Jay shakes his head his laugh mocking.
"Oh, she cares! You better believe she cares! She's nothing more than the Van Dorns Delilah!"
"I told you leave her out of this! It's between you and me!" His fist clenching and unclenching as Jay bellows back.
"She's in this up to her pretty little neck!" Clay laughs bitterly shaking his head and finally lets go of all his pent up frustrations.
"It has nothing to do with Felicia, Chase or anyone else! I've never wanted this "Business" crap! ! Ever! Get it through your thick skull I don't want any part of your "business!" I'm leaving, I'm not coming back and you had better understand this." He says stepping closer to him filling the space between them his emotions at the break point he growls.
"You go anywhere near Felicia you hurt her in anyway and you won't have to worry about the Van Dorns you're going to deal with me!" He turns and walks toward the door. Jay lets out a bitter laugh calling after him.
"What the hell do you think you can do to me boy?" Clay spins back to face him. His lips curled back into a snarl the cold look in his eyes silencing whatever Jay had been about to say. When he spoke his words were succinct his tone deadly.
"I'm your worst nightmare, because you know deep down I'm not lying and if you keep pushing me or hurt her, I'll be just as much of a cold, cruel, heartless, bastard as you. Felicia is the best thing that ever happened to me and I'm not going to let you or anyone else come between us understand? If I see you anywhere near us or you get it into your head to screw with us with one of your schemes, I'll be coming for you."  
 He'd meant every word and it had felt good when he'd said it and it still did. When he'd walked out that door and drove down the driveway he realized he was finally free! He and Felicia were finally able to live their lives. Clay smiles down at her reaching out and pulling her to her feet.
"You don't have to worry Jay's not going to bother us I promise you." He says holding both of her hands in his. She looks back at him biting her lip worried about his future and the job he loved.
"What about work? I mean you really love what you do. He's not going to fire you now that you moved out? I would never want you to have to choose." Clay reaches out running his finger along the curve of her jaw his smile reassuring.
 "Jay, not going to fire me he won't admit it but he needs me. Who else is going to get the wood from the mountain to the mill?" He laughs.
"He and Jake have no clue what do. Jake never worked the mountain and my father been gone so long he wouldn't know where to start. Besides work is the only contact we'll have so if he fires me he'll have nothing. Ol' Jay would never let that happen so no he won't fire me." He steps closer taking her into his arms and holding her close.
"Baby don't even worry about I'm not. I've never been happier." He say tipping her face up to his and kissing her gently.
"I'm with the woman I love and finally where I want to be." He says kissing her again.
"I love you Felicia Van Dorn and I'm finally home" Kissing her deeply feeling the fire burn through and consume him as soon as their lips touched. He walks her back towards the bed unzipping the back of her dress as they move.
"What about the dinner you made?" She whispers stepping out of her dress as she walks.
"It's just as good cold" He wriggles his eyebrows pushing her back on the bed.
"Good to know." She whispers pulling him to her the yearning she always felt for him intensified by the knowledge he wouldn't be slipping out in the wee hours of the morning. She pulls at the buttons on his shirt and runs her hand along the corded muscles of his back.
"CLAY!" Comes the wailing from the front door followed by pounding on the frame startling them both upright.
"What the hell! Jake" Clay jumps up from the bed buttoning his pants as he walks then punches his arms through the sleeves of his shirt. Felicia stares up at him nodding her head towards the door she grabs for her sweats and tee-shirt sliding them on quickly as Clay opens the bedroom door slamming it closed behind him as he bolts for the front door.
 "CLAY! Open the door I know you're here!" He pounds on the door again his frustration mounting as the door flies open.
"What hell do you want Jake?" He glares at him.
"You and I are going to talk NOW!" He says pushing past him and walking into the cabin. Clay eyes follow him as he walk.
"Well come on in," He says slamming the door behind him.



Harbinger Falls Copyright 2014

"The One Thing We Got"

 "Morning honey!' Sharon turns and smiles as Chase walks into the kitchen happy to have her son back home at long last. Chase smiles rubbing his eye sleepily and kisses his mother's cheek.
 "Morning Mom." he mumbles walking to the mug rack and pulls one off then walks to the coffee pot and pours some in.
"Are you hungry?" She asks walking to the refrigerator and opening the door. Chase sips his coffee feeling better by the moment.
"Hmm not yet I'll just have some coffee first." He walks to the table  and sits then glances at the newspaper cover.
"Okay," She picks up her cup and walks to the table and sits.
"What are your plans for today?" She asks then sips her cup.
"I have to stop by the office then I have a couple of errands to run this morning then I'm going to the hospital and pick up Erin." Chase grins at the thought making his mother giggle.
"What's so funny?" Sharon giggles again.
"That silly little smile you always get whenever you think of Erin." She says grinning into her cup as she sips. Tickled with the pink blush on the tips of Chase's ears. Sharon laughs as she stands placing her cup on the counter then walks to the refrigerator as Hank comes into the kitchen.
"Good morning!" He says sweeping his wife into his arms and kisses her.
"Well good morning!" She smiles blushing slightly making Chase chuckle.
"Coffee is ready and breakfast will be ready in a minute." Hank take a mug from the tree talking to his son as he fills it.
"Morning son!" He says joining him at the table and reaching for the newspaper.
"Morning Dad! What are you up to today?" Hank smiles looking over to Sharon.
"After months of working day and night I'm taking a well deserved few days off and spending it with my best girl. What about you?" He says sliding back in his seat as Sharon sets a plate in front of him.
"I was just telling Mom I have some work in the office and some errands. Oh and I'm going to show Michael around get him used to his new digs" Sharron's eyes brighten with surprise.
"Michael's going to be working a steady job? Hallelujah!"
"Thank you son you have no idea how happy this make my wallet." He chuckles making Sharron giggle.
"Yeah, I told Preston about him, gave him his resume and he said he could definitely use the help. Especially after we get things up and running." Hank nods his head in approval then asks.
"How's your brother feel about that it?"
"He said he was happy and seemed excited." He shrugs then looks up at the clock.
"Hey Dad did you notice if Mike was up?"
"I heard him in the shower as I was coming down the stairs. You guys were out late last night I'm surprised he's up." Chase stands and walks to the coffee pot and refills his cup.
"We actually had a good time last night after we finished cleaning up the mess we made."
"What mess?" Sharon asks placing her plate on the table and then sits down. Chase sighs and shakes his head.
"We ran into Toni and Jake last night. Mike got in to it with Jake then Ms. Stuart made us clean up." He shrugs walking back to the table and sitting down. Hank frowns a moment as he reaches for his cup.
"So now that you gave us the cliff notes can you tell us how the whole story goes?" Chase shrugs.
"How it usually goes. Jakes a hot head just like his father. He came in shooting his mouth off about Clay moving in with Felicia. Then Mike shot his mouth off. Jake sucker punched Mike and then I popped Jake. Ms. Stuart tossed Jake out and made Mike clean up the mess." Sharron turns toward Chase fork stopped in mid air eye wide.
 "Your brother wasn't hurt was he?"
"No, his pride maybe, but he's fine." He grins at the same moment his phone rings.
"This is Well I've got to take this. I'll tell you the rest in minute."  He says rising up from the table and walks into the living room his father smiling after him.
"I haven't seen him this excited since we bought him that little motorized jeep when he was five remember?" Hank says putting a fork full of egg in his mouth. "And he drove over all your flowers!" He laughs.
"He was so determined even then"
 Sharon laughs at the memory that was just a few weeks before the the Mill shut it's doors for good. She looks down at her plate suddenly no longer hungry as an odd sense of foreboding comes over her again. She pushes the plate away from her and reaches for her cup staring down at the contents half listening to Hank prattling on with pride over his son. As proud as she was she was also frightened.
Jay Stockton wasn't the kind to live and let live and he was coming for her son. She saw it in his eyes yesterday when he was coming out of the Mayors office. She and Hank had been sitting in the square and their eyes had locked. His seemed so dead and cold except for the embers of hate stoked by vengeance that burned behind them. Funny it filled her with an odd feeling of disdain for the vicious, vindictive and hateful thing he'd done to her family. All of it out of it driven by anger for the choice he'd made. Mixed with sadness that the sweet loving man she'd first known had turned into the angry, bitter, hard man in front of her. She could tell by the set of his jaw when he'd looked at Hank sitting beside her he was looking for something. Anything he could use to bring Chase down. Especially since he was coming from Ed's office. Then he'd scowled and walked toward the parking lot.
That's when she'd felt it. A darkness she couldn't shake. It crept upon her like a cold damp draft filtering through the cracks in her memory sweeping the past back to the forefront. Filling her mind with images she'd thought she'd hidden away foreshadowing the future and it frightened her they were headed down a collision course and she couldn't waver off the path same as the night Jay had left her and the days following.
 Her memory lands on the hours following the night Jay had discovered she'd married Hank. She'd opened the door expecting Margie with drapes for their new home.
"So you finally found us!" The smile fading immediately from her face when she'd seen Jay standing on the other side his face filled with rage.
"So it's true?" He seethed pushing past her into the house. Sharron stares at him arms folded across her chest her voice rumbling with suppressed fury.
"What are you doing here Jay"
"YOU married him? Why" Jay looks from one to the other hurt and confused.
"Why not? It wasn't like you were free or even wanted to be with me you chose Alex remember? You told me "I was the most fun in bed you had ever had in your life but I couldn't seriously think it was more than just some fun. I should have known that from the beginning. Sorry for any misunderstandings" I got the message loud and clear." Jay stares at her his face etched in pain.
"So you married my best friend the next day?" Sharron smiles a part of her enjoying him feeling the pain he'd caused her.
"What do you care about the timing or who I marry? You're marrying Alex tomorrow! What? Did you think you'd get one more roll in before the big day?" Jay stares at her his eyes wide with shock
"No! Of course not I came because.." He starts but is cut off by her bitter laugh which stops as soon as it start her eyes narrow her voice tight.
" And did you really think I would still want you after you tried to get me fired from the mill and had me black balled from every place else in town? " She laughs.
"I swear I had nothing to do with that, that was my old man I swear!" Jay pleads. Sharron smiles grimly and shakes her head.
"But you didn't do anything to stop it either! I love Hank and he loves me. You know the best part he didn't hesitate, he didn't run to someone else he knew exactly who and what he wanted!" Jay glares at her a moment
"I came tonight because I wanted..." Sharron shakes her head throws her hand up cutting him off in mid sentence
" I don't care what you want! You made your choice Jay and I've made mine. I'm extremely happy with mine. I wish you and Alex the same. Go home Jay there's nothing here for you." She said holding the door Jay takes a step towards her his mind searching for something to say she shakes her head and takes a step back from him.
"Don't Jay just go and don't come back." Hank comes up from the basement and into the living room walking straight to Sharron and wrapping his arms around her.
"Are you okay?" He whispers to her she nods her head holding tightly to him then turns toward Jay.
"My wife asked you to leave, I'm not asking." Hank growls pushing Sharron behind him and steps up to Jay pulling himself to his full height. Jay steps towards the door stopping in front of Hank.
"You had better sleep with one eye open Van Dorn because if it takes me the rest of my life you are going to pay!" Hank laughed shaking his head.
" Not only are you a pathetic spoiled little boy you're predictable! Don't forget your not the only one with friends in high places and my family has been in this town a lot longer than yours. Now, Get out of my house and don't come back!" He'd said pushing Jay out on the porch slamming the door behind him.
 She wondered how different things would have been if she'd waited. But, she knew the night he'd left just as she knew now, deep down Jay was no good and they would have never worked. You can't build your happiness on someone elses misery. Besides good men don't lie and manipulate to get what they want and they don't cheat on their fiancee's weeks before their wedding. Good women don't sneak around with other women's men either she chided herself but, in her defense he had pursued her relentlessly with claims of love and a life together. Then walked away without so much as a backward glance. Hank had stayed beside her from the second she'd told him. Through it all he never hesitated never wavered. When he'd asked her to marry him it she'd felt at peace and knew where she belonged She and Hank fallen in love and had built a wonderful life together. They had three beautiful children and the only thing Jay had done with his machinations was make her love for Hank and her family stronger and in turn making them stronger as a family. The deal she'd made and the price she'd paid had been well worth it and had kept her family safe.
"They were beautiful little kids" Hank says reminiscently" Then rises placing his plate in the sink.
"Yeah they were." She smiles as she rises and places her plate in the sink then wraps her arms around Hank's waist laying her head against his chest.
"Have I told you lately how much I love you?" He smiles down at her holding her tight and smiles.
"Yes, but I'm never tired of hearing it." He says giving her a quick squeeze and a kiss on her forehead then lets go.
"I have to finish getting ready so we can go!" He turns and heads for the hall. Sharron smiles after him then turns and begins to wash the dishes scrapping the scraps into the disposal then in the dishwasher. She finishes and shuts off the water the kitchen phone rings. She wipes her hand on the towel then reaches for the receiver.
"Hello?" She says her smile fading at the sound of the voice on the other end.
"Good morning sunshine! You and I need to talk." Sharron looks around the kitchen then opens the back door and walks outside to the furthest end of her garden pretending to inspect her rose bush as she talks.
"It can't be today." She hisses into the receiver.
"How about the abandoned grist mill tomorrow at three?" Sharron thinks for a moment she should be able to make it Hank was going over to see Chase at his new plant and it was on the way to Felicia's it was perfect.
"Fine I'll meet you there don't be late." She says between her clenched smile.
"You do the same." The line goes dead thankfully just as Hank gets close.
"Ready to go?" He grins. She smiles back shading the sun from her eyes with her hand.
"Let me put this back on the cradle and grab my purse." Hank watches her tramp back to the house sensing something had changed from a few moments ago.



"Harbinger Falls" Copyright 2014