At Her Door
part four
Bailey was feeling very protective of Sam, but he was also feeling sad that they had
been apart all this time. She needed someone in her life to lean on, he'd always been
that person before. She'd been alone all this time. He was going to have to bury his
desire and offer her the support she needed.
Sam sighed and relaxed in his embrace. He had missed having him in her life.
But she hadn't realized she missed the hugs. Not until she was back in his arms.
Bailey now knew Chloe had been right about her mom. She was sad, she did need
to get back into life. He was going to do his best to liven up her life while he was
visiting.
" Let's go back to the house. It's getting dark." Bailey suggested.
"Thank you." Sam moved out of his arms. She still couldn't get over the look of
his build. And the fact that she'd never noticed. She was shaking her head at her
own blindness, as they walked back to the house.
Bailey stopped and grabbed his bag from the truck.
"You're sure you don't mind me staying a day or two?" Bailey asked, placing his hand
on the base of her neck.
"Of course not, don't be silly." Sam opened the door and he followed her inside.
"Your room is the one at the end of the hall. I'm going to fix some coffee."
Sam headed for the kitchen.
"Sounds good, I'll be back in a minute." Bailey took his bag to the guest room.
Chloe's door was closed so she must still be doing her homework.
Sam was standing at her kitchen sink daydreaming. Bailey had hugged her only moments ago and she was still filling comforted. But she was also feeling more.
It had been so long since she'd found herself attracted to a man, since Coop's
death, there had been only two. But both were only short infatuations, nothing
lasting, the time she and Paul had kissed there had been no chemistry at all.
It was so none romantic it was laughable.
But, today in His arms there was reaction. It was soothing, but it was also arousing. A feeling Sam hadn't experienced in a long time. Her mind took the
idea and ran with it. Bailey and her back on the hill, him holding her, her hands
wrapped around his powerful shoulders. Sam looks up into his dark eyes, and
kisses him. He welcomes her kiss, his hold changes one hand bracing her head
as he shifted the pressure of the kiss. Her mouth opens to him, their tongues
touch, tease. Sam moans, in reaction to his skillful kissing.
"I never knew you cared this way." She murmurs to him between kisses.
"I've always loved you Sam." He confesses.
"Sam Chloe is still doing her homework." Bailey entered the kitchen and shocked her
out of her very pleasant day dream
"Oh, yes once she gets started it's best to let her keep going." Sam blushed, at the
thoughts that she'd been thinking about him.
Bailey noticed her flush, "Is the coffee ready?"
"A few more minutes." Sam placed a plate of cookies on the table, with out meeting his eyes. She was embarrassed he caught her.
"Sam I'd like to do something tomorrow, is there anything going on around here this time
of year?"
"There's a festival for crafts, and artists along with a music program down at the fairgrounds. It's kind of a fall festival."
"Sounds like fun, will you join me?" Bailey picked up a cookie and took a bite.
"Sure, Chloe's troop is working at a booth to raise money. But I can give you at least
half a day."
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bailey looked like he'd just stepped out of one of her romance novels. Sam's guilty little pleasure that she hide from everyone. She'd come to appreciate those silly romance novels you found in discount stores.
He was wearing faded blues jeans, a medium blue polo shirt, with a very small FBI
logo embroidered on the chest and hiking boots. His hair was brushed back as always
but in the morning sunlight he looked younger than his years and very handsome.
"Chloe said you double teamed me this morning, she snuck in and turned off my alarm
clock and you fixed her breakfast." Sam smiled at him, lifting her hand to shield her
eyes from the bright sun.
"I thought you could use a little extra sleep, I would have made you breakfast but Chloe
insisted you only have one piece of toast and coffee."
"Yeah, my stomach doesn't like food early in the morning." Sam reminded him.
"You look already for our trip to the festival."
"The weather report said mid sixties, I've got a jacket in the car but I don't think
I'll need it. Are you ready?" Bailey had been cleaning up his truck from the drive
Chloe had helped until only a few minutes before when she'd bolted for her room
to change into her scout uniform.
Bailey smiled at her, she was wearing tan slacks with a yellow twin set. She had on
walking shoes and was carrying her purse and another bag. She'd left her hair down,
except for the sides which were clipped back so when she was working they would
stay out of the way.
"Mon come on we're going to he late." Chloe blotted out of the front door slamming it
behind her and ran for Bailey's truck.
" I'm ready slow down." Sam went to the passenger side and climbed in, Bailey held the
door for her.
When they pulled up to the parking area for the festival Sam was feeling almost
joyful. She was going to be spending the day with her best friend, and her daughter.
"Chloe had to report to the booth for the morning shift, and I have to check in and
see what need to be done." Sam warned him.
"I'll tag along." Bailey was feeling great, he didn't care if he had to help man the
booth as long as Sam was there with him.
The Scouting booth was filled with girls and mothers. Bailey didn't feel out of
place, he'd done scouting with his girls on more than on occasion.
"Sam, Chloe glad you made it. We're a little behind with setting up, I had to
make a run to Jen's house and pick up half the supplies. She had an emergency
at the hospital and wouldn't be able to make it." They were greeted by a short
dark haired woman, wearing a vest and a change maker.
"Oh, then you'll want me to help out here this morning?" Sam nodded.
"Yes, if you can. I have people lined up for the afternoon shift."
"Pam Dare I'd like to introduce you to my friend Bailey Malone. Bailey this is Pam
she's the Scout Master of Chloe's troop."
"Nice to meet you Ms. Dare, my girls were in the scouts when they were that age."
Bailey shook hands with the woman.
"Hello Mr. Malone nice you to drop by our little booth."
"Bailey it looks like I'm working this morning. So if you want to wander around and check
back here in a few hours." Sam as sorry she couldn't spend more time with him.
"Ms. Dare help the tarp is falling." One of the girls yelled.
Bailey was quick to respond to the sound of worry in the girls voice. He moved to
grab the loose stake and move it back so it was taunt.
"If you have a hammer handy I could tighten up the tarp for you?" Bailey offered.
"Thank you, I'm great with tents but this things always give me trouble." Pam
handed him a small mallet.
Sam shrugged and went to help arrange the contents of the booth.
"Who's the guy with your mom?" Nina asked Chloe while they were helping to
unload the supplies from the back of Pam's van.
"That's Bailey, he's on old friend."
"He's kind of nice looking, old but big and strong." Nina giggled.
"Yeah, he is older than most of the fathers around, but he's been part of my life
forever. I like him a lot." Chloe told her.
"Is he dating your mom?"
"No, but I'd like it if he did."
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bailey spent the next hour helping with the booth. Carrying boxes, lifting the heavy
table they had been supplied with to a better location for the display.
Sam noticed again how powerful he was as his arms bulged when he lifted the table
and moved it to a new location. Several of the other ladies noticed to. Sam heard
them comment on Bailey several times during the time he was helping out.
"I don't know how serious she is about him. But if it was me, I'd snap him up in a
heart beat."
"He's not as young as some of the men around but he sure looks good."
and
"Both coming and going, if you know what I mean."
Sam smiled at their comments. Bailey was attractive, but he was a lot more than that.
He was generous with his time, his talents and he cared.
The festival got underway at ten, their were people everywhere. The booth did a hit and
miss business for the first hour. Bailey hung around, watching the crowd and keeping an
eye on his girls. Chloe was having fun but Sam seemed subdued.
He took Pam aside after an hour and asked her if he could take Sam with him for
a few hours.
"Yes, with all your help this morning, you go ahead. Enjoy the festival. Chloe will
be safe here with us."
"Thank you."
Bailey touched Sam's shoulder.
"You're boss said I can borrow you for a little while." Bailey smiled at Sam.
"Oh, let me tell Chloe." Sam smiled back.
"OK, Mom have fun." She waved bye to Bailey from her place at the cash box.
Bailey walked with Sam towards the main area of the fair. His hand at the small
of her back. A habit he's always seemed to have. He treated ladies with respect
and courtesy. Not because they were the weaker sex, but because he was raised
to protect and care for the women he encountered in life.
They listened to the band for a few songs then a group of Irish Dancers came on
the stage. Bailey was thrilled, it was part of his heritage after all, the part he'd not
had much exposure to.
His grandmother Malone had once shown him how to dance 'River Dance' style
but he'd not been interested that much in dancing at age eight.
"Do you like bagpipes Bail?" Sam could take the music in small doses, but considering
he loved opera she didn't figure he'd care for the more primitive music.
"I do, I think it must be from another life. I seem to know the melody even if I've never
heard the song before. It gets to me right here." He tapped his chest over his heart.
part four
Bailey was feeling very protective of Sam, but he was also feeling sad that they had
been apart all this time. She needed someone in her life to lean on, he'd always been
that person before. She'd been alone all this time. He was going to have to bury his
desire and offer her the support she needed.
Sam sighed and relaxed in his embrace. He had missed having him in her life.
But she hadn't realized she missed the hugs. Not until she was back in his arms.
Bailey now knew Chloe had been right about her mom. She was sad, she did need
to get back into life. He was going to do his best to liven up her life while he was
visiting.
" Let's go back to the house. It's getting dark." Bailey suggested.
"Thank you." Sam moved out of his arms. She still couldn't get over the look of
his build. And the fact that she'd never noticed. She was shaking her head at her
own blindness, as they walked back to the house.
Bailey stopped and grabbed his bag from the truck.
"You're sure you don't mind me staying a day or two?" Bailey asked, placing his hand
on the base of her neck.
"Of course not, don't be silly." Sam opened the door and he followed her inside.
"Your room is the one at the end of the hall. I'm going to fix some coffee."
Sam headed for the kitchen.
"Sounds good, I'll be back in a minute." Bailey took his bag to the guest room.
Chloe's door was closed so she must still be doing her homework.
Sam was standing at her kitchen sink daydreaming. Bailey had hugged her only moments ago and she was still filling comforted. But she was also feeling more.
It had been so long since she'd found herself attracted to a man, since Coop's
death, there had been only two. But both were only short infatuations, nothing
lasting, the time she and Paul had kissed there had been no chemistry at all.
It was so none romantic it was laughable.
But, today in His arms there was reaction. It was soothing, but it was also arousing. A feeling Sam hadn't experienced in a long time. Her mind took the
idea and ran with it. Bailey and her back on the hill, him holding her, her hands
wrapped around his powerful shoulders. Sam looks up into his dark eyes, and
kisses him. He welcomes her kiss, his hold changes one hand bracing her head
as he shifted the pressure of the kiss. Her mouth opens to him, their tongues
touch, tease. Sam moans, in reaction to his skillful kissing.
"I never knew you cared this way." She murmurs to him between kisses.
"I've always loved you Sam." He confesses.
"Sam Chloe is still doing her homework." Bailey entered the kitchen and shocked her
out of her very pleasant day dream
"Oh, yes once she gets started it's best to let her keep going." Sam blushed, at the
thoughts that she'd been thinking about him.
Bailey noticed her flush, "Is the coffee ready?"
"A few more minutes." Sam placed a plate of cookies on the table, with out meeting his eyes. She was embarrassed he caught her.
"Sam I'd like to do something tomorrow, is there anything going on around here this time
of year?"
"There's a festival for crafts, and artists along with a music program down at the fairgrounds. It's kind of a fall festival."
"Sounds like fun, will you join me?" Bailey picked up a cookie and took a bite.
"Sure, Chloe's troop is working at a booth to raise money. But I can give you at least
half a day."
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bailey looked like he'd just stepped out of one of her romance novels. Sam's guilty little pleasure that she hide from everyone. She'd come to appreciate those silly romance novels you found in discount stores.
He was wearing faded blues jeans, a medium blue polo shirt, with a very small FBI
logo embroidered on the chest and hiking boots. His hair was brushed back as always
but in the morning sunlight he looked younger than his years and very handsome.
"Chloe said you double teamed me this morning, she snuck in and turned off my alarm
clock and you fixed her breakfast." Sam smiled at him, lifting her hand to shield her
eyes from the bright sun.
"I thought you could use a little extra sleep, I would have made you breakfast but Chloe
insisted you only have one piece of toast and coffee."
"Yeah, my stomach doesn't like food early in the morning." Sam reminded him.
"You look already for our trip to the festival."
"The weather report said mid sixties, I've got a jacket in the car but I don't think
I'll need it. Are you ready?" Bailey had been cleaning up his truck from the drive
Chloe had helped until only a few minutes before when she'd bolted for her room
to change into her scout uniform.
Bailey smiled at her, she was wearing tan slacks with a yellow twin set. She had on
walking shoes and was carrying her purse and another bag. She'd left her hair down,
except for the sides which were clipped back so when she was working they would
stay out of the way.
"Mon come on we're going to he late." Chloe blotted out of the front door slamming it
behind her and ran for Bailey's truck.
" I'm ready slow down." Sam went to the passenger side and climbed in, Bailey held the
door for her.
When they pulled up to the parking area for the festival Sam was feeling almost
joyful. She was going to be spending the day with her best friend, and her daughter.
"Chloe had to report to the booth for the morning shift, and I have to check in and
see what need to be done." Sam warned him.
"I'll tag along." Bailey was feeling great, he didn't care if he had to help man the
booth as long as Sam was there with him.
The Scouting booth was filled with girls and mothers. Bailey didn't feel out of
place, he'd done scouting with his girls on more than on occasion.
"Sam, Chloe glad you made it. We're a little behind with setting up, I had to
make a run to Jen's house and pick up half the supplies. She had an emergency
at the hospital and wouldn't be able to make it." They were greeted by a short
dark haired woman, wearing a vest and a change maker.
"Oh, then you'll want me to help out here this morning?" Sam nodded.
"Yes, if you can. I have people lined up for the afternoon shift."
"Pam Dare I'd like to introduce you to my friend Bailey Malone. Bailey this is Pam
she's the Scout Master of Chloe's troop."
"Nice to meet you Ms. Dare, my girls were in the scouts when they were that age."
Bailey shook hands with the woman.
"Hello Mr. Malone nice you to drop by our little booth."
"Bailey it looks like I'm working this morning. So if you want to wander around and check
back here in a few hours." Sam as sorry she couldn't spend more time with him.
"Ms. Dare help the tarp is falling." One of the girls yelled.
Bailey was quick to respond to the sound of worry in the girls voice. He moved to
grab the loose stake and move it back so it was taunt.
"If you have a hammer handy I could tighten up the tarp for you?" Bailey offered.
"Thank you, I'm great with tents but this things always give me trouble." Pam
handed him a small mallet.
Sam shrugged and went to help arrange the contents of the booth.
"Who's the guy with your mom?" Nina asked Chloe while they were helping to
unload the supplies from the back of Pam's van.
"That's Bailey, he's on old friend."
"He's kind of nice looking, old but big and strong." Nina giggled.
"Yeah, he is older than most of the fathers around, but he's been part of my life
forever. I like him a lot." Chloe told her.
"Is he dating your mom?"
"No, but I'd like it if he did."
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bailey spent the next hour helping with the booth. Carrying boxes, lifting the heavy
table they had been supplied with to a better location for the display.
Sam noticed again how powerful he was as his arms bulged when he lifted the table
and moved it to a new location. Several of the other ladies noticed to. Sam heard
them comment on Bailey several times during the time he was helping out.
"I don't know how serious she is about him. But if it was me, I'd snap him up in a
heart beat."
"He's not as young as some of the men around but he sure looks good."
and
"Both coming and going, if you know what I mean."
Sam smiled at their comments. Bailey was attractive, but he was a lot more than that.
He was generous with his time, his talents and he cared.
The festival got underway at ten, their were people everywhere. The booth did a hit and
miss business for the first hour. Bailey hung around, watching the crowd and keeping an
eye on his girls. Chloe was having fun but Sam seemed subdued.
He took Pam aside after an hour and asked her if he could take Sam with him for
a few hours.
"Yes, with all your help this morning, you go ahead. Enjoy the festival. Chloe will
be safe here with us."
"Thank you."
Bailey touched Sam's shoulder.
"You're boss said I can borrow you for a little while." Bailey smiled at Sam.
"Oh, let me tell Chloe." Sam smiled back.
"OK, Mom have fun." She waved bye to Bailey from her place at the cash box.
Bailey walked with Sam towards the main area of the fair. His hand at the small
of her back. A habit he's always seemed to have. He treated ladies with respect
and courtesy. Not because they were the weaker sex, but because he was raised
to protect and care for the women he encountered in life.
They listened to the band for a few songs then a group of Irish Dancers came on
the stage. Bailey was thrilled, it was part of his heritage after all, the part he'd not
had much exposure to.
His grandmother Malone had once shown him how to dance 'River Dance' style
but he'd not been interested that much in dancing at age eight.
"Do you like bagpipes Bail?" Sam could take the music in small doses, but considering
he loved opera she didn't figure he'd care for the more primitive music.
"I do, I think it must be from another life. I seem to know the melody even if I've never
heard the song before. It gets to me right here." He tapped his chest over his heart.