A Fresh Start
Chapter Seventy Seven
Jeffrey and Sam walk across the parking lot to Company. Buzz is standing at the counter when they walk in. "Hey you two." He says
"Hi, Buzz." They reply, walking to one of the booths as he follows behind him.
"Working alone today, Buzz?" Jeffrey asks
"For right now, Marina, Coop and Frank are busy. As is Harley and Lynn is on her break and Natalia won't be in till three. So what will it be?"
"A Buzz burger and salad, ranch dressing, the light ranch and water with lemon." Sam says.
"I'll have the same thing, but I want fries instead of a salad, coke instead of water." Jeffrey says when Buzz turns to him.
"Alright, two Buzz burger's, salad and fries with water and coke to drink, coming right up." Buzz says, turning away.
Billy walks into Towers a few moments after Reva. He spots her as the host comes up to him. "May I help you, Mr. Lewis?"
"I see my party." Billy replies, walking towards Reva's table.
He sits down as their waiter comes over. "I'll have a club soda with a twist of lime." He says to him.
"Yes sir."
He leaves as Reva says. "So, what did you find out?"
"I got the report from Wanda this morning."
"And?"
"He's certainly covering something up, but I can't tell you what it is."
"Billy."
"Wanda was able to trace everything, every file. Nothing was missing, except the Lewis Oil files. We can't get them because they are in Spaulding possession now. But every file concerning Lewis Construction business was there."
"She actually found and saw every file."
"Yes, every one, nothing was missing. You're absolutely sure you heard them talking about a destroyed file?"
"Yes, Billy. I heard them as clear as I'm hearing you know."
"There are no business files missing from Lewis Construction legal department."
"Wait a minute." Reva says, as the waiter brings Billy's club soda.
"Would you like to order?" He asks, stepping back.
"I'll have the t-bone steak, rare, bake potato, and a small salad." Billy says.
"And I'll have the garden salad." Reva says, as the waiter nods, jotting down their order on the pad in his hand.
"Thanks." Billy says as the waiter turns away and Reva asks.
"Why do you order a salad when you know you're not going to eat it?"
"It goes with the meal, what were you saying?"
"About what?" Reva asks, taking a drink.
"You said wait a minute."
"Oh yes, what if we're looking at this the wrong way."
"What do you mean?"
"What if this isn't about business, but it's personal."
"But Josh said it was business, but then if he's hiding something he might not tell us what type of file it truly is."
"So, it could be personal. But if it was personal, why would he hide it from us?"
"I don't know."
"Well, if it's not business, then it has to be personal. Is there anyway of tracking down the Lewis personal papers. Maybe it has something to do with the family but no concerning business."
"H.B personal attorney died several years ago. Josh has control of all of his personal papers, so we can't just go up and ask him."
"And there are no other copies of H. B's papers."
"Not that I know of."
"Spaulding wouldn't have…. No, they would only take the papers and contracts pertaining to business. Well, if Josh has control of H.B's papers, it looks like we've reached a dead end." Reva says, as the waiter brings their lunch.
Jeffrey and Sam finish lunch and then they walk back across the street to the hospital parking lot. He opens the door for her and leaning over he kisses her softly before he says. "I'll be home later."
"Okay. We'll see you then."
"We'll do something tonight."
"Okay." She says, slipping inside the car.
He closes the door for her and then leans over and kisses her again. "I love you." He says, moving back.
"We love you too."
"I'll see you later." He says, stepping back as she starts the car. "Be careful."
"I will."
He stands there watching her as she back out of the parking place and waves as she pulls away before he walks over to his truck. Getting in, he heads back to city hall. As he walks into his office, Stacey says. "Sir, I have the list of bed and breakfast's you were asking about this morning."
"Good, let me see." Jeffrey asks, holding his hand out for them. She hand the list to him and then he walks into his office.
Sitting down at the desk, he looks over the list and notices the stars next to the different inns. Stacey had marked the ones that she thought they would like. Reaching for his mouse, he brings his computer up and then begins looking over the different inns. Most of the list he rejects but when he reaches the last entry, he pulls it up and knows immediately that's the place for them. Looking at the clock, he looks outside and then at the picture of Sam on his desk. Reaching for the intercom, he buzzes Stacey.
"Yes Sir."
"Could you come in here Stacey?"
"Yes Sir." A few seconds later she appears at his doorway.
"Do we have anything scheduled for this afternoon?"
"No Sir."
"Okay, I'm taking the afternoon off." Jeffrey says, standing up. Picking up the lists of bed and breakfast's, he hands the list to her. "I need you to book a room at the Bedham Hall Bed and Breakfast."
"Yes Sir. When will you be going?" Stacey asks.
"The week after Labor day, we'll be staying for two weeks." Jeffrey says, walking towards the door.
"Yes Sir, I'll get on it right away."
"Thank you and when you finish that, take the rest of the day off."
"Yes Sir."
Sam is walking into loft when she notices a man sitting in a car watching her. She watches him for a few moments and then starts towards him. When he sees her coming towards him, he starts the car and pulls away. Sam stands there for a few moments before she shakes her head and then turns and walks into the building.
She walks upstairs, slipping off her clothes, she walks into the closet. Getting out a pair of loose shorts and t-shirt she changes and then heads downstairs to straighten up the loft. She was just finishing putting the dishes away in the kitchen when the door opens and Jeffrey walks in calling. "Sam."
She walks out of the kitchen surprised to see him. "I thought you weren't coming home to later." She says, walking over to him.
"There's wasn't anything going on, so I decided to take the afternoon off." He says, pulling her to him and kissing her.
"Umm, okay." She says softly when he releases her.
"Good, go change."
"I just changed."
"Umm, so you did. I didn't notice. Alright then, get your swimsuit and a towel.
"Are we going to the lake?"
"No, we're going somewhere where we can be alone."
"Okay." Sam says, headed upstairs as Jeffrey walks into the kitchen.
He packs up a picnic basket and then he walks upstairs. "Wear some sturdy shoes." He says, walking into their room.
"Alright." Sam say, turning around and walking into the closet.
She changes out of her sandals into tennis shoes. As Jeffrey changes out of his suit into a pair of shorts and t-shirt, along with tennis shoes.
Walking downstairs, she finds the picnic basket and a blanket on the table by the door. "We just ate Jeffrey." She says, turning up to him.
"This is for later, come on." He says, opening the door. He follows her out, closing the door behind them
When they reach the truck, Jeffrey puts the picnic basket and blanket in the back seat and then helps Sam in before he climbs in behind her, closing the truck door as she asks. "Where are we going?"
"It's a surprise." He says, leaning over to kiss her quickly.
Starting the truck, he backs out as he puts his arm across her shoulders and pulls her against him. They head north out of town. When they get out of the city, Jeffrey rolls the window down and lets the fresh air fill the cab as Sam reaches in her purse and pulls out a ponytail holder, pulling her hair back as he glances over at her and smiles.
They continue north, driving along a two lane road that reminded Sam of the back roads of her hometown in Georgia. Looking over at him, she smiles as she lays her head on his shoulder and he leans over to kiss the top of her head. When they've gone about thirty miles out of Springfield, Jeffrey turns onto another road and heads towards Laurel Falls.
When they're about ten miles out of town, he pulls off the main road and onto a dirt road. They drive about another ten miles before Jeffrey pulls onto a side road, and stops. Parking the truck, he turns the engine off and then turns to her. "Are you ready?"
"Ready for what?" Sam asks, looking at him.
"For a short hike."
"A short hike, where?"
"Down there." Jeffrey says, opening the truck door.
Helping her out, he reaches in the back for the picnic basket and blanket before he closes the door. Taking her hand, he walks around the truck and starts walking down a narrow trail. Jeffrey picks his way carefully, being careful to avoid loose rocks and tree roots.
About halfway done the hill, they start to hear a faint roar. "Where are you taking me?" Sam asks again.
"You'll see." Jeffrey says, continuing down the hill.
When they are close to the bottom he stops and turns to her. "Close your eyes."
"What?"
"I said, close your eyes."
"I can't see…."
"I know, close them." He says, reaching up to put his hand over her eyes as she closes them. "Keep them closed, no peeking." He says, taking her hand
He leads the last few feet, through the trees and out onto an outcrop of rock that slopes down into a shallow creek. Sam can hear an intense roar as they stop. Jeffrey turns to her. "Keep them closed." He says when she starts to open her eyes.
Putting the picnic basket down, he spreads out the blanket and then walking around her as she says. "J."
He wraps his arms around her and then leaning into her he whispers. "You can open them."
Slowly Sam opens her eyes and stares at the site before. Two towering waterfalls are directly in front of them, falling into a pool of water about fifteen feet from the top of the falls. Surrounding them are large trees the form a canopy. Only letting in tiny slivers of sunshine in. the only sounds the fill the air is the sound of the water rushing over the side of the falls and the occasional call of birds over head.
"This is beautiful." Sam says, turning to look at him. "Where are we?"
"Laurel Falls." Jeffrey says, looking up at them.
"Why did you want to come here?"
"I thought about them a few days ago, and today seemed like a good day to come over here. Danny and Michelle used…."
"Danny and Michelle?"
"Danny Santos and Michelle Bauer, they used to come here. And this place doesn't have a completely good history. Tony Santos fell from up there and died. And Dinah took Cassie up there when she first came back to Springfield, but it's still a beautiful place. And I hope you like it."
"I do, even with all of that. They sort of remind me of the falls outside of Rio, although I doubt they are as deadly."
"Those falls weren't deadly, the terrain around them, yes." Jeffrey says, sitting down on the rock behind her.
"There aren't any… you know." Sam asks, looking around
"Snakes." Jeffrey says, as she shivers slightly "I don't know, but I'll protect you."
"I'm really not to keen on…."
"There are no pythons here, I promise." He says, leaning over and kissing her. "Do you want to go for a swim?" Even in the shade of the canopy, the air still felt hot and humid. "Umm, I promise nothing will get you."
Sam glances at the water. It did look cool and inviting. "Where do we change?"
"Right here. No one is around." He says, pulling his t-shirt over his head before he pulls off his socks and shoes. Standing up, he looks down at her.
She follows him, slipping off her tennis shoes and sock off before she stands up and pulls her jeans and t-shirt off. Reaching down, she starts to pull her suit of the bag she had brought with them but he reaches out to stop her. "I've got a better idea." He says, slipping his shorts and boxer off before he starts leading her towards the water.
"J. What if someone…?"
"No one will come down here. We're alone. It'll be fun." He says, with a grin, challenging her.
"Alright." She says, following him into the water.
Even though it's late August the water is still pretty cool when you first get in. And Sam sucks in a deep breath, holding it until her body adjusts to the temperature of the water.
Slipping underwater, Jeffrey swims out to where the water's about seven feet deep and then he turns to look back at Sam as he treads water. Swimming over to him, she stops when she's a few feet away from him. Treading water, she watches him. "So, who's going to dunk who first?"
"I hope you don't feel the need to push me under water." Jeffrey says, swimming over to her.
She's not in the deepest part of the water yet, so Jeffrey's able to reach the bottom. Standing still in front of her, he watches her. Watching the tiny rivulets of water roll down her face and neck, disappearing into the water again. He reaches for her, pulling her to him. He leans in to kiss her softly.
She wraps her arms around him as he holds her to him, deepening the kiss. She's completely wrapped up in him when he dunks them both beneath the water, and she comes up sputtering. "Oh, oh." She screeches, as he comes up laughing. "I'll get you Mr. O'Neill." She says, as she starts towards him and he quickly begins to swim away from her.
After a few seconds, she catches him and they begin to wrestle in the water, she's trying to dunk him, but he's stronger and faster than her. Standing up and breathing hard, she looks at him and gets a devilish grin on her face. "Sam, no." Jeffrey says, knowing the smile.
But she only continues to smile as she sinks into the water and lays back. Bracing her hand on the rock beneath her, she begins to kick and kick in earnest, splashing huge waves of water on him. She continues until he's able to work his away around her, wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulls her back against him as she starts to squirm. After a couple seconds, he says. "You win."
"Again." She says, turning to look at him.
He stares at her. The sun is shining through the trees, reflecting off the water and bathing her in a crisp clear light that reflects of the natural highlights in her hair and her golden skin. Moving in, he softly kisses her, bring her closer to him. "Sam." He sighs, as she wraps her arms around him.
Standing up, he swipes her up into his arms and starts to wade towards the shore and the rock where the blanket is spread out. Walking out of the water, he walks across the rock as she breaks the kiss and leans over, nibbling on the side of his neck.
Sinking to his knees, he lays her down beneath him. Bracing his hands on either side her, he leans back and looks down, watching the water rolling down her face and neck. Leaning over, he licks one of the drops of water off her chin before he moves across her jaw to her ear, nibbling softly. He stays there for a moment before he moves down her neck. Nibbling on her skin, he stops when he reaches the hollow at the base of her neck, kissing it. He feels it pounding against his lips and he shivers slightly.
Reaching up, she buries her hands in his hair. Holding him against her, she closes her eyes, feeling the embers of desire begin to burn inside her. After a few seconds he moves on, kissing the other side of her neck and stopping to play with her other ear, because he knows how much it turns her on. She sighs softly, feeling the desire beginning to build.
He moves away after a few seconds, softly kissing her collar bone and shoulder. He moves down to her upper chest, kissing her softly. He leans back as he moves down her and when he reaches the valley between her breasts, he sits back. Watching her for a few seconds, as she opens her eyes, and he can read how much she wants him, that quickly and with those few kisses he knows she's smoldering with desire.
He continues to watch her, until she reaches for him. Laying her hand on his lower abdomen, she watches him and knows exactly what he wants but she decides to make him wait. Bending her fingers, she slowly begins to move up his stomach, lightly scratching him. He gasps softly, closing his eyes as rushing eruption of desire courses over him. "Beca." He sighs, looking down and she smile up at him.
Leaning over her, he presses his mouth to hers, kissing her deeply as she reaches his nipples. Stopping, she begins to play with him, running her fingers and nails over him until she feels a deep shiver course through him. Breaking the kiss, he returns to the valley between her breasts, kissing her softly, he lies down beside her with his erection pressing against her hip as she continues to caress him.
Closing her eyes, she waits as he begins to move up the side of her breast, gently nibbling on the heated skin beneath his lips. He plays with her nipple, softly licking it, running his tongue over it again and again until it's a hard nub, straining for more and slowly she moves up his chest, still lightly scratching him as she moves up to the back of his head, burying her fingers in his hair, holding him against her as she arches her back.
Reaching with one hand, he brings to lightly caress her other breast, massaging it gently, keeping in rhythm with his mouth. "J." She moans softly, arching her back when he breaks the kiss.
Leaning back, he looks up at her and then down at her breast. Seeing her hard nipples reaching for him, swollen with desire. He feels another surging wave of desire course through him. Leaning over, he lightly kisses each breast as she sucks in a deep breath. That simple caress feels better than anything so far.
Pulling away from her breasts, he light kisses his way down her abdomen, stopping to whisper softly. "I love you little one." Before he looks up at her.
"We love you." She says, softly, reaching to run her finger down his jaw to his mouth.
He lightly kisses the tips of her fingers before he takes one into his mouth, caressing hit softly as he watches her. He feels her breathing deepen even more. Releasing her finger, he kisses them again before he leans over and begins to nibble across her abdomen. Stopping at her belly button, he dips his tongue inside. He drinks the water pooled inside before slowly running his tongue over it again and again. He feels each shuddering breath she draws until she arches her back, reaching for him. She buries her fingers in his hair.
He continues to play with her for a few more seconds before he leans back and looks up at her. "What do you want?" he asks softly.
Arching her back, she reaches for him. "I want you." She says, softly
"How?" He asks, watching her.
"Kiss me." She says, arching her hips, reaching for him. He watches her and then he looks up. "Please." She begs, closing her eyes.
He can't deny her, leaning over her. He kisses her softly. The pressure of his lips feels astonishingly light against her. "Please." She begs, reaching for him.
Lying down between her legs, he reaches for her. Holding her open, he slowly runs his tongue over her desire. "J" she cries, arching her back. "Oh God, baby." She gasps, closing her eyes and reaching for the blanket, clinching it tightly.
Softly he begins to tap against her desire, slowly moving his tongue over her, taking creamy desire from deep inside her. He plays with her for what seems like and eternity. It's only a matter of minutes, but it's the most intense minutes for her. He quickly begins to realize that she's close to going over the edge and as much as he would love to bring her over, he feels a little bit selfish today. Kissing her softly for the last time, he moves away from her. "No." She pleads, looking up at him
He silences her by leaning over and kissing her and moving up between her legs. Pulling her to him, he presses against her body as she gasps softly. Arching her back, she takes him inside her. He leans over her, bracing his hand on either side of her shoulders as he thrusts deeply.
The first caress ricochets between them. For the first few thrusts, he moves slowly, savoring the connection between them, but soon desire takes control. Leaning on his elbow, he thrusts faster. Raising her legs, she changes the angle of entry and he slips deeper inside her as she wraps her arms around him, holding him tightly. She begins to move with him, rolling her hips as he begins to slow down. "No." She whispers in his ear. "Finish it, please."
He can't deny her or himself either. He begins again as she continues to move against him. She feels the quiver of desire rush through her, clinging to him. He feels her body caressing his, squeezing him tightly from within. "Beca." He groans, feeling each eruption of desire rush through her, caressing him. "J, oh J, Yes!" she cries, arching her hips and holding him to her tightly as the deepest surge of desire erupts within her.
"That's it, Beca. Yes." He groans, thrusting a few more times until his body explodes inside her. Sucking in a deep breath, he hangs his head as he thrust a couple more times, and soft flutters of release rush over them.
Collapsing in her arms, he buries his head in her neck. Gasping for breath, he still feels tiny flutters of desire rush through her and over him. She still feels him inside her. Releasing him, she whispers in his ear. "Roll over."
He leans back and looks down. Seeing the fire in her eyes, he wraps his arms around her as he rolls to his back. Helping her up, he sucks in a deep breath as she immediately starts to move against him, tightening her body around him from inside. "Sam." He groans, holding tightly to her sliding hips as he begins to thrust.
"Jeffrey." She cries, as he caresses her special place. "Oh, I feel… you… baby." She gasps.
"How do I feel?"
"So, good… so good." She says, feeling the first waves of release come over her. She feels a warm liquid run down her thighs, as she looks down at him.
"Come on, Beca." He says, reaching for and slipping his hand between her legs, caressing her. Thrusting once more, he joins her, flooding her with another release as she collapses in his arms. Wrapping his arms around her, he holds onto her while they both struggle for control again.
Richard is in his office at the farm when the phone begins to ring. Cassie had run to the Beacon for a quick meeting with Olivia before they took the boys for their checkups before school starts on Monday.
Reaching for the phone he finishes writing notes on the file from the Chicago deal as he answers the call. "Richard Winslow."
"Richard, its Noah."
"Hi, what's going on?"
"I just heard back from the lab about the blood sample."
"Okay." Richard says, laying his pen down and leaning back in his chair.
"They still had the sample on file, so I instructed them to send the sample to Cedars."
"Alright, thank you. Are they sending it to Rick or the lab?"
"The lab."
"I'll contact Rick and let him know."
"I read the interview."
"How was it?"
"It was good, Holly did a wonderful job. Are you guys adjusting?"
"Yes, it's almost like I never left or had the accident. The only sad part is that Tammy isn't here." Richard says wistfully.
"I'm sorry buddy."
"Thanks, when will the sample reach Cedars?"
"Probably by this afternoon."
"I'll be sure to tell Rick."
"I've got to go. I've got to look in on a patient."
"Take care Noah and thank you." Richard says, leaning forward again.
They hang up and then Richard dials the number for Rick's office. After a couple rings his nurse answers. "Dr. Rick Bauer's office."
"Yes, this is Richard Winslow. Is Dr. Bauer in?"
"He's with a patient."
"Could I leave a message for him?"
"Yes Sir." The nurse replies, taking a pen.
"Could you ask him to call me?"
"Yes, Sir, can you tell mew why you're calling?"
"It's personal."
"I'll be sure he gets the message."
"Thank you." Richard hangs up and goes back to the Chicago deal.
When Ralph left the parking lot outside Jeffrey's loft he heads for Company. Parking, he gets out and walks into Company. He says to Buzz as he walks by the front counter. "I'll have a Buzz burger and a Coke." And as he walks past Natalia he says. "How you doin sweetheart?"
Natalia just looks at him and then walks over to the counter and asks Buzz "Who's that?"
"I don't know. he comes in here occasionally." Buzz replies, handing her a ticket.
Natalia leaves, taking the order to the kitchen. Ralph walks to the back booth and sits down. Pulling his phone out of his pocket he dials Simmons's number. After a couple rings he picks up. "Yeah, what do you want?"
"Was wondering when I am to stop watching this guy?"
"Tell the job's finished."
"Then we may have a problem."
"What problem?"
"The woman may have spotted me."
"How, you're being paid not to be spotted. Did she see you?"
"No, not closely, she was walking towards me…." He pauses as Buzz brings his food and drink. When he walks away Ralph continues. "…like I was saying, she was walking towards me but I left before she saw me."
"So, she didn't actually see you."
"No, but she may recognize the car if I go back over there."
"Well then get another car, but stay with them."
"Alright."
Simmons hangs up as Olivia asks. "What happened?"
"She almost spotted him."
"He's being paid…."
"I know that, as does he. She didn't see him."
"How do we know that?"
"He left before she could see him."
"Call him back and tell him to come here. I can't chance Sam telling Jeffrey anything."
"Alright." Simmons says, picking up the phone again and dialing Ralph's number. After a couple rings, he picks up. "Yeah."
"She wants you to come to the cabin."
"Alright."
Simmons hangs up. "He's coming."
"Good, is everything else in order?'
"Yes, I went to Chicago and I have the drug. Now we have to wait till the time is right."
"We're going to do this after Richard and Cassie's wedding."
"How are we going to give them the drug?"
"Well I was going to let your associate do it, but since she may have seen him I'll have to do it."
"Okay, didn't think you wanted to get your hands dirty, that is why you hired me."
"I hired you because I know you can do it, do it well and quietly. But, you have to do what you have to do and I want him."
"Well, okay. Do you want…?"
"No, I'll get it before the wedding." Olivia says, reaching for her purse. "Tell him if he's messed this up. I won't pay him anymore." Simmons nods as he walks her to the door and she leaves a few moments later.
Richard was still making notes on the Chicago deal when he phone rings again. Reaching for it, he answers. "Richard Winslow."
"Richard, its Rick."
"Oh, hi. Thank you for calling me back."
"My nurse said it was personal and she made it sound important."
"Well, it's not an emergency, but I got a call from Noah this morning. The agency still had a sample on file from my time in San Cristobel."
"Alright."
"He's had the lab send it to the lab at Cedars and it should be there by this afternoon."
"I'll go down and tell to expect it and to immediately run a DNA test on the sample you supplied the other day, comparing it to the sample they get from Washington. After that it will just be a matter of petitioning the court to have the death certificate revoked."
"Do you suggest anyone in town to take care of it? I would use Ross, but..."
"My ex-wife could handle that for you. Her name is Mel Bauer and her office number…."
"Hang on a second." Richard says, reaching for a pen and paper. "Okay."
"Her office number is 555-9308. She should be in her office today till about five."
"I'll give her a call, thank you Rick." Richard says, as Cassie walks into the room.
"You're welcome." Rick replies.
Richard hangs up as Cassie walks over to his desk. "What did Rick want?" She asks, as he hangs up the phone."
"Noah called while you were at the Beacon. The agency still had the sample of blood that I gave them when Jeffrey was in San Cristobel. We're going to use that to compare DNA to reverse the death certificate."
"Oh, okay."
"So, how did the meeting go with Olivia?"
"Fine, are the boys here?"
"Yes, Reva dropped them off just after you left and they are upstairs playing with RJ's video game."
"Alright, good, because we need to go, their appointment is at 3:00 and it's about 2:30 now."
"Alright." Richard says, closing the file and standing up. He follows her out of the office.
77.13