Protective Instincts Read Free

being in a totally different world.
    She noticed the marks left by her bra pushing into a little excess flesh. Since Tommy's death, she hadn't taken such good care of herself. Once she'd rejoined the world of the living, meals for one had led to junk food. Time for a real exercise program to go with the sensible meals she planned to adopt soon.
    * * * *
    Sam had made the trip from the teacher's house to his, with a stop for Burger King, in fifteen minutes. Sean was still out. Sam had felt foolish following his son's teacher home. He'd felt even more foolish calling her from his car to be sure she was safe. Though he felt responsible for taking care of others, he'd never been so strongly compelled to see after someone who wasn't even family. So she was one hot woman, all cool exterior and simmering passion under the façade. He'd have been obligated to help her even if she didn't make him want to peel layers and see what lay beneath.
    Never again would Sam ignore feelings that someone was in danger. Not since he was twelve had he done so. His friend had become separated from the group on a camping trip. If Sam hadn't finally insisted on going back to find the boy, he'd have died from a snakebite. Sam had tried tonight to ignore his spooky premonition, but it had grown inside him until he thought he would burst.
    He didn't discuss his premonitions with anyone. They were too strange. He couldn't explain why he had them. It wasn't like he was psychic. Circumstances and people triggered the symptoms. Some could be attributed to natural instincts, like times he'd awakened in the middle of the night to find Sean sick.
    The night he'd called to wake his ex-wife from a sound sleep she'd been ready to skin him until she'd smelled gas and realized she might not have awakened ever again if he hadn't called. Thank God his premonitions didn't happen often. He'd hate being like psychics on television. Now they were weird.
    Sean's English teacher was always full of piss-n-vinegar. She'd stood up for students needs at PTSA meetings. She'd stood her ground when coaches had suggested she give passing grades to athletes with key positions on school teams They'd lost football and basketball games while key players were ineligible because of grades in her class. Sean respected her for that.
    Sam's decision to follow the teacher tonight had been spur of the moment. Maybe the age of her car was the reason his premonitions acted up, but he couldn't take a chance. The gut ache had faded. The hairs on his neck stopped bristling.
    After the burgers and his second beer, he fell asleep in his worn recliner in front of the television, where he waited for Sean, the most important person in his life, his joy.
    * * * *
    Brit's soaking bath would be delayed. She couldn't believe she'd ordered flowers for herself. Well, why not? She deserved them. Tommy, darling man that he was, had always given her flowers on his birthday to celebrate the anniversary of their first date. Flowers and a meal delivered to her door should go a long way toward dispelling her gloomy mood. She could eat the TV dinner tomorrow night. Putting on a soft, blue, fleece sweat suit allowed her to answer the doorbell, decently covered. Grinning, she opened the door.
    "Ohmigosh!" She'd never seen anything like the arrangement of expensive looking flowers obscuring the deliveryman. "You've got the wrong address," she blurted. Glancing past the uniformed man, she spotted the florist truck.
    "No, ma'am, I don't. These are for you. Says so on the order." He shifted his heavy load to thrust a paper toward her.
    Stepping back, she motioned for him to put the heavy looking arrangement of flowers on her table. Foxglove and belladonna blooms hung on long stalks. Pink-throated Stargazer lilies and white Casablanca lilies dominated a vase suitable for a hotel table centerpiece. Calla Lilies stood out on their graceful long stems. Delicate blossomed freesia and flowers she didn't recognize provided color