Love's Vigilante

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Love’s Vigilante - book excerpt

Chapter 1

Taylor Aris and Becky Rand were on their way back to work after lunch. They had eaten in Andre’s because they received an employee discount for working in Avorn Security Building. They worked in Avorn Massage as Massage Therapists.

“I’m telling you, Becky, I have had it with love, and with men, who pretend to be in love with you one day and are with someone else before you can say scat,” said Taylor.

Becky shook her head. “You have just made bad choices. There are sure to be some decent men out there. We can’t give up. I don’t want to spend my life alone. I want a family.”

“When I have more time at home, I’ll get a cat. At least I’ll know if he is out tom catting around, it’s no reflection on me,” said Taylor.

“It’s no reflection on you, anyway. It a reflection on the guys you pick to be involved with,” said Becky.

Taylor glanced at Becky. “You haven’t had any better luck than I have,” she remarked.

Becky sighed. “I know, but I’m not ready to give up. My guardian angel told me to be patient and to quit trying so hard to find Mr. Right. She said Mr. Right Now won’t do,” said Becky, ending on a chuckle.

Taylor had to laugh with her as they entered Avorn Massage and prepared to return to work.

“Lucy Trent, their boss, was waiting for them at the front desk.

“Good, you’re back.” remarked Lucy, looking up and seeing the girls. “You each have a patient waiting for a massage. Taylor, your patient strained his shoulder in the gym. Becky, you have Mrs. Stall. She is here for her weekly massage.”

Taylor and Becky punched their time- cards and started for their designated rooms. It was the start of a busy afternoon.

Becky gave Taylor a thumbs up sign of encouragement as they parted to go to their separate rooms. Taylor shook her head, but she smiled back at Becky.

Taylor looked at the hunk laying face down on her massage table, and wondered if she could get Becky to switch patients with her. The last thing she needed was some good looking, half naked man to remind her of her loneliness and all she didn’t have. She shook her head. Lucy would never let them get away with switching. She would probably be by to check on them. She would be furious if they weren’t in the right rooms. She might as well get to work.

* * *

Mariam Avorn exited the elevator and hurried to the ladies bathroom. All the movement of the elevator on her way down to her husband’s third floor office had left her feeling queasy. Lynn Clark, the third floor desk manager saw her and sent a quick message to Brenda to check on their boss’ wife.

Brenda pushed open the bathroom door to find Mariam leaned over the sink, washing her face. “Hello, have you caught a stomach bug?” asked Brenda.

Mariam shook her head and smiled. “No, I think I may be pregnant.”

Brenda smiled. “Great, how far along are you?”

“About six weeks I think,” responded Mariam. “I haven’t been to the doctor, so I can’t be sure. I have been putting off going to the doctor. I was hoping for it be true, and I didn’t want to be disappointed.”

“Why didn’t you take one of those home pregnancies’ test?” asked Brenda.

“I didn’t want to get our hopes up until I found out for sure. If I tell Alex I want to go and buy a test, he will get excited, and then if it’s not true, he will be disappointed,” said Mariam.

“You could send one of the guards to the store for a test,” offered Brenda.

Mariam was shaking her head. “If I asked one of the guards to go, it would be all over the building. I want to be able to tell Alex first,” stated Mariam.

Brenda looked at her watch. “I am going on my lunch break. I will stop by the pharmacy and pick you up a test. I promise I won’t say a word until you tell me it is okay.”

“You’re sure you don’t mind?” asked Mariam.

Brenda shook her head. “You have to promise to let me know after you tell Alex. I will be bursting with curiosity until I know for sure,” declared Brenda.

Mariam smiled and nodded agreement. “Thank you, Brenda.”

Brenda and Mariam walked out together. They parted outside Alex’s office. Mariam went into his office and Brenda went by Lynn’s desk and told her she was taking her lunch break.

Alex looked up and smiled, when he saw Mariam enter his office. He dropped the paper he was working on and rose to meet her. After kissing her, he leaned back and looked at her face. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” said Mariam. “I noticed Lynn out front. I’m sure Brenda is glad she is back at work.”

“She is. I received a call from Mark. He and Darrin will be back in the states by the end of the week,” said Alex with a grin.

“Really!” exclaimed Mariam excitedly. She hugged Alex and beamed up at him.

“I haven’t had a chance to ask about their plans. Mark said they would have to go to the Army base before they can come home. I thought they could stay with us while deciding where they want to live,” said Alex.

“I would love for them to stay with us. I haven’t had a chance to really talk to Darrin since I had to miss the funeral of our family. He promised we would have a memorial service for them,” said Mariam.

Alex drew her close for another hug. He was still worried about her. She looked stressed and pale to him. Alex sighed. Hopefully Mariam was not worrying about starting a family. Being stressed out about it would not help. He wanted her to relax and enjoy the process. Maybe having their brothers return would be the distraction she needed now.

Alex led Mariam over to the sofa and sat down, pulling her down into his lap. Mariam smiled and, putting her arms around him, snuggled close. She glanced up at his face to find him waiting for her to look up. Alex leaned forward and kissed her.

“This is my idea of office work. I will have to drop by more often,” said Mariam kissing Alex back and hugging him at the same time.

“Relax, I’m on lunch break. Would you like to have something sent up? We could go down to Andre’s, if you like,” said Alex spreading kisses over her face.

“I am not really hungry. This is much better,” said Mariam.

“We could always lock the door,” offered Alex with a grin.

Mariam flushed. “I don’t think we need to lock the door. We could always go up to the penthouse,” said Mariam.

Alex sighed. “I have an appointment in thirty minutes. I would put it off, but it has to do with a program Avorn is sponsoring at the college,” explained Alex apologetically.

Mariam smiled and kissed him again. We can wait. The students are important. Have I told you how proud I am of all the help you give the young people of our community?” asked Mariam.

Alex grinned as he continued to spread kisses over her face. “You may have mentioned it, but I always love hearing my wife is proud of me. I love you. I will always strive to make you proud.”

Mariam put her hands on his face and looked into his eyes. “I love you, too. You don’t have to strive. Helping comes naturally to you. I am so glad our guardian angels decided we were perfect for each other.”

“It was my lucky day,” agreed Alex.

“Mine, too,” said Mariam she leaned her head onto Alex’s chest and closed her eyes.

Alex looked down a minute later, and he was surprised to see Marian had fallen asleep. He pulled her into a more comfortable position and let her sleep in his arms. Alex frowned. Maybe Mariam needed a checkup. He didn’t think it was normal for her to be so tired. He would have a talk with her about it tonight, he thought.

Alex leaned back on the sofa holding Mariam close and watching her sleep. He didn’t move until Lynn buzzed him to tell him his appointment was there. Alex eased Mariam onto the pillow on the sofa and covered her with a throw from the back of the sofa. Alex kissed her gently before leaving. Mariam never stirred.

Alex met his appointment at Lynn’s desk. “Lynn, keep everyone out of my office. Mariam is asleep and I don’t want her awakened. She’s not feeling well,” said Alex. George and I will talk in the conference room,” said Alex.

Lynn nodded her understanding. “Is Mariam alright?” asked Lynn.

“She will be fine,” assured Alex. Alex greeted George and showed him the way to the conference room.

“I appreciate you coming over to talk with me about the funding for the projects at the college, George. I have been so busy; I haven’t been able to make it to the college to check on the programs,” said Alex.

“I am glad to find someone interested in our young people enough to want to help them. Most people will look the other way and leave the problems in someone else’s hands,” stated George.

“My brother and I were lucky when we were growing up. We had the guidance we needed, both physical and spiritual. We feel we should help as many young people as we can. I am not writing a blank check. The projects Avorn sponsors will be overseen by us, and we will evaluate them regularly to make sure they are working,” warned Alex.

George nodded. “I wouldn’t expect anything else. We welcome your keeping an eye on everything, and if there are any problems, we will do our best to address them to your satisfaction.”

Alex smiled and rose from his seat. George rose also, and they shook hands and walked out together.

After George left, Alex entered his office. He made his way to the sofa and gently took Mariam back into his arms. Mariam stirred and opened her eyes.

“Hi,” she whispered sleepily. “I didn’t mean to wake you. Why are you so sleepy?” asked Alex.

“It’s probably the baby,” said Mariam softly.

“You’re pregnant!” exclaimed Alex with a big grin.

Mariam came fully awake. “I don’t know for sure. I haven’t taken a test, yet,” she said. “I wasn’t going to say anything until I knew for sure. I didn’t want you to be disappointed.”

“Don’t ever try to keep anything from me for my own good,” said Alex. “I want to be in on everything all the way. I want to experience the ups and the downs.”

“Okay,” agreed Mariam.

“Let’s go get a test and see if you are pregnant,” said Alex excitedly.

He turned and holding her hand, started for the door. Mariam pulled back to stop him.

“Brenda is bringing me a test when she comes back from lunch,” said Mariam.

“You told Brenda?” asked Alex.

Mariam smiled. “She caught me throwing up. I told her I might be, and she offered to pick up the test for me.”

“Okay, I guess we wait for Brenda,” said Alex. He folded her into his arms and held her close.

“I told you to tell him,” said Mariam’s guardian angel.

“Yes, I know you did,” answered Mariam.

“What?” asked Alex pulling back and looking at her.

Mariam. “It’s nothing, just my guardian angel gloating and saying ‘I told you so.’”

“What did she tell you?” asked Alex.

“She told me to tell you as soon as I started suspecting I might be pregnant. She told me you would want to know.”

“She was absolutely, right. Thank you, Guardian Angel,” said Alex.

Mariam gasped. “She is preening.”

Alex laughed. He started to say something else, but there was a knock on the door.

“Come in,” called Alex.

Brenda opened the door and started inside.

“Did you get the test?” asked Alex.

“I see you told him.”

“It sort of slipped out,” said Mariam.

Brenda smiled at Mariam. Yes, I have the test.” Brenda handed Mariam the bag. “I bought you two tests. I thought you might need to do the test twice, and I didn’t want you to worry about going out to buy another test if it was needed,” explained Brenda.

Mariam smiled and took the bag from Brenda. “Thanks, Brenda.”

“You’re welcome,” said Brenda. “Let me know what it says.” Brenda left to go to her office.

Alex took the bag from Mariam and taking one of the tests out, started reading the package. Mariam smiled at him and, taking the other test out of the bag, she started reading it.

“It says you have to pee on the stick,” read Alex.

“I think I can handle that,” said Mariam taking her test and heading for Alex’s private bathroom.

Alex grinned and went behind his desk seating himself in his chair. Mariam came back into the office. She brought the test strip and placed it on Alex’s desk and curled up in his lap.

“We have to wait five minutes,” she said. She and Alex were both gazing at the test. The minutes were crawling by. Alex investigated her face and smiled.

“Don’t worry. If it isn’t now, we will keep trying. I don’t mind the trying,” he said to take her mind off the test.

Mariam laughed and kissed him. “I don’t mind the trying, either,” she agreed.

Alex glanced at the test and started smiling. Mariam turned her head and looked.

“We are going to have a baby,” she whispered. She hugged him close and tears came into her eyes.

Alex gently soothed her, holding her close and running his hand up her back.

“No tears,” he said. “This is a happy time.”

“I am happy,” explained Mariam. “These are happy tears. We are going to be parents. I can hear our guardian angels celebrating. You would think they are the ones expecting.”

Alex smiled. “They have been with us all the way. They are happy to see us happy.”

“I know,” said Mariam. “I am glad they love us enough to be happy for us.”

“We don’t have to quit practicing. We want to be in good shape for our next try,” said Mariam smiling up at Alex.

Alex burst out laughing. “You can count on it,” he promised. He leaned down and kissed her. “We will never get out of practice.”

“Good,” said Mariam kissing him back.

“We need to find you a doctor so you can go in for a check-up and be sure you are all right,” said Alex.

“I’ll call Lori and find out her doctor’s name,” said Mariam.

“I’m sure Trey and Lori checked her doctor out before she started seeing her. It will be good to have a doctor we can trust,” agreed Alex.

They looked up when a knock sounded at the office door. Mariam didn’t move as Alex called come in. Trey was already opening the door and coming in. He always made himself at home. Trey smiled at them when he entered.

“Hard at work, I see,” teased Trey.

“Yes,” agreed Alex smiling. “It’s hard work, but someone has to do it.”

Mariam punched his arm.

“Ouch!” exclaimed Alex. “It is my pleasure to hold you in my arms and celebrate life with you,” said Alex.

“Good save,” said Mariam smiling into his eyes.

Alex looked up at Trey. “We are about to add to the Avorn family, and we were wondering if you could give us the name of Lori’s doctor.” said Alex.

Trey started grinning. “You’re expecting,” he said looking at Mariam.

Mariam smiled as she nodded.

“Congratulations, to you both,” Trey came over and shook Alex’s hand and kissed Mariam’s cheek.

“The doctor’s name,” reminded Alex.

“I’ll have Lori call Mariam about the doctor. She doesn’t take new patients without a recommendation. Lori can recommend you and set up an appointment for you,” said Trey.

“How did Lori get her for a doctor?” asked Mariam.

“Through a friend of my mother’s. Mother made a few calls and set everything up for us,” said Trey.

“What’s her name?” asked Alex.

“Dr. Newsom,” said Trey.

“Jayann Newsom?” asked Alex.

“Yes, do you know her?” asked Trey.

“Jayann was in my class in school.” said Alex.

Alex turned and punched the number for Brenda.

“Well, are you?” asked Brenda.

“Am I what?” asked Alex.

“Is Mariam pregnant?” asked Brenda.

“Oh, yes, she is,” said Alex smiling at Mariam.

“Yay, congratulations,” said Brenda.

“Thanks, could you find the private number for Doctor Jayann Newsom for me?” asked Alex.

“Sure,” Brenda clicked away and in just a minute, she read off the number to Alex. He wasted no time in calling the number.

“Dr. Newsom,” answered a voice.

“Hello, Jayann, this is Alex Avorn,” said Alex.

There was a short, startled pause. “Alex, you are the last person I would have expected a call from. What can I do for you?” asked Jayann.

My wife and I just did a test to see if she was pregnant. It was positive. I was wondering if you would take her as a new patient?” asked Alex.

There was another pause. Alex could hear paper rattling.

“Tell her to see me day after tomorrow at 2 pm.”

“We’ll be there, thanks, Jayann,” said Alex.

“Anytime, Alex. Thank you for starting the youth program at the college. My baby brother was getting into trouble before he started the program there, and now he is doing great. I was worried for a while, but I think he is finally going to be alright,” said Jayann.

“I’m glad I could help. We’ll see you day after tomorrow.” said Alex.

Alex said goodbye and turned to smile at Mariam. “We have an appointment for 2 pm day after tomorrow,” he said. Mariam smiled.

Trey shook his head. “Is there anyone in this town you don’t know?” he asked.

Alex smiled. “There are a lot of people I don’t know, Jayann isn’t one of them.”