Page 25 of Key Of Dreams

“He’s safe, baby.”

She lets out a heavy sigh. “Good. Come home, honey.”

I wanted to hear those words more than anything. I didn’t want to go home to an empty apartment tonight. Tonight, I want to feel Maya next to me.

“On my way,” I tell her, then hurry my ass home.

Chapter13

Making a Difference

Maya

Kailyn came over earlier to let me know Bull and the others wouldn’t be back until late. She and Gertie came by to keep me company for a while. I’m glad they did. I was driving myself crazy thinking about every imaginable scenario, and none of them good.

Gertie kept us both entertained with stories of her youth. She’s led a wonderful life and has met so many great characters, but everything always comes back to the love of her life, her husband. It was close to midnight before Kailyn walked Gertie back to her apartment. She offered to come back and sit with me awhile longer, but I wanted to be alone.

As much as I appreciated the company, I wasn’t very good company myself.

I turned on the television, kept my phone by my side, and waited. Then waited some more. I was willing for the phone to ring and a couple of times, I almost caved and called Kailyn to see if she’d heard anything. I was nearly certain she wasn’t sleeping either, but I would feel awful if I woke her.

When the phone screen lit up with Bull’s name, I picked up immediately. “He’s safe, baby,” he said. A huge relief for all.

I was worried for Troy, a sweet little boy with loving parents, who needed to come home safe. I was worried for his parents, agonizing over the fear and guilt. Fear of losing their son and guilt about what they could have done differently.

Knowing that Bull and his friends might be in harm’s way had me on pins and needles. Kailyn kept telling me how well equipped the men are and how they’ve been trained for situations like this. I felt a little better, but the more time wore on, the more anxious I got.

Most of all, I was concerned about Bull. I wanted him home. I wanted to see for myself that he was okay.

There’s a light tap on the door, and as I peer through the peephole, I see him standing there. He looks weary and haggard. I open the door and wrap my arms around his middle. He clasps his big bear-paw arms around me and hugs me tight.

“I’m wiped, babe.” I let him go and watch as he locks the door. We walk straight to the bedroom, where he undresses and climbs into bed. I shut all the lights off and get in with him. He spoons me, his arms banded tightly around my waist. “I need to feel you. Don’t move away from me. I need this,” he says.

My hands clasp his, and I settle back against his chest. He says he needs to feel me, but I need him just as much. I listen as his breathing evens out, and he falls asleep within minutes. The rise and fall of his chest is soothing, and soon, I’m drifting off as well.

* * *

I wake up startled by the sound of the alarm. I feel like I only went to bed a few hours ago, and when I glance at the clock, I see that it was indeed only a few hours ago. Bull is still soundly asleep. He needs his rest. Careful not to wake him, I shuffle out from beneath him, grab the clothes I need out of the closet and drawer, then quietly make my way to shower.

After getting dressed and ready, I peek back in and see he’s still sleeping. I didn’t use the hairdryer this morning, so as not to disturb Bull’s sleep. Instead, I tie my hair back into a ballerina bun. Then I move to the kitchen to prepare the coffeemaker and leave a sticky note to hit the button and enjoy the coffee. I leave the box of Danish I bought off to the side with another note:Help yourself.

I didn’t even get a chance to kiss him last night. I contemplate going back into the bedroom to kiss him on the cheek, but that’s a selfish act. But I don’t want him to think I’m just leaving without saying goodbye.

Hey, Honey,

I let you sleep, but unfortunately, I need to get to school. I’m so happy that all went well, and I can’t wait to see you tonight. I didn’t want to wake you, so I am blowing you a kiss before I leave. I want the real thing later.

Love,

Maya

* * *

It’s almost noon when I hear our school administrator shouting outside my classroom. “You can’t go in there. Miss Randall is in class. It’s against the rules.” Her voice is getting louder, and her heels are clicking on the hallway floor.

There’s another set of footsteps thundering toward the class, heavy and thudding, then suddenly stopping. The classroom door swings open, and Bull takes up the entire doorway. I wish I knew all his expressions, but this one is new to me. He’s staring right at me, completely ignoring the thirty other pairs of eyes that are gawking at him. Most of the kids are staring with their mouths hanging open.

He takes a step forward and says, “You made me coffee.”

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