Steele realized he must have slept very late when he woke to the sound of bells tolling from the church down the street. Laura’s side of the bed, not surprisingly, was empty. He threw on a robe and found her sitting at the dining room table with a cup of coffee and a calendar.

“What are you doing?” he asked. ( Read more )

Laura smiled and nestled into Steele’s arm. In response, he wrapped the other one around her too. This was something they’d both come to love: snuggling on the couch in the evenings to watch an old movie, relaxing comfortably together into something they each knew the other enjoyed. It was especially wonderful on Saturdays, Steele thought happily, ( Read more... )

“Beautiful hardwood floors, French doors out to the patio…”

Now in the third house on their list, Steele and Laura found themselves beginning to tune out the realtor’s commentary. They’d also finally given up shooting furtive glances at each other, trying to make out their feelings about every detail. ( Read more )

The realtor was late, though this didn’t surprise them. Everywhere they went, signs of leftover celebration told them that they’d be lucky to find anyone that morning besides themselves who didn’t have a severe hangover. Their own Independence Day had been fairly quiet; enjoying a Friday away from the office during a long drive in the Auburn, a ( Read more... )

She lifted her arms, stretching up far over her head, growing miraculously taller as her rib cage lifted. One hand swept downwards. A swift, fluid motion brought it back up, accompanied this time by a foot. She paused, leg held straight in a pose that looked equally painful and graceful, defying the confines of physical ability. She released the ( Read more... )

Thanks again, everyone, for bearing with me through this. Your comments really help to keep me going! There will definitely be another story after this one, hopefully starting over the next few days ( Read more... )

Steele woke slowly, gradually noticing that he was alone in bed. He sat up and looked around the darkened loft. There was light coming from the bathroom. The door was closed, and he thought he heard the shower running ( Read more... )

“And - and then Mr. Steele and he fought, and I - I picked up the gun and shot him in the leg ( Read more... )

Steele stroked his chin nervously and twisted the volume dial on the microphone receiver. Mildred reached out and turned it back.

“Too loud,” she said apologetically. “Everything’s okay so far, Boss.”

He nodded and went back to listening as Laura’s voice, clear and confident, came floating into the van. “How are you liking Los Angeles?” He hoped ( Read more... )

“Bill Peterson?” Laura held out her hand. “Laura Holt. Tony Roselli gave me your address. I’m trying to help him.”

Peterson took her hand, looking her up and down as he did so in a way that sent shivers through Laura’s back. He stood aside for her to enter.

“My apologies for the mess, Miss Holt. I’ve only just moved to Los Angeles.” ( Read more )