James Landis story chapter 38

James Landis story chapter 38



"Welcome back!" Angie said with a strained smile. "That was one hell of a goodbye kiss! I take it the prison visit went well?"

Zoe struggled to find the words to respond to the false cheer but she lost for words. Then words popped into her head.

We got snowed in and had to stay at a local inn. Luis Ramos showed up. Zoe stated.

Angie cried out in shock when Zoe mentioned Luis. She'd heard the horror stories and saw the pictures of the injuries Zoe had suffered at his hands. Zoe's current look was the result of multiple painful cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries from those days.

He was surprised to see us there but he enjoyed telling us that he was going to kill us. Zoe was shaking with reaction as she relived the moments. Angie moved forward to comfort her but Zoe held up her hand and she stopped.

James saved my life last night.

Angie looked, confused. James? What could such a sweet man have done against such a psychopath-

James pulled his arms off. Zoe answered Angie's unasked question.

Angie cried out in surprise and put her hands over her mouth. Her eyes were wide open and in shocked James did what?

She wanted Angie to think about what James had done for her and the potential cost. James has been summons to appear before a judge to see if criminal charges should be brought against him. She didn't bother to mention the cop's opinion that it was a formality. She'd let Angie sweat.

With that she spun and ran up the stairs to get cleaned up. She ignored Angie's shrieks to come back and give her more detail. Hurt James would she? Let her sweat.

James got to work late and pushed through the door into the lobby still wearing the clothes from the previous night. He had a scowl on his face from worry. He was so late!

Lydia, Mr. Draco’s' daughter and the office's dispatch/receptionist/human resources officer looked up with a smile. The smile froze on her face when she saw the tall mountain of masculinity marching up to her desk.

Good day Lydia. James rumbled in his fatigue. It had been a tiring morning.

James? she mumbled, her mouth hanging open.

Yeah, sorry I didn't have time to change into my coverall. I just got back from visiting the penitentiary. We got snowed in last night and had to stay overnight. We ran into some trouble in the bar and I hurt a bad man, I think he's going to lose his arms. I had to shovel the cars out this morning. Sorry. I guess I'm babbling still tired. James refocused on Lydia and she was staring at him with her mouth open. He reached over and lifted her jaw and she snapped out of her shock.

Lydia was seriously impressed with James's new look! His story of getting into a fight in a bar was cute as was the exaggeration of the man losing his arms. That was a dead giveaway that he really didn't know how to tell a tall tale. She gave herself a shake and smiled at him.

Nice coat! she said.

He smiled and modeled it for her and her grin got wider. This was the sweet James she knew. He flipped open the lapels and an envelope fell out of his inner pocket onto the floor. He picked it up and frowned. He opened it up and flattened out the papers on her counter.

Oh yeah, I'm going to need to book a day off in January to go to the courthouse to speak to the judge about the man I hurt. The police officer thinks it will be ok even though I hurt the man so bad. Can we book the date now? James asked.

Lydia picked up the papers and saw it was a court summons. A real court summons. She read the date and penciled it onto her notepad to enter it later into the office calendar. Her grin was gone as her shock returned. It was real!

James tucked the papers back into the envelope and put it back into the inside pocket of his coat.

Dad wants to see you. Lydia mumbled as she took in his new dark look. Sweet James Dangerous, suddenly her date tonight with Julian, an actual lawyer, seemed dull in comparison. Why had she overlooked James again?

He nodded to her and walked down the hall to Mr. Draco’s' office. Lydia watched him all the way.

He looked in the door and the old gentleman was on the phone but he looked up and smiled. He waved at James to enter, pointed to the door to get him to close it, and gestured to the chair across his desk. James sat in it and waited. He yawned mightily and his boss caught the motion.

Draco’s ended the call and smiled at James. He noticed the fatigue and recalled how hard he had been working him in the past few weeks. He felt bad about that but James had become such an integral part of his business and he was so good at what he did. Now he got to reward him. He opened his side drawer and pulled out a thick envelope.

James, I just wanted to let you know there will be a bonus in your next paycheck. It's a Christmas bonus and all the government taxes have been deducted so it isn't as high as you deserve. He shook the envelope. This is the fun Christmas bonus. This one is for your work above and beyond efforts this year. The people we work for, who will remain nameless in this conversation, put together this bonus for you. This is not to be reported in your income tax. He handed James the envelope.

James looked inside and his eyes opened wide in shock. There had to be at least ten thousand dollars in there! He looked at his boss in surprise.

That's just between us. No mention of it to any of the others. Everyone got a little extra for the amazing year we've had but we don't mention it to each other. Is that clear? Draco’s instructed. Ed smiled and nodded. This would go a long way for Grace's education!

I know you've been putting in a lot of hours these past few weeks. I want you to head home now, you look a little tired, and you're off until next Tuesday, right? James smiled and nodded. Have yourself a Merry Christmas James and thank you very much for your excellent work!

Merry Christmas Mr. Draco’s! And thank you for being such a wonderful mentor and boss! James said with a grin. They stood and shook hands. James tucked the envelope away and made his way back out to the lobby.

Before he got there he heard the rattle of a chair suddenly being pushed back and Lydia was kneeling on her desk leaning over the counter. She was holding something over her head as she rested her chest on her other arm on the counter. She had a nervous smile on her face and she was looking up. James glanced up and saw it was a piece of mistletoe. He grinned at her and she began to giggle. Before she could prepare he leaned forward and took her face between his hands and kissed her sensually, stroking her lips with his but no tongue, and she swooned.

Have a Merry Christmas Lydia!" James said to her as he pulled back.

You too James! she sighed with a dreamy smile.

He went back out to his truck and drove home. He was going to take a shower then a nap! As he pulled into the driveway he saw Angie's Land Rover parked there.

James pulled into his spot in the garage and went in the side door. As he hung up his duster coat by the back door he heard voices in the kitchen so he kicked off his boots and let his feet carry him there. Rose, Zoe, and Angie were sitting at the kitchen table. All three women looked up as he entered and all three stood up but Zoe reached out to Rise and snagged her arm before she could move forward. She didn't stop Angie though and suddenly James had his arms full of a wonderfully soft blond.

James, oh my god James! Are you ok? she cried.

I- I am now. James said, tightening his arms around her and letting himself bask in the glow of her concern for him. She felt so good in his arms. She tilted her head back to see him and he did the same. Then her mouth was on his, hungry for his kiss, and he was healed. The pain he'd been carrying washed away and tears escaped from his eyes.

When she pulled back she saw his face was wet and her expression became concerned. "What is it? What's wrong?"

James's voice was rough with emotion. "Nothing, I'm sorry. It just... It feels so good to have you back in my arms. I thought- I thought I'd lost you forever."

Angie's heart ached at the pain and relief in his voice and she pulled him tight as her own tears burst forth. They held each other as they cried and soon Rose and Zoe were there hugging them both.

It took a bit but they finally managed to get control of their emotions. Zoe and Rose guided them back to the kitchen table and James grabbed a napkin to wipe his eyes. He handed one to Angie as well and she smiled gently as she took it from his hand




By nutbuster