Suzie’s House 151: As the Crow Flies

“Caw! Caw, caw!”

Hot, sticky, and entirely too satiated, Suzie cracked one eye open right as the sun spiked a beam through the window into the bedroom of the B&B where she and Drew were staying. A blue sheen off of a barrel shape in Drew’s hands caught her attention even faster than the angular shape of his oh-so-sexy and oh-so-naked rear.

“What?” She lifted he head.

“Shhhhhh!” Drew spoke without making a move. He hunched into the window, one knee digging into the bed, the other leg braced against the floor. He looked like a Mission Impossible action doll.

The screen leaned against the wall next to him. Outside, the crow that had awoken her, no doubt the same crow that had kept her awake all night, called again. “Caw! Caw, caw!”

“Tell me you aren’t really planning on shooting that bird.”

The FBI-issued gun in his hand dipped, then righted itself.

“I will if I can get a clear bead on him. Sucker keeps hiding in the leaves of that big oak you like so much.”

Suzie sighed in exasperation. “Really, Drew. Don’t you think that is taking liberties with your standing in law enforcement? Seems like you could get into trouble doing something like this.”

The bed jiggled as he skidded across the mattress.

“Justifiable homicide,” he muttered.

“You could kill a poor…” She couldn’t quite make herself say innocent, since the crow had irritated her nearly as much as it had Drew,.. “… poor bird, but you can’t find a way to stay with me?”

She only intended to grumble a little. She hadn’t meant to set Drew off.

Drew quickly flipped the safety, then set the gun aside. He speared his fingers through his hair and sighed, less exasperated than Suzie and more disappointed.

“I had hoped this trip would make everything clear.”

“The only thing that is clear is that we belong together.”

“Yes. We certainly do.”

“But you still won’t stay.”

“You wouldn’t love me if I did.”

“That isn’t true! I would love you no matter what.” She pushed herself up against the low, brass headboard.

“But if I stayed, I wouldn’t be me anymore. I’m not like Vin. I can’t set aside my work for the FBI. My father was in the FBI and his father before him. Don’t look at me like that, it’s true.”

“I didn’t think the bureau had been around that long.” He wasn’t really making excuses, but it felt like it.

“Grandfather joined right when it was initially set up. My point is that this is who I am.”

“And what would you do if you got fired for shooting a crow?”

“Pft! Not going to happen.”

“All right then, for budgetary cut backs or something. Something beyond your control.” She hastily added as he started to sputter.

“Then… I wouldn’t be me anymore. I’d be nothing but a broken man.”

“But you’ll come back?”

“If I can.”

“You keep saying that!” Suzie tossed the covers to the side with a growl.

She understood where he was coming from. She did. But a part of her couldn’t help but think if he really loved her, really and truly, then he wouldn’t keep adding qualifiers like “If I can.”

“I don’t believe you any more. I think you’re going to go to New Mexico and simply disappear. No, I know that isn’t what you intend, but life has a way of swallowing people whole. I’m sure at first you’ll call every day. And then something will come up at work, and you’ll be too busy. As time goes by you’ll think of me less and less. Then some Spanish hussy will waltz into the office someday and sweep you off your feet….”

“Spanish hussy?” He grinned at her. “Honey, you have nothing to worry about. Come here. Let me show you what I mean.”

Next week’s installment of Suzie’s House will be on the newsletter. There’s a teeny-tiny link to the newsletter sign up in the sidebar. I recommend signing up early as people who sign up the day of will often miss the scheduled release. The newsletter is only ever used for Suzie’s House. If you enjoy Suzie’s House and would like to see more, please leave a comment. Suzie’s House is powered by its readers.