Guardian Angel

Part II

(direct continuation of Guardian Angel, Part I)

Meggie and Jeffrey

Turning away from the window, Meggie’s eyes focused on Jeffrey. They had shared a beautiful and happy day in Coffs together. Nothing else in the world seemed to matter: no problems, broken hearts, or danger would damper their day. She reached out and brushed a strand of grey hair from his forehead, her fingers caressing his face. Now they were heading back to her home, or rather, what had become Jeffrey’s temporary home for the moment.

“Today was perfect, Jeffrey,” she said softly, letting her fingers linger in his hair.

He momentarily looked away from the road to gaze into her beaming face. “Yes, perfect indeed.” She looks so happy he thought, now if only I can keep it that way…keep her safe from harm. “Looks like it’s going to blow up a storm tonight,” he added, focusing on the road ahead of them.

Meggie nodded in agreement. “Hope we make it back before that happens.”

A few minutes later, Jeffrey pulled up outside the yellow house. A big smile spread across his face as he began unbuckling his seat belt and reached for the door handle. “Just in time!” He quickly got out of his car and hurried over to the passenger side, opening the door for Meggie. Jeffrey lovingly took her hand, helping her get out.

A loud clap of thunder boomed overhead, and before he realized it, he soon felt Meggie’s arms around his neck with her body tightly pressed against his. “That was a close one!”

“Hmm. Let’s get inside now.” He touched her cheek, noting the anxiousness in her eyes. They made a mad dash for the front door.

Once inside, Meggie began turning on a few lights in the living room. Another loud clap of thunder boomed just as she returned from the kitchen. “Jeffrey?” she called quietly, her eyes scanning the living room for his presence. When he didn’t answer, she frowned, wondering where he could have gone. “Jeffrey?” This time her voice louder and more urgent. She crossed the room to the large bay window, pulling the curtains back to look outside. A bright flash of lightening illuminated the night sky, followed by another roll of thunder. It was then that she suddenly felt someone behind her.

“Meggie, sweetheart. It’s okay. I was just upstairs checking on everything while you were in the kitchen.” Jeffrey wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him. Her body remained tense.

A small sigh of relief escaped from her lips as she closed her eyes and allowed Jeffrey’s strong arms to hold her tightly. “My guardian angel,” she said, turning to face him.

Jeffrey smiled, enjoying the feeling of being needed. He tipped Meggie’s chin upward to place a lingering kiss on her lips. “Now, I need to get you in bed so I can….”

“Why, Dr. Wigand! Trying to take advantage of me!” Meggie laughing joked while blushing slightly as she placed one last kiss on his lips before heading towards the stairs. She stopped, turning around to see Jeffrey heading towards the couch. “Jeffrey, let me get the spare bedroom ready for you upstairs at least. It can’t be comfortable sleeping on that couch.”

“No. I need to be down here just in case. And I’m not suppose to sleep, I’m protecting you, remember?” Jeffrey looked up to see Meggie standing with her arms crossed in front of her. “Now, I want you to go upstairs and get in bed and let me take care of everything, okay?”

“I still wish you’d…” she began to say in protest.

Taking two steps towards her, Jeffrey placed his fingers on her lips. “Meggie, I’m fine, really. I’d be better if I knew you were upstairs. I’m not leaving here until the police have caught that son-of-a-bitch.”

Marcy’s attack and murder filled Meggie’s mind, quickly stealing the happiness her and Jeffery had shared earlier. Jeffrey noticed the sudden expression of sadness and fear on her face and cursed himself for being so blunt. He quickly took her into his arms, holding her tight against his chest.

“I’m…going to go on upstairs,” Meggie softly said, pulling away from Jeffrey’s embrace. “I don’t know what’s gotten into me…I’m not usually this jumpy during a storm.” She offered a lop-sided grin and a nervous chuckle. “But I’m still coming back down to say goodnight.”

He watched her turn and head upstairs to her bedroom. Making sure she was completely gone, he went to the black duffle bag containing his clothes and personal belongings. Unzipping it, Jeffrey reached inside and felt around until his fingers touched the cold object. Pulling it out, Jeffrey examined the revolver, making sure it was loaded just in case. Jeffrey had retrieved the gun earlier that day after driving back to the boarding house to get some of his clothes.

A sudden memory of his daughter coming into his and Liane’s bedroom one night…saying she saw something outside. He remembered getting out of bed, going downstairs to the basement, all the while telling her everything would be okay and to stay put. While it turned out to be a raccoon, Jeffrey still remembered the anger, the frustration, and helplessness he felt trying to protect his family from harm.

A bright flash of light, followed by another loud rumble of thunder, forced his attention back to the present. He needed to protect Meggie from the monster that lurked out there. That meant doing whatever he needed. Jeffrey switched the safety lever back on the gun before tucking it back inside his bag. He didn’t want to frighten Meggie anymore. Taking his glasses off, he rubbed his tired eyes and glanced at his watch: 12:30 am.

While undressing, Meggie’s mind kept playing over and over Marcy’s last moments alive. Did she know he was going to kill her? Would he kill her sister as well? Why, why, why was this happening? While she didn’t know the exact details, Meggie could only imagine how terrified and alone Marcy must have felt. If there was any justice, she thought, the police would find him…and make him pay.

After slipping into her sterling blue silk nightshirt, Meggie headed downstairs to check on Jeffrey. Perhaps, when everything was safe again, she’d ask him to move in with her. She wanted to take their relationship to the next level, feeling she needed to in order to show Jeffrey she loved and wanted him. While he was older and more experienced, she hoped she could make him happy, to help heal his broken and wounded heart.

She found herself in darkness just as she reached the bottom step. “Jeffrey?” she cried out. “Jeffrey?” The lights had gone out, and except for the small sliver of moonlight streaming through the bay window, the room remained enveloped in blackness.

“Meggie…stay here!” Jeffrey shouted, quickly moving towards the hidden gun. Though dark, his eyes soon became focused enough to see Meggie’s shape moving towards him.

“Jeffrey…what happened? The lights….”

“I want you to stay here, do you understand me?” he asked, taking hold of her left arm. “Go upstairs and don’t come out until I return.”

“No,” she desperately said, reaching out to touch him and noticing his right hand held something. By now, her eyes had also become used to the darkness and she saw the revolver in his hand. When did he get that, she thought. Looking up into his eyes, she pleaded, “Jeffrey, please…stay here.”

“Meggie, I need…I don’t have time to explain. Please, get upstairs now,” he firmly said, meeting her eyes. He took hold of her arm and led her to the stairs. “If you hear anything, don’t move or say a word, do you understand me?”

She nodded, fighting back the urge to reach out and keep him from leaving. “Wait.”

Her arms wrapped around his neck, her lips desperately seeking his. He responded, pressing his mouth firmly against her lips. Meggie moaned slightly, tightening her hold.

“Meggie…upstairs,” he managed to say after their deep kiss. She turned and ran upstairs, pausing once to look back and see him checking the gun before entering her room. I’ll stay here unless you need me, Jeffrey.

TBC…