Brendan started to protest. Morgan held up his hand. "Yeah, I've got a big house and I have more money than God." He shrugged, waving it away. "Doesn't mean I'm an asshole. I want to help, so when I ask you what skills you have, I'm not being a nosy bastard. I want to know who to call. Between Hal and me, we know a shit ton of people. We can get you a job today."
"I like woodworking," Brendan admitted slowly. "I like the feel and smell of the wood. I like making something useful and beautiful."
"Custom furniture? Sculptures?"
"Never had time or money for that," the young man admitted.
"Ever done any restoration work? Like repairing antique woodwork?"
"No, but I've built replica cabinets for people. They gave me pictures, and I looked up what I didn't know."
"Good enough." He took out his phone and placed a call. "Yeah, Brodie, it's Morgan. You still need a skilled woodworker for that downtown restoration? Cool. I think I've got your guy." He nodded, grinning. "Yeah, give us an hour? Cool." He hung up. "Ever heard of Malcolm Brodie?"
"The architect. Yeah. I was hoping for a job on one of his crews, when this job fell through."
"You've got an interview in an hour."
"But my kid!"
"Take him with you. They have childcare on site. If you work with Brodie, he's taken care of."
"I don't have the background...."
"Tell Brodie, not me. If he wants you, he'll train you. Are you done confessing now? Cause we need to head out. The traffic's a bitch, this time of day."
Brendan rose slowly. "Are you for real?" His eyes narrowed.
"Kid, I was lucky. When my mother died, I had family out the ass. We had money, and we were never without—it didn't make losing her any less painful, but we had each other. My kid brother never knew our mother. He was born as she died. He grew up without ever knowing that special love only a mom can give. I'm sorry as hell I couldn't save your wife. We tried—so hard...." He broke down, tears falling from his eyes.
"We did everything we could, and it wasn't enough," Hal said softly. "It was a miracle she lived as long as she did."
Brendan sniffled, nodding. "I really wanna hate you," he said.
"I get that a lot,"Morgan said. "Let's get on the road, see if we can't get you that job."
"I still can't believe you're being this nice to me, after what I did."
"You didn't hurt anyone. If you'd hurt Tanya, I'd take you apart with my bare hands."
Eyeing her, Brendan nodded. "I get that. Yeah. I felt that way about the guy who killed my wife."
They walked out of the conference room, cleared it with the desk sergeant, and headed to Brodie's office.
The tall, blond architect was delighted with Brendan. They left him chatting with the young man, his son in the child care center down the hall. Brodie called them two hours later. They were sipping coffee at Morgan and Tanya's house.
"Thank you for sending me the best carpenter in three states. The kid's amazing. How'd you find him?"
"He put a trash can through Hal's front window," Morgan replied. "You hired him?"
"On the spot. Glowing references. Spotless record. He starts as soon as HR can get him through. Thanks again." He hung up.
Morgan sighed, smiling. Tanya kissed him.
"That was a good thing you did."
"It's just glass. If he'd hurt you, another story entirely."
She kissed him again, slowly, seductively.
Hal cleared his throat. "That's my cue to go. Morgan, see you at work. Tanya, love ya like a sister." He headed for the door as quickly as he could without running.
"The best thing about having the same friend forever. He knows when to get lost." Morgan's kiss got more passionate.
Tanya started to get up. He held her down.
"In case you haven't noticed, Mrs. Doctor Fellowes, my windows are covered."
"I had noticed that Mr. Doctor Fellowes." She raised an eyebrow, pouting her lips at him.
Morgan lifted her, carrying her to the counter. He quickly stripped off her slacks and panties before dropping his pants and boxers.
"Why, Doctor Fellowes, what are you doing?"
"I should think that was obvious, Doctor O'Toole. I'm conducting a pant-ectomy." He kissed her deeply, stroking her lovingly before plunging into her.
Their love making was fast and passionate, rocking on the edge of the counter top. Laughing, they came in a white hot rush. When they had finished, Morgan lifted Tanya off the counter. She went to the bathroom and he cleaned the counter. She came back for her pants. When she bent over, Morgan sidled up behind her. She slapped his hands away.
"Next time we play, I want a bed."
"As you wish, my love." He continued to rub and stroke her.
"I mean it, Morgan!"
"Mm hmm." He increased his fond ministrations.
"Morgan!"
"Shh.... I'm a professional."
She smacked his hands and headed for the stairs. Morgan followed, making playful grabs at her. They raced to the bed, shedding the rest of their clothing. Laughing and kissing, they flopped on the bed. It undulated beneath them, the waves gently rocking them.
"I just thought of something," Tanya said. "If it's been a year since Brendan's wife died, we've been together almost a year."
"Yup." His fingers traced patterns on her bare skin.
"We should do something special."
"I completely agree." He fondled one breast as he took the other in his mouth. His mouth dropped lower as he continued kissing and licking her.
"Maybe go out to dinner. No—a dinner party. We'll invite Davi and Hal and—Oh!" His tongue flickered out, feathering across her most sensitive parts, taking her by surprise.
"Tanya."
"Yes," she gasped.
"It's impolite to talk with your mouth full," he mumbled.
"My mouth isn't—oh, God! Full."
"No, but mine is." He licked her again.
Tanya moaned and writhed on the bed. "That feels—so good!"
"I'm told I work miracles," Morgan said, working his way back up her body. "You know what they say about sex, don't you?"
"It's fun?"
"It's the best medicine," he told her solemnly.
"Then let the healing begin," she murmured.
He silenced her with a kiss and Tanya realized that their healing had begun the moment he caught her. For them both, their love had truly been the best medicine.
© 2020 Dellani Oakes
THE END
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