Unexpected Time Off

By Marie S

Bud flipped over on his side. A few minutes later he tossed to the other side. Five minutes later he punched and fluffed his pillow.

“Bud, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, Hon. Go to sleep.”

“Since sleeping with you tonight is like being on a tossing ship that’s listing from one side to the other…” Marie switched a bedside lamp on and looked at Bud. “Why don’t you tell me what’s got you awake since you usually sleep more soundly than a log?”

Bud sighed, but said nothing for a minute. Marie propped herself against their headboard with a pillow behind her and sat cross legged. She didn’t like to rush him. Bud said things in his own time.

“I’m going to have some time off from the force.”

“Is this because of the shooting?” Marie found herself scooting closer to him.

“Yeah, cause I killed that shitbird, Dwayne.” Bud still wished he’d killed the other kidnapper at the scene, but he hadn’t told Marie that. Something’s were best left unsaid to his kind hearted wife. “Administrative leave. Policy and procedure crap.”

Marie nodded. “I remember when John was on leave. He was reinstated in a fairly short time. And if I recall it was a paid leave. Are you worried?”

“No, I’ll have to do some interviews with Internal Affairs. It should be fairly routine. I followed proper protocol.” He shrugged.

Marie slipped into his lap and Bud wrapped his arms around her. She leaned up and kissed his cheek.

“This isn’t the first time this has happened to me.” He hugged Marie tighter.

Marie knew that during his time on the LAPD Bud had been involved in several shootings where he killed suspects and had been shot himself. She shuddered to think of him injured.

She felt so sorry for Abby, but part of Marie was glad Dwayne was dead. He’d made a series of very bad decisions. And if Dwayne hadn’t died that day it might have been Bud. She couldn’t help being selfish about that. Her fingers stroked down Bud’s arms.

Bud didn’t say anymore about the past. He didn’t like to talk about it, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t a part of him that occasionally fought its way to the surface. Marie had seen some awful things as a nurse, but she knew it was nothing compared to what Bud saw out on the streets as part of his job.

“Are you okay with the time off?”

“No, but I don’t have a lot of fucking choice.” He laughed, but it was mirthless. “It will give me more time to put into building the new business with Zack. And it’s about time we get those two horses for you and Ashley. Varner needs more to do. That’s what I hired him for.”

Marie choked back a laugh because of Bud’s grumpy tone about Egan. Egan was working very hard. He’d nearly rebuilt the stables and had done a wonderful job. They’d already been looking at mares twice and were coming close to the final decision. This had nothing to do with the job Egan was doing, but the romance that was blossoming between Jessica and Egan. Jessica had become part of the family here and Bud had gone into full protective mode.

“It would be great if you came with us when we make our final choice on the horses.”

“I don’t know nothing about horses.”

“I know, but I’d like you to be there. You’re buying them.”

“All right. I’ll be there.” He swept her hair off her neck and his lips whispered against her soft flesh there.

“Good, I’m glad.” She smiled and looked up at him as he kissed down her neck. She shivered this time for a very different reason.

“Oh, and Bud…” Marie trailed off as he was very distracting.

“Hmm?” His tongue skated across her warm soft flesh. Bud’s earlier thoughts were forgotten.

“Stay away from the pond tomorrow.” A giggle escaped that was only partly caused by the tickle of his fingers lightly stroking her side.

“Why?” At this point Bud asked, but he didn’t really give a fuck.

“Egan and Jessica are going riding tomorrow.” She laughed more heartily.

Bud froze for a moment and gave her a look. Marie dissolved into full laughter. Bud picked her up and pinned her to the bed beneath his body.

Bud’s lips cut off her laughter. Marie’s arms coiled around his neck. Neither of them had any need for further conversation.