Dutch Chocolate4, Home Is Where the Heart Is

By B.L Wilson

In the fourth novel of the Dutch Chocolate Series, a member of Dutch’s team is in serious trouble.
Dora, born and raised in the city, won’t accept the plot of land Dutch offers upstate because her wife Mattie has no desire to move to the boonies. Mattie is a physical therapist and her clients live in the city. Dora is deeply in love with Mattie and has been for the sixteen years they’ve been married. She wants whatever Mattie wants, which means they still live in the city.
One night, Dutch receives an odd call from Dora, who doesn’t sound at all like herself. Dora claims she’s in Rikers Island prison hospital. She’s charged with the murder of her wife Mattie. Dora claims she can’t remember what happened the night of her wife’s murder. Dora needs Dutch’s help to find out. While Dutch agrees to help Dora, she’s worried about what her investigation may uncover about her old friend Dora and her wife Mattie...
Will Dutch be able to save her friend while keeping her relationship with wife Linda intact? Find out in Dutch Chocolate 4, Home Is Where the Heart Is.

• Language: English
• Publisher: B.L Wilson
• Release date: Sep 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005661434

B.L Wilson

B.L. has always been in love with books and the words in them. She never thought she could create something with the words she knew. When she read ‘To Kill A Mocking Bird,’ she realized everyday experiences could be written about in a powerful, memorable way. She wasn’t quite sure what to do with that knowledge so she kept on reading.Walter Mosley’s short stories about Easy Rawlins and his friends encouraged BL to start writing in earnest. She felt she had a story to tell...maybe several of them. She’d always kept a diary of some sort, scraps of paper, pocketsize, notepads, blank backs of agency forms, or in the margins of books. It was her habit to make these little notes to herself. She thought someday she’d make them into a book.She wrote a workplace memoir based on the people she met during her 20 years as a property manager of city-owned buildings. Writing the memoir, led her to consider writing books that were not job-related. Once again, she did...producing romance novels with African American lesbians as main characters. She wrote the novels because she couldn’t find stories that matched who she wanted to read about ...over forty, African American and female.

Book preview

Chapter One: Are we finally getting married?

Linda rubbed her back as she pushed away from her computer screen using the rolling chair that she sat in. She rubbed tired eyes. She was tired of reading arrest records on past poaching cases involving the McLeary brothers. All five brothers were serving time in various prisons in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Florida.

Right now, she was searching through records for old associates of the jailed brothers in a case in which her boss, Alvin Bates, wanted her input. One part of the case revealed somebody was selling jewelry here in the US made of illegally poached ivory tusks. The ivory didn’t come from African elephants but rather from walruses and Narwhals captured in Alaska and parts of Canada then killed for their tusks and body meat. The case became more complicated because some of the tusks and jewelry were traded for illegally captured exotic birds from South America via Mexico and Texas as well as timber rattlers captured in New York and Pennsylvania to be sold on the European black market. It was a true smuggling enterprise filled with exotic birds, poisonous snakes, and Antarctic mammals that crossed international borders and involved several American states.

The problem, of course, was who was at the head of this new smuggling empire. The most likely suspects who had created a similar empire years ago were the McLeary brothers. In their own criminal way, the McLeary brothers were brilliant. Each brother had an assigned smuggling or poaching area where they had expertise.

Two of the brothers moved from their northeastern birth home to the south to pursue their criminal enterprises of smuggling exotic birds, poisonous snakes, and gator parts to and from the states to European buyers and sellers. Two other brothers moved across state lines from their birth state of New York to New Jersey and Pennsylvania to conduct their specialties of capturing Indigos and timber rattlers and shipping them illegally to Florida to be sold in Europe. The brother who remained in New York was thought to be the head of the criminal enterprise and the true leader-organizer of everything. The government couldn’t prove their suspicions about his leadership role because the brothers refused to testify against each other.

She sighed, looking at the high stacks of paperwork spread across her desk from the McLeary brothers’ criminal prosecutions. Then she eyed the new case information on her computer screen again. Today, the case information seemed endless. She was bored reading about the new case. She wanted to be outside in the field making observations. She wanted to interview witnesses. She wanted to comfort the victims and catch the bad guys. Hiking the woods that she loved so much, she was used to feeling the wind blowing in her hair; the sun shining in her eyes and warming her skin while she breathed in clean, fresh air. Instead, today, she was cooped up in the office. Lately, her workdays were spent inside her office. It was a fact that she hated, but her days tied to a desk would be over soon.

She groaned from the sharp cramps in her legs and leaned down to massage them. It didn’t work. She raised, flexed, then bent her legs, all done while she sat in the rolling chair. She stood up and walked around, kicking her legs up and then shaking out the cramps. She stretched her hands up in the air and wiggled them. Then she twisted her body at the waist, slowly and gently. Her gyrations were enough to wake the baby she was carrying. It started kicking furiously. She looked down at her huge belly, noting the ripples and sudden dents appearing across the bulk of it.

She sighed then began to rub it gently. Little Girl, Little Girl, could you just go back to sleep? I need to finish reading this case.

Of course, the baby wasn’t listening to her. She continued dent Linda’s belly then make it ripple and wiggle. God, Little Girl. Linda clasped at her stomach then groaned. Behave, please. She walked around her small office rubbing her belly faster now, hoping to calm her daughter’s movements. Nothing seemed to soothe her little girl today. Little sweetie, I know you want your other mommy to sing to you, but I’m at work and so is she. The singing can’t happen until we get home. Okay?

She frowned when a flurry of kicks started up again, then the baby moved, sitting on her kidneys this time. She clutched the bottom of her protruding belly, opened the office door, then raced to the bathroom, running past her surprised fiancée. Oh no, not again. Little Girl, I’d appreciate if you’d move your little active butt somewhere else, she murmured.

The two junior deputies caught Dutch’s puzzled look and shrugged. One of them pulled out a ten-dollar bill. He reached over the top of his cubicle waving it at his partner. Told you today it’d be three times before lunch. You owe me a ten spot.

Yeah, yeah. The other junior deputy dug into a pocket and pulled out a ten. He slapped it into his partner’s hands. Here, Jackass. You win the bet today.

The first junior deputy grinned. He scooted forward in his computer chair to accept the bet money, caught Dutch’s attention, then winked at her. Everybody in Linda’s unit knew about her time with the NYPD and the Army’s Intel Unit. Bates bragged about her background after the bear-poaching arrests brought him notoriety and Linda a promotion, which she wisely refused. Better go see what she’s up to in there, Sarge.

Dutch tried to look stern, but the twinkle in her eyes gave away her easy-going mood. I should snatch that bet money and buy us lunch with it, guys.

Cackling, the second junior deputy rocked back in his computer chair. Twenty wouldn’t be enough to feed her now.

Not funny, guys. Dutch issued a knowing grin at them both. It’s true but not funny. Just don’t tell her I said that.

Don’t tell who, what? Linda demanded furiously, rubbing her belly as she stood behind Dutch. Why are you here anyway?

The two deputies glanced beyond Dutch, noting the annoyed look on Linda’s face. One of them whispered low and soft so only his intended victim could hear. See ya, Dutch. Wouldn’t wanna be ya, Dutch.

Dutch rolled her eyes heavenward then groaned as she slowly turned around. She smiled at Linda before she noticed how quickly both of her hands were moving up and down then across her bulging belly. She could see erratic movements shifting the front of Linda’s maternity deputy uniform. She moved closer to offer sympathy. Our little one is restless today, huh?

Linda’s eyes narrowed as she studied her lover. She pointed to her no longer flat stomach. No! My huge belly always wiggles like this. Then she held out a leg for inspection. And my fat legs always ache, swell, and cramp! Right? Again, I ask, why are you here? She heard sniggers and snorts from two nearby cubicles. You two deputies better be doing that research I asked for or have a damned good reason why you aren’t. Got it?

Yes, Ma’am. We’re working on it, the deputy in the first cubicle called out.

We’re almost done, Warden. It’ll be on your desk and in your email in an hour. The second deputy held in his laughter.

It’d better be! Linda turned back around to face her lover. She stepped closer to poke Dutch in the chest with a hard finger with one hand while her other continued to massage her belly. Why are you here? I thought you were on another case. You said it would keep you away for another day. I was counting on being alone for one more night.

Secretly, she was glad to see Dutch. She hated sleeping alone. While she could count on G-Ma, Nadia or Lottie, or even Bonita to spend the night because they were worried that she was close to term, nobody could fill her bed like Dutch could. She enjoyed the warmth Dutch brought to bed when she surrounded her with her body. She enjoyed the strength and the solidness of her lover too. For some reason, she just couldn’t tell Dutch how much all of it meant to her. And she still couldn’t say, Yes, Dutch, I’ll marry you on such and such a date.

That’s a nice ring, but it deserves a mate, Dutch whispered then pulled at the ring finger poking her in the chest and brought it to her lips. Instead of kissing it as Linda thought she would, Dutch licked it, causing Linda to close her eyes and moan softly. Still want your night alone, Spirit Fighter? she whispered, knowing how much she’d just excited Linda.

You’re being so unfair. You know exactly what I need, but I have a job to do. We can’t stay in the bedroom all day. I need to keep busy until the baby gets here, Linda fussed as Dutch followed her into the office.

Dutch was listening but only half hearing her fiancée’s complaints. She was far too busy studying the full hips swaying gently in front of her. As soon as she entered Linda’s small office, she reached behind her to lock the door. Then she leaned against the locked door to wiggle a finger at Linda. C’mere, you. Let me show you how much I missed you. She winked at Linda when she stood frozen in one spot. Okay, the mountain will come to Mohammed.

Linda heard the door lock. Then she watched Dutch stroll over to her with that sex now look in her eyes. How can you find me attractive? I mean, look at me! I can’t zip my vest over my enormous belly anymore. I had to add a pregnancy panel to my slacks. I’m wearing a tent-like blouse. My gun belt doesn’t fit around my waist. I wear a damned shoulder holster, which I hate, or an ankle holster that I can’t even bend down to whip out. My face is too round and full. Linda’s lower lip trembled. I’m a fat mess, she wailed.

Aw, Baby. C’mere. Dutch pulled Linda against her, rubbing the small of her back, then broad hands moved down to squeeze fuller hips. "I love the new you. The pregnant you is very excitable and oh so sensual. I love that we can have sex darned near anywhere. She rubbed a slightly bent knee into Linda’s crotch, grinning when Linda groaned then followed her movements. Long moments later, she replaced her knee with both hands. Sweet Lindy, I can feel your wetness. Want me deeper?"

Mmm. Linda sucked in a sharp breath when Dutch’s fingers went deep; oh, so very deep. Oh God, I’m gonna. Yes, yes, that’s it. My spot, that’s my spot. Keep stroking. Yes, this is so good! So sweet candy my chocolate … She pulled Dutch’s face down to kiss her deeply before she screamed out her ecstasy against Dutch’s lips. She climaxed hard and deep.

For the next forty minutes, Dutch settled Linda on her lap and gently soothed, rocked, and rubbed Linda’s belly. She sang a soft lullaby that put both mother and daughter to sleep on an old recliner that sat in the corner of the office.

This was the first time in five days of surveillance that Dutch wasn’t cooped up in a car or drinking cold coffee as she waited for the client’s wife to exit her lover’s meeting place. The client thought the man was his wife’s lover. Dutch didn’t think that was the only thing going on between the two. She had Ozzie preparing to bug the lovers’ little love nest. He was in the middle of doing research on the man as well as checking out his work history. The Pirellis were already shadowing the wife’s lover. So far, the wife’s lover went to work from the same place she was parked in front of, but it wasn’t his only address. He kept an expensive hotel suite on the penthouse floor. That was strange, because according to Ozzie’s research, he worked as an IT repair specialist in a large communications company that had branches upstate. They didn’t make a lot of money.

Dutch fell asleep wondering about the man’s identity and purpose. She and Linda continued to snooze until she felt something wet soaking through her jeans. It looked like the deputy who won the bet was wrong. Linda must be too tired to move. Or the baby must be lying on her kidneys for her to urinate in her sleep. Lindy, baby, I think we’d better get you to the bathroom to clean up. You just wet yourself. She opened her eyes in time to see Linda standing in front of her holding the bottom of her belly tightly. Linda looked anxious as well as surprised by the dampness running down her pants legs and into her shoes.

Linda shook her head in disapproval. No! Take me home. My water just broke and I... She squeezed her eyes shut tight, grunted, then waved a hand in Dutch’s direction. O-o-oh. God, that hurt. She started huffing and puffing, making her cheeks bulge. When Dutch connected with Linda’s hand, Linda dug into it with strong fingers and sharp nails.

I thought we decided to use the hospital, Dutch muttered, trying not to think about the pain then the tingling numbness in her right hand.

No! You wanted that. I want my G-Ma and Naddie to help me. Take me home right now! Linda demanded, yanking on Dutch’s hand until she rose from the recliner. She pressed into her belly then rubbed it, finally letting go of Dutch’s hand to groan loudly. Better hurry up or our daughter will be born here with you as my OBGYN. She giggled when Dutch’s eyes widened. She suddenly looked nervous and her mood became serious again. She grunted loudly, only this time, she strained hard. Oh God. Dutch, please carry me to the car now!

Dutch quickly carried Linda out the back way and down the stairs. She didn’t want everybody to know what was happening to her very own hardboiled game warden. Easy now, Baby. Take it easy. We’re almost there, she whispered against Linda’s right ear then nuzzled her neck.

Stop it. That tickles. Linda groaned then flexed and strained.

No, you stop pushing!

Straining and grunting, Linda burrowed into Dutch’s chest when the next wave of contractions hit her. I can’t. Baby Girl wants to meet us.

Christ, hold her in or something! Dutch ordered as if Linda could do such a thing.

Breaking all the speed limits, Dutch sped down the highway to the farmhouse village while calling Nadia at the same time. Naddie?

Nope, it’s me. She’s at the hospital. A school bus overturned after colliding with a tractor. They called her in early. I’m on my way too. All hands-on-deck and all that. Anyway, I thought you were on a case, Dutch.

Dutch sighed. Charlie, could you stay?

Why? Are you hurt or something? You sound perfectly fine to me.

Your cousin’s water broke. She wants to have the baby here at the farmhouse. Dutch drove down the road to the farmhouse.

Get G-Ma, Lottie, or Bonita to help you deliver the baby. They all know more than me. Charles chuckled into the phone. He’d love to see Dutch delivering their baby girl. I gotta go. Be sure and take plenty of pictures of my little cousin, he remarked, laughing loudly as he hung up.

I’m killing your cousin and stringing him up for bear food, Dutch threatened, eyeing Linda, who grunted loudly then strained.

Linda’s face reddened. She grabbed at Dutch’s jacket, yanking it hard. Get me to the dream lodge.

But it’s far away from the house and the stuff we’ll need.

Drive me over there, now. Right now, damn it! Linda commanded. Her visions said she needed to be there today. Now she knew why.

Chapter Two: First baby and visions of birthing?

"Come on, Lindy, push, Dutch remarked. You couldn’t stop pushing all the way here. What happened? I thought the baby was gonna pop out any minute!"

Could you just shut it, Dutch? Like I know what happened, Linda muttered as she lay naked in the bed saturated from her perspiration. This my first baby. Maybe she’s stuck.

Inside the dream lodge, a large pot sat on the fire pit. G-Ma dipped a sterile cloth into fresh boiled water three times then cooled three times. She walked over to wipe her granddaughter’s sweaty face and body as she lay on the bed she’d prepared with special sheets and covers. She studied her granddaughter’s large belly, then she turned her gaze on the tall woman who could not get her granddaughter to marry her. Baby girl not stuck. She waits for parents to show love. She sighed. I wait too. She slapped the wet warm cloth against Dutch’s chest. You wipe. I watch sunset. You and Little Spirit Fighter bring baby into world.

Dutch grabbed the cloth before it slid to the ground. Hey? Get back in here, G-Ma. I don’t know nothing ‘bout birthing no babies.

At the door, G-Ma stopped and turned around to study both women. She looked at Dutch. You police once. Police deliver baby when no doctor. Her eyes travelled to her granddaughter. Spirit Fighter, Bear Woman bring baby into world. You must allow.

Cloth in hand, Dutch walked over to Linda, shaking her head in a mixture of amazement and disbelief. I’m marrying into a strange but beautiful family. She dabbed at Linda’s sweaty face and then her neck and chest.

I don’t recall saying yes to a specific date yet. Did I ever say yes to marrying you?

Dutch groaned then rolled her eyes to the ceiling. Not that again. Of course you did. She walked over to the special pot of water and dipped the cloth in it. She returned to Linda’s side, gently wiping her belly right before she kissed where she thought the baby might be. Her eyes widened as she felt movement against her lips. Hey, she kicked me, Dutch remarked in awe.

Mmm, that’s nice. Keep doing that, Linda murmured. She suddenly strained mightily, grunting as her body arched then rose from the bed. She resembled a toy puppet while somebody was yanking on her strings. No, she’s moving down. She grabbed Dutch’s forearm, digging in with her nails and moaning loudly. Oh God, help me. I need to squat.

Dutch frowned as she stared at her lover. Squat?

Yes, squat. Let gravity help us, Lover. You’ll have get underneath me to catch our daughter.

Dutch grinned broadly when she heard Linda call her Lover. That nickname didn’t pass her wife-to-be’s lips often. But she loved hearing it when Linda said it. She helped Linda squat over a small padded pallet that G-Ma had prepared near the bed. Then she knelt and positioned herself underneath Linda’s gaped-open legs. She looked up. She could see the birth canal. She started grinning then chuckling. I’ll be damned! she exclaimed. Baby, you should see this! She’s coming down. I can see her little head. P-U-S-H. Yes, another couple should do it. Damn, this is so … wow, I don’t know what. Wonderful, amazing, magnificent. No, you’re magnificent. Another push. Oh yes. That’s it. Here she comes.

Well, stay under me. Get ready to catch her, Linda ordered before she grunted loudly then pushed hard.

Yes, Ma’am. Come to your other mama, Little One, Dutch remarked softly as she helped to guide the baby’s head outside then her shoulders and finally her tiny legs and feet. Should I be worried? She’s not crying. She looks kind of grayish-white.

Check her face and mouth. Make sure nothing is blocking it. Hold her with her head a little higher than her body.

Why?

So she won’t choke on any fluids or mucus in her mouth. Then turn her over and rub her tiny back, Linda directed, grabbing on to the side of the bed. She was growing so tired and groggy. She watched Dutch follow her directions to the letter. When she heard her daughter’s first cries, she smiled. Let me hold her while you help us back on the bed. She leaned her head against the bed, straining again. A blob of placenta popped out and landed on the ground.

Dutch handed the baby to Linda then lifted them both onto the bed. She watched the baby girl root around Linda’s naked chest, searching for a nipple to suck on. Then she watched Linda guide her nipple into her daughter’s mouth. The tiny version of Linda fell asleep with her mama’s nipple in her tiny mouth. You two are so goddamned beautiful, Dutch whispered as warm tears filled her eyes. I’m damn glad I came home early. I’d hate myself if I missed this.

Linda closed her eyes. I’m so tired. I need to sleep. She sighed. Wipe your eyes first then ask G-Ma to come in here. Have Naddie cut the cord. She should check the afterbirth and the baby.

But Naddie isn’t here.

Yes I am. Nadia opened the door and allowed G-Ma to proceed her. The emergency turned out to be minor cuts, bruises, a concussion, and two broken bones. Charlie stayed. They didn’t need me, so here I am. Let’s see how mama and baby are doing.

Both G-Ma and Dutch stood by while Nadia slipped on gloves then disengaged the baby’s mouth from her mama’s nipple to examine her tiny sleepy body. You are so cute, Little One, Nadia murmured. You look like both of your mommies. You have your mommy’s straight black hair and coloring and your other mommy’s light eyes. Bet you’re gonna leave a trail of broken hearts.

Humph. Baby special for what in here. G-Ma pressed her own head and heart with a hand. Not what here. She pressed her own crotch.

Nadia blushed. I’m so sorry, G-Ma. I simply meant she’s a beautiful combination of both mothers.

Better to have heart and be smart. Pretty and beautiful outside come later, after pretty and beautiful inside.

Nadia nodded. Yes, Ma’am. G-Ma, will you hold the baby while I cut the cord? She lifted the sleeping little girl and handed her to the old woman.

G-Ma smiled at the sleeping little girl and then nuzzled her tiny belly. Yes, then I do ceremony.

The same one you did for my son?

Same but different.

Dutch cleared her throat. She walked over and pulled a sheet over Linda, who sighed but continued to nap. Could we discuss this later? My wife is cold. I could see her goose bumps from over there.

G-Ma cackled. She not wife yet, Bear Woman. Talk sweet and nice. Tonight, she weak from birth. She say yes.

Christ! G-Ma, just sprinkle some magic dust on her while she sleeps. Maybe you can give her visions of our wedding or something, huh?

G-Ma’s eyebrows flew up as she stared at Dutch. Now you believe in magic, Bear Woman?

Dutch groaned then looked down at her lover and wife-to-be. I believe in her, you, and my kid. If that’s magic, well then, I’m down for it.

About damned time! G-Ma retorted.

After Nadia cut the cord, G-Ma wrapped the baby in what used to be a brightly colored Native American blanket that was still soft and quite warm but now largely faded. Bear Woman, come, she said over a shoulder while holding the baby protectively in her arms.

Dutch followed closely behind the older woman, leaning around her to open the door. The late night dark surprised Dutch. It was early afternoon when she and Linda arrived. But now it was dark. Last thing she wanted was stumbling on the farm’s uneven ground with an older woman and a newborn at night. She looked and noticed shiny lights on the ground. Or were they glowing florescent stones? Waist-high lit torches also helped provide light on this moonless night. She quickened her stride to move protectively ahead of the older woman carrying her baby. Anything could jump out at them. Tonight, she didn’t have a weapon. Then she remembered the gun she kept strapped to her ankle when she was on a case. With so much happening, she’d forgotten to remove it.

At the edge of the woods, G-Ma turned around to face Dutch. You not need weapon, Bear Woman. Necklace you never take off, it magic. Magic is weapon. Magic is healing. Magic is love. Magic is history. Magic legend. Tonight, magic is ancestors. I tell. You see.

At the mention of ancestors, Dutch felt odd. Her eyes stopped seeing what was ahead. Her ears stopped hearing the rustling behind her and the snapping of twigs in front of her. The old woman had taken her and the baby to a cave within a cave? The baby was playing with bears. Large, fierce-looking bears were allowing her to ride them like horses. How was that possible? The baby, her newborn baby girl could be a tasty treat for them. She’d fight to the death before that happened. She prepared to rescue her child from the wild animals when Linda stopped her with a hand signal.

Linda pointed to her belly then shook a finger at her. Whoa, shit! She was pregnant again. No, it couldn’t be. How? When did that happen? Her daughter was growing before her eyes. She was talking to more bears, mountain lions, and birds of the woodlands too. What did it all mean? She wanted to ask G-Ma, but the older woman had rushed down one long tunnel then interconnected into another one and kept on going. She showed no sign of slowing down. With a secret burst of energy, she finally caught up with G-Ma. But it wasn’t G-Ma. A bear queen spoke to her. She understood the queen’s words. How was it possible a bear spoke the language she understood?

The baby howled softly. I’ll get her. Dutch slung her legs over the side of the bed. She looked down at her nakedness then frowned. She rubbed her eyes. I thought I was in the caves. What am I doing back here? I don’t remember coming back here. The baby howled even louder.

What you are mumbling about now? Linda reached out and gave Dutch’s elbow a hard pinch. Bring the baby to me so I can feed her.

Yow! Hey, that hurt. Dutch yelped then grabbed her elbow, rubbing the pain away.

Sorry about that one. Linda yawned loudly then ran her fingertips over the same elbow she’d just pinched. She stretched over to kiss the area too. Please, bring the baby to me.

Dutch sighed then rubbed her head. I’m having weird dreams about our kid. She rose and walked over to the handmade cradle. Someone placed it in the dream lodge. She lifted the howling little girl and placed her against her own chest. Right away, the baby began rooting for a nipple. When she found one, she quickly latched on, making Dutch flinch. Hey, Little Girl, I’m the other one. She chuckled at her daughter’s antics as she pushed the empty nipple away with her tongue and a tiny grimace. Little One, I’m not the one with the delicious milk, but I’ll take you to her.

Minutes later, Dutch had climbed in behind Linda, helping support Linda’s back while she fed their little girl. She carefully ran gentle hands up and down Linda’s arms, then she peeked over Linda’s shoulder to study her baby daughter feeding. She’s a greedy little one, isn’t she?

Linda sighed as she relaxed back against Dutch’s solidness. Hmm, I like this. Can we stay this way forever?

What about work … your cases? Could you give that up to raise her?

Don’t spoil this for me, Dutch. I meant I love being in here warm and cozy with you and her. Nobody to bother us or anything.

Ah, so that’s what you want, huh? Dutch kissed the back of Linda’s neck then nuzzled it.

Don’t. Linda groaned then moved away. It feels good, but she’s here nursing.

And?

And she can see us.

And what? She’s a kid. Just a baby and a newborn who doesn’t know which way is up.

Try this one on for size. I’m sore. I’m tired. I’m too fat to be sexy right now.

I told you before, you aren’t fat. You’re sexy. You excite me. I want to excite you. Sex begins your head, not in your stuff. I promise not to touch you down there. Naddie said you need six weeks to heal. We could do things that don’t involve your v-jayjay.

Oh really, like what?

Dutch studied the baby, who had closed her eyes but continued to nurse at her lover’s breast. She leaned into Linda, letting her feel hard nipples rubbing against her back. For one, tell the kid to save some milk for me. I’d like a taste too.

Linda giggled. I felt that.

Good. The baby is finished. I’ll get a diaper and burp her. Dutch climbed out of the bed and watched Linda disengage her nipple. She placed a diaper on a naked shoulder then picked up her daughter. She cuddled her tiny body first then placed her against a sturdy shoulder and began rubbing her tiny back. When the baby belched loudly, Dutch chuckled. One more time, Little One, and I’ll put you to sleep. The baby belched a second time, so Dutch wrapped her cocoon-like and placed her in the cradle face up.

Move the cradle closer to us and come to bed, Linda remarked. Watching her lover be so tender with the baby was such a turn-on. She felt so energized. Later, she’d probably crash, but right now, she wanted what she wanted and that equaled Yolanda Riggins AKA Dutch Chocolate. She flipped back the bedlinens. Now, her soon-to-be wife would get a full-on view of her excitement.

Chapter Three: Going back to the city.

"So, you and Linda are really taking a vacation together, Cuz?"

Dutch shrugged as she sat at Bonita’s dining room table. They had a stack of blueprints in front of them to review. She sighed loudly. I need it. Lindy needs it too. She looked down as her hands played with the edges of one of the blueprints. We haven’t. Pausing, she rubbed her chin. She didn’t want to admit too much of her young family’s personal business. I mean, we’ve been too tired to… She flushed then paused. You know what I’m trying to say. She looked up into hazel eyes so much like her own. God, I never thought having baby could disrupt so much.

Bonita studied her cousin’s worried face. Are you sorry you and she got married and have a kid?

Hell no! I love Linda. I love our kid, Dutch remarked sharply, more sharply and louder than she wanted. "I get so scared. Sometimes I think she’ll get tired of all of this. That she’ll just take the baby and leave me looking stupid and alone. I mean, she’s been married before. Stats say the second marriage ends in divorce in a high percentage of