Part 1 – One Big Happy Family
Chapter 1
Carrington House
Searcy, Arkansas
November 20, 2023
Slicing through the water, Bennett maintained complete control as he swam. He had to keep moving forward, making slow and steady progress. He set a pace, and he followed it with military precision and was so close to reaching the goal. As he neared the end of the pool and prepared to make the turn. Poppy was there. She was naked. Singing her siren song, she called to him as she always did. All of Bennett's focus, plans, hard work, all of it was forgotten. Instead of completing his laps, he began to tread water. Suddenly, Poppy was touching him everywhere. Instantly, he was swallowed by a vortex of lust and passion. He was drowning in her. Knowing he must do something, or he was going to die, Bennett clawed his way to the surface and drew a deep breath.
Instantly, he jerked awake and realized he was not in a pool but rather in his bed. Poppy was waking him up in the best way possible. He could feel her soft curls draping across his stomach.Laying back and enjoying his wife’s early morning gift, Bennett gave himself entirely over to the moment, his dream forgotten.
A short while later, with her mission accomplished, Poppy sat up, reached over, and clicked on the bedside lamp. Bennett threw his arm over his eyes as soft light filled the room.
After a moment, he glanced at his phone. “You realize you woke me up when I still had ten minutes to sleep, right? If I did that to you, you would kill me.”
Poppy pulled a T-shirt over her head and replied, "The rules for me are not the rules for you. I would have thought you would have figured that out by now." Planting her hands on her slim hips, she gave him a look and added, "And are you complaining?"
"Hell no! Wake my ass up every day early that way. I am just shocked you were awake. Sleep is sacred to you."
"True," she said."but this is a big day. Closing arguments day! All your hard work for the last two years wrapped up in one summation. I knew you would have put me off if I waited until your alarm sounded. The minute your eyes opened, you would be focused on all you had to accomplish today. I wanted to start your day off right, regardless of whatever happens later. Now, I am going to run downstairs to make you breakfast. Do you want bacon or sausage?"
Reaching out to grab her arm as she headed toward the door, Bennett said, "I am not hungry. Skip the food and join me in the shower. We can continue this good start."
Laughing, Poppy said, "Oh, how cute. Look who thinks he is still in his twenties. Another time, stud. Go take a hot shower. I will have breakfast ready when you come down."
After she left, Bennett turned off his alarm and forced himself out of his warm bed and into the shower. Poppy had been right. He would not have been able to enjoy his wife's gift so much if his alarm had sounded. His mind would not have been in it.
Less than thirty minutes later, Bennett strolled into the kitchen. True to her word, Poppy had fried him some bacon and made homemade pancake rolls that she put into a baggie for him to take. A sizeable insulated metal cup full of hot coffee also stood ready. Sliding up to her, Bennett slipped his arms around her and took her in a deep embrace. Roaming his hands down her back and over her body, he held her close. Poppy was just before groaning with pleasure when a sleepy voice from the other side of the bar interrupted them.
"Gross, Daddy! Why do you always want to put your tongue down Mommy's throat? Ain't you ever heard of germs?"
Their six-year-old daughter Lola's voice startled both Poppy and Bennett. Bennett was grateful that the kitchen bar hid most of what had been happening from his child's eyes.
Giving his precious daughter a look, Bennett asked, "First of all, we don't say 'ain't,' and second of all, what are you doing out of bed, sweet pea? It's way too early for you to be up. You don't even have school today."
Without missing a beat, Lola replied, "I smelled bacon and pancakes. Is it ready? I am starving."
Bennett and Poppy both laughed. Lola could smell bacon frying in the next county since she was three.
Poppy moved toward the cabinet to get a plate for Lola's breakfast as Bennett leaned in for a quick kiss goodbye. "To be continued," he said as he moved away.
"Promises. Promises," Poppy replied before grabbing the baggy of food and coffee and handing them to him. As Bennett walked toward the back door, he kissed Lola on the head and said, "Be a good girl for Mommy today. Love you."
Poppy and Lola returned the sentiment, assuming it was meant for them. Once he was gone, Lola gave her mom a very serious look and said, "Now about those pancakes…"
Nine Hours Later
Federal Court
Little Rock, Arkansas
The jury had only been out for about two hours when Bennett Carrington was given the word that a verdict had been reached. It had been a long morning with both he and the defense giving their closing arguments. As closings went, it had gone as well as he could have hoped. He had hit all the high points of the case and had stuck to the plan he had rehearsed for the last week with his co-counsel. Bennett had just finished scarfing down a package of crackers and a soda when he had gotten the text to return to the courtroom.
He and the others involved in the case quickly returned to the courtroom to await the results. Nervous energy buzzed through the room. A case that had taken over two years to prosecute and had required a venue change to ensure the defendants got a fair trial had only taken a few hours to decide. Such a quick verdict usually signaled good news for the prosecution. However, as a special prosecutor, Bennett knew that juries could be unpredictable. He had felt confident in the case he presented and expected a guilty verdict. But, not one jury member would make eye contact with him as they filed in. Suddenly, he felt a moment of trepidation. He knew the case could go either way. Sending up a quick prayer to the law gods for a bit of help, Bennett remained standing with the others in the room until the judge took his seat on the bench.
Once everyone settled, the judge, the Honorable Harold Neal Henderson, looked directly at the tall African-American woman who had been selected as the jury forewoman and asked, "Forewoman, have you reached a verdict?"
