Looking After Lindy Read online

  Looking After Lindy

  A SANCTUM Novel

  Pepper North

  Contents

  Dear Readers,

  Other titles by Pepper North

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Afterword

  Excerpt From Sharing Shelby

  Excerpt from Madi: Dr. Richards’ Littles 12

  Text copyright ©2018 Pepper North

  All Rights Reserved

  Dear Readers,

  Looking after Lindy is the second book in my SANCTUM series. SANCTUM is a new age play community that is being created by a group of men who invested in an isolated patch of land. They are all beginning to build houses and settle down in this unique settlement where Littles can be Little and Daddies can be Daddies.

  This book was so much fun to write. It has a little bit of everything: love, suspense, danger, and of course, age play. My fingers are crossed that you will find it equally fun to read!

  As always, I love to hear from you. Email, connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, and sign up for The Littles’ League newsletter to stay in touch and hear all the latest news. Pssst! The Littles’ League has a free short story in each newsletter. If you’ve missed any newsletters, they’re posted on my website!

  Keep reading! There are lots of Littles waiting to tell their stories!

  Pepper

  You can contact me on

  my Pepper North or Dr. Richards’ Littles Facebook pages,

  on my website at www.4peppernorth.club

  eMail at [email protected]

  I’m experimenting with Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and MeWe. You can find me there as well!

  Other titles by Pepper North

  Zoey: Dr. Richards’ Littles 1

  Amy: Dr. Richards’ Littles 2

  Carrie: Dr. Richards’ Littles 3

  Jake: Dr. Richards’ Littles 4

  Angelina: Dr. Richards’ Littles 5

  Brad: Dr. Richards’ Littles 6

  The Digestive Health Center: Susan’s Story

  Charlotte: Dr. Richards’ Littles 7

  Sofia and Isabella: Dr. Richards’ Littles 8

  Cecily: Dr. Richards’ Littles 9

  Tony: Dr. Richards’ Littles 10

  The Keepers: Payi

  Abigail: Dr. Richards’ Littles 11

  Madi: Dr. Richards’ Littles 12

  Penelope: Dr. Richards’ Littles 13

  Christmas with the Littles & Wendy: Dr. Richards’ Littles 14

  Olivia: Dr. Richards’ Littles 15

  Matty & Emma: Dr. Richards’ Littles 16

  The Magic of Twelve: Violet

  Fiona: Dr. Richards’ Littles 17

  The Keepers: Pien

  Oliver: Dr. Richards’ Littles 18

  The Magic of Twelve: Marigold

  Luna: Dr. Richards’ Littles 19

  Lydia & Neil: Dr. Richards’ Littles 20

  A Little Vacation South of the Border

  The Magic of Twelve: Hazel

  Roxy: Dr. Richards’ Littles 21

  Dr. Richards’ Littles: First Anniversary Collection

  Jillian: Dr. Richards’ Littles 22

  The Magic of Twelve: Sienna

  Hunter: Dr. Richards’ Littles 23

  Sharing Shelby: A SANCTUM Novel

  The Magic of Twelve: Pearl

  Dr. Richards’ Littles: MM Collection

  Electrostatic Bonds

  Grace: Dr. Richards’ Littles 24

  Looking After Lindy: A SANCTUM Novel

  The Keepers: Naja

  Tales from Zoey’s Corner - ABC

  Steven: Dr. Richards’ Littles 25

  The Magic of Twelve: Violet, Marigold, Hazel

  The Magic of Twelve: Primrose

  Chapter 1

  Lindy looked over her shoulder at the dark highway leading back to town. It was abandoned at this late hour. She’d been driving for a while, trying to put as much distance between her and the men who were threatening her. She didn’t understand why they were after her. It was her brother who had gotten involved with the ruthless group of men. He was sure he would make millions of dollars in their business scheme. When Sam figured out they were just swindling funds from investors like him, he turned the tables and stole something expensive. Sam bragged of recouping his money with interest.

  Tears pricked at Lindy’s eyes, and she dashed them away brusquely. She didn’t have time to cry about her brother’s fatal mistake. He should have realized the men didn’t play by anyone’s rules. There wasn’t any honor among thieves.

  After brutally killing Sam, the group trashed his apartment looking for something. They hadn’t found it, but they had found a receipt for a package her brother had mailed to her two days earlier. Convinced Lindy had the property they were searching for, the men captured her. She’d escaped through the small bathroom window in the dingy home where they were holding her. On the run since that eventful night, Lindy was headed out of town in a car loaned to her by an old friend from a high school job. He would report it stolen tomorrow to protect himself.

  Lindy would get rid of the car tomorrow after putting as many miles between her and the threat as she could. Sam, how did you get wrapped up in this fiasco? And what was in the mysterious parcel in the backpack?

  Her neighbor had called to say it was delivered to his house by mistake. He’d been going on vacation, luckily, so Lindy asked him to leave it on his back porch under the grill’s cover. Waiting until after dark, she’d parked blocks away from her duplex and walked through ten backyards to reach his. She hadn’t been brave enough to open it. Shit, what did you get me involved in, Sam?

  She was running out of gas. She’d drive until the car died and then go on by foot. The abandoned vehicle would be found soon enough and returned to her friend. The men would never link her friend to her. He’d be safe. She’d have disappeared. How far away would be far enough?

  Chapter 2

  After reporting the abandoned car on the shoulder of the highway that morning, Josiah had circled the car on foot. The warning ringing in his head signaled to him that this was not just a broken down car. It had been ransacked with the seats pulled out and the glove box emptied. Someone had searched the car thoroughly and angrily. The surrounding grass was trampled by large boot prints. Josiah estimated five different men had walked in the area. Telling the dispatcher what he discovered, Josiah tried not to disturb the scene. He’d leave it for the responding officers.

  Heading back to his SUV and small trailer of his personal belongings, his detective eyes continued to search the ground. He’d found one small footprint in the mud by the side of the road. His mind immediately developed a story to match the scene. That print was of someone light-weight and female. He hoped the stranded girl had just gotten into a friend’s car and had been far away before the group of males who caused this much damage arrived. He scanned the countryside as he drove, just in case.

  The retired police officer sped through the hills on his way to his new home. He’d survived a career fraught with life and death situations for thirty years. Now in his early fifties, he was still young in a
ctual years. In life experience and tragedy, however, he was centuries old. Josiah had worked hard for his entire career to sock away money for the easy life after retirement. His extra shifts and private security details had helped fill his life. Now, he was moving permanently to the large community he had invested in with some friends. His house was built, and he was ready to make it a home.

  A dark lump drew his eyes. It lay motionless on the side of the road before him. He slowed and stopped just past the object lying half on the shoulder and half in the weeds along the highway. Putting the large SUV into park, Josiah scanned the surrounding area out of habit, looking for anything concerning. He unsnapped the holster concealed at his hip and opened the door. He moved silently, sliding out of the vehicle and walking around to the object. He was a large man, bulked with muscle built during his long hours at the gym. His shadow lengthened to the side in the lingering, late afternoon light. What is a backpack doing out here all by itself? Did somebody throw it out of a car?

  He paused and searched for any sign that the bag was dangerous. A slight motion made him jolt forward into action. A hand was latched around one of the straps of the backpack. Josiah brushed the tall grass away from the small, concealed body while keeping his hand on his gun in case of an attack. He immediately stopped worrying about personal danger when he uncovered the muddy face of a young woman. Her lips were cracked and dry with her eyes sunken into her thin face.

  Josiah brushed back her long, straight hair. His mind noted that it would be light brown when clean. “Sweetheart, can you tell me your name?” he asked trying to gauge her status. He could tell immediately that she was very dehydrated and had been wandering out in the hot sun for a long time–perhaps a couple days–without water.

  “I’ve got to keep walking. They can still find me,” she croaked hoarsely as if by rote. It appeared she’d been repeating those words to herself for a long time. The young woman’s eyelids fluttered weakly before opening slightly. Her light blue eyes latched on to his face. Immediately, she tried to drag herself away from him into the brush by the side of the road.

  “Whoa there, Little girl. I’m not going to hurt you. I promise,” He said softly as he easily overpowered her movements, holding her in place.

  “You promise?” she asked, searching his face with the last of her energy.

  “I promise,” Josiah reassured her, his deep voice lowering in concern. He felt his heart lurch in his chest as his protective instincts kicked into gear as never before. He needed to care for her. “I’ll be right back. I bet you’re thirsty.” She nodded slightly before her eyes fluttered closed once again.

  He jumped to his feet and ran back to grab a bottle of water from his cooler. What kind of threat is after this defenseless woman? The image of the abandoned, ransacked car popped into his mind. That had been over thirty miles back. Could she have walked from there? He nodded to himself as some of the pieces started falling into place. He wished he could get his hands on the men who had scared her so much.

  Returning to her side, he drizzled a little water into her mouth. She swallowed shallowly. She had passed the point of natural thirst. He knew she needed medical attention. He pulled his cell phone from his cargo pants to call the dispatcher back.

  “No! No, please.” A small, dirty hand grabbed his forearm weakly.

  “I’m just going to call the police and ask them to send an ambulance. You need medical attention and to be safe,” he said softly. Her hand clutched at him in desperation.

  “No, please. They’ll find me.” Her blue eyes beseeched him.

  His eyes held hers for several long seconds. He nodded slightly and felt her hand rub his arm slightly in a thankful caress. “I need to get you somewhere safer than the side of the road. Then, we can decide what is best for you. Are you comfortable coming with me?”

  “You promised you wouldn’t hurt me,” she repeated his words back to him in childlike faith that he couldn’t have lied.

  “I won’t hurt you. My name is Josiah. Can you tell me your name?” he asked gently as he plotted what he should do.

  “Lindy,” she whispered, scared to tell him her full name.

  Looking into her trusting eyes, Josiah made his decision. He was a couple days away from SANCTUM. She was coming willingly with him. Whatever menace was threatening her, distance could only make her safer. Being on the grounds of SANCTUM would protect her further. He stowed his phone back in his pants. Moving slowly and gently, he lifted her into his arms.

  “Backpack,” she croaked as she looped an arm trustingly around his neck. “Josiah, please.”

  He leaned down to snag the strap. “I’ve got it, princess.” Josiah carried her cradled in his arms back to the SUV. She was more substantial than she appeared. He could feel the long, lean muscle forming her body. This was no pampered princess. She was used to hard work. He looked forward to learning her story. For now, he needed to make sure she was safe. He opened the passenger door and swiped all the stuff he had scattered on the passenger seat to the floorboard. Josiah placed her softly on the bench seat and buckled her in safely.

  As his hand smoothed the shoulder strap into place, she curled into the soft padding of the seat with a faint sound of delight. Her eyes closed almost immediately, and she allowed herself to sleep. Lindy seemed unaware of Josiah softly closing the passenger door and walking around the car to slide in behind the wheel. There, he paused to pull out his phone and take a picture of her, sending it to a private detective friend with the message of Lindy and low profile–possible danger. Only then did the car that cradled her safely inside begin to move.

  The young woman had slumped gradually in her sleep until she settled with a contented sigh, lying with her head cushioned on his muscled thigh. Her hand wrapped around his knee to hold on to his body. Josiah had checked to make sure the seat belt wasn’t digging into her, but her thin frame had allowed her to move easily into a prone position. Unable to help himself, he brushed her matted hair away from her face. When the corners of her cracked lips turned up slightly, he lost a bit of his heart to the mysterious young woman.

  Chapter 3

  Josiah divided his attention between the road that stretched before him and the waif curled up beside him. After three hours, he stopped on the deserted highway to stretch his legs and drain his bladder. Parking on the shoulder of the road, he lifted her head gently from his knee before sliding out of the SUV. He raised his hands over his head to work out some kinks in his shoulders. When he felt the tension ease from his body, Josiah walked to the passenger side and noisily opened the door to warn her. Immediately, she jerked to attention and scrambled to sit up.

  “Lindy, it’s just me. You’re safe. I need you to wake up and drink some water. You’re going to feel bad until we get you rehydrated,” he explained gently. He didn’t know why this young woman triggered every protective bone in his body, but he liked it. Holding an open bottle of water to her, he waited until she took it and began drinking. “Drink more than you want, okay?”

  “Thank you,” she said hoarsely as she began drinking.

  “I’m going to step into the trees for a minute. I’ll be right back,” he explained.

  “Don’t go. I won’t look. Can’t you just go back there?” she asked, urgently pointing behind the car. A petrified look returned to her face as she glanced around in a panic. “Is there someone else here?” She leaned forward as if to jump out of the car.

  He wrapped his hands gently but firmly around her upper arms, holding her in place. “I’m not going anywhere. There’s no one else around. Relax! You’re safe.” Josiah felt the tension gradually ebb from her muscles. “Do you need to use the restroom?” he asked softly. Her face blushed in embarrassment as she shook her head. “You need to drink more. Your body needs the moisture. Will you drink while I step behind the car?” She nodded and raised the bottle to her lips obediently.

  “Good girl!” he praised, feeling that bone-deep sense of rightness when she beamed back at him.


  Chapter 4

  The sun was starting to set when Josiah turned into the small motel parking lot. Lindy gripped her fingers around another bottle of water that he had once again pressed into her hands. Her mind was beginning to work better now as the confusion caused by the dehydration and exhaustion started to fade. She wasn’t back to normal, but at least she felt somewhat coherent.

  As they had driven, Josiah had shared with her his plans to stop in an old motel along the way when she’d woken up between naps. He planned to pay for two rooms next to each other. Now when he pulled into a parking space in the lot of the mainly deserted hotel, she began to panic. Before he could get out, she grabbed his forearm to stop him.

  “Can I stay in your room? I’ll sleep on the floor,” she with desperation in her voice. She didn’t understand why she felt safer with him nearby.

  He looked at her, noting the agitation brewing in her blue eyes. He merely asked, “Why?”

  “I’m scared. Can I stay in your room?” she beseeched nervously. She knew she was invading his privacy, and she was imposing on a man who’d had the bad luck to find her. “I know I’m asking a lot. You should have just driven on past me,” her voice began to tremble with emotion. She hadn’t felt safe for days. He made her feel protected. She couldn’t lose that now. Looking up at the upholstery above her head, Lindy tried to blink back tears.