The Dark Stranger: A Sharon Brown Erotic Romance by Kathleen Robertson Page B

want to do such a thing.” Nancy was confused as well.
    “They are my parents, Nancy. I know how stubborn and demanding they become as I, myself, have inherited such traits in me. They want to take my Jake away from me, I know because I haven’t been able to give Jake what he deserves.” Sarah cried. She was scared and frightened for her child.
    “What do you want to do now?” Nancy asked.
    “I will go home and tell them to stay out of my life. No more spooky notes or kidnappers.” She said, wiping her nose on the handkerchief that Nancy had passed her. Sarah was a strong, independent single mother and she was confident that she could fight the world on her own.She would protect her child with her life and if that meant facing her parents for the security of her child, she would do that. She took a deep breath and stood up.
     
    ****
     
    The beautiful mansion atop the hill had been her home as long as she remembered. She had grown up in this big house, played, studied, learnt her riding and swam with her friends in the big swimming pool there.Now, returning to a place which had sentimental value to her, a place which should’ve been rightfully Jake’s home as well, she felt nauseated and depressed.Holding the sleeping figure of Jake against her shoulder, she rang the doorbell.
    “Who is there?” The housekeeper's voice shouted over the loudspeaker. Jake fidgeted against her shoulder. She patted him on his back.
    “Marilyn, it’s me, Sarah. Open the gates.” The gates were immediately opened before she had finished. Sarah walked inside, her heart melancholy of seeing the famous surroundings once again.As she got closer to the main doorway, the heavy door turned on its hinges and Marilyn stood there, her eyes filled with tears. Sarah smiled softly at her and entered.
    “Where are they?” She asked her. She had given up calling them mom and dad since they had turned her out.She called up whenever she had brought back from college, she would bang on the door and shout at Marilyn, “Where are mom and dad, Marilyn?” and Marilyn would grin at her and point to the lounge. Marilyn had been her childhood savior whenever Sarah was stuck in mischief; it was her who would save Sarah.She pointed to the same door today as well and kissing Jake on the cheek, she went away.
    Now, the time had come to meet her parents.She walked softly; her footsteps muffled by the thick French carpet and opened the lounge doorway.Her mother stood up as she saw her, shabbily dressed and carrying a sleeping infant to her shoulder who was also wearing worn out pajamas and torn t-shirt.She ran towards Sarah and embraced her, holding the sleeping Jake from her but her father kept sitting where he was, his face harder than before. They watched each other in silence, not moving a single muscle. Her mother broke the spell.
    “Sarah, why is his forehead so hot? Is he ill?”
    “Yes, mother. He’s suffering from pneumonia for the last three days.” She told her. Her mother’s shocked looked registered on her. Sarah gave her a gloomy smile.
    “Come, sit down.” She rang the bell for the maid and ordered some clean clothes and medicines for Jake to be sent while she also ordered refreshments for Sarah. Sarah sat down on the settee, counting the minutes when she would be well on her way.
    “Why did you call me here?” she asked directly of her father. He looked at her, his disgust for her obvious on his face and did she notice the hatred in his eyes, she wasn’t sure.
    “Your mother believes that you are not able to take care of your child alone. She would like you to stay here so that she can assure that the baby receives all that he deserves.” Her father stated coldly.
    “He is your grandson as well.” She said. “And why would you care what Jake deserves? Did you not think of giving me a phone call? Is this the way to summon someone?”
    “He is not our grandson. ” Her father said, ignoring her questions.“It is my order,Sarah