Free S&M III, Vol. II by Vera Roberts Page A

way: you’re not dating a weak woman. Mari can hold her own.” Elissa nodded and Scott agreed. “That girl got some fight in her.”
    “I hope that fight comes out while we’re in Decatur,” Scott sighed, “because she’ll need it.”
    ****
    “A-ha!” Mariana hurried to a parking space and parked her car. A half-hour circle around the parking lot proved to be worthwhile for a cushy parking space in front of the mall. “I’m all set and ready to shop!”
    She made a list of everything she needed to get. Gift cards for her family, a nice tie for Scott, and something really nice for her. Scott told her not to worry about giving him a gift but Mariana insisted. He had the best of everything and she had to buy him something . She only asked for a few hundred dollars and Scott ended up giving her a couple of thousand to work with. “I know your spending habits,” he smiled as he handed over the money to her, “I know you’ll spend all of it.”
    She stopped walking as she remembered one person who wouldn’t get anything. Sarah. She missed her best friend terribly, but those days were long over. She could never trust her again.
    “Okay, where do I start?” Mariana wondered aloud. Her parents and brother were going to get hundred-dollar gift cards. That would leave $1700 for Mariana to work with. She would probably pick up a new purse and a few outfits for herself. That would leave roughly $1400. And then Scott’s designer tie she’ll get for him. That would leave $1000. “Well, look at that. I have a surplus!” She smiled.
    Mariana finished shopping earlier than she expected and was on her way out the door when she passed by the pet store. A golden retriever puppy caught her eye. I wonder where the nearest rescue shelter is… she got out her phone and did a quick search. She was pleasantly surprised by the results.
    “Mr. Reed, I do believe I just found your Christmas gift.”
    ****
    “Come on in!” Linda greeted Scott and Mariana as they arrived at her home. “Dinner is almost ready and the pecan pie is baking. Oliver! Scott and Mari are here! I’m glad you two were able to make it in before you left for Decatur tomorrow!”
    “I had to stop by and drop in to hand everyone their gifts!” Mariana hugged her mother. “Merry Christmas, Mommy!”
    “Merry Christmas, Mariana!” Linda hugged back. She approached Scott and gave him a big hug. “And Merry Christmas, Scott!”
    “Merry Christmas, Linda,” he hugged back.
    “Jerome is out with his friends, so he’ll be home later,” Linda led the couple to the kitchen, “have a seat and relax!”
    “Actually, Linda, if Oliver is available, I would like to talk to him privately?” Scott asked.
    “Sure!” She pointed to the downstairs den. “Just go right on in.”
    Scott walked downstairs and saw Oliver working on a custom ship. He had his seeing glasses on and looked very concentrated. “The only time I can get a moment’s peace in this house is when I’m working on my ship,” he spoke, “Jerome is usually out with his friends. Linda has her book club meeting. But down here? No one bothers me. And yet my wife feels that if I’m down here in the den, despite me telling her several times over I don’t want to be bothered, she always bothers me. It must be a wife thing.”
    Scott smiled. “I’ll come back, Oliver,” he offered.
    “No, no. You’re here,” Oliver took off his glasses, “I can tell whatever you want to talk to me about, it’s pretty important. You wouldn’t have just come down here.”
    “It is pretty important,” Scott replied.
    Oliver gestured to a nearby sofa. “Have a seat. I’ll make us a drink.” He walked over to the bar and poured two glasses of Hibiki. He walked back to Scott and handed him a glass. “It’s Japanese whiskey.”
    “Japanese, huh?” Scott clinked glasses with Oliver. “Cheers.”
    “Cheers,” Oliver sat a close distance to Scott. “So what brings you down here?”
    “I want to ask