Road to Redemption

by Michelle Dalton

  Ray glanced around. Thank God the mist gave them some protection.

  Mina slid back and bent over.

  “Aaah,” he groaned as she licked and flicked the tip of her tongue around his hard length. Ray grabbed a handful of her hair as she worked him with her mouth. His hunger building, building … He pulled her away as he reached the edge.

  “What?” Her eyes were at half-mast, her tone as hot as her strawberry-red tongue sliding across her plump coral lips.

  “I want us to come together.” He slipped a hand around her bum and tugged at her cotton panties. She let go of him, stood, and slipped them off before straddling him once more. Taking his hand, she slipped it between her thighs.

  “Sweet fuck, you’re as slick as a seal, baby.”

  “Only you’ve ever done that to me.” Her heated words washed over him.

  He paused and searched her face.

  “There’s been no one else since you.” She placed one hand on his cheek as she gripped him in her other.

  Elation, relief, and a demon’s desire surged through his body at her confession.

  Slipping two fingers inside of her and placing a thumb on her nub, Ray’s hand rode her as hard as hers rode him. She threw her head back.

  “Look at me, baby,” he ordered, and she complied.

  He held her gaze as they worked each other into a frenzied climax. Mina slammed her mouth onto his as they came, groaning their relief together.

  Mina closed her eyes and allowed the peace of the moment to blanket them where they lay in each other’s arms on the sand. She’d come down to the beach for some fresh air and wide open space. Her mind and spirit had been overwhelmed with everything that had happened over the last few weeks. She needed some me time, to digest, and figure out her next steps. She had to face a future with Ray in it, and accept that there was a possibility that both her trusted manager and a woman who’d come knocking on her door, begging for a piece job so that she may feed her and her son, were possibly backstabbing thieves. Her mind still balked at the thought.

  So much for second chances.

  Mina sat up. “I’d better get back before someone comes looking.”

  “Yeah, that goes for the both of us.” Ray followed her action.

  They stood and dusted sand from their limbs before righting their cloths, “Can’t say the beach is the most comfortable place to do this,” Ray joked.

  Mina shook her head. “Yeah, I got sand in you-don’t-wanna-know places.”

  They both erupted in laughter before catching their breaths. Mina stopped and stepped toward him. She cupped his face. “I missed us so much.”

  “Do you regret it?” Ray placed his hands over hers.

  She bit her bottom lip. “Never,” She rose on her toes and placed a kiss on his lips.

  “Where to from here?” His question mirrored her thoughts.

  She shrugged. “Like I said this morning, one step at a time?”

  “It does feel like we’ve skipped a few steps.” Ray smiled down at her.

  “I need to figure out how we”—she waved an index finger between them—“won’t interfere with you completing the program. You’re still under court order.” She slipped her hand into his, and the pair began the walk back to the farm’s beach entrance.

  “Things okay back at camp?.” Mina asked.

  “It’s good. I want to make a success of this Mina. It’s important to me to not skip any steps.” Ray squeezed her hand in reassurance.

  “Agreed.” She stopped and tugged on his arm so that he faced her, “I’m proud of you.”

  Ray’s face turned a subtle pink, “I don’t think I’ve earned that yet. But thanks.”

  They strode on then came to stand facing the water.

  “I need to know.” Ray broke the silence. “Was there anything ever between you and Ben?”

  Mina shook her head, “Geez, that obvious? No. But yes, I’ve been aware of his feelings for me. It’ll be one of the obstacles we’ll need to overcome.” She tugged again and they continued to walk. “But he’s a good man, Ray. I need him if Redemption is to move on from here.” God, she hoped it all worked out and that Ben wasn’t who Thomas suspected he was.

  “Okay.” Ray nodded, and Mina relished the small pocket of relief tucked in his reply.

  Their walk continued in silence until they reached the entrance. A fuming Ben pacing its width.

  “And just where the fuck …” He began until his eyes landed on their clasped hands.

  “Ben.” Mina let go of Ray’s hand and stepped toward him.

  Ray remained where he stood. It wasn’t his place to do or say anything, even if the urge to smack Meintjies stomped like a wounded buffalo in his gut.

  “After everything this piece of shit has done to you and Lullu … how could you just spread your legs—”

  Ben didn’t get to complete his sentence. Ray balled his fists and stepped forward. But Mina beat him to it as she pulled back her right arm and let fly. Her flat hand connected with Ben’s cheek in a resounding crack.

  “That ends now, Benjamin Meintjies. I’ll see you up at my office.”

  Ben didn’t react to her slap, but merely glared at Ray, spun around, and marched toward the farmhouse.

  “I’m sorry,” Ray whispered.

  “Enough, Ray. You’ve apologised and now it’s done. Get back to your cabin. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Ray nodded reluctantly. What she asked of him wasn’t easy, but right then, she needed to lay down the law or chaos would follow.

  Ray stomped into his room. Cyril lay on his bed, reading a well-used porno mag.

  “Where you’ve been?” The man glanced over the edge of the book.

  “Running.”

  “Ja, well Mr Meintjies was looking for you. Seems you like to poke the bear, ne.” Cyril chuckled.

  “Seems so.” Ray grabbed clean clothes, his towel, and toiletries.

  “Ja, well take some good advice, sonny boy. Stay away from the boss and keep your head down. If Mr Meintjies decides to make life hard for all of us because of you, I can’t protect you.”

  Ray paused and gave Cyril his hardest, coldest stare. “Never asked you to.”

  “Fine. Don’t say I didn’t try warn you.”

  13

  Mina stood at the top of the hill which gave her a view over the vast Atlantic.

  Sun sprites danced on its rolling waves, and in the distance, a pod of dolphins played silly buggers, surfing the applauding waves as they clapped against the shore.

  Summer was on its way, and she thrilled at the feel of the hot sun enveloping her. How blessed she was. She, a coloured woman, a single mother—for now—owned one of the most productive abalone farms in South Africa. She also ran the most successful offender rehabilitation centre on the entire continent.

  Mina’s gaze coveted her kingdom. Yes, here she was king, queen, and ruler. She’d be damned if any arseholes dared to try and take it from her.

  Her eyes grazed over the warehouses and came to land on the inmate living quarters.

  The week had come and gone and she was no closer to resolving any of the issues plaguing Redemption. Though she’d tried to stay away after their meeting on the beach, she couldn’t help herself and had gone in search of Ray the very next day.

  So much for one step at a time—she was practically leapfrogging her way toward another broken heart.

  She and Ray had figured out that the time after work and before dinner was best for their clandestine snogs. And the best place was the old maid’s quarters on the far side of the house, neatly ensconced by the large, ever-blooming bougainvillea. It housed a lot of old boxes, and an old bed.

  Really, she was acting like an impulsive teen again, but she couldn’t help it. All common sense fled her adult self-control when it neared that time of the day.

  Seagulls drifted on the ocean breeze as a sailboat bobbed across the bay. Was it finally time for her to be absolutely happy? Yes she was worried about Becky
and her son somehow being complicit in the poaching, but there were more important people in her life now. Would her greatest fear come to life—would Ray fail them once again?

  Her heart and her body ached for him. They should’ve held steadfast and kept some distance—mainly to prevent painting a target on his back, although she suspected it was too late for that any way.

  “Hello Mommy. It’s time, or can I go on my own?” Lullu, still in school uniform, called as she jogged across the lawn.

  “Wait right there young lady.” Mina summoned her best, don’t you mess with me, tone, and her daughter skidded to a halt.

  She looked once more over the waters and closed her eyes, ‘God give me strength.” She whispered in to the breeze.

  Turning she walked over to her daughter and the pair stood at the top of the steps separating the camp from the farm house.

  “Do you think he forgot?” Lullu bounced up and down where she stood.

  Mina bit the inside of her cheek, Ben was probably holding him up with some mundane task in retaliation to her arrangement. Plucking her phone from her jacket Mina quickly sent and message to her farm manager.

  “Look, here he comes.” Mina pointed a few moments later as Ray came trotting toward them and up the steps.

  “Sjoe! Sorry I’m late.”

  “It’s okay. You’re here now.” Lullu grinned, “ Come. Cook has made us a special first lunch. I hope you like gammon and rye bread?” Lullu motioned for her father to follow.

  Ray paused and glanced at Mina, “It’s alright. Vestra will join you this first time and I’ll leave the two of you alone.” She gave him her broadest smile.

  “Okay.” He nodded, turned and trotted after his daughter toward the house.

  Lullu had nagged every day after the storm for permission to see her dad. Eventually, Mina had relented and between her and Vestra, they’d come up with a suitable plan – not that Ben had liked it one bit.

  “Mina!” Ben’s voice echoed up from the camp below. She turned and waved as he hurried up the stairs.

  “Hi Ben.” She forced a smile.

  “Hi yourself. Are you really going ahead with this?” he waved toward the house.

  “Yes.”

  “What about the rules?” he placed his balled hand on his hips.

  “There are no rules against this Ben.”

  “look here…” her wagged a finger in front of her face.

  Mina’s chest tightened and her temper snapped, “No you look Ben Meintjies, this matter has nothing to do with you. Vestra and I have it under control. Now, if you would please return to your duties in the camp.” Mina spun around and walked away. Shit that was not how she’d wanted any of this to go down, but Ben had a way of forcing her into corners she did not like.

  Mina stood just outside the kitchen door. Inside Ray and Lullu sat, sandwich in hand, talking. Vestra sat at the far side on a stool pretending to scroll through her phone. None could see Mina where she stood.

  “Are you done with being a bad man?” Lullu’s direct question had Mina gasping and Ray chocking on his mouthful.

  He gripped the glass and downed half his soda. He wiped the back of his hand across his mouth.

  “You have a serviette for that. Ma always calls me a philistine when I do it.” Lullu handed Ray a white napkin.

  “Thanks. And yes, I’m done with all of that.” He replied then sat back in his chair.

  “Will you stay here when you’re done with the program?”

  Ray chuckled and nodded his head.

  “It’s not meant to be funny.” Lullu’s retort had him looking her right in the eye.

  “If you’ll have me.”

  “Do you still love my mom?” she didn’t give the man a chance to think as she peppered him with questions. Questions Mina knew she had a right to ask, but she did feel a little sorry for Ray who answered them as best he could.

  “Always.” His tone was warm and Mina loved how his answer made her heart flutter and her daughters face light up.

  But then Lullu’s face creased in a deep frown, “An-and me?”

  In a split second, her teenager had morphed into a small girl. Naïve, vulnerable and completely innocent. Mina braced herself.

  “You, Lullu Marie, are my everything. I love your mother, but I live for you!”

  Her daughter wiped her eyes, “And you are mine daddy.”

  Mina had to walk away as a sob fell from her lips. God almighty!

  Mina crouched against the retaining wall which formed a courtyard at her back door. She dug into her back pocket for her tissue and wiped her eyes when a hand touched her shoulder.

  “Vestra! Good God, you gave me a fright.”

  “Spying, are you? I thought it was decided you’d not get involved in this.” her friend and stand-in counsellor chided jokingly.

  Mina shrugged. “Well …”

  “I understand. They’re getting along like a house on fire. She’s quite something,” Vestra complimented.

  “I think I’ll go for a walk. I have much to think about.” Mina smiled and left.

  She inhaled deeply, her chest drawing in the oxygen without any fuss, for the first time in days. Shutting her eyes she stretched her arms to the sides of her body. She was blessed!

  Rounding the side of the house, she made her way back to her study to finish off the last of the Progress reports.

  Boesman was lazily grazing in his paddock at the far end of the stables. Nationals were creeping closer, and her daughter had to focus. Mina had feared that the recent development would cause a distraction, but her daughter was taking life in her stride, proving otherwise.

  Mina made her way through the side sliding door of her home and came to stand in the large open living area. Closing her eyes, she could almost picture him in it. His rustic scent. The sound of his laughter. Spending an evening on the couch with him, watching movies and eating junk food …

  She shouldn’t rush things. She was too involved in her feelings and not listening to her common sense. Shaking her head at herself, she made her way to her study.

  Sitting down at her desk, she banished all thoughts of Ray and got to work.

  Mina slipped the key into her desk drawers, saddened by the fact that she had to make a point of keeping her business under lock and key, but hopefully only until the poachers were caught.

  More and more, this was the way of life in South Africa. Trust in those one would have given so easily in the past faded like a distant dream.

  There’d been no further sign or news of the poachers, and for now, her life was returning to its normal pace—except that Ray was back in it.

  Thomas and Rochelle had headed into town for the day. Thomas wanted to get a feel for the locals as he kept his eyes peeled for anything that could help his investigation, which frustratingly had run into a dead end. They’d promised to stay an extra few nights before heading back to Simon’s Town.

  “Hey, you got a moment?” Thomas’s head popped around her half-open door.

  “Geez!” Mina slapped her hands to her chest. “Thought you two were out galivanting.”

  “Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you. We just got back. I wanted to chat with you quickly.”

  Mina waved Thomas in and he came to sit at her desk.

  “I had a search done on Ben’s background and came up with information I think you might already have.” He handed Mina a folder.

  She bristled but kept quiet as she paged through it. Ben should not be a suspect.

  “There’s nothing here that I don’t already know.” She handed the folder back to Thomas.

  “I didn’t think so. But Mina, he was a dealer. Dealers have contacts and know how to blend in and move under the radar.”

  Mina bit back her retort. Thomas was, after all, looking out for her and only doing his job.

  “And the other folder?” She nodded toward it, lying on her desk.

  “Becky and Klein Piet.” He flipped it open to reveal a page of scribbled not
es. “There’s nothing. But this is South Africa, and unlike in the rest of the world, not every Tom, Dick, and Harry has access to smart phones and social media. And some people are too clever to leave a trail. Contrary to worldly belief, more births and deaths go unregistered than the government would like; not to mention there is a large amount of illegals in the country.”

  “You think they’re from Zimbabwe or Nigeria?” Mina glanced up from the one-pager Thomas had handed to her.

  “They don’t come across as Nigerians. Too light-skinned, and they speak damn good Xhosa and Zulu.”

  “Nam? They definitely don’t speak any of our local lingos except for Afrikaans.” The Namibian border was on their doorstep; it wouldn’t be that hard for someone to slip through.

  “Don’t know. The possibilities are endless,” Thomas replied, leaning back and folding his arms across his chest.

  “But this doesn’t mean they’re guilty.” Mina shook her head.

  “It does give them the anonymity with which to move about undetected, Mina.” Thomas jabbed the tip of his index finger onto the desk. “I’m no stranger to this type of criminal. They come in all shapes and sizes. Unfortunately, they’re also bloody good at evading authorities—too many corrupt government contacts.” Thomas folded his hands on the desk, then gave her a sincere look.

  “How are things developing between you and Raymond?” He cut straight to his next question, and a blush rose up her neck and hugged her cheeks.

  “We’re, erm …”

  “I’d hate to have to sound like the parent but …” He held up both his hands. “… I’ve noticed that Ben and some of the inmates are making it their priority to make life difficult for him. They know of his connection to you and that he disappears every afternoon.”

  Mina’s gaze dropped to the floor, then shot back up. Why in the hell should she feel chastised?

  “Ray’s a big boy. He can deal. But if you notice the situation escalating, let me know and I’ll make a plan. He has to serve his time.” Mina decided on a more logical than emotional-based reply.