“The floor was damaged this morning in the kitchen, so I’m sure my cousin is trying to get that repaired. I didn’t see the sign, but I know Harper has said she needs an extra bartender on weekends. I guess she’s finally going to look for one.”
“So, I’m trying to figure out how best to ask this . . .” Maggie started as she looked back and forth between them. Darcy wanted her to hurry up and ask so she could get what she needed from the Daughters of Shadow Landing archives.
“I’ll just spit it out. Do you think you’ll be married by September?”
Darcy blinked in surprise and just stared.
“What are you talking about?” Wade finally asked.
Maggie let out a sigh. “I need you, Wade. Oh, that doesn’t sound good. I mean, you know every year I host a fundraiser for my charity, right?”
Wade nodded before turning to Darcy. “Maggie and her mother raise money for a charity that provides grants for people to attend a Paralympic training camp.”
“Oh, that’s great. And you need Wade’s help?” Darcy asked.
Maggie nodded and her strawberry-blonde ponytail bobbed. “This year I’m doing a bachelor auction, so I want both of you to agree to it. I know you’re together so I wouldn’t want to upset a new relationship.”
Darcy was quiet as Maggie continued with the details. Were they in a relationship? Darcy realized that while they may never have talked about it, Wade was very much a large part of her life and had been since he entered it only a couple days earlier. In that short time, he’d become her other half. They were a couple even if they hadn’t specifically discussed it.
“It would be in September,” Maggie was saying.
“I think it would be great. I’m happy to help, too, if I can,” Darcy said before Wade could answer. Wade looked her over and smiled as he reached across the round table and took her hand in his. Again, they hadn’t said anything to each other, but it was clear they both wanted a future together.
“Great! And please wear your uniform. You know the women love that. And you can totally bid on him,” Maggie said as she smiled at Darcy. “Now, you asked about the Daughters of Shadow Landing archives. What are you looking for?”
“An old dancing instruction book,” Darcy told her.
Maggie’s nose wrinkled cutely. “I think we have those. But I don’t have the key to get into the center. Only my mom does, and she’s out of town until tomorrow morning. She said she’d be home by ten at the latest.”
“Can she let us in as soon as she gets home? It’s important,” Wade said when Darcy lost her voice to disappointment. She was ready to go now. She didn’t want to wait until the next morning. Not when both Hugo and Cash were in town, and either one of them could be on to her and her hunt.
“Of course!”
“Thanks. We’ll meet you there then. Text if something comes up,” Wade said as Maggie waved to a group of women.
“Is there anything else I can help you with?” Maggie asked.
“No, we just need that book,” Darcy answered.
“Easy-peasy. We’ll get it tomorrow. Now, I have to go get some more victims . . . I mean bachelors. And those women have some hot brothers. Excuse me.”
“How come I don’t get asked to be in the auction?” Gator asked while sitting down on the seat Maggie had just vacated.
“You were once, remember?” a scrawny little man answered as he took the last seat at the table.
“Oh yeah.” Gator laughed. “I guess they learned their lesson. Darcy, this is my cousin, Turtle.”
Darcy shook Turtle’s hand. “Is anyone in your family not named after a reptile?”
Both Turtle and Gator looked up to the ceiling as they thought.
“Snake, Toad, Lizard,” Turtle said, ticking them off on his finger. “Dino!”
Gator shook his head. “Dino is short for dinosaur and they were reptiles, too, so I guess not. I never noticed that before.”
“Me neither,” Turtle said.
“Well, we were just heading out,” Wade said, standing up. “I’m picking up dinner at the Pink Pig and treating Darcy to a picnic.”
“That’s real romantic.” Turtle bobbed his head and now Darcy understood where his nickname came from. At least she hoped it was just a nickname.
“So is fresh alligator. I’ve been told it’s an aphrodisiac. I got some for you in my freezer.”
Darcy watched as Wade’s face lit up, and she would have sworn his stomach rumbled. “Save it for me. I have a great recipe for deep-frying it that I want to try.”
“You got it. Have a good night, you two, and don’t forget to holler if you need any help on your hunt. I am pretty good at hunting things. Just ask your dinner next week.”
Darcy shook her head at the bad joke as Wade pulled out her chair for her.
“Thanks, guys,” Darcy said as they began to leave. She and Wade waved to a very busy Harper and left.
26
“A picnic?” Darcy asked once they were outside.
“Well, on my balcony,” Wade said sheepishly. “I was hoping we’d be researching tonight, but I’ll take advantage of some downtime with you.”
“Yoo-hoo! Wade, I have your order.”
Darcy looked up from where they were crossing the street to see a beautiful, dark-skinned girl in a flowing mid-thigh sundress with a small apron tied around her waist. Her curly black hair was natural and regal-looking. She was stunning and looked as if she should be on a magazine cover rather than a waitress for a barbecue joint.
“Thanks, Tamika,” Wade called out as they finished crossing the street. “Tamika, this is Darcy. Tamika is Darius’s granddaughter and helps out at the restaurant.”
“Gotta pay for college somehow,” she said pointedly as Wade added another five to the tip. “Thanks, Wade. Y’all have a good night, and I’d be much appreciative if you close your doors and windows tonight. I need to study for the ACT, and the loud noises coming from the house are right distracting.”
“Remember who knows how you sneak out of your house,” Wade responded. Darcy laughed at Wade’s attempt at blackmail and Tamika’s roll of her eyes.
“Who didn’t hear us having sex?” Darcy asked as they walked home.
“Tinsley and Trent live out in the country so they probably didn’t.” That didn’t help. What also didn’t help was talking about it. Because now all Darcy could think about was doing it again, no matter who heard.
* * *
Wade set out their dinner on the balcony while Darcy brought up drinks from the kitchen. The smell of the pulled pork was so good he deepened his breath to take in the smoky aroma. He had texted Darius for an order as soon as he found out they wouldn’t be able to get into the archives that night.
He turned as he heard Darcy enter the bedroom with two beers. He was disappointed about the archives, but it gave him another night with Darcy. He planned to savor every second with her. He’d never hold her back from her dreams. He’d do whatever he could to help her achieve them. However, he was hoping he could make her dreams come true with him.
“I can smell dinner all the way downstairs. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I smelled it.” Darcy took a seat on the loveseat and Wade traded her a plate of barbecue for his beer. He filled his plate and took the seat next to her.
“Mmm,” Darcy said when she took a bite.
Wade loved the way she made that noise when she liked something. She’d made those noises a lot last night. Soon he was lost in conversation with Darcy as they laughed, told stories, and talked about what if the treasure was found.
“I may not have found the treasure today, but this is making up for it.” Darcy put the empty plate on the table and sat back against the couch. She looked up at the stars and took a deep breath.
Wade watched her breasts rise and press against her shirt. “I can think of another way to make up for it.” Wade set his plate on the table and leaned over to kiss her. Darcy made that delectable mmm sound again and Wade was
lost. He filled his hands with her breasts until the mmms turned into whimpers as she shoved her body insistently against his hands.
Wade pulled his lips from her mouth and trailed hot kisses down her neck, following the collar of her shirt.
“Take the blasted thing off,” Darcy said with her eyes closed and her head thrown back. Instead, Wade dropped to his knees and pulled her shirt up an inch at a time. He didn’t move the shirt until he’d kissed the newly exposed skin.
“More,” Darcy demanded as she pulled the shirt from his fingertips and tore it off. Her breasts strained against her bra, and her eyes shone brighter than the night’s stars.
“Who am I to deny you anything?” Wade asked, his voice low and soft as he scooped her up and carried her inside.
Wade laid her on the bed and looked down at her. She was beautiful. Darcy hurriedly stripped her clothes from her body and somehow Wade remembered to close the door this time. Darcy looked up from where she was kicking off her shorts and laughed. Their shared moments of love and laughter turned him on more than anything.
Wade stepped up to the bed and pulled his shirt from his body. He dropped it on to the hardwood floor. Darcy propped herself up on the pillows and watched as he stripped bare. His heart was pounding and from more than just excitement. When he was with Darcy, he was complete.
Reverend Floyd Winston whistled a song the choir had been practicing the night before as his freshly shined loafers tapped along the stone sidewalk. The pre-dawn time was his favorite. It was the moment he had to himself as he walked to his church and opened its doors to its flock.
Floyd was a lifelong resident of Shadows Landing, and once upon a time, he’d made this walk with his father, God rest his soul. Now this was his time to pray and his time to speak to his loved ones who had passed before him. He still gained wisdom from the talks he had with this father during these early morning walks.
Floyd straightened his tie as he walked past the courthouse. Only the overnight deputy would be in the sheriff’s office. Granger and Kord wouldn’t come in for another two hours. Harper’s bar was closed up tight and the pits at both Lowcountry and Pink Pig would fire up in about an hour.
This morning was beautiful. It was warm, but the summer heat hadn’t set in yet, and there was a breeze that made you want to open your arms wide. He decided then he’d do just that. He’d prop all the doors open as he practiced his sermon for Sunday before the morning prayer group arrived.
Floyd looked up at his church and the smile slid from his face. There was a man leaning against the door. His head was lowered as if he were asleep. A hood from a zippered sweatshirt jacket covered his head and face as he rested.
“My friend,” Floyd called out as he walked up the steps. “How about some coffee and you tell me how I can help?”
The man slowly unfolded his legs and stood. “That would be nice. Thank you.”
Floyd unlocked the church as the stranger kept his head down and his hands in his pockets. His shoulders were hunched, and he smelled of alcohol.
“How can I assist you this morning?” Floyd asked, already holding the door open for the man. He walked into the church but stopped. Of course he would, it was still dark inside. “I’ll just get the light. It’s right over here.”
He never reached the light. As soon as the door was closed, the man had Floyd by the suit lapels and he felt himself being picked up slightly off the ground. His toes scraped the floor as the man shoved him hard against the wall.
“You can help me by telling me what Darcy Delmar was doing in here so often.”
“Darcy is a member of the church. She’s welcome anytime. Unlike you. Put me down at once and leave this holy place.”
“Or what?” The man laughed as he slammed Floyd against the wall again. Only this time his head smashed into the wall, too. Pain shot through Floyd’s head as sudden bursts of light flashed in his eyes from the hit. “Will God strike me down?”
“No,” Floyd gasped after being punched hard in the stomach. He doubled over as he tried to drag in a breath. “But the ghosts of those who built this place might drag your soul to hell.”
Another hit. This one was to the chin. Floyd would have dropped to the ground if it hadn’t been for the man holding tight to his jacket with one hand. “What was Darcy doing in here?”
“Praying.” Floyd gasped out as he was flung to the ground.
“Then let’s pray for a better answer to that.” The man grabbed Floyd by the back of the collar and marched him up the aisle to the church’s altar. Floyd was flung to the ground beneath the cross suspended from the old wooden beams of the church.
“No ghosts, gods, or fallen angels will save you. You will tell me what I want to know or you’ll meet them right now. Darcy Delmar. What has she told you about Black Law? And don’t you dare lie or I’ll start with cutting off your fingers.”
Floyd looked up to pray. The sun broke the horizon and shone through the stained-glass window. A ray of red light landed directly in front of him, highlighting the candlestick on the altar—the candlestick that hid a pirate’s dagger inside.
Floyd held up his hands to the cross. “Lord Jesus,” he called out as he struggled to his feet. “Forgive me for breaking the sacred trust and privilege that holds a parishioner’s secrets confidential.”
Floyd lowered his hands and “accidentally” knocked the candlestick over. He caught it as if he were trying to prevent it from falling and spun around. The face of the man was covered in a full-face wetsuit with only his eyes visible. Floyd saw them for only a split second before the hood was pulled down.
“Are you really going to attack me with a candlestick?” The man didn’t seem to be worried and Floyd thought twice when the man pulled a knife from his pocket. “I’ll take my knife over a candlestick. Stop wasting time and tell me about Darcy. I can tell you know something.”
Floyd grabbed the base of the candlestick and pulled. The dagger sprung free and gleamed in the multicolor sunlight streaming through the stained glass. “I think I’ll take my knife over yours.”
The man froze as he looked at the long, thick dagger and down at his short and stubby knife. “What kind of man of God keeps a dagger at the altar?”
“The kind who will do anything to protect his people. Now, get out or we’ll settle the question of whether or not size matters.” Floyd spun the knife in his hand expertly to show the man he was adept at handling the weapon.
“I’ll be back,” the man threatened as he darted through the pews and out the back door of the church.
Floyd let out a deep breath and dropped to the ground. Keeping a hand on the dagger, he pulled out his phone and called the sheriff’s department.
27
“What?” Wade yelled into the phone.
Darcy bolted upright in Wade’s bed when she heard the anger in his voice. Something had happened. Something bad. And with a sickening feeling, she knew it was her fault.
“We’ll be right there,” Wade said as he grabbed a pair of shorts and a T-shirt from the chest of drawers. “No, I won’t say anything to anyone. Be there in five.”
“What is it?” Darcy asked as soon as Wade hung up.
“Reverend Winston was attacked inside the church this morning.”
Darcy went dizzy as the blood drained from her face. “Is he hurt?”
“Yes, but we don’t know how badly. He’s asking for you.”
“The clues. They were after the clues, and he’s hurt because of me.”
“We don’t know that.”
Darcy sucked in a trembling breath as she got up and grabbed the clothes from yesterday. She didn’t even bother brushing her hair. Instead, she yanked it up into a messy bun that even Timmins would envy.
“Let’s go.” Darcy was already racing down the stairs as Wade sprinted to catch up.
“We’ll take the car.”
Darcy had wanted to run there, but the car would be faster. In less than two minutes, they parked in front of the ch
urch behind Kord’s cruiser. Darcy didn’t wait for Wade. She shoved her door open and sprinted up the steps. She didn’t even remember if she closed the car door as she flung open the church door.
“Oh no,” she gasped as a woman in scrubs was cleaning blood off the back of Reverend Winston’s head. “This is all my fault.”
“Don’t you be saying that.” The young woman was around twenty-five and had sun-kissed blonde hair. The scrubs had a low V-neck that showed off her tanned skin and a hint of a pretty bra. “This is the work of a bad man, not you.”
“She’s right,” Reverend Winston said, holding out his hand for Darcy to take. “Darcy, this is Gavin’s nurse, Sadie. She said it’s just some bumps and bruises.”
The door was flung open again as Miss Winnie and Miss Ruby hurriedly wobbled in. Their eyes landed on Reverend Winston, and they made the sign of the cross. “Lord help me if I get my hands on the scoundrel who did this.”
“You’d be proud of me,” Reverend Winston said with a smile. “I used the dagger to scare him off.”
Kord sat next to him as the old ladies clucked about. Kord tried to ask what happened, but the door was opened again as practically the whole town rushed in. Edie and Tinsley raced in first. Trent and Ridge were next. Even Ryker showed up. And that wasn’t counting Gator, Turtle, and Skeeter who came armed to the teeth.
“I told you not to tell anyone,” Kord said to Wade as he shook his head. “Not even five minutes and all y’all are here.”
“I didn’t tell anyone,” Wade swore.
“Oopsie,” Sadie said, looking up from the bandage she was putting on. “My bad.”
“What happened?” an elegant woman with a rather large rifle asked as she and a similarly elegant man with a similarly large rifle burst in. Right behind them were Maggie and a handsome man, both armed.
Kord groaned. “Someone lock the door. Now, Rev, what happened?”
“I was opening the church when it looked like a drunk was asleep against the door. I offered him coffee and opened the church to him. Then he attacked me. He wanted to know what Darcy had told me about Black Law, and why she was here so much.” Rev squeezed her hand hard. “I didn’t tell him anything.”
Sunken Shadows Page 18
