Dead Center

by Susan Sleeman

  Grady shook his head. “That was risky.”

  She nodded. “But we had to do it. He was going to kill us.”

  “Yeah, I heard it all.” He shuddered and took her hands. “But when I heard the gun go off, I thought I’d lost you. I…” He shook his head and took a long shuddering breath. “Thank God, you’re fine.”

  “Yes, it’s all thanks to God.” She remembered her prayers, which she could finally say had been answered. “Everything. He protected us.”

  Emotions flashed over Grady’s expression, tumbling over each other, and she couldn’t get a read on what he was feeling. He groaned and swept her into his arms, tightening them as lights swirled through the sky and the local police arrived.

  “If I’d lost you, I…” he whispered, his breath warm against her neck.

  “Shh.” She raised her arms over his shoulders and snuggled closer. “I’m fine. You’re fine. It’s all good.”

  “Is it?” He leaned back to look at her, his eyes tight and tense. “You never told me what you thought about my confession. I know you’re probably disgusted with me.”

  “No.” She was glad to see the pain evaporate from his face. “I can totally understand your reaction as a kid. I can’t put myself in your place or know how you felt. Or know why you didn’t tell anyone. You didn’t do it to hurt anyone but to protect the people you love. I’ve had plenty of time to see the wonderful man you’ve become. A man of honor who is going to report it now. I respect that. Respect you.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t deserve that.”

  “Yes, you do. We all deserve respect.”

  His eyebrow went up. “That includes you.”

  She nodded, surprising herself at her instant reaction. “I know that now. I honestly do. It’s going to take some work to let go of the old feelings, but I know I’m loved by God, and I am worth so much more than I give myself credit for.”

  “It’s not just God,” he said tentatively. “I’ve fallen in love with you.”

  Her heart soared, and she blinked, trying to process his words.

  “Too much too soon?” he asked, once again sounding unsure.

  “No. No. I feel the same way.” She touched his cheek. “That brush with death told me as much.”

  “Then if you’ll have me, I want that relationship,” he said more confidently. “After I talk to my family and the sheriff back home, that is. I hope this doesn’t involve any kind of jail time for me, but I won’t know until I report it. I’ll be sure to run it by Malone before then.”

  She could imagine how hard telling his family was going to be for him. One of the hardest things of his life. She wanted to help ease his uncertainty. “Would you like someone to come to Nebraska with you?”

  His eyes widened. “You?”

  “I know what you’re going through. Kind of, anyway, after seeing Ethan’s struggle and…”

  He squeezed her hard. “Please. Yes. And more. I want more with you. So much more. I want a forever.”

  His long-term thoughts scared her a bit, but she wanted the same thing. Still, she had to accept that she deserved it.

  “Me too.” She smiled at him, making sure to put all of her feelings into it.

  He locked gazes with her, then released her and wove his fingers into her hair. Slowly, ever so slowly, he lowered his head. His lips pressed against hers. Warm and cool at the same time. Gentle at first. Then growing insistent. Passionate.

  The moment cocooned her. Warmth. Love. That future and forever seeming very real.

  “Um, guys.” Nick’s voice broke through. “The police want to talk to us.”

  Ainslie didn’t move. Couldn’t break contact. Just couldn’t. Not yet.

  Grady groaned and lifted his head. Breathing hard, he searched her gaze. Smiled. Sweetly, softly, for her only. “They’ll just have to wait a few more minutes.”

  Ainslie paced the sidewalk outside the detention center and willed the door to open. Ethan should have been released by now. What was going on? Once Matt had been arrested, Wade had recanted his claim that Ethan shot him, but she was starting to think the DA had changed his mind and figured out some other charge to hold Ethan on.

  “Hey, relax.” Grady cupped her hand in his big warm fingers. “He’ll be out soon.”

  She looked into his eyes. “What on earth is taking so long? Maybe they changed their minds.”

  He drew her closer and smiled. “They have no reason to do that. Ethan is innocent. We found all the proof needed, and he deserves to be released.”

  “But…”

  He pressed a finger against her lips. “But nothing. Government never runs swiftly. Give it time.”

  She looked over her shoulder, and the door finally opened. Ethan stepped out and held a hand over his eyes as he searched ahead.

  She raced toward him, but her heart broke at the sight. His clothes hung on his already slight frame, and he had that fragile look of a sick person. Pale. Weak. She would make it her mission to fatten him up. But first she needed to hug his skinny neck. She flung her arms around his thin body. He felt like bones held together by his clothes, and she was afraid she might hurt him. But she was overreacting. He’d only been in jail for a little more than a week. He was fine.

  He started crying, his body jerking with the release. She tried to hold back her tears, but they overcame her willpower, and she let them flow. Happy tears. Joyous tears. His release was likely a mixture of relief and so many other emotions that she could only imagine. She never wanted to know exactly what he experienced behind bars. It had to have been horrible.

  He stepped back and swiped a hand over his eyes to look up at the sky. “A week in jail, and I missed the fresh air. The sky. The sun. Even the rain.” He chuckled.

  She nodded, though she could only imagine it. “How about good food? Miss that, too?”

  He nodded and glanced over his shoulder, a nervous tint to his expression. “Right now I just want to get as far away from here as possible before they change their mind and come after me.”

  “That’s not going to happen.” She tucked her arm in his. “C’mon. I need to introduce you to Grady. He was a big help in getting you released. And saving my life a few times.”

  She walked her brother over to the man she loved more than life itself.

  He shoved out his hand. “Grady Houston. Glad to meet you.”

  “I owe you, man. Big time.” Ethan clasped Grady’s hand and pumped it hard. “And I’ll pay you back somehow.”

  “No need.” Grady shook his head. “The only payback I want is to see your sister happy, and you being released today has done wonders for that.”

  Ethan gave a firm nod. “Yeah, for me, too.”

  “Should we go get some lunch?” Ainslie tugged on Ethan’s arm and started down the sidewalk.

  “Honestly,” he said. “I’d like to go see that Jayla kid. Tell her thanks for being so brave and making sure that video survived.”

  Ainslie peered at him, searching for any hint of what he was feeling. “Are you sure? We’ll have to go back to your old neighborhood, and your place is toast.”

  “Was nothing in there worth keeping anyway.” He frowned. “Mind if I stay with you for a while?”

  “Mind?” She smiled at him. “Of course not. I insist on it.”

  Grady used his key fob to unlock his truck, and she slid into the middle, Ethan hopping in next to her. After she put her seatbelt on, she patted Ethan’s knee and smiled at him.

  “Thanks, sis,” he said. “I know I was a royal pain, doubting that I’d be freed. I should’ve known you’d come through for me. You always do.”

  Her efforts on his behalf were motivated by love, and love never needed thanks. “Don’t even think about it. I would’ve probably acted the same way.”

  He shook his head hard, his hair whispering with the movement. “No, you would’ve stayed strong. You always have. Taking over when Dad walked out and Mom couldn’t cope. Taking care of me. You’re my rock.”


  He sucked in a breath and let it out slowly. “But that changes now. I’m really gonna step up. Take control of my life and make something of myself. This was my wakeup call. And I’m going to get it right this time.”

  “I know you will.” She squeezed his hand and released it, praying that he really would follow through and finally live the life that God wanted for him, just as she was going to try to do.

  Epilogue

  Grady pulled into the long gravel driveway leading up to the modest ranch house painted a crisp white with black shutters. Sun shone down on his mom’s perennial beds that were dormant and brown with tall brown grasses and seed heads dotting the beds.

  In the summer, those beds came alive, surrounding the house with bright, happy flowers. No matter the season, the house was filled with love all year round. But he didn’t feel that love right now. Right now, his gut was tied in a knot, and he wanted to reverse out of the drive and fly back to Portland. To run. Fast and far. But he couldn’t. Not and live with himself. Or have a future with the brave strong woman sitting in the passenger seat.

  He glanced at Ainslie. “This is where my parents have lived since they lost the farm.”

  She smiled at him. “It’s cute, and someone obviously loves roses.”

  He looked at the large rose border by the drive. “My mom brought them from the farm. Some of the bushes have been in the family for generations.”

  “It’s nice that she could bring something with such meaning to her.”

  “Yeah. It was hard when they lost the farm, but I also think they felt a sense of relief.” He pulled out the keys and got out to open her door. She slid down and, instead of moving ahead, she raised her arms around his neck and kissed him hard.

  He didn’t object but returned her kiss, still reveling in the newness of his love. In the pure joy she brought to his life. When she ended the kiss, she leaned back, a sweet smile on her face.

  He caught his breath. “What was that for?”

  She tightened her hold. “For courage to do the right thing even though it’s going to hurt the people you love so much.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t deserve you.”

  “You deserve all the happiness in the world.”

  “And so do you.”

  She didn’t argue or even frown, showing him how far she’d come in the last few weeks. “Then it’s a good thing we found each other because we make each other happy.”

  He kissed her. Hard and solid, to tell her that he believed in her. Wanted her in his life forever. He tightened his arms. Clung to her. But then his thoughts drifted to his family waiting inside.

  His heart constricted. He wanted to continue kissing her. Holding her. But now his heart wasn’t in it. He was just stalling, and it wasn’t fair to her or his parents. He released her and slid his hand down to take hers while pulling in a cleansing breath.

  “At this time of day,” he said, leading her toward the back door. “They’ll be in the kitchen having a cup of coffee and something Mom baked. I hope she made her famous chocolate chip cookie bars. My favorite.”

  Ainslie looked up at him. “I’m not much of a baker, but I’ll have to ask for the recipe.”

  “Hmm,” he said and grinned. “I don’t know if she’s shared it with anyone so that might be a challenge.”

  “I’ll just have to charm her.”

  He planted a kiss on her nose. “I have no doubt you can do that.”

  He opened the door, releasing a mouthwatering scent, and he instantly felt at home, though he’d never lived in this house. It wasn’t the walls. It was the love. The aromas. He hadn’t visited for a year, but the place smelled the same as if he’d stepped back in time and through a door into an outdated kitchen filled with the scents of roasting beef and onions, mixed with the sweetness of freshly baked bread. And the safety of his parents’ home.

  They sat at the round eat-in kitchen table. His dad nodded a stoic hello and offered a tight smile as was his customary greeting.

  “Son.” His mom jumped up, leaving behind her cup of coffee and a plate of those famous chocolate chip cookie bars. She raced over to him.

  He’d video chatted with his parents nearly every week since his last visit, but in person he could see they’d aged in that time, and it left his heart heavy.

  She twined her arms around him, smelling like vanilla and the flowery perfume she’d worn as long as he could remember. He hugged her hard, holding on because he was about to rock her foundation.

  She pushed back and searched his face. “What’s wrong, son?”

  He took a long breath. “Can we sit down and talk?”

  She shifted her gaze to Ainslie, who stood behind Grady. “After you introduce me to this lovely young woman. You must be Ainslie.”

  “I am.” Ainslie held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Houston.”

  “It’s Irma.” She ignored Ainslie’s outstretched hand and swept her into a hug, leaving a flash of surprise on Ainslie’s face. “I know you’re special because you’re the very first woman Grady’s brought home to meet us.”

  His mom stepped back and gestured to Grady’s dad. “This is my husband, Lyle.”

  “Nice to meet you, Ainslie.” His dad offered his hand, which Grady knew would be callused and rough from his woodworking hobby. “Welcome to our home.”

  Grady looked at his parents through fresh eyes to see what Ainslie might be seeing. They were in their early sixties, both with dark hair highlighted with liberal gray and both still fit, though they didn’t have the same physical demands as on the farm. His dad had a full beard, more silver than black these days, and new wrinkles crinkled by his mom’s eyes from her endless smiles.

  They wore jeans and denim shirts as if they’d decided to coordinate, but he knew it was all just an accident. Neither of them would primp for any event, even Grady coming home after a long time away. Well, maybe his mom would make sure her hair looked good for meeting Ainslie.

  As if she knew he was thinking about it, she smoothed her hand over her chin-length bob. “Can I get you a cup of coffee, Ainslie?”

  Ainslie smiled. “That would be lovely.”

  Grady moved toward a barrel shaped chair on casters. “She likes it black and strong.”

  “Oh, a girl after my own heart.” His mom waved a hand in front of her face and laughed. “Sit. Please. And help yourself to—”

  “The best bar ever.” Grady pulled out a chair for Ainslie and, after she’d sat, dropped into the one next to her. He plated a golden brown bar for her then chomped off a big bite of one of his own. He groaned and swallowed.

  Ainslie took a small nibble of hers. “Oh, my. It’s wonderful. An explosion of vanilla.”

  “Once you’re a member of the family,” his mom said. “I’ll give you the recipe.”

  “Member of…we…” She shot Grady a panicked look.

  He patted her hand but glanced at his mom. “You’re getting a little ahead of us, Mom. We just started dating.”

  She waved a hand. “But you’re in love. I can see it’s just a matter of time.”

  He didn’t doubt that they were both glowing. They’d been nearly inseparable since Ethan had been released two weeks ago, even finding time at work to sneak into secluded spots to steal a quick kiss. He’d wasted so many years when he could’ve had such love in his life, but he didn’t regret a bit of it. If he’d handled this situation earlier, he might have met someone else and never have Ainslie in his life. He knew deep in his heart that she was the woman God had chosen for him.

  His mom set a mug of steaming black coffee in front of both of them before grabbing the pot and topping off the other mugs. She took a seat across from Grady. “Now, what is it you want to talk about?”

  Grady’s appetite vanished, and he set down his bar. He took a sip of his coffee, the brew strong, the way his mother had always made it. “You remember when that vagrant was run over when I was a kid.”

  “Yeah, sure.” She looke
d confused by the topic. “It had the whole town in an uproar for a while.”

  “Never did find out who hit him or who he was.” His dad held his mug midair and frowned. “Bad thing that was.”

  “I know who did it.” Grady blurted out before he lost his nerve.

  “You what?” His mom gaped at him. “But how?”

  He cupped his mug and thought about how to start the conversation. “You didn’t know this, but Uncle Tommy was teaching me to play poker. I snuck out every Friday night and went to his place.”

  His dad grinned. “We knew about the poker.”

  “You did?”

  “Sure,” he said. “Nothing much went on with you kids we didn’t know about.”

  “Why didn’t you stop me? I mean, poker for a nine-year-old?”

  His mom set down her mug on the print tablecloth with a little ball fringe lining the edge. “You were having fun. Bonding with Tommy. And he really needed that in his life back then. He’s always been a loner so it was special for him. For the two of you, actually.”

  His dad met Grady’s gaze. “But what does that have to do with the vagrant?”

  Grady swallowed. Formed the words in his brain. Tried to get them out, but his mouth was too dry. He took a drink of the coffee. Nearly scalded his mouth, but it didn’t help.

  Ainslie took his hand and clutched it tight. She met his gaze and held it.

  He could do this with her help. He took a breath. “The Friday night after the guy died, I went to Uncle Tommy’s place. He was in the garage instead of his apartment. He was fixing his truck. It had front-end damage like they’d reported for the vehicle that hit the vagrant.”

  His mom leaned back and arched her eyebrow. “So?”

  “So Uncle Tommy had to have hit the guy,” Grady said frankly. “And he was fixing his truck at night to cover it up.”

  His mom shook her head. “No, son. Tommy hit a deer, and he was fixing his truck at night because he worked on his customers’ vehicles during the day.”