by Lee Wardlow
“I love you too, Ben,” she whispered.
I knew I should be on one knee. I knew everyone was watching us. My heart slammed against my ribs in anticipation of what she would say to me when I asked her to marry me.
“Disa,” I said her name. She tilted her face to me. Her eyes shining bright at me unnerved me.
“Ben, what’s wrong?”
“I have something to ask you,” I replied.
She tilted her head to the side and waited. The words just wouldn’t come out. I cleared my throat. “Man, this is hard with everyone watching us.” Those words rushed out of me.
“What is it, Ben?”
“My grandfather told us when you find the woman who makes you a better man, who loves you like no other snatch her up and make her yours, so she doesn’t get away.”
She smiled at me giving me courage to continue. “He was a pretty smart man. He was married to my grandmother for a long time. I want what they had,” I told her. “I want that partnership and caring. I want that with you. I want to take care of you Disa. I want to have a home with you. A family. My daughter needs a mother.”
She lowered her eyes at that statement and I wondered if I had gone too far.
“I need you.” My voice was low. So low I wasn’t sure if she had heard me. “I walked away once…foolishly. I’m so grateful you gave me a second chance.” We weren’t moving at all any more. The song had changed but we hadn’t noticed. We were caught up in the conversation going on between us.
I stepped back and held Disa’s hand in mine. The disco ball swirled over our head making the diamond shapes dance over our faces.
I reached into my pocket to pull out the ring. My finger grazed the stone when the deputy guarding the lot burst through the front door. It slammed open against the wall making a loud sound, which startled us both.
It tended to do that if you didn’t hold onto it. He ran inside and went straight to Hawk, so he could speak with him.
“What now?” The moment was ruined. Disa clutched my hand tighter. I knew she was afraid. I don’t think she had seen Ron Parson standing by the side of the road, but she didn’t need to, to be scared.
Hawk listened to his deputy. A guy I knew from high school then he looked at me and nodded. I knew that he wanted to speak to me. “I’ll be right back,” I told Disa.
She released my hand and went to Danni’s side while Walker followed the rest of us out of the pub. My dad and brothers came too.
“What’s wrong?” Dad asked him before I could say anything to Hawk.
“A call came in from Matt’s house about people lurking outside the farmhouse. Shouting things that Sarah Hanks couldn’t make out. They set fire to one of his barns. The fire department is on their way there,” the deputy explained.
The woman who watched Justin was terrified. She locked all the doors and secured herself and Justin in his room. She had loaded Matt’s hunting rifle and taken it with them to Justin’s room for protection.
Matt tore off across the parking lot. His dress shoes pounding a loud sound against the driveway. Dad shouted at him to stop and wait on us, but he wouldn’t listen.
I couldn’t blame him. I know how I would feel if it was my child. He was already in his truck. Walker yanked open the passenger door just as he started to back out. He wouldn’t let his friend go there alone.
Matt’s tires squealed on the asphalt as he headed home to be sure his son and Mrs. Hanks were all right. The crop in the barn was a loss for sure. Maybe the barn too, but he was insured. I knew him, he was more worried about Justin and the baby sitter than the barn that was burning or the crops inside it.
“We’re going to the farm,” AJ told Dad.
He nodded but he didn’t look happy about it.
AJ walked across the parking lot followed by Seth and Elijah. I wanted to go too but Dad grabbed my arm. “Stay here with me.”
I watched them all pile into Seth’s truck feeling like a weight was sitting on my chest. It was a helpless feeling watching everyone leave while I stayed behind. Letting them fight my battles for me.
Hawk told dad he would follow Matt and the others in the Escalade. He turned to his deputy and told him to stay put. “Mac, I don’t want anyone to get onto this property or it’s your ass. Do you hear me?”
“Yes, sir.”
Dad turned to me. “I’m sorry Ben. I know you wanted this night to be special for Disa.”
“I did but all that matters are Justin and Mrs. Hanks are all right.” I was filled with so much anger, but my voice wouldn’t have relayed that. It was soft and low. That is when I was most dangerous.
Dad nodded at me. Then he pushed me to go back inside. He went straight to his office and grabbed his rifle that he kept here in case of a disturbance. In the sixty years of Ike’s history, only three times had he or my grandfather shot off the gun that my dad walked out of the back with. That sound ended every disturbance going on at Ike’s at the time.
I glanced at the ceiling. I saw all three of the bullet holes that was still there. It went with the legend of the place and our family. Never mess with a Hatfield or his property.
Disa touched me. “What’s wrong? Where are the others?”
I glanced at her and I smiled with sadness. Her party was ruined. “Heading to Matt’s. His barn was burned down tonight. Mrs. Hanks was terrified by some men.”
“This is my fault,” she declared. Her hand trembled as it covered her mouth. She was trying not to cry.
“No, it is not,” my mother declared.
Her hands were on her hips. Her eyes were shooting little spitballs of fire, at least that is what we used to say when she was this mad. “It is Ron Parson’s fault, Disa Riley. You remember that.”
“But he wouldn’t have gone after Matt if not for me,” she said.
Rachel shook her head. “You asked that my boys check on Merci. You didn’t ask them to bring her out of the compound. AJ said she was desperate.” Mom’s voice took on a different tone. She was filled with compassion for Disa’s younger sister. “Don’t you see, Disa? He couldn’t leave her behind or Lilah either.”
“But what happens if someone gets hurt?” Disa asked.
“It will be fine,” she promised me. “Party is over honey,” she was looking at me. I nodded. “Your dad and I would like to head to Matt’s.”
“I would too,” Disa declared.
Mom nodded at her.
“Danni and I will need a ride to my house,” Jenny said. “I can get her home from there. We’ll get the babies after that. Want me to get Asia?” She asked me.
“That would be great,” I replied.
“You’re all staying here,” Dad informed them. “But Ben, Disa, me and Rachel. You’ll be safer here with the deputy outside protecting you.”
“I agree.” Bonny was a smart woman. She had been married to Hawk for the entire time that he had been in law enforcement. If she said they should stay at Ike’s, then they should probably stay.
“I’ll call you from Matt’s,” Dad told Jenny. “We’ll get back here as soon as possible.”
She didn’t like it, but she stayed because Dad wanted her to. I helped Disa get into my truck and I closed the door. Then I walked around to the other side and got in.
“I’m sorry your plans for the night were ruined. You made it such a special night Ben.”
I snorted at her. She didn’t have a clue how special it was going to be.
Chapter 18
We were quiet, driving through town. The streets were empty. It was late enough that most folks were in bed already even though it was a Saturday night.
I rubbed my forehead with a tiredness that was weighing me down. Then I followed the road out of town, the truck hugged the berm well. I barely had to handle her. Good thing, I was too distracted.
Glancing at Disa, I could see that she was distracted too. She was staring into the woods on her side of the road. Her arm was propped against the window and she rested her forehead in
the palm of her hand.
I didn’t want this to affect us but, somehow, I knew it would. Until Ron Parson was arrested and off the street, Disa would be looking over her shoulder for him.
“Are you okay, Ben?”
Yeah, I was. I patted my coat pocket and stared at the road ahead. Then I had to turn on the blinker, Matt’s drive was ahead of me. I slowed the truck to make the turn. I could see the smoke billowing from Matt’s barn in the flashing lights from all the police cars and firetrucks that lined the driveway.
I glanced at Disa. She had perked up and was staring at the mess left behind from Ron Parson. We didn’t know it was him but who else would attack one of us right now?
We parked as close as we could. I slipped off my tie and tossed it into the back seat. I looked across the seat at Disa. She was gripping the edge of the doorframe looking at the barn that had nearly burned to the ground.
Then we walked to the front of the truck where we met. I took her hand in mine and walked up the gravel drive towards the house. The stones beneath our feet were making it hard for her in high heels. I gripped her elbow, releasing her hand to keep her from falling. Her heels were throwing her off in the heavy graveled drive.
Mom and Dad were already in front of us. Mom had taken her shoes off. Maybe that’s what Disa should have done.
We stopped by Mom and Dad who were speaking to Hawk. Matt came out of the house with Mrs. Hanks. She was shaken up, I could tell from here. Disa’s eyes followed him from the porch to the deputy’s car where he tucked her into the back seat. Then he turned, his eyes went straight to the barn. Then towards us.
He was still wearing his shirt and pants. I couldn’t imagine he had left Justin alone in the house. I glanced around and saw AJ and Elijah near the Captain of the Sherwood fire station. Seth was missing. He must have been inside with Justin.
Matt approached. His face was like a thundercloud read to rain down on somebody. I thought at first it was going to be me and Disa. So, did she. She stepped back until her body was touching mine. I wouldn’t let Matt blame her for this.
I started to speak. He held his hand up to me. “Hawk arrest him. You can’t prove that he did this to me, but you can damn well prove that he kidnapped and held Lilah in his basement.”
Our sheriff kicked his boot in the gravel.
Matt took a step toward him. Dad was holding Mom’s hand. He released her, just in case. I tucked Disa to my side, just in case. One of us might need to stop Matt from doing something to Hawk. He was that mad.
“Hawk, I could have lost Justin tonight.” His voice broke on the last word. He rubbed his hand across his jaw and gathered himself. “He’s all I have in this world. Arrest that son-of-a-bitch or my brothers and I will take care of him.”
Hawk’s jaw clenched. I knew he was chewing on his anger. He understood Matt’s fury. “Just hold on, Matthew. Please. Let us investigate this. I’ll present the evidence I have to the D.A. Give me time.”
Matt turned his head. His eyes were glassy when he looked back at Hawk. “How much, Hawk? How much before one of us gets killed or he gets Disa or Merci? Or Lilah? Have you seen what that bastard did to her?” Had Matthew seen Lilah’s scars?
“Now, I won’t let that happen. I promise.”
He shook his head at the sheriff. Then he looked at me. “Come inside,” he said to me and Disa.
He took Disa’s hand and led her to the porch. I realized that AJ and Elijah followed. I had forgotten Walker. He was the one holding Justin when we got into the house.
The big man was making him feel safe enough he had gone to sleep. When we entered the room, Walker held a finger to his lips. He stood with Justin and laid him with care on the other end of the sofa. He pulled the quilt off the back and covered him. Then he followed us into the kitchen.
“So, what did the Captain say?” Walker asked AJ.
“Deliberately set with an accelerant. He was surprised all three barns didn’t burn to the ground. The fire was damn hot when they got here. Luckily they got here quick and there was no wind tonight to carry sparks.” AJ leaned against the counter. “What did Mrs. Hanks say?” He asked Matt.
“She saw nothing. It was too dark, and they wore masks over their faces or hoodies, so she couldn’t even give them a description.” He went to the fridge and took out a beer. “Anyone else?”
“No, tonight at some point, I’m heading out to Heath’s cabin,” AJ replied. “I might need a clear head.”
“Suit yourself.” Matt saluted our brother with the bottle then took a long drawl from the lip. He sighed. Then he looked around the room. His eyes landed on Disa. He sat the bottle on the counter. Then he went to her and cupped her face between his palms. “After tonight, you’re as good as a Hatfield,” he told her. Then he planted a kiss on her forehead. “We won’t let anything happen to you or your sister.”
She nodded. “I’m so sorry, Matt.”
He wrapped her in his embrace and hugged her tight. “This isn’t your fault, Disa.”
“I feel like I brought this down on you,” she said, her voice catching on every word.
He shook his head no. “Ron Parson has been causing trouble for this town for a long time. It’s not your fault.”
I frowned. I didn’t know anything about Elder Ron from the Babylon First Church of God. How did Matt know? He looked over her head. “There’s all kinds of rumors about drugs and trafficking in relation to the compound. It all started when he came to Sherwood and was voted in as an Elder of their church. He’s bad news. He’s my age. Been there since he was twenty. Never took a wife because Disa Riley and her sister came of age. He was waiting on them.”
I shook my head gazing at the woman who loved me. I would do anything for her. I would protect her from this asshole with everything I had.
“AJ and Heath did the right thing,” Matt told me. “Getting Merci and Lilah out of there was the best thing for them.”
“How do we protect them?” I asked. I was at a loss.
Matt took a piece of paper off the counter. He handed it to me.
I THINK YOU TOOK SOMETHING OF MINE.
I WANT IT BACK.
Disa was still by Matt’s side. “Did you show this to Hawk?”
He shook his head no. “It was stuck to the back door. The cops didn’t see it, so AJ brought it inside to me.”
“Are you telling Dad?” I asked.
Matt and AJ exchanged looks. “Not yet,” Matt replied. “He might tell Hawk.”
Elijah sat down and leaned on his knees. His jacket was off now like everyone else but me. I had left mine on afraid I would lose the ring tucked away for safe keeping in the pocket near my chest.
Elijah’s sleeves were rolled up to the elbows. I knew him. He was uncomfortable right now. Dress clothes were not his style.
“Smoke him out,” he asked. “Use Merci and or Lilah as bate?” He glanced up at Matt.
“Not yet. The girls are frightened of him. I can’t say I blame them. I don’t want to do that if we don’t have to.”
He blew air out through his lips in a heavy sigh. “What’s the plan then, Matt? I know you have something on your mind.”
“For now, we wait.” He looked around the room. “Give me, Heath and AJ a chance to think. Let Hawk have a chance to do whatever Hawk might do.”
“Or might not do,” AJ corrected him.
“Maybe,” Matt replied to AJ. “But we’ll give him a week or two. We might come up with something to shake up the good Elder Ron, just a bit. Shake his foundation somewhat.”
“If there are any illegal activities going on at the compound, it’s kept at the meeting hall. Women aren’t allowed to go there,” Disa told AJ and Matt.
They looked at each other then at her. “Got any other pertinent info, Disa?” AJ asked.
She folded her arms and nibbled on her thumb. “His office at the house. No one was allowed in there either. Ask Merci about it. Ask her other questions about him. She most likely knows more than I do.�
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AJ nodded. “I’ll do just that when I head out there tonight.”
He pulled himself away from the counter. “Seth let’s go. Walker want a ride?”
“I do. I need to get Danni and get our daughter from your brother’s house. We need to take her home.”
“We’ll be out to get Asia soon,” I told AJ.
“Take your time. Heath is in heaven. He holds her the whole time and the women do the dirty work for him.” AJ rolled his eyes.
“Next time I’ll bring Justin to him. I’ll know he’s safe there.” Matt chugged some more beer from the bottle. Then he sat it down.
AJ glanced over his shoulder at Matt. “Poor Mrs. Hanks will never babysit Justin for you again.”
Matt sighed when he glanced at my brother. “She’s fine. She said give her time and she’ll be back to watch Justin. Next time, she won’t be surprised, and she’ll shoot one of them for me with my rifle, so we know who they are.”
AJ was chuckling as he left Matt’s house with Walker. Sherwood didn’t produce sissies. Mrs. Hanks was a spunky woman for her sixties. Her husband, Al had passed away two years ago. She had become everyone’s surrogate grandmother babysitting for different families because hers and Al’s kids lived in other states.
Seth looked at Matt. “Do you need me?” He asked.
I waited for my oldest brother to see what he would say. “You know, Seth…it would be nice if you would stay tonight. I could use the company.” He hugged our baby brother to him.
“Thanks, Matt. I’d like that too.”
Mom and Dad came inside almost as soon as AJ left with Walker. We were standing around Matt’s kitchen talking about the fire and the damages to the barn and Matt’s crop.
I could see that Disa felt as tired as I was. I wanted to take her home. Rachel went to the living room to check on Justin. Of course, her first thought was her grandson. That is the way it was with her since they were born.
I glanced at Dad and knew that he had something to say. I had seen that look on his face many times before. Matt knew it too because he jumped ahead before our dad could say what was on his mind.
