by Score, Lucy
“Yay!” she said. “Ow.”
“We’ll stay long enough for you to eat, and then we’re going straight home, and I’m not leaving your side for at least the next six years.”
“That sounds fair,” she said, lacing her fingers through mine.
58
Jonah
The Brunch Club restaurant put us in the back room tucked away from curious eyes. The whole town woke to the news that Shelby had been abducted from Bowie and Cassidy’s wedding and then escaped, heroically injured.
I imagined the rumors would reach their peak by evening.
I settled her in on the padded booth and took the chair across from her. Jameson and Leah Mae were on our left. Scarlett and Devlin on our right. Gibson strolled in with a frown on his face.
“What’s with the face?” Shelby asked.
“Someone broke into my truck last night. Wallet’s missing.”
“Brunch is on us,” Jameson promised.
“I think it was Misty Lynn,” Shelby announced. I nudged her water glass toward her. “My memory’s a little foggy since I was conked in the head. But I remember following Misty Lynn out to the street. She broke your truck window with a paver from the Tuckers’ flower bed and was rummaging around inside.”
My focus was on Shelby, but I noticed that Gibson’s expression went stony.
“I think we’re gonna need Jayme,” he said quietly.
“Already called her around six this morning,” Devlin said, glancing at his watch. “She should be here—”
“Now what disaster have you inserted yourselves into, Bodines?” Jayme, our family attorney, strutted into the room in city black. She tucked her designer sunglasses into her designer bag and made a beeline for the coffee carafe.
George and June entered behind her, my mom on their heels.
“You’re gonna need something stronger than that,” Mom announced, whirling in and wrapping Shelby in a gentle hug. “So glad you’re okay, sweetie.”
“Thanks, Jenny,” Shelby said, hugging my mom back. “Me, too. You should be pretty proud of your son.”
“I am every day,” she said, leaning in and hugging me hard.
“You two can’t scare me like that ever again,” she said, switching into mom mode.
I laughed.
“Jayme, I need to talk to you,” Gibson said, trying to drag our attorney’s attention away from the caffeine she was mainlining.
Reading his expression, my mom rose and went to him. “What is it?”
“My wallet was stolen last night,” he said. Something seemed to pass between the two of them.
“One crisis at a time,” Jayme insisted. “Let’s start at the top with the abduction and assault.”
“Actually there’s a bigger crisis,” Shelby said. “You’re definitely going to want liquor.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Bodine are here for breakfast,” Cassidy chirped from the doorway. She strolled in hand-in-hand with Bowie, both beaming in newlywed bliss.
“Well, what in the hell happened to all of you?” Bowie asked, gaping at us.
We were quite a sight to take in. Shelby looked exactly like an attempted murder victim. I was bruised and bloody. Jameson and Gibs were still in the rumpled pants and shirts from last night. The girls had last night’s makeup on and what was left of their hairdos.
“Y’all either had one hell of a fight or one hell of a party without us,” Cassidy pouted.
Shelby was the first one to start laughing, and the rest of us fell in behind her.
“Would someone please tell us what the hell happened?” Bowie said, drawing his wife into the room.
“Imma get us a round of Bloody Marys,” Scarlett decided.
We waited until we had our drinks and our meals before dishing the dirt.
“I missed a Misty Lynn meltdown?” Cassidy complained.
“Don’t worry. I’m sure someone got video,” Scarlett promised.
“Okay, so, Misty Lynn throws herself at you, gets rejected for the millionth time, and flips out?” Bowie clarified.
Jayme rolled her eyes. “This is the weirdest fucking town.”
“So she storms out, and Shelby follows her,” Leah Mae said, picking up the thread. “This was after she and Jonah had sex in your parents’ shed, by the way.”
“Wedding reception sex, nice,” Cassidy said approvingly.
“Anyway, Shelby went after Misty Lynn and caught her breaking into Gibson’s truck,” Jameson continued.
“About that—” Gibson said. But nobody paid him any attention.
“The next thing we know, Misty Lynn is screaming her head off, sayin’ someone took Shelby,” Scarlett said.
The retelling, now that all the parties were safe, was mildly entertaining… to everyone except me.
“I remember trying to pull Misty Lynn out of your truck,” Shelby said to Gibson. “And she was crying and yelling about teaching you a lesson. Then it all just goes black.”
“According to Misty Lynn’s statement, a man appeared out of the shadows and pushed her down. She struck her forehead on Gibson’s truck. He grabbed you and knocked you unconscious,” Jayme said, reading off her phone.
“How did you get your hands on the report already?” Devlin asked.
Her painted lips curved. “I have my ways.”
They told Bowie and Cassidy the rest of the story in fits and starts.
“I can’t believe we were so busy having hot newlywed sex that we had no idea any of this was going on,” Cassidy said, pushing her plate away. “I need to get into the station and get the scoop.”
“Before you go,” I said, eyeing Shelby. “There’s something else you guys need to know.”
Mom straightened her shoulders and took a fortifying gulp of her Bloody Mary. Gibson’s foot was jiggling where it crossed his knee at the ankle.
“What the hell are you all up to?” Scarlett demanded. She wasn’t a fan of being left out.
“This doesn’t leave this room,” I insisted.
“You’re starting to make me nervous, Jonah,” Devlin admitted.
Shelby squeezed my hand. “I got this,” she said. “Okay, it all started when I asked June to take a road trip with me…”
* * *
Ten minutes later, the room was dead silent except for the slurp of Bloody Mary glasses emptying.
“So Callie’s alive?” Scarlett asked finally in an uncharacteristically soft voice.
“As of last year, yes,” Mom said carefully. “And I told Sheriff Tucker all of this after they found you this morning, Shelby.”
“What about the report? The dental records matched?” Leah Mae asked, leaning in.
“We suspect the report was doctored,” June spoke up.
“This is a lot to take in,” Devlin said.
“I’m gonna need like six more Bloody Marys,” Jameson said.
“So Dad didn’t… hurt her.” Scarlett stared down at her plate of forgotten waffles.
“Your father saved her life,” Mom said softly.
“You think it was the judge that did that to her?” Cassidy asked. I could see the cop in her warring with the girl who’d lost a summer friend.
“It’s the only thing that makes sense,” Shelby said. “Callie was adamant about not going home. He’s in a position of power. He had access to Christian’s sealed file. I’m sure he’s got people willing to do dirty work for him. And he loses big if Callie comes strolling back into town telling the truth. He could kiss that federal judgeship goodbye. It’s better for him if she stays dead.”
“The important thing to remember is, everything is circumstantial right now. We have to be patient and let law enforcement do their job,” I insisted, remembering the sheriff’s warning.
“Oh, ’cause they’ve done such a bang-up job so far?” Scarlett snapped. “No offense, Cass. I’m just processing a whole lotta feelings right now.”
“Understood.” Cassidy nodded.
“Sheriff Tucker believes us. This is more
than anyone has known about the case since Callie disappeared,” I reminded them. “We’ll nail him for it somehow.”
“And when we do, maybe Callie can come back,” Mom said softly.
“Speaking from a place of not nearly enough vodka for this,” Jayme began, “I’m going to strongly encourage you all to listen to Jonah. Do not interfere with this investigation in any way. If you see Judge Kendall buying sticky buns downtown, you paste a nice-as-fucking-pie smile on your face. Because if any one of you acts up and tips him off, I swear to my red Ferragamos that I will personally destroy your life. This man has gotten away with actual murder—allegedly. And it’s possible he went after Shelby through that boy—allegedly. If one of you fucks up and he stays free, his next alleged victim is on you.” She pointed a sharp, red nail around the room, making eye contact with everyone.
“Yes, ma’am,” we chorused. Jayme was a terrifying woman. I was very glad she was on our side.
“On that note,” I announced, rising from my chair. “I’m taking Shelby home.”
I held my hand out to her and helped her up. I heard her whimper of pain and knew we’d pushed our luck. She was going to bed and not getting up until I said it was okay.
I slipped my arm around her waist, a show of affection to everyone else but a stabilization for her.
She paused. “Oh, Scarlett? We need to talk about some real estate options,” she said.
“Oh yeah?” My sister perked up.
“Yeah,” I agreed. “Shelby and I are staying in town, permanently. We’re gonna need a bigger house.”
“Billy Ray needs more space,” Shelby said, beaming up at me.
“And Shelby’s gonna need dedicated office space.”
I knew we were battered and bruised and there were emotional scars that would take a long time to heal. But looking into her eyes right now, I felt our future stretch on in front of us. Her monster was going to jail. And soon, the shadow that had fallen over the Bodines would be lifted forever.
“Let’s go get our puppy,” I told her as she leaned into me.
“Where is he?” she asked.
“Millie Waggle has him and Katherine,” I told her.
The door to the dining room opened, and Sheriff Tucker stepped in alone. He didn’t look happy.
“Sheriff Tucker,” Jayme said, standing up to position herself between my family and the law. “What can we do for you?”
“It’s a good thing you’re here, Jayme,” he said, toying with his hat in his hands. “If you wouldn’t mind accompanying Gibson down to the station with me, I’d be much obliged.”
The only one who didn’t look surprised in the room was Gibson.
“What is this regarding?” Jayme asked, all scary business now.
“Gibson’s wallet was turned into the station this morning by a citizen concerned about the contents,” he said vaguely.
Judging by Gibson’s expression, he knew exactly what the sheriff was referring to.
“What in the hell?” Scarlett burst out. “Did that damn Misty Lynn steal his wallet and then get mad about the condoms he’s not usin’ to protect himself from her herpes flare?”
“I’d rather discuss this at the station,” the sheriff insisted, looking more uncomfortable than a cat under a rocking chair.
“Dad,” Cassidy said, her eyes implored him.
“It’s gonna be fine. It’s just some questions.”
Gibson’s jaw ticked.
“My client and I will meet you at the station, sheriff, as soon as we’re done with our breakfast,” Jayme said, hands on hips, as if daring the man to make a demand.
“Much obliged,” Sheriff Tucker said. “Swing by the station when you have a chance, Cass, and I’ll catch you up about last night.”
He left, and the room stayed completely silent for about ten seconds.
“Well, what in tarnation was that all about?” Scarlett finally demanded.
Everyone started talking at once.
“Let’s get this over with,” Gibson said to Jayme.
He left without saying a word.
“If Misty Lynn turned up dead and they try to pin it on Gibson I am going to burn this town to the ground,” Scarlett said, picking up her drink.
“Scarlett, what have we said about making threats in public?” Devlin asked, patting her thigh under the table.
She sighed heavily. “Not to.”
59
Shelby
I woke to a cacophony of smells. Glorious, greasy smells.
I cracked open an eye and stretched. Billy Ray grumbled in his sleep next to me on Jonah’s bed. Our bed. Jonah had carried me upstairs and, after another shower, tucked me into bed with instructions not to move for at least two hours.
A bleary glance at the clock told me I’d been out for almost four.
My body sang a chorus of aches and pains. I was due for another round of anti-inflammatories washed down with a big glass of wine… or a Mountain Dew.
Fantasizing about a two-liter bottle, I limped down the stairs into a fantasy land.
“Am I hallucinating?” I whispered.
Every flat surface in the living room was covered with takeout containers and junk food.
Jonah sat on the couch eating a fried chicken leg. “Surprise!” he said with his mouth full.
“What is all this?” Onion rings and cheese sticks and an entire tray of dino nuggets crowded the coffee table. There was a six-pack of Mountain Dew in a bucket of ice on the floor. The table I used as a desk now held a greasy bag of fast food burgers. There was an entire apple pie and more fried chicken sitting on the TV stand.
“It’s a pig-in,” Jonah said cheerfully. He crossed to me and gave me a gentle kiss. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I don’t know what to dive into first,” I said, reverently.
He handed me a plate. “You once asked if I ever ate garbage.”
“I didn’t mean an entire convenience store and fast food restaurant,” I laughed.
“Every time I finish a big event that I trained hard for, I treat myself with a pig-in.”
“I didn’t think it was possible since you saved my life and all. But I think I love you even more right now than I did before I fell asleep,” I whispered, sniffing the fried chicken.
“Have at it, honey.”
He grabbed the pain meds while I loaded up a plate and fished out a can of soda from the bucket.
“I am so happy right now,” I said, biting the head off a stegosaurus nugget.
“There’s also some regular nuggets and a bunch of sauces in that bag,” Jonah said, pointing with an onion ring to another bag.
“I can’t believe you did this for me,” I said, feeling way too emotional for this to be just about junk food.
“It’s all about balance,” he said, with his mouth full.
“You’re really sexy when you gorge yourself,” I told him.
He grinned at me, half of an onion ring hanging from his lips. I laughed.
“How are you really?” he pressed.
I grabbed a burger, unwrapped it, and took a bite. My eyes rolled heavenward. “I feel like so many weights have been lifted that I might float away,” I confessed.
“I talked to Cassidy,” Jonah said. “Christian was treated at the hospital and taken to a secure mental facility where he’ll be evaluated to see if he’s fit to stand trial.”
“He won’t be,” I guessed.
“He’s not getting out again, Shelby,” Jonah said. “Not even if he stays on his meds. His mother wants to talk to you when you’re up for it. She feels responsible.”
“She’s not,” I said, shoving a few French fries into my burger bun.
“She probably just needs to hear it.”
“What about Gibson? What was all that about this morning?”
“Cassidy was pretty cagey about that. But I managed to drag some info out of her playing the ‘my girlfriend was abducted from your wedding’ card.”
“Mean.
”
“Yeah, well. You’re my girlfriend, and Gibs is my brother.”
“So what did Misty Lynn find in his wallet?”
“A picture of Gibs and Callie together.”
The burger stuck in my throat, and I coughed. I took a swig of soda. “Like from before she went missing?”
He nodded.
“What kind of a picture?”
“It was one of those photo booth deals. A strip of pictures. They were making faces.”
“I didn’t know he even knew Callie,” I said, going for another nugget.
“No one did. That’s the problem. He never said a word in all those years, so naturally the cops have some questions.”
“Where is Gibson now? Did they let him go?”
“He was released after a formal interview. Now he’s back to playing hermit. He won’t talk to anyone.”
“No charges, at least. That’s good.”
“For now. We’ll see what happens next. The judge is going to know that Gibs was interviewed. The why is gonna come out.”
“Maybe he’ll stay away? If he did turn Christian loose on me, wouldn’t he want to stay out of Bootleg for a while? Keep his hands clean?”
“If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll steer clear,” Jonah said stonily.
“You Bodines and your Bootleg Justice,” I sighed.
“This will end with him in a cage,” he promised. “And it’s all going to be okay.”
“It will be,” I said, reaching for his hand and bringing his bruised knuckles to my lips. “What next?” I asked him.
“We wait for law enforcement to sort the shit out, I guess. Keep our mouths shut. You and I are gonna do some house hunting. You’ll do some job searching and schedule your dissertation defense and an appointment with your rheumatologist to head off the flare that’s probably headed in your direction. And after your brother proposes to June in a few months, I’m gonna start ring shopping for you. We Bodines take turns.”
I gaped at him. “First of all, I meant what are we eating next? Secondly, I forbid you from proposing for the first eighteen months of our relationship. We’re still in the honeymoon period. We need more time to make sure you don’t turn into a jerk.”
