Love Before Midnight

by Kathleen Ball

  “I don’t know. He doesn’t tell me what he does. My job is to keep house and make him happy, and his job is to provide for us.” She must have said the wrong thing; both Maverick and Belle stared at her with big frowns on their faces. “I really need to get back. He’ll have expected me back by now.” Her voice quavered fearing the truth of the matter. He’d lock her up again after he beat her and it would be just like the first year he took her. Putting the mug on the table, she took the quilt off and rose. “I’ll go, thank you.”

  She almost made it to the front door before a hand gently grabbed her arm pulling her back. For some reason, she wasn’t afraid.

  “Hey, darlin’, it’s way too cold out there for you. I’m sorry I made you uncomfortable talking about your husband. Looking at you, I now know you didn’t have anything to do with it.”

  Anora’s heart slowed a bit as she shook Maverick’s hand off her arm and turned away from the front door. She glanced at him, intending to glance away quickly, but his blue eyes drew her. She bet he was the type who gave orders and expected them carried out without question but not in the same way, Andy ordered her around. Maverick acted out of confidence and Andy out of fear. No, that couldn’t be right since Andy was fearless.

  His intense expression softened. “Why don’t I have Belle show you to a room? You can spend the night, and after a good night’s sleep you can decide what you want to do.” His smile appeared reassuring, but she knew better than to trust anyone.

  Belle walked toward them, her beautiful long, dark hair practically sprung with each step. “Come on, Anora. Let’s get you out of those wet clothes. We have a great guest room I’m sure you’ll like.”

  “Good night, Anora,” Maverick said with a nod. He assumed it was a done deal.

  She was too tired to make a fuss. Instead, she turned and followed Belle. Too tired? Who was she trying to fool? She always tried not to make a fuss or she suffered for it. Shivering she followed Belle up the stairs and down a long hall.

  Belle opened the third door on the right and walked into the room. “I’ll put you near us in case you need anything.”

  “How long have you been married?” Anora asked as she tried to keep her jaw from dropping at the luxurious room. The bed looked ultra-plush and comfortable with its burgundy and gold comforter and numerous pillows. The carpet was so dense, she wanted to take her shoes off and feel its softness.

  Belle laughed. “We’re not married. My time on the ranch has come to an end for a while. I’m leaving tomorrow. Don’t worry you’ll be in good hands.” She pointed to the dresser. “There are nightgowns in the top drawer, help yourself and your bathroom has everything you need. Make yourself at home. Good night.”

  “Good night.” She waited until Belle left before she sighed. What was she supposed to do? Andy was going to be livid and she’d be lucky if she survived his wrath. Shivering, she decided to change her clothes, but first she made sure the door locked. The click of the lock took away some of the tension in her shoulders. She’d be fine tonight, she hoped. Maverick had his girlfriend in the house to keep him busy. Tomorrow there were no guarantees.

  Someone nudged Anora’s shoulder, startling her awake. The first thing she saw was Belle leaning over her. “What? Did something happen?”

  Belle laughed. “No, I’m getting ready to leave and I wanted to say goodbye and to wish you luck. Look after my brother for me. He can be a bossy pain, but he has a kind and gentle heart.”

  “Brother? He didn’t tell me. I assumed you were his girlfriend.”

  “No, I’m the smart one of the family. It’s time to get back to college.”

  Anora sat up and stretched her arms above her head. “I don’t intend to be here long, but I can look after him while I’m here.”

  Belle treated her to a gracious smile. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Anora. Take care.”

  “Belle!” Maverick’s voice boomed loudly.

  “Gotta go.”

  “It was nice to meet you too.”

  Anora squirmed and pulled the covers up to her chin when Maverick poked his head into the room. He was more handsome in the daylight with his striking blue eyes.

  “Morning, Anora. Belle, you’re going to be late.”

  “See ya, and don’t let Maverick boss you around.”

  Maverick frowned and shrugged his shoulders. “Darned if I ever know what she’s talking about.”

  Belle brushed past Maverick laughing.

  Anora watched until they were both gone. Suddenly she was wide-awake. Where was Andy and how much trouble was she in? Fear clutched her and wouldn’t let go. He’d never allowed her to go places herself let alone stay out all night.

  Getting out of bed, she grabbed her backpack hoping there were clean clothes in it. She unzipped it and looked inside. The only items were a roll of toilet paper, a sweatshirt and a pair of underwear. Did he expect her to sleep outside? She groaned, he did and right outside the house, she bet.

  There was going to be hell to pay. Maverick had been more than gracious allowing her to stay, but Andy was her husband. She scurried and got dressed in her clothes from the day before. Maybe with some luck Andy would never know she spent the night in another man’s house. After she dressed, she pulled the sweatshirt on and grabbed her backpack. Tiptoeing down the stairs, she almost made it to the door.

  “Where do you think you’re going?”

  She stopped but didn’t turn around. “Home?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  A more frightened filly, he’d never seen. When she turned around her eyes widened and her mouth gaped.

  “Where were you planning to go?”

  “I really don’t know, but I don’t want to be your problem. My husband is bound to find out where I am and when he does… I don’t want you to be in danger. Plus he has the right to take me.” Folding her arms in front of her, she stared at his well-worn boots.

  Maverick’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean he has a right to take you?”

  “He’s my husband, I belong to him.” Her voice shook.

  “He’s been feeding you a bunch of malarkey. And you believed him? How long have you been married?” He leaned against the wall with his hands in his pockets.

  “Five years I think. I’m not really sure.” This time, she looked him in the eye.

  He didn’t know what to think. “How old are you?”

  Anora hesitated. “I’m twenty-five.”

  “No seriously how old are you?”

  Her gaze fell to his boots again, and she shuffled her feet before finally answering. “I’m almost twenty.”

  He wasn’t sure she was telling him the truth. “Come on let’s get some breakfast.” He turned and headed toward the kitchen and smiled when he heard her footsteps behind him.

  “Coffee?”

  Anora nodded.

  “Sit down. I’ll bring it over.”

  Her bewildered expression was another red flag. Something about her wasn’t right.

  “Go ahead and sit. Cream or sugar?”

  “Just coffee please.”

  “Did you grow up in a different country?”

  Her posture became rigid as she drew her mouth into a straight line. “No.” She stared at him, waiting for the next question, shifting in her chair.

  Making her uncomfortable wasn’t his goal. The poor girl needed a hug, not an inquisition. “I have donuts. I don’t cook much.”

  “Donuts are fine.”

  He put the box on the table, grabbed their coffee mugs and sat down at the kitchen table across from Anora. “Who told you that you belong to your husband? Is it part of your religion or something?”

  “No,” she whispered. “I’m not sure there is a God anymore. He’s forgotten about me if he’s real. Andy told me that he owns me. In fact, he tells me at least once a day.”

  He hadn’t been ready for her answer, and he gulped his coffee burning his tongue. “Darn. Not at you, I burned my tongue.” He smiled, but she was li
ke a scared rabbit.

  “I really need to go home now.”

  “He threw you out so why do you think he’d take you back?”

  “I think I was supposed to sleep outside in his backyard last night.”

  Maybe she was just plain crazy but he didn’t think so. Battered women syndrome? “So now you want to go back because he’ll be mad?”

  “Something like that. Andy doesn’t like me to talk about our business.”

  “Just the same I think I should have a chat with him.”

  Chapter Two

  Maverick squinted his eyes against the glaring sun bouncing off the new snow trying to follow her footsteps. Anora surprised the heck out of him when she ran out the front door, and since she already had her shoes on she had a head start. The land was fairly flat, but there was no sign of her as he scanned the horizon.

  The only place she could be was the barn. He shouldn’t have overplayed his hand and told her he was going to chat with her husband. Belle always said he was stubborn and hardheaded and she was right. He never could let things be, and now he had a frightened girl running around in the cold.

  He needed a smack to the head. How was he going to convince her to go back into the house with him? Opening the door, he nodded to one of his hired hands who gestured to where Anora was hiding, and then left.

  “Look I’m sorry. You’re right it’s not my business, and I never meant to make you run from me.” He walked slowly and quietly down the long row of stalls stopping in front of the one painted with a lemon-yellow sun on the door. Belle had caught hell from their father over it, but the old man never had it painted over.

  “Anora, I promise you’ll be safe with me, and I won’t ask you any more questions. It’s cold out here.” He hoped his voice sounded gentle, but he wasn’t used to gentle.

  “I don’t know what to do.” The distress in her voice tore through him.

  “Me neither.”

  Finally, he heard the rustling of hay and he saw her head as she walked to the stall door. Hay stuck in her hair, and he fought the urge to smile. Her blue eyes were wide and her bottom lip looked slightly raw as if she’d been biting it.

  Maverick offered his hand, and she was just about to take it when they heard a truck door slam. Running back into the stall, Anora hid again.

  He was about to try to cajole her out again when the door opened and Andy Garrity stepped inside. Maverick took a step away from the stall and stared Andy down.

  “I heard tell my wife is here. I’ve come to take her back home.”

  Maverick grinned. “You have balls coming here. Need a horse?”

  Andy’s face turned a bright shade of red. “I don’t need any darn horse.”

  “Oh really? What about the other night when you tried to steal one of mine?”

  “Listen, mister, you get my wife right now.”

  “Or what? Tell you how this is going to play out. You are going to get your sorry self off my property before I kick some sense into you then call the police.” He enjoyed watching Andy squirm like the worm he was.

  “Where is my wife?” He took a menacing step toward Maverick.

  “Well, I warned you.” Maverick strode down toward the front of the barn, and before he was even halfway, Andy turned and ran. The sound of the truck engine running as it drove away was satisfying. He was much smaller than he imagined, but monsters came in all sizes.

  Whether Anora wanted it or not, she wasn’t leaving anytime soon.

  In the far corner of the stall, Anora curled up on the scratchy hay trying to make herself smaller. Closing her eyes, she wished she could be invisible. Once Andy got his hands on her, and she was certain he would, he’d kill her this time. A savage beating wasn’t going to be enough for him. Her body shook as her heart beat wildly. Why didn’t she just go with him instead of letting Maverick fight her battle?

  His footsteps grew louder; she sat up and pulled herself together. If she had learned anything these last few years, it was never to show weakness or fear. There were plenty of times she couldn’t help it, but it was always best to act indifferent.

  “Anora? You okay?” The stall gate swung open and he entered the stall, his blue eyes full of questions.

  “Yes, of course. Thank you for what you did, but I know if I don’t return he’s going to do something I’ll regret. I should have come out when I heard his voice instead of hiding like a coward.”

  Maverick offered his hand and pulled her out of the hay. “You’re not a coward. Let’s go back to the house.”

  She followed him to the house, her mind whirling. She had to go back, it was either her or her family, and they probably already thought her dead. The last time she’d seen her mother was five years ago on TV begging for information about her missing daughter. At the time, it had given her hope of being rescued but now… Andy never allowed her to watch TV again.

  She was in the spot she’d been praying for, free from Andy, but she wasn’t really free. The chains had been removed, but it felt as though they were tighter than ever. Her family was in danger.

  “I’ll just call the sheriff.”

  She grabbed the back of his denim jacket and tugged on it. “No, please. I can’t have the police involved.”

  Maverick turned and stared at her with his piercing blue eyes. “No police? Why? Because he owns you?”

  Her face heated, but her stare didn’t waver. “Yes, and other things, things I can’t talk about. It was wrong of me to leave him, and now it’s time for me to admit my mistake and go back.”

  “Why don’t we go inside, and you can call and explain to him that you need a break from him and you’ll be working for me. It’ll give him time to cool off.” He continued to walk into the house, and she followed right behind.

  “I don’t know his number.”

  “His phone number? What’s your home number? You can call and leave him a message.” He led her to the living room and sat her down on a light blue velvet chair. The whole room was soft in color and texture with a white couch and two more blue velvet chairs. It didn’t fit him at all.

  He handed her the phone, and all she could do was stare at it. She’d longed for access to a phone since forever, and now she had one in her hands. The need to protect her parents and sister were greater than her need to protect herself. She shrugged. “I don’t know the number. We don’t have a phone in the house. Andy has his own phone; it’s always been that way.”

  His eyebrows shot up, and she knew he thought her from another planet. She was going to have to come up with better explanations.

  “Our phone got turned off. Andy needs his for work.”

  He took the phone from her. “Why do I get the feeling there is a whole lot you’re not telling me?”

  From his scowl, she could tell he wasn’t buying her whole story and she cringed while she idly stroked the velvet upholstery. The softness was such a sharp contrast to what she’d grown used to with Andy.

  Maverick knelt before her and took her work-worn hands. “I know it’s none of my business, but I can’t let you go back there. I fear for your safety but if you stay here, I can look out for you.”

  His sincere expression was her undoing, and he was right about her safety. She slowly withdrew her hands from his. Andy had her believing that all men were alike, and that clearly wasn’t the case. It had been so long since she’d been around other men, she believed him. “I can’t take your charity.”

  He smiled until his dimples showed. “I don’t allow anyone to live off my charity. I think we can find something for you to do around here.”

  “I don’t know how to ride a horse or drive. I really don’t know what good I would be.” She held her breath hoping he had a job for her.

  “I could use some help around the house—”

  “Oh, don’t you worry I’ll keep the house spotless, and I’m a fair cook.” She knew she resembled a hopeful puppy with her wide eyes staring at him.

  “I have a service that cleans the
house. It’s just too darn big for one person, but I do need a cook. When Belle is away, I eat frozen dinners and whatever is in the fridge. I just don’t have the time.” He stood and walked to the front window, and she couldn’t help but notice his muscled thighs.

  “So, if I stay here you won’t call the police?”

  He turned and studied her, and her faced heated at his perusal. “I didn’t say that. I just want you safe.”

  Did he just agree to not call the police or not? Her stomach dropped and she wished she could fly away, but that was not her reality. For now, she was probably safer with Maverick, but once Andy caught up with her, she might not survive. Andy and the devil were one in the same, and she had no doubt he’d come for her but if the police became involved, her family would die.

  “Anora?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry my mind was elsewhere.” She hated the wobble in her voice.

  “It’s fine, really. So, do you want the job?”

  No would have been the right answer, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it. She didn’t deserve Maverick’s kindness, and she’d have to pay dearly for it later, but she nodded. “Yes.”

  “Good, I’m glad that’s settled. You know where the kitchen is, and I’m number one on the speed dial if you need me. I have a lot to do, so, I’ll see you for the evening meal.” He grabbed his hat and coat and gave her a long questioning look before he left.

  She quickly ran to the bathroom and was sick. Her nerves were frayed more than usual, and she wished she had a way to get out of town and as far away from Andy as possible. She rinsed her mouth and then promptly checked all the doors to be sure they were locked. She’d never feel safe again, it was a fact she’d lived with for years.

  Maverick rode Rumble over the terrain wishing he had more information about Anora and Andy. What woman in her right mind would believe her husband owned her? Sounded like Andy was a wife beater, but there was something else he couldn’t put his finger on. Something that wasn’t right.