He sighed hoping to find out everything soon, but he couldn’t ask Anora. He didn’t want to upset her. He’d be surprised if she were still at his house when he returned. She had a need to get back to that monster, and he couldn’t figure out why.
What did he know? If might be common in abused women. He had extra security put in after her husband tried to steal his horse. Hopefully between the cameras and alarms, she’d be safe.
“Come on, Rumble. We have horses to move closer to home.” It always amazed him how Rumble knew what he was saying. The horse turned himself and started in the right direction.
Soon he spotted Cooper and the rest of the hands moving a good amount of the horses toward the pasture nearest the house. It was growing colder than ever and snow storms loomed. The weather caught them by surprise with the snow coming so early. He turned up the collar of his coat and rode out to meet up with Cooper.
Cooper nodded. “Hey, Maverick, we got a lot of them. Ben and Joe are behind us with more. I don’t think we’ll have too many stragglers, they know where the food will be.”
“Good job, Cooper. We’ll be having a guest at the house for a while.”
“The little Garrity gal? You do know her husband is the one who tried to take Rumble don’t you?”
“I know the guy is dumber than dirt. No common sense from what I’ve seen. Do you know much about Anora or her husband?”
Cooper’s saddle creaked as he sat back a bit and stared at the horizon. “Can’t say that I know much except he kept her locked in the house.”
“Locked? As in she wasn’t free to leave?”
Cooper shrugged. “That’s the rumor. Can’t say I rightly remember who I heard it from.”
“He threw her out into the cold and then came looking for her this morning. She was terrified, and when he left, she was even more so for not doing what he said.”
“Wife beater?”
“I’m afraid so, Cooper.” He pulled the brim of his hat down lower. “I’m going to head back and check on her. Thanks for taking care of things here.”
“You got it, Boss.”
Maverick couldn’t get the fear in her eyes out of his head. He shouldn’t have left her alone but honestly he didn’t know what to say, and it was too bad Belle already left. Maybe calling the police would be doing her a favor.
Maverick quickly brushed Rumble down, glad the house appeared quiet. The whole situation was so far from anything he’d encountered. He avoided women if he could and they usually got the message except for his neighbor Joleen. It wasn’t as though they’d ever had a date. She was determined to rope him and drag him to the altar. Every time she dropped by, she brought him a home cooked meal, and at first he didn’t think anything of accepting the gifts, but she’d taken it as a sign he liked her.
He shook his head. Nothing discouraged Joleen. Hopefully, she’ll hear he had another woman in his house and stay away. “I doubt even that will keep her away, right Rumble?”
Rumbled nickered and he laughed. He hated when Belle was away, everything became too quiet but one day she’d have a husband and family of her own. He wasn’t sure what to say to Anora, and he hesitated before going to the house.
The door was locked, and he stood in front of it trying to remember if the door had ever been locked before. Grumbling he knocked and waited and waited. Finally, he saw Anora peering out the front window at him. She opened the door and took a big step back as though she didn’t want to take the chance of him brushing up against her.
“Are you all right?” He studied her and didn’t like how pale and shaky she was.
“Yes, I’m fine.” She put a big smile on her face but her tone of voice was anything but happy.
“I’m sorry if I frightened you. I don’t carry around my keys to the house, I don’t usually lock the door—”
“It’s my fault and I’m sorry.”
He hung his coat in the closet and hung his hat on the hat rack on the wall. “It’s fine, really. I want you to feel safe.”
Her stare almost unnerved him, and he didn’t know what else to say. “Did you find everything you needed?”
“You had a visitor. She left you dinner.”
“Joleen was here? She acts more like a mother than a… a friend. Was she mean to you?”
“She didn’t have time, I afraid. I took the casserole and closed the door in her face. I didn’t mean to make your friend mad. I just didn’t know what else to do.”
The intense fear on her face invaded his heart, and he wasn’t sure how to handle her. “Don’t worry, she’ll be back. Nothing deters her from coming by. I’m just glad she didn’t upset you.”
He gestured to her to follow him. “I want to talk to you.”
Anora obediently followed him into his office and only sat down when he told her to sit. He grabbed the whiskey from the sideboard and splashed some in a glass. He turned and offered her the glass.
“No, I don’t drink.”
Maverick shrugged, sipped his whiskey then sat behind his desk. “Where did you grow up?”
“Why?” Her voice squeaked.
“I’m just trying to get to know you better.”
She nodded and swallowed, hard. “I lived in Florida.”
“It’s a nice state, big too.”
“Yes, it is but we lived in a small town right outside of Orlando.”
“Orlando is a nice area. Belle and I have been out that way a few times, Disney and all.”
“Your parents took you to Disney? I’ve never been there.” Her eyes widened and she reminded him of a young kid.
“You’d like it. It’s as magical as they say.”
“I’d planned to go after graduation but…” The fear came back into her eyes. “The casserole will burn.”
Nodding he smiled. “Go ahead, I’ll be right there.”
She did as she was told, and he sat there gathering his thoughts. He’d call the sheriff in the morning and have him look into Andy and Anora Garrity. Maybe she had family he could get her back to. His best hope was Andy was wanted for a crime, and he’d be out of their hair until Anora was ready to tell him what in the world was going on.
That night Anora curled up in her bed and tried to calm herself. All evening Maverick had given her speculative glances, and it made her uncomfortable. It’d been nice staying here, but it wasn’t where she belonged.
If only she could be the author of her own life, things would be so different. Andy was bound to carry out his threat of killing her family, and it was too unbearable to imagine. Why had she thought it funny when Andy slowed his truck down and talked to her as she walked home from school? Why hadn’t she run? Why hadn’t she seen him for the monster he is? It was a constant litany of questions and she never had an answer.
“Wrong place, wrong time,” Andy had told her. The fault stood with her. Maybe if she’d been savvier instead of a shy country hick. Whenever she dared mention going back home, Andy told her that her parents thought her dead, and there had been plenty of times she’d wished she was dead.
Most people were good and she’d forgotten kindness. Maverick overwhelmed her with kindness, and she wasn’t sure what to do with her feelings. It was easy enough to fall for your rescuer, but she felt in her heart, it was something more.
Maybe she could walk to town and go to the sheriff’s office without Andy knowing. Maybe the sheriff could arrest him before he killed her family. Turning over she groaned. Too many maybes she couldn’t take a chance on.
The whole time she was with Andy she prayed for a chance to escape, and now was her chance. She’d tell Maverick tomorrow, and it would break her heart to see him look at her as a used piece of trash.
The next morning Anora woke when the sun was high and for a moment she panicked. She’d missed making breakfast for Maverick, but as she stretched her arms over her head, she knew he wouldn’t much care.
She quickly showered and put on some of Belle’s clothes. Somehow it made her feel like a fraud, w
earing clothes she’d never be able to afford. Hearing a knock on the door, she raced down the grand stairway and opened it.
While thanking her lucky stars it wasn’t Andy, she silently cursed, it was Joleen with yet another casserole. Joleen had long brown hair that draped on her shoulders and sultry brown eyes. She more than filled out the shirt she wore. She had a bigger bottom the last time she delivered a casserole. Strange.
“Hi, I’m Joleen, Maverick’s neighbor. I was wondering if we could have a little girl talk.”
“Maverick really doesn’t like strangers in the house—”
Joleen pushed right past her smiling a big old fake smile. “I’m not a stranger. Maverick and I are very close.”
“Really? He never mentioned you to me.” She bit her lip to keep from smiling at Joleen’s expression of dismay.
“Didn’t you give him the casserole I brought?”
“Give? No, I mentioned it was in the fridge and, in fact, it’s still there.”
Joleen’s eyes narrowed and her plastic smile turned ugly. “Listen, Anora, I’ve been taking care of Maverick for a long time now. You’re honing in where you’re not welcome.”
It was a peculiar feeling knowing that no matter how mad Joleen got, Anora wasn’t going to have to pay for making her mad. It felt powerful, but she it wasn’t in her nature to be mean, well maybe a little mean.
“Maverick asked me to stay indefinitely, and I’d call that being welcome.” She smiled.
“Well, Maverick has taken in strays before so don’t get too comfortable.”
“Let me open the door for you. I’m sure you have things to do like make another casserole.”
Joleen pushed the dish into Anora’s hands, sputtering the entire time and marched out of the house.
Anora watched her wondering how her bubble of a bottom was now flat.
When Maverick came home for dinner, Anora served him the casserole Joleen brought by. She needed to tell him about Andy but didn’t know where to start.
“Something on your mind?” Maverick asked from his spot across the table.
“What?”
“You look so pensive is all.”
“What do you think of Joleen’s rear end?” She instantly clamped her hand over her mouth. The words just popped out.
“What do I think? It’s nice I suppose. I haven’t given it much thought.” His brows furrowed as he began to laugh.
“I’m trying to figure it out is all.”
“Anora, what are you talking about?”
“Well the other day when she was looking for you, her rear end was well rounded and filled her jeans and today her rear was as flat as can be. I don’t know why I noticed, but I did, and now I can’t stop wondering about it. How can it happen? I’ve had times I wish I could make mine flatter.” Her face heated.
“Yours is nicely rounded and come to think of it, Joleen always was a thin wispy type of gal growing up. Maybe she wears those padded underwear things. That would explain it. Darn, now you have me wondering if she wears a padded bra.”
“Doubt it, she has tons of cleavage. You know we shouldn’t be talking this way.”
Maverick nodded and a strand of dark hair fell across his forehead. The urge to reach across the table and brush it back hit her strong.
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Andy kidnapped me five years ago.”
“Excuse me?” His eyes widened.
“I was taken five years ago, and I haven’t been allowed to contact my family since. That’s why I need to go back to him. He always threatens to kill my family if I don’t obey him. I know I should have told you instead of putting you in danger, and I’m as sorry as can be.”
Maverick jumped up and grabbed the phone.
“No! What are you doing?”
“Calling the police. If Andy is behind bars, he can’t kill anyone.”
Fear raced through her body. Maverick’s words made sense, but Andy said he could get to them at any time. She should have thought it all out before telling the truth. “I don’t know if you should, I mean, I’m so scared and I’m so tired of being terrified every minute.” Sighing she wrapped her arms around her middle. “Call the police and then I’ll call my mother and father.”
With her elbows on the table, she put her face in her hands wondering what would happen. It was all too much. She heard him on the phone.
“Anora?”
Uncovering her face, she looked at him. He stood with his arms open wide and she stood and walked into his embrace. He felt so strong and safe and she wished she could just stay in the comfort of his muscled arms. “I should make my call now.”
Maverick held her tighter. “Your father had a heart attack a few years back. The detectives who worked your case are on their way to your house to tell them.”
Anora nodded as she turned her head into his shoulder and cried.
Maverick wished the police would just arrest Andy instead of questioning Anora first. Sheriff Woods arrived much quicker than he’d thought possible. Maverick held the door open for him; they shook hands and exchanged serious glances.
The sheriff walked to the couch, introduced himself and sat on one of the petite blue chairs. If everything weren’t so serious, it would have been comical. “Why don’t we start with your real name?”
Her hands shook and Maverick took ahold of one as he sat next to her, hoping to give her strength. “I’m Anora Lee Piller.”
“That’s what Maverick said when he called. I pulled all the files on you and a picture. I needed to be sure it was you before we contacted your family.” He looked at the file he held and took out a picture of a younger Anora, it was definitely her. Fishing his phone out of his shirt pocket, he called the station. “Yep, it’s her. Pick him up and call the local sheriff in Florida. Yeah, he’s waiting on our call.”
She leaned back against the couch and sighed. “It’s over?”
“I need you to come down to the station and make a statement.”
“Why can’t she do it here? She’s been through enough.” He gave the sheriff a hard glare.
“Wish I could, but too many of these men get off free, and I’m going to get everything recorded and done properly.”
Maverick nodded. “You okay?” He squeezed her hand.
Although dazed, she nodded. “I can do this. Maverick can come with me?”
The sheriff hesitated, looked from one to the other and finally nodded. “I don’t see how it could hurt.”
“We’ll follow you,” Maverick said as he pulled Anora to a standing position, making sure she was steady on her feet.
“You ride with me. Miss Piller is under my protection now.”
The nod he gave the sheriff was slight. The sheriff might get his way this time but if anyone would protect Anora, it would be him. “Come on, honey, let’s get this done.”
The breath she took was wobbly as she nodded. “Let’s get it done. I want my family safe.”
Maverick smiled at her, hoping it was an ‘everything was going to be all right’ type of smile. Even now, her first thought was of her family. He led her outside swallowing hard. He felt a jab to his heart, he was going to miss her when she went back home.
Chapter Three
The police station was crowded and chaotic as Maverick tried to shield Anora from the lurkers. Fighting the crowd, they finally made their way into the building.
“Are you all right?” he asked quietly as he pulled her closer to his side.
“Yes, I just can’t see. All those flashes going off blinded me. How did everyone find out so quickly?”
“Honey, I don’t know.”
She clung to his arm as though he was her life preserver, and he hoped he was up to the task.
Sheriff Woods seemed to enjoy the cameras and attention. He smiled at all the bystanders and he was still smiling as he led them down the hall and into a small room with a rickety old table and wooden chairs. “Have a seat.”
Maverick helped Anora
into her chair then he sat in his. He hoped they wouldn’t have to sit in the uncomfortable chairs long. The room reeked of urine. What goes on in this room?
“Your parents have been told and are on their way here. We’re flying them in. Why don’t we start from the beginning?”
“You mean when I first met him or when he took me?” Her voice wobbled.
“Where you first met him.”
Maverick took a deep breath hoping he’d be able to hear the story without wanting to kill someone. Reaching over he gave her hand a quick squeeze.
“We lived in Florida at the time. We moved around a lot, and I liked the places by the sea best, but we went where jobs were. My daddy works in construction. Andy was one of the workers in Florida. He’s a bit older than me, but he was cute.”
“You flirted with him?” the sheriff asked.
“No I’m not the flirting type plus my daddy would have killed me if I talked to a male. My sister and I were very sheltered. I knew Andy enough to nod my head to him. Then one day after school, I was a sophomore, I was walking home and he drove by in his truck. He stopped and backed up until he was next to me. I gave him a slight nod and kept walking. He drove so slow and kept pace with me.”
“Were you scared?”
“No, Sheriff, I wasn’t. I didn’t have any reason to be scared. I was more puzzled and annoyed. Then he started to speed up, stop and back up, over and over again as though he was playing a game or something.”
“How’d he grab you?”
“He told me my daddy sent him to pick me up and I got in his truck. Only my daddy never asked him no such thing. Minutes later, we drove toward my house, but as soon as we drove past my driveway, I knew something was terribly wrong. I heard the locks click and I just as fast unlocked my door. He locked them again and when I reached to unlock my door again he backhanded me so hard, I was dazed.”
“Did you even fight to get away?” The sheriff narrowed his eyes.
“Why do I feel as though I’m on trial? I did try and got beat for it. Finally, he threatened my family if I tried to leave again. He was very graphic about what he’d do. I believed him, I still do.” Her hands shook as she tried to put a piece of hair behind her ear. She clasped them again, but they still shook. Her eyes were surprisingly dry. He expected tears.
Love Before Midnight Page 3
