A few minutes later, Jordan joined him in the kitchen wiping tears from her eyes. Connor took her into his arms and just held her.
“What’s wrong Jordan? You’ve hardly said a word since you got home. Now, you’re crying. Did you have a bad day at work or is it something I’ve done? You know I can change anything you don’t like. Just talk to me, sweetheart. I can’t stand to see you cry.”
She whispered into his chest, “Everything you’ve done has made my life more beautiful. I’m just afraid that it’s going to come crashing down on me. Do you know what today is?”
“I know. It’s the first of the month. I’ve had it on my mind all day too. We’re not going to borrow trouble though.” He used a finger to tilt her face up to his. “Whatever happens, we’ll face it together. He’ll be back behind bars before you know it. He can’t help it. Until then, I’m going to be watching. Now let’s call Lizzy down and have a nice dinner.”
He and Jordan were quiet while Lizzy chattered on about her day at Mrs. Rogers’s daycare. They replied when necessary and glanced at each other often. There was no doubt what was on Jordan’s mind. Bobby Ray Butler was a free man.
“We’ve got plans to make.”
“What do you mean? What plans?” Jordan inquired.
“Saturday is Heritage Day. We should do something to celebrate. We need some fun and fireworks. I bet they’ve got some kind of shindig planned in town.”
“What’s that?” Lizzy asked.
“It’s like a party or celebration. Wouldn’t you like to go to a party?” he answered.
Lizzy squealed and bounced in her chair as Jordan’s eyes went wide and her face went white. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea. Do you think it’s safe to go out like that?”
“Do you plan to stay in the house for the rest of your life? Are you going to give someone that kind of power over you? I’ve done that for years now, and I don’t plan to do it any longer. I would never let anything happen to either of you, not ever.”
****
Bobby Ray wiped the blood off his hands with a rag in the floorboard of the car. He’d have to find a drugstore to get some alcohol. Why wouldn’t the bitch just leave him alone? He’d had to fight like hell to avoid STDs in prison. He sure as hell wasn’t letting that shit-bag give him one on the first day he got out.
After leaving the state prison, Doris had driven the car down a dirt road into the country.
“Where the hell are we going? This isn’t the way to Gainesville. I need to get my hands on a car before the end of the day. I don’t have time for side trips.”
“I’ve got something for you, baby. I know you’ve been waiting a long time.” Doris had stepped out of the car to pull off her sweat-stained tank top. All he could see were ribs sticking out from her tight skin. Next, the stretchy, short skirt came off. She was disgusting to look at.
“Do you actually expect to do this here, on the side of the road?” he’d asked.
“We could find a nice place in the trees.”
“Yeah, let’s do that. I’ll show you a good time, honey.” He kicked her discarded clothes under the car before he followed. She didn’t know he’d removed his belt until it was coming over her head to circle her throat. Even after she had stopped kicking, he wasn’t sure she was dead. He picked up a large rock to pound her head, over and over. When his arms were tired, he looked down and saw the blood on his shirt. He quickly tore it off and threw it aside, glad he’d worn an undershirt.
The girly keychain hanging from the steering column brought his thoughts back to the present. He yanked the stupid pink furry ball from the ring and threw it over his shoulder.
He’d never killed anybody before. No one he’d actually watched die anyway. It had been so cool. If there is one thing he’d learned from his long stint in prison, it was not to leave witnesses.
Nobody would miss an old junkie hooker. By the time anybody found her body in these woods she wouldn’t be recognizable. Too bad she was only carrying two hundred bucks. He had to get his hands on more money. At least the bitch’s old car would get him down south. He just had to be careful not to get pulled over. Maybe Bennett could help him get a driver’s license. Maybe even a new name.
On the way, he’d find him a pretty, young girl to release some of his tension. He wanted to be in top condition when he got to Jordan. She may not be much to look at, but she was a damn good fuck. Too bad she never liked it much. She probably hadn’t had any since he’d been gone, the frigid bitch.
Bobby Ray drove the seven hours to Ft. Myers. Off the interstate, he found a cheap hotel in a small town. He needed to sleep, take a hot shower, eat a decent meal, and find a woman.
He slept for ten hours in a king-sized bed. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been able to lie on his back and stretch out in any direction he wanted. Then he took a long hot shower in total privacy. He used every soft, white towel in the room before putting his one set of clothes back on. Traces of Doris’s blood were splattered on his shoes and pant legs. He remembered the thrill of seeing the blood color her bleached-out hair as he pounded her head with the rock. It had been like killing a huge bug.
He walked to Mickey’s Bar & Grill a few yards down the road. The music was loud and the lighting was dim. His eyes took a moment to adjust after being in the afternoon sun. He had been free for a solid twenty-four hours. Too much of that time had been wasted. He ordered a rare steak with french fries and a tall cold beer. As he ate, he watched the few people who came and went. To his amazement, a pretty Spanish girl walked into the bar and sat at his table. She wore shorts that barely covered her ass, a tight white T-shirt with no bra, and tall platform sandals.
“You mind if I watch you eat, handsome?” She reached across the table and snagged a fry from his plate.
“If that’s what turns you on.” Bobby Ray studied the girl openly. She didn’t seem to mind. Although her style and manners were on the trashy side, her clothes were clean and good quality. Diamonds glittered from studs in each of her ears as well as a few delicate rings on her fingers. One of them was a wedding ring, but that wasn’t his concern.
“I just emptied my old man’s bank account, and I’m looking for someone to party with.” Her speech was lightly accented. He liked it.
“That depends on what kind of party you’re looking for.”
“I’m tired of sitting at home while my husband has all the fun. I feel neglected. You wouldn’t neglect a woman, would you?”
“No baby, not me, but isn’t your old man going to be pissed when he finds his money is gone?”
“I’m sure he will, but I plan to be gone by then.” She studied him for a moment. “You look like you’re just passing through. How about taking me with you? I don’t care where you’re going. I just need to grab some clothes from my house, and then I’m ready to run.”
“When’s your husband going to be home?”
“In about five hours. That’s plenty of time to sample what he’ll be missing. What do you say?”
Bobby Ray was surprised to find that her house was one of the best in the area. While the girl packed her suitcase, he perused her husband’s closet. The guy wasn’t too far from his size, just a little wider. A wedding picture on the bedside table showed that he was a heavily muscled black man. Bobby Ray planned to get all he could and be out, before he met the man in person. He filled a large duffle bag with all the clothes and jewelry it would hold. He even found a large box of condoms. They’d come in handy. The girl just laughed when she saw what he was up to.
“What’s your name sweetheart?” he asked.
“Juanita, but everybody calls me Nita.” She removed a handgun from the bedside table and placed it in her purse.
“I think we’re going to be friends, Nita. Take off your clothes.”
“I’m always more comfortable without my clothes.” Nita pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it on the floor. “What’s your name, honey?”
“Bobby Ray.”
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“I just want you to know, Bobby Ray.” She inched her shorts down her legs. “You can’t be rough enough for me.”
****
Connor worked for two-and-a-half days painting the exterior of the house. He sprayed the siding a robin egg blue color. The white trim was done by hand. He thought about Jordan as he finished the railing.
She’d done a remarkable job of making life seem normal, but she still jumped every time the phone rang or anyone knocked on the door. Mr. Coleman and the Douglases were regular visitors now. Connor had confided in Coleman and Charlie about the danger Jordan and Lizzy were in. He figured he could use all the backup he could get to keep them safe. He was so lost in his thoughts that he almost dropped the paintbrush when the screen door slammed beside him.
“It’s about time to get this mess put away and get cleaned up,” Jordan announced.
“The sun is still pretty high. I was thinking of putting a fresh coat of paint on those rocking chairs.”
“You promised us fireworks, mister, and I intend to see fireworks. Hit the shower.”
“Whatever you say, boss.” He knew better than to argue. He was happy to see a smile on her face again.
As he carried the blanket and picnic basket to the car, Jordan set the security alarm. Lizzy watched her curiously. “Why do we need the alarm on when we aren’t home?”
“We want Tom to be safe while he waits for us to get back.”
Jordan and Connor looked at each other without a word before getting in the car. They didn’t want to let anything darken their holiday.
****
The park was crowded as they looked for a place to spread out the blanket. Jordan felt as though she were in a scene from an old movie. Everyone in town had turned out to play games and share food.
She noticed that Connor stayed on the blanket under a tree with his hat tilted down. His face was totally hidden by the brim. She had almost forgotten how self-conscious he was about his scars. She filled a plate with the foods she knew were his favorites. As she walked back to the blanket, she saw a woman stop to speak to him. She couldn’t believe the feeling of jealousy that came over her. She forced a smile as she approached.
“Hey Connor, I leave for a minute to bring you food and you start picking up women. What’s the deal?” Jordan looked at the woman with a forced smile. She was reminded of a modern day Mae West.
“Jordan, I’m glad you’re back. I want you to meet Joyce Walker. She owns the beauty salon in town. I don’t know how she is with people, but she does a hell of a job on kittens.” Connor turned to the woman, “Joyce, this is Jordan Holbrook my, umm, friend.”
“Oh! You must have helped Connor with Tom when he found him,” Jordan said.
“Your name is Holbrook? Like Patty Holbrook?” Joyce asked.
Jordan was stunned. How long had it been since she had heard that name?
“Well…yes. That was my mother’s name. Did you know her?”
“Oh, honey. Your momma and I were partners in crime in high school. I was so sorry to hear she’d passed away. That must have been almost a dozen years ago.”
“It will be twenty years in September. Thanks for not saying mean things about her, but I really don’t remember her. She left me with my grandparents long before that.”
“Well, honey, try not to judge too harshly. Sometimes people get lost in circumstances. Maybe you can come by sometime and let me do your hair. We could talk for a while. Call ahead and I’ll cut out some time when we can have a nice private chat.” Her smile had softened. Jordan could tell she had a story to tell.
“I think I’d really like that.”
Joyce waved and walked away.
“You’ve never mentioned your mother,” Connor remarked.
“I don’t know much about her. Maybe it’s time I found out more.”
The Douglases joined them later that evening to watch the fireworks. Holly begged to take Lizzy home with her for the rest of the weekend. They compromised on letting her go the next morning. Lizzy was already showing signs of exhaustion from her busy day.
Chapter Nine
On Sunday morning, Jordan dropped Lizzy off at the Douglas house. She only stayed for a few minutes before she drove to the cemetery. She wasn’t the kind to hang out at cemeteries, but she thought it would be a good place to think for a while.
She hadn’t seen Gram’s grave since the day of her funeral. The canopy and chairs were gone. The flowers had been taken away. The date of her grandmother’s death had been added to the double headstone shared by her and Pop. It had seemed creepy to see Gram’s name on the dark polished granite while she was still alive, but now, it was right. The loving couple was now laid to rest, together forever.
Finally, she forced herself to look at the gravestone to the left. Patricia Ann Holbrook, beloved daughter and mother. She’d been thirty-years-old when she’d died. It occurred to Jordan that her own thirtieth birthday was only one month away.
A single dove surrounded by a heart was etched above the inscription. She wondered why she hadn’t looked at this grave when she’d been here the month before. She knelt by the headstone and traced the words with her finger. “Who were you, Mom? Why didn’t I know you? What happened to you? All I have is questions. I’ve always been grateful to you, Mom. You knew I would be safe and happy with Gram and Pop. You knew they’d take care of me. They would have taken care of you, too. Why couldn’t you just come home?”
Jordan absentmindedly pulled a few weeds from around the small headstone, and then sat leaning against it. She looked up at the morning sky. “Well, that’s all in the past now. I hope Joyce can tell me more about you. I really would like to have good memories of you. I hope you found more happiness in heaven than you did here. Maybe I’ll bring Lizzy here someday when she’s older. She’s a wonderful little girl, Mom.” Jordan stood and brushed dry grass and leaves from her legs. “Thanks for everything.”
Jordan ran her hand over the cold stone. The next time she came she’d bring flowers to brighten the sad grave.
****
Jordan drove straight into the barn without looking at the house. Connor watched her from under the hood of his van, where he’d been checking the oil. She’d been going into the barn for long periods of time recently. She didn’t seem to do anything in there, but he followed her anyway. He wasn’t comfortable with her being alone outside the house anymore.
The sun filtered through the holes in the roof. The barn wasn’t safe. He needed to repair it before someone got hurt.
He found Jordan sitting at her grandfather’s desk in the tack room. Her feet were propped up and her eyes were closed as she lay back in the wooden chair. He lightly tapped on the doorframe.
“What are you doing out here?”
“I was thinking about baking a pie for dessert tonight. What sounds good to you?” She lowered her legs and sat upright.
“I’m getting to know you pretty well.” With hands on hips, Connor tilted his head to study her. “Pies are your comfort food. What’s the problem, boss?”
“I’m starting to feel like this barn. Run down, ragged, and empty. I’m just waiting to be torn down, a lot of past but no future. What do I have to offer my daughter besides trouble? Maybe that’s why my mother left me here. I don’t have anyone like Gram to take care of Lizzy, though. We’re on our own.”
“You don’t need to leave Lizzy with anyone. I’m here to help you. This is going to work out. Look around you. You have a good history here with your grandparents. This is the future they provided for you. It’s what you’ll pass along to Lizzy. This old place has seen a lot of love. If I have anything to do with it, it’s going to see a lot more.”
“This old barn sure has seen a lot of love.” Jordan smirked.
“You told me the first day I was here that this barn was special to your grandparents.”
“My grandfather came out here in the evenings to write his column for the paper. After her chores were done, my grandmother came
out to let him know it was time for bed. Most of the time, they didn’t wait to get to the bedroom. Sometimes they fell asleep in the hay the whole night.”
“How do you know about that?” Connor was astonished she’d have such intimate knowledge.
“My grandmother told me after my grandfather died. She still came out here to think about him at first, but it made her too sad. Finally, she quit coming altogether.” Jordan stood to leave.
“She told you that she and your grandfather used to have sex in the barn!”
“They were in love. There isn’t anything wrong with loving someone. Thinking about it gives me hope that someday I’ll be that happy too.”
“It is kind of romantic to think this place was so well used for all those years. I wonder if you’ll still be out in this barn making love when you’re a grandma.”
“I hope so,” she murmured wistfully.
“It would be a shame to let an old tradition die, you know.” Connor wiggled his brows.
“We’re not in love. It wouldn’t be the same.”
Connor’s chest tightened as she walked away. He’d thought his heart had turned to stone, but now it felt like delicate porcelain that had just cracked a little.
On Monday, Connor had finished removing the rotted barn roof. He laid plywood over the exposed rafters. The new roof would go on the next day. As he worked, he thought about the conversation with Jordan the night before. It would be something special to be that much in love. He wished that kind of love for Jordan someday. He longed to be the man to share it with her. However, that just wasn’t going to happen. She had made that clear. Could he blame her? Not when he looked in a mirror.
As he sat up to take a drink of water he saw her car coming down the road. His watch showed that it was only three o’clock. Something was wrong. He raced down the ladder to meet her in the driveway.
Jordan glared angrily as she opened the car door for Lizzy. The little girl’s clothes were dirty and her hair had pulled loose from the braids on each side of her head. Her bottom lip stuck out indignantly as she kept her head down.
Common Enemy Page 6
