Some of the woman’s shine dulled as she leaned forward. “Yes,” she said in a lowered voice. “It’s okay. He’s asleep. Please don’t be mad at me.”
Adira stayed quiet.
“He wants things to work out between us. He proved it by telling me everything.” Sandra clasped her hands together and placed them on the table.
“Everything?”
“Before we met, he was seeing someone else and she became pregnant. The child was born and put up for adoption. He couldn’t tell me before because he feared I wouldn’t stay with him if I knew.”
At the woman’s revelation, Adira pushed her cup away and shoved her chair back a few inches, her skin crawling knowing Joe was in the house. “Sandra, I know you love him and want to trust in him, but he hasn’t been kind to you. This is his way of manipulating you.”
“No…he’s proving his love for me. He’s giving up the drinking and the drugs. He’s learned his lesson. Now that Marshall is gone, it’s a good start.” The smile had faded as well as the brightness in her eyes.
Adira felt troubled. Joe was a bomb with a short fuse. If he awoke to find her here, he might explode.
“I should go.” Pushing her chair back further, she stood. “Thank you for the tea.”
Sandra came up from the chair. Her eyes were wide and her skin pasty. “Joe, what are you doing?”
Adira followed the woman’s frightened stare and found Joe standing in the threshold holding a shotgun aimed at her. His overalls were stained and he looked like he hadn’t slept in weeks…or months. His hands were shaking so much that he had a tough time keeping the gun on its target.
Her knees weakened, but she refused to allow him to see her fear.
“This bitch here brought her Sheriff boyfriend,” he spat out. He smelled so strong of alcohol that Adira got a buzz from across the room. Apparently, he’d lied to Sandra.
“I came alone, Joe,” Adira told him.
“That’s true,” Sandra added. “I saw Pippa Jericho drop her off and leave.”
“Is that right? Then what the hell is this?” Joe stepped in, grabbed Sandra by the arm and dragged her to the large living room window. “Look out. Tell me what you see.”
“It’s Sheriff Jericho.” Sandra’s voice trembled.
A cocktail of anger, distress, and relief spread through Adira. She had no clue Hugh would show up at the Peterson’s, but she had to turn this around so Joe didn’t feel threatened. “He’s not here for you, Joe.” She had to try something to calm the man down. “I was dropped off by Pippa Jericho as Sandra said. Hugh was coming to pick me up.” She hoped the skeptical, anxious man didn’t see right through her. Unfortunately, Pippa had only been running up the road to deliver something and she’d be back soon. “I should be going before he starts to wonder why I’m not coming out.” She forced her legs to move across the area rug and made it within ten feet of the door when he stopped her.
“Not so fast.” Joe blocked her path. “If I let you leave, you’ll tell Jericho that I’m in here and he’ll come in,” he said through clenched teeth.
“I won’t tell him you’re in here.”
“The hell you won’t. Everyone knows you and he are screwing.” Joe still had a hold of his wife.
“It means nothing though. Just a good time. In fact, I’ll be leaving soon. I’m Sandra’s friend and I think she should live her life how she chooses. She loves you and chooses you.” Adira felt sweat bead between her breasts and on her forehead. The deceitful words burned her tongue, but she’d say anything to make the man lower his gun.
“Listen to her,” Sandra touched his shoulder lightly. “She’s been good to me.”
He chuckled and it was a cold, brutal sound. “I’ve always believed you to be an idiot, Sandy, but this sure is your brightest moment of stupidity. Can’t you see she’ll tell you anything. No, she came here to sniff me out for that sum’bitch Jericho. I knew it’d only be a matter of time before he came snooping around like a dog. Ain’t that right, bitch?” His question was directed toward Adira.
She didn’t answer.
“I’ll drop the protective order,” Sandra offered. “Then there’s nothing he can do.”
He lowered the gun slightly and laughed. “Woman, he ain’t here about that piece of paper.” He let go of his wife to scrub his scraggly jaw.
“What are you talking about?” Sandra swallowed hard.
Joe’s shoulders slumped some and he seemed distracted. Adira took the opportunity to take a short step back toward the kitchen.
“I killed that sum’bitch, baby.” There was moisture in his bloodshot eyes.
“Who?’ Sandra scrunched her brows and then realization must have come to her because her eyes widened. “Marshall Reed? I don’t understand.”
“He deserved it, honey. That bastard fired me and I didn’t have a choice but to do his drug running for him, and then he pushed me out.”
Adira sucked in a breath, placing her hand against her chest hoping to calm the heavy beating of her heart. Joe confessed, and that meant he felt he was at the end of his rope. What would he do once everything was out and he wanted to save himself?
“You said you were only doing those things temporarily, until you found a good job. Why would you kill him?” Sandra’s bottom lip trembled and a tear slid down her cheek.
“The asshole cut me loose. He told me I was too much of a liability.” He rubbed the back of his hand across his nose and sniffed loudly. “Said I was using up all his merchandise. Fuck him! Who did he think he was, judging others when he’s fucking a girl that could be his daughter.” Spittle shot out of his mouth.
“Was he sleeping with Deandra?” Adira asked, understanding slowly coming to her.
“Fuck yeah. Maggie told me and hell, she offered me money to take out the scum Reed. I woulda done it for nothin’.” Sandra’s sob made Joe look at her. “I’m sorry, baby. I still have plans for you and me. We’ll get out of here. Run off where no one can find us.” The knock on the door made Joe spin, almost losing his balance. “Don’t make a sound, either of you,” he whispered. The gun was raised again with Sandra in its target.
“Sandra, it’s Hugh Jericho. You in there?” he said through the door, then he knocked again.
“I can convince him that you’re not in here, Joe,” Adira offered. “Let me try.”
“Too late for that. If you don’t want to get hurt, you’ll keep your mouth shut,” he threatened.
Chapter 13
Hugh climbed out of his truck and closed the door quietly, scanning the farm as far as his eyes could see. He didn’t see any movement, but Joe wouldn’t jump out and announce himself either. Removing his gun from its holster, Hugh held it aimed at the ground as he moved toward the barn, the building closest to the house. It was the only one that still had a roof.
Slowly making his way along the outside of the dilapidated barn, he stopped at the sliding door and gave it a good push, sending it partially open. He lifted his gun and eased himself around the corner, peering into the shadowed space. The only light came from a small window in the loft.
Carefully searching for any sign of movement, he made his way deeper inside, exploring every darkened spot where Joe could hide. Once the downstairs was clear, he lifted himself up the ramshackle ladder into the loft. There he found empty food containers and beer cans. They hadn’t been there long. A rat feasting on leftover beans on a paper plate paid Hugh no attention. A dirty horse blanket was thrown into one corner. Maggie was right. Joe had been here all this time, with or without Sandra’s knowledge.
Climbing down, he lowered his gun and stepped out into the bright sunlight. He gave the land one more scan before heading for the house, staying clear of the large window as he knocked on the door.
After several attempts without any luck, he stepped off the porch and rounded the house, heading into the backyard. Laundry hung on the line, flapping wildly in the breeze. There was no sign of anyone, but Sandra’s Honda was parked in fro
nt.
The sun glinted off something along the edge of the woods.
The tall grass quieted his steps as he moved toward the object. Once he came upon the truck covered in branches and foliage, his stomach twisted. Joe was in the house.
Hearing tires on gravel, Hugh came back to the front, recognizing Pippa’s truck. What the hell is she doing here?
Catching her before she could get out, she rolled the window down. “Hi, Hugh.”
“Pippa.”
“I guess since you’re here I’m no longer needed?” She laughed.
He blinked. “What do you mean?”
Her smile faded some. “To pick Adira up, of course. She asked me if I’d drop her off while I ran up the road to take the pies to the Beaver’s. I told her I’d come back to get her as soon as I could. Shelley got to talking about the kids, grandkids, and every—”
“Okay.” Hugh looked over his shoulder at the house, seeing movement behind the curtain on the window. “Listen, Pippa. Back up and head out to the main road. When you get there call Deputy LaGatta and tell her I need back up at the Peterson’s farm. Got it?”
Dread marred her expression. “What’s going on, Hugh? Is Adira okay?”
“Do what I ask, all right? Everything will be okay.”
In Pippa-fashion, she wanted to ask more questions, but her mouth twisted and she reluctantly shifted the truck in reverse. “You be careful, you hear?” she said before she backed out.
Once he made sure she was safely away from the farm, he turned his attention back to the house where the situation had become grave. He now knew Adira was inside and everything pointed to the fact that Joe was inside with her and Sandra. Hugh’s chest tightened and his heart hammered inside his chest, but he forced his body to relax as much as possible under the dire circumstances. He had to remain calm and make sure nothing happened that he would regret for the rest of his life. Adira might not have the same feelings, but he realized he loved her. He’d do anything in the world for her, including risking his life to keep her safe.
From the locked box in the back of his truck, he took out the shotgun, loaded it, then holstered his pistol. He also reached for the megaphone. He’d need it.
Opening the driver’s door, he used it as cover and he said through the mouthpiece of the megaphone, “Joe, come on out so I can speak to you.”
Nothing.
“I only need to talk to you, Joe. Let’s not allow things to escalate out of control.”
After several anxious minutes, the window shattered. Joe used his gun to break the glass. “I ain’t comin’ out, Sheriff,” he yelled trough the opening.
“I know what happened. I understand. You were being a father, taking care of yours, but let’s not make this worse. Come on out and let’s talk.” Hugh knew better, but he had to hope he could butter the man up.
“I ain’t got nothin’ to say to you or anyone.”
“Who do you have in there with you, Joe?”
There was a long hesitation. “I got your woman. You should have thought better than sending her in as your snitch, buddy. I thought you were smarter than that.”
“I didn’t send her in. She came because she’s friends with your wife. I had no clue she was here until Pippa told me.”
“Y’all are trying to convince Sandy to give me up. This has escalated because you can’t keep your nose where it belongs,” Joe yelled.
“You’re right. I shouldn’t have pressured Sandra. I’m sorry about that, but this can’t go down like this, Joe. Send the ladies out and let this stay between you and me. I know you. A man who’d protect his daughter like you did means well. Townsfolk will see that you’re a good man—a helpful, caring man—once they hear you took care of Reed. But if you hurt Sandra or Adira, people will forget how you protected Deandra and only see that you hurt two innocent people.”
“Give it up, Sheriff. I’m not going down like this. Not alive anyway.”
Hugh rubbed his forehead, sweat layering his skin. Carol came over the radio. “Sheriff, Ben and I are almost there. Three minutes out.”
He didn’t bother responding as he stared at the house, checking out every detail and path he could take. His intention was for no one to get hurt. “Joe, my deputies are on their way. Once they get here, things will take a turn for the worse. Let’s deescalate this while we can. And man-to-man, you have someone in there that I care deeply for. You know me, I’m a fair man, with and without this badge, but if you hurt her, a woman who is like family to me, no one will save you from the Jericho wrath. Not even the devil himself. Now come to your senses. You’ve done some wrong in the past years, but you’re not a man who wants to harm his wife.”
This was Hugh’s last and final chance for Joe to do the right thing. The longer he had Sandra and Adira in the house, the more serious the situation was.
And then the door opened. Hugh lowered the megaphone, but kept the shotgun aimed at the house. Seconds seemed to turn into excruciating minutes until finally he saw movement. Sandra stepped out, her hands raised. “Sheriff, it’s me. Joe is sending me out.” She slowly stepped across the porch.
Where the hell is Adira?
His mouth went dry. His chest ached. He could barely breathe.
“Run to me, Sandra. Now!” Without hesitation, the woman darted toward the truck. He could see the tear stains on her face.
“He’s out of his mind, Hugh,” she sobbed.
“Get behind the truck and stay put. How many guns does he have in there?”
“One. He sold the others.”
Minutes ticked by.
“Joe, send Adira out. She has nothing to do with this.”
Then he saw her. She stepped through the open doorway and their gazes met. In that millisecond, he understood her fear and he made a silent promise that he would never let anything happen to her. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. He’d give her his whole heart for a lifetime if she’d accept it.
It seemed to take years for her to reach the truck. Once she was safely there, he asked, “Are you okay?”
With tears streaming down her face, Adira joined Sandra and wrapped her arms around the woman’s shoulders to steady her. “Hugh, he won’t come out alive. Please don’t kill him. Please talk some sense into him,” Sandra said through sobs.
“I’ll do my best,” he answered, but held Adira’s gaze. “Are you okay?” he asked again.
She nodded. “I’m okay, but he killed Reed.”
“I know. You two run to the end of the lane. Stay there.” He had business to still take care of. He meant it when he said he’d do his best to take Joe out of the situation alive. Although Hugh had nothing in common with the other man, one thing they could see eye-to-eye on was protecting family. Hugh couldn’t say what he’d do in a circumstance where his child was being harmed, but he’d guess he’d break a man’s neck if he hurt one of his own. Yet, Joe had to face the heat. Maggie would face prison time in her role in Reed’s death, but Hugh knew the court would take into consideration her story. Joe would also get to tell his too. Reed had destroyed a lot of lives and, in the end, he paid with his own.
Megaphone lifted, Hugh said, “Now it’s just the two of us, Joe. Come out. You’ll have the chance to tell the court everything you know about Reed, what he’s done to our community.”
He could hear sirens in the distance. His deputies were now within half a mile.
“Joe, Sandra wants you to come out.” Hugh swiped the sweat from his brow.
Seconds ticked, the sirens were now in the driveway. Hugh stepped away from the truck.
Joe yelled, “Okay. I’m coming out.”
He stepped through the door into the center of the porch, but he still held his gun. Hugh dropped the megaphone at his feet, lifting his shotgun to aim at Joe. “Put the gun down! Now!”
“I ain’t going down alive,” Joe said.
Somewhere in the distance Hugh heard screams and he wasn’t sure if it was Adira or Sandra, or both. Things slowed down, and
yet were as fast as lightning. Joe lifted his gun. Hugh pulled the trigger on the shotgun at the same time he felt a searing white-hot pain in his shoulder…sending him landing on his back in the dirt…more screams…then Adira at his side. Tears were streaming down her cheeks. Her blue eyes were dark and grave. He stared up at her through a blurred fog. “You were supposed to be by the main road,” he whispered.
“I couldn’t leave you.”
“Don’t cry. You’re okay.” He touched her cheek.
“Not if you die. Don’t you dare!” She had his hand, holding it tight.
“No worries, darlin’. It ain’t nothing.” Everything faded to black.
Chapter 14
The first thing he felt was a deep pain in his shoulder that spread down his arm. Hugh squinted as he moved, trying to ease the discomfort, but it didn’t work. Fluttering his eyes open, ready to give hell to whomever was causing the ache, he saw a bright light. Am I dead? No. If I were, I wouldn’t feel any pain.
He opened his eyes fully and he saw the faces of Weston, Roman, Penn, and Urban surrounding him. They smiled. “His ugly mug is awake,” one of them said, followed by nervous laughter.
“Nothing can keep a Jericho down,” another said.
“You boys behave yourselves. No irritating him until he’s recovered and can defend himself or you’ll have us women to contend with.”
Hugh recognized Sammie’s voice as she stepped up next to her husband, wagging her finger at him in reprisal.
“Hell, he knows we love him,” Weston muttered.
“You had me scared, Hugh. I would have strangled you if you would have died,” Pippa said. By her red-rimmed eyes, he could tell she had been crying.
“That makes two of us,” Harley added.
“Say something,” Presley patted his hand. “How do you feel?”
“Wh-what happened? Was I shot?” His mouth was so dry and he was so damn thirsty he could barely talk.
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