by Mari Carr
He loved her sense of humor and savored every minute they spent talking on the phone, which was nowhere near often enough for him. She didn’t stutter or stumble anymore and Rick was pleased to hear a strength in her voice that hadn’t been there in the early days of their acquaintance.
“I still don’t see a problem.” Wes interrupted his thoughts with a consoling slap on the back. “I didn’t say you should go home and do the nasty with her. Date her, Rick. I know it’s a radical concept, but if you really apply yourself, you should be able to pull it off.”
“People who live in glass houses, Wes…” Rick figured his friend’s jest described both of them to a tee. “I haven’t had a normal relationship since college. Our chosen profession doesn’t lend itself to normalcy. We can be called out of town or the country at a moment’s notice. We never know if we’re going to be away days or months. No woman will put up with that kind of crap. Add to that the fact that Kate is a vanilla girl and I’m a dark chocolate kind of guy and you have a recipe for disaster.” Rick tried to make light of facts that were keeping him up most nights, but sensed Wes wasn’t fooled by his nonchalance.
“I don’t know about disaster. Haven’t you ever heard of swirl ice cream? Like I said, you and Kate are perfect for each other.”
“What in the hell could you possibly be basing that on?”
“Consider this.” Wes started ticking off his list on his fingers. “One, she loves that damned old farmhouse as much as you do. She’s freaking Martha Stewart, which God knows, we need. Two, you obviously find her attractive if you count the number of times you look at that blasted picture of her and Rex on the computer.”
Rick started to deny it, but Wes shrugged him off.
“Save your breath. You minimize the thing every time I’m around. I’m the observant one, remember? You have to get up pretty early in the morning—”
“I get it.” Rick raised his hands in mock surrender. “You got me. So what if I do look at it? It’s a good picture of Rex.”
Wes burst out laughing at Rick’s joke. “Yeah, right, you’re only looking at Rex. To continue, you can deny this but I happen to know you’re through with the agency and for that matter, so am I.”
Rick fell silent, amazed by his friend’s intuitiveness. He’d been thinking of leaving the DEA for months, but hadn’t mentioned those thoughts to Wes. He simply hadn’t known how to admit to his partner he wanted out when he was sure Wes didn’t.
Wes continued to speak, his voice serious for once. “Rick, we used to love this life. The thrill of the chase and all that. There was a time when we thought we could save the world. Time and experience has made us wiser and a hell of a lot more cynical. I’m tired, man. I’m too old for this shit and fact is…I want kids.”
Rick was shocked by Wes’s admission. His best friend never talked about leaving the agency. Rick thought he was the only one fed up with the tediousness, the red tape, the danger. And Wes never in twenty years of friendship expressed a desire to be a father, yet as soon as he said the words, Rick knew the same was true for him. He’d love to settle down and raise kids. He could picture Kate standing on the porch of the farmhouse with a baby—his baby—on her hip. The idea appealed more than he thought possible.
“And I want them before I get too old to pick them up. Kate is the kind of girl you could marry and spend a lifetime with. Don’t fuck it up. Go after her.”
Wes, never one to maintain a serious conversation for long, walked toward the bed. “Besides, if you don’t go after her, I just might. I mean let’s face it, Kate’s kind of turned into a total babe now that she’s lost some weight and wears her hair down with those sexy blond highlights—and her tits are to die for.”
Rick narrowed his eyes at Wes’s words, which caused his friend to start laughing. “Before you hit me, I’m kidding. Kate could never be more than a friend to me. Not when it’s so obvious you’re head over heels for her. Besides, let’s face it, Rick. We’re mature, responsible, manly men now.” As he spoke, he deepened his voice and struck a Superman pose and Rick laughed.
“God help the world when you decide to grow up, Peter Pan.”
“I’m going out for ice cream. Noticed a couple tasty-looking treats downstairs in the hotel bar when we came in.” Wes flashed him a wicked grin, obviously not finished taking a dig at him. “Kinda in the mood for some Neapolitan. Always did like how they put the strawberry in the middle of the chocolate and vanilla.”
Rick laughed at Wes’s continued teasing. “Let me guess. In this instance, you plan to be the strawberry?”
“Well, I am known for my sweet disposition. Wanna come? Last hurrah, as it were? Just for old times’ sake?”
“No,” Rick replied, “I think I’ll abstain from sweets until we get home. I suddenly find myself craving something simpler, less complicated. Besides, what about your girl back home?” Rick’s curiosity about the mystery woman was returning now that he knew Wes wasn’t in love with Kate—and he was taken aback by the sadness that crept into his friend’s eyes.
Wes shrugged. “I don’t seem to be a blip on her radar yet and until we finish up this damn case, my hands are tied. But don’t worry. Once we get back to Madison, that woman isn’t going to know what hit her.”
After Wes left, Rick reread Kate’s email again before clicking reply.
Kate,
Next year, you and I will usher in autumn on the front porch together. Save the first day of fall for me.
Rick
Chapter 6
Late November
“Hulloooo,” Kate’s voice greeted.
Rick frowned, uncertain he’d ever heard that particular tone from his lovely house sitter. “Kate?” He spoke loudly, wondering if she could hear him over the blaring music in the background.
“Rick?” She was yelling into the receiver and he could hear her shushing someone behind her. “Be quiet. It’s Rick. Stop singing, Jill.”
The background noise only faded a bit. “Hiya Ricky. How’re you doin’?” Kate’s voice was slurred and Rick realized at once why she sounded so strange. She was drunk.
“Are you having a party, Kate?” Rick watched Wes emerge from the adjoining hotel room.
“Kate’s having a party?” Wes asked, but Rick waved him away listening to Kate’s response.
“Jus’ a few of the girls from work and Jilly. We’re celebrating.”
“Oh.” Rick struggled to decide whether he was amused or angry. “What are you celebrating?”
Rather than answering, Kate asked her own question. “Is Wes there?”
“Yes.” Rick finally settled on being annoyed. What the hell is going on? “He’s right here.”
“Lemme talk to him.” Rick could tell by her demanding tone that Kate was not just tipsy, but completely and utterly sloshed.
“She wants to talk to you.” Rick frowned and handed Wes his cell.
“Hi Kate,” Wes said. “Are you having a—”
He didn’t get to finish his question and Rick watched as Wes’s face flushed slightly.
“Yes,” Wes said after a moment. “I’ve heard of those. Four of them? Maybe you should take it easy.”
“What’s she saying?” Rick demanded.
“She’s drinking shots—blowjobs.” Wes was chuckling.
“Give me that phone.” Rick grabbed the phone away from Wes.
“Kate,” Rick started, but she continued speaking, apparently unaware Wes was no longer on the phone.
“Can’t use your hands.” She was obviously mid-story. “Just your mouth. They taste like coconut—yuck. I hate coconut. But I didn’t spit it out. I swallowed every drop.”
Rick groaned at her words as the erection her voice inspired rose to full mast. “Jesus, Kate.” He tried to erase the very erotic picture she drew in his mind and then figured what the hell and gave into it. When he checked back into the conversation, she was still slurring and rambling on about a mile a minute.
“Shot the fucking bastard r
ight between the eyes!”
“What? Who did you shoot?”
“Shoot?” Wes came to sit beside Rick, who pushed the speakerphone button so Wes could hear as well. In his mind, Rick was trying to figure out how he could get home in time to extricate Kate from whatever mess she may be in at the moment without damaging his investigation.
“It was a brilliant shot. Even the firefighters said so.”
“Firefighters?” Rick was more confused than ever. “Kate. Is something on fire?”
“Jus’ my wedding dress.”
“Kate,” Wes interrupted. “Is Jill there?”
“Yep, hang on a sec.” A loud hiccup crossed the line followed by Kate’s laughter. “I’ll get her. I sure do miss you guys. Jilly, the boys wanna talk to you.”
“Hello?”
“Jill,” Wes’s voice was irate and Rick realized he wasn’t the only one alarmed by Kate’s condition and comments. “What the hell is going on there?”
“Her divorce was final today.” Rick began to feel somewhat reassured by the steadiness of Jill’s voice. At least she wasn’t drunk as a skunk.
“So what?” Wes didn’t seem to share that relief and was clearly still concerned. “Kate mentioned shooting someone and firefighters.”
At Jill’s laugh, Rick felt his temper rise. “Dammit, Jill, what the hell is going on?”
Jill attempted to stifle her laughter, but her answer was halting at best between all her giggling. “Kate got the divorce papers in the mail this morning. A couple of the girls and I decided to throw her a divorce shower.”
“Divorce shower?” Rick asked.
“We brought over a bunch of booze and a big picture of Zack. Started doing shots and shooting BB guns at Zack’s photo. Kate really got into it. Never seen her so happy or at ease. I thought she’d be depressed, but she’s actually over the moon. Anyway, she went up to the house and came out with her wedding dress. We used it as kindling to start a bonfire. Someone driving by called 9-1-1 even though the fire was perfectly contained. Jonesy and Mick ran the call, thank God. They thought it was funny and put out the bonfire, then Jonesy helped Kate line up her last shot at Zack the Rat. Nailed the picture right between the eyes. She was so excited she kissed Jonesy! Can you believe it? Jonesy! Thought the old guy would have a heart attack!”
Rick and Wes frowned at each other. Rick didn’t like the thought of Kate kissing anybody, even if Jonesy was pushing sixty and a grandfather of five.
“Jill.” Rick couldn’t help worrying when a loud shriek sounded through the phone line. “You will take care of her, won’t you?”
“Of course I will, Rick. She’s my baby sister—and don’t you dare yell at her either. Your precious house and yard are fine. She needed today. Wait a second.”
Rick could hear Jill talking to someone and then Kate’s voice came back on the line.
“Hey,” she said breathlessly.
“Hey Kate,” he and Wes both answered in unison.
“When’re you guys coming home?”
“It will still be a couple weeks, at least,” Wes answered.
“Oh, well, don’t worry about anything. Me and Rex and the house are all doing jus’ fine.”
“Yeah.” Rick attempted to joke despite his worry. “You sound like you’re doing fine.”
“Oh hell.” She started giggling. “I’ll be sick as a dog tomorrow and swearing off alcohol forever, but you know what? Even then, I’ll know it was worth it. I love how I feel right now. I wish I could be this happy every day.”
Rick silently wished the same thing for her and then wished even more that he could be with her to celebrate.
Later that night, he was still thinking about her and decided to send her an email.
Kate,
Hope your head isn’t hurting you too badly today. Try ginger ale and saltines. That always works for me when I’m hung-over. Congratulations on your return to single status. Enjoy your freedom. Have some turkey and dressing for me tomorrow. Can’t tell you what I’d give for a slice of Jill’s pumpkin pie with that fancy whipped topping of hers. I wanted to let you know that this year I’m thankful for you. For all your work on the house, the way you’ve taken care of Rex and your unwavering friendship. With any luck, I’ll be back for Christmas and if not, definitely in time to ring in the New Year with you.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Rick
Rereading the message before hitting send, Rick was tempted to add a bit to the “Enjoy your freedom” part. Something along the lines of “while it lasts”. But he decided not to mention his intentions of expanding on their budding friendship.
Deciding the message was fine for now, he hit send before shutting the computer down and chuckling himself to sleep—the image of Kate drinking shots with no hands, shooting a BB gun and kissing an old fireman running through his mind as he drifted off.
Chapter 7
Mid-December
“The whole thing went to hell at the end.” Rick paced the hallway of the hospital outside Wes’s room as he answered his captain’s questions. “Someone on the inside figured out Wes wasn’t what he seemed to be.”
“And your identity?” Captain Rogers asked.
“Remained secure, sir,” Rick replied. “Wes went missing about an hour before the bust went down yesterday morning.”
Rick replayed the events of the past two days for his captain, trying to determine if there was anything he could have done differently.
“Rick. I think you know your response was reckless and downright asinine. You could have gotten yourself killed.”
It was nearly midnight and Rick had been awake well over seventy-two hours. His brain had gone to mush so many hours ago he couldn’t even work up the energy to defend his actions, so he merely nodded.
“I think you also know if you hadn’t acted as you did, Wes would be dead.” His boss’s voice was gentler as he continued to speak and he reached over to put a comforting hand on Rick’s shoulder. “Good job, McAllister. If you hadn’t run into that warehouse to find him, he never would have made it out alive.”
“I left my post, sir. I failed to follow your direct order to stay put.” Rick wasn’t sure why he was voluntarily admitting to his misdeeds.
“And believe me, at the time, I was pissed as hell. I was more than ready to fire your impertinent, arrogant ass and the brass will know it was your decision and yours alone to risk your neck running into that place in the middle of a gunfight to drag Wes out. The jury is still out on whether it was bravery or stupidity, but the fact remains you saved your partner’s life.”
The raid launched by Rick’s team interrupted the drug lord’s rather persuasive questioning of Wes about his association with the law. However, two hired thugs still managed to beat Wes to within an inch of his life before Rick could get to him. Rick couldn’t help but feel a sick satisfaction about having put a period at the end of their corrupt lives. Breaking into the room in the midst of the gunfight raging outside, Rick shot both men before either of them was able to draw their gun. Rick still wasn’t sure how he managed to get out of the warehouse with Wes on his back. One minute they were dodging bullets from every direction and the next they were both laying on the ground behind their own SWAT vehicles, Wes unconscious from his injuries and Rick gasping for enough breath to thank God he was alive.
A nurse came out of Wes’s room and Rick walked over to her.
“How is he?”
“Sleeping peacefully. He’s heavily sedated, so I’m afraid there’s no chance he’ll wake up tonight if you were hoping to speak to him.”
As the nurse returned to her station, Captain Rogers moved to stand next to Rick. “Why don’t you go on back to the hotel and get some rest, Rick. You heard the nurse. Wes will be asleep for quite a while. It looks like you could do with some of that yourself.”
Rick nodded. “Yeah, all right. I’m sorry for not following your orders, Captain, but I’m not sorry for any of the rest.”
“Yo
u did good, Rick. Besides, it’s no fun chewing your ass when you’re this tired. Get some sleep and I’ll kick it good and hard tomorrow.” Rick smiled wearily as his captain left. The captain was a good man and it was going to be hard to tell him that he was retiring his badge.
Rick’s future loomed bright ahead of him and with any luck, it would come complete with black hair and blue eyes.
Rick walked over to Wes’s room and peered in the window to see his friend lying in the bed, needles and tubes sticking out of both arms. His right leg was elevated in a thick cast that reached to his knee and his head was bandaged. Even from this distance, Rick could make out the two black eyes surrounding his broken nose.
He knew his friend’s recovery wouldn’t be easy and would take time. There had been internal bleeding and the doctors were originally concerned that perhaps a lung had been punctured by one of his numerous broken ribs. Fortunately, emergency surgery proved that wasn’t the case. Although he was far from out of the woods, the doctor’s prognosis for his recovery had been hopeful.
“He’s healthy and young with a strong will to survive.” The physician’s words had reassured him, but he was still unwilling to leave his friend completely alone. Sinking down into a chair in the waiting room, Rick reached for his cell phone. Before he could make a conscious decision about what he was doing, Rick called his own home number. Kate answered on the third ring, her voice heavy with sleep.
“Hello?”
“Kate. It’s Rick.”
Rick listened as she forced herself to wake. He could hear her sitting up in bed and he thought he detected the click of the bedside light being flicked on. “Are you okay? Where are you? What time is it?”
“It’s a little after midnight and I’m in a small hospital in Texas.”
“Oh my God, what happened? Are you hurt? Where’s Wes?”
“I’m fine.” Rick was secretly pleased by her concern. “Wes is considerably less than fine, but getting better.” The stress of the case and the last two days caught up with him. “I’m done with this, Kate.”
“With what?”
