“I babied him too much afterward. I begged him to move home, where I could take care of him, but he was too stubborn.” Judith let out a chuckle. “For the life of me I couldn’t figure out why he wouldn’t leave DC. When he came home for a bit afterward…” She paused as if she was reflecting on something. “He wasn’t himself. I think I understand why now.” She patted Tori’s bare thigh. “He’s different with you than he was with…” Tori heard Judith hesitate as she stumbled on her words. “I can see how happy you make him.”
With who?
Who else had Scott been serious with?
“I…I…” Tori stammered. Scott came home after he left DC? She was off living the life in New York, hell if she knew what he was doing back then.
“Thank you for watching out for my boy for me,” Judith said warmly. “I know you will always take good care of him.” She rocked Tori’s leg back and forth and finally let go of her.
Tori’s heart swelled with pride at Judith’s words.
She trusts me.
Suddenly a wave of guilt washed over her.
“I lied to you,” Tori blurted out and buried her face in her hands, wishing she could disappear. Tori straightened her spine back up and sucked in a breath. “Ok, not lied, but I stretched the truth about where we were headed.”
“Mmm hmm,” Judith hummed, and Tori imagined that her lips were pulled together tightly as her eyes narrowed on the road. “I gathered as much when I saw the address.”
“I really am going to meet a friend, well, Scott’s friend I guess I should say…” Tori tried to explain. “Scott has this friend, Blaze, who’s somewhat of a mess—”
“What kind of name is Blaze?”
“It’s a nickname, long story.” Tori waved her hand. “Anyhow, he goes by Blaze now.”
Judith chuckled. “Blaze sounds like some sort of drug dealer. Now I know my boy doesn’t do drugs, well not Scott.” Judith sounded pained.
Tori’s encounter with Chad the night before flashed through her mind and a pang went through her heart.
“Blaze isn’t a drug dealer.”
I think.
Tori went into the short explanation of how he came by the nickname by singing Bon Jovi’s “Blaze of Glory” in the chopper after he was shot overseas. Halfway through, she realized she had no idea what Blaze’s real first name was. Scott had said his last name once on the houseboat telling her the story.
What the hell was his last name?
Tori racked her brain till it finally came to her. “Hodges! That’s it!” Tori exclaimed. “I don’t know the first name.”
“Hodges…” Judith seemed to mull that over for a bit. “Lord have mercy, Ian Hodges?” Judith sounded as if it meant something important.
“Possibly…” Tori shrugged, “Like I said, I don’t know his first name.”
“Honey, everyone knows who Ian Hodges is, especially Wayne and I.” Tori could hear emotion clogging Judith’s throat. “He’s a military hero. He saved Scott’s life. He took ten rounds to the body and one bad one to the neck on a hostage rescue mission with Scott. Nearly killed the man, and almost paralyzed him. He wasn’t only awarded a Purple Heart, but the Navy Cross. Wayne and I sent him letters and packages while he was laid up in the hospital. We wanted to go visit him, but he wouldn’t return our letters.”
Tori let that sink in for a moment.
Scott had given her the watered-down, PG rated version of the story. Scott said several rounds, but ten? How in the hell does someone survive that? He did that saving Scott? Tori’s soft spot for Blaze grew a little bigger.
“So why are you going to meet with Ian Hodges?” Judith asked.
“Well, Blaze, I mean Ian,” Tori couldn’t quite bring herself to call him that, he was just Blaze to her, “got himself in a mess last night with a woman. Let’s just say he picks the wrong companions.” Tori gave Judith her own PG rated version of the story leaving off the she-rode-me-like-a-fucking-bull part.
The car came to a halt and Judith turned off the engine.
“Thank you for the ride, Judith. Blaze will make sure I get back safe.” Tori grabbed the handle of the car.
“Oh, no he won’t.” Judith dug her heels in. “I’m going with you. I need to have a talk with this boy.”
Tori chuckled. This was about to get interesting.
Blaze’s eyes were immediately drawn to Tori. She looked like the world’s shittiest bank robber, wearing a hoodie and a baseball cap drawn low over her eyes, which were covered with Aviators. Was she trying to be sneaky wearing that getup? He laughed at the absurdity of that. The white cane did nothing but fucking draw everyone’s eyes right to her. It took Blaze at least twenty seconds to even register that she was with someone.
Next to Tori stood Judith Harris, aka Mamma Harris as she scrawled on the bottom of every handwritten letter.
Oh, the hell she didn’t.
He may have never met the woman face to face, but he’d know her for certain if he passed that red-head on a crowded street. Judith sent him not only letters, but dozens of cards with sky filled doves and bible scriptures scrawled on them when he was in the hospital. Oh, and cookies. Yeah; he appreciated those. He read every word she wrote, trashed the scripture filled cards, but ate every last crumb. The woman could bake a mean-ass chocolate chip cookie.
Blondie whispered something to her and Mamma Harris scanned the diner, her eyes locking with his. Her brow raised in acknowledgment and her thin lips tightened as if she was displeased with him. She may not look much like Scott, but he’d inherited that scowl from her.
She marched straight over to him, dragging Blondie along for the ride. Blaze stood and let out a hefty sigh, peering at the two of them.
Judith Harris was small but fierce with her wild red hair and her thinly plucked, arched brows. She was shorter than he expected, considering the size of her son. She only stood about five feet two inches tall, he guessed. How that tiny woman ever gave birth to the beast that was Scott was beyond his comprehension.
“Hey, Blondie, nice getup.” Blaze reached over and tugged on the brim of the brown ball cap with the Makers Mark patch on the front. “You look like the Unibomber.”
“I wouldn’t know.” Her mouth quirked up in the corner and she curled her nose.
“Mamma Harris, I presume. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.” He gave her a nod and a slight bow.
“You never wrote me back.” Judith’s green eyes narrowed, and she jutted out her strong, square chin.
Looking back, he was a son of a bitch for not writing her back, but he was so damn angry at the time. When you get a fucking bullet lodged in your neck and you aren’t sure if your dick will ever get hard again, it’ll piss any man off. He didn’t say that though, instead he opted for, “I did love the cookies. Best chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever eaten.” He flashed her a wolfish grin and patted his stomach.
A smile reached Judith’s eyes first, then her painted, red lips curled. Before he knew it, Judith lunged toward him, wrapping her arms around him, practically choking off his air supply. His eyes bulged at Judith’s strength.
“Holy cow,” he croaked, pretending to be out of breath. “Now I know where your son gets his ox strength from.”
As he returned the embrace, he glanced over her shoulder and could see Blondie holding back a snicker. “Judith’s hugs need to come with a warning label that they may cause internal injury,” Tori quipped.
Finally, Judith released the straight-jacket-hold that she had on him and then whacked him in the shoulder. “What are you doing, going home with a strange woman? A bar is no place to meet a lady!” She scolded.
“Harris told me he met Blondie in a bar.” Blaze may as well tattle like a kid, since he was being treated like one. “He went home with her that night. Worked out well for him.” Blaze shrugged.
“Blaze!” Tori’s jaw went slack and she turned about three shades of red. Served her right for dragging Scott’s mom with her—of all people.
&
nbsp; Judith’s brow went up and she cleared her throat. “Don’t throw this sweet girl and my son under the bus to get yourself out of trouble, boy.” She poked him in the chest.
A smug grin crept across Tori’s face, as if she’d just won a huge victory. Apparently, Scott wasn’t the only Harris that was wrapped around Blondie’s little finger.
“Now be a gentleman and escort Miss Victoria out while I take care of your bill.” Judith nodded to the table with his dirty dish on it.
“It’s taken care of,” Blaze said with a wicked grin.
His waitress came over and leaned across the table, her tits spilling out of her tank top as she cleared his dishes. “You have a good day, darlin.” She licked her pouty, pink lips and winked at him. “Thanks for the tip.” The waitress leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
“Well, I’ll be,” Judith huffed and marched toward the door.
“Do I even want to know how your tab was paid?” Tori whispered to him as he looped his arm with hers.
Blaze laughed and patted her hand. “Probably not, Blondie, probably not.”
God bless Texas.
Scott’s cell phone buzzed for the second time inside his pocket and he figured it was a good time to give the guys a break anyway. He dismissed his class and walked outside, heading away from the smoking section where Presley hung back with a few of the men. He was growing impatient with Blaze and as much as the nicotine would relieve the pounding in his temples he didn’t need the grief that Tori would give him. She’d smell it like a bloodhound all over him. Somehow, she’d found the pack he hid in the potted plant last week and chewed his ass out for it, rightfully so. He didn’t even enjoy the damn things anymore, it was more of a vice every now and again when he was stressed, and he hated himself every time he succumbed to having one.
Scott glanced at his phone, two missed calls from Tori. Two? She wouldn’t call twice unless something was amiss. He dialed her back.
“What’s wrong?” he shot.
“I have a package for you,” her devilish, throaty purr sang through the line.
“You do know I’m in the middle of training, right?” he lowered his voice. “I thought something was wrong since you called twice. Babe, you’re out of your mind. I can’t leave to have sex right now.”
“Aw, I hate to burst that gigantic ego of yours, but that’s not what I mean.” She snickered. “No. This is a different package. It’s from Florida. Something you’ve been missing all morning.”
Scott’s ears grew hot. “Blaze is with you!” he growled. “What the hell is he doing with you?”
“This is Blaze, babe, what do you think happened?”
“Oh, I’d assume it has something to do with a scantily dressed, hot chick.” Scott rolled his eyes.
“Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner.” Her voice bellowed like a radio announcer. “Tell me the address where your mother and I can ship your grand prize.”
Scott tilted his head back and roared in laughter. Blaze had to be getting an earful from his mother about right now. Finally, his laughter died down. “I’ll text you the address. Message me when you get here. I’ll meet you at the gate.
They must not have been too far because Scott received her text about twenty minutes later. Thankfully one of the other men took the lead in the class so he could slip out the back unnoticed.
“Well, well, well, look what we have here,” Scott said as he sauntered over to the car with his hands in his pockets. His mom, Tori and Blaze were all climbing out. “Had to get Mommy and big sis to come save your ass?” Scott walked over to Tori and wrapped his arms around her, greeting her with a kiss.
Tori said nothing but smiled sweetly at him.
He knew her well enough to know she’d had quite an interesting morning with his mom. He couldn’t wait to hear her recap later.
Blaze rolled his green eyes at Scott. “She was worth it, Harris. That’s all I can say.”
Scott released Tori and let his arm hang casually around her waist.
“Nice hat.” Scott tugged on the brim. He liked seeing her in his clothes; it was intimate to him.
“I didn’t have much time to get myself together.” Tori frowned. Whatever. She looked damn adorable to him.
His mom scowled at Blaze and placed her hands on her hips. “I expected much better from this soldier.” His mom ranted on for several moments recapping the story, including how this woman robbed him blind and got him kicked out of his hotel.
“Wait? You got kicked out of the hotel?” Scott pinched the bridge of his nose. He’d have to call Jack Riley, get the company card, and book another room, which would lead to questions about his judgement for bringing Blaze on the gig. Scott didn’t need this right now.
“Apparently, the upscale establishment you all were staying at frowns upon solicitation.” Tori twisted her mouth.
“God, Blaze! Do you realize the heat that this will bring on me with Riley?”
“She wasn’t a hooker, dammit!” Blaze scratched the back of his neck. “She just looked like one.”
“How about you stay with us the rest of the trip?” Scott’s mom suggested.
“Fine, but only if you promise to make me chocolate chip cookies again.” Blaze gave her a childish grin.
Scott couldn’t contain his chuckles of mirth. One thing you didn’t do was argue with Mamma. About that time, Scott heard the group coming out the gate, Presley and the rest of the team headed to the parking lot along with several of the officers. Presley caught his eye and he waved them over.
“Look who finally showed up in time for lunch break.” Presley’s grin grew wide. “What was her name?” She cocked her hip to the side and crossed her arms, glaring at Blaze.
Blaze scratched his temple. “Honestly, I don’t even know. I called her Dolly because she had bleach-blonde hair and tits like—”
Judith knocked him on the back side of his head.
“Ow!” Blaze yelped. “Strong and violent! Lord, Harris, now I know where you get it from.”
Everyone laughed.
“Presley, I’d like you to meet my mother, Judith.” Scott placed his arm around his mom and gave her a squeeze.
They exchanged pleasantries. Thankfully, his mother didn’t embrace Presley in one of her choke-hold hugs.
“Y’all about ready to have lunch? Why don’t you come to the house and let me whip you up something? We don’t live far from here at all.”
By whip up something, she meant go to extremes trying to impress his friends. “Mom we don’t have much time,” he protested.
“Ok, dinner tonight it is. Say six?” Judith nodded to the group.
They all exchanged glances, then looked to Scott for approval. He nodded.
“Only if you promise to bust out all the embarrassing photos of Scott as a baby,” Presley chimed and gave Scott a playful grin.
“Well, of course!” His mother clapped her hands together and beamed.
Tori sat on the bed with her earphones in, listening to her audio book for entertainment, killing time until Scott and the gang got home. As soothing as the British voice was, she longed for the days that she could hold a crisp paperback in her hand and scan the black words on the page, reading with her own internal dialogue for the novel.
Reading an entire novel by braille was a pipe dream. At her current reading speed, she’d be reading till the end of time. Not to mention how goddamn thick the book would be. Obviously, the books were broken up into sections, but still.
She should apply herself to study more now that her brain was at a somewhat normal processing speed. After the accident, it was too much for her to take in. She was still slow on attention to detail at times. Too much detail, too much thought, triggered the nasty headaches.
She paused, realizing that Scott hadn’t picked up on either of those things, yet. She wasn’t about to give him another thing to worry about.
Fuck. What did they just say?
She’d missed the last several minutes of dia
logue. Sighing, she pulled out her earbuds, giving up on the book.
The house was eerily quiet without Wayne and Judith. With the large acreage, there wasn’t much noise, nothing like the city traffic she was used to. Maybe she should have taken Scott’s parents up on their offer to ride along on their errands. She was bored out of her mind and it was just after lunch. She still had hours to kill. How was she going to survive the entire trip?
Wait…
Was that rustling in the master bedroom? She didn’t hear any voices. The Harris family was a noisy bunch.
Probably that goddamn cat.
Apparently, Judith wasn’t much of a dog person. Other than being slightly nosy that was the only large fault she’d found in the woman thus far. What kind of farm doesn’t have a dog?
She stretched, stood, and sighed. Being in Scott’s old bedroom made her kind of sad. She wondered what it looked like. Knowing Judith, she’d probably left the thing untouched—a shrine to her son.
Oh, she knew it was a queen bed in the center of the room with a night table on either side and a desk in the corner, with a dresser on the opposite side of the bed. That told her brain geometrically what was there, but she longed for the finer details. Were there posters on the wall? Old trophies from sports? Her fingers grazed across the desk and found a frame. Was it a photo of him in his football uniform?
Maybe it was his band.
She smiled at the thought and a chuckle broke through her lips. The rustling from down the hall snapped her from her train of thought.
Tori reached along the wall, found her cane, quietly opened the door to the bedroom and listened. The distinct scratch-snap of a drawer being slammed stalled her breathing.
Definitely not the cat.
Someone was in the house.
Maybe Scott? No. Scott would call out to her. Hell, anyone that belonged in this house would call out to her knowing she was blind.
Tori shut the door, careful not to make a peep. Her heart pounded. There had to be about a hundred guns in this Texan house; but even if she could locate one, the chances of her hitting something was slim to none. She grabbed the pocket knife that Scott had given her and palmed the pepper spray from her purse. She may be blind, but she wouldn’t go down without a fight.
Smoke and Mirrors: (Fire and Fury Book Two) Page 13
