by Ciana Stone
"You're welcome, but I'm afraid we're not quite done. We need to ask you some questions, Analise. About your husband's business and your knowledge of it."
"Okay. I don't know anything since I was never a part of it but ask away."
"She doesn't know anything, Gracie." Joe spoke up.
Cia cut him a look and they stared at one another for a moment. "I still have to ask, Joe."
"Have it your way." He went back to eating pie.
Cia activated the video app on her phone and turned it toward herself. After stating her name, Kade's presence and the date, she put the phone on the table, pointed at Analise.
"Mrs. Becke. Please state your name for the record.
With a sigh, Analise did as instructed, her thoughts not as much on the questions as on David out in the paddock with Riley.
*****
Riley walked the mare around the paddock then slipped off the bridle and walked away from her. It took a couple of seconds before she followed. He smiled to himself as he walked over to the fence where David and Bobby sat on the top rail with the man he'd bought the horse from, JD Weathers.]
Riley had always thought that JD was the one who should have gone to Hollywood. If ever a man looked the role of a western hero it was JD, or Justice Weathers. Tall and big, he had a hard look to him, with flinty eyes and a face of angles that made him appear a little dangerous.
He would have turned the heads of a whole lot of those Hollywood women. But JD wasn't a man given to fanciful or superficial things. He was a down-to-earth rancher with a family to take care of and that seemed to be his only focus in life.
"She's a beauty, Mr. Riley." Bobby said.
"Yep, she is."
"So you really got it for my mother?" David asked.
"Yep. That okay with you, David?"
"Yeah, I guess."
"Good. JD, I appreciate you bringing her over." Riley pulled a check out of his top shirt pocket.
"No problem. She's a sweet thing. I think your gal's gonna like her."
Riley put his hand on JD's shoulder and turned him away from the fence, talking to the boys as he did. "I'm gonna speak with JD for a few. I'll be back."
"Take your time, boss." Bobby grinned and immediately started talking to David.
"So, how's the family, JD?" Riley asked as they walked toward JD's truck.
"Good."
"Those boys of yours are on fire this year. I missed the last couple of games, but keep up with it through Cody and her family. Team's leading the division, I hear."
"Yeah, they're having a hell of a year."
"Frank down at the feed store mentioned that they were being scouted pretty heavily."
JD smiled. "Yeah and loving it."
"As they should. They have their eyes on a school?"
"A couple. UT in Austin is courting them pretty strong and I thought they were going to commit, but then Notre Dame and Ohio State started wooing them."
"They offering full rides for the boys?"
"I wish. They're offering some but god almighty what it leaves owing more than I can wrap my head around."
"You know I'll help if I can. I'm happy to pitch in if it helps them get where they want to go."
"I appreciate that Riley. You're a good friend. The problem as I see it is they don't really know what they want – outside of playing football that is. They've got those pie-in-the-sky dreams of making the big league and we all know how slim those chances are. They're my boys and I'm proud of them. They're good players, but the truth is there are a lot of good high school players. Few of them wind up playing pro."
"It's not necessarily wrong to follow a dream."
"No, but you've gotta be realistic. Go to college and learn something."
"So you can leave the farm? You stayed home and you've done alright for yourself and your boys."
JD shrugged. "I'm not complaining. Ranching is all I know aside from rodeoing and the rodeo days are way behind me. I just want better for my boys."
"You're a good man, JD."
"I don't know so much about that." JD started closing up the trailer.
"How's your brothers' construction business?"
"Holding its own but not making us rich."
"They sure did a good job on the renovations on my place."
"Yeah, they do good work."
"Indeed they do. Well, I best get back to the boys. Thanks again."
"You bet. Take care, Riley."
"You too."
Riley made his way back to the boys and looked at Bobby. "Bobby how 'bout giving me and David a minute."
"Sure, Boss." Bobby swung his leg over the rail, hopped down and then turned to look at David. "If you're interested in going let me know. I'll head out after work. Around seven."
"Thanks. I am. Swing by and I'll be ready."
"You got it."
"You and Bobby have plans?" Riley wasn't surprised that Bobby was being friendly. It was his nature.
"Yeah. He said he wanted to take me over to Billy's, wherever that is. Said they have the world's best barbecue and really pretty girls working there."
"Well, yes they do – on both counts, but heads up on the girls. Any girl with a last name of Sweet, you'll want to tread carefully. Their daddy owns the bar."
"Good to know. Thanks. So, I'm assuming you sent Bobby away because you have something to say to me."
"I do."
"Okay."
"I want you to know that I care deeply about your mother and I'll do everything in my power to make sure she's safe – while this thing with your father is going on and when it's done."
"Are you in love with my mother, Mr. Morgan?."
"Riley. And yes I am."
David looked at him for several long seconds. "I read up on you during the trip. I know you were a huge film star at one time, and I know you've been married and divorced multiple times. There's little information about you after you left Hollywood, so I want to know. Have you been married again since you've been here?"
"No."
"So there are the three divorces and that's it?"
"Yes."
"And do you plan on my mother being your fourth wife?"
Riley reached up and scratched his chin. "Well, we haven't quite gotten that far along, David."
"So maybe you won't want to marry her. Maybe you just want to shack up with her for a while until you get tired of her, And what then? I don't know you at all, Mr. Morgan, aside from what my mother's told me, but I do know her. She's not the kind of person to just take up with a man for a fling. And I don't think she'd want someone to take up with her if that's their reasoning."
Riley smiled. He couldn't be offended by what David said, because he was doing what any son who loved his mother would do. He was vetting Riley to see if Riley measured up. "I agree with you completely, David. About your mom, I mean. She's a special woman, and I'd never treat her as anything less."
David nodded and stuck out his hand. "I'm going to take your word on that, Mr. Morgan, but make no mistake. You hurt my mom and you will answer to me."
"I'd expect no less." Riley clasped David's hand and gave it a firm shake. "Now, what say we get back to the house and see if your mother is finished with the questions Kade had for her."
"Sounds good."
As they walked back to the house, Riley asked David about his life, what he enjoyed and what he wanted out of life. The answers he received made him think David was a young man with a good head on his shoulders. Obviously, he'd had a good upbringing and Riley was willing to bet that was due to Analise.
She, Kade and Cia were just walking out of the house when he and David reached the yard. "Ya'll all set?"
"Yep." Kade walked down the steps and extended his hand to Riley. "Hope to see you again soon, old friend. Under different circumstances."
"Likewise, Kade. My home's always open so any time you and Cia want a place to hang your hat in Texas, you know where to kick off your boots."
"I'm gonna take you up o
n that."
"I hope so." Riley stuck out his hand to Cia as she walked up beside Kade. "You keep him in line, Cia and take care."
"Oh I will. And you too. Riley. If anything, and I mean anything, out of the ordinary happens, get in touch with Kade or me immediately. We have someone in the area keeping an eye on things, but want to know if anything looks out of the ordinary."
"Yes ma'am."
"Then I guess we'll get out of your hair."
"Safe journey."
Cia looked at David. "You'll be hearing from us soon, Dave. Keep your eyes and ears open and if—"
"You'll hear from me if anything looks suspicious."
"Good man." She looked back over her shoulder at Annie who was standing behind her. "Talk to you soon, Annie."
"I hope so. Be safe."
"Gonna try." She looked up at Kade. "Okay, big guy, let's hit the road."
With a grin and a wave, they did just that. Everyone watched them leave except David. Riley noticed he was looking in the direction of the rocking chairs on the porch."Everything okay, David?"
"Huh? Oh yeah. Yeah. Great. Hey, Mom, I'm going to head out with Bobby later and go get some barbecue. That okay with you?"
"You're going out? I – well, do you think that's wise? I mean—"
"It'll be fine." He cut his eyes back to the porch for a split seconds. "Trust me, first sign of trouble and I'll be 911'ing like a speed demon."
She chuckled. "Fine. Until then, you want to get your things settled?"
"Sure."
She looked at Riley. "Which room?"
"The one at the front of the house upstairs is the biggest."
He saw the look of panic that came on her face and realized that she probably hadn't told David she was sleeping in his bed. Riley didn't believe in playing games or trying to hide anything. He wasn't ashamed of what he and Analise were doing.
"David, I need to be straight with you. Man to man."
David looked him in the eye and Riley could tell his words had a good deal of impact. He suspected it was the "man-to-man" part. "Your mother isn't just hiding out here. She's living with me – we're living together. I told you I'm in love with your mother and I don't say that lightly. But I want you to know upfront that she's not just sharing my house. She's sharing my bed."
David looked from Riley to Analise. "It's your life, Mom and your choice. If you're happy, then that's all that matters. I'm going to tell you just like I told Riley. As long as he's good to you and doesn't hurt you in any way, I don't have a problem.
"But I'm not going to see you become someone else's doormat. You put up with Dad's bullshit my entire life and I know it was because you thought you were doing it for me. But I don't want that for you anymore. You're smart and talented and should realize by now that you can make it on your own without depending on a man.
"I'm not saying you don't deserve someone in your life, just that you don't need them for survival. If Riley makes you happy then I hope it stays that way. If it does you won't get any shit from me."
Riley saw the tears that welled up in Analise's eyes. She didn't try to hide them. She just let them spill and smiled through them at her son. "When did you get to be so wise and aware?"
David smiled. "I had a good teacher."
"And an observant one." She said, which puzzled Riley, but apparently not David because he cut a look at Riley and then at the ground.
"We'll talk later, Mom. Right now, let's haul my stuff upstairs. I need to get online – oh hey, Riley do you have internet?"
"Why yes we do, along with running water and satellite."
David laughed. "Well hell, I guess this isn't quite Bumfuck, Texas after all."
"Oh it's Bumfuck," Riley said as he gestured towards the door. "Just a little less than what people imagine."
Analise smiled at him and he took her hand. It had been a somewhat tense day, with her being nervous about the arrival of her son and being questioned by the FBI, not to mention worrying that he and David might hit it off like oil and water.
So far, it had worked out and for that he was grateful. He'd be a lot more grateful when the FBI found Analise's husband and the mobsters he was involved with and made sure she was no longer in any danger. Until they did, he was going to make damn sure that nothing happened to her or David.
They might not be a married couple, but she was his woman, that was for damn sure. And anyone who tried to hurt her was going to have to come through him.
Chapter Sixteen
Rodrick cursed as he hurried back to the used car. He'd run into some bad luck in Midland. The fake identity he'd been assured would stand up to anything ended up belonging to someone with the credit rating of pond scum. The credit cards were, therefore, worthless, which meant he couldn't extend the duration of the rental car. Cash, apparently, was not accepted for such things.
His only option was to purchase a used car. A very cheap used car that, as it turned out, had no air conditioning, sounded like the vehicle equivalent of an asthmatic and had tires that had long since possessed tread.
But it was transportation and something he could afford to buy and ditch when the time came with no one the wiser that it was Rodrick Becke who'd purchased it.
He climbed into the wheezing compact, started the engine and set out to find a cheap place to stay for the night, hopefully one that accepted cash. He found one off the highway, a rundown motel that catered to "nightly" regulars.
Rodrick could care less what the people next door were doing. He took his plastic bag and his small travel case inside, locked the door and went straight to the bathroom. After disrobing, he read the instructions on the hair coloring.
Less than an hour later, his blond hair was gone. Now his needing- to- be- trimmed hair was the color of coal, as was the mustache and scraggly beard he had let grow since leaving New York. Not even his own father would recognize him, which was exactly what he wanted.
He dined on the cold burger and fries he'd picked up at a drive thru, downed the watery soda and stripped back the stained bedcover. At least the sheets appeared to be clean. He stretched out on the bed and turned on the television, scanning the news stations.
Ten minutes later he was sitting up as if he'd been stabbed in the back. Fear had his heart racing and sweat breaking out on his skin. Now not only was his father and brother in jail, but he was on the most wanted list. He grabbed the disposable phone and accessed the browser. His destination was nearly two hundred miles from his current location, if he was, in fact, headed for the right place. Cotton Creek, Texas
Tomorrow by this time, that's where he would be. And he would not leave until he had the money she'd taken from him. With that, and with the thumb-drive in his pocket containing the evidence that proved his brother Rolf was the mastermind behind the money laundering scheme, he could cut a deal and if lucky, walk away with the rest of the money that no one knew anything about.
Feeling calmer now that he'd thought things through and remembering that he was smarter than the FBI chasing him, as well as all of Moretii's henchmen, he turned the channel on the television to an old movie, lay back and let his mind go over each step of his plan.
*****
Analise let out a yelp as she was grabbed from behind. It only took a split second for her to realize who it was when Riley kissed the side of her neck. "Hmmm, eau de walnut."
She laughed and turned to face him. "I thought you weren't going to be back until dinnertime?"
"It is dinnertime."
"Are you serious?"
Riley laughed. "You get lost?"
"I guess so. But look. I got almost half-way around the table and it's not looking too bad."
Riley leaned over to study the table top she was working on. It was the table he was building for Billy to give to his wife, Stella. Analise had drawn a border around the outer perimeter of the table about a half an inch from the edge, and another closer to the center of the table, much smaller. It was engraved into the wood and insi
de that was a vine and what appeared to be roses, filling the border.
He'd seen the design when she drew it and thought it beautiful but he was doubtful she would be able to carve it with her little Dremel tool and make it look right. It appeared he was wrong.
"That's amazing, honey."
"Really?"
"Really. Billy and Stella are going to love this."
"I'm so happy that you let me help."
"I'm so happy you wanted to." He turned her back to face him and claimed a kiss. Her arms went around his neck and the kiss quickly heated up.
She pulled back and blew out her breath. "Damn, is it getting hot in here?"
"Just a bit."
She laughed. "Okay, since I've been a slack ass, I better get a move on. What do you want?"
Riley's answer was to reached behind her, grab her ass and pull her up against him. She gave another laugh. "Well, as tempting as that is, I fear we may have a revolt if I don't cook. David said he'd asked Bobby to join, if you don't mind."
"Not if you don't."
"No, not at all. I'm glad David has found a friend and I like Bobby."
"Did David tell you that he heard back from Cia?"
"No. About what?"
"About joining the FBI."
"Are you serious? I thought –"
"Apparently he does still intend to get his law degree, but according to Kade he wants to apply for the FBI once he passes the bar. He's talking to Cia and Kade about how to specialize to maximize his chances."
"Well damn, I feel like the last to know."
"He was planning on telling you, but he was a little worried about your reaction. He seems to think you expect him to graduate and be some big corporate attorney."
Analise gaped at Riley in shock. "What on earth made him think that?"
"Not a clue, but now you know so when he tells you, it won't pull the rug out from under you."
"Thanks for telling me. And we better get in and get cleaned up so I can start on dinner or I'm gonna have three ill-tempered men to deal with."
"How about we get clean and throw some steaks on the grill. We can wrap some potatoes up in foil and put them in the coals and all you have to do is chop up a salad and heat some bread."
"Now that sound good."
