by Jill Sanders
“Hell, no. He won’t get another dime of my money,” he growled out.
She dropped her arm and looked at him like she’d been slapped. “Another?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “He contacted me a few weeks ago and got ten grand out of me. He shook his head. “But the game stops here.” He turned to leave again. She rushed over and stepped in front of him.
“What do you plan on doing?”
He looked down at her. “He’s my father. I’ll take care of it.” He noticed the anger in her eyes, but his mind was too focused to register it. Instead, he reached for the door and walked out, thinking only of how his father had threatened his family.
He jumped in his truck and drove around town until he found his father’s best friend, Matt Coby. Then he bugged the shit out of the old man until he finally caved and told him where his father was staying. As he drove up to Coby’s old hunting cabin, he thought of a million ways to kill his father.
Chapter Eleven
Savannah paced back and forth and felt like screaming. But she could hear Maggie playing in her crib quietly and knew she couldn’t handle a crying baby at the moment.
An hour after Billy stormed out the front door, she picked up her phone and called the only person she knew could help.
When Sheriff Miller knocked on her door less than ten minutes later, she pulled him into the house and quickly told him the entire story.
Before saying anything to her, he picked up his phone and made a call.
She stood there, trying hard not to bite her nails in frustration. She was angrier with Billy than she’d ever been. Her mind flashed to how he’d looked when she’d told him what his father had said. For the first time since she’d known him, he’d looked hard, meaner somehow. His jaw had clenched tight and a small vein had throbbed on his left temple.
Why had he let his father bully him into paying him? She’d learned a lesson early on in life. Once you let a bully in, they never stopped. Never.
She knew she didn’t have any rights as far as Billy was concerned, but she thought that over the last six months they had come to understand one another. She’d felt they’d become closer, friends, at least. Why hadn’t he mentioned to her that his father had gotten out of prison?
She closed her eyes and listened to the sheriff talking to Wes Tanner, one of his deputies, on the phone. When she heard the sheriff putting out an APB on Billy, her eyes flew open.
“What are you doing?” She rushed over to him. “You aren’t going to arrest Billy are you?” She took his arm and tugged on it. He told Wes to hang on a minute and then held the phone away.
“Of course not. Jr. that is. Sr.…” He drifted the statement off. “I guess it depends on what he’s done since he’s gotten out. If he hasn’t checked in with his parole officer…” He started to walk out. “But my guys are looking for Billy Jr., as well. I figured he’s had enough time to catch up with his old man by now.” He removed his hat and shook his head. “The apple fell far from that tree.” He chuckled. Then he looked off towards the back bedroom. “That little one of yours okay?” He nodded as Maggie started to cry.
“Yeah.” She walked towards the back to get her and smiled when the sheriff followed her.
“You sure have turned this place into a home,” he said behind her.
She glanced over her shoulder as she picked up Maggie.
“I mean”—he coughed—“of course when I lived here it was a home, but…” He shook his head and smiled as he looked at Maggie’s bedroom. “Nothing like this.” He chuckled.
She nodded. “Maggie seems to like frogs.”
“If I remember correctly, you had a thing for rabbits when you were her age.”
“Rabbits?” She frowned a little as a memory flooded back into her mind.
“Sure, I got you a little stuffed one the day…” He dropped off and when she looked at him, he looked uncomfortable.
“It’s okay.” She nodded. “I remember now.” She smiled.
He walked over and ran the back of his fingers gently over Maggie’s cheek, drying the tears that were there as she snuggled into Savannah’s shoulder. “I’ll make sure Mr. Jackson stays clear of this place.” He turned to go.
“Sheriff?” She waited until he turned around. “I never did thank you for everything you did for me. Back then.” His eyes went wide, and then a slight frown formed on his lips.
“Didn’t have to.” He nodded and walked out of her house.
She sat down in the rocking chair and rocked Maggie as she fed her. Billy was right; Maggie’s teeth were coming in and the last time she’d gone to the doctor, he’d mentioned that Maggie could start having more baby food and less breast milk.
She reached for her cell phone and tried Billy’s number again. When it went to his voice mail, she hung up and closed her eyes as she leaned her head back.
She was really worried about him, about what he would do. She knew he’d protect his daughter, but she hadn’t counted on seeing that much anger in his eyes when she’d told him about his father.
Her mind jumped back to her uncle. For the first time she realized just how alike she and Billy really were.
As Billy was driving back into town, he frowned when he saw the flashing lights behind his truck. Damn, just what he needed now. A speeding ticket. He frowned when he looked down at his dash and realized he’d been going five miles under the speed limit.
Pulling over, he sighed, knowing it was Savannah’s doing. He watched as Wes Tanner got out of his car and walked over to the side of his truck.
“Hey, Billy,” he said, tipping his hat back and leaning against his truck.
“Hey, Wes. Did Savannah put you up to this?”
Wes nodded. “The sheriff wants me to make sure you get home safe.”
Billy laughed. “No, the good sheriff wants you to make sure I don’t hunt my father down and kill him for threatening my family.”
Wes nodded. “That too. I’ll just follow you back to your place.”
“Might as well. I couldn’t find the son-of-a-bitch.” He frowned and felt like beating his fists against the steering wheel.
“Well, we’ll do it for you. Sounds like he hasn’t checked in with his parole officer this week.”
“Good.” Billy smiled a little. “Then he’ll be going back in.”
“Could be, you never know.” Wes shook his head and tapped his truck. “I’ll follow you back.”
Billy nodded and waited for Wes to get back into his car, and then he drove back into town. For the first time in almost a year, he desperately wished for a beer.
When they drove up to the small house, Savannah was standing on the front porch with Maggie in her arms, looking worried. Wes honked his horn and continued to drive down the street. Billy waved at him and locked up his truck and then walked up the few steps and engulfed his two girls in his arms.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered into Savannah’s hair. He felt some of the tension leave her body as she relaxed against him. “I’m sorry,” he repeated and placed a soft kiss on the top of her head. “Let’s go inside.” He glanced over his shoulder as a car drove down the street.
She nodded and stepped back from him. He could see that there was worry in her eyes instead of the anger he’d seen when he’d left the house half an hour ago.
He followed her inside and she set Maggie down in her playpen. Maggie started to fuss, but Savannah handed her a stuffed frog and the baby settled down happily, sucking on her pacifier.
He walked over and sat on the couch, feeling drained all of a sudden.
“Did you find him?” She turned to him, her arms crossing over her beautiful chest.
He shook his head no. “He’s staying at Matt Coby’s old hunting lease.” He closed his eyes and leaned his head back. “What did the sheriff have to say?”
He heard her walk across the floor towards him. “Not much, just that they’d check to see if he was checking in with his parole officer.” He opened his eyes when she sat next to
him.
“He’s not.” When she continued to look at him, he finished. “Wes told me.” She nodded. “That doesn’t mean much, just that they have a reason to stop him. I’m sorry,” he said again.
“For?” She looked at him blankly. “For leaving? Or for you father?”
“For my old man.” He felt like slamming his fist into something, but instead closed his eyes again and rested his head back on the couch.
“Don’t be.” He thought he heard anger in her voice, and he opened his eyes again.
“Are you still mad at me?”
She didn’t say anything for a while and then nodded slowly.
“Why? For the diner?” She shook her head no and rubbed her forehead with her fingers. “For my father?” Again, she shook her head no. “Damn it, Savvy, talk to me.”
She chuckled quickly and then stood up and started pacing in front of him.
“I guess it’s true what my mother always told me.”
He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees and waited.
“Men are stupid.” She chuckled again. She turned to him. “Okay, I’ll spell it out for you.” She held up her hand and started ticking off items on her fingers. “First, you didn’t tell me that your father was out of prison.” She held up her hand to stop him from interrupting. He wanted to tell her that he hadn’t thought of it, but instead he leaned back and waited for her to finish. “Second, you didn’t tell me that he threatened us and that you paid him off.” She ticked off another finger. “Third, when I told you what happened earlier, the first thing that ran through that big, fat head of yours”—she glanced over at the playpen quickly and winced when she saw Maggie watching them closely, then changed her tone to the sweetest voice he’d ever heard —“was to chase down your father instead of staying here with us.” Her eyes were glued to their daughter as she smiled at the little girl.
When her words finally sunk in, he felt a tingling sensation start in his chest and radiate throughout his entire body, causing his head to go light. “I didn’t think you were in any danger. I didn’t mean to just leave you two here.” He felt himself stuttering and clenched his jaw.
“Of course you didn’t,” she said quickly. “It’s not that.” She turned away from him and stared out the front living room window.
“Then what?” He stood up and walked behind her, placing his hands on her shoulder and turning her towards him.
“I just thought…” He felt her shoulders stiffen. “I thought we would solve the problem together.”
He continued to look down at her, not really understanding.
“I mean, I know we haven’t been…together.” Color flooded her face. “But, Billy, when something like this affects us”—she glanced over his shoulder towards Maggie—“I just thought…”
It hit him. For the first time since returning home, he realized what she’d been mad at him for. Dropping his arms to his side, he felt another wave of disgust rush through him. Here he was, wanting to act like they were a family, and he was the one that had closed her out.
He realized he’d just been standing there looking down at her, so he pulled her close to him.
“I’m sorry for shutting you out. For not including you in what was going on,” he said softly against her hair. “I didn’t think…” He shook his head.
She pushed away and looked up at him. “That was obvious,” she said as a slow smile filled her face. She was looking up at him, and he enjoyed the way the side of her mouth turned upwards. Her eyes lit up when she smiled, something he hadn’t ever noticed about her before.
Who was he fooling? There was a lot about her that he hadn’t noticed before. Even though he’d been infatuated with her for years, he’d never seen this side of Savannah before. Nor had he ever thought it existed.
In all the years he’d known her, she’d always been trying to stay ahead of the crowd, get something from someone, or tear someone down. Never had he seen the funny side of her. But he enjoyed it and wanted to do everything he could to see it more often.
He chuckled and then said, “I’m thinking now.” He waited until she finally caught up with his mood. Her blue eyes turned warm and color flooded into her face again. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders as he pulled her hips towards his. He felt another jolt rush through his body; this time it was heat and desire.
Then he glanced over at Maggie, who was still watching them while sucking on her pacifier and hugging her stuffed frog. “Will she be okay?”
Savannah glanced over at the crib and then back up at him and nodded.
“Good, because what I have planned to make up with you…” He leaned down and placed his lips against her own soft ones. The taste of her was perfection. He couldn’t explain it if he had to, but something just called him to explore her mouth even more. His fingers flexed on her hips and he wished more than anything that he could slowly slip her out of her clothes and make love to her for the rest of the day.
His fingers inched up until he felt the soft skin underneath her shirt, and then he went up farther until she was moaning against his mouth, panting with desire.
Her fingers dug into his arms and shoulders, pulling him closer, begging him for more. When he started walking her to the back of the house, the doorbell rang. Sighing, he dropped a soft kiss on her lips and closed his eyes and tried to settle his libido down.
“It’s probably the sheriff.” He groaned. “Damn my father for causing this mess,” he said under his breath.
When he opened the door, he was shocked to see Savannah’s parents standing outside, looking very worried. When they saw Savannah, they rushed in and started talking all at once, asking her a million questions, and he knew it would be a long time before Savannah and he could be alone again.
Chapter Twelve
Even though she was happy to see her parents and get a little extra attention, she desperately wished they would leave. She kept sneaking glances at Billy from across the room as her parents continued to ask her questions, and the heated glances he gave her told her that he wanted her as much as she wanted him.
Her mother had rushed in and snatched up Maggie quickly, giving as much attention as she could to the baby as her father flooded her and Billy with a million questions about what had happened.
“Why didn’t we know he was getting out?” Isn’t there some sort of law saying you needed to be notified?” He frowned as he sipped his iced tea.
The three of them—Billy, her father, and herself—had retreated to the kitchen, while her mother played with Maggie in the front room. She’d poured her father a cold glass of tea and sat patiently answering all of his questions.
“No, I don’t think so.” Billy frowned. “I’m not the one he hurt. I’m sure the family of the man he killed was notified.” He frowned again and she could tell he was remembering the fact that his father had actually killed someone at one time.
She reached across the table and took his hand. Seeing his frown turn up a little, she smiled over at him and wished she could know what was going on in his head. He squeezed her hand and answered her father’s next questions, while still holding her hand in his.
When dinnertime rolled around, her father and Billy were still talking, so she pulled a pan of frozen lasagna out of the freezer and heated the oven.
Walking into the front room, she stopped and smiled as she watched her mother reading to Maggie. Maggie’s little brown eyes were glued to her mother’s face as she read the story in a funny voice. Leaning against the door frame, she watched the pair for a while before asking if they wanted to stay for dinner.
“Oh, of course dear.” Her mother smiled and picked up Maggie. “If you need any help…?”
“No, it’s just a frozen lasagna I made last week. I find it easier to make things and freeze them for nights when Maggie won’t let me cook.” She took her daughter from her mother. Maggie grabbed her face in her hands and started chewing on her chin.
“She’s teething,” her mother s
aid. “You know, when you were teething, I used to slip a little bourbon on your gums.” She smiled at her.
“I’ve heard of that.” She frowned. Just the thought of giving her daughter something she used to drink too much of a little over a year ago made her cringe.
“I think I’ll stick to the frozen rings the doctor gave me.” She walked into the kitchen and pulled one of them out and gave the soft thing to Maggie, who started sucking on it. She set her in her highchair next to Billy, who helped put her little kicking legs into the right spots.
“Dad, do you want more tea?” Her father shook his head just as the doorbell rang again. When she glanced over at Billy, he got up.
“I’ll get it.” She watched him walk out of the room and wished more than anything to be alone with him again.
It was Lauren and her husband, stopping by to see if they could help in any way. They stayed for a little while but left when the lasagna was pulled from the oven.
Lauren hugged Savannah, and she told her she’d see her tomorrow during reading time. But after she’d closed the door, Billy took her by the shoulders and pulled her into the hallway.
“I don’t think it’s wise for you to go to reading time tomorrow. At least until they find my father.” He frowned down at her.
She sighed. “It’s less than a block away. Besides, it’s in a very public place. What could go wrong?”
She crossed her arms over her chest, waiting.
“Savvy, please. I think for the next few days we should just lay low.” He smiled and pulled her closer. “You know, stay at home and entertain ourselves.” He spoke in a low tone so her parents wouldn’t hear.
She looked up into his dark eyes and melted, thinking of all the possibilities. “I think we could keep ourselves busy for a few days.” She sighed when he pulled her closer and kissed her softly.
Her parents stayed until she put Maggie down for bed. It was wonderful how much they enjoyed being around Billy. She’d never thought her father would warm up to him, but as they sat in the living room watching sports, she couldn’t imagine them not getting along. They rooted for the same teams and enjoyed most of the same players.
