“Lizzie Rose?”
Mason fell back against his pillow. He felt like pulling it over his face. Why couldn’t he get his mind off her? It was justice, probably. He’d ruined a decade of her life with one selfish action as a teen. She’d forgiven him, so why couldn’t he let her go? She didn’t need him. Never had.
“Wow.” Zach dropped into the chair beside the desk. “What a scum.”
Mason focused on Zach’s face. Scum? Who? That Warren guy? He’d pound him if he abused Liz.
“Oh, man. No way. Liz, you should have phoned me before it got that bad.”
Mason’s stomach soured.
Zach shook his head. “Yes, I can definitely help with that. How much cash do you need? ... Totally doable. Where? What time?”
She was being blackmailed?
“Listen, we can come get you right now. I can get a room for you here ... You’re sure? ... Okay, if you’re in a safe place ... Sounds like a long story. I can’t wait to hear it all ... Listen, I’ll send Mason for you in the morning then. Just give me the address.”
Zach mimed writing at Mason, who stretched for the hotel writing pad and a pen then recorded the address as Zach repeated it.
“Yes, I’ll find a bank machine and withdraw the cash beforehand ... I’m so relieved you’re okay. Call me again if you need to ... Okay, see you tomorrow. I have a long break at lunch. Love you, sis.”
Mason raised his eyes at his friend as Zach tossed the phone at the other bed. His gut churned with inexplicable emotions. Relief, yes, but so much more. “Spit it out already.”
“She thinks the original guy who hired her was a john, that the ESL thing was a front. She didn’t stick around long enough to make sure.”
“No way.” Mason dug his thumbs into his temples, trying to dislodge the sharp pain the words caused.
“She’s been unable to find another job and was living in her car. Until it got impounded a few days ago.”
Mason surged to his feet. “Why didn’t she call?” He could see why she didn’t call him, but her family? Zach, at least?
“Pride, I guess. And then when her car got towed, her phone battery was almost drained from the cold, and the cord was in the car.”
“Why’d she call the vet clinic and not you? Or your parents?” Or him...
“She didn’t have any numbers memorized, and we all run on cells, so the numbers aren’t readily available. She found the clinic online. Nadine would have passed my number to her, but she caught voice mail.”
It sounded too easy. Too explainable. “Who’s this Warren guy?”
A slow smile curved Zach’s lips. “Now that’s an interesting question.”
Mason hardened his eyes. “What do you mean?”
“Out of that entire story, all you heard was a man’s name? Waterman, stop trying to tell me you’re here because of guilt from hurting Liz a bazillion years ago.”
Mason raised his eyebrows. “I’m not sure what you’re getting at. Why not answer the question? Why is he blackmailing her?”
“Bla—? You’ve lost me completely.”
“The money.”
Zach laughed. “That has nothing to do with Warren. The impound company requires cash, and Liz doesn’t have that much on her. The rest is in her trunk, but she can’t get to it until the car’s released. Catch twenty-two.”
“Oh, I see.” And he kind of did, about the money part anyway.
“Want to explain to me how you have feelings for my sister? I mean, other than guilt.”
“You know I do,” Mason growled, turning from the window. “So stuff it already.”
Grinning, Zach cupped his hand behind his ear. “What was that? Didn’t quite catch your words.”
“I love Liz!” snarled Mason. “Are you happy?”
“Fairly happy at the moment, yes. Are you?”
“No. Nothing’s changed. She’s the one who ran away, Nemesek. She’s hooked up with a guy here already and only tried to call you because she was in trouble. Why didn’t Warren—” he all but spat the name “— get her car out of impound for her? She’s not in that much trouble if she wanted to stay with him tonight rather than with you. Probably because I’m here.”
“Waterman. You are jumping to a whole raft of conclusions.”
“Am I? Then why don’t you explain it already?”
“I don’t have all the information.” Zach shrugged. “But I’m willing to wait until tomorrow before I assume the worst. Didn’t you hear her voice? She sounded so happy. Whoever Warren is, he’s not a predator. More like a rescuer.”
Zach didn’t know the inner city like Mason did. Truly good guys were few and far between. Des Moines couldn’t be that different from cities he’d known in his own seedy past.
“If you’re going to treat her with suspicion, maybe I should skip my lecture and take her to the impound yard tomorrow myself. She’s been hurt enough. You’ve got a chance to find out the real truth behind it all and state your case with her, but if you’re going to treat her like a pariah, I’d rather take you back to the airport right now. You’re no good to me here. No good for Liz.”
Mason dropped into the chair at the desk and covered his face. “Sorry, man. She’s got me in such a turmoil, I hardly know which way’s up.”
“Then I think we need to do some praying.”
Yeah. That’d probably help.
* * *
Liz flung open the soup kitchen door at the knock. “Mason!” Her first instinct was to jump into his arms, but his hands were firmly in his pockets, and he had a wary look on his face.
Better go with her second instinct. She smiled up at him. “Good to see you.”
“Likewise.” Something flickered in his eyes, but it wasn’t exactly welcoming. “You ready to go?”
“If you’ve got the money?”
He nodded.
Liz turned and waved. “Thanks for everything, Linda!” Would she ever see her friend again? She ran across the room and squeezed the woman. “I appreciate you so much. I’ll keep in touch.”
“Your young man doesn’t look very happy,” Linda whispered, glancing past her. “You gonna be okay?”
Liz let out a breath. “He’ll come around. I’m sure of it.”
“All right then.” Linda patted Liz’s back and gave her a nudge. “Off you go before it costs another twenty-five.”
Liz grimaced. “Need you remind me?” She hurried back across the space and opened the door.
Mason followed her out. “I’m parked around the corner.”
“Thanks so much. I can’t even tell you how excited I am to see you.”
He raised his eyebrows but said nothing.
What was wrong with him, anyway? Why had he come all this way if he was just going to be surly? She slipped a quick prayer heavenward as Mason opened the car door for her.
A moment later he coded the impound yard’s address into the GPS then, with a shoulder-check, pulled into traffic.
Liz tapped the switch for the heated seat and the blessed warmth began to seep into her body. It didn’t do anything to lessen the chill between her and Mason, though. If she didn’t get some words out of him soon, he’d drop her off at the depot and she’d be on her own again. “Mason? What’s wrong?”
His jaw twitched, and both hands tightened on the steering wheel. “What do you mean?”
“You’re treating me like a leper.”
“Am not. I’m helping you get your car.”
She sighed. “Because Zach sent you. Why did you come to Des Moines?”
“It seemed like I might be able to do some good. I didn’t realize you’d already rescued yourself.”
“Hello?” Liz swiveled in her seat to face him. “Where on earth did you get that idea?”
“So why didn’t Warren get your car out of impound?”
He said the name like a dirty word. Liz’s gut clenched. “Warren?”
“That’s what I said, Liz. Warren.”
“He doesn’t have
money just lying around. If he could’ve done it, I’m sure he’d have offered, but I didn’t want to make any demands.”
Mason’s eyebrows shot up, but his gaze remained on the road. “It seems like the least he could do.”
“You aren’t making any sense. It wasn't his fault, and he’s not a bank machine. He has to be careful to treat everyone the same.”
He groaned. “What have you gotten into? Treat yourself with some respect.”
Liz stared at him. Her brain clicked through the things Mason had said. The things he hadn’t said. “Just one little minute, Mason Waterman. Do you think I’m working for Warren? That he’s a pimp?”
His hands flexed on the wheel.
Her fury soared. “You make me want to hurl, you know that? You lived in the inner city too long if you think that is everyone’s lifestyle. Not only that, but you obviously don’t know me at all if you think I’d go along with it. I’d rather freeze to death under a bridge.”
“What am I supposed to think?” He ground the words out through gritted teeth.
“How about not jumping to conclusions? Instead, how about saying, Liz, tell me what Warren means to you.”
“Fine. What does Warren mean to you?”
“Warren is married to Linda. They run a soup kitchen for those who need it. Not only that, but he’s a Christian who has given up everything to help people living on the streets. He’s ten times the man you are. He doesn’t play games with women’s emotions.” Liz rammed her arms across her chest and sank her teeth into her lower lip before she told Mason exactly what she thought of him.
“Oh.”
Mason might’ve flicked a glance her way, but she wasn’t looking. Not a chance.
“I’m sorry. You’re right.”
Ya think?
“It’s just... I was worried sick. I’ve thought about you every minute since you left.”
“And here I thought I wasn’t that important to you.”
“I never said you weren’t important. I said I had to follow God.”
“Oh, yeah? What if I told you I found my way back to God? What then?” She couldn’t help that her voice sounded demanding. He’d started with the accusations first. He was going to have to grovel for forgiveness. Big time.
“I’d be really glad for you. If it were true.”
She twisted on the seat to see his face. “You have got to be kidding me.”
“What?”
“Do you not believe anything I say? The bit about God is true. Two days ago I gave up fighting Him. I don’t know why I wasted any thoughts on you in my entire life. You’ve always assumed what you wanted and didn’t credit me with any worthwhile motivation. Forget it. I’m so done with you. Completely.”
“Did you really pray?”
“Yes, I did. Is that so hard to believe? I’ve even been reading the Bible some. The Gideons left a stack at the shelter. Linda and I’ve talked and prayed together.” She glared at his profile. “Don’t fool yourself into thinking I did that for you. You’re so full of yourself. Get over it.”
His jaw clenched, but he said nothing.
Chapter 30
Liz swerved into a strip mall parking lot heading back into the city from the impound lot. Anything to get the back bumper of Mason’s rental car from filling her windshield. She was never following him anywhere, ever again, even if their destination was the same hotel. She had her own GPS, thank-you-very-much.
Her dashboard Bluetooth lit up with an incoming call. Mason’s number. She glared at the display before jabbing to accept.
“You took a wrong turn.”
Liz glanced around the plaza and spotted a small pharmacy. “I need to pick something up. I’ll be at the hotel in time for lunch.”
“I’ll turn around.”
“Don’t bother.” Slamming old-style telephone handsets was so much more satisfying than tapping an end button. She jumped out of the car, hit the lock, and ran for the little store.
Ten minutes in there and all she could think to buy was a tube of lip gloss. Through the store window she could see Mason’s car parked beside hers. He was so stubborn. If she spent two hours in here, he’d probably still be there and she’d miss lunch with her brother.
She was going to have to face him.
Again.
Liz pushed the store door open and strode across the parking lot in the icy wind. She spared no glance for Mason but slid into her driver’s seat and started the engine.
This time he followed her, never allowing enough space for another car to come between them. When she flicked a glance in the rearview mirror, all she saw was his grim face and two hands on the wheel.
Lord, why did he even come?
For some reason she’d at first thought he’d come because he cared, but his surly attitude didn’t align with that. She’d lost her chance with him in Galena Landing. The chance she’d never wanted anyway.
She signaled and eased into the right lane at the GPS’s direction. Maybe Zach could give her some guidance. She couldn’t wait to see her brother again.
* * *
Why had he picked the chair across from Liz at the lunch table? Oh yeah. To be as far from her as he could. Too bad that put her straight ahead.
Mason fidgeted with the cloth napkin in his lap. This place was more upscale than he’d expected, and that set him on edge, too. In the bit of traveling he’d done, he’d been more a Motel 6 kind of guy.
Him being here was costing the Nemeseks a pretty penny, and he’d done nothing useful yet. Taking Liz to the impound yard didn’t count. Zach would only have had to skip one session of his conference to do the same.
Mason had stitched his heart to his sleeve for everyone to see, had insisted it was his God-given right — or something like that — to accompany Zach, and he should never have done it.
Liz didn’t need him. She never had. He’d blown everything out of proportion. Her disappearance. His panic to find her.
Warren.
“...and then Maddie said, if I was a cat, I'd be afraid of broccoli,” Zach said.
Liz laughed, as she was no doubt supposed to. “She’s so funny. I miss her.”
Zach leaned closer to his sister. “Liz, will you come home?”
Mason didn’t miss the flick of her eyes toward him then away even as he studied the dreary view out the nearby window.
“I’ve been thinking about that,” she said softly. “I have no place else to go.”
Did he want her to come back? Of course he did. He’d been such an idiot. Still was, but it was hard to reverse direction when she made a wreck of him and his conflicting emotions.
Mason caught his name and pulled his attention back to his tablemates. “Pardon me?” he asked Zach.
“You don’t mind, do you?”
“Mind what?”
Zach shook his head, a glimmer of a grin poking up his cheeks. “Driving Liz’s car to Idaho.”
“Driving L—” His mind blanked as he met her eyes across the table. Then the cogs caught again. What was this, Friday? Two and a half days should be enough time to get back before Roger fired him Monday morning. “I, uh, I could do that. She going to fly with you then?”
“That’s what we were talking about, Waterman. I’ll cover your expenses, of course.”
Mason hated that he needed the help. “I have friends in Billings. I can probably make it to their place tonight if I leave soon.”
“Right, I guess that’s right on the route, isn’t it?” Zach opened a map app on his phone.
“Erin still in Billings?” Liz’s voice was flat.
“That’s not who I meant. I meant the pastor of my church there.”
She raised her eyebrows at him.
Why was she pushing his buttons? “As far as I know, yes, Erin lives in Billings. It’s not like we keep in close touch, so that could have changed.”
“I see.” She poked her fork into her food.
Her plate looked like a war zone, and his had fared little b
etter. Seemed only Zach had a significant appetite.
Zach pushed back his chair. “I need to run for my next lecture.” He opened his wallet and thumbed through a wad of bills then handed them to Mason. “This should see you through, Waterman. Call or text if you need anything. Can you haul Liz’s stuff up to my room? I’ll make an arrangement for her at the front desk on my next break.”
Mason stuffed the cash in his pocket without counting it. “Sure. Don’t worry about a thing. I’ve got it.” Finally something he could do.
Zach clouted him on the shoulder. “Thanks, man. Drive safe.” He turned to Liz. “I’ll be up in the room in a couple of hours. Make yourself at home.”
She hopped up and gave him a hug. “Thanks for being the big brother I need.”
“Aw, no problem.” He patted her back. “I haven’t always, so I’m glad to be here for you now. I’ll pay for lunch then I have to run.” Zach gave Mason a significant look. A don’t mess this up look.
Mason nodded slightly.
Liz slid back into her chair and picked up her fork. Stabbed a French fry and stared at it.
“Not hungry?” Mason tried to gentle his voice.
She grimaced slightly. “I thought I was.”
“Yeah, me, too.” He took a deep breath. “Look, Liz, I’m sorry.”
“For?”
“I’ve been an idiot. I was so worried about you.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that you bailed me out this morning.”
With Zach’s money. He was making ends meet on his tire shop paychecks, but not getting ahead. Nothing for emergencies. Not enough to stay in hotels like this and order meals like the one he’d plundered and left for dead on his plate. He had nothing to offer Liz.
She hadn’t said she’d forgiven him. And why should she? He bungled everything.
The chair grated as he pushed back. “I guess if we’re done here, I should get your things from the car. Whatever you’ll need for a couple of days, anyway.”
Liz nodded and stood. “I need to sort through the trunk. I can meet you back in the lobby.”
Berry on Top (A Farm Fresh Romance Book 6) Page 21
