Everyone circled the lowered casket while Nina read a passage from the Bible and then they prayed. Together she and her sisters sang Amazing Grace, her favorite hymn. Dylan placed his arm around her shoulders for comfort as the rest of the men shoveled dirt into the hole. Silent Minutes passed as she waited for the chore to be completed. Juan moved around the group getting everyone in the video from different angles.
Maria broke the silence. “Let’s go home and have a nice meal together.” Nina, Beth, Grace, and Maria had been cooking all morning. A feast awaited them back at the house. It was a day to celebrate. Hilda was at rest.
“You guys go ahead. I’m going to hang back for a few minutes.” Her eyes fixed on Dylan. “We’ll walk back.”
The crowd dispersed toward the narrow path that led back to Twelve Oaks. Their voices faded before they turned the bend and could no longer be seen. She heard the roar of the truck as Grant started the engine.
Dylan propped his shoulder against Russell’s stone. “What are you thinking about?”
“Hilda.”
“Do you miss her?”
She turned and faced him. “A little. I’m glad she crossed over, but it seems so strange knowing I’ll never see her again.” She giggled. “One of my best friends was a ghost. How pathetic is that?” Lacy didn’t make friends easy. She could count her close friends on one hand. People made her nervous. She didn’t understand how an outgoing, exciting person like Dylan could tolerate her shyness. They were vastly different. Still, he loved her. She didn’t doubt that love. Tints of gold glinted through his brown hair in the dappled sunlight.
After a sympathetic look, he took her hand and pulled her in close. “I find it admirable. It shows you have a huge heart. If people don’t want to be your friend, that is their loss. They have no idea how much compassion and love you possess. How many of them would have gone through the trouble to help someone that died over a hundred years ago?”
“You are very tolerant of me. If you decide I’m too much trouble, I won’t hold it against you.”
He pushed her at arm’s length so he could peer into her eyes. “Damn, Lacy. I get more out of this relationship than you do.” There was hostility in his voice. “You’re just sad because of what you’ve gone through the last month. A month ago you were almost murdered.”
She leaned into him. “But I survived.”
“Give it time and you’ll be back to your normal self.”
“Cursed is what I am.” Lacy wondered what her normal self was. Her parents died in an automobile accident almost two years ago when a drunk driver crossed the center lane. Their deaths devastated Lacy and her sisters. Life had been difficult. She had kept that despair and grief to herself.
After Nina married Grant things had gotten better. He made them a close knit family once again. Seven months later Beth married his brother Josh. The bond grew even stronger. The love of family helped her heal. But then tragedy struck again when she was drugged and almost raped by Bret Robertson at a party. Lacy sighed loudly. She had promised herself she wasn’t going to think about anything depressing today. Today was a day for celebration. Hilda had passed over and was now in heaven.
Gray eyes sparked with anger. “You’re not cursed. All other women pale next to you. I was in a dark place before you came into my life. I have something to live for now, Lacy. I love you. Stop acting like you don’t deserve my devotion.”
She raked her fingers through his hair. “I love you, Dylan.” Her eyes grew misty. He jerked her into his arms and devoured her mouth. Her breath held for a moment. Warmth spread through her like wildfire. Her hand rested against his stomach. She could feel the thick pad of muscle on his ribs. Circled in his arms she felt she could take on the world. He was her strength, her refuge.
Her pulse fluctuated wildly when his hand moved to her breast and his thumb raked over her nipple through her thin shirt and bra. She felt it harden against his hand. Startled by the sheer hunger, she bowed her back and reveled as his touch became more aggressive.
So intent on the desire he was provoking, she didn’t hear Shadow racing through the forest barking loudly. Not until the deer broke through the forest into the clearing did she pull away from Dylan in time to see the buck, eyes wide in fear. He streaked across the clearing. He bolted to the left when he saw them. Without breaking his stride, he disappeared into the forest. Shadow emerged nose to the ground. He ignored them, caught the scent of the huge buck and continued his pursuit.
Dylan laughed. “That dog terrorizes everything he catches scent of.”
She had wondered where Shadow had gone. He had accompanied the funeral procession, but the moment they left the truck and had to walk on foot, he had caught the scent of something and disappeared into the woods.
Dylan took her hand and kissed each finger. “Have you told your family you are going to move in with me?”
“Not yet.” Her voice sounded as if it were under great strain even to her. “Michelle is still grieving. I’m afraid to leave her.”
“I’ve already said she could move in with us. My apartment has two bedrooms.” Huge dimples popped out in his cheeks when he smiled and wiggled his eyebrows. “One for you and me and one for Michelle.”
Lacy knew she was using Michelle as her excuse for not moving in with Dylan. Truth be known, she was a little scared of Grant’s reaction. He was very protective and deep down she knew he wasn’t going to like the idea. It had taken him some time to accept the fact she was dating Dylan. Of course he would say she was moving much too fast when she divulged she was moving in with him.
“I’ll take you and Michelle out to dinner tomorrow night. We can discuss it then.” When she didn’t answer, thick, dark brows drew together. “Are you delaying moving in with me for another reason?” His voice hardened, “You do want to move in with me don’t you, Lacy?”
She forced a smile to her lips. “Of course I want to move in with you, Dylan. I can’t wait until we can sleep in the same bed every night.” On many occasions Lacy had spent time at Dylan’s apartment, but she never stayed overnight. She still worried about Michelle and always returned to their tiny dorm room before it got dark. The discovery that her boyfriend, Chad Grey, had been a serial killer had almost been Michelle’s undoing. Something so vile would destroy any woman. She had been madly in love with him. Not once had anyone suspected him of being evil. He was warm, personal, and extremely charming. Everyone thought he was a great guy. He had fooled all of them.
Lacy felt a chill go through her when the memory of Chad Grey almost killing her slipped into her thoughts. Banish the bad thoughts she said to herself. Don’t let them ruin your time with Dylan. The sound of a lonely whippoorwill broke the silence and jolted her back to reality.
Dylan’s hands gripped her arms a little too tightly. Surrounded by an aura of power, she shuddered. “Do you have any idea how much I need you to live with me? I gave up my undercover work for you.”
“I know how much you gave up, Dylan. I’ll talk to Michelle. Maybe I can convince her to move into your apartment with us.” She leaned against him. “I’ll make it work.”
“There is another reason, isn’t there?” He took her chin and forced her to look in his face. Seconds ticked by as he stared into her eyes. “You haven’t told your family we are moving in together?” She shook her head in the negative. “Why the hell not?”
“Because they are going to say I’m too young. I dread the confrontation.” Lacy knew she was a coward. She had always tried to please her sisters and not rock the boat. But then it wasn’t her sisters she was afraid of this time. She felt they would understand her feelings. Nina slept with Grant before she married him. Josh wasn’t the first man Beth had had an affair with. She could convince them it was the right thing to do. Grant and Josh were going to be a whole different scenario. They were going to be trouble.
“I’ll talk to them.” He took her hand and pressed it against his chest. Speaking rapidly, he wasn’t about to give her ti
me to interrupt. “We’ll talk to them together. For heaven’s sake, Lacy. It is the twenty-first century. You act like it’s the dark ages.” He kissed her cheek. “Besides, you’re twenty years old. You can make your own decisions. We don’t need your family’s consent.”
She opened her mouth to contradict, but then quickly snapped it shut. It was inevitable that she would move in with Dylan. She might as well face the music. Prolonging the conversation would only make it worse.
****
As the pasture came into view, Lacy’s stomach fluttered in anticipation. Green waves of grass were dotted with the cows and large goats. The horses were munching on the rich grass. As usual Jack, their little gray donkey was in the middle always there to protect the small herds of animals from coyotes. She loved the farm, wished she had more time for the animals, but school took up most of her time. The only occasion she was able to come home was on the week-end.
Try as she might, she couldn’t help but worry about the conversation she was about to have with her family. She chewed her bottom lip. She searched for something suitable to say so Dylan wouldn’t know just how nervous she felt. Holding her hand, he smiled when she peered up into his face.
“Thanks for helping with digging the grave and carrying the casket.”
“No problem.”
Mouth dry, she moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. Brows drawn, he fixed his stare on her. Color faded from her cheeks. “Let’s eat before we talk to my family.” She placed her hand over her stomach. “I’m starving.”
“I’m hungry too.”
They stepped into the dining room where everyone was already eating. An array of meat and garden vegetables were set out on the counter. Dylan and Lacy prepared a plate and took their places at the huge table. The family had grown so large it took two tables placed end to end to accommodate them when they were all in attendance. The meal was full of talking and laughing.
Nina placed her hand over Lacy’s. “I hate Billy couldn’t make it today.”
“Me too.” Billy’s health had been failing for the past month. His heart was getting weaker and weaker. She planned to stop by and see him before she returned to her dorm tomorrow after church.
At least he had been at the waterfall to witness the removal of Hilda and Darrell’s bodies from the small cave. Darrell had been Billy’s great-grandmother’s son from her first marriage. In fact it was Billy who had given her Hilda’s diary.
Conversation continued but Lacy wasn’t in a talking mood. She was just too nervous. Never one for confrontation, she feared the argument she knew was coming when she told Grant she was moving in with Dylan.
“Are you okay?” All conversation stopped and everyone at the table turned their attention toward Lacy.
She peered into Grant’s dark, chocolate eyes. “I’m a little tired.” He kept his hair cut short just like he did when was in the Marines. Handsome and tall, she understood why her sister had fallen in love with him. He was a very impressive man inside and out.
Shrewd eyes stopped on Dylan. “Are you sure that’s all that is bothering you?”
“Yes. A load has been lifted off my shoulders now that Hilda is at peace. Bret Robertson and Chad Grey are both behind bars. My life can return to normal.” That seemed to appease everyone because several different discussions started at one time.
Then everyone stopped talking and listened to Grant speak of his plans. “We have a lot of work ahead of us before October.” Using the napkin in his lap, Grant wiped his mouth. “We need to get the pumpkins in the ground.” Lacy could hear the excitement in his voice. “The corn maze should be a big attraction. It should bring in big bucks. We’ll have a hay ride, sale some of our crops.”
Grant had come up with some great ideas for the farm. Last year Nina had struggled to make ends meet. Now Twelve Oaks was a booming business. Of course Grant had to invest his own money to make those changes, but it had paid off in the long run.
As everyone finished eating, they made their way outside to the pool leaving Dylan and Lacy alone at the table. “Are you going to tell your family we are moving in together or not?”
“Give me time. It’s not something you just blurt out. I need to get my thoughts together.”
He took her hand. “Do you love me?”
“Of course I love you.” She pulled her hand away, stood, and placed her plate in the sink. Hands braced on the counter, she took a deep fortifying breath. She turned and faced Dylan. “I guess there’s no better time than the present.”
He stood. “I’ll go with you.”
“No, this is something I need to do on my own.” Dylan had a hot temper. If the conversation turned ugly, he wouldn’t be able to hold his tongue. She felt it best she talked to her family without him being present.
The back door swung open and Josh entered with his cell phone in his hand. By his expression, Lacy knew something was wrong. “What is it, Josh? Did something happen?”
“I just got a call from Uncle Tate.” He crossed the room and took her hand. He led her to the table. “You might want to sit down.”
Heart racing, all kinds of horrible images entered her imagination. “Is it Billy?”
“No.”
Lacy sat in the chair next to Dylan. “Bret Robertson is talking. He said he knows where Chad Grey buried one of his victims.”
She pressed her trembling hands to her nauseous stomach. “What do you mean? What are you talking about?”
“One night while drinking, Chad Grey had bragged to Robertson about killing another young woman before he murdered Tiffany Swift. Bret claims to know where he dumped her body.”
“I’m going to be sick.”
Dylan pressed his hand to her back. “Take deep breaths, Lacy.” Taking in deep gulps of air, she tried to remain calm. Tears streamed down her cheeks as the memory of Chad Grey almost killing her took over. Strong hands holding her under water, her lungs begging for air. His plan was to drown her and make it look like an accident.
Josh dropped to his knees and took both her hands. “Robertson wants to make a plea deal. He will tell us where the body is located for a shorter prison sentence.”
“Surely you are not considering his demands. Bret Robertson is a rapist. Rapists do not get an option to make deals. Bret does not deserve a deal. He drugged me and almost raped me. He was with Chad Grey when he strangled Tiffany Swift.”
Lacy looked at Dylan. “You told me he was also going to be charged with murder. How can this be happening?” She turned and glared at Josh. “How can you even consider Bret getting a lighter sentence?
“A deal is not up to me. That is for the district attorney to decide.” Josh gripped her hands tighter. “Robertson is demanding to speak to you. He will not divulge where the body is until he gets to talk to you.”
Dylan stood up so fast the chair crashed to the floor causing Lacy to jump in fright. “No way! She is not going to be in the same room with that scumbag!”
Eyes still fixed on Lacy, Josh whispered, “I agree. I don’t think you should meet with him. Robertson is obsessed with you. It will only feed his obsession.”
“Does Nina and Beth know?”
“No, I didn’t say anything to anyone. We’ll wait until later tonight to tell them.” Of course Josh didn’t want to ruin family night. It would be difficult to put on a brave face and pretend nothing was bothering her. It seemed Bret would never be out of her life.
Josh raked the back of his hand over Lacy’s cheek. “You’ve been through a lot. I’m sorry it hasn’t been the end you hoped.”
Lacy forced a smile to her lips. “It’s okay, Josh.”
He stood and sauntered to the refrigerator. “Come outside and go for a swim. Everyone will know something is out of the ordinary if you stay in here.” He opened the fridge and grabbed three beers. Without looking back, he disappeared through the back door.
Dylan wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Time passed as both sat there at the table neither speaking. S
he placed her head on his shoulder. “Maybe somebody will shank Robertson.”
A chill went up Lacy’s spine. “Don’t you dare do anything, Dylan.”
“I don’t commit murder, Lacy. I bend the law, but I do not break the law.”
“Is there a difference?”
He stroked his hands over her arms and smiled. “I like to think so.”
Without a doubt Dylan would do anything to protect her. While she would love to have Bret out of her life, she didn’t want Dylan to jeopardize his career. She sat up straight and peered into his eyes. “Promise me you will not get involved with Bret.”
“I promise, Lacy. That is as long as he is behind bars.” He paused. “If he is released from prison, I may have to act to protect you.” He kissed her on the forehead. “I take care of what is mine.”
In that moment she wondered just how far he would go to protect her. Would he find a way to get rid of Bret? The thought troubled her.
Other Books by Teresa Greene:
Sutton and McDonald Series:
Love Me Again
Wildflowers
The Painted Rock
Savage Secret
Harris Family Trilogy:
Desperate
The Shadow
Sultry Texas Nights
Twelve Oaks Farm Series:
Whispers of the Falls
Shadows of the Falls
Secrets of the Falls
Blood of the Falls
About The Author:
When Teresa Greene is not writing, she loves to spend time with her family. She loves to ride her ATV through the trails near her country home with her husband and three beautiful granddaughters Lilly, Kara, and Sadie. Pets are also a big part of her life. She has a dog named Scrub, and a cat named Slick.
Secrets of the Falls (Twelve Oaks Farm Book 3) Page 26
