Timothy’s gaze lingered on Michelle. “Can I get you anything?”
“Yes, I’d like a cheeseburger and fries.”
“Keep taking in all those calories and that hard, fine ass will get too fat.” He placed a finger on his chin. “If I wasn’t gay, I’d be all over that.”
Michelle giggled. “You’re full of as much crap as a Christmas turkey.”
He shouted, “How about you, Beth? Do you want something for lunch?”
“No, Josh is coming by and we’re going to have lunch in my office.”
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
Beth shouted back, “There isn’t anything you wouldn’t do.”
The entrance door opened and all Michelle could do was stare at Scott standing in the foyer with openmouthed shock. He was wearing a suit and tie looking very professional. In his right hand, he held a leather briefcase. Broad shoulders a woman could lean on were concealed in his suit jacket. His face was so perfect, her heart fluttered.
Meeting his gaze hesitantly, she thought he had some nerve showing up at Beth’s law firm. The man would go to any length to find her.
In three long strides, Timothy stood next to Scott. “Do you have information about the Davis’ case?”
At first Scott said nothing. His eyes remained on her. A lump formed in her throat when Timothy turned and looked at her. “Let me introduce you to Michelle Maness.”
“We’ve met.” He stated in a firm no-nonsense tone.
For once Timothy was at a loss of what to say. He always had a remark for every situation, but Scott’s behavior had him befuddled. Instead of speaking to her, Scott asked, “Can I speak to you privately in your office?”
She watched until the door closed behind them. Maybe she was wrong and he was only there on business. She tried to focus on her work, which was difficult knowing Scott was in Timothy’s office. She found it difficult to breathe and her palms were sweaty. The man affected her in ways she did not understand. It was only three days ago she received the flowers. After the five phone calls she didn’t return, he had not tried to contact her again. Maybe he had given up on pursuing her. She didn’t know why she wasn’t relieved.
Thirty minutes later, Scott opened the door and exited Timothy’s office. Keeping his head down, he didn’t even acknowledge her. She watched him open the entrance door and step outside into the sunshine. She bolted to her feet, swung open the door, and raced across the sidewalk. “Wait, Scott.”
He turned and looked at her. Now, she was really nervous. She didn’t know what to say to him. She just didn’t want to leave things as they were between them. She said the only thing she could think to say. “Thank you for the flowers. They are beautiful.”
“I’m glad you like them.” He looked at the gold watch on his wrist. “I have to go.”
She put her hand on his wrist. “I’m sorry I didn’t return your calls. I should have been more considerate.”
Scott placed his briefcase under his arm and took her hand. “It’s okay, Michelle. You’re not interested and I understand that. I have made my intentions known. Now the ball is your court.” He squeezed her hand. “But if you have a change of heart, call me.”
With that said, he walked away. She stood and watched him get into his Lincoln Town Car and drive away. Was she making a mistake? He did seem to be the total package, but then so was Tommy. She thought he was her dream man, and look how that had turned out.
“Are you okay?”
Michelle turned around to find Beth standing on the sidewalk. “I’m fine.”
Concern showed on her face. “If you are having reservations about Scott, I assure you he is a great guy. I have the utmost respect for Scott and his father.” She tucked her arm into Michelle’s and led her back inside. “What would it hurt to go out on a date?”
“How do you know he asked me out?”
“We have a friendly relationship. We talk. He told me he is attracted to you.” Beth placed her hands on her shoulders. “Time to move on, Michelle. Chad Grey is in the past. The best way to forget pain is to get on with your life.”
“You sound like Lacy.”
“My baby sister is a smart girl. Take her advice. You have no idea how many frogs I had to kiss before I met my Prince Charming. Josh is the best thing that ever happened to me.”
She took a long breath, wishing everyone would stop trying to push Scott into her life. No one knew what she was going through. It would be a long time before she could trust another man. She was just beginning to see through the fog. “Sorry, Beth. I’m just not ready.”
“It’s none of my business. If you ever need to talk, give me a call.”
Michelle picked up the papers on the desk. “Thanks, Beth.” To let Beth know the conversation about Scott was over, she opened the filing cabinet and began filing papers.
****
Captain Jared Macy climbed the steps with ease. “Great job, Captain Macy.”
“How many times am I going to have to ask you to call me Jared?”
Lacy nodded her head. “Jared.” She jotted some notes down in his patient file. “I don’t think you need a prosthetist any longer. You are ready to face the ugly world on your own.”
Smiling from ear to ear, Captain Macy caught Lacy in a bear hug. He lifted her off her feet and swung her around in a circle. His happiness was contagious as she wrapped her arms around his neck and giggled. She loved her work with the college, especially at times like this. He set her back on her feet.
“You have no idea how it feels to have my independence back. Yesterday I took my children to the park to play.”
Lacy had seen a huge change in Captain Jared Macy from the beginning of his new prosthetic limbs. The loss of his legs had been devastating. In two short months he had learned to use his new prosthetic limbs giving him independence and freedom.
Still excited, he kissed her on the cheek. “I owe you so much. I have a life again.”
“You are the hero. Without determination and grit, you would not have been successful. Most people take six months to adjust to their prosthetic limbs. You did it in record time.”
“I will miss you, Lacy.”
“This isn’t goodbye. You’ll still have to come in at least once a year and let us check the mechanics.” Lacy leaned against the wall. “The invitation to Twelve Oaks is still open. I would love for you to meet my brother-in-law, Grant. He was a hardnosed Marine just like you. The two of you would hit it off. Take your family and see the animals. It is very therapeutic.”
“I’ll take you up on that offer. It sounds like a beautiful place.”
“You will love Twelve Oaks.” Pride came through in her voice. “We have goats, sheep, horses, cows, a donkey named Jack, and a border collie that your children will fall in love with from the start. Grant and Nina might even put you guys to work picking vegetables.”
Lacy jotted down Grant and Nina’s phone number. She handed it to Captain Macy. “Call him. He’ll let you know the best time to visit.”
He gave Lacy another hug. “I can never say it enough, thank you.”
“You are very welcome.”
Lacy’s phone vibrated. She reached into her lab coat pocket and retrieved her phone. She had a call from an unknown number. The first person she thought of was Bret. She had changed her number so he couldn’t contact her, but deep down she knew it was from him. “Excuse me, Captain Macy. I need to take this.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.” She hurried to the bathroom and entered the stall for privacy. She considered not answering, but she had to know what it said.
“Lacy, your boyfriend threatened to have me killed.” Immediately she recognized Bret’s voice. “He is not the honest, law abiding person you think he is. He is no more than a street thug. I’m worried about you.”
The call ended. She felt ill, physically ill. She knew Dylan had gone to see Bret but he never divulged their conversation. Was the man she loved capabl
e of murder? He had said he would protect her no matter what. It was at times like this that she questioned her relationship with Dylan. They were so different.
She called Dylan. “Can you meet me for lunch?”
There was a long pause. “Not for at least an hour. What is wrong?”
“I’d rather talk face to face. Meet me at Charlie’s here on campus.” She didn’t take the time to say good-bye. She ended the call and felt better. From now on she would confront Dylan about everything. He would be mad as hell when she divulged Bret had called her again. But she wasn’t about to keep it from him.
Chapter Fourteen
Charlie’s was crowded. Knowing Dylan would be in a hurry, she had taken the liberty of ordering him a roast beef sub with all the fixings. She sat facing the door so she would see him when he entered. She glanced at her watch. He was five minutes late. She hoped he didn’t get tied up with work.
Dylan opened the door. Lacy rose and waved so he would see her. With purposeful strides he walked to the booth and slid across to the middle. “Sorry I’m late.” He placed his napkin in his lap before he asked, “Is something wrong? You sounded upset on the phone.”
Getting right to the point, Lacy sat across from Dylan and stated, “Bret called again.”
For a split second she thought he would throw something. His hand fisted around the glass of tea she had ordered him. Thankfully, it was plastic or she was sure it would have shattered into a thousand tiny shards. The look of anger on his face scared her. “What did he say?”
She spun to her feet and sat down next to him. She whispered harshly, “I think you know what he said. Bret said you threatened to kill him.” She watched as the pulse in his throat began to vibrate. “Well, did you threaten to kill him?”
“What do you expect me to do? I’m not going to let him keep contacting you.”
In a shrill voice, she snapped, “You can’t kill him.”
“I wasn’t going to kill him. My plan is to have someone else do the killing.”
Her mouth fell open in shock. “Please, Dylan. Isn’t there a more humane way to handle Bret? Maybe one that doesn’t’ involve breaking the law. You are beginning to sound like a thug.”
“What do you think Grant or Josh would do if someone was stalking Nina or Beth?” She didn’t answer. She didn’t know how to answer. Were her brother-in-laws capable of murder?
“You don’t consider them thugs, but I swear they would do the same thing. They would kill anyone who threatened their wives. They would kill anyone who threatened you, Juan, Maria, or Grace. I’m no different than they are. You think because I grew up on the streets I think differently than other people. Well, I don’t. I’m no more dangerous than your two brother-in-laws.”
Lacy pondered his words. Maybe they were capable of killing to protect someone they loved. After she gave the situation some thought, she realized she would kill to protect Dylan. She could never murder someone in cold blood, but she could take a life to protect him. Surely, God would forgive her for protecting an innocent person. “I’m sorry. I guess I overreacted.”
He took her right hand and held it tightly. “I love you, Lacy. You are my life, my responsibility. I’ll talk to Tate and see if there is something the FBI can do about Robertson.” He kissed the back of her hand. “Stop worrying. I promise not to do anything to Robertson.”
“Thank you, Dylan.”
Dylan picked up his sub and took a bite. After he swallowed, he replied, “The guards have torn apart Robertson’s cell and have not been able to find a phone. He must be using a burner phone because we haven’t been able to trace the first call he made to you. I don’t understand how he is making calls from prison right under the guards’ noses.”
She pressed her lips together as she thought of a logical explanation. Her fingers traced the rim of her water glass. “He has friends that’ll do anything he asks of them, even if it means going to jail. Maybe one of his friends smuggled the phone inside during visitation and that is when he is making calls.”
“No, I get a report of all his visitors, and he hasn’t had one for the past few days. His father was his last visitor. He has to have the phone inside somewhere.”
“You’ll solve the puzzle. Bret is smart, but you are smarter.”
Dylan threw his arm over her shoulder and pulled her into his embrace. “We have to stop letting Robertson come between us.” Intense gray eyes peered at her. “He is trying to turn you against me.”
“No one can turn me against you. You are the love of my life, my soul-mate.” A thousand words passed between them as they sat at the booth surrounded by a crowd of people. No one existed but them.
****
Michelle folded and unfolded her cloth napkin to occupy her time. She had never been good at waiting. After her speech to Beth about not being ready to date, she couldn’t believe she was at a restaurant waiting for Scott. She took another sip of water and noticed that she was trembling. It wasn’t like she hadn’t dated before. Before she dated Tommy, she had almost married her high school boy friend, Hugh Hawkins. Of course that would have ended in disaster. He would have held her back from all she wanted to accomplish. More than likely she would never have completed college. He had a whole different set of rules. The man was in charge and the woman happily did whatever he ordered. The breakup was very ugly and messy. His parents had been friends with her parents and the whole sordid episode had ended that friendship.
“Am I late?” Scott slipped into the chair next to her. Still wearing the same suit he wore earlier in the day proved he had come from work. He oozed success, confidence, and arrogance. She wished he wasn’t so sure of himself. She didn’t like the attraction she felt for him.
“No, I arrived early.”
Scott’s lips curved a little. “I have to admit I was surprised to get your invitation.”
“Not as surprised as me that I invited you.”
Scott signaled the waiter. Before the waiter asked Scott what he wanted to drink, he replied, “Water please. Can we please get some bread while we wait for our entrées?”
“Yes, sir.” He scurried off to the kitchen.
“Sorry I asked you to meet me at Trips. I don’t know any nice restaurants.”
His smile faded and cool blue eyes assessed her. “I’ll have you know Trips is one of my favorite restaurants. They have great steaks.” He leaned in close and whispered, “Just because I have money, doesn’t mean I’m a snob.”
“Don’t get your hackles up.” Asking for forgiveness wasn’t easy for her. Under her breath, she stated, “Please forgive me. I guess that was uncalled for.” She opened her menu and tried to focus on the entrees. She knew what she wanted, so looking at the menu was a waste of time. At least it kept her from speaking to Scott. She always said the wrong thing.
She peeped over the menu to find him staring at her. “Aren’t you going to look at the menu?”
“No, I’m having the steak. I didn’t have time for lunch so I’m having the cowboy ribeye. I’m famished. Besides, I’d rather look at you.”
Michelle felt ill at ease. Thankfully, the waiter returned. “Are you ready to order?”
Michelle ordered the smaller ribeye. The cowboy ribeye was huge and she didn’t think she could devour that much meat. After the waiter left with their order, Scott placed his hand over hers. “I’m glad you had a change of heart. I’d like to get to know you better.”
A flush rose to her cheeks. Bracing her chin on her palm, she took a moment to stare at his handsome face. “I need to be honest with you. I’m not ready for a sexual relationship. I’d like to take it slow.” Her blood pressure spiked just thinking about having sex with him. She could still remember what it felt like to be kissed by him. She had the feeling he would be amazing in bed.
“I can handle slow. A woman like you will be worth the wait.”
She felt her cheeks redden again. “Why would a man like you be interested in me?”
“I find you very
intriguing. You are beautiful, loyal and spirited. You got a raw deal, but people get them all the time. You didn’t sit in the corner and give up on life. You came up fighting and that is what I like best about you. You are not a quitter.”
His words made her relax. After two failed relationships, she was beginning to believe something was wrong with her. When she thought about his description of her, she knew he was right. She had kept her life together. She had managed to keep her 4.0 grade average. Best of all, she still had her circle of friends; true friends, who had stuck with her during the devastation and pain. The worst of the grief and sorrow was gone. Suddenly, the future didn’t seem so scary anymore.
“The party was lovely. Everyone was so nice. You seem to have a great relationship with your parents.”
“I do. I worked with my father through college and couldn’t imagine working any other place but at the business he started with his father. I have a very strong family connection.” He took a sip of water. “How about you? Do you get along with your parents?”
“Yes, I do.” She twirled a fat curl around her finger and thought about her father. She loved her mother but she was daddy’s little girl. She would have cut or straightened her hair long ago if not for him. Many times he told her she had inherited her curly locks from his mother.
“After Chad was arrested for murder, they traveled to Twelve Oaks, took me back to Georgia for a few days. They never left my side even though spring is the busiest time on a farm. I pulled the covers over my head and swore to never leave the house again.” Too tangled in her own miseries, she did nothing but sit in the house the first week. Finally, they coaxed her out of the house and all over again she saw the beauty of the farm. She felt the sun on her face, the grass under her bare feet. For another week she stayed and helped with the everyday chores of planting, harvesting, feeding animals. She began to heal.
“I would probably still be there with my parents if not for Dylan and Lacy making a trip to Georgia to get me. They convinced me to come back to school. Even though they never said so, I knew my parents had notified them because they feared I wouldn’t finish my education.”
Blood of the Falls (Twelve Oaks Farm Book 4) Page 18
