“Looking for this?” Roy says, still laughing.
“How? How did you get out of...
jail?” Roy asks, interrupting me. “You can’t touch me! I’m God. I thought your no-good mama would have taught you that,” Roy said.
“But, they found the body, the evidence,” I say with tears in my eyes as my whole life seems to flash before me.
“Evidence don’t mean nothin’ when you know the right people,” Roy says arrogantly.
I look around the room, horrified as I remember that Jackson stayed the night.
“Jackson, where is he?”
“Oh, him. I killed him. I told him your secret, and he took off, but not before I put three bullets in his back,” Roy says proudly.
I shook my head.
“That can’t be. He’s Special Forces. He woulda seen it coming,” I said in disbelief.
“Maybe, but like I said, when I told him the truth about you, he couldn't leave here fast enough,” Roy says, wiping blood off his hands.
“Why did you kill him?” I ask, sobbing.
“When are you goin’ to learn? I make the rules. I say what goes. I say who lives and who dies. I told you long ago if you came back to this place, I would kill you and everyone you knew,” he said, spitting tobacco on Grandma May’s rug.
I sit in horror, crying as I held my head in my hands.
I flinch as Roy runs his dirty hands through my hair.
“Now, what to do with you? Maybe we should finish where we left off,” Roy says as he moves his dirty fingers down my body.
I kick out my foot and hit Roy hard in the groin.
“Dammit! Now you’re gonna pay!”
Suddenly, I hear a loud boom again, and everything goes black.
I woke up screaming and soaked in sweat. Immediately, I felt warm arms around me, holding me.
To my relief, it is Jackson.
I looked back at him and shook my head as I tried to hide my panic.
“Em. Are you okay?” Jackson asked with a look of concern, his arms still around me.
I sat up and flipped on the light as I scanned the room.
“Em. What’s wrong?”
“It was Roy. He was here,” I said, trying to catch my breath.
“It was just a dream, Em. Roy doesn’t know yet, and when he does find out, he will either go to jail or I will take care of him,” Jackson said, very matter of fact.
“But, it was so real. He was here, Jackson, and he....” I started sobbing as I spoke.
Jackson pulled me closer to him.
“Em, you are fine. Roy won’t hurt you. I won’t let him. You never have to worry about him again. I promise,” Jackson said as he kissed my head.
“But he killed you,” I said with tears running down my eyes.
“I’ll take care of you, Em. You have nothing to worry about and I can take care of myself,” he said.
I shot him a worried look.
“Special forces, remember?” he said with a grin.
My stomach felt queasy and formed a huge knot as I recalled the dream.
“Please, promise me he will go to jail,” I pleaded.
“We have a body, Em, and if your dreams are correct and Roy beat her and left her for dead before the accident, then there is no way that she could have survived before he pushed her in the water. That should be all we need to convict him for a long time. But, I am not going to lie to you and say that Roy will be punished,” he said.
“What good is the body, if we still don’t know for certain he will pay for his crimes?” I asked, disappointed.
“Look, I know it’s frustrating, but we have to try and if he doesn't go to jail, we will try for an appeal. I won’t give up, Em, you have to believe me,” Jackson said with a serious expression.
“But, he killed her! I know what I saw,” I said with tears streaming down my face.
“Then you are fine, Em. Don’t worry,” Jackson said as he hugged me tight and dried my tears.
I nodded.
I lay back down, and Jackson snuggled in behind me and held me close to him as he wrapped his muscular arms tightly around me. For that moment, my worries about Roy drifted away. It was like Jackson, and I were the only two people on earth.
“No one will ever hurt you again, Em, as long as I have breath. That’s a promise,” he said.
I knew I should tell Jackson to leave and cut off all ties with him. Since I had arrived, I had vowed not to let Jackson get close, but the truth was I needed him, and he needed me. Maybe Jackson was right. Maybe it was just a dream. I desperately wanted to believe I was wrong. It was like I could hear Grandma whispering in the background that it wasn’t over. Just then, I heard a faint pecking noise and glanced over at the bedroom window, a red bird was hitting its beak against the glass. Grandma always said that when a bird knocked, death was trying to enter.
CHAPTER 21- UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The next morning, I awoke in Jackson’s arms. I took a deep breath and exhaled. I looked at Jackson for a few minutes, admiring him. His dark hair lay in disarray, and the knot on his head was fading. I inhaled his scent of musk and spice deeply. I sighed as I lay next to him. In a way, I dreaded waking him up and leaving the comfort of his strong, muscular arms. No matter how hard I fought or tried to resist, I knew that Jackson could tear down any walls I put up. I shook my head, angry at myself for not breaking it off sooner. I was in too deep now, and giving him up wouldn’t be so easy. Jackson had always had that effect on me. He had been the only one ever capable of getting past my barriers and making me feel safe. Somehow, I would eventually have to find the strength to tell him my secret. He deserved that.
Gently, I kissed his head. The swelling had gone down, but his head was still bruised. Sleepily, he rubbed his eyes as he spoke.
“Good morning,” he said with a dimpled smile.
I took a deep breath, trying to gain my composure.
“How’s your head?” I asked, trying to focus on anything other than how irresistible he looked.
Jackson rubbed his head. “Better, now that you’ve kissed it,” he said flirtatiously.
“Your lips are better than any medicine I’ll ever take,” he said shamelessly.
I blushed and lightly kissed his lips.
“Much more of that, and I don’t think I’ll ever leave this bed again,” he said, staring at me with his hypnotic gray eyes.
“You’ve got to work today, don’t you?” I said, trying to get both of our minds off the magnetic heat of attraction between us.
Jackson looked around.
“What time is it?” he asked yawning.
“It’s almost 8 a.m.,” I said.
Jackson jumped up and threw off the covers.
“Oh, no! I got to get into town!” he exclaimed as he scurried around trying to gather his phone and wallet, then he hurriedly placed a baseball cap on his head.
“What’s wrong? You don’t even open until 9,” I said, wondering why the rush.
“I got to go to town, Em. I want to make sure that we get what we need today to send Roy to jail. I need to contact the detective to see if he has any new information on Roy,” he said, as he took off his basketball shorts and slipped into his work clothes.
“It’s okay, Jackson, we’ll get him,” I lied. I knew deep down that Roy would somehow be acquitted for this. I could feel it in my bones, the dread, as Grandma May called it. I couldn’t get the image of the red bird knocking on the window out of my head.
Jackson walked over to me and placed his hand under my chin as he looked me in the eyes. My heart raced.
“Em, Roy is dangerous, and each moment that he is loose, we are risking your life. It is just a matter of time before he finds out. I won’t lose you,” Jackson said as he kissed my lips and ran his fingers through my hair.
We kissed passionately, and my heart raced with delight at the feel of his lips against mine. Jackson’s kisses were filled with fire.
He finally let go. My knees wer
e weak.
“Oh, my God. We got to stop, or I will never make it to the office. I want you, Em, more than you know, but first, I have to make sure that Roy is gone and that you are safe,” Jackson said, tucking in his shirt, that I had pulled loose while kissing him.
I nodded. I wanted nothing more than for Jackson to make love to me, but he was right. Now wasn’t the time. Roy had to be brought to justice. Feelings would have to be put aside for the time being.
“Can you run me into town, too? I got a text this morning from Kev that my car is ready,” I said.
“Yea, I’m not for sure that I like Kevin texting you, though,” Jackson said with a playful smile.
“Jackson, trust me. I am long over Kev. Don’t make me get my gun,” I said, jokingly as I nudged him.
“Thank you,” I said, gathering my clothes and walking into the master bath in my room.
“I’d better go downstairs, or we will never leave. I’ll make coffee,” Jackson said as he walked out the bedroom door.
My heart pounded.
I quickly grabbed an emerald green pirate shirt that I had bought at a local shop and my favorite pair of faded jeans, then hurriedly took a shower and pulled my hair back in a ponytail. On my way out of the bedroom, I reached for two gold bangle bracelets and a pair of gold hoop earrings.
Jackson met me at the end of the stairs. He was smiling widely.
“You look beautiful,” he said admiringly.
“Don’t be silly. I just threw on some clothes and pulled back my hair.”
“I don’t care. You’re beautiful no matter what you wear. You always have been Em,” he said.
My heart raced like a schoolgirl’s. I wanted nothing more than to grab Jackson and head back upstairs and then never let him go. But there were things that had to be done.
Jackson and I said our goodbyes to Tiny as we hurried out of the house.
He drove us into town. I tapped his shoulder to stop and pull over.
“Everything okay?” Jackson asked as he looked at me with his gray eyes shining in the sunlight.
My heart raced like a train at full speed without brakes. This man oozed seduction without even trying.
I caught my breath and then spoke. “Yeah, I want to check out a few of the shops in town, and then I’ll walk to get my car,” I said.
“The shop is over a mile away. You up for that?” Jackson joked.
“I could outwalk you any day, Jackson Roderick,” I said as I playfully smacked him on the arm.
“I’ll take you up on that,” Jackson said with a grin.
I climbed out of the car. Jackson did, too. Then he pulled me toward him and kissed me hard, nearly knocking me right off my feet. Then he climbed back in and spoke.
“I got this, Em. One way or another, you aren’t going to have to worry about Roy again ever,” he said with a serious expression.
“Jackson, please be safe. He’s not worth it. Promise me you won’t do anything foolish,” I pleaded worried that Jackson might try to go after Roy himself if Roy wasn’t arrested.
“When it comes to you, nothing is foolish. There’s nothing I won’t do, Em,” he said, staring at me with his magnetic eyes.
“Promise me,” I pleaded.
Jackson gave me one last penetrating look, rolled up the window and drove off.
I knew that there was no reasoning with him. Jackson would move heaven and earth to protect me. He had done it before, and I was certain he would do it again. I just hoped that my dream wasn’t true, and that Jackson didn’t end up getting hurt or worse, dying. I couldn’t lose him, I just couldn’t.
Roy was a dangerous killer who would stop at nothing to get his way. Jackson didn’t need to be part of this. There were so many things I wanted to say to Jackson and so much I wanted to do, but I knew every moment that I stayed that I was putting Jackson at risk.
My eyes darted toward a blue butterfly as it playfully danced around me. I caught my breath as I thought of Jordy. I shook my head, reasoning I was seeing things. Just then a woman with silver hair and penetrating blue eyes, bumped into me.
“Oh, excuse me, dear,” she said as she walked on past me. For a moment, I stopped dead in my tracks. The woman had features similar to Grandma May.
I took a deep breath as the sun warmed my skin, and the breeze kissed my hair.
Suddenly I heard Grandma May say, “Stay, you are not done,” as clear as if she were there speaking to me.
I shook my head, wondering if I, too, had suffered some sort of head trauma in the boating accident.
I thought of Grandma May’s words. Images of Jackson washed through my mind. I realized that, for the first time in my life, I was happy. I wondered if I could make a life here. I had nothing and no one in the city. I had tried so many years ago to run away from this place and never return, but the truth was my heart had never left here. As hard as I tried to deny it, my life was here. Everyone that I loved was here. Aunt Georgia, Jimmy, Julie, Katie, and Kyle. Not to mention whatever this was with Jackson. I had been a shell before. I wasn’t living. Here, I had begun to live again. It was by no means perfect here in Lancaster, but it was home.
I was interrupted from my thoughts as I passed by a small shop. I looked into the window. It was quaint but inviting. Inside, were old wooden benches and floors. Old fashioned Tiffany style lamps hung from the ceilings. I imagined myself in the shop making Grandma’s and Mama’s favorite family recipes. I saw myself in Grandma’s old blue apron with Aunt Georgia and Julie laughing away as they helped me. I saw the place filled with customers and Jimmy talking about how my restaurant and cooking put Martha’s diner to shame. I saw images of Jackson in the kitchen trying to cook beside me in his own pitiful way. Jackson had seemed to master everything, but cooking had certainly not made the list. I smiled as I walked away from the shop.
CHAPTER 22- ROAD RAGE
Finally, I arrived at Clyde’s repair shop. I was met by Kev at the entrance of the shop as he wiped the oil off his hands on a rag.
“Hi, Em, she’s as good as new,” Kevin said.
“Thank you, Kev. I was worried for a minute whether or not my car could be saved,” I said.
“Ah, these old cars last forever. They sure don’t make ‘em like this anymore,” Kevin said, still wiping grease from his hands.
“That’s good to know. Don’t think I could bear getting rid of Grandma’s pride and joy.”
“Well, you don’t have to,” Kevin said.
I knew that Kevin was waiting around, as though there was more that he wanted to say. I quietly asked him if there was somewhere that we could talk privately. I at least owed Kevin closure. Although I had already given my heart to Jackson. At least as much as I could of my heart.
He nodded.
“Hey, Clyde, I’ll ring her up, if that’s okay,” Kevin yelled to the back of the shop.
“Yep,” Clyde said as he glanced at us out from under a car and went back to work.
Kev and I walked to a side office.
“Kev, thank you so much for everything. Thanks for getting my car fixed, too. But, I just want to be friends. I’m sorry. I’m with Jackson now, and I really care about him,” I said softly, trying to let Kevin down as easy as possible.
“Jackson Roderick?” he asked as though a little surprised that we were dating.
“Yes,” I said.
“It figures. He’s handsome, smart, and loaded. Every woman in town is after him, but I’d be careful around him, Em” Kevin warned again.
“It’s not like that, Kev. I don’t care one bit about Jackson’s money. I’ve always loved him. I just didn’t realize it. I’m sorry,” I said. The words just fell out of my mouth, and I was even shocked by them.
“So, you loved him even when we were together?” Kevin asked.
“I guess I did Kev, but I didn’t know it. I’m sorry. I did care for you, and you deserve to be happy,” I said, touching his hand.
“Well, I don’t know what I am supposed to do wi
th that, Em. I tried to be everything you wanted when we were together,” he said, jerking his hand away.
“That’s just it, Kev. Don’t try to be anything to anyone. Be you. Don’t try, just be. You deserve someone that will love you for you. She’s out there, Kev, and you will find happiness again, you will,” I said with tears in my eyes.
Kev nodded.
“Em, I was wondering how to tell ya this, because I didn’t want to scare ya, but I don’t know any other way to say it, so I’m just gonna say it. Roy knows about you leadin’ the sheriff to your mama’s body.”
My heart felt like it stopped as all the blood seemed to rush to my head.
“How?” I asked in shock.
“I’ve warned you about Roy before Em. He’s dangerous. He knows people. I am sure he has people even at the station that he’s paid off. Like I said before, he owns this town.”
I swallowed hard as I tried to take it all in.
“I’m not just sayin’ this because you’re with Jackson, really, but the best thing you can do is go back to Chicago and don’t tell anyone and never return. I know Jackson is a tough guy and all, but Roy doesn’t play fair. He will kill you and Jackson without a second thought,” Kev said.
“I’ve run all my life, Kev. I’ve run from everything, and in the midst of running, I lost who I was. I’m not running anymore,” I said as my heart pounded in my chest.
“God, Em. Now is not the time to be stubborn,” he said, shaking his head.
“Now, how much is my bill?” I asked as I took a deep breath.
Kevin sighed.
“Okay, have it your way, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“How much?” I asked, frustrated.
“It will be $900. Clyde said you can make payments if you need to,” Kev said.
I had missed the country way of life of tabs, neighborly courtesy, and trust.
“It’s okay Kev. I’ll just pay debit,” I said.
“Debit. Nah, we ain’t got one of those. Clyde ain’t much on computers,” Kevin said.
“Well, do you take a check?” I asked, digging into my purse.
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