Hometown Christmas

by Joleen James

The man turned his gun on her.

  "You." He pointed to Brandi. "You gather up everyone's phones and toss them out the front door."

  "No," Brandi said. "We have a pregnant woman here. We need to be able to call for help."

  "Do it, or I'll shoot her." He jabbed the gun at Tawney.

  Brandi's eyes went wide, but she took Tawney's phone from her before going to Ruby and Star, gathering their phones and her own.

  The shorter man checked to make sure all the phones were there. He pushed Brandi toward the front door, opening it. "Toss them, one at time, so I can make sure they're all gone."

  Brandi did as the man said. When she was done, he yanked her back inside, closing then locking the door.

  "Get on the sofa," he said to Brandi. "You too." He pointed the gun at Tawney again.

  Tawney did as he asked, taking mental inventory of the guns in the cabin—all of the weapons out of her reach. She exchanged worried looks with her sisters. Star's hands were wrapped around her baby bump. Tawney saw the fear in Star's eyes, and it killed her. It was going to be up to her to save them all.

  The tall one removed his jacket, revealing his blood soaked sweatshirt.

  Tawney didn't remember Rick telling her the man had been injured.

  "You," the man said to Brandi, "find something to help me with this wound."

  "I'll go," Tawney volunteered. "This is my cabin. I know where everything is."

  "No," the man said, his bloodshot eyes on Brandi. "I want her to go."

  Brandi stood, her face pale and pinched.

  "Look in the medicine cabinet," Tawney said to Brandi.

  "Go with her," the tall one said to his partner. "No funny business, or I'll have to shoot one of them. I’m in so deep now, another body ain't going to matter."

  Ruby squeezed Tawney's hand and said, "Let's all do as he says."

  "Good advice, Red," Mr. Tall said to Ruby. "Let's all do what I say, and no one will get hurt."

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Rick came awake slowly. The first thing he noticed was the muffled silence that came with a big snow. He didn't have to look outside to confirm. He just knew.

  He reached for his phone, seeing he'd missed Tawney's call. He closed his eyes as he listened to the message. When she said, "I love you," he said, "Love you too."

  And he did, he loved her so much he ached inside. Was he pushing her away with his dream of them having kids, a family? Maybe he needed to back off. He knew one thing for certain, he didn't want to lose her. He'd do anything to make her happy.

  He stood, stretching. At the window, he checked. Yep, that was snow all right. More snow then he wanted to see. Should be a slow shift tonight. You couldn't see to drive. People would stay inside. With hope, the convenience store robbers would take the night off.

  Wanting to talk to Tawney, he retrieved his phone. His call went to voicemail. "It's me," he said. "Just checking in. I know you arrived okay, but I wanted to hear your voice. Call me when you get the message. I miss you already. Stay warm and safe. I love you madly."

  Rick tossed the phone on the bed. If Tawney wanted time to think about kids, he'd give it to her when she got home. She'd come around eventually; he felt sure of it. If she didn't, he'd cross that bridge later.

  As soon as Tawney got home, he'd make damned sure that she knew how much he loved her.

  * * *

  Tawney pulled on the gloves in her medical kit. Brandi did the same.

  "I'm going to have Brandi lift your shirt," she said to Mr. Tall, "so I can take a look."

  Mr. Tall nodded. His lips, visible through the mouth hole in his ski mask, were pressed tightly together, their color pale.

  Brandi lifted the shirt, turning her head.

  Tawney stepped closer and she realized why Brandi glanced away. Mr. Tall had the ripe stench of someone who had not bathed in a long time. Worse, his body odor was mixed with stale cigarette smoke and alcohol.

  "You've been shot," Tawney said, holding her nose. "I can see where the bullet went in."

  "No shit," Mr. Tall said.

  "Let me look at your back." She walked around him. "There's an exit wound, so that's good, I guess."

  The shorter man stood a few feet away, his gun centered on Tawney.

  "Just stop the bleeding and find me something for pain," Mr. Tall ordered.

  Tawney cleaned the wounds and applied gauze pads to both areas. To her untrained eye, it looked like he'd lost some blood, but she didn't think the amount was significant enough to render him unconscious. No, they couldn't be that lucky.

  "Who shot you?" Brandi asked.

  "Don't, Brandi," Star warned.

  "None of your damned business." Mr. Tall grimaced as Tawney tugged his shirt down. "Get me a pain killer."

  "I have ibuprofen," Tawney said.

  "I'll take six," Mr. Tall told her.

  Tawney shook the pain reliever into his hand.

  "I need water," he barked. "Do I have to tell you everything?"

  The short one kept quiet, his eyes dark and mean in the eyeholes of the black mask.

  Tawney brought Mr. Tall a glass of water.

  "I'll take some coffee, too." He swallowed the pills, closing his eyes for second as if he were getting a much-needed fix.

  "Take my Jeep," Tawney offered. "Drive away. In this snow it will be hours before anyone will be able to look for you."

  "Ain't no one driving in the white-wash," the short one said. "Can't see shit. Going out there now is a death sentence. How stupid do you think we are?"

  "You found your way to us, how bad can it be?" Tawney asked.

  The short one's eyes narrowed. "Wasn't snowin' like it is now."

  "Enough talk," Mr. Tall said, the words curt. "Where's my coffee?"

  Tawney brought him a coffee, passing a second cup to the short one.

  Both men drank through the mouth holes in their masks as all four sisters watched.

  When Mr. Tall noticed their stares, he said, "Quit looking at me, or I'll do something about it."

  Ruby rolled her eyes but glanced away. Brandi went and sat next to Star. The sisters joined hands.

  Tawney started toward them.

  "You stay," Mr. Tall said to her. "Whatever it is you're cooking over there smells good."

  "It's not ready yet," she said.

  "It's done enough for me."

  "If you say so." Tawney dished up two plates of the chicken mole.

  Mr. Tall dug in like he hadn't eaten for a week. The short one set his gun on the table and ate his food.

  Tawney's eyes went to the gun. Could she grab it and turn the tables on them?

  The short one glanced up, instantly noting where her gaze was. "Don't get any ideas, Legs."

  Legs? Ick.

  "May I sit with my sisters?" Tawney asked.

  "No, get me a beer or something," the short one said before picking his plate up and licking it clean, his tongue darting out through the mouth hole.

  Hope surged in her. Maybe they could get the men drunk, making them careless. No, risky. Some people got meaner when they drank. She had to think about Star and her unborn baby.

  Her best bet was to get to one of her guns.

  Tawney brought the men beers.

  Mr. Tall took a long drink. "Damn, I needed that."

  The short one sucked on his beer.

  Mr. Tall watched her with his red, watery eyes. "You're really pretty. I've always liked brunettes with blue eyes." He glanced around. "In fact you are all fine-looking women, even the blonde, fat one."

  "I am not fat," Star said, her voice level and controlled. "I'm pregnant."

  "We know," the short one said. "Had to hear you all yammering on about the baby for the past couple of hours. Nearly bored me to sleep."

  Mr. Tall snorted, returning his attention to his food.

  Tawney's mind began to spin. She needed a plan. The gun in the desk was closest, easiest to get. Would she be putting the girls at risk if she made an attempt to get the
weapon?

  "Sit down," Mr. Tall said to her, indicating the chair across from him. "I don't like the look in your eyes. You're plotting something."

  Was he a mind-reader? Tawney sat. She should have gone for it.

  "I need to use the bathroom," Star said.

  Brandi turned frightened eyes on Tawney.

  "No," Mr. Tall said.

  "I'm pregnant," Star reminded him. "I have an eight-pound baby sitting on my bladder. I'm telling you, I will pee on this sofa."

  "Get up," Mr. Tall said to Star.

  Star got to her feet.

  Mr. Tall stared at her pregnant belly. "Shoot, you're knocked up real good."

  Star raised one brow.

  "Go with her," Mr. Tall said to the short one. "I'll take the gun."

  The short one followed Star to the bathroom.

  "May I shut the door?" Star asked.

  "No," the short one said. "Do your business quick before I change my mind."

  "Fine." Star went into the bathroom.

  They could all hear her peeing. Tawney could hardly wait until it was her turn to go. Mr. Tall better pray she didn't get her hands on her gun, because she knew which part of him she'd shoot off first.

  The toilet flushed. The water came on in the sink.

  "Let's go," the short one said. "Get back on the sofa."

  Star passed him, her eyes locking on Tawney.

  If anything happened to Star's baby, well, Tawney couldn't finish the thought. She had to be strong for her sisters. In charge.

  Mr. Tall zeroed in on Tawney. "Over there." He gave a head nod toward the living area.

  Tawney rose and followed him while the short one held the gun on her.

  "Sit," he said, indicating one of the two brown leather chairs.

  She did as he said. Mr. Tall eased himself into the other chair with a grunt.

  Now what? The short one sat on the ottoman, his eyes on Ruby.

  "Pretty tree," Mr. Tall said. "Pretty tree, pretty ladies."

  Again with a crack about their looks. Tawney's unease grew. Her skin crawled. She needed her gun.

  "I should go out and bring in more firewood," Tawney said. "The fire needs to be stoked."

  "There's plenty of wood inside for now," Mr. Tall said.

  "But that wood won't last the night," Tawney argued. If he'd let her put her coat on, there was a chance she could get to her purse and the pistol inside.

  "God, you’re a pain." Mr. Tall frowned. "No tricks or the pregnant one gets it. I'll put a hole right through that little baby."

  Star gasped.

  Tawney hesitated. Would her quest for the gun get Star killed?

  "What are you waiting for?" He turned his gun on Star.

  Star gave her a wild look.

  "May I take my coat?" Tawney asked.

  "No. Wouldn't want you to run away. No coat equals freezing to death out here. Watch her," he said to the short one.

  The short one got up and followed Tawney.

  Her heart heavy, Tawney went out to get the wood.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Rick was heading out for work when his phone rang.

  Cade's name flashed on the screen.

  "Cade," Rick said. "What's up?"

  "Have you talked to Tawney?" Cade asked, sounding worried.

  "She left me a message earlier, but when I called back I didn't get her. Why?"

  "I don't know," Cade said. "I'm uneasy. I know the girls got there safely, but Star's not picking up now."

  "Maybe the tower is down. The snow's doing a number everywhere."

  "Probably," Cade said. "I'd feel better if we could get one of the girls on the phone."

  "I'll try again," Rick said. "Check in with Bud and Dane, see if they've heard anything, then call me back. I'm heading to the station; give me twenty minutes to get there."

  "Will do," Cade said.

  Rick made his way to the garage. He'd shoveled the walkway earlier but there was at least six inches of snow on the sidewalk now. He wished he had the kind of job that got a snow day.

  The police department never closed, not even for snow.

  He got into his four-wheel drive truck and exited the garage. The roads were a mess, the plows doing what they could to clear the relentless snow.

  He thanked God for the streetlights that helped him stay on the road. When he reached the station, snow masked the entrance into the parking lot and he missed the turn. He backed up and guessed, driving over the snow-covered curb. He parked, going inside.

  "You made it," his partner, Ed Graves, said, glancing up from his computer screen.

  "Piece of cake." Rick smiled.

  Ed chuckled. "I don't know about that."

  "Anything going on?" Rick asked as he took off his jacket.

  "Been looking at the tape of the last robbery," Ed said. "When you're ready I'll play it for you."

  "Can you see anything?" Rick asked.

  "Not with the mask on, but the guy has a tattoo of a snake on his right wrist."

  "Interesting," Rick said. "Anything else?"

  "There's a pretty good shot of the getaway car, a silver Ford."

  "Plate?"

  "Nope, it's a side shot," Ed said.

  "Okay."

  "Other than yesterday's robbery it's been quiet." Ed leaned back in his chair.

  "That will make for a long, boring night," Rick said. "Give me a second to check in with Tawney. She's at the cabin with her sisters. When I called earlier she didn't answer."

  "Sure," Ed returned his attention to his computer screen.

  Rick took his phone into the back room and rang Tawney.

  The call went to voicemail. The tower had to be down. Too bad Earl and Destiny were on their honeymoon. He could have checked the tower by calling Earl, who was his nearest neighbor at the cabin.

  Rick's phone rang. His heart picked up, thinking the caller was Tawney, but Cade's name flashed on the screen.

  "Cade. Anything?"

  "No," Cade said. "The girls checked in with Bud and Dane when they got to the cabin, but no calls since."

  "I think you need to relax," Rick said. "It's got to be the snow. We know they arrived safely. They have plenty of firewood and food. They'll be fine."

  "I don't like Star being there with no phone reception," Cade said.

  "Cade, do not go out in the storm," Rick warned. "Wait until morning when the storm lets up. I don't need you lost out there, and neither does Star."

  Cade sighed. "I know you're right, but I can't shake the feeling that something is wrong."

  "I'll go with you in the morning if we don't hear from them by then. Okay?"

  "Deal," Cade said. "Stay safe tonight."

  "Thanks, I will." Rick pocketed his phone and suited up for duty, Tawney heavy on his mind.

  CHAPTER SIX

  "Are we allowed to eat dinner?" Tawney asked.

  Mr. Tall and the short one were on their third and final beers. Tawney had only brought a six pack, thank goodness.

  She didn't like the look in the short one's eyes. He stared at Ruby with undisguised lust. Wanting to distract the pair, Tawney had brought up dinner.

  Trying again, she asked, "May we eat?"

  "Go ahead," Mr. Tall said, his words slurred. Probably from the mix of pain relievers and high octane beer.

  Tawney stood. As she passed the couch she pulled Ruby up, taking her to the kitchen.

  She removed the tortillas from the fridge and rolled up four chicken mole enchiladas. There would be no coconut rice tonight. "Grab some waters, Ruby."

  Ruby took the waters from the fridge.

  Brandi helped Star to the table.

  The sisters sat and began eating.

  Mr. Tall and the short one conversed in low tones. Tawney had purposely positioned herself with her back to the pair.

  Using the barest whisper, Tawney said, "My gun is in my purse. We need a distraction."

  Star's eyes took on a wild look and Tawney got the message, No
.

  "What's going on over there?" the short one asked, coming to investigate. He sidled up next to Ruby. "That's right, eat up, Red. You're going to need your strength." He pressed the tip of the gun to Ruby's cheek, running the metal up to her temple.

  Ruby didn't move.

  "Leave her alone." Tawney came to her feet, ready to do battle without her gun.

  "Sit down, Legs," the short one said chuckling.

  Brandi reached over to tug on Tawney's arm.

  "That's right, brown eyes," the short one said to Brandi. "Get your sister under control."

  He moved away from Ruby, returning to his seat.

  Star made eye contact with Tawney and gave her a slight head nod. Tawney understood. Star was in. Whatever it took to take Mr. Tall and the short one down. Star would never allow the short one to rape Ruby.

  They finished their meal, and Tawney began to pick up the dishes.

  "Leave the mess," Mr. Tall said, "and get back on the sofa."

  Tawney set Star's plate down on the table and whispered, "Fake labor."

  Star gave no indication that she'd heard her. Tawney helped Star up.

  "Are you all right?" she asked Star, loud enough the men could hear.

  "I’m not sure. I've been cramping all afternoon," Star said.

  Good girl. "Do you need to use the bathroom again?"

  "That depends, is he going with me?" Star glared at the short one.

  "Go with her," Mr. Tall said to his partner.

  Letting loose a long sigh, the short one followed Star to the bathroom. He didn't watch her pee, but kept Star in his peripheral vision.

  "How about you?" the short one said to Ruby from his post at the bathroom door. "Need to use the bathroom? I could give you a hand."

  Ruby didn't reply, didn't even look at him.

  "I'm talkin' to you, Red," he said, his tone telling Tawney that he was getting more aggressive.

  "I'm fine." Ruby gave him an icy stare. "I'd rather wet my pants."

  "You know what I think," the short one said, abandoning his watch on Star and advancing on Ruby. "You have a smart mouth."

  He yanked Ruby up off the sofa.

  "Let go of me." She tried to twist away.

  "You better be nice to me, Red," the short one said. "Or I might have to shoot one of your sisters." He brought his head close to Ruby's and inhaled. "God, you smell good. I bet you smell good everywhere."