by D'Ann Lindun
A door opened and a man she barely recognized entered. Stooped, gray-haired and sallow-skinned, the man looked like a walking skeleton with sunken eyes and prominent cheekbones. It took Mesa a good long minute to recognize her own father. Tears filled her eyes. “Daddy.”
“Don’t touch the prisoner,” one of the guards said sharply.
Mesa dropped her hands. She hadn’t realized she’d held them out to her father until the command from the guard alerted her. “Sorry.”
Her father sat across from her and waited while one of the guards shackled his wrists to the table and his ankles to restraints on the floor. Once he was tied down, he smiled. “Mesa. It’s so good to see you.”
Her throat clogged. “You, too, Daddy.”
“Been a long time. You look great.”
She didn’t know how to respond. He looked like death warmed over. Finally, she said, “Thanks.”
“How are you doing, Mesa?”
After a long pause, she spoke. “Not great right now. I turned the farm into a bed and breakfast, but I’m about to lose it.”
“What happened?” The muscle in his jaw clenched.
“I don’t know how much you’re aware of, but Reuben Gonzalez and another man named Waydell Spencer escaped when they were being transported about a month ago, and Gonzalez came to Black Mountain. The marshals killed Gonzalez, but Spencer has been on the run all this time…” Mesa took a steadying breath. “He’s after me, Daddy.”
Her father’s eyes widened, then narrowed into slits, but he didn’t otherwise react. “What do you mean ‘after you’?”
“He’s stalking me,” she said simply.
For a few moments, he was silent. “He thinks you have the money.”
“Yeah.” Mesa glanced at Kade, who stood by the wall, arms and ankles crossed. “The marshals also think I have it. I keep telling them I don’t know where the money is…”
“Why would you?” her father asked gruffly. “You had no knowledge of what I did.”
“They think I do.” She threaded her fingers together. “Will you tell me where the money is, so they’ll leave me alone? Please, Daddy. I need you to do this for me.”
“I never wanted you to be hurt, baby.” His voice broke.
“I know,” she said through a clogged throat.
He hung his head. “I was so stupid.”
She longed to touch him, to hug him. Instead, she threaded her fingers so tight they ached. “You make a mistake. People do that.”
“Not that ruin lives,” he moaned. “I never meant to do that…”
As bad as she wanted to, she couldn’t let him completely off the hook, although she could forgive him. “You did, though, Daddy. Yours, most of all.”
He lifted his head and tears glistened in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Mesa. I really am.”
“I know,” she said softly. “I am, too.”
A visible shudder ripped through him, then he began to speak. “Gonzalez made it seem so easy and so harmless. It was the stupidest idea ever. But Mom was sick, we were losing the farm...” He cleared his throat. “I didn’t know where to turn, the banks had all turned me down for a loan. I guess part of my reasoning was getting revenge on them.”
“Oh, Dad.” Mesa wanted to cry. He’d been so misguided.
“I know, honey. I was so stupid.” His eyes begged her to forgive him. “When Reuben killed those men, I knew it was all so foolish.”
“But you took half the money,” Mesa reminded him gently.
He didn’t deny it. “We drove the armored car to a prearranged spot where Reuben hid the loot. I drove the vehicle to another location to throw off the law. When they caught up to me, I surrendered.”
“Was Reuben sending his take out of the country?” Mesa leaned a little closer, and one of the guards cleared his throat. She straightened. “With a guy named Red Wolfe?”
Her father nodded. “Yeah. We hid it, where Red was supposed to pick up Reuben’s half and fly it to Mexico, where they’d meet up later. Reuben would get his money, pay Wolfe and disappear.”
“And what were you going to do?” Mesa asked.
“Wait until things settled down, go back and get my part. I was going to pay off Mom’s hospital debts and the mortgage…” He swallowed hard. “But since I was caught with the armored vehicle, I have no idea what happened to my half.”
Mesa thrummed her fingers on the table. “Do you think this Wolfe person took all of it instead of just Reuben’s share? If he did, it wasn’t found.” At her father’s puzzled look, she elaborated. “Red Wolfe crashed in the mountains. He never made it to Mexico.”
“Possibly,” he said. “But I doubt Red knew I was caught. He was supposed to be too busy getting out of Dodge while Reuben and I led the cops astray.”
“So, that’s why Reuben didn’t fly away with Red Wolfe,” Mesa said.
“Yeah. We figured we had time to cover our tracks and make alibis.” He shook his head. “So damn dumb.”
Mesa ignored that. “Where did you hide the loot, Daddy? Could it still be there?”
He hesitated a moment, then sighed. “It was hidden in plain sight. In the apple shed.”
Mesa gasped. The old building had been abandoned since the farm was sold. Located at the edge of the orchards, it would have perfect cover from prying eyes. Because the new owners had wanted state-of-the-art buildings, they hadn’t been interested in the ramshackle structure near the edge of Mesa’s property, so she kept it for sentimental reasons. No one would have ever had any reason to go there. She’d been so traumatized by her dad’s arrest, the last crop of apples had been forgotten, left to rot in their bins.
The light came on. “The money is in the apple bins.”
“That’s where we left it,” he said. “It was a perfect hiding place for the armored car while we unloaded it, and no one would suspect a big truck going out later, loaded with apples…and loot.”
Mesa glanced over her shoulder to Kade. His face was impassive, but his eyes were pinned on her father. She could almost see his wheels turning. She spoke to him. “My father has confessed, does this mean his sentence could be lightened?”
“If it checks out, and the money is where he says it is, there’s a good chance,” he said.
“Mesa.” Her father’s throat worked. “Come back sometime.”
Her own throat clogged. “I will.” And she meant it. Seeing her father reminded her how much she loved him. He had made a horrible mistake, but it couldn’t kill her love for him.
One of the mean-eyed guards tapped his watch. “Time’s up.”
“Thank you, Daddy,” Mesa said.
He nodded. “Be careful, baby. These men are dangerous, and they’re not messing around.”
“I know.” She stood, longing to hug him, but knowing she couldn’t. “I guess I have to go now…”
One of the guards moved to hover over her father as she and Kade exited the interview room. Outside, she sagged, and he caught her, holding her close.
“You okay?”
“That was hard,” she admitted. “But good, too.”
Kade’s arms tightened around her. “I’m glad.”
“Me, too.” She stepped back and looked up into his eyes. “Thanks for making me come here.”
“It helps the investigation tremendously.” Something warm flashed in his eyes that had nothing to do with his job. “More importantly, it helped you.”
“So much.”
Before she could say more, he tipped his head sideways and planted his lips over hers.
After a thorough kiss, Mesa pulled out of Kade’s arms. “What was that for?”
“I wanted to,” he said.
Mesa placed her hands on her hips. “Do you just go around randomly kissing people because you feel like it?”
“Only those I’m wild about,” he said.
“You’re wild about me?” she repeated, not sure she’d heard correctly.
“Sure am.” He took her hand and tugged her c
lose. “Now that this case is almost closed, I’d like to keep seeing you if you’re willing.”
“I’d like that.” Her heart pounded with joy. That this tall, handsome marshal wanted to date her was more than she could have dreamed of.
CHAPTER NINE
Mesa waited in the kitchen while Kade checked the house and locked the doors. She made two cups of hot apple cider and added cinnamon sticks. Her mind roamed over the evening behind her. It had been an eventful one for sure. From seeing her father, finding out where the money might be to Kade’s declaration of interest. Her stomach did a little jig when she thought of the implications. Maybe she didn’t have to be so alone now.
In a few minutes, he returned holstering his gun. “All clear.”
“Anna and Joe?” Her breath caught.
“They’re fine. He’s resting,” Kade said.
“Thank goodness.” Her hands around the cups tightened. “Any sign of Pearce, or Spencer?”
“No one.” He took the mug she offered and tasted the cider. “That’s good. Is it made from your own apples?”
“Yes. I have a few trees on the property I kept, but it’s a lot of work to keep them producing. Joe does most of it now… I hate him being hurt because of me.”
“It’s not because of you. Pearce and no one else is to blame.” He drained his cup and set it on the counter. “I’ll stand guard tonight in case Pearce or Spencer come around.”
“Thank you.” She sipped her cider without tasting it as she gathered her courage. “Will you sleep with me tonight?”
His eyes darkened. “Is that an invitation?”
She twisted her hands around her mug. “Yes.”
He pushed his cup away, stood and circled the bar. “Are you sure, Mesa?”
“I am.” She looked deep into his eyes. “I want to be with you tonight.”
Mesa didn’t remember how she got to her bedroom, in the middle of her bed. Maybe she walked, or maybe he carried her. Either way, she ended up there with Kade easing his big body over hers. She toed off her shoes, and they thudded on the floor.
Kade rolled off her long enough to remove his boots, socks and jeans. He stood to remove a long-sleeved shirt with a Henley under it. Wearing only boxer shorts, he climbed back in bed with Mesa and gathered her close.
His erection pressed against her thigh, and she shivered at the contact. Kade rolled onto his back and pulled her on top of him. She lay with her breasts pressed into his chest, one leg between his.
“You have on too many clothes,” he murmured.
Together, they stripped her to her bra and panties. Mesa knelt at his side on the bed. “Better?”
“Much.” His voice was husky. “Could be improved though.”
“Oh?” She teased him a little by slipping her bra straps off her shoulders. “Like that?”
He grabbed her waist and pulled her back on top of him again. Reaching around her, he unfastened her bra and let it fall open. Mesa rose enough to slip it from between their bodies. Her stiffened nipples rubbed on his hairy chest, sending a jolt of awareness straight between her legs.
Kade shifted so that Mesa lay beside him, facing him. He brushed a strand of hair from the corner of her mouth, then followed with his own lips, locking over hers. He explored the outline of her lips with his tongue, then slipped it in her mouth. Mesa met his invasion with eager thrusts of her own.
He slid a hand to her breast and gently squeezed it until Mesa moaned into his mouth and arched her back. Kade took the unspoken hint and removed his mouth from hers, slid down on the bed and sucking her nipple into his hot mouth. He teased it with his tongue and teeth until she thought the pleasure would kill her. Her left hand curled around his neck, holding him tight, as she wrapped her other fist around his erection. Although he still wore shorts, she could feel him throbbing through the thin material.
She removed her hand from his cock and hooked her thumb in the waistband of his shorts. He lifted his hips, and she slid his underwear off him, tossing them aside. Circling his rigid length again, she began stroking until his penis was hard as granite.
Sliding his hand under her panties, he tormented her the same way she had him, playing with her clit until her body wept for him. He removed his hand and tore her panties from her hips, then took a small foil package from the nightstand and ripped it open.
She watched in the dim light as he rolled the condom down his penis, then closed her eyes as he settled over her again. Her hands cupped his ass, pulled him into the cradle between her thighs.
Mesa gasped when he entered her with a thrust so hard it lifted her hips from the mattress. She quickly caught his pace and matched it. Together, they set a blazing speed, their sweat-slicked bodies straining as one.
Her fingernails dug into his skin as she held on for the ride. Each thrust sent her a little higher until her body squeezed around him, ever tightening, until she broke, spiraled out of control. From Mesa’s center outward, she fell apart. Moments later, Kade threw his head back, tendons straining in his neck as he came.
When he collapsed on top of her, she wrapped her arms around him and held tight until her breathing slowed. They lay with limbs entwined until Mesa shifted.
Kade kissed her before rising. “I’ll be right back.”
Reluctantly, she released him. “Okay.”
After he vanished into the bathroom, she slipped into a pink tank top and matching plaid pajama pants and sat on the side of the bed.
As Kade came out of the bathroom, something banged in the living room. Mesa muffled a scream while Kade jumped into action. He jerked on his clothes, and motioning her to stay put, slipped out of her bedroom.
After a few minutes of silence, three loud crashes filled the quiet house. Mesa started, then put a hand over her mouth to keep from making a sound. Was Kade okay? She wanted to race to find out but resisted. To do so could put her in danger, or distract Kade.
Kade.
Her heart sped up. She couldn’t lose him; she’d fallen in love with the tall, quiet lawman. Somehow, he’d managed to melt the ice around her heart. She wasn’t in the habit of falling into bed with just anyone. In fact, it had been over a year since her last date. For her to make love to Kade so soon was a good indication that she’d lost her heart to him.
Her thoughts were interrupted by more banging. Good lord. Should she risk going out to see what was going on? Mesa pressed her knuckles to her lips. Maybe she should call 911. She grabbed her cell phone but hesitated. Should she call? Would Kade appreciate her interference? Finally, deciding his safety was more important than his ego, she dialed and filled in the dispatcher.
The operator on the other end assured her help was on the way and for Mesa to stay on the line.
Reluctantly, she complied as her anxiety grew.
Flashing red and blue lights shining through her window drew Mesa’s attention. “The sheriff’s here.”
She hung up and paced, gnawing on her bottom lip. When the bedroom door opened, she muffled a scream, then relaxed when she saw Kade. She flew into his arms. “What happened? Are you okay?”
He pulled her close. “I’m fine. Pearce and Spencer tried to break in here again tonight. The sheriff has them handcuffed in the backseat of his car.”
“What?” She pulled out of his arms and stared at him. “Are you serious?”
“Completely.”
“They came here tonight? My God. Why won’t these men give up?” Her voice rose in a combination of fear and anger.
“It’s just as we thought, Spencer knew Pearce from prison and recruited him to help scope your house and then to scare you off. Apparently, Pearce trailed us to the prison tonight and informed Spencer. They figured your dad gave you the location of where the money’s hidden. They were going to get that information out of us, no matter the means. Both were heavily armed and dressed in combat gear.”
Horror of what might’ve happened to her washed over Mesa and she shuddered. “They would’ve killed me if you ha
dn’t been here. Are Joe and Anna okay?”
“They’re fine. We all are,” he reminded her gently.
Mesa sagged onto her bed. “Is this really over, Kade? Is my life going to return to normal? Can I rebuild my business?”
He sat beside her and took her hands in his. “It is over. We have these cons back in custody where they belong. I’m sure you can get your life back now.”
A cold chill ran down her back. He wasn’t talking about just the case. They were over now, too. He’d made no promises other than to keep her safe. His task was accomplished and it was time for him to go back to his life. She pulled her hands from his and twisted her fingers together. “I guess you’ll be leaving in the morning then.”
“I have to go now,” he said. “I need to go with the sheriff to get these guys in custody, let my boss know—”
“I understand,” she said.
“Are you okay?” He stood and looked at her with concern.
“Fine,” she lied. “Thank you for protecting my friends and me.”
“It’s my job,” he said.
She wondered if what had happened in this room a short time ago was part of his job description, too, but held her tongue. No use adding more pain to the agony already ripping through her body. She waved him away. “Go, take your prisoners in.”
He hesitated, then took a step. “I’ll see you soon.”
Mesa watched the door close behind him, fighting tears.
~*~
While what seemed like dozens of lawmen swarmed her dilapidated apple sheds, Mesa stood close to her SUV, arms wrapped around her middle, and watched as they tore apart her buildings. Kade ranged among the local police and federal agents, seeming to stand taller than all the rest. He’d come to get her so she could watch the proceedings, but they hadn’t exchanged more than pleasantries.
Someone shouted, and Mesa ached to move closer to see if they’d found the money, but Kade had given explicit directions for her to stay out of the way, close to her vehicle. Impatiently, she bit her thumbnail as she watched several agents carry what looked like bags from the shed, lay them on the ground and open them.
