Sweetest Obsessions - Anthology

by Anthony, Jane

  “Yeah, I bet you were a cute little shit.” She replied.

  “Not sure I would go that far. But I was lucky enough to get into the flight program right out of high school. They only take very limited number of students and luckily I was one of them.”

  “Tuck, I didn’t know that! That is so cool. That’s a really hard program to get into. Wow that is awesome. So, was it weird never leaving your hometown?”

  “Weird? NOPE, a pain in my ass YES. Hard sometimes to be independent when your momma stops by your house and grabs your clothes to wash. I think I finally got her out of doing that. But it is nice to have them close so they can check on the house and watch scout if I am gone.”

  “What happened... on your last deployment?” she asked I mean unless you aren’t ready to talk about it.”

  Tuck poked at his eggs “Are you sure you wanna know?”

  Riley put her hand on his “Of course I do I wanna know everything about you.”

  “Alright but I am still working through everything. But sit back and get comfortable.”

  “Alright.” She replied settling into his chair, grabbing a piece of bacon.

  “Well you already know I was injured, and pretty badly too, doctors weren’t sure I would ever walk again. I had damage to my spinal cord as well as collapsed lung and a lot of shrapnel covering seventy percent of my body. Top had put out the word we were leaving three days early and the entire unit was packing.

  Taylor, you know Taylor, he was dragging something across the compound-never did find out what that was, Taylor actually saved my life if he hadn’t have yelled for my help, well I wouldn’t be here. Captain Jameson, you remember him, well our building where our room was, took a direct hit and he didn’t make it. Two others- Staff Sergeant Bell and Specialist Flag didn’t make it either. I remember seeing them walking across the FOB right before Taylor called me over. Last thing I remember is grabbing my ACH, heading out the door and someone yelling INCOMING then the lights went out, when I woke up medics were strapping me into a chopper and then I passed out. I woke up a few days later in Landstuhl. Spent almost a month there ‘til they moved me over to Walter-Reed and was there about a year. We lost three men and had twenty-nine injured. I was lucky I didn’t lose my leg and I limp, but a lot of guys did. Taylor took three in the leg- that’s why he has a bit of a limp and Top he had a flesh wound- took one in the shoulder, nothing life threatening but if you ask him he’ll tell ya he was shot then, will pull up his t-shirt and show ya his belly button.”

  Riley tried to hold back tears, but it was difficult. She wiped them away and continued to listen.

  “I think Jameson was the hardest for me, he and I were close. He was a great commander and well still haunts me that I didn’t call him over to help Taylor too.”

  “That’s not your fault Tuck.” She replied

  “I know but still hurts, still feel like it should’ve been me. I didn’t have anything to lose then, Jameson he had Carol and the kids. I had my parents and scout. I had lost you. Didn’t have anyone to come home to.”

  “You can’t think like that Tuck. I knew Jameson too and I know Carol and the kids they don’t blame you and never would. Carol and the kids still live in Enterprise.”

  “I’m glad to hear that. Maybe one day I can gather the courage to stop in and see them.”

  I think they would love that Tuck” Riley leans in and kisses Tuck on the cheek. “I am so sorry I wasn’t there for you.”

  Tuck turned to Riley pulling her closer to him, placing his hand at the base of her neck he pulled her in and kissed her again then as he pulled away he looked at her their eyes met “I know you are and to be honest I am glad you never saw me then. I wouldn’t have wanted you to see me that way. Besides, I am here now, and I have an entire day of fun planned so, let’s finish up and shower so we can head over to your apartment and grab some clothes for ya. You’re staying with me the rest of the weekend. Is that okay with you?”

  Riley smiled, touching his nose teasingly, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  9

  When they pulled into Riley’s garage- Riley saw the note taped to the inside door, Riley gets out and pulls the note from the door, when she pulls the note the door swings open. Riley opens the note and Tuck steps closer to her to read the note.

  “I saw you with that guy tonight. If you think I am gonna let you cheat on me, you have another thing coming.”

  Riley is visibly shaken, and Tuck reaches down to grab his pistol from his ankle holster- readying it just in case. “Stay here Riley I will go in and do a sweep.”

  Riley reaches into her purse and pulls out her own pistol “I don’t think so stud.” She smiled “I will cover you.”

  Tuck smiles and thinks to himself she’s a keeper!

  When they enter Riley’s apartment, they find pictures laid on the table of Riley working out, Riley at the store, Riley at Flight Line, Riley and Tuck together, Riley and Tuck at the steak house and then entering Tuck’s house. One picture has a knife embedded into it. The picture is of Tuck leaving Riley’s apartment with a knife thru Tuck’s head.

  “Don’t touch a thing, Riley. I will call the local police department; I have friends there that will take the lead on this. They can work with the MPs on post if need be but since you live off post, they can take the lead, especially since the MPs on post work with your ex.”

  When the local Police department arrives, Tuck greets them, and they go into the house.

  Tuck and Riley wait outside as another squad car pulls up. It is Chief Jeff Conner, one of Tuck’s best friends from high school as well as two other officers in third squad car that pulls up behind the Chief’s car, they are two of Tuck’s high school friends that are now detectives, they take their statements and the crime scene investigators arrive to process the scene.

  “Is it possible to grab some of my clothes from my room upstairs?” Riley asks one of the detectives.

  The more senior officer Detective Roberts replies “Yes, of course, but one of the CSI’s will have to accompany you so that no evidence is disturbed.”

  “Of course, no problem just need a few items and the rest I can go purchase. Thank you.”

  “No problem ma’am.” Detective Roberts calls over one of the techs “Can you accompany Chief Andrews upstairs so she may grab a few items of clothing?”

  “Yep. Sure will.” He replied. “Come on Miss Andrews, let’s get you some of your stuff and get you somewhere safe.”

  “Thank you, Sir. I appreciate it.”

  “No problem Miss. It is what we do.”

  He motioned for Riley to follow him and they went inside. Riley quickly gathers some clothing and they return outside. Tuck is over speaking with Chief Conner when she walks back over to the pair. “Will you still be needing us here Chief?” she asked Chief Conner.

  “No but if you could leave your key we will lock up when we are done, and you can come to the department to retrieve your key. I just ask you to please do not return until we are done processing the scene. I will call Tuck and let him know when we are done if that is okay with you?”

  “Yes, of course. Thank you, Chief.” She replied

  “Tuck, can you get me outta here?”

  “Yea, baby I sure can, I am gonna call my parents and make arrangements to go out to the farm if that’s okay with you. I will have them meet us at my house. Are you okay meeting my parents? Tuck helps Riley into his truck, and he takes her back to his house.

  10

  When they arrive back at Tuck’s house, Scout greets them, and his mother and father are waiting inside.

  Tuck explains that Riley is being stalked and that she will be staying with him until her stalker is caught. Tuck’s mother Brianna takes Riley into the kitchen and they make lunch, Tuck’s father asks Tuck if he wants to bring Riley out to the farm and they stay out there since Riley’s ex knows where Tuck lives.

  “That was actually why I called and had you and momma meet me here a
t the house.” Tuck replies.

  “I see. Well you and she will be safe there.”

  Tuck agrees But I need to talk to Riley first to get her feelings on all this if you don’t mind?”

  “Do what you gotta do son. You know I trust you and don’t worry about your momma and I we both know how to use a gun and I will kill any motherfucker that messes with my family.” He replies.

  Tuck smiles and pats his father on the shoulder. “I knew I could count on you and momma. I will go and talk to Riley right now.”

  Tuck walks into the kitchen where Riley and Jessie Frazier stood at the kitchen counter making sandwiches. “Riley babe, can you come back here so we can chat for a moment?”

  Riley turned to Jessie “I will be just a moment. I am sorry.”

  “No sorry needed Riley, go on Tuck is waitin’ I will be right here.:

  Tuck takes Riley into the bedroom and sits her down.

  “How do you feel about going for a few days out to my family’s farm and stay low?”

  “Tuck I would love that. I don’t like the idea of hiding from Kyle, but I love the idea of spending a few days out at your farm. Walking in the same footsteps you did as a child. Yes, Tuck I would love to go to your family farm.” Riley wrapped her arms around Tuck and kissed his cheek. “You are an amazing man Tuck Frazier.”

  Just as she pulled away, the sound of a gun shot rang out then the sound of shattering glass hitting the floor as debris flew through the air, the bullet embedding itself into the wall behind them just missing Tuck’s head. Sheetrock now covered their backs as Tuck immediately searches for the position the shooter.

  They both fall to the floor down and crawl passed the bed and out of the bedroom, his mother and father both are waiting in the hallway and have contained Scout. The four of them wait as Tuck dials 911 and within minutes fours squad cars arrive and clear the outside parameter then a couple of the officers knock on Tuck’s door.

  Jessie Frasier opens the door and lets them in. Tuck calls a couple of buddies, who arrive, and they leave out the back door of the apartment to a waiting van that one of Tuck’s buddies has brought to get them all to safety.

  The local police call in the MPs, as they compare notes from both crime scenes, the MPs finally agree to arrest and charge Riley’s ex-Kyle Bonnet with stalking, attempted murder and assault. When they arrive to arrest him, his apartment is empty, and his service revolver is gone but an assault rifle is found and taken as evidence.

  When they arrive at the Frazier Farm, Brianna latches onto Riley’s arm and takes her to the kitchen. “Let’s get you and Tuck some lunch you both have had one hell of a day!”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Frazier. I know I am starving; we haven’t eaten since breakfast so something even if it is just a cookie is better than nothing.”

  “Oh no you can call me Bri and I don’t have any cookies right now, but I will bake up a big batch for you. How does that sound?”

  “That would be wonderful. Thank you. Mrs. I mean Bri.”

  Brianna pulled out a loaf of bread from the cabinet and made up some sandwiches and then mixed up a noodle salad, filling a bowl full and closing it with a lid. Brianna then opened the frig door and pulled out a cherry pie, cutting two slices and covering them with tin foil.

  “Riley can you reach in the pantry over there behind you and grab the basket from the shelf?”

  “Of course.” She replied. “What do you have up you sleeve, Bri?”

  “Oh, this is not me I am preparing this at Tuck’s request. He wants to take you on a picnic and show you the farm. He and his daddy are out getting the horses ready. Have you ever ridden?”

  Riley had to keep herself from saying something inappropriate, her instinct was to say Does your son count but she held her tongue and instead replied: “Not for a very long time. I am looking forward to seeing the farm. Thank you for having me here.”

  “Oh, sweetie it is our pleasure. We want you to be safe and this farm is the safest place you can be.” Bri leaned forward and looked out the kitchen window. “It appears that your knight in shining armor and his trusty steed has arrived with your mount.” Bri smiles at Riley.

  “Really where?”

  “Just out back, don’t forget the basket.” Bri reminded her as she started towards the back door.

  Riley grabbed the basket and Tuck stepped down from his horse and helped Riley on hers. “Ready for a tour?” Tuck asked.

  “Sure am. Where are we heading?”

  “It’s a very special spot. You just follow me; I know where I am going.” Tuck teased.

  When they rode up to the spot Riley instantly recognized it. It was the same spot they had been the previous night. “Are you sure Kyle doesn’t know where we are Tuck?”

  Tuck dismounted then walked over and helped Riley down. Grabbing the basket and the blanket, he laid it out and took Riley’s hand leading her to the blanket. “Yes, darlin I am sure but if he does make his way out here, my daddy and I have something for him. I promise he shows up here daddy will fill him full of lead before I can even blink. Don’t worry you are safe here and just in case the chief will have a patrol making rounds. Sit down and get comfortable I know you gotta be hungry.”

  Riley finally settled in and Tuck sat down next to her, placing the basket in front of them he takes out the food and hands Riley a sandwich.

  “Thank you Tuck. Thank you for everything. You are risking so much. Your family is risking a lot. Kyle is a killer. He admitted to me that on his last two deployments he killed and tortured innocent civilians for his own enjoyment and how he got off on watching people suffer. It was then I broke it off. He had beaten and tortured me for three years. I broke it off with him two years ago and he has been stalking me ever since. He killed my dog while I was at work. And said that if I continued to ignore him, he would break my neck like he did my little Yogi.” Riley began to cry as she told the story of how she had come home to find her little Yorkie with his neck broken and a note from Kyle that said I would be next and that he was tired of me paying more attention to the dog than him.

  She told Tuck about how she had reported Kyle several times to his command, but they did nothing. And how she had moved four times in the last couple of years trying to get away from him, but he always found her.

  Tuck held her as she cried and she leaned in and kissed him, they make love on the shore of the same small farm lake they had on the previous night.

  The following morning Tuck receives a call from the Chief of Police Jack Conner- his old high school buddy. He explains that when they raided Kyle’s apartment, they had collected multiple weapons as well as the images of Riley and several photos of Tuck with his face x’d with a red marker.

  “Tuck, I have known you a very long time and my advice is to leave town. “Take Miss Andrews and get as far away as you can. This guy is dangerous, and it looks like you and she are his targets.”

  “Jack, you have known me since we were both knee high to a grasshopper. When have you ever known me to run from trouble or danger?”

  “Never! But this isn’t just about you this time brother. You got a lady friend that from what I saw is very important to you.”

  “Well that’s true but even if I asked Riley, I don’t think she would go. She is just about a stubborn as the rest of us. She will want to stay and fight. Besides you know where we are and if you keep the patrols rollin’ we should be good to go.”

  “Alright, I will keep them rollin’ ‘til we find this crazy ass motherfucker but ‘til then lay low and keep your heads down.”

  “We will. Let me know as soon as you know somethin’ Jack.”

  “I will. Talk at ya later. Bye.”

  “Bye Jack and Thank you.”

  Tuck hung up the phone and headed back outside to the stables where Riley had been hanging out for most of the morning.

  11

  They had been at the farm now almost two weeks and Riley for the first time in a very long time felt at ease. Top had
placed her on emergency leave with the stipulation he was to be kept in the loop. Top couldn’t stand the idea that someone under his command was in danger. If he caught this creep, he wouldn’t have to worry about anything anymore, he wouldn’t be able to get any part of his body erect. It had become routine for the police to make their rows daily- six times was the minimum she had observed and each and every round Tuck stopped them to get his briefing.

  The Commandant of the school had allowed them to work from home and other instructors had taken over Riley’s class and the class Tuck was to take over, well Top and Taylor shared the duties of the classroom work and Colonel Hopkins, the Commandant, took care of the flight instructions.

  It was beginning to feel like a mini vacation instead of a hide out. Riley was really loving the farm life and Tuck had been everything she had ever dreamt of both good and bad. They talked a lot about life and really getting to know each other inside and out. Spending most of their days hanging out at the farm, helping around the house and just being together; it was the first time had had ever truly felt at ease and it felt so good.

  They had been spending a lot of time in the stables, it was almost therapy for them both, between riding, and hanging out in the tack room they had a lot of time to talk and get to know each other all over again. Tuck had the tack room set up more like his own private room. It had a television, a couch, desk and chair all mixed with saddles, bridles and the like. But she really wanted to go for a run, but every time she mentioned it Tuck always talked her out of it.

  This morning Riley had decided that while Tuck slept on the couch in the Tack room she would go out for a much-needed run. She had seen a lot of the farm on the back of a horse but this morning she decided a run was just what she needed. Kissing Tuck on the forehead before heading out, he turned to his side as she headed out of the room.