by Melissa Huie
We laid there on the stiff bales of hay, listening to each other’s heartbeat and the rain on the roof. Shane pressed his lips to mine then got up, pulling me up with him.
“I missed that.” He muttered. I nodded. I missed that too. We had let the craziness of the Cartel and parenthood, and well, hell – life in general – push everything that is important to the side.
“Looks like the rain is stopping. We should probably head back to the house.” I mentioned. I was slightly disappointed that we couldn’t stay in our blissful state any longer, but real life beckoned. Katie would be up from her nap by now and while I know Mom and Aunt Nancy don’t mind watching her, I hate to take advantage of that. We threw our clothes back on and hopped on the four-wheeler. Wrapping my arms around him tightly, I pressed my cheek to his back as we took off, going over every dip and bump and up the hill to the main house. As we were riding along, I looked around me. I felt at home here, at peace. Regardless of what the outside world had in store for me, I would never leave here. I was home.
We made it back to the house in time to hear Katie’s belly laughs and dogs’ barks. Smiling at Shane, I hurried through the kitchen door to find Penny and Jax running in circles and Katie in her highchair, laughing each time Penny got close.
“You don’t need a sitter. Penny keeps her entertained!” Aunt Nancy said over the bells of laughter, her dark eyes dancing. My Aunt Nancy and my Mom were only a year apart, but they looked identical. They even dressed similar, finding comfort in jeans and a sweatshirt. Aunt Nancy threw the broccoli she was chopping into the pot and added chunks of sharp cheddar cheese. Oh my favorite. I snitched a chunk of cheese and inhaled the aromas of fresh rosemary bread.
“That she does,” I agreed, rubbing Penny’s ears. Katie reached out to me and wailed in protest when I didn’t pick her up. “Aunt Nancy, I want to get cleaned up before holding her. Do you mind watching her for a few more minutes?”
“Go ahead dear. Penny and I have it under control. But you might want to remove some of that straw from your hair. I really don’t need the drains clogging up.” She said, raising her eyebrows. Seriously? Oh my goodness. Blushing furiously, I reached up and pulled a few golden straws just as Shane walked into the kitchen.
“Hey baby girl, how’s it— Ow!” he exclaimed, rubbing the spot on his arm where I just smacked. “What was that for?” Glaring, I wordlessly held up the offending piece straw. Shane let out a snort of laughter before trying to cover it up with a cough. I rolled my eyes and grabbed his hand, pulling him up the wooden stairs to the room set aside for us.
Our bedroom was huge and could even accommodate Katie’s baby gear. With sloped wooden panel ceilings, refinished dark hardwood floors and dormer windows, it was type of room I wanted as a child. The bathroom off the bedroom had been completely upgraded with a steam shower. We truly intended to hurry, keeping in mind that they were waiting on us. However, one thing led to another and, well, let’s just say we took a bit longer than necessary. We ambled downstairs just as Mom was putting the pot of soup on the handcrafted solid oak table.
“About time, you two. Let’s eat.” Aunt Nancy passed around the bowls of soup and slices of her famous rosemary bread. I placed a spoon and rattle on Katie’s high chair tray and took my first bite of the delicious soup. In fact everything that my Mom or Aunt Nancy makes is amazing. Which is why I can’t lose all my pregnancy weight.
“Oh Megs, your Aunt Nancy and I were thinking,” Mom started, her eyes twinkling.
“It’s never a good idea when you two think,” I mumbled, taking a sip of water.
“No, probably not. But that doesn’t matter. We’ve decided this place would be the perfect home for you three.”
“What?” I sputtered, choking on my water. “What are you talking about?”
“Well, I know with everything going on, you really haven’t had a chance to look for houses. And Nancy mentioned something to me the other day about wanting to live full time in Annapolis,” Mom explained, passing the bread to Shane.
“Aunt Nancy, the city isn’t that far away. You could get to it in a half an hour,” I mentioned, confused at this sudden turn of events.
“I know. Don’t get me wrong, I love it out here. But I’m tired of making the drive out and dealing with all the traffic. I’m getting too old to be doing all this manual labor,” Aunt Nancy replied.
Shane and I looked at each other in silence. Is this something we want to do? “Aunt Nancy, that’s a gracious offer. But I don’t know if we have the time or the money to get involved with something like this,” I said gently.
“Think about it. And it wouldn’t be just you living here. The old guest house down the path? That would be mighty fine if someone fixed it up a bit. Just needs some paint and floor boards and it would be good as new. Your brother and Sarah could live there,” Aunt Nancy continued.
“Uh, Aunt Nancy, that’s something we’d have to talk to Kyle and Sarah about. Why don’t we worry about that after this craziness is over,” I replied graciously and mentally added floors, paint, an exterminator, and a new foundation to Aunt Nancy’s laundry list of things to do to the guest house. While the thought of living on this piece of history intrigued me, the amount of work needed to be done to the property itself, let alone the house, was mind boggling.
After dinner, we went upstairs so Shane could check in with Kate. The tone of the conversation went from joking to serious in a matter of seconds. Shane gestured quickly for paper and a pen, all the while telling Kate to slow down.
“What’s going on?” I whispered, holding the baby tighter. Shane ignored me and listened to whatever Kate was saying.
“I’ll go up there tonight. Yeah, we’re good. See you later.” Shane clicked off the phone. “I need to go to Jersey. There’s an informant that’s ready to talk.”
“So why are you going?”
“Because the informant said he’d only talk to me.” Shane sent a text to someone, Cole I suppose.
“And don’t you find that a bit suspicious?” I asked, putting fresh pajamas on Katie. Shane was busy with his phone and didn’t pay attention. I picked up Katie’s plush duck and threw it at his head.
“What the hell?” Shane’s head shot up. “What?”
“You’re not paying attention. I asked you – don’t you find it a least bit suspicious that some guy you don’t know is asking for you by name in Jersey? That if he’s an informant, shouldn’t he be talking to Kate or Rick, or hell – even Tommy?” I demanded.
“What the fuck do you want me to do? Rick and Kate vetted him, they say he’s legit. They’re the ones that want me to meet him.” Shane shot back, throwing a sweat shirt into his backpack.
“Who is this guy? I mean, what is he to the case?” I asked wearily.
“According to Kate, he’s a driver. He only has a limited time, so the sooner I get up there the better.”
I put Katie on my hip and followed him down the stairs. “Are you riding with Rick?”
Shane grabbed the keys to his truck. “Nope. Rick is already halfway there.” He paused, kissing my lips and the baby’s head. “Cole is on his way to keep an eye on you guys and should be here in thirty minutes. Kyle’s also in the know and is Cole’s back up. I hate doing this, but I need to leave now. Don’t go outside. Keep the Glock close.”
“Yes sir.” I said with a smart-ass smirk.
Shane gave me a look. “I’m serious Megs. Don’t let anyone in except for Kyle or Cole.”
“Geez, what do you take me for? A fucking idiot? I know that Shane,” I raised my face up for another kiss.
“No. I don’t take you for an idiot. I know you’re a stubborn ass woman.” He crushed his lips to mine. “I love you anyway.”
“I love you too. Be safe!” I called as he climbed into his truck. I shut the heavy door and secured the deadbolt. I walked into the space that was originally the butler’s pantry but had been converted into a monitoring station. I ensured everything was up and running like it
should be and activated the alarms. Like the tech geek he is, Kyle managed to program all systems to send notifications to my smarter-than-me phone, so all I had to do is push a button on my phone to activate the alarms.
“Hey Megs, want some popcorn? We’re about to watch ‘Casablanca’,” Mom called from the kitchen. I hesitated, then declined. As much as I loved watching Humphrey Bogart, as any other woman would, being here without Shane made me a bit anxious. I grabbed a bottle for Katie and climbed the stairs to our bedroom.
When my phone beeped a bit later, I admit I may have jumped. Checking the screen, I smiled at Tommy’s text.
Just happened to go to DQ and picked up the most awesomest peanut butter blizzard. Apparently I’m so hot they gave me another one on the house. Do you want to share?
Oh hells bells. The thought of a smooth and creamy peanut butter blizzard sounded really good right now. But the promise I made to Shane weighed heavy on my mind. Instead, I replied to his text.
As awesome as that sounds, I’m good. We’re going to bed. Thx anyways.
It was probably for the best anyway. I didn’t need that ice-cream attaching itself to my thighs. With the AC window unit humming, I curled up on the bed with Katie and flicked on the TV. Engrossed in a re-run, I didn’t realize the time until Mom knocked on the door.
“Hey, Babycakes, wasn’t Cole supposed to be here an hour ago?” She wondered. I checked time on my phone. Fuck. Where is he?
“I’m sure he got held up in traffic. There’s probably an accident on Muddy Creek Road,” I replied with forced confidence. “Here. Take Katie and I’ll text him,” I said, handing her the bottle and the baby.
“Okay. Why don’t you also check the monitors too? That would relieve some of my worry,” she asked.
“Good idea.” I promptly sent Cole a text, asking where the hell he was. I hurried down the stairs to check the monitors. All the bells are on, cameras are working. So why is my stomach full of dread? Not liking the odds and knowing damn well our track record for the inevitable shit storm that follows this family, I took the stairs two at a time and grabbed the Glock from the case under my bed. I inserted the clip and slid the chamber back, hearing the ominous click as it loaded. Putting the safety on, I padded back down the stairs.
I checked the locks on all the windows and doors, and found nothing amiss. Ugh, why am I so freaked out? I put the Glock down on the kitchen table, and searched for something that would distract my ever-worried mind. Ah, chocolate pudding pie. God help my waistline, I thought, slicing off a big hunk. Of course, the moment I sat down, the damn monitoring application on my phone beeps. Loudly. I jumped just enough at the shrill noise to bump the plate holding the chocolate pie, ending up with pie on my shirt.
“Of course the damn bad guys show up just as I’m about to eat some pie,” I muttered cavalierly, despite the nervous butterflies in my gut. Pushing the chair back and ignoring the large chocolate goop on my pink top, I charged over to the monitors with the Glock in hand. The activated vehicle sensor was located at the curve of the River Road and seeing as how we were the only property at the dead end, there would be no logical reason for anyone except Cole to venture down this way.
“Mom, why don’t you take Aunt Nancy and the baby and go on downstairs.” I called, gazing intensely at the screen. Not only do we have a kick ass security system, but when we moved out to the boonies, I was highly adamant that we have a panic room with an emergency exit. Thankfully, this old house came with a root cellar with a covered and discreet exit, and the day we moved in, fixing that up was our first priority.
An unfamiliar vehicle passed by the first camera. Using the toggle switch, I was able to maneuver the cameras to track it. Only one car, dark colored SUV. I quickly noted the number sent a quick text to Shane and Kyle with the info. I knew it would worry them and I know it could be teenagers looking for a place to hook-up, but I wasn’t taking any chances.
Nancy shuffled past me and went downstairs. Mom followed closely behind her, holding a sleeping Katie. The second vehicle sensor beeped, this one hidden under the gravel that began the driveway to the house. The vehicle was closer. I swept through the house, turning off all the interior lights then grabbed my gun. My heart pounded as I crouched behind the massive oak front door, gripping the heavy metal in my sweaty hands. The rule of thumb is never point your gun at something you don’t want to kill. I’ve already killed one man and I truly didn’t want to kill again. But if someone tries to come after my family, I’d blow their ass back into the river.
Chapter 20
Seconds ticked by like hours. Nervous sweat dripped down my back and my legs cramped. I don’t know what’s worse, I thought idly as I tried not to freak out - the fact that someone may be in fact trying to kill us in a few seconds or that I’m not going to be able to move after staying in this position for any length of time. My cell phone, tucked into my bra vibrated. Checking the number, I saw it was Cole.
“Where the fuck are you?” I hissed
“Coming up the drive,” he replied tersely. Coming up the drive? That didn’t look like his truck. Something wasn’t right, the gut feeling I had was sending red alerts to my brain.
“You alone?”
Cole sighed. “Yeah, I’m alone. Just don’t fucking shoot me when I walk through that door.”
I ended the call and exhaled. Worst case and emergency plans ran through my head, and now that I knew they weren’t needed, I allowed myself to breathe. I flipped on the house light and sat down on the staircase in front of the door. My knees trembled and my hands shook from adrenaline. But despite his reassurance, my body froze at the sound of his footsteps on the porch.
“Megs, it’s me.”
I let out a shaky breath and undid the locks. “Dammit Cole, you scared me to death. I almost --” I stopped. Cole was sporting a fresh black eye and a welt across his face. “What the hell happened to you?”
He stepped inside and shut the door behind him. “I got jumped outside the gas station on Central Avenue.”
“Do the other guys look worse?” I joked blandly, leading him into the kitchen. I gave him a bag of frozen peas for his face and unlocked the basement stairs. “Mom, it’s clear. Cole’s here.”
“One guy went down, but they shot at me before I could get back up. They stole my wallet and my gun,” he said grimly, sitting down at the table.
Mom and Aunt Nancy came from up the stairs. They fussed and fretted over him, while I took Katie upstairs. My hands shook as I changed her diaper and tucked her in.
I went back downstairs to witness Cole still the center of attention by my two favorite ladies. Chuckling at his distress, I opened up the fridge and took out two beers. Handing him one, I said, “I have a feeling you need this.”
Popping the top, he took a long swig. “Yeah, I do. Thanks,” he said gratefully.
I sat down across from him. “So what the hell happened?”
Cole groaned. “I was getting gas on Central Avenue, when these guys come out of nowhere and hit me in the back of my head. I went down and they immediately grabbed the gun from my waistband. Then they go to town, kicking and punching me. I can’t get up, so I start kicking. I managed to kick one in the gut and that’s when the asshole shot at me.”
“Oh my God, you’re shot?” My mom frantically looks him over. “But I don’t see any blood.”
“They shot at me. They didn’t hit me,” Cole snorted wearily.
“How many were there?” I asked. With Cole’s size and shape, there had to be at least an army to get him down.
“At least three. The pussies got me from behind,” he replied sheepishly.
“Did they say anything to you?” Aunt Nancy asked from the stove. From the aromas brewing from the pot, I could tell she was brewing some of her wicked apple pie. The cinnamon, apple cider and Everclear mixture was exactly what the doctor ordered
“They didn’t say anything else. The clerk inside saw it happened and called the cops. Kyle came by. He did
the walk, took my report and wanted me to go get checked out. But then he took me aside and filled me in on what Detective Ford has been working on.”
Intrigued, I leaned forward just as Mom put down a mug of the apple concoction. “What did he say? Do they have any leads?”
Cole finished his beer and went straight to the apple pie. He took a sip of his drink and grimaced as the hot liquid went down his throat. He whistled. “Ms. Nancy, that brew of yours is strong. You’d give my old Uncle Hercle a run for his moon-shining business.”
“Oh hon, how did you think this family survived the wars? Tobacco was the main export, but everyone knew that this port was the place to go for what ails ya. We’d have sailors lined up at the dock down there, hoping for Great-great-granny’s apple elixir.” Cole smiled politely and Aunt Nancy blushed.
“Pardon my ramblin’. My heart can’t handle all this drama so I’m going to take myself to bed.” Mom agreed with her sister. Their chorus of good-nights followed them up the stairs. I waited for both bedroom doors to close before barraging Cole with more questions.
“Okay, go ahead.”
Cole took another sip of the steaming liquid and set it aside. “Holy shit Megan, I can’t take any more of that. That must be what, a hundred proof?”
“Yeah, it will hit you later if you drink much more. Aunt Nancy used to make it a bunch of times, for parties and things like that. And more often than not, she used to have to drag my Uncle Wally into bed. It’s potent stuff. But never mind the hooch, what’s the latest with Detective Ford’s case?”
Cole raised an eyebrow. “The VIN number for the SUV that Rachel Morrison was found in was registered to a man who died fifteen years ago, so whoever bought it used the dude’s name and credit to make it look legit.”
I frowned. ““How does this relate to the case?”
