Uninvited Visitors_A Riverton Crossing Novel

by Savannah Maris

  Not work? Raise children? That was a lifestyle she never thought she’d have, but she could have that with Thomas. Her own mother stayed home with her. Maybe this would be a way to honor her mother. Maybe.

  “Are you ready for your sister to know?” Cat asked waving her fingers in the air. Thomas had called Mitchell and Evan to help him finish moving his weight room over to Cat’s so they could put his house on the market, so she knew Kayla and Ginger would come to see her while the guys helped Thomas.

  “Of course. I’m ready for the world to know.” He gently wrapped his arms around her from behind and nibbled her neck.

  A moan left Cat’s throat as her legs squeezed together and she rubbed her ass against him. He moved his hands to her hips and pulled her toward him as he dropped his forehead to her shoulder. “Cat, I swear, honey, it’ll hurt too much if we do this before your ribs are healed some. Even then we’ll have to be careful.” His breaths were heavy as he warred with himself. “God, you’re killing me.”

  She moaned when she felt him stiffen against her ass and tilted her head toward the ceiling to feel his whiskers scratch across her cheek. It gave him better access to kiss her neck.

  “I’m going to have to take a cold shower before they get here if we don’t stop,” he growled into her ear.

  “I don’t want to stop.” She slid her feet apart.

  He slipped his hand down the front of her shorts. “You’re soaked,” he whispered.

  “Thomas, please.”

  “Cat, your breathing can’t change. Can you control it?”

  “I’ll try.”

  “Match your breathing with mine,” he whispered. His finger circled her clit when the doorbell sounded loud and clear. Cat whimpered.

  “Fuck.” He took a deep breath. “Honey, answer that. I need to go to the bathroom.”

  Cat tried to get herself under control as she walked to the door. Once she saw Thomas was out of sight, she opened it.

  “Hey, girlie. Are you okay?” Kayla asked.

  “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”

  “Oh, because you look a little flushed. You haven’t been trying to do too much have you?”

  Cat shook her head. Not thinking about anything other than getting her heart rate down, Cat lifted her hand to feel her face, but Kayla quickly grabbed her hand.

  “When did this happen?”

  “The day I came home from the hospital.” Cat was beaming with joy.

  “And you didn’t think to call me?” Kayla asked.

  “Um, we wanted to wait until I felt a little better.” Cat’s bright smile transformed into an apologetic one.

  “Where is my sly brother-in-law?” Mitchell asked with a grin. “Congratulations, Cat. I’m so happy for y’all.”

  “Bathroom,” she quietly said.

  Ginger walked in and congratulated her as Thomas made his way back into the great room. Cat locked eyes with him, and a look passed between them that said they’d figure something out. His hair was wet, so she knew he’d taken a cold shower to regain control of his body.

  As the guys loaded into Mitchell’s truck to finish moving the heavy stuff from Thomas’s house, the girls had a glass of lemonade around the kitchen table. Cat filled them in on everything from Jamison Moore to the proposal to Thomas suggesting she quit work. She didn’t tell them the part about babies.

  “I have to agree with Thomas. I’m sure it was just a freak accident that someone got into the bank, but Cat, would you really feel safe there?” Kayla asked.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Do you want to quit?” Ginger asked.

  “I’ve never not worked. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little worried about going back, but I don’t think this could happen again.” She stared out the window for a moment. “I know I’d leave at night with everyone else. I don’t think I could stay there by myself again,” Cat said as the thought occurred to her to ask Evan about the text from Buck. Needing a subject change, Cat turned her attention to Kayla.

  “So, how are you feeling?”

  “I’m pretty good right now,” Kayla said with a smile.

  Cat smiled. “That’s great. I’m so happy for you.” She then looked at Ginger. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed you’re not wearing your normal jeans, missy.” She slightly giggled and soon regretted it. “Ow.”

  “Girl, you’ve gotta stop doing that.” Ginger reached over to hold Cat’s hand until she seemed better. “Yeah, they’re starting to get a little uncomfortable in the waist. Sometimes I’ll still wear them though, and just leave the button unfastened with a long shirt.” She smiled. “The first time I did that, Evan thought it was an invitation.” She giggled. “Sorry, Cat, don’t laugh.”

  Cat took slow breaths trying not to laugh even though she had a big smile on her face. Before long, the guys walked in, and Thomas called, “Cat!”

  “We’re in here,” Kayla called as Ginger and Cat pulled beers out of the refrigerator.

  Ginger turned around, and Evan was staring at her ass from where she was bent over. She grinned at him. “Perv.”

  He was shaking his head. “Hey, darlin’.” He pulled her close and whispered in her ear before he kissed her lips. He put his hand on her tummy. “How are we doing?”

  Ginger blushed. “We’re good, babe.”

  Evan nodded to Cat. “How are you feeling?”

  “Better each day.” She smiled. “Um, can I talk to you a minute?”

  Evan furrowed his brows. “Sure. Everything all right?”

  “I think so.” She looked at Thomas who had furrowed brows and pursed lips, so she smiled to give him some peace of mind. Cat picked up her phone on the way to the porch as Evan followed her. Once they were out of earshot, she showed him her phone.

  “What do you think this means?”

  The smile that spread across Evan’s face was bright, and pride glowed in his eyes. “Just watch the news, Cat.” He wouldn’t give her a hint about what would be on there.

  “Fine. I’ll order pizza, and we can watch it together.” She turned toward the door.

  “Everything okay?” Thomas asked.

  “He won’t tell me what Buck’s text means,” Cat sighed. “I’m ordering pizza for everyone dinner, and we’re watching the news together.”

  By the time the guys had the weight room set up, the pizza was being delivered. They all had something cold to drink and then sat in front of the TV to see what was so important on the news.

  Thomas turned the volume up as the local news anchor came on. Behind him was a picture of the bank with Mr. Jones being led to a black SUV in handcuffs. Cat dropped her pizza on her plate and stared at the TV. “In the town of Riverton Crossing today, federal Grand Jury subpoenas came down for a vice president at the United Southeastern Bank. Special Agent Buck Anderson, and several members of the U.S. Secret Service in conjunction with the Riverton Crossing Police Department, arrested Mr. Scott Jones for fear he’d try to leave the country.”

  The picture behind the anchor changed to a picture of two men which appeared to be from a surveillance camera.

  “In conjunction with the arrest of Mr. Jones, federal agents are looking for these two men. They are wanted in connection with a brutal beating of a bank employee and tampering with a federal witness. If you’ve seen either of these men or know who they are, you are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers. We’ll post the number at the bottom of the screen during the remainder of our broadcast.”

  With tears in her eyes and her hand over her mouth, Cat whispered, “It’s over. It’s really over.”

  Thomas cupped her face in his hands. “You did it, honey.”

  Evan turned to her. “Cat, the information you provided Buck gave him enough to find the paper trail. The company that Redline bought their trailers from was AAJ Holdings, LLC. It’s a shell company owned by Scott Jones. Funny, his children are Abigail and Andrew.” Evan shook his head. “Anyway, all that’s on the property is an empty building. Apparently, it used
to be a car lot, but the property is owned by Masterson Investments. They were laundering the money from the guns and drugs through the trucking company to an offshore account but using the money from the account to “purchase” trailers. Grand Jury subpoenas are also being issued for Ms. Norma R. Wells and at least one other person within Redline. Buck is hoping they’ll give up the two men they sent to hurt you, but if not, he’s still going after them.” Evan nodded at her with a firm expression. “He’ll get them, Cat.”

  “I know. Thank you.” Tears streamed down her face.

  “No, Cat, thank you. We couldn’t have done it without your help. We owe you, big time.”

  Cat shook her head as she buried her face in Thomas’s chest and sobbed. Whimpers of pain left her mouth, but relief washed out of her with each tear. Thomas picked her up and carried her to their room as everyone else finished dinner. He held her and let her cry out all the worry and pain. Finally, she looked at him with a tear-streaked face.

  “It’s really over,” she whispered.

  “It really is, honey.” Thomas slowly kissed her, causing her to moan. “The next three weeks can’t go by fast enough.”

  She lifted her hips to Thomas. “Mmm, we’ll think of something.”

  34

  Nathan got off duty at seven that morning, but there was no way he was missing this hearing. The Magistrate had denied Charles bail, but he was going before the Circuit Court Judge this morning. Nathan was going to be there so he could relay the information to Vanessa who was still tucked away at her family’s house on Edisto Island.

  “All rise,” the bailiff said. “The Honorable Judge Frances Sherman presiding.”

  Everyone stood and waited for the judge to tell them to be seated. Once everyone was settled, the judge called Charles Harper’s case.

  Since the town of Riverton Crossing was so small, they were able to use the county’s resources instead of hiring a town attorney. Matthew Hightower, Prosecutor for Cloverville County, stood and made his case. Mr. Harper’s actions were done in front of three Riverton Crossing Police Officers, all in attendance. Matthew had subpoenaed Vanessa’s medical records for the hearing, and the pictures showed the judge just how bad things had gotten a few weeks ago.

  Judge Sherman looked at Mr. Harper’s attorney. “I don’t know what kind of defense you can pose for your client. These pictures are horrendous, and the officers’ testimonies were straightforward. What does your client have to say for himself?”

  “Your Honor, Mr. Harper feels one of those officers may be biased. He believes Officer Cox is trying to destroy his marriage, causing him undue stress. He temporarily wasn’t himself.”

  “Mr. Chesterfield, it appears Mr. Harper is doing that all on his own. Any woman would be crazy to stay with a man who shot her,” Judge Sherman said. “Officer Cox, would you please return to the stand.”

  Nathan clenched his jaw as he walked back to the witness stand. Before he could sit, the judge said, “Officer Cox, you are still under oath. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Nathan took a seat.

  “I’ve asked you to return to make sure this is on the record. Are you trying to destroy Mr. Harper’s marriage?”

  “No, ma’am. I worked with Mrs. Harper on a case that the Riverton Crossing Police Department and ATF were handling together. I came from ATF, so it made the most sense for me to work that case.”

  “Have you ever been alone with Mrs. Harper?”

  Nathan fidgeted with his tie. “Yes, ma’am. Part of the case was looking through the Riverton Crossing Library’s surveillance videos. The first day we were in a room alone for a couple of hours. Mr. Harper didn’t like it and called my chief.” Nathan nodded toward Evan.

  “Did you, in any way, act inappropriately with Mrs. Harper?”

  “No, ma’am. After the phone call, I suggested we leave the door open so no one would have reason to suspect anything. That’s when I saw bruising on her arm and face. I asked if she was all right and if she needed any help. At that time, she told me she was fine, so I told her she could call me if she ever needed anything.”

  “And did she call you?”

  “No, ma’am. I received the call for the domestic disturbance through dispatch. I was just a couple of miles away, that’s why I responded.”

  “He would have come anyway! He’s sniffing after my wife!” Charles yelled.

  “Order!”

  Bang, bang!

  “Mr. Chesterfield, you get control of your client, or I’ll have him removed, and he won’t be present for the rest of this hearing. Do I make myself clear?” Judge Sherman said.

  “Yes, ma’am.” Mr. Chesterfield turned to his client. Nathan couldn’t hear what was being said, but he saw Charles continually cut his eyes toward him.

  Nathan sat in the witness stand seething with fury but kept his face impassive. He’d been trained not to let his feelings show in a courtroom. The only difference this time was his need to protect Vanessa. He couldn’t explain it any easier than explaining why the sky was blue, but he knew without a shadow of a doubt that this woman was the reason he was in Riverton Crossing.

  Once Mr. Harper calmed down, the judge excused him from the stand. As soon as he was seated, she said, “Mr. Harper.” Mr. Chesterfield and Mr. Harper both stood. “These pictures are disgusting. It’s hard for me to believe that someone would do this to their spouse. Maybe you were temporarily insane, so we’re going to find that out. I’m sentencing you to forty-five days. During that time, you will receive a psychological evaluation. We’ll reconvene in forty-five days to discuss the findings. Court is adjourned.” Bam!

  Before Charles turned toward the bailiff, he looked at Nathan with an evil grin. “You’ll never have her,” he mouthed to Nathan.

  Nathan’s fists involuntarily clenched before Evan grabbed his arm. “Get out of here,” Evan quietly said.

  Nathan walked out of the courthouse with his fury barely bridled as waves of anger washed through him. He was ready to kill Charles Harper. As soon as he was outside, Nathan flexed his hands as Evan caught up to him. “What the hell was that asking me about Vanessa? Stupid motherfucker.”

  “He just made you go on record that there’s nothing between you and Vanessa. The only reason you’d have to be near her is official business. He’s playing hardball. It wasn’t stupid, it was smart.”

  “Fucking Asshole.” As they made their way to their cars, Nathan said, “I promised I’d call her after the hearing.”

  “As long as it’s just a phone call. You are not to go around her alone, got it?”

  “Yeah, I got it.”

  “Nathan, I’m doing this for your own good. In forty-five days, I do not want to see you on that witness stand explaining why you went to see her. There has to be an eyewitness with you if she’s around.”

  Nathan nodded. “I know, man. Thanks.” He slid in behind the wheel of his car and hit Vanessa’s speed dial number.

  “Nathan?”

  “Hello, beautiful.”

  “What happened today?”

  “He got forty-five days and has to have a psych eval.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, that’s the good news,” Nathan said.

  “Is there bad news?”

  “Well, kind of. They baited the judge to put me on the stand to swear under oath there’s nothing between us.”

  “What? Are you kidding me?”

  “I wish I were. Evan said that I can’t see you unless we have a witness with us.”

  “I see.”

  “Please tell me there’s someone close that can help you.”

  “Yes, as a matter of fact, I met with him today.”

  “Him?”

  “My father’s attorney. Actually, his father set up my grandfather’s trust regarding this property. He’s looking into everything.”

  “Do you still have that burner phone I gave you?”

  “It’s in my purse, but it isn’t charged.”

  �
�Charge it. From now on, use that phone unless it’s police business, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  “For the next forty-five days, you’re safe. We’ll do what we have to after that,” he confidently said.

  “Nathan, I’m scared.”

  “I know, Ness. I’ll take care of you.”

  Playlist

  Heartbeat by Carrie Underwood

  Die a Happy Man by Thomas Rhett

  All of Me by John Legend

  Ex To See by Sam Hunt

  Rewind by Rascal Flatts

  Just a Kiss by Lady Antebellum

  (Kissed You) Goodnight by Gloriana

  Make Me Wanna by Thomas Rhett

  Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not by Thompson Square

  Money by Pink Floyd

  I’m Comin’ Over by Chris Young

  The Man I Want to Be by Chris Young

  Give Me Just a Little More Time by Chairmen of the Board

  I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye

  TURN THE PAGE FOR A PREVIEW OF WHAT’S COMING NEXT…

  Crossroads of the Heart

  Coming August 2018

  By Savannah Maris

  Trust is hard won but easily lost.

  Doubt can easily creep in, but it’s hard to crush.

  And every heart comes to a crossroad.

  Which path would you choose?

  Noah was a small-town country boy who became one of the top entertainment lawyers in Atlanta, while Tamryn’s small-town charm helped her become one of the most sought-after models in the world. High school sweethearts turned power couple, their careers had them jetting around the globe.

  They had it all.

  But they were rarely in the same country much less the same bedroom, and one shred of doubt led to another…

  and another…

  and another.

  Until leaving was the only choice that made sense.

  Will their hearts choose the right path back to each other? Or push them further apart?