“I talk to a boy. He been there a while, he didn’t know how long. He say the men come in and bring food once a day. They keep two men inside all the time, to watch us and make sure we stay quiet. But the men drink and they talk and yell.
If anyone cries or screams, the men hurt them. At night, when everyone slept, the men talk and drink. I listen.”
Ranger felt the first leap of hope. “What did you hear?”
Artie sniffled and wiped his nose. “They say they have big deal happening soon. They going to be rich, like the cartel.”
“Did they say what the big deal was?”
“No. They just talk and talk. They talk about selling us kids in Mexico. About how much more the white kids will make them.”
“Did they say any names? Anything about guns?” Ranger tried to keep calm, but his heart was pounding against his sternum.
Artie held silent for a minute. Then he spoke. “The night I escaped, I hear loud trucks. The men say they getting lots of guns. They kept drinking.”
“Did they say a name? Who had the guns?” Ranger said.
Artie sucked in a breath and sobbed. “I no remember, senor. Please, I want my papa. Please don’t give me back to them.”
Artie grabbed onto Ranger’s shirt, his little nails digging into his ribcage. The fear in the boy was a real, living thing.
“Shhh, it’s okay. I will never let them hurt you again. I swear it.” Ranger hugged the boy to him, the surge of protectiveness taking control.
“P-p-please. I want my papa. I don’t know anything else.” Artie sobbed harder.
Ranger clenched his jaw and tilted his head back, every muscle in his body tightening to the point of snapping. The Lobellos had done this. They had terrorized this child, and no telling how many others were still locked up.
“Artie. I will get your papa. And I will get all of those kids back to their families. I promise you. You were so brave. I am so proud of you.” Ranger rocked the boy back and forth, making soothing sounds and rubbing his back, at a loss of what else to do to give comfort.
He’d never been around kids. Except Chloe, and that was only briefly and when she started fussing Amy had always been there to take charge. Ranger couldn’t remember the last time he felt so helpless.
“I swear to you. I will protect you.”
That was one promise he could keep, even if he had to take the kid himself.
19
Chapter 19
“You know, the true sign of an alcoholic is drinking alone. This is screwed up.” Amy took another sip of one very large glass of Chardonnay and placed it back on the coffee table. She sat cross legged on Evie’s living room floor, Chloe playing with her toys a foot away.
“Well, thank God you’ve got a friend like me.” Evie leaned back on the couch and propped her feet up on the ottoman.
Chloe crawled into her lap and gave her a goofy toothless grin. “You know, I think we should make this a thing. Every Saturday.”
“Oooh, I know. Sippin’ Saturdays.” Amy said as she picked her baby up and placed a big fat kiss on her chubby little cheek. “So, are you gonna fill me in on Ranger or do I have to entertain myself with imagining what happened?”
Amy sighed and set Chloe back on the floor. Her baby immediately went after the cloth blocks, playing and giggling without a care.
Amy’s insides churned. She wanted so badly to tell Evie everything. About the insanely awesome sex she’d had last night. About the undeniable feelings developing for Ranger.
Hunter and Ranger and Shane were all part of the same team. Evie married Hunter. And Amy bed hopped from Shane to Ranger. Wives didn’t sleep with their husband’s teammates, dead or not.
“He was that good, huh?” Evie lifted a blonde brow, her look pretty much saying she already suspected the truth.
“I don’t know what to do. I mean, how messed up is it that I’m screwing Shane’s teammate? His best friend, for chrissake.” Amy grabbed her glass and took a gulp, finding she needed a gulp to cleanse her mouth. “Everyone will hate me.”
Her last words were whispered and Amy clutched the glass, staring into its contents. She could lose everything, even her friends.
Evie sat forward. “Are you kidding me? I’ve sat back and watched you withdraw, watched you completely stop living. Stop smiling. Stop everything since Shane died.”
Amy swallowed and looked away. She knew Evie told the truth. She’d been on autopilot since the funeral. Effectively moving from point A to point B. But she’d never asked for help, for anything. She’d taken care of her family.
Evie slid down to the floor on her knees. “I tried to get you to laugh, to come out to the house, the bar. I tried everything I could think of to help.” Evie’s voice cracked, forcing Amy to look at her. “But I never made you smile. I mean really smile. I couldn’t even get you angry. It was like you shut me out.”
Tears formed in Evie’s eyes and Amy’s chest ached for her friend. “I didn’t mean to. I didn’t know how to…to move on.”
“But I was always the one who helped you. Only this time I couldn’t help.” Evie’s voice broke again and Amy felt her own tears gather.
“You did help me. If it wasn’t for you, I don’t know how I would have survived.” Amy sat her wine down and grabbed Evie’s hand.
“You stopped feeling. But with Ranger, you’re different. He makes you mad. He makes you smile. I’ve seen it. I don’t care if he is part of the Team, he’s good for you.”
“He can’t be good for me. He just can’t. What will his team think? I know they have a code.”
“Who gives a rats ass what they think as long as you’re happy.”
“I do. I can’t be that person who asks him to give up his life for me.” His father lived here. His brother. His base was here. In or near Mercy.
Evie squeezed her hand. “Ranger James isn’t some scared little boy. He’s a full-grown man capable of owning up to his choices. His Team will understand, I know Hunter already does. Who else do you think Shane would want for you?”
Amy searched Evie’s expression, looking for something. Anything to make this decision for her. But all she saw was fierce determination and loyalty. “What about everyone else? Don’t you think I’ll be shunned? Rand Carter controls my supply. Mavis will do anything to shut me down. I could lose my business. Then what? How will I support Chloe?”
“No one in this town will shun you for moving on. Are you supposed to be a lonely widow with no hope for happiness for the rest of your life? They will understand. I promise you.”
“What if they don’t?” Amy’s words came out a whisper. Her truest fear choking her words.
“Mavis threatened to tell everyone that me and Ranger had an affair when Shane was alive. That Chloe isn’t Shane’s daughter.”
“That bitch.”
“I know, but you know her cronies will listen. She’s the matriarch of the Baptist church for God sake.”
“She’s crazy.”
“She will ruin my reputation. None of the reputable farmers will hire me.”
“Then screw them all. Ranger loves you. I can see it every time he talks about you, and yes, he does talk about you. All the time. He will take care of you. The question is, can you let him?”
Amy bit her lip and glanced at Chloe, playing happily without a care. If she chose Ranger, she’d be risking everything. Her life. Her business. Her heart.
But if she didn’t that would make her a coward.
“Come on Amy. Do you want to be a lonely old spinster like Ms. Buela, or do you want to live a full and happy life? Give Chloe a father she can be proud of?”
Evie didn’t pull any punches, but then again, that was part of the reason Amy loved her so much. Amy had to make a decision. She had to make the right decision. Should she listen to her mind or her heart?
“You’re right. I don’t want to be alone. I want him.” The same words she’d told Ranger. Only then, she’d been holding back, still scared. Still afra
id, somehow freed her. Amy’s lungs expanded and she sucked in a breath, like some huge tumor had been removed from her chest and she could breathe again.
“That’s my girl. Now, we need to celebrate. Go change clothes, let’s go to town.” Evie grabbed the couch and pulled herself to her feet.
“Town? Celebrate? For what?” Amy stayed put, staring up at her friend in confusion.
“To mark this day. You made your decision, you want him. It’s time to show him.”
20
Chapter 20
An hour later Evie and Amy pulled up to the Stellar Star Salon, with Chloe strapped in the backseat. “What are we doing here?”
Evie unbuckled her seatbelt. “When’s the last time you had your hair done? I can look at your nails and clearly see you could give a crap about them.”
Amy glanced down at her short and cracked nails, spying some oil beneath one and quickly hiding the evidence. She honestly couldn’t remember the last time she’d been to a salon.
“That’s what I thought. I called, they’ve got a chair waiting.” Evie climbed out and shut the door, leaving Amy with no choice but to scramble out after her.
“But…but…what about Chloe? I can’t possibly spend all afternoon in the salon with a baby.” Amy searched for any excuse. The door to the studio loomed large and foreign. What would she talk about in there? Airplanes and engine oil? It’d been so long since she’d done anything else.
“That’s why I am here. If she gets fussy, I’ll take her down to the ice cream parlor. Now, quit arguing and get Chloe out of the car.” Evie propped a hand on her hip and waited.
She was being stupid really. Why on earth should she be scared of a salon? It wasn’t like she hadn’t been in one before. She’d had her hair cut. She’d even had a few highlights put in for her wedding.
“You’re making me stand out in the heat,” Evie said.
Amy opened the back door and pulled Chloe, still in her infant carrier, out. “I work outside. Don’t try to play on my sympathy.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t. Now get your butt up here so I can get some a/c.”
Before Amy knew it, she followed Evie into the salon, their doorbell chime a death knell. Mrs. Trudy Van Meter and Mrs. Oralee Bates sat with magazines in the hair setting chairs to the right. Amber Atkins stood behind a salon chair, fixing her lipstick in the full-length mirror. Lori Videl, Evie’s cousin, standing off to the side, removing the black salon apron. Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared.
Amy had to fight to stand her ground and not back up a step. The two older ladies were about as sweet as lemon juice with acid tongues to match. Their reputation for scorching reputations was a well-known fact for nearly the whole state. Evie cleared her throat and said, “Amber, I’ve brought your subject. As you can see, she has seriously neglected herself.”
Amy shot Evie a killing glance, but all she did was smile and take Chloe over to the row of chairs along the wall. Then she turned and enfolded Lori in a big hug. “I’ve missed you, Tim and Miley must be keeping you really busy.”
Amy remembered when Tim and Miley, Lori’s children, were born. Now they had to be what, eight or ten years old?
Lori sniffed and then smiled. “Yeah, just normal mom stuff.”
Evie, in the process of turning back to Chloe, stopped and faced her cousin with crossed arms. Uh oh, Amy recognized that look.
“What’s going on? You and David used to come to the bar at least one Friday a month. I haven’t seen ya’ll in forever. And no bullshit,” Evie’s tone brooked no argument.
Lori wiped her eyes. “I know. We’ve just been having some trouble you know? I’m sure it’s normal for all marriages.”
“What? Is he cheating on you or something?”
Lori paused, a little too long. Her gaze skittered sideways and she grabbed up her purse. “Listen, we’re fine. David just works a lot, you know? I’m being silly.”
“Wait-“
Lori lifted a hand and cut Evie off mid-sentence. “I told you. It’s fine. It was great to see you again. I’ll see if our babysitter can’t come over one weekend so we can go out together, okay?”
Lori bolted for the door, leaving Evie, mouth open, staring after her. Amy approached her friend, “You can call her later. She looked pretty upset.”
“I knew something was up when they cancelled the last two times I invited them over,” Evie said.
“I hope she’s okay,” Amy said.
“Well, I’ll find out.” Evie walked over to Chloe and sat down.
Amber approached, her pace quick and efficient. Her dark brown hair pulled back in a no-nonsense bun. Amy had always gotten along with Amber in high school, but that was years ago. She’d changed. Amber could have changed, too. Nervous energy zipped down Amy’s arms, into her hands and she clenched her fingers almost in reflex.
Amber gave her a once over, and Amy felt every oil and dirt stain on her jeans grow. Ellie Mae meet Grace Kelly.
And then Amber smiled, and her whole face transformed. “While I can’t say you’ve taken the best care of yourself, you have, and always have had, a natural beauty I’ve envied.”
“What?” Okay, so not the best response, but Amber’s words had taken her for a loop. Amy finally allowed a quick glance down, just to make sure she was talking about the same person.
Amber surprised her and pulled Amy into a hug, whispering in her ear, “And still the sweet personality to match.” Amber stood back, holding on to Amy’s hands. “I’m so sorry about Shane. How have you been doing?”
Amy cleared her throat, “Fine.”
“I’m glad you finally decided to pay me a visit. I’ve been dying to get my hands back on your hair since your wedding.”
Her wedding. And here she was, getting fixed up for another man. Not her husband. Amy’s gaze dropped to her boots like quicksand, her stomach sinking with it. “Um, thanks.”
“Oh Lordy, my mouth has got me in trouble again. How can I be so callous to talk about that after what happened. I am so sorry.”
Amy glanced up to see Amber, red faced and mortified. “It’s okay, you’re right. I’ve been neglecting myself. Do you really think you can fix this?” Amy swept a hand down her torso, trying to put her at ease.
The doorbell chimed before Amber could answer. “She’s not a miracle worker.”
Mrs. Oralee choked on her sweet tea and Mrs. Trudy set up to pounding her best-friend’s back. Amber spun around, her mouth open. The blood leeched from Amy’s extremities.
Mavis Carter sauntered in, her voice as venomous as a rattle snake. As easy as she pleased, she went to the mirror and primped hair so over-sprayed a high wind wouldn’t knock it loose. That is, if the wind dared to mess with her in the first place. Amy met Mavis’s gaze in the mirror reflection.
Mother of God. Evie rose from the waiting chairs next to the window, Chloe on her hip. Amy signaled for her to stay back. If she was going down, she was doing it alone.
“Mavis.”
“Amy, I thought that was your truck. Or should I say, my son’s truck.” Mavis spun around slow, like in a movie. Amy straightened her legs and squeezed her fists at her side.
Amy felt the heat rise and spared a glance to the gossip queens in their thrones. Oralee and Trudy were sucking back their tea like they needed it to survive, their gazes locked on Amy and Mavis. Her plan to fly under the radar came crashing down like an earthquake in Cali.
“Mrs. Carter, can I help you?” Amber spoke tentatively, the tension in the air thicker than Mississippi mud.
“Yes, as a matter of fact you can. You can throw this piece of cheating white trash out of your salon.”
A chorus of gasps sounded and Amy barely suppressed a cringe. The gleam in Mavis’s eyes was already triumphant. And why shouldn’t it be? She had the perfect audience for Amy’s social execution. She could practically feel the noose slide around her neck.
“Cheating?” Mrs. Trudy said.
“Caught her myself.” Mavi
s’s chin lifted another degree.
“That’s a lie.” Evie was at Amy’s side. Bless her for her defense but Amy wanted to crawl into a hole.
“Of course you would say that. But you weren’t there. I caught her red handed.”
Mrs. Oralee approached the small circle and cleared her throat, “Maybe I’m missing something, but when exactly did you catch her?”
“Saturday morning. In Shane’s own house, with Ranger James.”
“Mavis honey, I don’t know how to put this delicately, so I’ll just say it. Shane is dead. How is it that Amy cheated on him two days ago?” Mrs. Trudy asked that question.
Amy felt a small measure of relief. A very, very small measure.
“You always were a bit thick Trudy. What do you think? Her and Ranger started sleeping together before Shane died.”
Amy gasped this time. “That’s not true. I never cheated on Shane.”
“Like anyone in this town will believe you.” Mavis turned to Amber and said, “If you want to keep half of your customers you better kick this hussy out. Otherwise, I’ll have to make sure all my acquaintances take their hair elsewhere.”
Amber stiffened beside her and Amy felt the first twitch of anger rise. Mavis didn’t care who got caught in the explosion as long as she took Amy down. “Don’t you dare threaten her. This is between you and me.”
“That’s right. I’ll make sure the whole town knows how toxic you are too,” Mavis said.
“I’m sorry you feel that way.”
“It ain’t got anything to do with feelings girl. You never deserved my son.”
“That may be true, but Shane wasn’t perfect. He had his faults too. But I didn’t betray him. Ranger would never betray him. He was Shane’s best friend.”
Mavis snorted, “Yeah, despite my attempts to keep them apart. Those James boys are trash, just like you. My Shane should have had better. But no, you sunk your claws in deep and then he had to join the military to get away from you.”
“Mavis Carter.” Mrs. Trudy threw a hand over her chest and sucked in a breath.
Resurrection River: Men of Mercy, Book 2 Page 12
