by D'Ann Lindun
Without warning, the Chief slammed his fist on the table. China and crystal jumped, food spilled. “Stop this nonsense, Lindy. Your mother’s fondest dream is for you to go to college. You’re going. That’s the end of it.”
“Trey didn’t go to college and the world didn’t stop turning.” She curled her fingers into her palms. “He wanted to go to Ole Miss to play football. Yet, you didn’t mind when he gave up his scholarship to join the military. Why wasn’t that the end of the world? It won’t kill Mother if I don’t go to college.” Realizing what she’d said in the heavy silence following her outburst, she jumped up and shoved her plate halfway across the table. Her chest filled with an ache nothing could heal. “I’m out of here.”
Before anyone else could react, the doorbell pealed.
Lindy called over her shoulder, “I’ll get it on my way out. I’m going to see my friends.”
The Chief picked up his coffee cup. “If it’s for me, send them in here. My appetite’s ruined now.”
Still fuming, she stalked to the front door and opened it to Jody Marvell, one of the Chief’s police officers. Once a college football star, Jody lost his chance to go pro when he blew his knee his first season with the Ole Miss Rebels. As the first black man on the police force in Juliet’s history, he wore his shiny blue uniform with pride. He and Trey had been friends and teammates since the third grade. She lowered her eyes and flashed a sly smile at him. “Hey, Jody. Guess who’s here?”
He ruffled her hair like she was still ten. “I don’t know. Who?”
Annoyed he couldn’t see her for the adult she was, she shrugged. “Go into the kitchen and see for yourself.”
“Thanks, Lindy. Congrats on your big day, by the way.” He grinned at her and her pulse sped up. He was a good-looking man. Too bad he was head over heels in love with Lilah Desmarteau. “What are you going to do with your cute self now?”
She rolled her eyes. “If you say anything about me working at the station or going to college so help me I’ll scream so loud … ”
“Whatever you say, kiddo.” He gave her a mock salute and headed toward the kitchen, but before he reached it he shot over his shoulder, “It’s up to you if you want to waste your life.”
She stuck her tongue out at his broad back. Damn, why couldn’t everyone just get off her case? Burning with curiosity to find out what brought Jody out in the rain, she followed him and stood out of sight just beyond the doorway. Jody wouldn’t show up at LeFleur without a good reason. Maybe something interesting was happening in boring old Juliet. Mrs. Lewis probably fell and broke her hip at the five and dime. Or maybe one of the farm boys got good and fired up after today’s ceremony, climbed the water tower, and painted his girl’s name across it.
Lindy risked a peek around the doorway.
“Hey, man,” Jody was saying to Trey, “When did you get back in town?”
“Jody, hi.” Trey jumped up and the two men embraced, thumping one another’s backs. “I got home just today.”
“What is it, officer?” the Chief asked impatiently.
“I’ll leave you alone.” Trey moved toward the door. “Let’s get together and have a beer. We can catch up then.”
“You got a deal,” Jody agreed.
“Sit down, finish your supper,” the Chief ordered before turning to Jody. “Officer, what’s on your mind?”
With a nod, Trey obeyed.
“Sir, I’ve got some bad news.” Jody paused, shuffling from foot to foot. “Jace Hill escaped today.”
Lindy covered her mouth with both hands to keep from crying out.
“What?” The Chief jumped to his feet, sending his chair crashing to the floor. “When?”
“Round ’bout six A.M. this morning, sir. A bus carrying prisoners overturned en route to the fields. The warden thinks the driver tipped the bus on purpose.”
“Why?” the Chief demanded.
“Because the trustee who drove was in a gang, most on the bus.” Jody fidgeted with his hat. “Fourteen men killed, two prisoners survived and both made a run for it. Jace Hill and another man named — “ he glanced at his note “ — Handy Jones. Neither has been caught yet. They’ve got the hounds on them, but they lost their scent on the highway. Looks like someone picked them up.”
A shudder ripped down Lindy’s spine. Angola prison guards were notorious for what they did to escapees. No mercy allowed. If the hounds caught the runners, the guards might not have anything but pieces to take back to Angola. She closed her eyes and mouthed a silent prayer. “Be safe, Jace.”
Her eyes jerked open. What was she doing? Jace Hill was a dangerous convict, a murderer. An enemy to the Bouchés. No matter how much she once liked him, he’d become a felon.
The Chief shot orders at Jody. “Get out to the Hills’ place and see if his mama and sister have heard the news. Maybe he’s already contacted them. I’ll go to the station and keep an eye on developments from there.”
As Jody hesitated, the Chief barked, “Well, get on it.”
“Yes, sir.”
Lindy turned and fled. Wait ’til she filled Candy in on this one. This was big, really big. Trey back; Jace escaped. Two shattered families about to collide … again.
Chapter Two
For a long minute, Trey felt like he just missed stepping on a land mine. He couldn’t breathe as the room spun. He had every intention of looking his demons in the face now he was home, but he hadn’t expected them to jump him the first day he got back. Here was his chance to wrestle a big devil. “I’m riding along,” he told Jody.
“The hell you are.” The Chief’s eyes glittered like blue diamonds and a muscle jerked along his jaw. “This is a police matter. Hill has been making threats since day one, promising revenge. You’d be his first target.
“Yes, sir. I know.” Trey blew out a ragged breath. “But I’m still going.”
“Let this bad dog lie.” If possible, the Chief’s eyes grew even colder. “Poke it and it’s going to bite you in the ass.”
“I can’t sit idle and do nothing, sir.” Trey planted his feet. He met the Chief’s angry stare and refused to blink. “If Jace wants to make me pay, then I’m going to face him head-on. I know he killed Soloman. I found him over the body.”
The Chief snorted. “What makes you think MiLann will let you on the premises? Much less talk to you? She isn’t about to invite you in for tea and a nice piece of jam cake.”
“I won’t know if I don’t try, sir.”
“Jace Hill’s been in Angola for five years and who knows what tricks he might’ve learned there. Those animals know games you can’t even imagine,” the Chief declared.
“Sir, the Marine Corp has prepared me pretty well to deal with most anything. Including prisoners.” He straightened his shoulders. “If Jace is on the hunt for me I’m better off knowing where he is.”
“I’ll keep you posted,” the Chief insisted. “The last place you need to be is in the middle of this dust up. Sticking your nose into things that were none of your business is what got you in trouble the last time Hill decided to break the law.” Used to being instantly obeyed, the Chief turned his attention to Jody. “Use your brains, Marvell. This guy’s a hothead. If he is out at his mama’s place and you think he’s going to blow, call me ASAP. I’ll have everyone on alert.”
“Sir,” Trey interrupted doggedly, “maybe Jace’ll listen to me. I can reason with him. He was my best friend. Maybe I can get through.”
The Chief glared at him, his face turning deep red. “That was before your testimony sent him to Angola for life, son. It’s unlikely Hill has anything but real deep hatred for you now. I think I’ve made it pretty clear how I feel.”
Their eyes locked.
All Trey’s life he’d deferred to his father. But no more.
He was a grown man wi
th his own mind. What happened between him and Jace still ate at his gut even though Trey knew he’d done the right thing. If he’d kept silent, he would have been just as guilty as Jace. Trey needed to see Jace again, to look him in the eye and tell him so.
The Chief looked away first. “Go then. But if there’s any sign of Hill, you radio me instantly.” He ordered Jody, “Don’t try to bring in the prisoner until I can get you some backup. Be on the lookout for Lindy, too. She needs to stick close to home with Hill running loose. I wouldn’t put it past him to hurt her for some kind of twisted revenge plot.”
“Understood, Chief.” Jody glanced at Trey. “Let’s go, buddy.”
Trey followed Jody out to the patrol car, his thoughts jumping around everything that happened to MiLann, Jace, but mostly Summer.
Turning his unmarked car into the driving rain, Jody said, “You should listen to your old man. Who knows what Hill will do? Now I gotta look out for your butt as well as my own.”
“I can look out for myself. I’ve been in tight spots in Afghanistan that would make your skin crawl.” Trey drew a deep breath. “What happened to MiLann Hill is partly my fault, too. They have every reason in the world to hate me. But I’m not afraid of Jace.”
“That’s crazy talk and you know it.” Jody’s dark eyes met his. “Jace sent himself to Angola by what he did to Soloman. You’re holding on to guilt that isn’t yours to own and it’s tearing you up inside. You can’t keep it up, or guilt will eat you alive. You gotta let it rest.”
“Yeah, I know.” Trey stared out into the rain-drenched night. The twisting road seemed endless. There wasn’t anything out here but copperheads, cotton, and cornfields. If it was only so easy to forgive himself. If Summer hadn’t been hurt in the process, he might find it simpler to find some peace.
Summer. He’d been in love with her since before he knew exactly how strongly a man could feel about a woman. From the seventh grade on, he fantasized about making love to her. No other woman would do. Summer Hill was the only one for him.
As if Jody could read his mind he asked, “You feeling that old feeling again?”
“What do you mean?”
Jody quirked an eyebrow at him. “Come on, man. No matter how many honeys threw themselves at you, you were too hung up on Summer to notice. Too bad she didn’t know you were alive.”
Jody’s words rang true. Trey spent most of his life consumed by Summer Hill, much to the dismay of girls who couldn’t catch his interest, and to the delight of his friends who loved ridiculing him. He’d never told anyone the doors of heaven swung open for one brief moment before they slammed shut in his face.
• • •
LeFleur had looked like a movie set with the five acre yard mowed golfing green short, white tents billowing in the evening breeze, and flickering candles softly lighting it all. A live band played everything from Nat King Cole to Springsteen. Trey wandered among friends and family, accepting congratulations with a smile. Trying not to be obvious, he scanned the crowd, looking for Summer. She would be here. He didn’t doubt it, but he hadn’t seen her yet.
Finally he spotted Jace and his mama at the buffet table. They chatted with his mother as they filled their plates. Trey kissed MiLann’s cheek, then sidled up to Jace and nudged him. “It’s about time you showed up.”
Jace grinned and elbowed him back. “Summer took forever getting ready.”
“Where is she?” Trey hoped he sounded nonchalant.
With a knowing grin, Jace pointed toward the house. “She went inside for something.”
“I’m going to say hi,” Trey said. “I’ll see you around.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Jace waved him off, already moving off to talk to Mavis Annette Brewer.
Trey couldn’t find Summer anywhere in the house and disappointment coursed through him. Maybe she’d gone back outside to mingle with the crowd. He went out the back door, and just as he was about to turn the corner, something caught his eye. Turning, he saw her. In a flowing, white dress, she stood with her back to him looking into the pool.
Trey walked up behind her and stopped. “What are you doing out here all by yourself?”
She shrugged. “Waiting for you.”
Someone played Etta James’s “At Last” on a record while the band took a break. His heart jumped. “I like this one,” he said, fighting for calm. She’d never sought him out before. “Care to dance?” Without waiting for an answer, he took her in his arms and they swayed slowly. Summer tucked her head into his shoulder and the soft vanilla scent of her shampoo tickled his senses.
In all the years he’d wanted her, Trey never risked their friendship. Having part of her was better than nothing at all. But being her kid brother’s friend wasn’t enough anymore. Dancing her behind a pillar, he cupped her face and looked into her surprised eyes. Then he kissed her. Expecting a slap or at least an angry withdrawal, he couldn’t believe it when she opened her mouth to his. Instead of pushing away, she clung to him. When neither of them could breathe, he broke the kiss. He smoothed a tendril of hair out of her face. “I want you.”
She lowered her eyes and a rosy blush climbed her cheeks. “I know.”
“Make love to me.”
She nodded shyly. “Yes.”
For a moment, Trey stood frozen. Then reality hit. Taking her hand, he led her toward the guesthouse.
• • •
Jody spoke, breaking the memory. “You might give it another shot. Summer hasn’t hooked up with anybody I’ve heard of.”
Trey ignored the jolt of joy that ripped through him. She hadn’t married. Did she still care for him? Could she? He turned off those dangerous thoughts. “It’s better I don’t cause her any more pain.”
“What happened wasn’t your fault, man. She has to know deep down inside Jace is responsible for what he did to Soloman. You did what you had to do.” Jody’s tone was somber as an undertaker’s. Jace had been his friend, too.
“Yeah. I’ve never had a second’s doubt Jace killed Soloman for what he did to MiLann.” Trey’s resolve held fast. Why did he feel so crappy? He’d ‘done the right thing’ and destroyed the person’s life he cared most about in the process. When he’d left Mississippi, there’d been no chance to fix what happened between him and Summer. After he testified at Jace’s trial, none of the Hills wanted anything to do with him. He didn’t blame them. But the cost had been high.
“You’d do it again,” Jody said, conviction in his voice.
Yeah, but nothing could prepare him for the asking price. If he had to do it all over, knowing the fee, would he stand up in court and testify? Or would he turn a blind eye to the obvious? Although he knew telling the truth at the trial would be the hardest thing he had ever done, he faced it head on like a man. He learned at a young age things were rarely black and white. That sometimes the choices weren’t clear-cut and you made a decision and stuck with it.
Since that fateful night, Trey hadn’t spoken to any member of the Hill family. God knew he tried, but the door had been repeatedly slammed in face. Within days after Jace’s arrest, the Chief had packed up Trey, taken him to a Marine recruiter, and forced him sign on the dotted line. Nobody told the old man no.
Trey hadn’t been able to stand up to him back then, giving up Summer, football at Ole Miss, and everything else in the blink of his father’s eye. Six months later, after the trial, he’d gone overseas and hadn’t been back on U.S. soil until today.
Jody turned into the driveway leading to the Hill home and parked. Trey’s gaze took in the deserted Nichols’ farm. He couldn’t believe anyone lived here. The steps were crooked, falling down. A few boards at the side of the house had ripped loose and no one had nailed them back. When a burst of lightning lit up the sky, he noticed a new porch along the side of the house. The Hills used to live near his family’s place down by the river. He e
xpected them to move away from there, but he hadn’t anticipated them to be living in poverty. Familiar guilt grabbed Trey’s gut and twisted it.
Before her illness, his mother had written him about MiLann Hill going crazy after Jace’s trial. She wouldn’t leave her house, became a recluse. Regret lay just under his skin like an itch he couldn’t reach.
Jody pounded on the front door while the storm beat at their backs. Finally, a light came on and a woman opened the door a crack. “Who’s there?”
Trey’s heart stopped, then jump-started, racing furiously.
Summer.
The girl he’d dreamed about for years. The girl he’d worshiped his entire life. The girl he’d lost his virginity with. His blood thickened, raced low. Would he ever quit wanting her? Would he ever stop regretting losing her?
“It’s Jody Marvell. I need to speak to you on official business.” Jody pulled a notepad from his pocket and tapped it with his fingers.
Trey held back a groan. Jody sounded like Sergeant Malloy, one of the tough interrogators in his unit. Jody would never get anywhere with Summer starting off like a hard-ass.
“Jody. What on earth are you doing out in this kind of weather?” She opened the door another inch. She sounded warm and friendly. Then she narrowed her eyes at him. “Why are you being so formal? I’ve known you since grammar school for crying out loud. And who’s there with you?”
Trey stepped under the bright overhead light. “It’s me.”
For an instant their gazes met and held.
Her eyes widened with shock, then darkened with fury.
• • •
Summer recognized Trey at once. No one else sounded like him. God gave him a voice that sounded like it had to crawl across gravel to get out of his throat. She blinked the rain out of her eyes. Maybe she was seeing things. What was he doing on her doorstep in the middle of a rainy night? Of all the places she’d expected him to reappear, this wasn’t it. All the days and months she’d waited for him to show up and explain why he’d turned his back on Jace–and her–and he’d never bothered. Then she heard through the grapevine he joined the marines and took off for parts unknown.
