Richard gripped Sam’s hand the way good friends do. He winked at Marcie as if he could read her every secret. She dropped her eyes; after all, when had she ever been successful at keeping something from Richard?
“Your cast is gone, Marcie; you’re all tanned and healed. Those beaches down in Mexico look like they agreed with you. So when’d you guys get back?”
Sam wrapped his arm around Marcie’s shoulders and rested his chin on the crown of her head. “Last night. Rented a car in Seattle and drove around the peninsula. Thought we’d stop in. Check on you and Maggie before heading over to Marcie’s granny’s place.”
The screen door squeaked.
“Hey you two, didn’t know you were back.” Maggie dashed down the stairs yanking on a thick green sweater. She skidded around the pile of leaves, nearly tripping over a garden rake. She hugged Marcie and then kissed Sam on the cheek.
“You’ve got quite the glow happening there, Marcie.” Maggie shoved in between the couple. “The way you two are glued together, you’d think you’d not seen each other in like forever.”
Sam smiled broader and leaned against the black SUV he’d rented. His blue eyes, brighter than before they left for Mexico, watching Marcie in a way that let her know how much he loved her. His look would have told her even if he hadn’t said the words a few hours ago and every day since she’d told him the big news.
Maggie was eye-to-eye with Marcie. Toffee-colored eyes lit up as if she’d guessed what Marcie held onto.
“Should we tell them, Sam?” She was teasing, and Richard gave nothing away as he stared first at Sam and then her.
“Okay guys, what gives?” asked Richard.
Sam blurted out, “Marcie’s pregnant.”
Richard grinned and high-fived Sam. “Congrats, guys.”
Maggie squealed and hugged Marcie and then patted her still flat stomach. “So, how far along?” Maggie was almost bouncing with excitement as she tucked her shoulder-length, dark curly hair behind her ears. Her pale cheeks glowed a natural rosy pink from the chill in the late fall air.
“Not far, just a few weeks.” Marcie could swear her joy shimmered in the air between her friends.
“Mom! ” Ryley called from the door.
“Oops. Come on in, guys.” Maggie hurried to the steps. Ryley burst out the door, his sneakers undone, wearing only a dark long-sleeved T-shirt hanging outside jeans with patched up knees. “Put your coat on, young man; and go finish raking those leaves before I kill myself. And this time, put the rake away when you’re done.”
“Hey Ryley, no school today?” Sam bent down and retrieved the rake while Ryley pulled on his red jacket.
“Naw, it’s a teacher work day, and Mom won’t let me play on the computer. She’s making me work.” Ryley skulked down the steps.
“What’s a teacher work day?” Marcie asked.
“It’s where all the kids stay home from school and teachers are supposed to have a continuing education day, where they learn something. Or so we’ve been told.” Maggie shook her head and went inside.
Marcie couldn’t hear what Sam said when Ryley took the rake, but he laughed so hard he wiped what she assumed were laugh-tears from his eyes.
“Sam looks pretty happy, Marcie,” said Richard. “He wants kids. See how he is with Ryley?”
Marcie looked up. Richard was so tall, and his dark hair was a little on the shaggy side. “Yes he does.” Marcie swallowed. Her head felt a little thick this morning, but she’d heard that was normal.
“How are you feeling? Maggie was sick the first few months with Ryley. With Lily, she was just tired all the time.”
The lines around Richard’s eyes made him appear older, wiser, and damn handsome. And he knew darn well he still had every woman taking a second look when he entered a room.
“Tired. Feeling like I’m coming down with something. But it’s good.”
He shook his head; a grim line stretched taut across his lips. “You know Marcie, I’m glad you and Sam had time to get away. Does Sam regret leaving the DEA?”
“He hasn’t said. But being with him in Mexico… just us and nothing hanging over our heads… I’ve got to tell you Richard, I didn’t want to come back. It was magical, as if I was inserted into my fairytale ending where everything was perfect, and nothing could touch us. I worried coming back on the plane if maybe there would be some repercussions when setting foot back here. I can’t say this to Sam, but I can’t shake this feeling there’s something brewing in the wind with Dan and his crew. You know… payback.”
Richard pulled off his work gloves and stuffed them into his back pocket. He stared up at the house for a moment before turning and looking at her in a meaningful way. She was sure he knew more than he was telling.
“Marcie, this game, this business… even the people who aren’t involved but know about what Dan and Lance and that whole underworld do… they don’t talk.”
“Richard, are we in danger?” She shivered as a light breeze swirled her hair. Marcie swept her fingers through the strands, distracted for a minute by how silky, wavy, and long her hair had recently become.
“You need to know something — and I haven’t told Maggie this. I found out one of the disabled kids Sandra Carter had at her home the night you and Maggie delivered all the marijuana… well, he died last week. Whoever his full time aide was had a way of communicating with the boy. And she said the kid was scared of Sandra. Before he died, he told her… Sandra hurt him.”
“Are you sure? I thought those kids couldn’t talk. And why does Sandra still have a contract to care for them?”
Richard just shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know everything, just what Diane told me. But they’ve suspended Sandra’s contract pending an internal review.”
“Well, how did the kid die, and how’s Sandra responsible?”
“I don’t know that either except they’re presuming a mix-up in his meds. Both kids were on so many. Look Marcie, the reason I’m telling you this is Sandra’s out for blood. And she’s made drunken threats to some friends against Maggie, and you too. Both of you broke the cardinal rule and ratted them out, her and Dan, and that’s her quote. But you understand that world. You knew this was going to happen—we all did when we set them up. This underworld has a way of looking after things in their own way. We all need to be careful. Lance Silver is one dangerous and powerful bastard, and Sandra and her family are unscrupulous. Remember, Dan won’t cross Sandra. Not once during that whole mess did he ever point the finger at her.”
She glanced over just as Sam dumped a handful of leaves over Ryley’s head and then tossed him on the pile.
“Why would he protect her, Richard?”
“You still don’t get him. He and Sandra go way back. He’s cagey, and he knows who he can screw over, and who he can’t. She encouraged his behavior. And he controls her to a point. If he crosses her, he knows he’ll be dead. Have no doubt he’ll protect Sandra. Because that will protect him, too.
“He casts illusions even with me, keeping me off guard. He was scared I’d kill him for involving Maggie; what goes through his mind after he screws people is… what he can say to keep from getting the shit pounded out of him? Lance Silver, Sandra, that whole underworld Dan slithered his way into… it’s… let’s just say that Dan doesn’t play by their rules. He’s not part of them; he’s an outsider who slithered in. Sandra’s a part of that world because she grew up in it. I still can’t figure out Lance and Dan’s connection, and why’s Dan still walking around. I know he’s screwed one too many of them.”
Marcie frowned, looking back at him, and tried to read past the sudden hardness encasing Richard. “How do you know this, Richard?”
He didn’t look at her; instead he watched his son. “Marcie, you’re a big girl. If you’re going to live out here, you need to be aware of what’s going on around you. There’s some ugly stuff, and the people involved lead outwardly picture perfect lives. You and my wife got dragged into something…” R
ichard yanked his gloves from his back pocket and swatted the leather across his jean-clad thigh. He lowered his voice and said, “What you see and what is real are two different things.”
Marcie looked away, toward the bare towering willow that would shade the front lawn nicely all summer. “Have you spoken with Dan?”
“Nope. I’m just saying you need to constantly watch your back. Retribution doesn’t always come in ways we expect.”
“Richard, Sam said he took care of everything so we’d be safe…”
His jaw stiffened and scratched his head as he watched Sam and Ryley turn a big pile of leaves into a spread out mess as Ryley dove in over and over.
“There comes a time when you need to look after home first. Sam did that for you; he did what he needed to. For me, that’s Maggie and the kids. But make no mistake, whatever Sam and I do, anything can still come out of left field. We all need to be aware and not so trusting that we’re safe. Because that’s when mistakes happen… and someone gets hurt.” He continued to watch Ryley.
Marcie hadn’t noticed before, but tinges of gray now threaded through the strands of hair by his ear. It was thicker than before. Richard then turned and smiled at her, but the light didn’t reach those steely blue eyes. “Come on, oh pregnant one, let’s go on in and have some coffee.”
“Tea for me, please.”
This time Richard laughed, and it wasn’t so forced.
Marcie leaned against Sam in the warm cluttered kitchen. Richard shoved a log into the wood stove while Maggie picked up the spoon Lily had tossed under the table—for the second time since they’d walked in. Five-year-old Lily, severely autistic, swayed in her booster seat at the table, lining up the cheerios on the table instead of eating.
“Maggie leave her, I’ll take over,” Richard offered.
Maggie handed Richard a clean spoon. “Good luck, she’s driving me nuts this morning; she’s already dumped her first bowl on the floor.” Richard gently squeezed Maggie’s shoulder and then moved to the messy table and kissed the top of Lily’s curly dark bed hair.
“Come on my girl, what’s this about giving your mama a hard time?”
Marcie would swear Lily smiled in amusement. She was definitely a daddy’s girl. Marcie needed to speak with Maggie about adding some natural remedies to aid in Lily’s therapy. Diet, vitamins, the holistic approach that was so controversial, no track record or data, but an approach Marcie was convinced would help Lily be more responsive. Maybe before they left today, she’d broach the subject.
Richard spoon-fed Lily. And Lily leaned in for her daddy and took each bite.
“You know Marcie, I remember the first few months with Ryley, just the smell of coffee would send me racing to the nearest bathroom.”
Marcie clutched the warm mug of green tea. She could feel how relaxed Sam was behind her. He’d not worried like she did about coming home. Marcie had asked him twice what he meant by “taking care of things” so they were protected from Lance and Dan. But he wouldn’t elaborate. And try as she might, she couldn’t figure out what he’d done.
“Thanks for the coffee, Maggie.” Sam’s southern charm whispered like honey when he spoke. She’d never tire of listening to him talk because he meant what he said, and he spoke from his heart—always. She knew by the way Maggie smiled at him; her friend too loved listening to his smooth southern accent.
“All done, my girl.” Richard helped Lily down from her chair. She still wore her fuzzy pink pajamas and fluffy elephant slippers. She bolted straight for the screen door and pushed it open. Richard grabbed her before she went any farther.
She screamed, “SA, SA,” and reached for the door.
“Let’s put your coat on. It’s cold outside, silly girl.” Richard had just zipped up her purple down jacket when she dashed out the door.
Richard held the screen door open. Ryley was raking leaves as Lily dashed past him. “Ryley! Watch your sister. Take her over to the swing and keep an eye on her; I’m going to grab a coffee, and I’ll be right out.”
“Aww Dad, why do I have to watch her again? You wanted me to rake the leaves, why do I have to do both?” he whined like any young boy tired of being responsible for his sister.
“Go… now.” Richard’s voice was direct while he pointed toward Lily now running in circles on the grass. Ryley dropped the rake and stomped after her.
“Richard, did you put her shoes on, or is she still in her slippers?”
Richard leaned past Maggie and poured himself a coffee. “She’s fine, Maggie. Stop fussing so much about what she’s wearing. At least she’s got something on her feet.”
Bile suddenly, inexplicably burned the back of Marcie’s throat, and rose up like a sharp wind. She grabbed Sam’s arm and nearly dropped her tea as she was flooded by a wave of dizziness. A harsh chill rushed through her. “Oh no,” she mumbled.
“Marcie, are you okay, babe?” Sam grabbed her mug and set it on the counter. Marcie pulled away from Sam just as she heard Ryley’s irritated yell. “Lily, come back. Lily, stop!”
Richard and Maggie pushed past Marcie and bolted out the door. Sam and Marcie followed. “Marcie, what’s going on?”
“Something’s wrong, Sam.”
“You’re scaring me. Is something wrong with the baby?”
“No… I don’t know… something… ” She stared off toward the road as Sam’s hands fell away from her shoulders. Time slowed. Sam started running and raced past Maggie, yelling something that stretched out long and loud, waving frantically at Lily who stood in the middle of the desolate gravel road. Ryley stood only a few feet from her. Marcie blinked through the blur as a black car sped around the bend and hit Lily. Dark tinted windows on a sleek sports car, it skidded on the gravel but didn’t stop or even slow. The car sped away.
Marcie’s head ached, and she struggled to breathe, feeling as if her chest had been ripped open by a sorrow she couldn’t put into words. But it was the screaming that pierced the dreamlike state. A sharp wind rustled the trees as Sam, Richard and Maggie huddled around Lily. And Marcie moved down the steps, across the grass and reached Ryley who hovered frozen behind Sam.
“Marcie, call 911. Now Marcie, now!” Sam shouted as he crouched over Lily.
Marcie grabbed Ryley’s arm and ran. Her ankle, not quite healed from her recent break, throbbed. Ryley said nothing as she all but dragged him back to the house. She grabbed the kitchen phone and dialed. Ryley leaned against the wall, his face white, and his big eyes nothing but large empty pools. She knew he couldn’t grasp what just happened.
“Oh, God. Please let her be all right.” She begged as she closed her eyes.
“Nine, one, one. What’s your emergency?”
“Lily’s been hit by a car, she’s five years old. She’s lying on the road.”
“Is she still breathing?”
“I-I don’t know. Sam, Richard, and Maggie are with her. She’s covered in blood.”
“We’ve got paramedics and police on their way. I need you to stay on the line with me.” Marcie gripped the cordless phone and glanced back at Ryley who didn’t move. “Ryley, I need you to stay here.” He didn’t move—he didn’t even look at her. She dashed out the door and could see Maggie on her knees sobbing. Sam appeared to be giving Lily CPR. Richard was beside him. Marcie relayed everything to the 911 operator until she heard the sirens wailing in the distance. She hung up when she saw the first red flashing lights.
She hurried back to the road, limping as she held the disconnected phone. Emergency vehicles arrived—ambulance, the sheriff, volunteers from Gardiner and Sequim fire departments blocked the narrow gravel road. Two paramedics raced over and dropped down beside Sam and Richard. Emergency personnel crowded around, leaning in. She was still alive, but barely. Marcie pressed her hand against her chest. “Hurry,” she whispered.
“We need a Medivac here now!” one of the men shouted.
“They’re en route. They have to land at the fire hall; let’s move it!” another m
an yelled.
Richard pushed past Maggie, ignoring her as if she were of no importance. “Is she going to make it?” A desperate father.
Sam glanced at the female paramedic with the sharp features. She shook her head. Sam stepped in front of Richard when Lily was loaded on the stretcher.
“I’m going with her!” Maggie screamed.
“There’s no room!” someone yelled as three paramedics climbed into the ambulance beside Lily. She appeared so tiny hooked up to an IV with splints and a neck collar, strapped to the gurney. A state trooper grabbed Maggie by the waist and held her back when she tried to jump in the ambulance. Richard stalked over to the sheriff and state troopers leaning against their car at the side of the road with lights still flashing.
“What the hell are you still doing here? Get your asses out there and find that murdering coward who hit my little girl!”
Sam stepped in and took Maggie from the trooper. She collapsed in his arms, clutching his shirt. “Marcie!” Sam yelled. “Come here!”
So many people hurried around as the ambulance sped away, lights flashing and siren blaring, just as an SUV raced in, slamming its brakes, dust flying. Whoever was driving, Marcie couldn’t see, but an angry deputy stormed toward the person who jumped out.
“Sam, Richard.” Diane flashed and waved her badge, and pushed past the Deputy. Marcie took a step—but then stopped, as Richard abruptly punched one of the deputies before being tackled by the sheriff and another deputy. One pinned his knee in Richard’s back laying him face down on the car’s trunk as the other cuffed him.
Marcie touched her head. She didn’t know what to do as Diane and Sam hurried over. Everyone was yelling. But the sheriff didn’t care. He shook his head and stuffed Richard in the back of his car.
From the Heart: Romance, Mystery and Suspense a collection for everyone Page 23
