North (Wilkerson Dynasty Book 2)

by Kathi Barton

  “I’ve noticed.” Something moved by the window in front of the house. He asked North about it. “It’s Phoenix. She said she wasn’t leaving until she got to talk to you about this mess that her mom made. I’m not sure what mess she might be referring to, but I told her she’d have a very long wait.”

  Shelton told North all of it, even going so far as to tell him about Abby and her part in this. Showing him the pictures of his wife and daughter he’d had taken two days prior to the wedding, Shelton felt ashamed. He tried to explain what he was feeling to the younger man.

  “I haven’t loved my wife in a long time. It wasn’t something I could have done anything about. Or I guess I told myself I couldn’t. Her affairs were an issue, but since she never brought them home, or so I was told, I didn’t worry about it. She knew to be discreet, I guess. But once I got the bill for the shopping trip for Phoenix’s wedding dress, I started looking into other things. That was when I found out the shop owner had been asked to pad the bill for the dress so they could have some extra cash. Why? Well, I dug deeper into all sorts of things. Like how much I was forking over every month in the way of shopping sprees. You’d not believe me if I told you.”

  “My mother shopped. More like she demanded when she went to find something. There were a group of them, my mother and four aunts. It’s becoming clear to all of us cousins that our mothers never paid for anything they could bully their way to getting for free or just steal. Some of the things we’re finding in her bedroom still have the tags on them. You’ve no idea how upsetting this has been for my dad.” Shelton hadn’t wanted to bring up North’s mother. But now that he had, he felt he could ask him some things. He asked about the death of Holly. “Yes. They not only orchestrated the accident that took her life but also when she was kidnapped and raped over a few days. Lucky for all of us, Mars came out of it. Aunt Holly was more of a mom to all of us than our own mothers were.”

  “I’m so very sorry about that. I don’t feel like I’m much different right now, other than not killing anyone. But I did neglect Amy. For that, I think I will feel guilty for the rest of my life.” North didn’t tell him he shouldn’t feel guilty for what he’d done. Nor did he agree with him. Shelton, for some reason, thought it was just what he needed. A way to vent without someone adding more onto his already overloaded shoulders. “You’ll stay for dinner, won’t you? I don’t have any idea what we’re having, but I’m positive it’ll be good.”

  Amy joined them in the room, and North stood up. Another reason to like this boy—he was polite to a fault. Standing too, he kissed Amy on the cheek and told her to make North stay for dinner. Leaving them to it, he went to the kitchen and asked Lulu if she minded having North stay. He should have done that before asking him, he thought.

  “I’m already making plans for that to happen.” He thanked her and Lulu turned to look at him. She had that serious talk look on her face, and he felt himself stiffening for whatever she told him. Lulu had been the one to call things like she saw them. Shelton figured that was where Amy had gotten it from. “I don’t know if you’re aware of this or not, but you’re different since you got yourself shed of those other two. I think a wee bit of it is having little Amy here. If I don’t miss my bet, I’m thinking that Wilkerson man is going to be taking her away from you again. But they’ll be back. I’m sure of it.”

  “I hope so. I like him.” She told him she did as well. “Good. We’re in agreement on that. Phoenix is outside on the front porch. I’d avoid that if I was you. Or not. It depends wholly on what you want to say to her.”

  When she took off her apron and picked up a sheet of paper off the counter, he figured this was going to be good. Following her through the house to the front door, he was glad to see Phoenix backing away from her.

  Lulu was only about five foot six inches in stature, but she made up for her lack of height by her forceful nature. Shelton laughed when North and Amy joined them. He also noticed they were holding hands. This might turn out a great deal better than he’d thought it might—a son-in-law of worth as well as a happy daughter. Yes, Shelton thought. Things were looking much better.

  Chapter 4

  North caught himself whistling. He would stop doing it only to realize he was doing it again. When Abby said his name, he smiled at her. She popped him on the back of the head.

  “What was that for?” She told him he was being sappy. No woman liked a sappy date. “How do you know my being sappy has anything to do with a woman? It might be something else.”

  “It’s a woman. Who is she?” He told her it was Amy Hamilton. He also told Abby her professional name. “That sounds like— Holy shit, North. Are you really seeing A. Jay Hamilton? Do you have any idea how famous she is? I mean, I have so many of her articles that— Have you seen any of her work? I mean, personally? I’d love to meet her someday. Why don’t you have her over to dinner? She’s the one that is coming here to do the paintings too. I can’t believe I didn’t put that together.”

  “You know her family.” Abby said she’d remember if she met her family. “I’m sure you remember her. Her sister is none other than Phoenix Hamilton. You do remember her and her mother, don’t you? I think you called her BH for a while after you got home.”

  “You’re dating someone related to Phoenix? There is no way I can believe that. Unless you’re trying to pull my leg. Are you?” He said he’d never do that to her. She was dangerous. “I am. But really? Is she anything like her sister? I hope to God not. I’d hate to have to bar you from bringing her here for the holidays.”

  “I saw Phoenix today, so I can tell you with certainty that they’re nothing alike. Amy’s beautiful, smart too. In addition to being a famous photographer, she has a business management degree, as well as a pilot’s license.” Abby asked him why he wasn’t with her right now. “I came home to get a few things finished up. I’ve been invited to dinner. And so I didn’t make a total fool of myself, I decided to come here and calm myself down a little. I find that I want to spend all my time just staring at her. I might not have mentioned this, but I think she’s scarier than you are when she’s making a point.”

  “Good. I like her already. How much has she told you about her sister? I’m betting it was hell growing up with BH around.” Abby was making bread, so her hands were occupied when her cell rang. Picking it up for her, he put it on speaker.

  “Do you remember telling me about Phoenix Hamilton?” Abby told Mars she was just talking to North about her. “Hey, North. Anyway, she’s been arrested for assaulting someone.”

  “Who? Amy?” Mars said he didn’t know her name, but she’d been hit hard in the face with something. “Is she on her way to the hospital? I have to go there. In case...well, it doesn’t matter which one of the women it is. I like them both.”

  His phone was ringing when he made his way out to his vehicle. It was Shelton. Answering as he started this truck, the older man told him to calm down and to take a breath, in and out. North asked him who had been hurt.

  “Amy was injured, but not by Phoenix. She slipped, going back into the house to get Lulu’s purse. Phoenix hit Lulu in the head with her handbag and knocked her against the house. Scared me nearly to death, I have to tell you. They’re both fine, but I wanted to make sure they were so I called an ambulance.” North laid his head on his steering wheel as Shelton continued. “Amy has an injury to her ankle. I don’t think it’s broken, but I don’t have any idea. Lulu is going to need stitches. If I can talk her into staying the night there, I’d feel better. Would you join me here?”

  “I’m on my way now.” Putting his phone on the charger, his truck picked up the call and made it so North could talk and drive without being distracted by holding the phone. “I think my cousin is still on duty. I’ll make sure he’s had a look at them before he leaves the hospital. Wats is a great doctor.”

  “I’d be glad for it. I’m not even sure what happened. Lulu
spoke to Phoenix before she left for the grocery store. I think you were leaving about then to go home. Remember?” He said he had pulled out after Lulu had. “Yes, that’s right. A couple of hours later, I was going over the list that you gave me with my attorney when I heard screams. As soon as I got out to where Lulu was lying in her own blood, Phoenix was running toward the road laughing like a loon.”

  “How did Amy get hurt?” He said that might well have been his fault. “I doubt you caused her to hurt herself. She seems like she would hurt you if you tried.”

  “You have that right. But Lulu came around about the time Amy came down from the upper level and asked my daughter to get her purse. I told her it was in the kitchen, and Lulu told her it was in the car. When Amy turned to go in the other direction, she fell. I think she’s more embarrassed than upset about it.” North was feeling much better than when he’d left Abby. He could even start to see the humor in things. “I’m here now, North. They’re not allowing me to go back until they have them examined. As you can probably hear, Amy is none too happy about having to undress and put on a gown.”

  “I’m pulling into the lot now, Mr. Hamilton.” He asked him to please call him Shelton. “I can do that. I’d like that. I have to tell you, I’ve never been so panicky in my life as when I heard Mars tell me that someone at your house had been hurt by Phoenix. Abby, as I might have mentioned, is my cousin by marriage. She’s married to Mars.”

  Shelton hugged him as soon as he was in the large ER department. Using his cousin Wats’s name got him and Shelton back to see Amy and Lulu. He let Shelton hug her first, then he held her while she complained about how she was just fine. It was only a sprain. Wats joined them just as she was telling them she wanted to go home.

  “It’s broken, not sprained. And you’ll do as I tell you or you’ll be in a room all by yourself while I tell my cousin here what sorts of things you were calling me when I came to check you out. What a potty mouth you have.” Amy stuck her tongue out at Wats. “Yes, that’s very mature of you. I think I’m going to like you hanging around with us.”

  North looked at Amy when she asked him what he meant. “We hang out together. A great deal, as a matter of fact. Wats, along with the other cousins and I, were all we had for a long time growing up. I think we’re closer than brothers.” Wats agreed with him. “Mr. Hamilton—Shelton—I’d like for you to meet another one of my cousins. This is Watson Wilkerson.”

  After being introduced to the Hamiltons, Wats told them what had happened to Amy’s ankle. He said she’d already had a small earlier break, and when she turned like she had, it rebroke the bone and did some serious damage to her ankle.

  “Are you going to have to operate?” Wats told Amy he wasn’t, but he’d assist. “I’m glad to have you there then. I don’t do well under anesthetics. It’s not too terribly serious, but I’m very difficult to get to come around. I think my body has an idea that when I’m down, I’m down for the count. I don’t rest well, either.”

  “You’ll have to stay off your leg for a few weeks, Amy. I’m sure you understand the issues that can arise from having a bone broken for the second time. I don’t want you to have to walk with a limp if we can help it.” She promised she’d follow his orders. “Good. Now, I’m going to go and see about Mrs. Martin. Mr. Hamilton, she was asking for you when she arrived.”

  When they were alone in the tiny cubical, North kissed Amy. He needed to know she was all right, and that helped tremendously. He not just needed it, but it was like he wasn’t going to be able to breathe well until he was sure she was going to just fine. He sat down in the chair next to the bed, never letting go of her hand.

  “You sure know how to keep a man on his toes.” She looked ready to cry, and he got up and held her. “It’s all right, honey. I was only joking.”

  “I know that. You’re going to think I’m really stupid for saying this, but all I could think about when I fell was that I wanted you with me. I needed you to hold me. I’ve known you for all of ten minutes, it seems, and I find that I don’t want to be anywhere but with you at my side.” He pulled her chin up and looked at her. “I’m falling in love with you, North, and I don’t think that is such a good idea. Not with all this shit going on in my life.”

  “It’s the best news I’ve heard in all my life. I’m falling in love with you too. When I heard someone was hurt at your house, it was all I could do to get here fast enough to make sure you were all right. I know you can take care of yourself, but all I could think about was that I’d not been there to keep you safe.” She nodded, and he sat back in the chair when she winced in pain. “I’m not going to leave you. I’m going to be with you every step of the way through this. All right? Besides, I have a family that is just as bad as, if not worse than, the one you have. We’re a team in this.”

  They talked about themselves for the rest of the time they were waiting on her surgeon to show up. Once he did, telling them what was going to happen to her and how long she’d be in the operating room, Wats came in to ask if they had any questions. Amy asked if she was going to be able to be by herself.

  “I’d rather you didn’t. Not for at least a week. I’m not being pushy about anything, but I think your dad is going to have more than enough going on with Lulu and her husband. She’s a handful, I think. Her husband, she told me, will be too upset to know heads from tails with her down. Is that about right?” Amy told Wats he was lost without his wife. “Yes, they’re very much in love. Anyone can see that. So, not being pushy, but I’d feel better if you were to hang out with one of us after you leave here. I was thinking Booker could do the trick.”

  “No.” They both looked at him, and North felt like he’d fallen into a trap that had been easily set up for him to fall into. “She can stay with me. I’ll take very good care of her. How long will she be in the hospital? The house is without furniture right now. It’s being painted, but the condo would probably be better anyway. It’s all on one floor.” Then he remembered who he was talking about. “That is if you’d like to come and stay with me.”

  “I wondered if I was going to have to remind you once again that I’m a grown fucking woman.” He kissed her on the mouth. “Yes, I can stay with you. But no sex. I’m hurting, and when I jump your bones, sir, I want to be able to have as much fun as I possibly can.”

  Wats was still laughing as he left them to find out when they’d be taking her up to surgery. North asked her if she really wanted to jump him. When she nodded, he smiled. The meds the nurse had given her while Wats was there were starting to kick in.

  “You’re not anything I thought I’d ever want in my life. That didn’t come out right, but I’m glad you found me.” North told her he was thrilled as well. Holding her hand as her body relaxed and her eyes blinked closed longer and longer each time, he held her hand to his heart. “My head feels all woozy. I want you to be there when I wake up. Okay? I feel much better when you’re with me. I don’t know why. You’re sort of a pain in the ass, but I’m in love with you.”

  “I love you, as well.”

  She closed her eyes for the final time then. He didn’t leave her until he was told he’d have to go to the waiting room. The charge nurse told him Wats had made it so he could be with her in recovery, along with her father.

  Feeling like he was on top of the world, North pulled out his phone and looked at things to put in his new home. However, just as he was ready to hit the buy button, he thought he should at least get Amy to approve of that sort of thing. North had no doubt that as soon as he could arrange it, the two of them would be living together.

  Calling his dad, he told him what was going on. “You’ve found someone to love? My goodness, son. That’s wonderful. Amy is a wonderful person too. I really enjoyed having dinner with you guys the other night. Have you told Booker?” He told him that since he and Amy were friends, she more than likely should do it. “He’ll be happy for you. I know he will. Son
, I have to tell you, these last few weeks have been like a new beginning for me. I feel like I’m able to start over, and it couldn’t be better with you right here beside me.”

  “I’m glad you think that way, Dad. You, of all the people in this mess, deserve it the most.” Dad told him all his brothers had been hoodwinked. “Yes, but you were married to the leader. I think that makes it the most difficult to get around. By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask you. Do you have any intentions of going to the trial? I’m not. I don’t think any of the cousins are going.”

  “I was told I might have to testify on some of the things that came out after Eita was murdered. I don’t know what I can add to what they found in her room. Mars would be better at telling them what was found. All I know about it is what he told me.” North thought he might know a little more than his father did. “But I’m going to cooperate to the fullest. I’ve heard from the prison system again. Tina wants to see me, as does Penelope. I’m not sure what they think they can tell me that I care about.”

  “I don’t either. If you want me to, I can go there and talk to them. All of them if you wish. I did tell them we were never going back there, but I think bothering you about shit is going to get them into trouble.” Dad said he’d give it some thought. “Dad, don’t do this if you don’t want to. You don’t owe any of them anything. They’ve made their beds, and now they are going to have to deal with what they’ve done.”

  “I know that too. I’m having dinner with my brothers tonight. We’ve been doing that weekly since Holly’s funeral. My god, son. I missed so much about her.” North didn’t know what to say to his dad. He missed Holly more than he did his own mother. “On a cheerier note, I’m so glad that you and Amy are together. The thought of you happy does wonders for my depression. I’ve been battling it for a while now.”