by Sharon Kleve
Oscar looked at me from the top of the stairs and meowed. “I know, sweet thing. They’ll be gone soon.” We could both use a snack, so I climbed the stairs again and scratched Oscar on the head as I passed.
After a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a stiff martini, I was motivated to continue. The sun would set in a couple hours and become chilly. I grabbed a coat, the keys to the backhoe, and started the engine. It rumbled to life. I slowly backed it up near the cellar, unlocked the cellar doors and opened them.
Next, I needed sturdy rope. There was a bunch out in the shed. With renewed energy, I ran downstairs, wrapped the rope around Vega’s ankles at a bunch of different angles so it wouldn’t come loose and his legs wouldn’t flop around. It wasn’t pretty, but it would hold. I twisted his body so his legs were as close to the bottom of the stairs as possible.
I walked up the cellar stairs hauling the other end of the rope and secured it to the backend of the backhoe. The turned the key and engine came to life once more, I popped the backhoe into low and it moved forward very slowly. The backhoe jerked a little as Vega’s body was pulled over each step. I tried not to think about it. Once through the doorway, I untied Vega and did the same thing with Vance’s body.
Rolling them into the bucket took the majority of my reserve energy. One more time, I started the large diesel engine and motored their bodies to the center of my ten acres. After I hit a button on the dashboard, the bucket tilted and the brothers fell to the ground. I was pretty freaked out but kept at it.
I guzzled water from a sports bottle. Then I backed the backhoe a few feet away and started to dig a large hole. I maybe had an hour left of daylight so I increased my speed. Once the hole was large enough for two bodies, I nudged them into the hole with the bucket and proceeded to fill in the dirt around them. I drank more water and then said a prayer for their souls.
It was pitch dark by the time I arrived home, tired, sad, and pretty freaked out at what I had done. I parked the backhoe, locked the cellar door, and then spent the next couple of hours cleaning. I flushed the Xanax, ran the remaining pie down the garbage disposal, and wrapped the clothes Vega wore, razor he used, and the extra diapers in plastic garbage bags. I would drop the trash bags in the dump on the way to work. By the time I fell into bed, I had disposed of any evidence the Delaney brothers had been in my house.
I had no idea if I could live with the part I had played in the Delaney brother’s deaths, but when I pictured Kelli’s radiant smile and Joey’s carefree laughter, something I hadn’t seen in a few years, I figured I could try.
Chapter Eight
“WHATEVER YOU ARE MAKING smells mouthwatering delicious.” Anderson lifted the hair from my neck and kissed me behind the ear. “I take that back, you smell mouthwatering delicious.”
As promised, Anderson brought clothes over for the whole weekend. I had simmered a red sauce all day while I was at work, made homemade lasagna noodles at the bakery, and assembled it all when I arrived home. “If you keep that up, I’ll turn off the oven and we’ll eat later.”
He stopped and sniffed the air. “Man. That is one hard decision.”
We both laughed. Anderson was everything I had ever wanted in a guy—kind, caring, and sexy-as-hell. I turned the oven off, took his hand and led him upstairs to my bedroom. “Dinner can wait. I can’t.”
Dinner was late but still delicious.
“Are we having apple pie for dessert?” Anderson asked as he helped clear the table.
I cringed. “No. I thought we might try something different. I brought home a chocolate cream pie. Is that okay?”
“As long as you made it, I don’t care.” He picked me up and sat us both down on the sofa, took my hand and kissed my knuckles. “I love you, Marjorie. You are everything I’ve ever wanted and more. Lot’s more...”
Tears of joy streamed down my cheeks. “I love you, too. I rested my forehead on his and sighed in pleasure at being held by the man I loved.
“It’s a beautiful night, why don’t we go for a long walk in the orchard?” He had the strangest look in his eyes. A knowing look. “I think apples are to die for. Don’t you?” Anderson winked and I almost fainted.
Holy Mother of God, he knew.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
SHARON KLEVE WAS BORN and raised in Washington and currently lives on the Olympic Peninsula with her husband.
Sharon is a multi-published author of contemporary romance. She loves romance. She loves reading romance, living romance, and especially loves writing about romance. She gets no greater feeling than watching her characters come alive in each other’s arms. Most of all, she loves giving her characters the happily ever after they deserve—with a few bumps and bruises along the way.
One of her favorite things to do is pick up a new book and sink into the story, immersing herself in the emotions between the characters. She hopes to inspire her readers the same way her favorite authors have inspired her.
When not writing, she can usually be found either curled up in her recliner with her cat and a good book, or in the kitchen baking sourdough bread or bagels.
FOR THE LOVE OF ANIMALS
I’M ASKED ON A REGULAR basis why I have some sort of animal in every one of my books. It is simple...I love animals and I love writing about them. It doesn’t matter what kind, shape, or size. I love them all.
Throughout my life, I've had dogs, birds, frogs, lizards, rabbits and of course precious cats. My husband and I have a dozen bird feeders, two water fountains and multiple yard-art fixtures that we put food and water in for the critters.
Several years ago our cat of fifteen years passed away and we were going to wait awhile before getting another one but as the days went on we missed having a cat. It was during the winter so there weren’t any kittens available. I searched all the shelters and saw pictures of an eight-month-old female, shorthair cat.
When we picked up Ardy from the Bremerton, Washington PAWS, they said we'd never be able to pick her up or touch her. She'd been abused. My husband played with her and instantly fell in love. We took her home and after many months of special care, she loves to be held. We laugh because she likes it so much she won't let you put her down.
We've added another cat to our household. A neighbor moved out and left Cheetos behind. She and Ardy get along great.
All animals deserve a little time, patience and a good loving home.
PAWS is a wonderful organization. To volunteer your time or donate: you can contact them at http://www.paws.org/
CONTACT SHARON HERE:
EMAIL: [email protected]
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