Whispers of the Falls: Book one (Twelve Oaks Farm Series 1)

by Teresa Greene

  He pushed her tangled hair away from her face. “I’ll help you. We’ll get the work done.”

  Propped against the headboard, he asked, “What do you know about Randle Collins?”

  She huffed in annoyance, “Like I said, the man is of no concern to you.”

  “I’m not letting it go, Nina. I get the feeling the man is dangerous. I want to know everything about him. Why was he here?”

  She groaned in pain when she scooted to the edge of the bed to get dressed. Grant grabbed her wrist and pulled her back to his side. “I want to know. I have to know.”

  “Why? So you can beat him up. Believe me, he is not the type of man you want as an enemy. I regret ever letting him into my life.” Emotion brought color to her cheeks. “Six dates and Randal Collins thinks he owns me.”

  “What does he do for a living?”

  She let out a loud breath. “He owns a night club called the Red Diamond in Raleigh. By his spending habits, I guess it does pretty well. He owns a huge house, an expensive car, and all the play toys you can imagine.”

  Before he could stop her, she jumped to her feet. He got hard once again as he watched the sway of her round backside as she disappeared into the bathroom. He placed his arm over his eyes and groaned. The woman had him tied in knots. He was a fool for sleeping with her. Just knowing she was in love with him only complicated things more. Guilt consumed him like a flame. His life was up in the air and he didn’t know where she would fit. He doubted she would ever fit.

  He drove the thoughts of Nina to the back of his mind and focused on Collins. Not once had his uncle mentioned the man owning a night club. Maybe it was bought under a fake name. Night clubs would be the perfect place to sale his drugs. In the midst of loud music and alcohol being served, no one would notice transactions of money and drugs changing hands.

  Tomorrow he would go back to the marijuana crop and see if he could find out any new information. In the meantime, he would call Uncle Tate and have him put an undercover agent inside the club. Large amounts of marijuana were being grown and so large amounts were being sold. It wouldn’t take long to find out who was helping distribute the drugs from the club. Maybe the high-sheriff was also involved. If so, Matthew Collins would be able to tip his son off to any investigation. That’s probably how he had been able to escape suspicion.

  The tap water ceased. Towel wrapped around her, Nina flounced back into the bedroom and gathered her clothes. Unable to find her panties, she dropped down on her knees and looked under the bed. “Is this what you’re looking for?” Grant twirled the black, lacy swatch of cloth on his finger.

  One hand clutching the towel to her bosoms, she reached out and jerked them off his finger with the other. He threw back the quilt and whispered seductively, “Come on back to bed.” His penis stood glistening and proud.

  Embarrassed at his boldness, her cheeks turned pink. “I told you I have guests coming tomorrow. I don’t have time to dally in bed with you all day.”

  Grant sobered, “We need to talk.”

  “We have nothing to talk about.” She stopped in front of the bathroom door and peered at him. “I don’t expect you to make promises. Don’t feel like you owe me anything because I was a virgin. I couldn’t hang onto it forever.” With that said, she disappeared into the bathroom.

  His guilt intensified. It did bother him that he took something so special. If she ever found out he came here with an ulterior motive, she would be one angry woman. She would believe he used her. But then he guessed that was exactly what he was doing in the beginning. Now she meant something to him.

  ****

  Peering through the binoculars, Grant watched the men guarding the marijuana crop. He raised the high powered camera and snapped several pictures zeroing in on as many of the faces as he could. Not one of them was Collins.

  Grant wiped the sweat from his face with the sleeve of his tee-shirt. It was over a hundred degrees. It didn’t help matters any that he had to wear the camouflage to blend in with the foliage. He should be accustomed to the heat after nine years in Iraq, but the week at Twelve Oaks Farm had spoiled him. Usually the temperature was a comfortable 85° to the mid 90’s. He would pick the hottest day of the year to hide in the woods for hours and watch a group of men wielding automatic machine guns. Talk about miserable, the men looked like they would faint in the extreme heat as they walked the perimeter of the fields.

  It would be dark soon, so Grant didn’t see any reason to stick around and wait for Collins. He doubted the man would show this late in the day. It was doubtful he made the long trek from Raleigh often to check on his crop. Obviously he had hired capable men to look after things.

  Progress was slow in the investigation. By his estimation the plants would be ready to harvest in about a month. Hopefully, Matthew Collins would make an appearance to watch his investment harvested. That is if Matthew Collins was involved. Instincts told him he was the man at the top. Problem was his instincts didn’t matter. They needed hard, cold evidence.

  He wanted to be there when Randle Collins was arrested. The man wouldn’t be so high and mighty when the handcuffs locked around his wrists. It would be worth all the boring hours spent on surveillance. Grant would have no reason to stay at Twelve Oaks Farm after Collins was arrested. He would miss the farm and Nina.

  While at the farm he had come up with some great ideas for Nina to make a profit. When he had the time, he would discuss the plans with her and see what she thought. That is if she spoke to him again.

  It wasn’t a good time to tell her he was going camping for a few days. Of course she thought it was because of her and their strained relationship. Little had been said after they made love. When he helped her prepare the pool house for her guests, she seemed all business.

  Grant pushed himself off the ground and stretched. His muscles ached from lying in one place for so long. He gathered his backpack and followed the small deer path in the woods back to where he left Nina’s four-wheeler.

  If it wasn’t such a long ride back to the farm, he would try to make it back tonight. He didn’t like being away after Collins showed up like he did to see Nina. What if he came back and he wasn’t there to protect her? Surely, the man wouldn’t do something stupid. He had managed to stay under the FBI’s radar for years. It was doubtful he would do anything to throw suspicion on him.

  By the time he made his way to the four-wheeler, it was dark. The forest was full of night sounds. An owl hooted from somewhere in the tree above him. Coyotes howled in the distance. Nature had always calmed his nerves, but too much was on his mind.

  Irked at himself for worrying over Nina, he let out a loud breath. He took off his cap and raked his fingers through his hair. It couldn’t be much longer and they would have all the evidence they needed and Collins and his cohorts would be arrested. He had only a few days to decide what he planned to do with his life.

  ****

  The next morning Grant arrived at the farm at 11 o’clock to find Nina saddling horses. He opened the door to the building where she kept the three four-wheelers she owned and drove it inside. It was another warm day, but not as warm as yesterday. The sun was shining brightly as he locked the door, placed the key in its hiding place under a rock, and hurried to help her.

  Three horses were already saddled and bridled and three more waited. He took the saddle from her and tossed it on the bay gelding’s high back. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning, Grant.” Without saying another word she turned and hurried to the barn. It was the first time he had seen her in jeans and she had the perfect body for them. She returned with three bridles draped over a saddle. The top button on the white cotton shirt was undone and he got a glimpse of cleavage as she struggled with the saddle.

  “Did you have a good time?”

  Grant smiled at Nina as he tightened the cinch under the bay’s stomach. “I did. I missed you.”

  “Sure you did.” Nina had trouble getting the paint, Thunder, to take the b
it. With a gentle pat, and reassuring whispers he finally opened his mouth, took the bit, and she was able to slip the bridle over his tall head.

  Grant spent time centering the blanket perfectly so Thunder wouldn’t get saddle sores before throwing the saddle over his back. The silence continued until Nina stomped her foot and faced him. “I missed you also.” She moved toward him before wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him close. Her lips met his and she kissed him gently, seductively. “Let’s just enjoy our time together. I know you’ll probably go back to the war and I’ll never see you again. I’m okay with that.” She touched her fingers to his cheek. “I don’t want to fight and ruin what time we have left.”

  He kissed her on the tip of her nose. “Nina, we need to talk about this.”

  “Bad timing, Marine. I am taking my guests on a trail ride and then a picnic. We won’t be back until late.” She pulled away from him and slipped the bit into the gentle sorrel mare’s mouth. “They’ll be here any minute and I need to have these horses saddled and bridled.”

  Hearing voices, Grant turned and saw three men and two women walking toward them. A chill went up his spine when he recognized one of the men. The man was in the woods the day he was almost discovered by the three men. He was the smoker. Grant took the cigarette and gave it to his uncle to check for DNA, but he had not gotten back with him about the identity of the man.

  “Grant, this is Tim, Mark, Clay, Mel, and Callie.”

  The smoker, Clay, stopped in front of Grant and announced loud enough for his entourage to hear. “I guess you are the stable boy?” Callie, the woman with short brown hair giggled.

  Did Collins send him to spy? More than likely he was there to find out if he was sleeping with Nina. Grant chose to ignore him and tightened the cinch with a bit too much force.

  Dangerous eyes looked Nina up and down before he replied in a fake southern drawl, “Are we ready to mount up?” He tucked his fingers into his belt loops and rocked back on his heels doing his best to look like a cowboy. He laughed loud and hard as if thought his imitation was funny.

  Obviously, Nina didn’t care much for Clay’s attitude, but she had to put up with his rude manners because he was a paying customer. She forced a smile. “Almost.”

  She finished saddling the last horse and handed the reins to one of the women. “Mel, this is Sugar.” Nina patted the horse on the neck. “She is very sweet and gentle. Just leave the reins slack and she’ll follow the other horses.”

  An attractive woman, Mel took the reins and Grant noticed her hands trembled. She looked at the horse as if she didn’t know which end was which. Her thick, dark braid had fallen across her chest. She tossed it aside with her bright red nails shining in the sunlight.

  Nina put her foot into the stirrup and hefted herself onto the back of Sugar with the expertise of a seasoned cowgirl. She smiled at Mel from her high perch. While Nina gave her a quick lesson in riding, the others mounted up. It seemed they had more experience than Mel.

  The small woman struggled to mount Sugar. At least sixteen hands high, the horse was too tall for her petite size. Grant cupped his hand and offered, “Step into my hand and I’ll give you a shove.”

  A look of pure lust on Mel’s face, she smiled and placed her hands on his shoulders. “You’ll have to hold to the saddle horn, ma’am.”

  Her eyes raked over his chest, as she reached up and gripped the saddle horn. She giggled, “Is this the saddle horn?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He gave her a light shove and she landed in the saddle. She didn’t weigh more than a hundred pounds so it didn’t take much effort. “Let me adjust the stirrups so you’ll be comfortable.” Mischievous green eyes watched him intently until he was satisfied with the length.

  Mel purred, “Aren’t you coming with us?”

  Grant glanced up to see Nina staring at him. Jealousy showed on her face. “No, ma’am. I have a lot of work waiting on me.”

  He touched the tip of his cap and gazed at Nina. “Be careful. Do you have your cell phone?”

  “Yes, it’s in my saddlebag.”

  Grant watched them ride away with a sense of unease. The smoker kneed his horse and rode along side Nina. He said something and her soft laughter drifted on the hot, humid air. His unease grew when the man turned in the saddle, his eyes meeting his. What if Collins sent him to harm Nina?

  The thought of something happening to her spurred him into action. Upset that he wasn’t invited on the ride, Midnight raced along the fence line bellowing. Grant put his fingers to his lips and let out a shrill whistle. Long legs brought Midnight racing toward him tearing up the ground in his wake.

  It had been a long time since Grant had ridden a horse. “It’s just like riding a bike, you never forget. Just use your balance and let the horse know who’s boss,” he whispered out loud as he bridled and saddled the excited horse. Maybe this had been a bad idea. With a little effort, he finally managed to get into the saddle because the horse kept sidestepping every time he put his foot into the stirrup. Midnight fought the bit and wanted to catch up with the other riders. Nina did say that she only let the most experienced riders take him out. The horse sidestepped and shook his head when Grant pulled back on the reins to slow his much too fast gait. In a firm voice he ordered, “Calm down, Midnight.” He patted the horse’s neck.

  Thankfully, he could see the other riders in the distance. He kept Midnight at a canter until he came along side Nina on Thunder.

  Surprise on her face, she replied, “I thought you were staying behind.”

  Grant gave a warning glare to Clay who rode on her other side. “I changed my mind.” Now that Midnight was with Thunder, he slowed and Grant didn’t have to struggle with the reins. He relaxed and started to enjoy the ride. It was exhilarating feeling the power and strength of the beautiful stallion.

  Two hours of riding and Grant’s backside ached. At least they would be stopping for lunch in a few minutes. Ahead he heard the roar of water before he saw the waterfall. As they left the forest and rode into the clearing, the sight of the cascading water caused him to catch his breath. It was the most picturesque scene he had ever had the opportunity to witness. He estimated it was a thirty-five foot drop to the bottom where the water pooled. The soothing rhythm of the water falling to the rocks below melted his anxieties away. A billow of orange wildflowers grew through the cracks of an outcrop of rocks. Bright, yellow goldfinch fluttered in the sunlight. It was as close to paradise as he’d ever come.

  If only he were alone with Nina. All the fantasies of what he would do to her caused him to harden. He glanced her way and their eyes met for a long, silent stare. Hopefully, she was having the same thoughts.

  They dismounted at the edge of the pool of water. “What a beautiful spot, Nina. You’re brochure described it perfectly.” Mel sat down on the rock above the pool and took off her riding boots and socks. She dipped her feet into the pool and closed her eyes basking in the cool water. Nina’s other guests joined her and they laughed and enjoyed the beauty of the secluded spot.

  Grant helped Nina hobble the horses. She removed her saddlebags and carried them to the shade of the trees. His stomach growled when she placed bags of sandwiches and chips on the soft grass. “Did you bring enough for me?”

  Nina’s smile caused his heart to beat faster. Again he wished he were alone with her. The soft grass would be the perfect place to make love.

  She spread a thin blanket on the soft grass, then placed the food in the middle. “I always bring more than enough food.” She opened a bowl of fruit and peered into his eyes. “Why did you change your mind about coming? Could it be you are jealous?”

  He couldn’t tell her the real reason he decided to tag along. What was he suppose to tell her? He saw Clay with a machinegun in the forest guarding a million dollar crop of marijuana. Tell her the man would have killed him if he discovered him hiding in the bushes taking pictures. He reached for a piece of apple and bit into the slice to give him time to th
ink. He didn’t want to give her false hope but then he couldn’t be honest either. He drew in a deep sigh. “I just felt like spending some time with you doing something besides work.”

  His words caused her to smile. Seemed she would take any tidbit of affection she could get from him. His thoughts were interrupted as Nina’s guests meandered to the shade of the trees, hunger calling them. Conversation bounced from person to person. Grant chose to listen instead of joining the various topics of the government, the economy, and the war. The war was a hot topic and he didn’t care to give his opinion.

  Clay pulled Nina into the conversation. “What is your opinion, Nina? Do you think the President should bring our soldiers home?”

  Eyes on him, she looked uncomfortable. “I haven’t had time to keep up with the facts. A person shouldn’t have a say if they don’t know the details.”

  Clay smiled. “I guess it takes all your time to run the farm.”

  “How about you, stable boy? How do you feel about the war?”

  Obviously, Clay knew he was a Marine. Another reason he believed Collins sent him to spy. Why else would he leave the marijuana crop when it was so close to harvest? Grant stood and peered down at the man. “I don’t have an opinion.” To keep from punching Clay in the jaw, Grant made his way to the pool of water and sat on the rocks. Rage plagued him as he sat there letting the horrid memories of losing his men invade his good mood. No, not today. Today was going to be different. He focused on the sound of the waterfall and pushed the turmoil away. Immediately, his temper began to calm.

  A shadow blocked out the sun. Grant lifted his eyes to Mel’s pretty face. She sat down beside him and placed her hand on his knee. “Let’s go swimming.”

  Without an ounce of shyness, she pulled her shirt over her head and then her bra. Her breasts were small but pert. She unzipped her jeans and made a huge performance of wiggling them over her hips. Her heart shaped bottom was perfection. Black lacy panties were the last to go and then she dived into the water causing a small splash.