“Very lucky,” Jack agreed, grabbing my hand and pulling me to a standing position. “Come on. Let’s get you out of here. I’ll bet you could use a soft place to sit.”
“You don’t know the half of it,” I grumbled. “My butt will be black and blue for days.”
“You should get someone to rub that for you,” Bay said pointedly, inclining her chin in Jack’s direction.
I pretended I didn’t grasp the reference. “I’m fairly certain a bath will do.”
“You don’t know what you’re missing,” Landon offered, pulling Bay to her feet. “The post-takedown massage is the highlight of every dangerous situation Bay finds herself in.”
“I’m not rubbing you,” Bay growled.
Landon smiled as he slung an arm over her shoulders. “We’ll see.”
“Yeah, we will.”
Despite my discomfort, I couldn’t help but smile. “So … it wasn’t Bigfoot after all.”
“No,” Jack agreed. “But that doesn’t mean he’s not out there. It simply means he’s not here right now.”
“I guess not.”
31
Thirty-One
“How are you feeling?”
Chris’ face was the first I saw the next morning when I trudged out of my room, suitcase in hand. He loitered in the hallway, a hangdog expression on his face. He’d been crushed upon hearing about the confessions, trying to muster an argument about them covering for a hominid-like creature, but no one would listen.
“I’m fine.” Chris was listless as he stared at one of the family portraits, an oil painting featuring a formidable woman who shared Tillie’s mischievous eyes. “I might be a little depressed.”
I couldn’t blame him. My adrenalin pumped for hours the previous day, but when it crashed, so did I. After ten hours of sleep I felt relaxed and refreshed. I figured the disappointment would set in eventually. I wasn’t quite there yet.
“There will be other chances,” I offered. “I’m sure of it.”
Chris forced a tight smile. “Me too.”
I watched him shuffle down the hallway, fighting the urge to chuckle at his depression. He had a dramatic streak that made me laugh, but even the determined scowl couldn’t diminish his attractiveness.
The door next to the portrait opened, allowing Jack to exit. I shifted my eyes to him, pursing my lips as I debated how I wanted to deal with our relationship. Holding a grudge seemed petty. He did his best to save me, after all. Sure, he had a huge ego, but that didn’t mean he was a bad guy.
“Are you depressed too?” I asked.
Jack shook his head, his eyes flashing. “No. It went largely how I thought it would. Er, well, I guess it went how I thought it would other than you almost getting stabbed.”
“Yeah, I’m kind of upset,” I admitted, shifting my suitcase from one hand to the other. “It is what it is, though.”
“You’re alive. That’s the most important thing.” Jack grabbed the suitcase from my hand, taking me by surprise. “I’ll carry this.”
“Why?”
“Because you fell and hurt yourself.”
“I’m fine. Just a little sore.”
“Because you almost got stabbed,” Jack added.
“But I didn’t get stabbed.”
“Just let me carry the suitcase and pipe down,” Jack grumbled, following me to the stairs. “Do you have to be so difficult?”
I shrugged as I descended the wide staircase. “You’ll get used to me. Perhaps you’ll even grow to like me. Of course, you won’t like me in a romantic way – you’ve made your feelings on that perfectly clear, even though I don’t like you that way either – but I’m sure we’ll muddle through.”
Jack made an exaggerated face as he shook his head. “You’ll never let me live that down, will you?”
“Nope.”
“Well, something to look forward to.”
The Winchesters met us in the lobby so we could check out as a group. I caught a glimpse of Bay’s hair through the window overlooking the front porch, so I said hasty goodbyes to Winnie, Twila and Marnie before stopping in front of Tillie. She looked me up and down a moment, her expression unreadable as she leaned against the panel next to the front door.
“I think I’m going to miss you,” I admitted.
“I won’t miss you,” Tillie replied. “You guys have all been pains in the keister.”
I leaned in and whispered. “I know you’re all talk.”
Tillie’s lips curved a bit, but she didn’t indulge in a full-on smile. “That’s a possibility.”
I moved to walk away, but she grabbed my wrist, lowering her voice so only I could hear as she leaned forward. “If you need help with something … .”
“Bay told you.” My stomach twisted. “I … .”
“Don’t worry about it,” Tillie whispered. “I’ve kept more secrets than anyone knows. I’m good at it. Besides, Bay didn’t tell me anything. I figured it out myself and grilled her. She rather reluctantly confirmed a few things, but she never betrayed you. I won’t either.”
“I … well … thank you.”
Tillie nodded and released me, mustering a genuine smile as I stepped through the door. I felt Jack close the distance between us as he followed me outside.
“What was that?” he asked when we were clear of the Winchester matriarch.
“Just a little gossip between friends,” I replied, turning to find Bay waiting for me at the bottom of the porch stairs. I hurried down, giving her a quick hug before she could wave off the gesture. “I’m glad you came. I wasn’t sure you’d get here before we left.”
“I wouldn’t miss saying goodbye.” Bay looked well rested. I didn’t miss Landon dropping a conciliatory hand on Chris’ shoulder behind her. He seemed amused by Chris’ demeanor, but he didn’t openly make fun of the man. For that I was thankful … and also a little disappointed. “Did you and Landon make up last night?”
“We didn’t fight.”
“You kind of fought,” I argued.
“That was nowhere near close to a fight,” Bay countered. “Of course, that didn’t stop us from making up just for the heck of it.”
“I’m going to put your suitcase in the Tahoe and say goodbye to Landon,” Jack interjected, his eyes bouncing between Bay and me. “We have to be at the airport in a few hours.”
I nodded in gratitude. “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
I waited until I was sure Jack was out of earshot, his head bent close to Landon’s and his attention fully focused elsewhere. “Did Landon question you further about the branch?”
Bay shook her head. “You don’t have to worry about that. Even if he suspected anything, he’d attribute it to me. You’re fine on that front.”
“I hope so.”
“I know so.” Bay pressed a card with her name and cell number into my hand. “If you need anything … even just to talk … don’t hesitate to call.”
“I will.” I almost choked on the words and needed a moment to collect myself. “Thank you for everything you’ve done.”
“I haven’t done anything,” Bay cautioned. “You did everything you needed to do on your own.”
“I didn’t find Bigfoot.” It was meant to be a joke, but I sounded a bit bereft.
“Didn’t you?” Bay arched an eyebrow. “You saw something in the woods that night. Landon questioned Phyllis and Jim extensively. They said they weren’t out there that night. They’ve admitted to killing Penny and disposing of her body. They also admitted to breaking into Penny’s apartment after the fact to make sure there was nothing to tie her to Bob or Jim. Why would they lie about that?”
“But … .” I broke off, uncertain. “Do you think I really saw Bigfoot?”
Bay shrugged, holding her hands palms up. “I think there’s more out there than meets the eye. I also think you’ll find answers to all of your questions if you give it time.”
“All of them?”
“All of them.” Bay rested h
er hand on my wrist and leaned in closer. “I know you don’t know the people in your group very well yet, but you have time. I think most of them are probably trustworthy.”
I nodded in agreement. “Millie.”
“And Jack.”
I tried to hide my grimace … and failed. “Jack won’t understand. I don’t know him well.”
“I think you’re wrong, but it will be up to him to decide,” Bay argued. “Remember, Landon didn’t stay the first go-around. He took a step back because he needed to think. That didn’t mean he wasn’t trustworthy.”
“But he loved you.”
“Not then he didn’t. The love came later.”
I shifted a glance to Landon and found him staring fondly at Bay’s profile. “I’m not so sure about that. They say people don’t fall in love at first sight – not really, I mean. I think Landon did. I think from the moment he saw you that you were it for him.”
“That’s a nice thought, but the reality was vastly different,” Bay countered. “Still, you have plenty of time. You picked a career in which you’re going to have plenty of adventures.”
I brightened considerably at the notion. “I think you’re probably right.”
“And, even though I know you don’t want to hear it because you’re stubborn, I don’t want you to rule out Jack,” Bay pressed. “Landon said he was desperate to get to you when they realized we were unaccounted for. Men like Jack – men who are willing to risk their lives for the mere idea of someone else – are one in a million.”
I flicked my eyes to Jack as he conversed with Landon, banter flying easily back and forth between them. “Maybe.”
“If anyone should know that, it’s me,” Bay said, running her hands down my arms. “Don’t shut him out before you know if you want to let him in. That’s all I’m saying.”
“I’ll give it some thought.”
“You do that.” Bay gave me a hug and stepped back when Landon moved in to join us.
He extended his hand while slipping his free arm around Bay’s shoulders. “Good luck, Charlie.”
“You, too. Make sure you take care of Bay.” I fought the urge to burst into tears. I barely knew these people, I reminded myself. I had no idea why it was so hard to leave them.
“You can count on it,” Landon said. “You take care of yourself.” He shifted his eyes to Jack. “Listen to your security chief, too. He knows what he’s talking about.”
“Did he pay you to say that?”
Landon grinned. “Call it … intuition.”
“Yes, well, intuition tells me it’s time to leave,” Jack said, gesturing toward the Tahoe. “Saddle up, Charlie. It’s time to say goodbye.”
“Let’s go.” I nodded. “Adventure awaits, right?”
Jack’s smile was small but heartfelt. “Adventure awaits. Now, let’s roll. We can’t start another one until we leave this one behind.”
As much as I hated to admit it, he was right. So that’s exactly what I did.
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About the Author
I want to thank everyone who takes the time to read my novels. I have a particular brand of humor that isn’t for everyone – and I know that.
If you liked the book, please take a few minutes and leave a review. An independent author does it all on their own, and the reviews are helpful. I understand that my characters aren’t for everyone, though. There’s a lot of snark and sarcasm in my world – and I know some people don’t like that.
Special thanks go out to Heidi Bitsoli and Phil VanHulle for correcting the (numerous) errors that creep into a work of fiction.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
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Books by Amanda M. Lee
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A Wicked Witches of the Midwest Mystery
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Covenant College
Awakening
Whispering
Conjuring
Waxing & Waning
Graduating
Living Covenant Trilogy
Rising Covenant
Dark Covenant
Eternal Covenant
Dying Covenant Trilogy
Haunted Covenant
Desperate Covenant
A Mystic Caravan Mystery
Freaky Days
Freaky Lies
Freaky Hearts
The Bigfoot Blunder (A Charlie Rhodes Cozy Mystery Book 1) Page 29
