by Chiah Wilder
Fallon touched her parted lips, a flush of adrenaline tingling through her body. Her eyes went back to the smiling woman in the photograph. That’s my grandmother. I wonder if Mom knows she died. I wonder if Mom is in Denver. Her heart beat rapidly and she struggled to breathe. For a long while, she gulped in air as her gaze stayed glued to her grandmother’s picture. Shanna was talking about me.
Another car pulling in next to her in the lot made her jump. A young man in a suit dashed into the convenience store. Fallon glanced around and noticed several cars coming and going from the parking lot. The sky had ripened from an orange color into a pale blue. Wisps of white clouds stood unmoving. She looked down at her phone and tapped in the words “law firm probate for Barbara Odom,” and in a second, the Naylor Hastings Garber LLP law firm popped up. She leaned her head back on the rest, knowing time would pass at a snail’s pace until the law firm would be open. There was a two-hour wait until nine o’clock, but it seemed like a lifetime.
Closing her eyes, images of her mother and the older woman in the photograph danced in her mind. From what she could make out, her mother had the same eyes as Barbara Odom. She’s my grandmother, and all this time we were only separated by four hundred miles. A thread of sadness wove through her as she realized that she’d never get to know her grandmother. They were related, yet she never had the chance to decide whether she wanted a relationship with her or not; it had already been decided for her. Heaviness set in as she waited for the time to pass.
At nine fifteen, she dialed the law firm and told them who she was. The secretary put her on hold.
“Scott Garber,” a pleasant voice said.
“Hi. Uh… my name’s Fallon Richardson and I think you know… uh… knew… my grandmother. Her name was Barbara Odom.”
A small laugh came through the phone. “Have you forgotten our last phone conversation?”
“I’ve never called you before. I just found out about my grandmother by doing an Internet search. I overheard my dad and his wife talking about a letter you sent about my grandmother’s death.”
A long silence ensued, and then she heard him clear his throat. “Can you please give me your social security number, date of birth, and driver’s license number?” She complied. “There seems to be something strange going on here. I spoke to someone saying she was Fallon Richardson. The only thing she didn’t know was the driver’s license number, but she said she didn’t have it on her and would call me back with it. I spoke with her a few days ago. I set up an appointment with her for next Thursday.”
“It wasn’t me. I never got any letters sent to me. I live with my dad and his wife.”
Another pause. “Can you come to our office?”
“Yes. When?”
“Is tomorrow too soon? I would like to straighten this out. I can’t tell you any particulars over the phone about your grandmother’s estate. Can you drive to Denver?”
“Tomorrow’s good. Can you do me a favor, Mr. Garber?”
“What is it?”
“If anyone calls pretending to be me, don’t let them know I called and we have a meeting for tomorrow.”
“I won’t. Let’s make this an afternoon appointment since you’re coming in from the southwestern part of the state. What about four o’clock?”
“That’ll work. Thank you.”
“I look forward to meeting you.”
Fallon’s head spun as she put the phone down. Someone’s pretending to be me. I know it’s Shanna, and Dad’s helping her. The betrayal crushed her chest, threatening to suffocate her. How could Dad do this to me? I’m his fucking daughter! Tears slipped from her eyes as she stared at the people in the store. I have to find someone to drive with me to Denver. I don’t even know how to get there. She tapped in Sylvia’s number.
“Hey, Fallon. Is anything wrong?”
“No. I just wondered if you want to get away and go to Denver with me tomorrow.” She didn’t want to tell her about the situation. Even though Sylvia had been a wonderful friend, she wasn’t sure if she could keep a secret.
“Denver? Damn, girl. When you decide to start living you go all out.” She laughed.
“Yeah. Well, I’ve never been there and thought it would be great to spend the weekend and shop.”
“I’d love to, but your dad arranged another fight for Saturday night. I gotta stay around and help get things ready, and so do you.”
“I didn’t know Dad had set it up. Okay. We’ll have to do it another time.”
Disappointment curled around her as she strummed her fingers on the steering wheel. She’d go alone if she had to, but she really didn’t want to do it since the farthest she’d ever driven was to Alina. Without thinking, she dialed Diablo’s number.
“You in trouble?” his gruff voice crackled.
“No, nothing like that. I actually need a huge favor from you.”
“Name it.”
“I have a very important appointment in Denver tomorrow afternoon and I don’t want to drive up there alone. I was wondering if you’d mind going with me.”
“If you got an appointment, we need to leave today. That’s about a seven-hour drive.”
“So you’ll go? I mean, just like that?”
“Fuck yeah. Did you think I’d say no?”
“I wasn’t sure.” She laughed, lightness replacing the heaviness she’d felt before she’d called him.
“You can always count on me. I told you I have your back. Can you leave at noon? I gotta finish up with this car, then clean up. I’ll be ready to roll after that.”
“Noon’s fine. We can drive my car. Should I meet you at the clubhouse?”
“Yeah. See you then.”
“Fuck yeah!” she yelled after ending the call, raising her fist as high as she could in her car. Not wanting to return home and face Shanna and the society ladies, she decided to buy a few things before she drove to Alina. She’d need toiletries, a nightgown, and maybe even a new dress. Giddy with excitement, she switched on the ignition and headed toward downtown. After she bought a few items, she went over to the diner to kill some time before she headed to Alina.
The diner was packed, the only place to sit was a two-seat table in the middle of the room. The hostess led her to the table and handed her a grease-stained menu. Fallon shrugged off her cardigan and glanced at the menu. Her stomach was sour from having only coffee in it; she hadn’t eaten since she’d had the cheeseburger the day before.
“Ready to order?” the waitress asked as she looked around the room.
“A turkey swiss sandwich on light rye. And I’d like fruit instead of the potato chips.” Fallon handed her the menu. The waitress rushed away.
Sitting in the middle of the restaurant made her feel conspicuous and, even though she knew it wasn’t true, she felt like everyone was watching and talking about her. She pulled up a game of solitaire on her phone, glancing up when the waitress refilled her water. Before Fallon could thank her, she dashed off. Fallon looked back down at her phone. The scrape of the chair opposite her against the floor made her jerk her head up. A woman a little older than her stood next to the table with a shy smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
“Do you mind if I share this table with you? I’ve spent ten minutes of my lunch break waiting for a table to open up. I have to get back in a half hour, and I’m so hungry.”
The clatter of dishes and loud voices surrounded her, and she could barely hear what the woman was saying. “Are you asking to sit down?” she said loudly.
The young woman nodded, and Fallon reluctantly gestured for her to sit at the table. The woman slid onto the red vinyl seat and scooted the chair in toward the table. The waitress came over with Fallon’s sandwich and did a double take at the woman who was now seated across from her customer. “You joining her?” she asked.
“I’m sharing a table,” the woman answered.
“You got a menu?” The waitress handed her one before the woman had a chance to reply. “I’ll be back i
n a second.”
Fallon put down her phone and squeezed a small amount of mayonnaise on her sandwich. The woman watched her intently, making Fallon self-conscious. She hated when people watched her eat. If she were honest, she’d admit that she hated when any attention was focused on her. Years of bullying and feeling like I don’t belong are probably the reasons.
“I’m Annie.” The woman extended her hand.
Fallon wiped her hand on her napkin, then shook Annie’s. “Fallon.” She went back to concentrating on her sandwich.
“You from Tula?” Annie asked.
Fallon groaned inwardly. She wants to chat. She nodded, keeping her eyes on her plate.
“I’m new to the area. I just moved here a few months ago. I really like it so far.”
Sighing, Fallon looked up. “Where were you living before?”
“New Mexico. A small town in the desert. It was so boring. My boyfriend’s dragged me all over the west.” She laughed.
“Where do you work?”
“For a guy. He has me logging in a ton of names and products into a database. He has an Internet business and he sells stuff on it. It’s boring work, but it pays good. What about you?”
“I help in my dad’s business.”
For the next half hour they talked and laughed, and Fallon stayed way after she’d finished her sandwich. It seemed like they had a lot in common, and Fallon felt like she’d known Annie for a long time. It surprised her how easily she talked with the young woman.
Annie flicked her eyes to the chrome clock on the wall behind Fallon. “Shit! I gotta run. I’m five minutes late. Do you want to get together again? I don’t know anyone in town, and I’d love to go out to dinner or maybe a movie.”
“I’d like that too.”
The two women exchanged phone numbers before Annie rushed out, waving as she went by the window. Fallon paid her bill and left the diner. Soon she was singing along with the radio as she blasted down the old highway to Alina. She couldn’t wait to see Diablo. As she drove, she felt that her life was starting to take a turn for the better. Diablo seemed to care about her, and she’d met Annie, who had suggested exchanging phone numbers. The young woman with the shoulder-length plum-colored hair wanted to get together again… with her.
The drive to Alina had taken less time than she’d thought due to her speed, so she decided to go to the library, a couple bookstores, and a printing shop to turn in her application for part- and full-time work she’d found listed on a job database.
After she’d finished her task, she headed to the clubhouse, her damn nerves getting the best of her. How crazy am I? I just spent the last couple of days and nights with him. I’m so fuckin’ pathetic. Get a damn grip! She popped an antacid to quell the heartburn from the turkey sandwich and her nerves, then gripped the steering wheel tightly as she drove down the road.
When she entered the clubhouse, a couple of men were playing pool and a few girls she recognized from before were watching television and talking. Tentatively, she walked over to the bar and sat on a stool. The man behind the bar put a ginger ale in front of her.
“Thanks. How did you know?” she asked.
“You’re welcome,” he said brusquely, then turned away.
From the couch, a woman with long brown hair kept staring at her while the woman next to her stood up and walked toward Fallon. The woman had red hair with neon purple tips. Fallon averted her gaze from the woman to the guys playing pool nearby.
“What’s your deal with Diablo?” she said.
Fallon spun her stool around so she was facing the woman. “Excuse me?”
“I asked you what’s up with you and Diablo?”
“We’re friends,” she replied. She poked at the ice cubes in the glass with her straw.
“Are you fucking him?” The woman crossed her arms and glowered at Fallon.
“I can’t believe you just asked me that. It’s really none of—”
“Back the fuck off,” a good-looking man with blond hair and a ton of tattoos said.
“I’m not talking to you, Goldie, I’m talking to her.” She pointed her finger at Fallon.
“You’re tryin’ to start up some shit. You know what a brother does and who he hangs with is his business. Go on. Maria’s not shooting off her mouth.” Goldie jerked his head toward the woman who’d been staring at Fallon since she’d come in.
“She’s wondering too.”
“I’m not gonna say it again, Lucy. You don’t wanna piss me off.”
Lucy glared at Goldie, then Fallon, then back to Goldie. “Don’t sniff around me tonight ’cause you’re not gettin’ any.” She whirled around and marched back to the sofa.
“Don’t pay any attention to Lucy. She’s very territorial. You’re a new face around here, and she wants to let you know that she’s already marked this territory.” He picked up the beer the man behind the bar gave him.
“Was she Diablo’s girlfriend?”
Goldie guffawed. “Hell no. She’s a club girl and is for everyone. Don’t worry your pretty head about it. You want another one?” He pointed to her empty glass. She shook her head. “You want me to tell Diablo you’re here?”
“I already know she is,” Diablo said as he came up to them, glaring at Goldie.
Fallon sucked in her breath as her gaze fell on Diablo. He was gorgeous in his white T-shirt that molded over his sculpted abs, and his jeans fit so snugly over his corded legs and crotch that she found herself transfixed by the big bulge against his zipper. A shiver slid up her spine as a sweet ache pulled between her legs.
A soft chuckle brought her eyes up to his dark ones, which smoldered with desire.
“I was just keeping the jackals away from your woman,” Goldie said as he jerked his head to Lucy and Maria.
Diablo came over to Fallon and swept her hair over her shoulder. Bending down low, he whispered against her ear, “How’s my woman doing?”
Desire burned through her from the tips of her nipples to her wet pussy. “Perfect, now.”
He tugged her earlobe between his teeth and sucked gently on it, then trailed his mouth along her jawline until he captured her lips. Parting them slightly, his tongue dove in and tangled with hers. As they kissed, everything and everyone around her didn’t exist. The only thing that was real was him, the kiss, and his blatantly raw maleness. His scent spun around her, his hard muscles pressed against her, and the smoky taste of him drove her wild.
He pulled away. “You ready to head out?”
“Where’re you going?” Goldie asked as he munched on a handful of spicy peanuts.
“Denver for a few nights.” Diablo helped Fallon off the stool. “I cleared it with Steel.”
Fallon placed her small hand in his large one and walked outside. From the way everyone looked at them—the guys even stopped playing pool—she figured they’d be the topic of discussion that night. She giggled and handed him the car keys. Soon they were on the highway on their way to Denver.
As they approached the city, thousands of lights made the skyscrapers glitter. Threads of cars rushed past them on the freeway, and on the horizon, the setting sun took the last traces of daylight with it.
“It’s so big,” she said.
“Too big. I prefer the quiet of the Four Corners.”
“It’s exciting, though. I’ve seen cities in the movies but I’ve never been to one. It’s awesome.”
Diablo chuckled and took the exit heading into downtown. He pulled in front of a tall hotel and two men rushed over, one of them opening her door and helping her out. She and Diablo walked into the lobby where a wall of water with blue, green, and yellow lights on it greeted them.
“This is beautiful,” she said as she spun around, taking it all in.
“Let’s go check-in.”
She followed him to a long wooden counter that had several men and women with computers behind it. On the back wall hung an exquisite bronze sculpture of cowboys rustling cattle.
“May I h
elp you?” a woman in a brown jacket with the hotel’s name on it asked.
Diablo looked at Fallon. “You want your own room?”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to stay alone.” She rose on her tiptoes and tugged at his leather jacket. He bent down. “I don’t think I’m ready to have sex. Are you okay with that if we share a bed?”
He smiled. “I’m not gonna push you, but we’ll have to get two beds. There’s no fuckin’ way I can have your body next to me all night without fucking you.” Her face was heated and she knew her cheeks were flaming red. “You look real cute when you’re fuckin’ embarrassed.” He kissed her quickly on the lips, then straightened up. “A room with two beds,” he said to the receptionist.
When they went inside the room, the lights in the buildings shimmered and twinkled through the windows. Fallon went over and stared down: the cars looked like toys and the people like miniatures. “It’s so beautiful,” she murmured as the golden dome of the capitol building shimmered in the moonlight.
Diablo snagged her around the waist, pulling her back against him. “You’re beautiful,” he said, nuzzling her neck.
“I’m so happy right now. I can’t remember being this happy. These past few days have been incredible.”
He spun her around and kissed her deeply, and she wished she could freeze-frame the moment so it would never end. She loved being in his arms and kissing him with the sounds of the city below them. For as long as she lived, she’d never forget this moment.
In the midst of darkness, brightness can come when it’s least expected.
Diablo was her light.
Chapter Fifteen
The slivers of bright light filtered through Fallon’s thin eyelids, waking her up. Blinking against the sunlight that invaded their room through an opening in the curtains, something warm against her made a light sawing noise. Her arm was draped over a sculpted chest, and tilting her head, she saw Diablo’s bushy beard. What the hell? She knew they’d each fallen asleep in their separate beds, but he’d made his way over to hers at some point during the night. Did we do something? I didn’t think I had that much to drink last night. They’d gone to a happening area of downtown known as LoDo and had a delicious steak dinner. She’d drunk a couple of brandies, but they just make her giddy, not smashed.
