by Geri Foster
“I thought since you don’t want to stay with me, I’ll stay here with you.”
What? That couldn’t happen. She noticed a large duffle bag sat propped against the door. “That still doesn’t settle the fact that we’re practically strangers. And if I wanted someone to say with me, there are others I can call on.”
“Who?”
“Never mind who. This just won’t work. I’m too uncomfortable living with a man. I’ve never done it before and I feel you’re being intrusive.”
“I don’t mean to be. I only want to make sure nothing happens to you.”
“I think last night might have just been a fluke. It probably won’t ever happen again.”
“Okay,” he said. Then he turned and stretched out on the swing, his legs dangling off the end. “I’ll just stay out here.”
“No, no, I won’t allow that.” She quickly looked around. “Besides, the neighbors will notice and wonder what you’re doing sleeping on my porch.”
“I’ll explain that we don’t know each other well enough to sleep under the same roof.”
Anger built up inside of her like a pressure cooker. She wanted to scream her head off, but she didn’t dare. That would really get the gossipers going. Instead, she balled her fists. “Okay, come in. We’ll continue this conversation where half the town can’t be spectators.”
He jumped off the swing and moved his bag out of her way. She unlocked the door and strolled in ahead of him. She had better manners than that, but Jeff had made her so angry. Just who did he think he was, trying to take over her life like that?
She placed her purse on a nearby table and moved further into the room, turning as he put his things just inside the door. “Okay, you can sleep in the guest room, but that’s it.”
Coming closer, he stood in the middle of her small living room with his hands on his hips and a determined glare in his green eyes. “So, tell me how is this different than you staying at my place?”
“It’s not, but at least I have a little control over my life and I’m close to my work.”
“But that means I have to make at least two trips a day to spread feed and care for my livestock.”
“I didn’t suggest this, you did.”
He threw his hands in the air. “Okay, I’ll settle for whatever you say.”
The doorbell rang, interrupting their standoff. Unrelenting, they continued to stare at each other for several moments, then, it sounded again. Grumbling to herself, she walked past him and opened the door.
“Sheriff Quinn,” she exclaimed, confused. “What are you doing here?”
* * *
Jeff thought perhaps in his lifetime he’d met some stubborn women, but Nancy Wigan took the cake. Why couldn’t women be reasoned with? A man had tried to kidnap her and all she was worried about was him bossing her around when all he was trying to do was keep her safe.
He tensed when the doorbell rang, but it wasn’t his place to answer it and he damn sure wasn’t going to step out of line after only managing to be in the house a few minutes. When he saw Lucas in the doorway, his shoulders relaxed. Now, maybe another voice of reason would back him up.
Reaching up and rubbing the back of his neck, Lucas answered Nancy’s inquiry. “I saw Jeff’s truck. What are you still doing here?”
Nancy’s smile tightened. “I live here.”
“I know, but aren’t you staying at Jeff’s for a few days?”
She crossed her hand over her chest. “No, but I’m glad you men decided I should.” She tapped her foot. “And didn’t bother to ask what I thought.”
“Well,” Lucas said, looking to him for an answer. “We, I mean Austin, Jeff and I...”
“Yes?”
“Um, we thought it might be best if you...”
“If I what?” She unfolded her arms and tightened her fists. Jeff felt lucky that anger hadn’t been aimed at him. “You think I’m just going to pack up a suitcase and let Jeff haul me out to his place for no one knows how long? Did you take into account I barely know the guy? And maybe after a few days he might resent the intrusion? After all, he is a confirmed bachelor. Did any of you think how uncomfortable that might be for me?” The last words were nearly shouted.
“Well, ah, uh. I can’t say we did.”
“Well, you should’ve.”
He rubbed his face and stepped forward. “Now, settle down. It’s not like I came in here, threw you over my shoulder and dragged you out to my house and locked you in the cellar. You’re making way too much of this. We’re only trying to help, not control your life.”
He stalked over to his things, threw the bag over his shoulder and walked out of the house without daring to say another word. He didn’t need this. All day they had searched for the Alec character while trying to find a way to keep her out of harm’s way. The DNA sample hadn’t come back yet, so that was all they could do.
If she didn’t want, or need, his help, he’d be damned if he’d push it on her. At his wits end, he stomped across the porch and down the steps to the sidewalk.
“Wait, Jeff,” Lucas called out. “This isn’t part of the plan.”
“Neither is me begging her to be sensible.”
“Don’t you dare say I’m not being sensible. You’re the one pushing me around.”
“Not anymore,” he called over his shoulder. “Lucas, you might have David come by tonight if you’ve a mind to. I have cattle to raise and a nice, soft bed to welcome me home.”
Ignoring the voices behind him, he tossed his duffle bag in the bed of the pickup, got in and drove away. He’d learned a long time ago you can’t make people let you help them, so he refused to waste anymore of his time trying.
Yes, he worried about Nancy, but at the same time, she was a grown woman and could make her own decisions. They’d tried to give her her freedom, but everything they’d come up with that let her stay in her own home without him there seemed dangerous, bordering on foolishness.
Stretching his neck, he refused to let all this get him worked up. He’d been alone for years and he kind of liked it. Not saying he hadn’t looked forward to Nancy being with him for a few days. After all, there were perks to that arrangement. But he’d been alone a long time and he could be alone some more. She was right, they didn’t know each other well enough to get all caught up in a fight over the matter, no matter what his gut—and his heart—was telling him.
He pulled into his garage and closed the door behind him. Grabbing his bag, he went inside and tossed it on the living room floor. After drinking a glass of water, he went out to feed the animals their evening meal, Rosco and the geese right behind him. This was what he did. This was his life. He didn’t need anything more complicated than that. Two hours later, he was finally back in the house for a cold beer.
Cold one in hand, he flopped down in his favorite chair and took a long swallow. The phone in his hip pocket vibrated and he took it out to see he’d missed a call from Russ and four text messages from Nancy.
His heart sped up and he thought perhaps she’d changed her mind. Feeling stupid for even getting his hopes hope, he refused to be baited by a damn text message. Instead, he called his brother. Russ wasn’t a young man anymore, and he couldn’t, with a clear conscience, ignore his call.
“What’s up?” he asked when Russ said hello. “Sorry I missed your call.”
“That’s okay,” he replied. “I was just checking to see if Nancy made it to your house safely.”
“No, she didn’t.”
“What?” Russ said, raising his voice. “Where is she?”
“Home I guess. I went over there to get her, but she accused me of meddling in her business and refused my offer.”
“Then you’re at her house.” Russ sounded more relaxed. “Good.”
“No, I’m home and so is she. She threw a fit when Lucas came to check on us, and I got mad and walked out.”
“That means she’s alone.”
“Exactly as she wants to be. I tried, Rus
s. I really did. But you know me, I’m not begging and I’m not arguing. It’s just something I don’t do.”
“I don’t blame you. Maybe we were too intrusive.”
“I’m not saying we weren’t. I’m used to analyzing what needs to be done and doing it. I can’t play games.”
“The problem is, Nancy doesn’t realize she’s probably in danger. This sort of thing doesn’t happen to women like her. She has no experience in the matter and, to makes things worse, she’s been independent a long time. She isn’t going to just accept help.”
“Well, if her independence is more important than her safety, then so be it.”
“I think I’ll call her. Maybe I can talk some sense into her.”
“Help yourself, but my offer is off the table.”
“What?” Russ gasped. “I can’t believe you’d do that.”
“I’m a reasonable man and you know that about me, but I can’t be yanked around like a dog on a chain, either. I was willing to help her out, I really was. Then she threw the offer back in my face. I’m done.”
“I’ll call her and get back to you.”
“No, don’t bother calling me. I’m heading out to Frankie’s Bar for a beer, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“Jeff, please don’t crawl back in your hole.”
“I’m not, I’m going for a beer then getting a good night’s sleep.”
He hung up, placed his phone on the counter and left. He’d grab a bite to eat while out and about, then he’d go to Frankie’s Bar for a few hours. After that, he’d be ready for bed.
Safest place on earth to be. Alone.
* * *
Alec had scored some good stuff and had enjoyed the ride, but now he faced crashing as he came down off the drugs. Wide awake, he went looking for someplace to eat. Finding a Mexican restaurant frequented by the locals, he asked for a booth in the back and ordered.
He felt better, other than the drug hangover. He no longer had any pain and he felt alert. After eating, he left the restaurant and drove to Rainwater. He didn’t plan to get out of the car. He couldn’t afford to be recognized. That didn’t stop him, however, from driving around and seeing what everyone might be up to. He cruised by Nancy Wigan’s house and noticed the lights were on, meaning she was probably home.
He thought about going around the block, hiding the car and walking back to her house. Then, he touched his nose and decided he didn’t want to push his luck. Besides, he had all the time in the world, during which, he could squeeze the Commander for more money.
He drove past the Sheriff’s office just to prove he could, then went out to the joint he was at last night. He parked where he had last night too, deep in the trees, and watched. He could sure go for a beer. Better yet, a strong shot of whiskey, but he didn’t dare. One look at that bartender told him to be wary. The man had been around, done a few things and would shoot first and ask questions later. Too dangerous and too smart. If it took a thief to catch a thief, it also took a shady character to catch another.
He didn’t feel like taking chances tonight. He was just recovering from the last incident that didn’t go well. Time to regroup and think this whole thing through. In his position, he saw everyone going and coming from the bar. Imagine his surprise when none other than Jeff Crawley rolled into the parking lot.
He grinned as he watched the man get out and go inside. “Well, howdy there Jeff. You old man, you. What have you been up to?”
He half expected, if he found Crawley, he’d find Nancy. Guess not. Maybe Crawley didn’t care about anyone’s ass but his own. That’s what he figured when his brother was murdered. Strange how only the leader gets out and the rest die. Yeah, what’s up with that?
He’d just stick around and see how drunk Crawley got before leaving. He flipped open his glovebox and took out a hunting knife. Testing the sharpness with his thumb, he put it in his mouth and sucked out the blood. He pressed his hand to his waistband to reassure himself the Glock the Commander had given him rested there should he need it.
Satisfied everything was where it should be, he spun the blade around in his hands, playing with it. “Wonder how you’d like this right between your shoulder blades, huh, Cowboy? Isn’t that what your men used to call you? In almost every letter from Hector, Cowboy got mentioned. Bragged about, almost worshiped. But, my brother had no way of knowing what a traitor he had watching his back. None of them knew.”
Chapter 11
Nancy’s phone rang, and she ran to answer it, hoping it might be Jeff. “Hello?”
“Nancy, it’s Russ.”
Her heart sank. She’d no doubt ruined any chance she and Jeff had at being a couple. Alone now, and roaming around in the empty house, she wished she could take the words back. Be more reasonable, like Jeff had suggested.
What had gotten in to her, anyway?
“Hi, Russ. How are you?”
“To be honest, I’m worried about you. I’m sorry about Jeff. You have to remember he’s a little broken and has lost his tolerance for any kind of conflict. Even I have limits with him. Austin, too. I think the war did that to him. That and the damn Dear John letter he got while in Iraq.”
Now she really felt horrible. What woman in her right mind would send him, or any man at war, a break-up letter? How cruel. “I’m sorry to hear that, Russ. I didn’t know.”
“How could you? He never talks about what went on there. I dug in a little and so did Austin, but it’s hard getting anything directly from him. Jeff refuses to talk most of the time.”
“I wish he’d come on Tuesday nights. The men are so close and Dr. Molinsky is a dream. So patient and understanding. He also gets those to the VA hospital that need to go.”
“I know all that. I’ve heard good things about the meetings and how you always play hostess. We have several veterans at the Senior Center and you’re pretty much the cream of the crop to them.”
That embarrassed her. She’d never expected something so sweet to be said about her. She simply loved people and believed the Christian thing was to help those in need. And from what she’d seen, there were different needs.
“I have a confession to make, Russ.” She swallowed and paced the floor. “I was very rude to Jeff earlier. He wanted to help me, and I just threw it back in his face like he was imposing on my life. He meant well. He only wanted to help.”
“I’m sure the two of you can work it out. And Nancy, I’m not one to overreact, and neither are any of the men concerned, but I do think you need to be with someone who can keep you safe.”
“I know, and I’ve tried calling.”
“Number one rule when dealing with Jeff, give him time to cool off. My guess is he flushed his phone down the toilet.” Russ’ friendly laughter mixed with hers as she thought about Jeff being ornery enough to do just that.
“Well, I hope not. Those aren’t cheap.”
“He doesn’t care.”
Silence grew between them. “Well, I’m glad you called. Tomorrow, after work, I’ll drive out to his place and see if he’ll talk to me.”
“I wonder if I might be too forward if I offered to come and get you and bring you to my house.” Before she could reply, he continued. “I only say that because of the conversation I heard today between Jeff, Austin and Lucas. They think that man is on the prowl for you and he might not stop until he finds you.”
That scared her enough for her to walk across the room and glance out her front windows to make sure no one waited outside. Last month the city Animal Shelter had a Clear the Shelter Day and now she wished she’d gone and picked out a dog, if for no other reason than protection.
“He’s told me that too and I didn’t take it too seriously but, with everyone saying the same thing, and with how intent he was on looking out for me, well…I’m starting to second guess myself. I think I might be okay tonight, Russ. But if Jeff asks me tomorrow, I’m going to accept his offer to stay out there until they find out what’s going on.”
“He’s a
t Frankie’s Bar right now. Said he wanted to kick back a few cold ones.”
“Will he get drunk and then try to drive?” She panicked. “I’d hate for anything to happen to him.”
“Oh, no. I’ve never seen him drink too much. Must’ve seen too much of that in me. He’s pretty level-headed. I worry more about his crawling inside himself and staying there to avoid living life.”
From the bits and pieces of conversations she’d heard from the vets, she understood what Russ said. It was difficult for those men to come back. Hard to fit into society and into their families. She hated wars and hated how much our men suffered while there, only to bring it back when they came home.
She looked at the clock. Almost eight, still early. Hanging up with Russ, she ran to her bedroom, packed a suitcase and dashed out to the garage and into her Kia. When the garage door was fully opened, she carefully backed out of the one-car space and turned toward Frankie’s Bar.
When she arrived, she parked as close to the door as possible. That meant squeezing between a two-ton heavy pickup and a van taking up almost two spaces, never a good position to be in, but she didn’t want to waste any more time. Getting out, she scanned the parking lot until she saw Jeff’s pickup. Her heart sped up and she straightened her shoulders, putting on a brave face. Here she’d gone from falling for the guy, getting into a fight, and now hoping to make up. All in less than twenty-four hours.
Frankie’s Bar was unique to Rainwater, but not to what one expected to find in other Texas watering holes. It could never be described as fancy or on trend. It was a man’s bar. A place to listen to loud music, eat peanuts and throw the shells on the floor, shoot pool, dance and get a cold beer.
She walked in and waited for her eyes to adjust. In the corner, alone, sat Jeff. He stared right at her, almost as if he sensed her presence the second she walked in. Swallowing past her pride and the lump in her throat, she headed in his direction.
She put her suitcase down beside the chair then sat next to him, her eyes staring into his. “I’m looking for a place to stay tonight. You see, there’s this crazy man after me and I’m afraid.”
