Stay Away From My Daughter

by Lorhainne Eckhart

  “She’s right, Blake,” Andy said. “Let her see him—but I’m going to be there, too.”

  Chapter 16

  The clang of bars, the buzzing… He was stuck in a cell with he didn’t know how many others, and he tried to wipe the ink from his fingers after having been booked on drug charges. Drug charges!

  He heard the door at the end and spotted the sheriff. He knew Blake had it in for him, but he’d never expected this. However, with the sheriff was Andy Friessen, also unexpected. He stayed where he was in the corner at the back of the cell.

  “Devon,” Andy called out. The sheriff lingered beside him, with no intention of opening the cell door.

  He hesitated and then started across the cell, where he stared through the bars to Sara’s father. “So what is this?” he said, looking from the sheriff to Andy.

  “Sara wants to see you and is waiting, but I wanted to talk to you first.”

  “Not sure that’s a good idea. I have nothing to say,” he said. He was about to move back in the cell and resume his position to wait for…what? To be arraigned, to get his phone call. Maybe he’d luck out and get to meet his public defender before he went to arraignment and stood before the judge. He didn’t think so, though.

  “Well, then listen to me, because I have something to say. You saved my daughter, and you know for that you have my gratitude.”

  He just stared at Andy, wondering what this was. He said nothing.

  “Why did you not tell us you knew who attacked Sara?” Andy said. “Why keep it a secret? If I’m not mistaken, it was your description with the sketch artist that helped the sheriff identify Carter, so I’m at a loss as to why you’d keep him a secret. Were you hoping we wouldn’t catch him?”

  He shouldn’t talk. He shouldn’t say anything. “You see where I am right now?” he said. “That’s what came out of you arresting him. But yeah, I wasn’t sure at first that it was him when I pulled him off Sara.”

  “But you suspected? And, what, he bought drugs from you and you didn’t want to go down for it, so you didn’t say anything? So that’s what you were doing there on campus. You were at the party, brought the drugs.”

  He just stared at Andy, seeing how easy it was for him to believe it. “I don’t sell drugs,” he said. “I’ve never sold drugs, and that wasn’t what I was doing on campus. I certainly wasn’t at no party.”

  He knew the sheriff didn’t believe him, but he didn’t know what to make of Andy’s expression. Was it disbelief or what?

  “You weren’t at the party,” Andy said.

  He shook his head.

  “So then what were you doing on campus, and why would this guy toss out your name the way he did?”

  Devon wasn’t sure why the sheriff was allowing Andy to ask all these questions. He could see his life disappearing before him. Anton had been right about so many things.

  “I was selling papers, delivering to a guy on campus,” he finally said. He glanced to the side, wondering if any of the other guys in the cell were listening.

  “Papers? I don’t understand,” the sheriff says.

  “Theses, essays, midterms…whatever is ordered for whoever can afford it. If they’re failing a grade, they buy a paper from me. I deliver it, they pay me, and that’s it. There are no drugs—and the fact that you took the word of a white rapist who would’ve killed Sara, well, that doesn’t say very much for the law around here. But then, I guess your priority is to nail another black guy on a trumped-up charge.” He knew he should stop talking, but he was too pissed at himself for doing what Anton had talked him into. Right now, he was the one behind bars, and he didn’t know how he was going to get out of this mess.

  He heard the click of the lock, and the sheriff slid the cell door open. “Come on,” he said.

  Devon stepped out of the jail cell and took in Andy. He waited to be cuffed, but the sheriff just took his arm after locking the cell back up and led him down the hall to a room, where he opened the door.

  Inside was Sara. It was a concrete room with a table and four chairs, and he took in the way her eyes latched on to him and then over to her dad and the sheriff. He wanted to say he was sorry, but at the same time, he couldn’t say anything at all.

  “We’ll give you two a minute,” the sheriff said, and he stepped out with Andy, leaving just Devon and Sara alone in a concrete box. He didn’t sit down, and he could see the way her gaze followed him as he moved around the room.

  “You didn’t bring the pills to the party,” she stated, and he wasn’t sure if he’d heard her right.

  “No, I don’t do pills, drugs, or anything. Never sold them, never will, but how would you know that?”

  She only nodded. “I didn’t see you at the party. Devon, I would have noticed you. Besides, it just doesn’t fit. Do you know Carter’s lawyer tossed your name out because he wants to make a deal? No attempted rape, just a slap on the wrist, a simple assault charge with no time and no sex offender registry. All he had to do was toss out your name. Funny how that happened. Why didn’t you tell me you knew who attacked me?”

  He just shook his head. What could he say? He was here now in jail, but he’d never thought Carter would lie. He thought he’d sell him out about the papers, something that would ensure he never made it back into college. Now, with a felony conviction and hard time on the horizon, he could honestly say this was way worse.

  “What would you have said if I told you he was someone I thought I knew?” Devon said.

  “If it wasn’t for you working with a sketch artist, he wouldn’t have been caught.”

  He paced the room, taking in the concrete. “What do you want me to say, Sara? I couldn’t not help. When I met you…no, I had to help identify him, but I couldn’t say who I thought he was. I knew he would make a deal to save himself, but I never saw this coming.”

  She only nodded. “What is it you did?”

  He pulled in a breath. “I sell papers. I sold Carter one, and he never paid. I remember him now—science, a final chem paper that got him a passing grade. He didn’t pay, ripped me off.”

  She made a face. “So the night I was attacked…”

  “I was delivering another paper, but then I heard you.”

  “So that’s the other odd jobs?”

  He just stared at her, then nodded. “Pays the bills. I was saving up to get back into college, but it’s a moot point now.”

  Then the door opened, and he spotted the sheriff and a woman he didn’t recognize: white shirt, blue jeans, carrying a briefcase. She had short dark hair and glasses.

  “Your lawyer’s here, Devon,” the sheriff said, and he took in the woman, who rested a briefcase on the table.

  “I didn’t call a lawyer,” he said.

  The woman glanced over to Sara and then the sheriff. “Andy Friessen retained me. I understand you got yourself into some trouble, Mr. Reed. Sheriff, I’m going to have to ask you and the lady to leave so I can talk to my client.”

  Sara walked over to him, touched his hand, and then left with the sheriff.

  “A real lawyer?” he said. He wondered if this was a ploy, but she just jabbed her hand to the chair opposite her.

  “Sit down, Devon. It seems we have a lot to sort through. Namely, that kid’s lawyer is trying to make a deal to save his client’s skin.”

  “Andy Friessen hired you?” he said. He still couldn’t believe it.

  She nodded.

  “Why?”

  “Because he believes you, Devon. You were selling papers, which is only a minor misconduct at the institution. It’s not illegal. The student buying your paper, putting their name on it, and submitting it as their work is in the wrong. You, though…”

  “You mean I’ve shot myself in the foot in terms of ever getting back into college?” he said.

  She shook her head. “Not necessarily, but they’ll require you to provide the names of all the students you sold papers to. Right now, though, that’s the least of your problems, because Carter Jac
kson is accusing you of something far worse, selling prescription meds.”

  “And the cops believe him,” he said, but he noted the smile that touched her lips.

  “Not for long.”

  Chapter 17

  “I’m on my way home. I see you left a dozen messages already,” Devon said as he picked up his ringing cell phone from the cop who was returning all his personal effects to him. Anton’s name flashed on the screen.

  “They arrested Carter,” he said. “They found him. I was trying to give you the heads-up.”

  “I know.” Devon cut his brother off, hearing him freak out. He couldn’t believe he was walking out of the sheriff’s office free, all charges dropped. His head was still spinning at the fact that Andy Friessen’s lawyer had gotten him out and that the girl who’d bought the pills had come forward and told the sheriff who’d really sold them: Carter. He should’ve known.

  “It’s fine,” Devon said. “Everything’s cool. He’s in jail and charged. You got nothing to worry about.”

  The cop looked at him and pointed to where he needed to sign.

  “He’s going to talk,” Anton said. “My name coming up…”

  “It won’t, Anton. It was mine he threw out, and it’s settled. Nothing’s coming back on you. Seriously, don’t worry.” He could hear the way his brother was breathing heavy.

  “You sure?”

  “Yeah, positive. Listen, I’ll see you soon.”

  His lawyer knew the truth, which was that he and Anton had both been writing papers to sell, and her advice was for them to stop. He intended to do just that. He’d sit Anton down and convince him. He was smart, but Anton was brilliant. If anything, he’d find a way to get him into school, into a field where he could use that brilliance for something better.

  “Fine, but pick up burgers on your way home,” Anton said, then hung up.

  Devon walked to the front door, knowing that his car was still at the taco joint, but at least he was out of jail. Andy Friessen was standing there, waiting. He said nothing as he approached.

  “So I guess I need to thank you,” Devon said. “Why did you help me?”

  Andy didn’t pull his hands from his pockets and didn’t pull his gaze from Devon. “Because you didn’t do it,” he replied, and he said nothing else.

  “Well, I appreciate it. How did you find out it was Carter who sold the pills?” He still couldn’t believe Carter had been able to point the finger at him that easily.

  “My daughter has a way with people. She contacted the girl who bought the pills, Anne, and helped her see that it was in her best interest to tell the truth about who sold them. Carter will go down for the drugs, the attempted rape, and the attempted murder. He’s taking a plea now, so no trial. This is over,” Andy said.

  Devon was at a loss for words, and maybe Andy had some idea.

  “Word of advice, Devon?”

  He didn’t say anything. He couldn’t believe it could be over just like that.

  “Get yourself back in school,” Andy said. “You’re brilliant, and you have a great future. Stop selling papers. I paid for your next year’s tuition.” He lifted his hand, likely because Devon was already shaking his head.

  “That’s not necessary,” Devon said. “I can pay my way. I’ll get the cash…”

  Andy stepped forward and rested his hand on his shoulder. “I know you will, but it is necessary, and it’s done. So just say thank you.”

  He forced himself to hold out his hand. “Thank you,” he said.

  Andy took his hand and shook it, then rested his hand on his shoulder again. “My daughter is outside waiting for you—but listen to me, Devon. Don’t mess with her, or you mess with me.” He allowed his gaze to linger on him, the meaning clear.

  “I wouldn’t, sir. I mean, she’s someone truly special.”

  Andy smiled and went to step past him. “She is.”

  He watched as Andy walked away down the hall, and he pushed open the front doors, which he’d been walked through not long ago in handcuffs. He took in the darkened sky, and there was Sara, standing on the steps with her mother. Laura said something to her and then walked over to a pickup.

  “I can’t believe what your dad did, what you did,” Devon said, taking in Sara’s beauty, her face, despite the marks.

  “Why, Devon? You didn’t do it. The truth is out,” she said, then pulled her arms over her chest before reaching over and touching his hand. “You took me out, remember? It kind of went sideways, so how about a do-over?”

  He allowed her hand to linger a second and then linked her fingers with his. “Sara Friessen, you surprise me, and not many people do. Yeah, a do-over it is. Dinner, a movie, or…?”

  She fell in beside him, hand in hand as they strode down the steps. “How about a movie? The drama that went with dinner is something I’d like to pass on.”

  He couldn’t help but laugh. She really was amazing, bright, beautiful, and she had a sense of humor. “You really are a catch, Sara.”

  She leaned her head against him. “I know. So how about a ride to your car?”

  He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips. “Yeah, that would be just about perfect.”

  Please Leave a Review

  I hope you enjoyed reading about Andy & Laura’s youngest daughter Sara Friessen in Stay Away From My Daughter. There will be more to come with Sara and Devon, along with a FREE short that will be available. As always FREE bonus content and stories will continue to be made available to all you wonderful fans who continue to purchase my books. If it wasn’t for all of you I wouldn’t be able to continue to do what I love.

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  Reviews Reviews Reviews. With the changing marketplace and the need to stay front and center with retailers in a market that has become saturated, reviews are more important than ever. So if you could take a few minutes and write a quick review, even just a few kind words I would really really appreciate it. Just click here to your retailer of choice and leave a review.

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  My books have all been edited and proofed, but editors, proofreaders, and I are all human. And things do happen even this year many of us authors experienced a hiccup with one of the retailers in March who had an internal hiccup and published the placeholders which are used for pre-orders. It was what was sent out to a number of fans. Yes it was rectified, but if this ever happens and you’ve received the wrong file or something doesn’t look right, seriously, send me an email, at lorhainneeckhart.le@gmail.com I will respond right away and see to it you receive the right file. And, if you spot a typo, or something that doesn’t look right please email me at lorhainneeckhart.le@gmail.com and let me know. Also, I would like to thank everyone who has emailed and told all their family and friends about my books. If you’d like to know more about my other books, please scroll to the next section or visit my website at www.LorhainneEckhart.com.

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  All the best,

  Lorhainne Eckhart

  What’s coming next in The Friessens

  June 30

  New Release

  The Bad Boy

  * * *

  As the youngest brother, Mark Friessen refuses to answer to anyone. He’s been called a restless bad boy because responsibility for his father’s ranch has never rested on his shoulders, even though he loves everything about the life of a cowboy. Working with the horses and the land, being in charge, and doing all the hard work on the ranch has always settled his restless nature—that is, until a rodeo queen broke his heart by running off with his best friend after two-timing him for six long months.

  * * *

  The funny thing about broken hearts is that they make people do things they wouldn’t do if they were thinking clearly, as his mother so succinctly advised him during his ensuing dating spree. This is likely why Mark has now signed up to be a deputy in the next county over, with a badge, a gun, and the kind of power he thought he wanted.

  * * *

  When he pulls young mousy librarian
Daria McKenzie over for speeding, she is speechless and furious when she realizes he doesn’t remember who she is. This bad boy has left a trail of broken hearts in his wake—including hers.

  * * *

  Click here to pre-order your copy available from all retailers.

  Other Works Available

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  Join the five McCabe siblings on their journeys to the dark and dangerous side of love! An intense, exhilarating collection of romantic thrillers you won’t want to miss.

  — “Eckhart has a new series that is definitely worth the read. The queen of the family saga started this series with a spin off of her wildly successful Friessen series.” From a Readers’ Favorite award—winning author and “queen of the family saga” (Aherman)

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  Fifteen years ago, Vic McCabe was headed down a one-way road to destruction with the love of his life. But then the unthinkable happened, a mistake that changed their lives forever.

  Successful billionaire contractor Vic McCabe is a man every woman wants, but he gives his heart to no one. However, one day a reporter shows up, asking questions about a past he’s buried, a mistake he made fifteen years ago that could destroy his future and that of the woman he’s tried to forget.