Deception in the Truth

by A. B. Medley

  I never told her that I was becoming an officer, much less that I was doing it to protect her and to try to help her find answers. I remember the night she said goodbye. She’d been avoiding my calls for weeks after her attack. Then she pulled up at my house, car loaded down, to say she was leaving.

  “No sense in dwelling on the past,” I tell myself. I give my room a onceover. “Camden Springs, Alabama, here I come.”

  I turn off all the lights and I get into my personal rig, a black Dodge diesel 2500, and pull out of my garage. I see my partner on the ranch and close friend, Tate Marks, and stop to tell him I’ll be gone for a few days.

  “Okay brother, you know I’ll be here. I’ll call if I need anything, but you know me, I can run this place in my sleep.” His confident words are punctuated with a wink and a theatrical yawn.

  “Thanks, Tate. I’ll be back soon.” He smiles and heads back toward the stables as I turn the wheel to head down the drive. Tate’s family to me; he grew up spending most his summers here. He’s the brother I always hoped I’d have.

  Darkness falls as I head toward the interstate. Ivie Davis is in for one hell of a surprise, and hopefully she can give me some answers as to why she left Greendale Valley in the first place, not to mention whatever’s going on now.

  I hit the interstate and think about how much I loved her. I’ve never felt that way about anyone else. There’s just something special about her. Sure, I date women. But I’ve never settled down, never gotten serious. There are a few who would like to, but it’s just not in my plans. I’m too involved in my cases, in my work. And then there’s the ranch. A fling here and there is about all I’ve ever had since Ivie left. No one’s ever made me feel the way she did. I doubt anyone ever will.

  My GPS says I should be there in a couple hours. So, Ivie left Tennessee, but didn’t go so far that she couldn’t easily come back home. I wonder what she’s been up to. The thought occurs to me she probably has a boyfriend. She’s way too beautiful not to. A prickle of jealousy surges through me, but I squash it. What I had with Ivie is ancient history, and this is strictly business. This case literally landed on my desk. I didn’t go looking for it— although I’d still do anything to keep her safe. Nevertheless, once this case is closed, and maybe helps find who attacked Dean, the past can be left there, in the past.

  I flip on my radio and set it to shuffle the playlist on my phone. As I continue down the interstate, the tires hum under me, and something floats to the surface in my mind I haven’t really allowed myself to think in a long time. We did love each other once. She never said it, but I think she did. I felt it. She had to know I did. Maybe she’ll forgive me for finding her. She was adamant she didn’t want to see me anymore. Then again, maybe she won’t forgive me. We’re about to find out. She left me with more questions than answers, that’s for sure. Maybe, just maybe, I can get some of those answered tonight.

  I unlock the door to my beautiful little house and slip inside, shouldering the door closed behind me. What a day! We were hopping at the Journal today, and I didn’t even stop for lunch, instead grazing on snacks I had stashed in my desk. My stomach gurgles at the memory. I glance at the clock over the stove; it’s after six. I drop my keys in the bowl and hang my jacket and purse on their hooks, leaving my laptop bag on the floor with my shoes. Padding barefoot through the kitchen, I pull out a wine glass and fill it half full with my favorite red.

  Drink in hand, I look first in the fridge and then the freezer for some dinner. There’s a single frozen vegetarian meal. Not what I’m in the mood for, but it’ll have to do. I pop it in the microwave and leave my wine on the counter while I head back to the bedroom, shedding clothes as I go. Just as I’m slipping into my robe, I hear my phone chirp. I hurry back to my purse where I left my phone and see a text from a blocked number. My interest piqued, I open the message.

  Daddy’s little princess, mama’s beauty queen, Ivie’s little secret will soon be seen.

  What in the heck is this? I feel a hot wave of fury come over me, followed by alarm.

  This asshole hasn’t surfaced in years. Why now? I thought that part of my life, that nightmare, was over. The microwave dings to let me know it’s done and I startle, completely thrown off by this turn of events. As I’m heading toward the kitchen, my doorbell rings, and I stumble over my own feet. Who in the world would be on my door step this evening? And immediately after that awful text?

  I tiptoe to the door and look through the peephole then drop back down flat on my feet and feel sick. I unlock and throw open the door, met with the darkest brown eyes I’ve ever seen—the same brown eyes that haunt my dreams.

  “Ivie Davis. I’ve got some questions for you, and this time you’re not running from me.” Big as life, Sterling Brigg strolls into my house.

  “I think I should start the questions. How did you find me, and what questions could you possibly have for me after all this time?” I angrily slam the door.

  “Oh, sweetheart, what questions don’t I have about you?” He walks into my living room and plops down on my couch, an angry smirk planted firmly on that sexy face of his.

  I walk into the living room and sit down across from Sterling. “What’s this about?” He hands me an envelope and inside I find pictures of me, with a letter of jumbled pieces of newspaper and magazine glued together to make a statement of some kind. I feel even sicker to my stomach as I thumb through the photos; I’m obviously being targeted in some way.

  Sterling looks at me with guarded eyes when I pull out the pictures of me in the hospital all those years ago. Absently, I put my hand over my flat belly. I feel tears as fresh as they were that day.

  “Where’d you get these?” I whisper.

  “Someone sent them to me. Anonymously. Someone who wanted to point out you’re hiding something, and so are your parents.” I blanch at the accusation. I’ve always had a feeling my parents weren’t telling me something. And as for me, I do have a deep, dark secret. Do I start with explaining that someone ran me out of town, that someone threatened me into staying away from him? Or the biggest of all…that I was pregnant with his child?

  “Brigg, I don’t have a clue what this maniac is peddling, so I don’t know what you want me to say.” Sterling looks at me, eyes snapping fire.

  “Ivie, I might believe you on the part of not knowing what secrets your parents have, but you darlin’, you have secrets; you’ve always been good at hiding things. You loved me one minute and shut me out the next, all those years ago. You call wanting to meet me and explain everything, then you’re almost killed and your tune changes. I’m not stupid, Ivie. I know something was up—something big—and you shut me out. What I don’t know is why. I would’ve protected you. I thought you knew that. You obviously didn’t have the same feelings as me, and that’s okay. I was a big boy— I could’ve handled the truth. You’d just found Dean after his attack, and you’d already decided you were breaking things off with him, but you didn’t know how. I was the rebound, or whatever you want to call it. I came to accept that you just needed me to get through Dean’s attack and then breaking up with him. I was the stepping stone to help at that time, but I’m more than capable of hearing the truth now. So let’s hear it, Ivie. The truth is what I came for, and I don’t intend to leave without it.”

  “How dare you come in my house and accuse me of knowing something I know nothing about, and then talk about something that you sure as hell know nothing about.” I get up and speed walk into the kitchen to hide the hot tears that threaten. Not now, and not ever in front of him.

  I truly have no clue what this person’s talking about—with my parents, anyway. No one but Dr. Boyd, and maybe some nurses, knew about the baby. And it will stay that way. I don’t need anyone, especially Sterling, feeling sorry for me.

  I feel, rather than see him approach the kitchen. He leans a hip on the counter and crosses his arms. “Look Ivie, I didn’t mean to barge in here and throw all that at you. I’m sorry. I guess that’s wha
t years of thinking and filling in the blanks yourself can do to a person.”

  He lets out a sigh. “I honestly thought you were happy and safe until that landed on my desk earlier today, and once I saw it, a million thoughts ran through my head. I just don’t want anyone threatening you or your family. You were my first love, Ivie. Just because it didn’t happen for us doesn’t mean I don’t still care about you. So please, let down the brick walls I can see you’ve saved for me, and let me help stop whoever this creep is.”

  I turn to look at him. I know he means what he’s saying; the raw emotions are all over his face. I almost feel dizzy being this close to him and bringing up the past— all that could’ve and should’ve been. I lean against the other counter to steady myself.

  “Why would someone send this to you anyway?”

  Sterling rubs the stubble along his jaw. “I don’t know. I mean, I’m a detective with the GVPD now. But regardless of my occupation, whoever sent this wants me involved. Dean’s case was never solved—also never closed—and neither was yours. This could have something to do with that. You were his girlfriend, and I was his best friend. That could be one connection.”

  “Wait…back up. You’re a cop now? What happened to taking over your family ranch?” I look at him, blinking against this stunning revelation.

  He looks at me like I should already know this tidbit of information, but I don’t. When I come home for visits, I don’t stay long and I don’t ask questions. He just nods his answer.

  I blow out a breath and continue the conversation we were having before being shocked by the announcement of his profession.

  “Say you’re right…but why now? What could this person hope to accomplish by stirring up something with me and my family? I don’t think this is because of Dean; it could be related but not the cause.”

  I can feel my stomach start to gurgle again, reminding me that my microwave dinner is going untouched and probably getting cold. “What do you say since you drove all this way, I take you to get some decent food? I haven’t been home much lately because of work, and I just put the last frozen dinner in my microwave. Maybe we can put our heads together over dinner and see what we come up with.”

  He gives me that sexy smirk I fell in love with, and my hunger turns to butterflies. “I guess that’s okay. Are you going like that?” I suddenly notice his gaze dragging up my body and stopping a little longer than it should at my chest. I look down, realizing I’m still in my robe and it’s open ever so slightly, just enough to show some cleavage.

  Oh, crap. I feel heat wash up my chest and neck, all the way to my face. “Um no, of course I’m not going like this. You caught me trying to unwind after a stressful day. I’ll be right back, let me change.” He chuckles at me as I storm passed him toward my bedroom and snap, “You’re such a jerk.” His deep laughter follows me all the way to my room.

  Shutting my door firmly, I lean against it for just a moment, my eyes closed tight. What’s happening? Who is this crazy person, and what do they want? They made me lose my baby— Sterling’s baby—and made me leave him behind, as well, only to lure him back into my life now. I don’t understand any of it.

  I can’t let Sterling know how he still affects me. I knew I never really got over him, but seeing him, being this close to him and hearing his voice after all these years… I walk to the mirror and see my worried, but excited eyes staring back. “Girl, you’ve got it bad, get it together,” I mutter.

  I find my favorite jeans and pull a long-sleeved shirt over my head and find my boots. Then I snap my hair back in a ponytail and add a little lip gloss. That’ll have to do.

  As Ivie’s changing clothes, I realize just how much I’m still affected by her. I came here hell bent on getting the truth out of her, but now all want is to get to know her again and pick up where we left off. Time’s been good to her—she’s still as gorgeous as ever. Same quick wit and tongue, but that’s one of the things I loved about her in the first place.

  I need to rein it in, though, because not only is she in some kind of danger, but I’m also not going to fall right back into her beautiful trap. I was too open too fast when we had our fling—if that’s what you want to call it. No, Brigg, just stick to business. Get down to whatever and whoever is causing this danger, because then, and only then, can I even entertain the idea of being in Ivie Davis’s life as more than a fly by night. If I’m smart, I’ll head back to Greendale Valley and forget Ivie. I’m sure not in the market for another broken heart.

  “Okay, Brigg, I’m ready. Let’s hit the road.” She comes out of her bedroom door in tight jeans, and I feel my crotch twitch.

  “Ivie Colette Davis, you look gorgeous, but you always did.” I wink at her as I say it, tempering my compliment with a playful grin. She blushes a little under my stare but smiles. That blush reminds me of another place on another night. For a moment, my thoughts rewind to lying on top of her, hearing the storm playing around us outside as I saw her beautiful bare body for the first time. That’s the prettiest blush I’ve ever seen.

  Her cell phone dinged, bringing me back to the here and now. Snap out of it, Brigg. No time for fantasies. She grabs her purse and keys and then her phone. She looks at it, and I notice her face pale a bit.

  “Everything okay?” She quickly clears the screen and pockets her phone.

  “Yeah, it’s fine, just deadlines at work. We’re really booming. Just because I’m off work doesn’t mean it ends. Always a story to tell. But I’m going to say you can relate, with you being a cop and all now, Mr. I’m taking over my grandpa’s ranch, it’s in my blood.”

  Damn, this woman has my number. “For your information, Ms. Davis, I’ve taken over my grandpa’s ranch. I just decided I wanted to do more with my life. I have a partner who’s the foreman. He helps me run the ranch while I’m on duty. I like to come home to the ranch and work with the livestock to unwind, as you call it, after a stressful day.”

  She reaches the front door, and we step onto the porch. She locks the door and comes almost nose to nose with me as I take a step down. “Well, cowboy, I’m impressed.” She knows what she’s doing to me; I know she does. I want to pull her into my arms and kiss her so hard she’ll be dizzy. I step aside just as thunder rumbles in the distance.

  “We taking my truck or your Jeep? I assume the one I’m parked behind is yours since I saw it in the pictures.”

  Her brow dips at the mention of the pictures in the envelope. “Yes, the Jeep’s mine. I’ll drive since you drove two hours already to get here.”

  The Bluegill’s neon lights come into view. “You want catfish, huh?” He chuckles. That sexy laugh is going to be my undoing. I signal to turn into the Bluegill.

  “Why yes, yes I do. If you must know, I’m also craving their chicken livers.” He looks at me in the darkness of the Jeep, the only illumination from the dash lights. “I admit you’re full of surprises, Ms. Davis.”

  I roll my eyes. “I’ll advise you, Detective, to not call me Ms. Davis again. That’s my mother. I’m just Ivie.”

  I park and, to my surprise, he hops out and opens my door, offering me his arm. I reluctantly take it. I instantly feel warmer inside, as if his body is conducting heat straight to my core. “I guess chivalry isn’t dead after all.”

  I hit lock on my key fob for the Jeep as we stroll up to the front doors. He holds open the door for me and we’re hit with warm air and the smell of fried food. We are barely in our seats before an older woman in a server apron bustles over to take our drink order.

  “What’ll it be for you, sweetheart?” she asks me. “I’ll have sweet tea with lemon, please.” She then turns her attention to Sterling. “And what’ll you be having, sugar?” He replies, “I’ll have the same.” The older waitress excuses herself to get the drinks, promising to return quickly to take our order. I watch idly as she walks off, stopping to check on her tables on her way to get our drinks.

  “So, tell me what you’ve been up to all this time, Ivie.”
>
  I look at him carefully, trying to choose my words wisely. “Oh, you know, finished high school early, started college right after that, and pretty much got a job right out of college. I got lucky. To be honest, I work a lot. I don’t have time for much else.” I do socialize, but not that much. Any guy that I’ve dated isn’t him. Certainly no one to write home about. And to be perfectly honest, I don’t have close friends here, either. I rarely see Lucy anymore. She still lives in Greendale and has her own life. We talk occasionally on the phone and text some.

  “What about you, Sterling? What have you been doing?” The waitress arrives with our drinks and we pause our conversation to place our order.

  Once she leaves, he answers. “Finished high school, continued ranching, and took night classes as I went to the police academy, because I wanted to do more. I became pretty good friends with Grayson Trudeau—he was the detective that was assigned to Dean’s case—and he talked me into joining the force. After the academy, I worked patrol for a few years, then I was promoted to detective. Not a lot of time for much else, with my job and the ranch.”

  He sips on his tea and says, “Excuse me, I need to run to the restroom.” He winks and strolls to the back of the restaurant

  I pull my phone out once he’s gone, checking the text I got before we left.

  Blocked number: Sterling needs to know, was it a girl or was it a boy?

  Chills run down my spine. Someone knows. But how? And why would they care

  Golden girl Ivie. I let you live a normal life for a few years. You left town, and I thought maybe for a while, that would be enough. But you didn’t really stay gone. You’re coming home for Daddy’s retirement.

  Now it’s time to finish what I started. You’ll pay for being the chosen one, Ivie Davis. Daddy’s pride and joy. I’ll take everything from you.