by Kelly Moore
He closes the gap between us. “Did you do something else to your honey pot?” he whispers.
“No, but I’m awful happy you like it.”
“Like is not a strong enough word,” he groans.
“It’s about Daddy.”
He looks at his crotch. “Well, that got rid of my hard-on.”
“Noah, the guy that showed up here yesterday? Ellie says he’s Daddy’s son.”
“What? No fucking way. He would never cheat on your momma.”
“I said the same thing, but there was always some deep, dark, unspoken words between them. Momma indicated several times that Daddy was far from perfect and that he shouldn’t be judging any of his kids.”
“Stay out of it, Clem.” He narrows his gaze at me. “You know he doesn’t like anyone poking around in his business.”
“I already promised Ellie I’d leave it alone until he’s ready to talk about it. Then I’m gonna skin him.”
He kisses my forehead. “That’s the Calhoun coming out in you.”
Chapter Eight
Bear
“Did you have fun at the race today with Aunt Clem and Uncle Boone?” I hold open the door to the diner for her to go in first. I know my sister had invited Nita, but she’d already promised she’d work a shift.
“Moonshine won! He’s the fastest horse ever,” she squeals, then her face goes deadpan when she sees Nita behind the counter. “What’s she doing here?”
“She’s working at the restaurant along with a few days a week at Grandpa’s house.” I point to a booth for her to sit.
“This used to be my favorite place to eat,” she mumbles.
I scoot in the booth, placing my hat on the bench next to me. “I told you about being rude.”
“You said I couldn’t be rude to her, not behind her back.” She folds her hands on the table.
“Then I think we need to go over it again. Nita is not leaving, no matter how much you try to run her off. I won’t let her.”
“I don’t know why you believe her.”
“Because things are different this time. She’s not in any trouble, and she came back of her own free will.”
She rolls her eyes when Nita makes it to take our order. “I didn’t know the two of you were coming in for dinner,” she says sweetly, leaning down and kissing me quickly.
“Neither did I,” Missy says, with a fake grin.
I nudge her under the table.
“I remember how much you love the macaroni and cheese. We just pulled a batch out of the oven.”
“I’ll have a cheeseburger and fries, thank you.” She sounds like a petulant teenager.
I give her my evilest of glares. “You don’t like cheeseburgers unless they are off the grill.”
“I do today.” She purses her lips.
“Fine. Bring her what she wants, but she ain’t leaving this table until every bite is gone.”
“It’s okay.” Nita’s lip quivers.
“No, it’s not. I realize my little protagonist is a wee bit upset with you, but she is not allowed to be ugly.” My daggers are back. “I’ll have whatever the special is on the board.”
“Iced tea and a lemonade?”
Missy opens her mouth to say something but thinks better of it. Instead, she nods.
“Yes, please. Can you take a break and eat with us?”
She looks at Missy then back at me. “If Missy is okay with it, I’d love to.”
Missy blows out an exaggerated breath. “Fine. You can sit on Daddy’s side.”
Nita smiles and heads into the kitchen.
“I know this is hard for you. Please, for me, give her a chance.”
“Why?”
“Because I love her, and I want us to be a family. You wanted that too if I recall.”
“I don’t want another momma who’s going to leave me.” Her round, dark eyes fill with tears.
There it is, the truth of the matter. I get up and slide in next to her. “I don’t want that for you either. Nita ain’t like your mommy. What happened with her leaving was my fault. We had no business together, but I wouldn’t change a thing because she gave me the most precious gift.”
“What was that?”
“You, silly.” I kiss the top of her head. “I’m sorry her leaving hurt you, but sticking around would’ve caused you a lifetime of heartache.” I hand her a napkin to wipe her tears. “Now, I done told you, Nita won’t stay at the house until we’re ready, but you have to promise to give her a chance.”
“Alright.” She sighs. “I promise.”
“That’s my sweet girl.”
“Will you sit beside me while we eat?” she sniffs.
“Absolutely.”
Ian and Noah walk into the diner together, and shortly after, Watkins joins them. They sit at the very back, and I can only hear about every other word they’re saying.
Nita serves us our plates and places a cup of coffee down on her side when she sits.
“You ain’t eating?”
“I grabbed a late lunch. I’ll get something to take home with me.”
Missy spins her plate twice, scrunching up her nose. “I’m not hungry, either.”
“You ordered, you’ll eat it,” I say firmly.
She snatches the ketchup, squeezing out half the bottle on her fries.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t make the race today. Do you think I could watch you ride Moonshine tomorrow?” Nita is trying so hard with her.
“Suit yourself,” Missy says, popping food in her mouth.
“Your daddy has told me how good you are at riding.” Nita sips her coffee.
“Uncle Boone and Aunt Clem have been teaching me. Uncle Boone says when I’m eighteen, he’ll buy me a horse, and I’m gonna ride him in the Kentucky Derby when he’s old enough.”
“I bet you’ll win.”
Missy looks up and gives Nita a genuine smile. “You think so?”
“Sure I do. You’ve got lots of time to practice to become the best jockey.”
“If you two will excuse me, I need to use the little boys’ room.” I scoot out of the booth, heading for the back. I stop at the table the men are sitting at. “Good evening,” I say.
“Hi, Bear. Have you met Noah? I’ve hired him to supervise one of my projects.” Ian sits up tall.
Ian and I used to be good friends until the mess with Ellie. “I have.” I stick out my hand. Noah doesn’t move to shake it.
“We got a problem, boys?” Watkins closes a ledger in front of him.
I bite my tongue. “Not on my part.”
Noah slowly reaches out, shaking my hand.
“I’ve been meaning to call you. What do you say we go have a drink one night after work?” Ian asks.
“You still have my number?”
“Yes.”
“Call me, and we’ll set up a time.” I walk around the corner to the restroom, out of sight but not earshot.
“I have men who will get me what I need from the adjacent properties. You do your job, and let me worry about the water.”
“I’ve been friends with the Calhouns for years. I don’t want any trouble. They’re good people, and this community will support them when push comes to shove,” Ian says.
“The Calhoun reign over this town needs to end. Salt Lick needs progression, and they’re holding back growth in this town.”
“Most of the people are ranchers, and they like well enough left alone.”
Watkins slams the ledger shut. “I can break our contract and find another man. I hired you after I researched your past with Chet’s oldest daughter. I was counting on you hating the Calhouns.”
“You’re wrong. I don’t hate them.”
“Are you saying we’re breaking our contract?”
I can almost hear Ian gnawing it over. “No.”
“Good, then you’ll do your job as you’re told.”
Ian excuses himself to the men’s room. I rush inside and wash my hands.
“What the
hell does Watkins have against your family?” Ian says softly as he makes sure the door closes behind him.
“We won’t sell him our land, and he dammed Whiskey River up last year because we won’t give him access to the water for his property. That and Wyatt beat him out in votes for mayor.”
“He’s not done causing your family trouble.”
“I need the names of the men he has in that ledger. Do you think you could get your hands on it?”
“He carries that thing close to him like it’s the holy grail.”
“He has to put it down sometime.”
“He probably sleeps with it under his pillow.”
“I’ll break into his house and get it.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Good or not, it’s all I got.”
“Meet me at the end of Whiskey River Road tonight. I’ll go with you,” he says in a low voice.
“Are you sure about this?”
“I didn’t come back here to be used by some guy with a fat wallet wanting revenge. Despite what your auburn-haired sister thinks.”
“Did you come back for Ellie?”
He runs his hand over his two-day stubble. “I can’t answer that.”
“Ellie’s tough, but she was a mess when you left. Just promise me you won’t hurt her again.”
He straightens his spine. “Hurt her? She did a number on me.”
The bathroom door opens, and a little old man walks inside.
“We’ll catch up tonight,” I say and head back to the table. I’m all smiles when I see Nita has moved to Missy’s side of the booth, and they are coloring a picture together.
“My break is over.” Nita stands.
“Would it be okay with you if Nita stayed with you for a couple of hours this evening? I have some work to do.”
“Why can’t I stay with Grandpa?”
“Because I’d like you in your own bed.”
She glances up at Nita. “Uncle Boone made a video of Moonshine’s race. Will you watch with me?”
“I’d love to.” Nita’s face lights up. Damn, she’s beautiful.
“It’s settled then. Order a sundae. I’ll be right back. I’m going to step outside and make a phone call, but I’m not taking my eyes off you.”
The door jingles as I open it. I stand outside the diner window so I can see Missy. The phone rings twice before Ellie picks it up.
“Hey, Bear,” she answers.
“I need you to get Watkins out of his house tonight. Can you manage that?”
“What are you up to?”
“Nothing that concerns you, yet.”
“Is it illegal?”
I don’t answer.
“Count me in.” She snorts. “It’s been far too long since I got in some mischief.”
“I’m not gonna let you get yourself in any trouble. A distraction is all I need. Have him out of his house by eight.”
“I’m sure it won’t be a problem. He likes parading me around on his arm.”
“Be careful. He ain’t dumb.” I hang up.
Nita’s shift is over by the time Missy has devoured her ice cream. I open the truck door for my ladies, and Nita climbs in the middle.
“Thanks for bringing me home.”
“There’s an old Mustang I’ve been rebuilding. If you give me another week or so to finish it, it’s yours.”
“That’s sweet, but you don’t have to do that.”
“I know I don’t. I want to.” I squeeze her thigh.
“You might just as well say thank you. He’s gonna win,” Missy says, laying her head against the window.
“Smart girl.” Nita laughs. “Thank you.”
I glance at my watch as we make it through the front door of my house. “Missy, go get cleaned up for bed.” For once, she doesn’t argue.
“Would you like a beer?” I offer Nita.
“I’d love one.”
She follows me into the kitchen. I take two out of the fridge, remove the caps, and set them on the counter. “Come here,” I say, and she walks into my arms.
“Thank you for trying so hard with Missy. I know she can be cantankerous.”
“It’s okay. I deserve her anger.”
I kiss her lips softly. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too.”
“How about tomorrow night, Missy has a sleepover at my dad’s house.”
“Are you inviting me to stay the night with you?”
“I’ll come to your place. That way, I can keep my promise to Missy.” I kiss her harder this time. “There is nothing more I want than to spend time with you right now, but I have to go.” I release her from my arms.
She walks me to the door. “If she gives you a hard time, I want to know about it.”
“I don’t think ratting her out would help my cause.” She laughs. “We’ll work things out. Don’t worry.” Her lips softly plant on mine.
“You keep kissing me like that, and I’ll never get out of here,” I groan.
“I’d be okay with you not leaving.” She licks her lips.
“As much as I want to stay, I can’t.” I playfully squeeze her ass. “I’ll see you in a couple of hours.” I open the door. “If by chance I don’t make it home tonight, take Missy to Clem’s in the morning.”
“Are you in some kind of trouble?”
“If things go as planned, no.”
“That’s not reassuring.” She frowns.
“Nothing for you to worry about.” I tweak her chin. “Give Missy a kiss good night for me.”
Ian is waiting for me in his dark truck at the end of Whiskey River Road. I pull up beside him, and he rolls his window down. He’s not alone.
“Why the hell did you bring him?” He glances over at Noah.
“We need the backup. Watkins’s place is big, and he has guard dogs.”
“Follow me. I know where we can park the trucks so they’ll be out of sight,” I say, then roll up my window. Pressing the button on my Bluetooth, I connect with Ellie. “Is he out of the house?”
“I don’t have time for your nonsense. I’m on a date with a handsome man.”
“Good. Keep him out of the house for as long as you can.” I hang up. We park our trucks in the woods about a block from Watkins’s house.
“We need to find out if he’s home before we go breaking and entering,” Ian says.
“He’s not home. Ellie is entertaining him.”
“What the fuck? Why did you get her involved?” Ian snarls.
“Because we needed him out of the house. Besides, Ellie knows how to handle him.”
“If he finds out about any of this, he’ll kill her.”
“You think he’s capable of murder?” Noah asks.
“If not him, his men.” I take out my flashlight, and it cuts through the darkness like a saber. A low hanging branch knocks off my cowboy hat. I pick it up and toss it in the back seat of my truck. I spot radios on the floorboard. “Here, keep them on low.” I toss each of them one.
“What’s the plan?” Ian asks.
“I want you to stay outside the property, keeping watch. We need to keep you clean from any of this. I don’t want you losing the contract with him. You may end up being our only way to keep ahead of him.”
Noah reaches in the back of Ian’s truck, pulling out a bag. “I’ll take care of the dogs.” He opens it, showing me a package of steaks.
“Good. Once we’re inside, we’ll find his office.”
“He may have a security team on the inside,” Ian adds.
“We’ll have to deal with it if he does.” The sky is dark, with thick clouds covering the moon. My flashlight is the only thing guiding our way. Ian was right; two dogs growl, standing behind the front gate. Noah distracts them with the meat while Ian bypasses the gate security code.
“Do I even want to know how you know to do that?”
“Most all gates like this are built the same, with an override code in them. If the pro
perty owner doesn’t change it, it’s factory set.” The gate slides open with ease.
“Radio me if you see anything.” I take off in a run toward the dark house. The only light on is the front porch light. I make my way around the back to the deck. Jimmying the door open, I quietly step inside, moving through the first floor. I open each room, then take the stairs to the second floor. The first door I come to is locked. Holding my flashlight under my chin, I pick the lock. “I found his office,” I whisper into the radio.
“All clear on this end,” Ian answers back.
I rifle through the desk drawer but don’t find anything other than files and blueprints of his projects. Shining the light around the office, a large print hangs on the wall. “Bingo.”
I take it down, revealing a safe. As I do, I hear a noise. Ducking behind the door, I turn off the flashlight, ready to use it as a weapon. It creaks open with a beam of light hitting the floor. “Bear, you in here?”
“Shit! I almost knocked you out,” I say as Noah clears the door. “You should’ve stayed outside.”
“I thought you might need help.”
I turn on my flashlight, shining the beam in the direction of the safe. “Unless you know how to open that thing, I don’t think so.”
He walks past me, spinning the dial. He presses his ear to the door of the safe. Within minutes, he has it open.
“Are you a bank robber?” I shine my light in his face.
“Let’s just say, I’ve seen my share of trouble.” He shields his eyes.
I reach inside, pulling out the ledger I saw Watkins with at the diner. Taking out my phone, I flip through the pages, capturing pictures of names. Placing it back inside, Noah shuts it, spinning the dial on the lock.
“Bear, you got trouble coming your way. I saw two men headed to the house from one of the cabins on the property,” Ian warns through the radio.
“If we’re caught, don’t make a move to save us. Get the hell out of here.” I place the print back on the wall, covering the safe. “Let’s go.” I motion Noah toward the door. We inch our way down the stairs, but as we hit the bottom landing, the lights come on, and guns are aimed at us.
“Hands in the air,” one of them barks.
We both do as we’re told.
“Pat them down. See what they stole.” The other guy lowers his gun and searches us.
