“Who are you?” Holt asked.
“I could ask you the same question, pal.”
Aurora moved to Holt’s side. She noticed Archie wore a vest, and a nametag. He obviously worked here. How had they managed to find the one store in town where a friend of Stan’s worked? If she wasn’t careful she was going to vomit.
“Let’s go,” she said to Holt. She went behind him and grabbed the cart, which she wheeled in the opposite direction. Archie called out for her to stop.
“Leave her alone,” Holt said.
“Do you always defend murderers?” Archie asked.
Aurora abandoned the cart and moved to put her hand on Holt’s arm. “Please, Holt.”
Archie glared at her, then he took his phone out of his pocket and pressed a few buttons. Before she knew it Archie pointed it in her direction and there was a flash.
“Smile for the birdie, you murdering bitch.”
Just as quickly as Archie had taken the photo, Holt grabbed the phone, threw it on the ground and stepped on it.
“Hey asshole!” Archie leaned down to pick up his phone, and Holt stepped on his hand. “You motherfucker!”
“Watch your mouth,” Holt said, his voice deep. “There are children around.”
Aurora bit back a laugh. Archie had never been one of her favorite people, and she loved watching him be humiliated. But she knew what seeing him here meant. Stan would soon find out she’d been here, and he’d come looking for her.
“Please, Holt, he’s not worth it,” she said. For a moment, she thought Holt was going to argue with her. Instead, he nodded. They both turned to the cart and started down the aisle.
“You’re in for it, Aurora,” Archie yelled after them. “You can’t murder someone and get away with it. And you, cowboy, you owe me a phone! Watch your back or you’ll end up six feet under.”
It was so early in the morning, before six, that there weren’t that many people around. But there had been a few who had gathered to watch the confrontation. Aurora and Holt continued down the aisle, and when they were at the end they turned.
“Do we need anything else?” Holt asked.
Aurora went to the cart and counted the stuffed animals. “We have four here, so that’s enough unless you want to have extras on hand.”
“Maybe a few,” Holt said. He walked to the aisle and looked back. She figured he was seeing if Archie was gone.
“Pick out about five more, then meet me at the registers,” he said. He pulled his phone from his pocket and started to walk off. When he was a few feet away he turned to her. “If he comes back holler. Immediately.” She could tell he was angry. She was surprised he’d destroyed Archie’s phone. It showed an anger inside him that frightened her, even if she had laughed at his actions.
She picked out the animals, and was just about to leave the aisle when Archie showed up, a broom and dustpan in his hands. He glared at her and said, “Stan’s going to kill you, you know that? He’ll find you, so you might just as well tell me where you’re living and make it easier on yourself.” When she didn’t answer, he said, “You’ll be looking over your shoulder until you die.” Then he laughed. He hit her cart with his broom when he went by, and then bent to clean up the mess made by the phone.
Aurora pushed the cart as fast as she could toward the front of the store. She hadn’t yelled for Holt, but she didn’t think Archie would hurt her. He wanted to give Stan that honor. Her heart raced and her hands were sweaty. She saw Holt standing at the front of the store, with Kyle next to him. There was a store employee standing near them, and Holt was handing him cash.
When they drew near, Kyle took the cart and said, “Let’s check out.”
Holt ignored her and continued talking to the clerk. As she passed by she saw a nametag that named Billy as the assistant manager. Instead of staying to try and overhear she followed Kyle to the register. He was filling out a slip of paper, then the clerk started ringing them up.
“We’ll go eat and then do our duty,” Kyle said as they started toward the exit where Holt waited.
He did not look happy.
The ride back to Bookman Springs was quiet, or had been for the last forty minutes. Becky, their new client, and her children were with Kyle. The animals were in the backseat of Holt’s truck. Aurora wondered what the conversation was like in their truck. The silence was oppressive in the one she rode in.
Finally Aurora said, “What were you doing with the manager?”
“Paying for the clerk’s phone,” Holt said. “I let my temper get the best of me, and that is not acceptable.”
He sounded angry, and she figured it was at himself, not her.
“Who was he?”
The question hung in the air for a few moments until she cleared her throat and said, “Stan’s friend.”
“This is not the time for one- or two-word answers.” He took a drink from the cup that sat in the holder. “So let me rephrase the question. Who was that man, and how do you know him?”
“Archie is Stan’s best friend,” she said, her voice shaking. “Stan is Ben’s brother, if you remember.”
“I do,” he said. His tone was not as dark, and she knew he wanted her to continue.
“Stan, of course, thinks I got off easy for Ben’s murder. He always said a man had the right to hit his wife, and I got nothing that I didn’t deserve.”
“Charming,” Holt said.
Should she tell him what Archie had said when he’d come back, about Stan finding her and killing her? There was a part of her that said yes, she should, but the other part of her took over, and she kept her mouth shut. After all, she hadn’t called for help as he’d directed, and that would get her in trouble. There was no way Archie would find her in Bookman Springs. She just had to remember not to go to that particular store when they were in Amarillo.
“When we get to the ranch I want you and Kyle to drive the trucks down to the cabins while I start the paperwork.” They were nearing Bookman Springs now. “Let her make a grocery list and you can go to town, or you can take her with you if she wants to go.”
Aurora wondered if Becky would want to go. Both of her eyes were black, and there were bruises on her face and body. Aurora had been in her position before, and she’d always wanted to hide when she was bruised, although she’d never had both of her eyes blackened at once.
“I will,” she said. “I’m sorry about Archie.”
“Don’t ever apologize for anyone else’s behavior,” he said. Before she could say anything else he said, “If you say, ‘he would never have done it if I hadn’t shot my husband’, I will punish you.”
“How?”
“Standing in the corner in my office sounds good,” he said. He stopped at the fence and hit the button so the gate slid open. When they were inside he pulled over. Kyle passed him and Holt closed the gate.
“Why do you keep the gate closed?” she asked, choosing to ignore the idea of standing in the office corner.
“We don’t want uninvited guests,” he said. “If abusive husbands think their wives are here they might come to visit without calling first.”
He drove to the house where Kyle stood at the front of the truck, talking with Hawk. Hawk waved to them as they pulled up.
“Heard you had some excitement,” Hawk said.
Aurora’s face heated, and she looked away from the three brothers.
“I took care of it,” Holt said.
“So I heard,” Hawk said. “How much did that cost us?”
Holt didn’t answer. Instead he turned to her and said, “You should get going so you can get Becky and her kids set up. Cabin Three has the most beds.”
“Will do.” Aurora got behind the wheel, then fell behind Kyle as he drove toward the cabins. There was a lot to do now, and she intended to do it perfectly.
“So you lost your temper,” Hawk said.
Holt sat behind his desk, and his brother, once again, had his boots propped up on the desk.
�
��Like a school kid in a playground fight,” Holt said. “He called her a fucking murdering bitch and I lost it.”
“And it cost us a thousand dollars,’ Hawk said.
“Cost me,” Holt said. “I took it out of my own pocket.”
“Well that’s good to hear,” Hawk said. “So this guy is a friend of her husband’s brother? I understand being upset because someone died, but she’s been on trial and served her sentence. Is this the first time she’s run into someone from her past?”
“I have no clue.” Holt started to peck at the keys on his computer. He had paperwork that needed to be done as soon as possible. He did have a few days, but doing it would take his mind off the fact he’d lost his temper.
“Can I give you my opinion?” Hawk asked.
“Are you going to give me a choice?” Holt slammed his pinkie down on the return key. “Ouch. Damn it.”
“You’re in love with her,” Hawk said.
“I just met her,” Holt said.
“Maybe you’re not,” Hawk said. “Maybe she just reminds you of Mary.”
Holt slammed his fingers down on the keyboard. If he wasn’t careful he would end up buying a new keyboard for himself. He needed to get control of his emotions.
“What exactly are you saying?”
“You know exactly what I’m saying.” Hawk put his boots on the ground and leaned forward. “I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, I’m just saying you’re trying to rush into this, and it could be because she brings back memories. You didn’t protect Mary. You want to protect Aurora.”
“I hate you,” Holt said.
“You were in love with Mary. She was not in love with you. She married an abuser and when she left him she didn’t come here.”
“Shut up.” Holt picked up a pen and pointed it at Hawk. “Get out. I have things to do.”
“I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m not.” Hawk stood up. “It’s been eleven years since Mary moved. I love you, but you’ve thrown over every woman you’ve dated since then. You take it slow, you say they don’t want to be your Little, then you go your separate ways. This time you’ve thrown yourself into it like you’re a bull and she waved a red flag at you.”
“I hate you,” Holt repeated.
“You hate me because I’m telling you the truth,” Hawk said. He started for the door, then turned back. “By the way, Wyatt asked me to send for the trial transcripts, and I did so. They should be here Monday.”
“He’s checking up on her?” Holt asked.
“Yup.” Hawk gave him a one-figure salute before he left, saying over his shoulder, “I hate you too.”
Holt laughed. He knew, as Hawk knew, that what they really meant was they loved each other. Hawk wasn’t trying to upset his brother, he was trying to get him to think. Unfortunately, Hawk was right. Holt was throwing himself into a relationship because he felt something for Aurora that he hadn’t felt in years.
He’d fallen in love with Mary in high school, but she’d been in love with Andrew Patterson. Mary and Andrew had married after high school and had two kids. The Rescue Ranch had already been started, thanks to his parents. When Mary had started sporting black eyes, Holt had offered to help. She’d turned him down. Two years later she’d left town without saying goodbye. He’d really never forgiven her.
Had he really sabotaged all his relationships because of Mary? If that was so, why was he rushing into things with Aurora? Maybe he should use the spirit board he’d surreptitiously added to their cart. Maybe the spirits could tell him why he was doing things like he was, and could give him advice.
He tossed his pen on the desk and stared at the screen. He hurried through the paperwork and hit send. He got up and went to the kitchen. It was just the middle of the afternoon and he was tired. It had been a long day, but he wondered how Aurora was doing, how she’d fared with her new charge. He poured himself a large glass of sweet tea and downed it in seconds before refilling the glass.
It was Kyle’s day in the kitchen, but he’d already informed the brothers he was ordering BBQ from Phelps. Holt wondered what Aurora had planned for supper. He took out his phone and texted her. Instead of texting back she called.
“I’m at the grocery store,” she said. “Becky wanted to stay in the cabin with her kids. She sent me with a rather long list. I think she’s planning on staying for a while.”
“Good,” Holt said. “What should we do for dinner?”
There was a pause before she said, “What would you like?”
“If you don’t have plans, I’m bringing BBQ,” he said. “I hope you like it.”
“Sounds delicious,” she said. “Do I need to pick up anything?”
“No, I’ll get everything,” he said. “Just bring your appetite, and make sure Becky and her kids are settled. “See you around seven.” Holt hung up the phone and stared around the kitchen. He had more work that needed to be done in the office, but it had been a hard day, for the both of them. An idea hit him, and he smiled. Hopefully, she would enjoy the activity as much as he thought she would.
Chapter 11
Aurora stuffed the trash from dinner in the container under the sink and pushed it down. It was almost time to bag it all up and take it up to the big house. She was tired, but she was also in a good mood, considering her run-in with Archie earlier that day. Holt was in a good mood, too. He’d come loaded with bags and containers of food that he’d plopped down on the table.
“How are you feeling?” he’d asked.
“Fine,” she’d said.
“We’ll work on that,” he said. He’d winked at her and then he’d left to check on Becky. When he came back he was smiling, and he had a rectangular box and a plastic bag in his hand. He’d placed them against the wall, and then they’d eaten.
Now he was on the couch while she finished cleaning up. When she was done she went into the living room and stood at the end of the sofa. He patted the space next to him and she sat down. After he put his arm around her she nestled into his chest.
She didn’t want him to leave. She wanted to fall asleep in his arms and wake up in the same place. And if she had an orgasm before the falling asleep part that would be perfect. Things had been so hectic for them, so different. It was hard to believe she’d known him for such a little bit of time, yet she felt an attraction to him that she’d never felt with a man before.
“Tired?” he asked.
“Yes. What about you?”
“Not too tired that I don’t want to play a game with my baby bear and turn her fine into perfect.”
“What?” She lifted her face up at him and smiled.
“Earlier you said you were fine.” He leaned over and kissed her forehead. “Papa Bear wants you to be perfect.”
“And how does Papa Bear expect to do that?”
“With a few games.” He pointed to the box he’d brought in. “Open it.”
“You brought me a present?” People didn’t just bring her presents. She usually got a few gifts from her aunt at Christmas, but that was it. She never got birthday presents. Ben always told her she wasn’t worth it. “It’s not even my birthday.”
“I know.” He winked at her. “I checked your file. We have a month until then.”
Aurora bounded off the couch and picked up the box. She tore through tape and worked the staples to open the ends so she could slide out her new toy. When it came out she stared at it, somewhat taken aback.
“It’s a chalk board,” she said.
“We had one when we were kids,” he said. “On days that we couldn’t go out because of the weather we’d use it to play games. Mom had one on the wall in the kitchen where she wrote chores, and lists, and just about anything else. She took it down and put it in the RV when they left. We’ve never replaced it.”
“Why not?”
“Good question.” He pointed to the bag. “There’s chalk in the bag. Bring it over here.”
She did as he asked, and when the board was balanced between them on thei
r knees he took a white piece of chalk and drew a gallows. “Pick a color.” He held the box of chalk in her direction.
“What are we doing?”
“Playing hangman,” he said.
“I have no clue how to play.” She selected a piece of green chalk.
Holt took the blue one. “I’m a good teacher.” He used the white chalk to draw lines on the board. “Now, there are four words here. Each line represents a letter in that word. You guess letters for the words. If you’re right, the letter is put in its spot. If you’re wrong, a stick figure is drawn under the gallows. If you guess the word you win. If not, I win.”
Aurora studied the board. “So you put in the punctuation already?”
“Yes,” Holt said.
There was an apostrophe in the first word, and a period at the end.
“S?” she said.
“Very good.” With his blue chalk he wrote an S after the apostrophe, and in the first blank of the third word. “Because you guessed right you get to go again.”
She guessed a W, and since it was wrong he drew a circle under the gallows. She was almost fully hanged before she figured out the phrase was Let’s Have Some Fun.
He wrote their names on the far right of the board and put a hash mark under hers. It was her turn next, and he guessed her word pretty quickly. By the time they’d done four turns she’d gotten the hang of it, and came up with phrases that he had difficulty solving.
He laughed and she giggled, and she slapped at his hand when he tried to draw parts of the hanged man under the gallows when she guessed wrong. It was after ten when he put the board on the ground.
“It’s late, and I have to be up early. Austin has three horses that need shoeing and I told him I’d help.”
“Thanks for coming down,” she said. “Should I check on Becky?”
“No, let her settle in on her own,” he said. “We don’t want her to think we’re checking up on her. Although you should check on her in the morning, to see how her first night was and see if she needs anything.”
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