“He started to creep me out. He was stalking me, Quinn. He even rented the apartment across the hall from me. Normal people don’t do things like that.”
“Normal people that are in love don’t always fight fair,” Quinn retorted.
“Just drop the subject before we have a fight.”
“Okay, we won’t talk about Decker. What about Pedro?”
Rainy turned away from her now and took her apron off, laying it on the table. “I’m going home.”
“Come on, Rainy, you promised you would help me cook for Rosa. It is her birthday.”
Rainy stopped and looked back at her sister. “Are you going to leave me alone?”
Quinn grinned at her with a gleam in her eyes. “For tonight— yes.”
“Okay, I’ll stay, but one more word about either one of them, and I’m gone.”
Rainy was glad she stayed. Her parents came over and their dad brought a cake. After the party, her parents gave her a ride to her apartment. It was almost ten o’clock when she got home. She checked the mail before she went in. Once inside her apartment, she tossed the mail on the table and went to take a shower.
After she got ready for bed and dried her hair, she went back to the kitchen table to go through the mail. It was mostly bills, then she came across a letter. It was handwritten, not something you see often. At first, she figured it was some kind of gimmick. Someone trying to get money from her. Turning the envelope over, she opened it and pulled the letter out. When she first started to read, she had no idea who would write her. But it wasn’t long before her heart started to speed up. The letter was from Decker,
Dearest Rainy,
I’m so sorry for what I did. I realize now that you must have been frightened of my actions. However, all I wanted was to talk to you. Mosty to tell you how sorry I am. I can only imagine how you must have felt when you were put into the back of that semi truck. And I’m still kicking myself for all the awful things that happened to you. From the bikers and Maddog hurting you, to that tattoo on your right shoulder. And the gator attack that left you scarred for life. If I could make it all go away, I would.
I love you with all my being. But like a good friend of mine pointed out, you and I live in two different worlds. And they’re right, we wouldn’t last. Not with the type of work I do. And before long, you will be one wealthy woman. What would you need me for? I do wish you all the happiness life can bring your way. Goodbye, Rainy. And by the way, I love the blonde hair. But I think you’re beautiful inside and out, no matter what color your hair is.
Love,
John
Rainy sniffed and realized she was crying. “No!” She ordered herself. “He has some nerve. That bastard wrote me a Dear John letter.” Standing up, she started to rip the letter into pieces. But then she thought, what if she wanted to read it again? But she was so damn angry. “That sorry piece of work. How could he?” She said out loud to no one. She was so angry, she kicked the table and cried out in pain. She picked up the envelope and looked at the postmark, but couldn’t make it out. Sitting back down, she picked up the crumpled letter again, reading it over and over. She was heartbroken because now she knew they would never be together again. Okay, she brought this on herself. And she knew he should hate her. After all, she tried to get him into trouble. And this is what he thought of her. That she’s some rich brat. And so what if they were different? Look at my parents!
She had to get out of here, but it was late and she had nowhere to go. But she had to move. Getting her jacket and slipping on her shoes, she went out of her apartment and started walking. She wasn’t sure of where she could go, only she had to talk to someone. It was all a blur to her until she stopped in front of her parent’s house. She went up the steps and knocked on the door, But not too hard. If they had gone to bed, she didn’t want to wake them. When no one came to the door, she turned to leave. Then the door opened. “Rainy, what’s wrong?” She turned and ran into her mother’s arms, sobbing. “What is it, sweetheart?”
“Decker,” was the only word she could muster.
“Come inside and tell me what happened,” Jessica said, leading her daughter into the living room and helping her sit on the sofa. Rainy pulled the letter out of her jacket pocket. and Jessica read it. “Is this the first time you’ve heard from him since he left New York?” Rainy nodded her head.
Donavan came downstairs. “What’s wrong?” He wanted to know. Jessica handed him the letter. Donavan took a seat on the sofa and read the letter. “He’s got it bad,” he said and stood up and left the room.
“Some help he is,” stated Rainy.
“Your dad’s not good with emotions, Rainy. Why do you think he gets so angry over nothing?”
Rainy shrugged. “I’m sorry, Mom. I mean, it’s the middle of the night, and I shouldn’t have bothered you.”
“Well, I don’t think you’ve seen the last of this guy.”
“No?” Rainy said with a hopeful voice.
Jessie shook her head. “No, he’s not giving up. He might want you to think so. I know how men think, Rainy. And if anything, he’s just starting to fight.”
“Fight?”
“To win you back.”
“I don’t believe that’s what he’s after. He feels guilty, that’s all.”
Jessica smirked at her. “He sounds like a lovesick puppy to me.”
Rainy looked down, sad because even if she told everyone she didn’t want Decker, the fact was, she couldn’t seem to get over him.
“Okay, well, I better go so you can get some sleep, Mom.”
“The only place you’re going in the middle of the night is upstairs to your old room, and go to sleep.”
“I have my own apartment, Mom.”
“Or I can call your father back down?”
“Traitor!” Rainy snorted.
“Mother is more like it. Now go to bed, Rainy!”
First thing the next morning, Rainy was out the door of her parent’s house. She needed to change for work and grab her book before she headed for the studio. She’d written another dance and wanted her father and Tim’s approval before the dancers try out for their parts.
She was feeling pretty good after talking to her mother. Maybe she’d go over to the dance school after her mother came to work and thank her for the midnight talk. She had too much going on to have her mind on that letter or Decker. And she could get past this and get over him. After all, she got over Pedro. She would just have to throw herself into her work. Anything to keep her mind off of him.
By midday, she realized she had not thought of Decker once. She congratulated herself on a job well done. It was almost lunchtime, and she knew her mother came in early to clean the dance school. Rainy had decided to take her lunch as a way to thank her. Her mother told her that Decker wasn’t done with her. But Rainy knew her mom was only trying to make her feel better. And it worked. But she thought just the talk helped her.
Donavan and Tim came in and walked towards her. Stopping just short of her, Donavan said, “Tim showed me your new dance.”
“What do you think, Dad, do you like it?”
He nodded his head. “I do, but it needs some work.”
“I know, I thought maybe you could help me.”
“I need to speak to Rainy Graystone,” a gruff voice bellowed from the bottom step across the dance floor. Rainy turned and saw Griffin. He was dressed like he was the first time she ever saw him. Faded jeans, a plaid shirt, biker boots, and he was wearing a cut. His hair was long again and he was sporting a handlebar mustache.
“What do you need to know?”
“What I need is for you to come over here, girly.”
At first, Rainy was hesitant, but he was harmless and she knew it. She walked towards him, and he started to walk to her as well. She stopped. “What can I do for you, Griffin?”
“I’m placing you under arrest.” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a pair of handcuffs.
“On what charges
?”
“For painting my dog’s toenails purple for beginners. Now turn around so I can cuff you,” he demanded.
“No!”
“What do you mean,—no!”
“There is no such law.”
“Look, girly, if you don’t turn around, I’ll have to call my partner to come in here.” He took her by her arm to turn her around.
Jerking away from him, she said, “Handlebars, that low voice of yours is going to be an octave higher if you even dare try to cuff me.” The dancers started to laugh
Griffin stepped back. “Damn, girly, you’ve gotten mean. I guess I have to get back up,” he huffed.
“You go for it!” She snapped.
Griffin started back up the stairs. The dancers all stood, still waiting to see what was going to happen next.
The door swung open and when he walked in, Rainy’s jaw dropped open. He looked like he did when he was with The Screaming Bandits. His hair was dirty blonde, long and wavy. He wore his biker gear, jeans, a black T-shirt that was tight across his chest, biker boots, and a cut. His beard was back. In his left hand, he held Grisly. And at first, the small dog was well behaved. Griffin came back into the studio, but he stayed where he was as Decker slowly descended the stairs. At the bottom step, he whispered something into Grisly’s ear. The tiny dog became excited and started to whine. He set the dog onto the floor. Grisly started to cry and ran towards Rainy. “Stop!” Yelled Decker. “Come back here!” He demanded in a stern voice. The little dog walked back slowly with his head down and his tail between his legs as if he’d done wrong and knew it. When he got to Decker’s feet, he rolled over onto his back. Decker got down on one knee and picked the dog up. “I told you not to get so excited. It makes you look stupid. We can’t both look like idiots. I’ve already made a fool out of myself. One of us has to impress her or she’ll never say yes.” Placing the dog back on his feet, He said, “Now try again.” Grisly walked at a normal pace towards Rainy. She bent down and picked him up. He licked her on her face and whimpered. She looked back at Decker. “Look on his collar.” Rainy saw the ring that was tied to the dog’s collar. It was beautiful, but she didn’t react. She wanted to, but she was just stunned and speechless. “Will you marry me?” Decker asked, still down on one knee.
Rainy didn’t know what she was supposed to say. Everything in her world had just changed again. Tears started to roll down her face, and she started to tremble. Here he was, the guy she knew she loved, and she couldn’t give him an answer. After a few minutes, Decker stood back up and walked over to where she was standing, still holding Grisy. “I take it by your silence that the answer is no?” He then tried to take Grisly out of her arms.
“No, I want him!” She stammered. It took everything in her to say anything at all. And of course, she meant to say she wanted both of them.
“Doesn’t work that way, sassy mouth. It’s a package deal,” he said without emotion. But when he pulled the dog out of her arms, she could tell how sad he was. It showed in his eyes. The big badass biker, FBI agent was about to cry.
He was moving away from her at a steady pace. When he got to the steps, she shouted, “Wait!” and she took a step forward. Decker turned and faced her. “Put the dog down!” She ordered. Decker held the dog and started to go up the steps. “Decker. Please put the dog down.” Her voice was softer. He turned back to stare at her.
“Why?”
“You’ll see.”
He acted as if he wasn’t sure what she was up to,but he placed Grisly onto the floor. The dog made a beeline for Rainy. She scooped him up in her arms, and the little dog was wiggling so bad, she almost couldn’t hold on to him. He licked her on the face and Rainy giggled. “Yes, Gris, I love you too!” Decker turned to continue up the steps. “Decker?” He hesitated, then turned back to face her.
Rainy took about three steps forwards. Then she turned back and handed her father Grisly. She broke out into a full run. Decker came back down the steps, catching her when she jumped into his arms. Her arms went around his neck. “The answer is, I want both of you. I love you, Decker. And I think I always will!”
“Well, we have a problem.”
She pulled back. “What?”
“Grisly has the ring, and I believe he thinks he’s the one who gets you.”
“Don’t worry, Decker. You’re bigger than he is.” He covered her mouth with his. Donavan put Grisly down, and he was running and hopping around them making a sound like a wounded animal. Then he grabbed a hold of Decker’s pant leg and started to tug and pull. Decker pushed him away, and Grisly returned for another round.
***
The door opened and Jessica and Quinn walked in. They moved past the kissing couple and went to stand next to Donavan. “Is he Decker?” asked Quinn.
“He is!” said Donavan.
“Wow, what a hunk,” Quinn sighed.
“He is a nice looking boy,” said Jessica. “How do you feel about your daughter being with a biker, Donavan?”
“Oh, he’s not a biker Jess, he’s an FBI agent.” And because she hated lawmen and two of their children were married to law enforcement people, all she could do was moan. “Well, Jess, if it makes you feel any better, Quinn’s boyfriend is an actor.” The look she gave him had both he and Quinn laughing.
***
Griffin held the door for Rainy and Decker as they came out of the dance studio. The three of them were talking.
“Can I ask you guys something?”
“What would you like to know, girly?”
“Why did the governor give me a pardon?”
“Your journal was used as evidence to convict Tinman and some of the others.”
Rainy got a lump in her throat and swallowed hard. “My journal?”
“Yes.”
“How many people read it?” She asked, not so sure she wanted to know.
“I don’t know that,” Griffin stated.
“What happened to Maddog and Tinman and the others?”
“They all got life!”
“And the old ladies?”
“Not all of them were arrested. But the ones that were got 40 years to life.”
“Cassy?”
“No, she’s still working the farm. She bought it from the state of Georgia.” Rainy grinned at Griffin, happy her friend wasn’t in trouble. Even if her cheeks were pink thinking about people she didn’t know reading her journal.
“Well, I’ll be heading out, John.” He turned now and looked at Rainy. “ And you take care of my dog, girly.”
“I will,” she said as she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “And thank you for watching out for me.”
“It was my job, girly. Now you take good care of that man of yours.”
“I will!”
Griffin mounted his Road King, kicked it to life, and rode off. “I think I’m going to miss him most of all,” Rainy sighed.
Decker, standing behind her, brought his arms around her, placing his head close to hers. “You’ll see him again, sassy mouth.”
“Are you going to keep calling me that stupid name?”
“Yes. For as long as you live!”
Rainy chuckled, turned around in his arms, and cupped his face with both her hands. “Good, because I love it.”
The End
Rumbling Thunder Page 28