“Yeah, but mine didn’t include a plus one. Think that was intentional?”
“You know it was, Sam. I’m surprised, though.”
“Why?”
“What better way to trap Carrie in court? He could easily turn it around that she attended his engagement party. If you and Carrie wanted him to keep his distance, why would she show up?”
“Yeah, that thought did cross my mind, but I think she was intentionally left off for another statement … she doesn’t belong here.”
He took a sip of coffee as he leaned against the counter. “True. Apparently, he wants everyone to think it’s his town now.”
“Too bad that motherfucker is going down. What have y’all pieced together?”
“We’re up to the Pickens’s divorce.”
“Any holes?”
“A few, but we’ve already got document requests in.” Ben took a deep breath. “I really think Martin, Hailey, and Theo had a threesome going. When she got pregnant, one of them had to marry her. Theo wasn’t a good provider, plus he had a family in Rock Hill that only Martin knew about.”
“Yeah, but Martin was married with a child too.”
“And living away from his family. He strayed. It would be an easy sale that he messed up.”
“But why divorce his wife? Hell, politicians pay women off all the time.”
“Mid-life crisis? He tells his first wife that he still loves her, but divorces her to be with the mistress. That’s some sick shit, right there.”
“You think there’s more to it than that?”
Ben rubbed his forehead. “I don’t know what I think right now. Maybe he got into a ménage ‘a trois relationship and enjoyed it, but I didn’t think people in those arrangements got married. I thought the three of them were just faithful to each other.”
“Sometimes. I’ve known people that marriage isn’t an option until the woman gets pregnant. Then, usually one of the men marries her so the baby has insurance that kind of thing. It’s usually the father.”
“That makes sense.” Ben watched as Rachel walked out of the bedroom. “Rachel will be over to get Carrie shortly. I’ll talk to you when you get to the station.”
“Sounds good.”
Ben disconnected the call. “Good morning, sweetheart.” He kissed her on the cheek.
“Good morning.”
“How are you feeling?”
“My knee is a bit tight. The skin is drying out, and my hip is sore.”
“Are you sure you’re up for this?”
“I’ll be fine. Are you getting a tux?”
“I’ve got one.”
“Ooo, I can’t wait to see you in it.”
“What color dress are you getting?”
She wiggled her brows. “I don’t know. Maybe something that complements your green eyes.”
Ben poured her a cup of coffee and mixed it the way she liked. “You on my arm is the only complement I need.”
“Thank you. I could have gotten it.”
“I know.” He kissed her. “I’ve got to get going. I’ll see you tonight. Please let me know when y’all get back.”
“Okay.”
* * *
Rachel held the door and bit her lip as she watched Ben walk to his vehicle. Love that man’s ass in his utility pants. He turned around and smiled before he sat in his SUV. She blew him a kiss then shut the back door.
When she pulled into Carrie’s driveway, Sam was outside with Beau on a tricycle.
“Hey, Rachel.”
“Hey, Sam,” she said as she rounded the car. “My gosh, I haven’t seen Beau in weeks. It looks like he’s grown.”
“Yeah. Carrie is complaining that things that fit him just a month ago are too small now. Do you mind watching him a second, and I’ll get her?”
“Of course not. Go ahead.” She bent down and looked at Beau. “Hey there, Beau.” His face tilted toward the ground.
The back door slammed, and a female voice came from behind them. “I know you aren’t shy, so are you flirting?”
Rachel looked up at the sound of the voice. “Hey, Carrie. He is just too cute.”
She hugged Rachel. “Hey. Thank you. He’s a mess.”
“Mama up.”
Carrie picked him up. “Okay, little man, be good for Daddy. I’ll be back shortly.”
Sam walked toward Carrie. “Come on, Beau. Let Mama go.”
“No, Mama.”
“Come on. We’ll play baseball.” Beau cried and squeezed Carrie’s neck as Sam unwrapped his little arms. “When does this get easier for you to leave him?” Sam handed him a ball.
Carrie closed her eyes. “Not soon enough.”
Sam quickly kissed Carrie. “Go. Have fun.” Carrie peeked over her shoulder. “We’re fine. He’ll calm down as soon as you’re out of sight.”
She nodded and got in Rachel’s car.
As soon as they were driving away, Rachel looked at Carrie. “I don’t know how you do it.”
Carrie turned toward her. “What?”
“Live with all that testosterone.” She giggled.
“I’m afraid it’s going to get worse before it gets better.” She picked at her pants. “Sam wants to have another baby before I go back to school.”
“And what do you want?”
“I want a baby with Sam, but I don’t want to get derailed with law school again.”
“I can see that. Do you think another baby would derail you?”
Carrie giggled. “Not if Sam has any say. He knows how badly I want this, and he’s determined to make all my dreams come true.”
“That’s wonderful, Carrie.”
“It is. But enough about me. Tell me about you and Mr. Straight-Laced Sheriff.”
Rachel shrugged. “Not much to tell.”
“I don’t buy that for a minute.” Carrie pointed out the windshield. “Park on Main Street. There’s a local store that sells formal gowns. Just be prepared to be the talk of the town for a few days.”
Rachel pulled into a parking spot. “Oh, great. Small town gossip, I take it.”
A huge smile broke across Carrie’s face. “At its best.” They got out of the car, and she looped an arm through Rachel’s as they walked into the store. “What are you looking for?”
“I don’t know. Something to accent Ben’s eyes.”
“Both of you have dark hair and olive complexion. You could go black or white…”
Rachel walked straight toward an emerald colored dress. “Or green.” She pulled it off the rack. “What do you think?”
“I think you need to try it on.”
Rachel walked toward the dressing rooms. She slipped out of her yoga pants, T-shirt, and sports bra before wiggling into the dress. With everything zipped and buttoned, Rachel walked out of the dressing room to the three-way mirror. Carrie’s face lit up. “Rachel, it’s beautiful.”
“Do you really like it?”
“Yes, the fit, the lace, and the little bow in the back remind me of my favorite movie.”
“Breakfast at Tiffany’s?”
“How did you know?”
“It’s my favorite too.” Rachel’s expression turned serious. “Do you think it’s too much for an engagement party?”
“No, it’s simply elegant.” Carrie walked closer to her. “With this color, you won’t overshadow the bride-to-be, and it brings out the green flecks in your eyes. This dress will complement Ben’s as well. It’s classy for an assistant DA, but with a hint of sexy. Ben will love it.”
An older lady walked out of her office. “I’m Ms. Morris. I own this store. Did I hear you saying that you’re going to Matthew and Stephanie’s engagement party?”
Rachel widened her eyes in disbelief. “I said I was going to an engagement party, but yes, it just so happens that it is for Matthew and Stephanie.”
“That dress is gorgeous on you. I’m honored you’d choose to shop in my store for such an event.”
Rachel smiled. “I believe in supporti
ng local businesses.”
“Who did you say you’re going with?”
Rachel raised her brows. “I didn’t.”
The woman cleared her throat. “Do you need jewelry and shoes?”
Rachel looked at Carrie, and she shrugged. “Do it. Go all out.”
Rachel giggled and waved her hand toward the rest of the store. “Please, show me what you have.” She followed Ms. Morris to the jewelry counter, where they looked at costume jewelry.
When the girls walked out of the store, Rachel had her dress in a long garment bag, a beautiful rhinestone and emerald necklace and earrings, and silver shoes. She was ready for Saturday night.
Carrie helped her lay the dress across the backseat of her car, but the sound of a slamming door caused their heads to jerk toward the opposite side of the street. There stood a man staring at them. He pointed with his hands forming guns, and the girls froze, not knowing what to do as he pretended to shoot them then turned away.
Rachel gasped, breaking Carrie’s trance. “Rachel, are you all right?”
“Carrie, get in the car.”
“Do you know him?”
“Yes, get in the car. I’ll tell you on the way home.”
Within moments, they were pulling out of their parking spot and speeding toward Carrie’s house. “Rachel…”
“That was Theodore Nobles. He’s … he’s…”
“It’s okay, Rachel. Calm down.”
Rachel’s grip tightened on the steering wheel. “I helped prosecute him for vehicular manslaughter ten years ago.”
“What’s he doing in Riverton Crossing?”
“I just found out last week that he’s Matthew’s father.” Rachel cut her eyes toward Carrie. “Apparently, he knows who you are, too.”
“Oh, shit. Sam is going to freak.”
“Yeah, Ben isn’t going to be really happy either.”
“Do you think you should go to this party?”
“We’re hoping to put more pieces of the puzzle together.” Rachel reached out to Carrie’s hand. “I sure wish you were going to be there.”
“Sam told me I wasn’t invited.”
“What? Sam was invited, but you weren’t?”
Carrie nodded. “Yes, he thinks it’s Matthew’s way of saying I don’t belong here.”
“Or Stephanie’s way of letting you know that she’s figured out who Beau’s father is.”
Carrie shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. Sam wouldn’t have let me go anyway. I’m just sorry we can’t help you and Ben.”
“Staying safe so you can testify is helping me.”
Rachel pulled into the driveway at Carrie’s house. When she put the car in park, she turned toward Carrie. “Tell Sam what just happened, okay? Let him know I’m calling Ben too. Thanks for going with me and being my friend.”
“Please let me know when you get home.” Carrie gave Rachel a quick hug. “Call me.”
Sam walked out of the house just as Carrie was opening the car door to get out. Rachel nodded as she put the car in reverse. She had hit Ben’s number before she’d made it out the driveway.
“Hey, sweetheart, you found a dress already?”
“Hey, babe, yes, I bought the first one I tried on. It was perfect, and I didn’t see any reason to keep shopping.”
“That’s great.”
“Yeah, but I need to tell you something … Theo is here.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, he was watching Carrie and me put the dress in the car. He got our attention by slamming his car door, and when we looked up, he was pointing his finger like he was shooting both of us.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, just a little shook up. I’m going to your house and work on more of the timeline.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
28
Ben looked at his watch. “Rach, are you almost ready?”
“Would you come help me?”
He walked back to the bedroom and stopped short. Rachel stood in a floor length lace emerald green dress. His eyes slowly raked up her backside, noticing the tiny buttons covering her ass and the little bow nestled at the base of her spine. He stepped up to her exposed back and placed small kisses across her naked shoulders and neck. His hands rested on her hips as their gaze locked in the mirror. “I never get tired of seeing you with your hair piled on top of your head. I look forward to taking every pin out when we get home.”
“I love your fingers running through my hair and your scalp massage after you remove all the pins.”
He squeezed her hips. “What did you need my help with?”
She held out the diamond and emerald necklace. “This. Would you fasten it for me?”
“My pleasure.”
He looped his arms around her neck and pulled the necklace into place. His fingers tickled her neck, and his lips tilted at the sight of the goosebumps running across her skin as he hooked the clasp of the necklace. His hands didn’t move as he stared at her reflection. “You look stunning.”
Her eyes closed. “Thank you.”
“I want to kiss you before you put on your lip gloss.”
She opened her eyes, and a twinkle appeared. “You don’t want to wear my gloss on your lips?”
“Not if I can help it.” He winked.
“Don’t want to confirm suspicions about us or scared it’ll ruin your manly image?”
“First, with you on my arm, my manly image is intact. Second, when this case is over, I’m ready to shout from the rooftops about us.” He held up a finger. “Until then, it’s best if people continue to guess—it’ll be safer for you.”
Her brows raised. “Well, it looks like our cases are going to intersect, Ben, and then what?”
He closed his eyes. “I know, and I don’t know what I’ll do if anything else happens to you. This past week was enough to take years off my life, Rach.”
“I know.” Her arms curled up his back. "I’ll be more vigilant. I never thought something like that could happen, Ben.”
“Why do I feel like I’m leading a lamb to slaughter? We’re going to be in the thick of these people tonight. Please don’t leave my side. If you need to go to the ladies’ room, tell me. I’ll walk with you.”
“I wish Sam and Carrie were going to be there.”
“Me too. Evan and Ginger will be there.”
“At least we’ll know someone other than ourselves.”
He pulled her closer and leaned down. Their lips touched, and he deepened the kiss, his fingers kneading the material of her dress, wanting to get closer. A hand slipped down and pressed her against him so she could feel how hard he was. He broke the kiss and stepped back. “You remember this kiss tonight. I love you, Rach.”
She licked her lips and blotted the sides of her mouth. “I love you, too. I can’t wait to pick that up when we get home.”
The drive to the Senator’s stately home on the north side of town was over too soon.
Rachel applied her gloss and turned toward him. “Approve?”
His eyes scanned down her face and body. “Yes.” He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. “Professionally friendly when we get out of the car.”
“I think we’ve mastered that over the last seven years.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, I guess we have. Stay there, I’ll open your door.” He buttoned his jacket as he walked around the car. Opening the door, he stuck out his hand. “Pull the hem of your dress up, Rach. The ground is still damp from the hurricane.”
“Why didn’t we let them valet park the car?”
“I want to be able to leave whenever we want. Plus, we don’t know if they’d go through your car or put a tracking device on it. I’m not taking any chances.”
“Oh, good point.”
She dropped the hem of her dress once they stepped on the paved drive. Ben’s hand was at the small of her back—his way of touching her without seeming anything but gentlemanly. When they arrived at the front door of the man
sion, he presented the invitation, and a private security guard moved a metal detecting wand over each of them before allowing them to pass through to the party.
Once they moved toward the festivities, Rachel linked her arm with Ben’s. He nodded toward the open bar. “Martha Pickens is already at the bar. This may be setting up to be an eventful night.”
Rachel gave a passing glance in the direction Ben had indicated as she took in the rest of the room. “She’s very attractive. I don’t understand why he cheated.”
Ben shrugged. “We don’t know how things were in their marriage, Rach.”
“I know, but there’s no way in hell he has more in common with a woman twenty years his junior.”
Ben wiggled his brows. “Maybe she brings out his wild side … makes him feel like a young man.”
She cocked an eyebrow and leaned close. “Do you have a wild side, Ben Stevens?”
“I haven’t found it if I do. Why? You want to explore our wild sides?”
She smiled, shrugged, and turned away. “Maybe.”
Ben moved behind her and whispered, “You’ve gotten me hard again. What do you have in mind?”
She giggled and whispered. “I don’t know, but maybe we can talk about some of our fantasies.”
“You’re my fucking fantasy, Rachel.”
“And what do you do with me in your fantasy?”
He looked around and found a closed door, so he grabbed her wrist. “Come on.” Even though his blood was pumping hard and fast, he could still hear the tap of Rachel’s shoes every time they touched the marble floor.
“What are you doing?”
Ben looked over his shoulders once more before he tried the knob on the door. “I need a minute.”
Rachel turned once more before she slipped through the opened door with Ben. “What’s wrong?”
Ben’s chest was heaving as if he had just run a marathon. “What’s wrong? This” — he cupped himself—“this is what’s wrong.” “Professionally friendly. We know how to do that, and that conversation,” he said, pointing at the door, “was not professionally friendly. Now I have a raging hard-on thinking about what your fantasies are going to be.”
“I’m sorry, but you’re the one who brought up someone’s wild side.”
Uncovered Secrets: A Riverton Crossing Novel - Book 7 Page 13