Love Before Midnight
Kathleen Ball
Copyright © 2019 by Kathleen Ball
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No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
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Contents
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Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Epilogue
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We’ve Only Just Begun
About the Author
Other Books by Kathleen
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This book is dedicated to all my readers. Thank you for all of your support and friendship. It really means everything to me.
I also dedicate this book to my in-laws Charles and Virginia Ball for all of their love and support.
Of course I dedicate this book to Bruce, Steven, Colt and Clara because I love them.
Chapter One
Panic filled Anora as her husband’s big hands shoved her out the door. A backpack flew past her head and landed on the sidewalk. The door abruptly slammed and the clicking of the lock echoed.
Her shoulders slumped as she tried to wrap her mind around the last few minutes. She made a fist around the wad of money he’d pressed in her hands. What the heck? Maybe she could go to the police. Sighing, she shook her head, it wouldn’t do any good. The last thing she needed was to make Andy even madder.
Her hands shook as she zipped her jacket against the cold. Thank God, she had it on. What had he packed in the backpack? Hopefully, it was something useful but knowing Andy it wouldn’t be. How she’d wished for this moment, well not this moment but she wished to be free of him and his threats.
Grabbing the backpack, she shrugged it on and stuffed the money into her pocket. It wasn’t worth counting they never had much money. Snowflakes started to fall and she smiled. It didn’t snow much in Texas and certainly not before Thanksgiving. Hopefully, there’d be someone around on this cold Tuesday night. There was one cheap motel near the end of town she could walk to. There probably wasn’t even enough money for a hotel room.
The bright lights of Cindy’s Diner beckoned to her and she went in. It was nice and warm. It was a homey place with plenty of tables and chairs. She’d only been there once before. None of the chairs matched and it made her smile. Just as predicted no one else was around.
“Can I get you some coffee, Anora?”
Anora smiled at the motherly owner and nodded. “It’s a cold one tonight.”
Cindy poured the coffee into the brown mug already on the counter. Her hair hung down her back in a thick white braid. Her face appeared too young for white hair. “I never see you out this late.”
“You’re right about that. Andy wants me home or he did…”
Cindy put her warm hand over Anora’s. “What happened? You have tragedy written all over your face.”
Anora took a sip of her coffee trying to figure out what to say. Everyone thought they’d had the perfect marriage and she didn’t dare put Andy in a bad light. “A difference in opinion is all. I’m sure it’ll be fine.” She held her breath staring at Cindy, hoping she believed her.
“Oh Lord, you don’t have to sugarcoat it, honey. We all know that your husband is a brute.” She sighed. “What I mean to say is that I understand. If you left him, you didn’t go very far.”
Anora blinked back tears. “No, he threw me out.” Her face grew hot and her voice quavered. “It was so sudden…”
“You’ll be just fine, Anora. Do you have a place to stay?”
Cindy’s well-meaning questions were too much and tears trailed down her face. She grabbed a paper napkin and wiped her eyes. “No.” She pulled her money out of her pocket and quickly counted it, only thirty-five lousy bucks. That scum. “I haven’t had time to think. How late are you open tonight?”
“I’m not going to kick you out if that’s what you mean. Let me make a phone call. I know of someone that needs help on their ranch.”
Anora clasped her hands together, there really wasn’t much choice. “If you know them, I’d be grateful.”
Dang, the snow was sure coming down but thankfully it wasn’t sticking, yet. It made for some slick roads, though. If it hadn’t been Cindy who needed his help, Maverick would still be home eating the pot pie his neighbor Joleen brought over. She had her eye on him and usually he ignored her but not when it came to her cooking.
Finally, the one traffic light in Maverick Creek was in sight. It wasn’t much further to the diner. He still wanted to know what she meant by a “friend in need.” Any friend of Cindy’s, after all she did help him keep his ranch afloat many years back. He repaid her, but he owed her more than he could ever repay.
His truck practically slid into a parking spot in front of the diner. Good thing he’d put on his winter boots before he headed out, he didn’t want to be sliding instead of walking. He pushed open the diner door, took off his hat and flashed Cindy a warm smile. “Hey, good to see you.”
She came out from behind the counter, her apron practically wrapped around her twice. She was a little bit of a thing, but she took no guff. “Howdy handsome, I see you’ve cut that dark hair of yours. You could have cut it shorter you know.”
He hugged her and lifted her off her feet. Setting her down, he kissed her cheek. “I like it longer.”
Cindy blushed and lightly slapped his arm. “I’m too old for you to try to sweep me off my feet.” Her brown eyes twinkled.
“I’ll pour you some coffee, go ahead and sit down.” She tilted her head toward the red head at the counter. “This is Anora Garrity. Anora, this is Maverick Cole.”
“Garrity? It’s you! I hope this isn’t the favor, Cindy, because I’m going to have to say no.”
Anora’s sky-blue eyes widened and her lips formed a thin line. “Have we met? I think I would have remembered you.” Her arms crossed in front of her as she looked him up and down.
“Listen, lady, you know very well we haven’t met. I’ve been beating my head against the wall trying to get you arrested.”
“Whoa, Maverick, this little gal is one of the good ones,” Cindy stated.
“Anyone who tries to steal a horse is not a ‘good one.' She’s a horse thief, plain and simple.”
Anora stood up and grabbed the backpack from the stool on the other side of her. “Thanks anyway, Cindy.” She glared at him. “I know I look pitiful, but you don’t have to make up a reason not to give me a job. I’m stronger than I look and I’ll be just fine without your help.”
He lightly grabbed her arm as she tried to walk by. “What help was I supposed to give you anyway? Did you need a horse?”
She gasped.
Cindy rounded the counter again and stood next to Anora, putting her arm around her small shoulders. “Maverick, you should be ashamed of yourself. Anora is a sweet, kind girl and I don’t know where you get off making accusations against her!”
He let go of Anora. “Oh heck, don’t get so wound up. Do you or don’t you own a red pick- up?”
She lifted her chin and gazed at him. “No, I do not. But—”
“I don’t need your lies lady. The red pickup was identified as yours. I know for a fact it’s registered to you. How stupid do you think I am?” He reached into his coat
pocket and grabbed his cellphone. “I’m turning you in. You might have tricked the sheriff but not me, sweetheart.”
Anora curled her hands into tiny fists as though she was ready to take him on. He would have laughed at her stance and glare if it hadn’t been about his horse. “Look, the truck is registered to you. One of my ranch hands, Cooper, saw your truck with a horse trailer hitched to it. Rumble had somehow gotten out of the barn and the gate to the paddock was wide open. What am I supposed to think?”
Cindy shook her head. “I don’t think—”
“It’s fine, Cindy, I have an idea of what happened. Listen, mister, I’m as sorry as can be about what happened to you. Please accept my apology.” Her shoulders slumped as her voice trailed off. She gave Cindy a sad smile and walked out the door.
“Darn it, Maverick, that little gal has nowhere to go.”
“Seems to me that’s her fault.”
“You are so dang stubborn. Anora is hardly ever allowed out of her house. She probably didn’t even know the truck was registered to her, I’ve never seen her drive it.”
He’d never seen Cindy so riled up before. He frowned as he glanced outside, it was snowing harder. “Where’s her husband now?”
Cindy shrugged her left shoulder. “Home I guess. He threw Anora out and she has no one. Her husband is a mean son of a bitch, and I don’t know what will happen to her if she tries to go back home.”
His anger slipped away. “I’ll take her out to the ranch for the night, but that doesn’t mean I trust her.”
Cindy stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on his cheek. “You have a good heart.”
Crying in front of strangers? She’d survived this far, and she’d darn well survive this. Andy tried for years to break her, but she stood strong. Well, maybe not strong enough to walk away but that was pure fear. There was a difference, wasn’t there?
She bowed her head as she walked further into the small town. No way was she going back to Andy, he’d lock her back up. No, this was the blessing she’d been looking for. Maybe a disguised blessing but one all the same.
With nowhere to go, she kept walking. The truck was registered to her? The horse stealing didn’t surprise her, but the truck did. Too bad, she didn’t have the keys. She didn’t know how to drive, but she was smart, figuring it out wouldn’t have been too hard. Glancing up she realized she was standing in front of the police station. This was her chance and she should take it.
Her fists clenched so hard, her nails dug into the palms of her hands. Hadn’t going the police to report herself as missing been her one desire? How often had she dreamt of a reunion with her family? The weight of the world was on her shoulders as she continued to walk.
Andy threatened to kill her family if she ever said a word to anyone, and there was no doubt in her mind that he’d go through with his threat. He was a mean, sick jerk who deserved to be put in jail. Dread filled her, he’d be looking for her soon. There was no way he’d allow her to go free now, not after five years. No, he’d rather see her dead than happy. He couldn’t take the chance she’d talk.
Panicked, she walked faster until she was jogging along the road out of town. The snow kept falling and a few spots were slippery, but her will to escape kept her going. There had to be a way to start her life over without endangering her family.
She froze in place when she heard the truck engine. The devil had come to reclaim her, and her gut clenched. He’d make her pay, dearly.
Still looking at the ground, she didn’t move. The driver’s side door opened, and she closed her eyes waiting for the first blow. When nothing happened, she glanced up and to her relief it was the man from the diner.
“Are you coming?” He frowned and crossed his arms in front to him.
There was no time to hesitate she ran to the passenger door, opened it and hopped in. Maybe she could buy some time while she made a plan.
He got into the truck and turned toward her. “Anora, right? I’m Maverick. Cindy says you had nothing to do with stealing horses and I trust her. What did your husband plan to do with my horse?”
His blue eyes were piercing. “I…I don’t really know. Maybe sell it for horse meat?”
Maverick laughed. “Cindy was right, you don’t have a clue. My horse is a prizewinner and worth a lot of money. Let’s get you out to the ranch and decide what to do with you.”
Anora nodded and glanced away. What did he mean “do with her?” Maybe the devil she already knew was a better choice. No, Cindy trusted Maverick and that was good enough for her.
Her eyes widened as they approached the house. She expected a small dwelling with creaky steps, not a big, two story, expensive house with a beautiful front porch and brick steps. Hesitantly she got out of the truck. This was not a place for her. Hell, he probably used cloth napkins at every meal.
“Well?” Maverick glanced over his shoulder. “Does it meet your approval?”
Was he mocking her? One look at her and anyone would see the poor quality of her clothes. She’d expected a bit of resistance and maybe some sympathy from him, but mocking her was going too far.
“It’s a fine house.” She held her voice strong and steady, she stood a bit straighter and walked to the screen door he held open for her.
The front door opened and an attractive brunette smiled at Maverick. “So glad you’re home. The storm is getting nasty.”
Maverick nodded and gestured for Anora to precede him. “Belle, would you make us some coffee and bring it into the library?”
“I’ll have it ready in no time.” Belle smiled at Maverick, she swept her gaze up and down Anora and then frowned.
Great, his girlfriend hates me and his opinion didn’t seem too high either. “I’ll only be here a day.”
He led her into a beautiful library and she gasped. The books went from floor to ceiling and the dark wooden shelves gleamed. Who has a whole room just for books?
Maverick tossed his hat on a sideboard, sat on the couch and put his boots up on the coffee table. “Do you read?”
“Of course I read. I’m not ignorant you know.” Her shoulders slumped. “Actually I haven’t had a book to read the whole time I’ve been married.”
Gingerly she touched the books making an impossible wish. “Does Belle live here?
“Yes.”
Turning from the bookshelf, she nodded. “I’ll be out of your hair probably by tomorrow.” She peered at him through the fringe of her eyelashes and watched him observe her with his startling blue eyes. The color reminded her of a tropical sea. In pictures, the water was always a beautiful light blue with a hint of green. His dark brown hair touched his collar, and if he’d just gotten it cut, it must have been long. A sense of maturity and strength exuded from him, and she bet he usually got his way. Just what she needed, another controlling person in her life.
“Come, sit with me. You must be tired.” He waved his hand toward the chair opposite him.
The chair was green with tiny white flowers embroidered throughout. The legs were mahogany, it appeared to be very expensive. “I’ll stand, thanks,” she said, wanting to be near the door in case she needed to flee.
His penetrating stare unnerved her to the point she crossed her arms in front of her to keep from flying apart. “I’ve made a mistake coming here. I’ll just leave. I have friends near here and I’ll just go.”
“Do you do that often?” He cocked his brow.
“Do what?”
“Lie.”
All color drained from her face until she was pale and she took a step back, the closer to the door the better. “No, there are consequences for lying and I try extra hard not to.”
“Of course she doesn’t lie,” Belle said as she breezed in with a tray of coffee cups and a pot of coffee. “It sure is a cold one out there, won’t you have a seat?” She set the tray on the table. “I didn’t catch your name.”
The genuinely sweet smile Belle shot her took her off guard. Beautiful and nice, what she wouldn’t give�
� The combination only reminded her of how inept she was.
“Her name is Anora,” Maverick answered for her.
“Anora, it’s a pretty name. Come, sit and get warm.”
Indecision took over and she couldn’t bring herself to move. Maybe Andy would take her back.
Belle gently took her hand and led her to one of the beautiful green chairs. “Have a seat. Goodness, you’re shaking. I’ll grab a quilt to put over you. Mav, pour her some coffee.”
Before she knew it, a warm quilt draped over her and she had a cup of coffee in her hand. No one had waited on her since, well, since forever. She should have felt good about it, but it only intimidated her.
As she sipped her coffee, her anxiety level rose due to the exchanged glances between Belle and Maverick. It was almost as if they communicated without talking. Anger was the only thing she ever saw on Andy’s face and she knew what that meant. “Really, I’d better get back home.”
Tilting his head, Maverick studied her as though she was a puzzle he was trying to figure out but didn’t know where to start. “I thought your husband threw you out?”
Averting her eyes, she feigned interest in the coffee table. Her face heated and she was certain it was a bright shade of red. “He gets mad sometimes but I’m sure he’s probably looking for me by now and I don’t want him madder than he already is.”
Maverick set his cup down. “I for one would be very happy if he found you here. I’d like to meet the son of a bitch who tried to steal my horse.”
Belle gasped and Anora glanced up at Belle’s horrified face.
“Your husband?”
Love Before Midnight Page 1