by Jamie Begley
She lifted her head from Tate’s chest when Knox came into the room with Willa. Rachel immediately went to her side.
“You can come home with me tonight, Willa.”
Willa shook her head. “If I don’t go back to my home tonight, I never will.”
“I can stay the night with you,” Rachel offered.
“That’s all right. I’m just going to go home and go to bed.” Willa turned her bruised face to Cash then Knox. “I want to apologize. If I hadn’t lied and said Lewis wasn’t harassing me, then maybe he would still be alive. I honestly believed it would make him even more violent if he knew I had told or pressed charges against him.”
“I knew you weren’t telling the truth. I had a talk with him Friday. I thought he would back off after I threatened him with a social services investigation toward his kids,” Knox said.
Willa went even whiter. “What’s going to happen to the kids?”
“A foster home will be found for them. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they find a good home,” Knox said, picking up his phone on the desk.
“Please, I would never forgive myself if they were hurt because of my actions.”
“Willa, none of this was your fault. Lewis had real problems. You are the victim here,” Knox reassured her.
Willa didn’t seem convinced, but she nodded.
“Come on, Willa. We’ll give you a ride home. Let’s go, Rachel; you’re coming home with us,” Tate said while they left Knox’s office as he talked on the phone.
“No, I’m not. I’m going to Mag’s. You can drop me off to pick up my car.” Rachel wasn’t about to place herself back under her brothers’ thumbs. She still hadn’t forgiven them for how they had talked to her at the party.
“How long are you going to hold a grudge?” Greer spoke up. “You almost got yourself killed because we weren’t keeping a watch over you.”
“I almost got killed because I was at the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“I forgot about the texts. I’ll get them for you when we get to my house,” Willa offered.
“What texts?” Cash asked, frowning.
“Brooke asked Lily if she would pick up some books from Willa. She was busy, so I offered,” Rachel explained.
Cash’s face turned even more forbidding. “I need to talk to Knox before I leave. I’ll see you back at the house tonight.”
“Okay.” Rachel left the Sheriff’s office, her curiosity aroused by the look on Cash’s face. It was plain something was going on that he was keeping from her.
Rachel got into Tate’s truck next to Willa. She had no choice other than to wait until tonight to question him. She took Willa’s hand in hers, trying to help her in the only way she could.
* * *
Cash pulled out his cell phone as he headed to his bike.
“Crash?”
“Yeah, what you need?”
“I want all the information you can pull up on Lewis. He just tried to kill Willa and Rachel. Something sent him over the edge and I want to know what it was. The timing said he went to Willa’s house after work; check out the factory and see if any of the other workers picked up on anything going on with the motherfucker. Text me his address from the employee files, too. I’m going to go check his place out.”
“Will do. I’ll call when I have what you want.” Crash disconnected the call.
Cash started his bike. A minute later, the address he wanted came to his cell. He was going to search Lewis’s home and find out exactly what had sent him over the edge, hoping that he was wrong in what he suspected. No man went that ape shit crazy unless something or someone had pulled his trigger.
* * *
She had to wait to question Cash since he didn’t return to Mag’s house until Friday morning. When he came in looking tired and worn, she was tempted to ask him where he had been, but he didn’t give her the opportunity.
“I’m tired, hungry, and I need a shower. I have just driven over a hundred miles. I would have stopped for the night, but I kept riding to get back here. I expect you to be standing by that door at seven tonight. We made a bet, and you’re keeping it.”
Rachel started to open her mouth to argue but closed it at the anticipatory gleam in his eyes.
“Okay,” Rachel agreed.
He gave her a sharp nod before going down the hall to his bedroom.
“Don’t make me come looking for you. You know I enjoy chasing my women down.”
That hard-ass had read her mind; she had intended to go visit Logan tonight at Mrs. Langley’s. She had spent too many Friday nights there for him not to be able to find her, though.
Mag was sitting in the living room, reading the paper. Rachel had forgotten she was there. Rachel threw her a quelling look when she would have opened her mouth.
“I wasn’t going to say a thing,” Mag denied.
“I bet.” Rachel left the house to go to work at the church store. Fridays were always pretty busy, so Rachel liked to make sure she got there early.
As she opened the door, surprised Lily was running late, the frigid air hit her in a blast and Rachel shivered, pulling on the sweater she had taken from the car. She had meant to call the repairman a couple of days ago and had forgotten. This was beyond ridiculous. She couldn’t understand why Pastor Patterson hadn’t seen to it. His family couldn’t be comfortable living in what felt like an igloo.
Rachel went to the back of the store and put some water in the coffeepot to heat for tea and had just decided to raise one of the rear windows to let in some warm air when she heard the front door open. She went back to the front of the store and didn’t see anyone. A chill ran up her back that didn’t have anything to do with the cold air.
No one had come into the store, which meant someone had gone out. Whoever it was had been in the store when she had come in.
Rachel started going through the store carefully. None of the things there were expensive, all the items second-hand. With an observant eye, Rachel began to itemize the missing items: a few cans of food and some clothes. Several of the books on the shelf were out of order, and she had straightened them just before she had left to go home yesterday.
Going back behind the desk, she called the pastor’s office. He answered on the first ring, and when she explained what she had found, he came immediately to the store.
“Were you able to see anyone?”
“No, I would have never known anyone was here if I hadn’t heard the bell over the door ring. I was out back, opening a window, when I thought someone had come in.”
Pastor Merrick frowned at her. “Why were you opening the window?”
“Because I was freezing. I was trying to let in some warm air.”
“The air conditioner still isn’t fixed in here? The repairman fixed the other unit for the church and house last week. I assumed he had fixed this one also.”
“No, it’s still freezing in here. I’ve been leaving the windows open in the back to let in warm air.”
“I’m sorry, Rachel. I’ll call him immediately,” he apologized.
“I should have mentioned it before now.” She should have told him she had mentioned it to Brooke several times.
“Do you want me to call Knox?”
Rachel thought of the items missing. Whoever had been in the store had been hungry and needing clothes. “No, that’s all right. I’m sure, whoever it was, they were just hungry. They were probably frightened off when I came in early,” Rachel speculated.
“If you’re sure…”
“Yes.” The door opened and Lily came in with a bright smile.
“All right, then. I’ll go call the repairman.”
“What has the both of you looking so serious this morning?” Lily questioned as she stashed her purse under the counter.
“How the repairman hasn’t fixed the air conditioner yet. I’m on my way to give him a call. I’ll talk to you both later.” The pastor excused himself.
“I hope he fixes it soon. It’s like Alask
a in here,” Lily admitted.
“I’m freezing,” Rachel shivered.
She fixed Lily and herself both tea as the customers began coming in. The intruder and the customers kept her thoughts too busy to worry about her date with Cash tonight. She wanted to call it off, and she certainly had no intentions of going through with her promise of a blowjob, but her pride kept her from bowing out of the rest of the bet. Besides, she knew Cash would be able to track her down wherever she hid out.
“What are you doing tonight?” Rachel asked.
“Babysitting for Beth and Razer. They haven’t had a date night since she’s had the babies. How about you?”
“I’m going out on a date with Cash.”
Lily threw her a startled look as she arranged clothes on a rack. “I didn’t know you were seeing him.”
“I’m not; this is our first date.” Rachel blushed, aware of how this made her sound when everyone in the freaking town knew she had lost her virginity to him.
“Where are you going?” Lily asked with a worried frown.
“I figured we would go to a movie or dinner.” Rachel paused in hanging clothes at Lily’s reaction.
“That sounds like fun.” Lily’s overly enthusiastic voice had her raising a brow in question. “I mean, that’s better than sitting at home on a Friday night, isn’t it?”
“Depends,” Rachel replied.
“On what?”
“I’ve never really dated anyone, Lily. He’s used to being around sexy women who can keep up with him. I’m not even in the same league as the other women.” Rachel hated how unsure of herself she sounded.
Lily bit her lip. “No, you’re definitely not that,” she agreed.
Hurt, Rachel picked up their empty tea cups, packing them to the back room.
“Rachel?” Lily’s soft voice from the doorway had her turning back to her. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. What I meant is that you are a sweet, warm-hearted woman who wants a husband and kids. Family is very important to you, and he doesn’t get along with your brothers.”
“He got their approval to go out with me,” she confessed.
Lily burst out in laughter. “I wish I could have seen that.”
“Me, too.” Rachel laughed along with Lily.
The two women spent a busy afternoon, which passed much too quickly for Rachel’s nervous stomach.
“Have fun,” Lily said mischievously as she pulled her car out of the lot.
All the way home, Rachel thought about what she would wear, not coming to a decision until she was standing in front of her closet, choosing a black skirt and a sapphire-colored blouse with tiny buttons up the front. It looked both casual and dressy, but she still felt uncertain whether she was overdressed. She brushed out her hair, letting it fall down her back in a mass.
As she checked her watch, she saw that she had only a few minutes to spare. Hurriedly, she went out of her bedroom to see Cash was waiting by the doorway.
Rachel’s feet slowed as she approached him. She had never seen him looking so handsome in his dark jeans and casual button down shirt. His sensual mouth was curved in a seductive smile as his eyes traveled her body, over the curves of her hips to linger on the firm thrust of her breasts.
“You look pretty all dressed up. Ready?” Cash asked.
“Yes. Where are we going?” Blushing, Rachel picked up her purse.
“I thought we would check out King’s new restaurant.”
“That sounds good. I haven’t been there yet.” Suddenly, she was more at ease; she was eager to see King’s new place.
“Me, either.” Cash opened the truck door for her.
Rachel wasn’t used to seeing the courtly side of Cash, and it was making her nerves pick back up worse than ever. She stared out the window as he climbed behind the wheel and started the motor.
“Rachel?”
“Yes?”
“Relax.” He gave her a cocky grin as he pulled out onto the mountain road. “It isn’t like it’s your last meal.”
“It feels like it.”
Cash reached across the seat, taking her hand and rubbing his thumb over her calloused palms. Embarrassed, Rachel pulled her hand away.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught his frown.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Your hand. I just noticed something was different.”
Self-consciously, she rubbed her palms against her skirt. “I should wear gloves more often. I get caught up—”
“I don’t give a shit about a few calluses; it’s just that something’s different.”
“What?” Curiously, she looked over at him in the dim interior of the truck.
“They aren’t warm like they used to be. Whenever I touched them before, they were abnormally warm; now they’re cold.”
Rachel turned back to stare out the window again, avoiding his probing gaze.
“I guess the old saying is true: cold hands, cold heart,” she replied ironically.
Sadly, Rachel thought it was his hands that should have been as cold as ice.
Chapter 24
Cash wondered about Rachel’s calm façade. The only hint she was uncomfortable with the conversation was the way she was twisting her hands on her lap.
The parking lot to King’s restaurant and lounge was filled, although Cash found a parking space toward the back of the lot. Opening the door, he was going around to open Rachel’s when he saw she was already sliding out.
“I was going to open it for you.”
“Why? I can open my own.”
Cash shut the truck door. The date wasn’t exactly getting started the way he’d wanted. Every time he was making a gesture, she seemed to want to keep a distance between them.
Sighing, he took her arm, leading her into the restaurant.
After a bit of a wait, King’s hostess seated them at a booth. Cash had intended to sit down next to Rachel, but she didn’t slide over far enough, and he didn’t want to make an issue of it while the customers from the nearby tables were staring at them with curiosity.
Once the waitress took their drink order, leaving them alone, Cash noticed Rachel’s hands tremble as she opened the menu.
“Why are you so nervous?” Cash questioned.
“I’m not. I’m just not used to everyone staring at me.”
He had felt the stares but hadn’t let them bother him. He had long ago grown used to being a topic of gossip in Treepoint.
“Are you ashamed to be seen out in public with me?” His curt voice startled her into dropping her menu.
“What?” Her confused eyes met his.
Cash relaxed, sensing that wasn’t the reason. “Never mind. They’ll quit staring in a minute. I think they’re surprised to see a Porter and an Adams sitting at the same table.”
The waitress returned with their drinks, taking their food orders.
Cash’s eyes met a pair of violet ones staring at him from a stool at the bar. He nodded at King—the owner of the restaurant who had married a member of The Last Riders last summer. His rugged face and sophisticated air had been transferred to the restaurant, creating a hit in the small town. The big-city feel was popular with the younger crowd while scaring the more conservative sect who were leery of embracing anything new.
The food was good, and Cash smiled when he saw the tension finally ease as Rachel enjoyed the steak she had ordered.
“I noticed your plants in the tank are growing larger.”
Rachel looked up from her plate in surprise. “You noticed?”
“Of course. I would be blind as a bat to miss them.”
“My brothers never did. They used to gripe about the money I wasted on the tanks.”
A thought struck Cash. He knew for a fact the job she did at the church store didn’t pay because he and other members of the club pitched in to give Lily her salary. He didn’t think her brothers were giving her money since they wanted her to move home, so how was she supporting herself? She had given
Mag rent money for sharing the house, even though he had heard Mag arguing about it. She also bought her own groceries and supplies. So, where was she getting her money from?
He didn’t think she had started her own weed business, or had she? There was no doubt she had a green thumb. He started to ask, but foreseeing that she would tell him to mind his own business, he decided to find out for himself. It shouldn’t take much to do so; Cash was a master on the computer. He would be able to see where her money was coming from and if it was legal. If there was no trail, then he would have his question answered.
“Are you growing the plants to be a new food source?” Cash joked.
“No.” Her serious expression had his smile disappearing at the determination in her expression. “To purify it. With all the mining, a lot of the wells that most of the people still use are tainted; the plants can purify it and make it clean drinking water again. I’m also seeing how they do with water that’s been polluted with oil spills.”
Cash was impressed with her explanation.
Holy fuck. She was attempting to do what scientists with doctorate degrees had been attempting to do for years. The last big oil spill had resulted in booming business for those who had developed cutting-edge techniques to remove the oil. The possibilities were endless. Developing countries with contaminated water supplies would also benefit. However, the chance of a mountain girl with only a high school education of finding such a discovery was almost nil.
“I can tell you don’t think I can do it.” When he opened his mouth, she raised her hand in the air. “Don’t deny it. I can see it on your face.” She looked down at her plate, hiding her expression. “I went away to college for a couple of semesters. One of the first classes I took was aquaculture. It opened my eyes to how many lives are affected by polluted water. Even Treepoint isn’t exempt. Most people in the mountains still depend on well water that’s contaminated or have streams that are.”
“Shit.”
“So, even though everyone thinks it’s a waste of my time, it’s mine to waste.” Her eyes stared into his with determination.
Cash put his fork down. “I wasn’t being snide. I can tell you have a deep interest in what you’re doing.” Whichever way he turned, he felt like he was taking a step farther away from the woman he was becoming more and more intrigued by.