He was looking at her intently. While her insides were getting all mushy again, she knew she couldn’t just take a strange man’s card and follow his directions as if she did things like that. “Why?”
He paused, as though not expecting her to question him. “Because looking out for you would make me happy.”
“But don’t you live far away?”
“Only by two hours. That ain’t anything, sugar. If you need me, I’ll get here.” While she gaped at him, he continued on. “Now, look. I’m gonna come back in a week or so. Sometime before that, you call and leave a message for me. Tell me how you’re doing. Don’t forget.”
“I don’t know how I feel about that.”
He blinked, then folded his arms across his chest. “What do you want to know?”
What didn’t she want to know? And more importantly, why was she even still talking to him? “Are you West? Is that your name?”
“It is.”
She fingered the card. Noticed that it had a motorcycle emblem and a bunch of numbers, and one name. “Don’t you have a last name? Or is that your last name?”
“It’s neither, but it’s what everyone calls me.”
Well, that was as clear as a mud puddle. “I still don’t understand why you came over here to find me. Or why you want me to call.”
“All you need to know is that those men won’t be bothering you again. Now I gotta go, but I’m expecting you to call. If you don’t, we’re going to have to have a talk about that when I come back here.”
He was bossy! She should be offended. Maybe even worried about how presumptuous he was being. But instead of either of those things, she was merely curious. “If I don’t call, what are you going to do?” she whispered.
“If you don’t call, all we’re going to do is this.”
“This?” She waved a hand, feeling like she was treading water in a deep pool.
“This. Talk, sugar. That’s it. Don’t you worry. I’d never lay a hand on you. You understand? I don’t hurt women.”
“Okay.”
That seemed to be important to him. “Do you believe me?” he pressed. “I don’t want you scared.”
“I’m not scared of you.” And miraculously, she wasn’t.
“Good. Now, chin up, sugar. Things are going to get better. You ain’t alone anymore.”
And before she could respond to that, he turned and walked over to a dark SUV that his friend had just driven up. While she looked on, West got in the passenger seat, closed the door, and Smith drove off.
She watched the small cloud of dust that the car’s tires kicked up dissipate before making her way back to work. Just before she walked inside, she slipped the business card in the pocket of her dress.
And realized that she felt much better about everything.
Though she knew she should only feel scared that such a scary man had taken an interest in her, Irene decided to worry about that later.
For now, all she knew was that she wasn’t alone. And for her, that was a very good feeling.
Chapter 11
Friday, February 9
Calvin had grown to love his sister-in-law. Waneta was easygoing, generally cheerful, and had given him another chance to prove himself with her and Mark.
He would always appreciate that.
And because of what he owed her, there was usually nothing she could do that he would ever find fault with. Until today.
She’d spent much of the day at the hospital pacing and fussing, questioning nurses, and generally making herself sick with worry. Privately, he couldn’t fault her. There were so many things that could prevent Mark’s recovery: One of the tests could show that the cancer had spread, or his other kidney could start failing, unable to handle the stress of losing its other half. Or Mark could get an infection—and with his weakened autoimmune system, a whole new set of dangers could set in.
Calvin was there not only for himself, though; he was there to give his sister-in-law support. That meant he needed to act as if everything with his brother was going to be fine.
In some ways, this subterfuge was even more challenging than his undercover job. But still, he persisted. He tried to reassure, distract her, and even pray with her. None of those things helped.
He felt so sorry for her.
But as the hours passed, he began to feel a little sorry for himself, too. It was a thankless job, attempting to calm someone who didn’t care to be calmed down. Exhausting, too. If he didn’t get a break from her restlessness, he was going to snap. “Waneta, how about you go home for a couple of hours?”
She turned on her heel, pausing in midstride. “Why on earth would I want to do that?” she asked after double-checking that her husband was still asleep.
“Because we both know if Mark saw you like this, he would be concerned. He would want you to rest.”
She inhaled, obviously prepared to list the dozen reasons why she shouldn’t leave the room. But Calvin had some ammunition that he’d been saving for this very moment. “Before Mark’s surgery, I promised him that I’d try to look out for you.”
“And that’s what you’re doing?”
“I am.” He wasn’t lying, either. Mark actually had gripped his hand hard and made Calvin promise that he would always look after Waneta if something happened to him. That was one of the easiest promises he could make, especially since he planned to do it anyway. He wanted to be there for his brother and sister-in-law. He wanted to help them, to do something of worth.
So that’s what he was trying to do. But he was also looking after himself. He would be able to be the man he wanted to be . . . if his dear sister-in-law wasn’t getting on his last nerve. “You need to leave for a while,” he said as forcefully as he could while still keeping his voice low. “It’s time.”
Her blue eyes narrowed, refusal shining in their depths. “But you’ve been here much longer.”
He also was much better at sitting and waiting. If there was anything his adult life had taught him, it was the value of patience. “I’m going to have to go back to Louisville for a couple of days. You’ll be on your own then. Why don’t you go see Lora or your parents for a couple of hours? I know they are all probably real worried about you.”
Her expression brightened. “Lora did say she was working at Bill’s Diner today. I bet my parents might want to go there with me. I heard the special is liver-and-onions again. My mother loves that.”
Carefully schooling his features so he didn’t grimace, he said, “See? There you go.”
Neeta’s expression brightened a bit more.
Feeling like he was making progress, Calvin pulled two twenties out of his wallet and handed them to her. “Why don’t you go get some lunch or a shake and visit with all of them for a while? I’m sure they’d be glad to hear your updates. When you come back, Mark will be awake and you’ll have something to talk to him about.”
She nibbled her bottom lip. “I could do that. Mark does like hearing about my parents’ latest projects. But you keep your money. I’ll use my own.”
“You need cash for a driver and food.”
“But—”
“Let me keep my promise to Mark, Neeta.” When she still hesitated, he said, “Mark gave me this money before he left for the hospital, so you would have some if you needed it.”
Her brow wrinkled. “He didn’t want to give it to me?”
“He was worried you’d be flustered or wouldn’t want to use it on yourself.”
She glanced at her husband. “Mark is so wonderful.”
“Jah. He is. He’s wonderful-gut,” he said drily. “So take it, okay?”
After a lengthy hesitation, she took the money. Then, after gently brushing her hand along Mark’s brow, she walked out. Calvin might have been mistaken, but he was pretty sure that her step was already a little lighter.
Feeling pleased with himself, he exhaled.
“I didn’t know you could manage my wife so well,” Mark said.
Cal
vin popped his head up. “How long have you been awake?”
“Long enough to hear you lie to her about that money,” he said weakly.
“It wasn’t anything. I didn’t want her to worry about paying for a driver. That’s all.”
“Danke.” His eyes closed again.
Standing by the bed, Calvin asked, “How are you doing? Do you need anything?”
“Some water would be good.”
Carefully Calvin poured some ice water into the plastic glass and positioned a straw in the middle of it. “Here you go,” he said as he held the cup for him. “Sip carefully, okay?”
Mark did as he was told, then leaned back with a heavy sigh.
Calvin thought he looked pale. “Are you in pain? Do you want me to call for the nurse?”
“Not yet. Why don’t you sit and talk to me instead?”
Calvin sat down. It was moments like this when he felt the chasm in their relationship most of all. He could work beside Mark easily. He’d had no trouble pitching in and helping Waneta prepare for Mark’s hospital visit.
He was even good with doing what Mark asked him to do. But sitting by his side made him uncomfortable. They didn’t have that ease of relationship anymore.
Or maybe they never did. He couldn’t remember very many times during their childhood when they weren’t in some kind of crisis mode. Either one of their parents would be acting strangely and Mark would be helping Calvin stay out of their way—or he and his brother were in need of clothes, school supplies, or food.
The older Calvin got, the more he came to appreciate all the sacrifices Mark had made for his good.
“Anything special on your mind?” he asked, half hoping that Mark would need him to go ask a question of one of the nurses.
“Jah.”
“Name it, then.”
After an interminable moment, Mark murmured, “How ’bout you tell me who your friends are now.”
A dozen lies entered his head, each one promptly cast aside. He didn’t want to lie to Mark. But he didn’t want to disappoint him right to his face, either. “Ah, what friends?”
“The ones in Louisville. The ones you are always texting or seeing.”
“You know I’m part of the Kings. That’s not a secret.”
“Nee, but I thought you were going to get out of that gang.”
“Getting out ain’t all that easy.” For most people, it meant death.
“How are you going to get out?” Mark’s gaze turned direct. His eyes were clear and piercing, making Calvin shift uncomfortably, just like he used to when he was a young boy. “What will you have to do?”
“It doesn’t matter, because I’m not going to get out anytime soon.” He held up a hand. “I owe West. He took me in when I was in a pretty bad place. I make a good living working for him, too.”
“But aren’t you still doing illegal things?”
“Not so much,” Calvin said lightly. “We should talk about something else. So, um, are you in much pain?”
Mark grunted. “I’d rather talk about you. If you don’t want to leave, I get that. But you don’t have to lie about it.”
“I don’t want to argue, brother. Years ago, we each made our choices. Mine happened to come with some consequences that I have to live with. But I’m making sure that they don’t touch you or your wife.”
“Drugs and guns . . .”
“Neither of those things are going to touch you.”
“I heard you tell Waneta that you were going back soon.”
“Yeah, I tried to get out of it, but I don’t have much choice. I won’t stay long, though.”
“They won’t mind if you come home again?”
“The Kings aren’t a Boy Scout troop, but they aren’t all bad, either. West values family as much as the next guy.”
Mark pursed his lips together. “I don’t understand it, but I am glad you’ve been here. I’ve been resting better knowing you are with Waneta.”
“I’m glad I’ve been here, too,” he said, relieved he could finally say something without lying. “I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else.”
Before Mark could start another topic, Calvin pressed the call button.
“May I help you?” a tinny-sounding female voice asked.
“Yes, my brother is awake.”
“That’s great. Someone will be right in.”
“I’m getting the feeling you did that on purpose,” Mark said drily.
“Of course I did. Waneta would be mighty upset with me if I didn’t try my best to take care of you.”
“Huh.”
Luckily, a nurse came in with a cart and prevented Mark from pressing him for more information.
“Hello, Mark,” she said with a smile. “Let’s see how your vitals are doing.” She smiled brightly as she reached for his arm. “The doctor said if you continue to show improvement, you might be able to go home in a couple of days.”
“Not tomorrow?”
She clucked as she pressed two fingers on his wrist. “That’s up to the doctors, Mr. Fisher. But we wouldn’t want you to leave before you are ready, right?”
“Right.”
When Mark looked at him with raised eyebrows, Calvin winked. “I’ll go stand outside.”
Mark pulled his arm out of the nurse’s grasp. “But we’ll talk later?”
“Of course, bruder. I’m here all night. We’ll talk all you want,” he said before walking out into the hall.
Only then did he release the breath he’d hardly even been aware he was holding. His brother was going to be all right. He hadn’t messed up anything with him and Waneta yet.
So, yeah, he would definitely talk with Mark. He’d talk with him all night long, if he wanted.
It just wasn’t going to be about anything that could get either of them killed.
Chapter 12
Wednesday, February 14
The minute Alice walked onto the front porch, intending to walk to the street and retrieve Edward’s mail, she realized that she should have looked out the window first.
Calvin Fisher was standing outside again. As if he’d heard the screen door creak, he looked directly at her but didn’t speak.
That was a good thing, because she had no idea what she would say anyway. All she seemed to be able to do was stare back.
He wasn’t smoking this time. Instead, he was just standing there, looking at her. Or maybe he was simply staring out at the world and she happened to be in his line of vision.
She stood stuck for a couple of seconds like a deer on the edge of a street. She wasn’t ready to see him again. She’d seen a gun tucked into his clothes the last time they’d been together.
He was obviously dangerous. Dangerous to know and dangerous to be around.
But still, there she stood. Watching him in a bold way.
The sun was slowly setting on the horizon, seeming to cause shadows to play across Calvin’s features. There was only one streetlight and it hadn’t come on yet. She couldn’t see him all that clearly. The longer she watched him, the more she started worrying about him.
She was almost disappointed that he wasn’t smoking. She’d started to become used to the way he fussed with both his cigarettes and his lighter, and got the impression that the constant motion relaxed him as much as tobacco did. Now? He looked too still and silent. She wondered if he was worried about his brother or was bothered by something else.
Yet again, she might have just been imagining things. Maybe Calvin was perfectly fine and was simply enjoying the peace and quiet.
Determined to simply complete her errand and get back inside, she started walking. And, if he happened to say something to her, she would reply politely.
But that was it.
Chin up, she walked down the driveway to the mailbox. Opened it to see that her suspicions were correct. It was fair to bursting with mail and catalogs. Yes! She’d been absolutely right to get the mail for her brother and sister-in-law. It wasn’t a made-up errand at all.
Knowing that gave her the fortitude to sneak another peek at him.
Unfortunately, she didn’t end up being sneaky at all. Calvin was still staring right at her.
Which made her all the more flustered.
She waved, hoping to look pleasantly surprised to see him, but no doubt failing miserably. “Oh! Hiya, Calvin. I hope you are well?” Yes, she did indeed call out to him from across the street.
“I’m all right. What are you doing?”
“Nothing much. Getting my bruder’s mail.” Standing beside the box, she smiled at him. Practically willing him to invite her over.
He didn’t disappoint. “I just made a pot of decaf coffee. Would you like any?”
“Oh! Jah. Kaffi sounds wonderful-gut. I mean, I’ll be right there,” she called out before rushing inside to put the mail away. Valentine the cat looked at her like she’d lost her mind.
Alice felt herself blushing. “I know what you’re thinking, cat, and you would be right, too. I’m being a little impulsive and very forward. Mamm would be displeased. But I’m only being neighborly.”
Valentine eyed her silently, then held out a paw and licked it.
“I know. Words mean nothing compared to my pushy behavior. But it’s not too awful. I mean, I hope not. There’s no need to look so disapproving,” she chided before rushing back outside.
By the time she got through his front door, Calvin already had two cups on the coffee table. Beside them was a little plate with a sugar bowl, spoon, and a jelly glass full of milk. “You made me a coffee service?”
“Don’t tell anyone. Every man I know would laugh at me. But I figured girls always like sugar and milk with their coffee.”
Since she was known to take a generous helping of both, she had to smile. “I won’t tell anyone. But I do appreciate it. Danke.”
He shrugged. “Don’t thank me for this. You coming over helped me out. I’m not used to sitting here all alone. I was standing out there, feeling like the evening was going to last for hours.”
“How is your bruder?”
“He’s going to be okay. The initial tests came back negative for traces of cancer in other parts of his body. It looks like they got it all when they took that kidney. But he’s sore and having a difficult time bouncing back.”
His Risk Page 8