“Getting on the plane reminded you of that?”
“No, the flight attendant that inducted me did. She was working my flight from Charlotte to Chicago. She even offered a repeat performance, but I said no. She asked who put the smile on my face, and I told her my fiancée did.”
“I see.”
“Ginger, I’d much rather tell you face to face, but I didn’t wanna wait.”
“Are you sure you want just me ‘til death do us part?”
“Yes. More now than ever. Before I was just going through the motions of living. Now, you give me someone to come home to. Someone who is my home. Remember, just because I’m not with you doesn’t mean I’m not thinking about you. You’re always on my mind. I’m coming home to you, darlin’, just as soon as I possibly can.”
“You’ll let me know if you ever want out before you cheat?”
“Yeah, but it ain’t gonna happen.”
“If you say so.”
Dammit! Evan heard her walls going up. If he ever met David Fuckhouse, he was going to beat him to a pulp. He wanted his sassy Ginger back and knew how to bring her back to them, to their connection. He sent a link to a song before he said, “Go to our bathroom.” When he heard the ding on her phone he said, “Open that link and listen to the song when we hang up.” It was “Carolina” by Parmalee and he’d saved it for when they’d be apart. “Are you in front of the mirror yet?”
“Yes.”
“Move the hair from the left side of your neck. Do you see that mark?”
She gasped. “I don’t remember you putting a hickey on me. Evan!”
“I did it this morning when we made love while you were half asleep. That’s my mark. If you need a reminder of who you belong to, who loves you, look at it and remember when you got it. I love you, Ginger. No cheating from either side. Got it?”
“Yes, I love you, too. I can’t wait for you to get home. Maybe I’ll write a different kind of article while you’re gone.”
She was back. He heard the playfulness in her voice. “And what kind would that be?” he chuckled.
“I’m thinking of titling it ‘Top Ten Things To Have Ready When Your Man Comes Home From A Trip’. Do you think the title is too long?”
He chuckled. “What things are you gonna have ready?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t written the article yet.” The laughter in her voice made him smile.
“I don’t wanna hang up, but I’ve got to call Mitchell. Are you okay with what I told you?”
“Did you get a membership card for that club too? ‘Cause if you did, I want that one as well.”
He laughed and shook his head. “No, but if I did I’d gladly give it to you. I’m in a single member club now, and I love it there.”
“Good night, Evan.”
“Good night, darlin’.”
As soon as he disconnected the call he wanted to call her back. She was the piece that had been missing from his life. She made him whole. How was he going to function with half of himself more than halfway across the country? God, he missed her already.
Before he checked in with Mitchell, he took a shower to get rid of the travel grime and get his head straight. As the hot water ran over his body, his mind drifted back to things Ginger had said over the last few weeks. “No one’s ever touched me there before.” He stiffened. “I’ve never felt this connected to anyone before.” He was hard as stone as he washed his hair and lathered his body. “The soul you wanted. The soul you now possess.” He stroked his cock as he thought of her. He knew he had to talk to Mitchell sooner rather than later. “You can trust me. I do.” “Ahh.” He came so hard he had to brace himself on the shower wall while the water ran over his neck and back. Once he could make himself move, he knew what he wanted. Evan wouldn’t tell him about the engagement until they were all together, but he wanted to go back to South Carolina. He wiped the fog off the mirror and took a long look. Was that the life he really wanted? “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you!” She was the life he wanted more than anything, so he searched for his phone.
The call with Mitchell would determine how he handled the meeting with his Captain the following morning. Mitchell answered on the second ring.
“You landed?”
“I’ve been back for a while. I called Ginger first, man. How are things there?”
“Your group of merry men is meeting here Friday, but that’s not what I needed to talk to you about.”
“Everything okay? Kayla?”
“Yeah, but this has to do with the ranch.”
“You have my attention. When’s the security system being installed?”
“Friday. Listen, Mr. Hamilton and I are meeting with a small grocery store chain. One of the things they’re known for is supporting local farmers and ranchers. If we agree to be one of their suppliers, we’ll need to increase the herd and buy those couple of acres above ours. What do you think?”
“Can we afford to do that? Are we gonna need to bring on more men?” Please say yes.
“That’s where you come in. Were you serious about coming back here and possibly working at the ranch?”
Evan massaged his forehead. “I’ve been away from Ginger for about ten hours and I’m already climbing the damn walls. Even if I have to wait a while to get back into law enforcement, I wanna help with the ranch as long as it can sustain paying me.”
“Whether we get the contract or not, it can pay you. I’ve got real estate projects I need to check on and haven’t been able to. An extra set of hands would be greatly appreciated.”
“Sounds like I’ll be resigning instead of requesting a transfer. Do me a favor? Y’all don’t tell Ginger. I wanna surprise her.”
“You got it. Things still going good with her? Did she take you by her and Mak’s favorite store?”
“Better than you know. We’ll talk about it when we see y’all. What store?”
Mitchell busted out laughing. “You haven’t noticed a chest or costumes in her closet?”
“I was only there for one night and had other things on my mind. What the hell are you talking about?”
“Search ‘The Treasure Trail’ in Spartanburg, man. That’ll keep you busy for a while.”
He’d been forthcoming with everything in his past, why hasn’t she mentioned a store. With a name like The Treasure Trail, it could only be an adult store. He let out an exasperated sigh and changed the subject. “Have y’all set a wedding date?”
“If I had my way, it’d be as soon as your ass hits the ranch. I can’t get married without by brother beside me. Mak needs to decide if she wants a big wedding or a small one. I keep pushing for small.”
“Hurry the hell up.”
“What’s the rush?”
“I’m not waiting another five years for y’all to get your shit together for a wedding. I’m not waiting, got it?”
“Are you trying to tell me something?”
“Yeah, make a fucking decision by the time I see you.”
“Which will be?”
“Less than two weeks, I hope.”
“All right, man, I’ll see what I can do. Good night.”
“Good night.”
The next morning Evan woke with a text from Ben. He returned the call as he dressed for work with hopes of good news. There had to be headway soon.
“Stevens.”
“Ben, I just got your text. Mitchell said y’all are meeting at the ranch tomorrow.”
“Yeah, but I need to run something else past you.”
“Shoot.”
“Someone passed a marked bill yesterday. It was one of ATF’s. Apparently, you guys used it in a gun buy several months ago in Nebraska. Ring any bells?”
“I did a couple sales to our guys for Masterson Investments with Carlos. Could’ve been from either of them. I’m sure we used marked bills, but don’t know how much or which sale. Who passed the bill?”
“Chief Curtis Taylor. The bank went through proper notification procedures, and I received th
e call.”
“Where did he use it?”
“Jimmy’s Garage. The bank called Jimmy about it yesterday morning, and I met with Jimmy yesterday afternoon. He said he has a kid helping him part-time and the kid was the one on the register. Curtis bought a candy bar and drink with a hundred. Jimmy remembered because the boy said it took almost all the small bills he had for change. I asked him not to say anything because we’re trying to find where it originated.
“I gave him my card and told him to call me if he sees another transaction like that. If he were in on it he’d have called someone as soon as I was out the door, but instead I watched him walk into one of the bays and crawl under a Chevy. Do you think he’d help launder money?”
Evan sipped his coffee. “Jimmy may get some of his used parts by questionable means, but I don’t think money laundering is something he’d keep up with.”
“What do you mean by questionable means?”
Evan finished his coffee and walked to his bedroom as he said, “Rumor has it he’ll drive around different counties and make note of cars on the side of the road or sitting on cinder blocks. The next day he’ll drive back around. If those cars are still there, he may or may not help some of the engine parts to find new homes. He’s never been caught doing it, but that’s the rumor.”
“So if the Chief has been looking the other way on how he gets his used parts, then Jimmy may be so inclined to make change for the Chief,” Ben said contemplatively.
“There’s no way for Jimmy to know the money was marked. Hell, has there ever even been counterfeit money reported in Riverton Crossing?”
“Not to my knowledge. I’ll ask Secret Service if they have record of anything.”
“You may need to talk with my brother about a briefcase he saw exchange hands. Masterson Investments handed it off to Chief Taylor and Mr. Jones from the local bank. Tell Sam he needs to call Nathan. Nathan’s ATF, and was present at the time of the exchange. The currency could be coming from that briefcase. Mitchell also saw Curtis follow Mr. Jones into the bank with it.”
“Okay, I’ll talk to him before the others arrive tomorrow. Have you spoken with the Sheriff or the Judge?”
“No, but I hear the Judge is pissed because y’all won’t release the body for a funeral.”
“Yeah, he’s called me a couple of times yelling about that, but until the lab is done with it there’s nothing I can do. The guys from the lab say a couple more days. I told him today I hoped he could take the body by Monday and reminded him his boy’s body is the only thing we have to link his death to the murderer. He seemed to calm down after that.”
“Good. I also need to warn you. After today, I won’t have any federal authority to help you. I’m resigning.”
“What the hell, Evan? You drag me into this shit and you’re resigning?”
“You would’ve been dragged in anyway. I just gave you a head start. There are some personal things going on that I can’t discuss right now, but I’ll be at the ranch. Maybe I can do some private consulting,” he said with a chuckle. “Just don’t say anything until I get back.” Evan bent to tie his dress shoes.
“Well hell, part of me is jealous.”
“I’ve got to leave in a few. Let me know how things go tomorrow.”
“Will do.”
21
Ginger had spoken with Evan every day, and on Friday finally confessed that she hadn’t felt well. She thought she’d caught the stomach bug from the lady at the airport and promised she’d call the doctor’s office if she didn’t feel better soon.
It was Monday morning, and she still felt sick. When she finally spoke with the nurse, she knew what she had to do. Once the queasiness lessened, she took a shower and dressed. Although her eyes were puffy, she didn’t bother putting on makeup since the store was right at the bottom of the mountain.
Once she got to the drug store, she walked toward the feminine products section and looked for pregnancy tests. How appropriate, they were right beside the condoms. Even as poorly as she felt, that made her smile. Which one to buy? She wanted the easiest to understand. Positive or negative? Yes or no? She grabbed both, and an extra just in case one was faulty. With her three tests she walked to the pharmacy counter, hoping the pharmacist she knew wasn’t working this morning.
“May I help you?” the young man behind the counter asked.
“Can I pay for these here?”
“Yes ma’am.”
The young man rang her up and Ginger paid, then turned to leave. She hadn’t quite made it to the store’s exit when she heard Evan’s ring tone. Ginger frantically searched her pockets for her phone, then realized she had left it at the pharmacy counter when she pulled out her debit card. Shit. Shit. Shit. She hurried back, but as soon as she turned the corner she saw a man with her phone.
Ginger froze. She’d seen that man before, but not in her town. She was sure he was the man from Riverton Crossing. The man across the street from the café. Ginger approached slowly. She couldn’t make out the words he was saying, but he was speaking into her phone. Be strong. Look at his features. Scratch him if he touches you. All the things her dad had ever taught her ran through her head. Evan needs an identifying mark. She was staring at him when he faced her. He had on sunglasses inside and he never cracked a smile. She finally found her voice.
“That’s my phone,” she said as she held out her hand.
The man hesitated before he gave it to her. She grabbed it and practically ran out of the store.
“Evan,” she said through a sob.
“Ginger! What the fuck? Where are you?”
“I had to run to the drug store. It was him, Evan! It was him!”
“Get in the car and lock the doors.”
Ginger did as he said and cranked her car’s engine. As she waited for a break in traffic so she could turn left, she saw the man come out of the store and get on a motorcycle. “Oh God! Evan, he’s getting on a black and silver bike.”
“Have you ever seen it before?”
“No.”
“Darlin’, once you turn out, I want you to take your first four rights. It’ll take you in a circle, but we’ll know if he’s following you.”
“Okay.” Her voice was shaky.
“Dammit, GPS says I’m an hour out!”
Ginger made the left, but so did the motorcycle. “He’s turning left, too! Evan!”
“Ginger, calm down and take your first right.” She did and looked in the rearview mirror.
“Evan, he turned right, too. Oh God!”
“Take your next right.”
She did, with the same result. “He did, too!”
“Fuck! Darlin’, I’m trying to get there. If he continues to follow you, do not go home! Do you understand?”
“Yes.” She made the next right. “He stayed straight!” Her breathe was uneven as she whispered again, “He went straight.”
“Oh, thank God. Gin, drive around for a few more minutes to make sure he doesn’t show back up. Do not hang up the phone.”
“He was on the road heading toward the interstate. Do you think he just looked like the other guy?”
“No, darlin’, he gave me a warning. I thought he had taken you.”
“What did he say?”
“He hoped I wasn’t the reason you looked upset. We’re gonna need to see if we can lift some fingerprints off your phone.”
“Do I need to go to the police station?”
“No, I have my kit with me. I’ll do it when I get there. Do you see the motorcycle?”
“No.”
“I think you can go home, but lock the doors. Don’t open them for anyone but me.”
“How far out are you?”
“About a half hour.”
Ginger drove home and locked herself inside the house. She went to the back deck since the only way up to it was through the house. She bundled up with a light summer blanket and replayed the whole scene in her head. She was deep in thought when the front doorbell ra
ng. The ring tone hadn’t stopped before she heard banging on the door. As she walked toward the door she heard, “Ginger, open the damn door or I’ll break it down!”
Evan. He was finally here.
The door swung open and there she was. Relief rushed over him as he wrapped his arms around her. She was here, right in front of him. He pulled back and looked her up and down. Her eyes were red and puffy so he knew she’d been crying. He ran his fingers in her hair and cupped her face while he peppered her with kisses. “Ginger,” he whispered. He couldn’t get her close enough.
“Evan,” she said through a sob.
He picked her up, kicked the door closed, and carried her to the sofa in the living room. When he sat them down, his hand moved up and down her leg as he asked, “Darlin’, are you all right?”
“I’m better now that you’re home. I froze when I saw him up close. I thought I’d recognize something about him, but he was wearing sunglasses.” She shook her head. “I couldn’t make out his words, but his voice was a whisper. It wasn’t familiar. His beard was fuller than the last time.”
“We’ll get to all of that. Right now I just need to hold you,” he said as he pulled her closer. She’s safe. She is safe. He slowly started to relax. He kissed her temple and waited for her to turn her head. When she did, he kissed her thoroughly, plundering her mouth with his tongue. He needed this connection. Apparently, she did too as she matched his fervor. By the time he broke the kiss, their hearts were racing for a different reason. “God, when I heard his voice, I got pissed. I didn’t know why some man was answering your phone, then his words told me who he was. I was in a damned car an hour away from you! I couldn’t do anything!” He squeezed her tight as his anger was returning. When he continued, he voice was quiet, “I was at his mercy because he had you. The more he spoke the harder my foot pressed the accelerator. Then I heard your voice and I could breathe. At least I knew you were alive.” He rested his forehead on hers. “You’re safe. I’m not leaving you again.”
Unfinished Business: A Riverton Crossing Novel Page 16