by Sable Hunter
“Oh, wow. That sounds fun. I bet they’d hire you in a heartbeat. You should do it.”
“I can’t now. I’m trapped.”
“Is that the way you look at it? Being trapped?”
He could tell this hurt her feelings a bit. “There are bright spots in my life.”
“Your father loves you. I know this time is hard, but it’s an opportunity for the two of you to heal.”
“Do you want to heal things with your mother?”
“Touché.” She shrugged. “How about before the incident with your commanding officer? If you could turn back time, what did you see for your future at that point?”
Jonah took an opportunity to delay his answer while their food was being served.
“Don’t avoid the question. I want to know.”
“You’re a nosy little thing, aren’t you?”
“No, I want to know you. Inside and out. You’re important to me, Jonah.”
“You’re important to me too. So…after I answer this question – expect to be grilled.” He captured her hand to kiss her fingers.
“I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”
He dipped a chip into salsa and ate it. “Before the shooting incident, I wanted to continue as a law enforcement officer. In some capacity. Trick and I talked about starting our own business. Security or private investigation. Who knows? We both got caught up in that nightmare and lost our nerve.”
“You haven’t lost it. You just haven’t forgiven yourself.”
He sprinkled some salsa on his refried beans. “Give the woman a prize. You nailed it in one. I haven’t forgiven myself and I probably never will.”
“Let me tell you a secret.”
“All right.” He watched her carefully. “Spill the beans, cutie.”
“My grandfather was my rock. I loved my grandmother, but he seemed to understand me better than anyone else. He taught me things I’ll never forget. After my grandmother died, he slowly went downhill. Unbeknownst to me, he was suffering from these ministrokes. I don’t think he knew himself or if suspected, he ignored the signs. Who knows? Maybe he didn’t want to live after his wife was gone. Anyway, one day he had a major stroke. He was in the hospital for days. Once he was stabilized, he insisted on going home. Said his patients needed him. Of course, he couldn’t see his patients. I took care of a few things I could take care of, but for the most part I became his caretaker.”
“I seem to sense a theme.”
“Yep, you do.” She ate a few bites, then drank some tea. Clearing her throat, she pressed on. “I took care of him the best I could. When he worsened, I got him assistance, a program called Home Health. They checked in on us a few times a week.”
“Other than that, he was your responsibility.”
“Yea. I did the best I could. He was a big man and tending to him was difficult for me at times.”
“I’m sure it was. I don’t see how you do what you do for Dad.”
“Labor of love,” she whispered. “Which is how I would clarify what I did for my grandfather. But…I messed up. I got tired. Frustrated. He was being difficult. The stroke impaired his thinking. He wasn’t himself. He dumped the tray of food I brought him, and he wouldn’t tell me when he needed to go to the bathroom. Little things that shouldn’t have upset me as much as they did. But I was alone and tired. At one point, I just needed some air. and I went for a short walk. I didn’t even leave the front yard. While I was out there, I heard a thud and when I went back in – he was gone. I found him dead on the floor. If I’d been there, I could’ve done something.”
“It wasn’t your fault. It was his time. He’d suffered long enough.”
“I don’t know that.”
“You sacrificed your life for your family. What more could you have done?”
She took his hand. “And what would you have done? Your commanding officer intended for them to die. He would’ve killed them either way. What were you supposed to do? Let him shoot Trick? Let him kill you? Turn your gun on your commanding officer?”
“I should have. He deserved to die more than those innocent men.”
“And where would you be now if you had?”
“I probably would’ve faced a firing squad.”
“What a waste that would’ve been. Guilt can eat you alive. I know. But what purpose does it serve?”
“Nothing good, I guess.” Jonah knew he would ponder what she’d said to him – long and hard. “Tell me your best memory.”
“Oh. Okay.” She chewed on her lip as she gave his question some thought. “Making love with you.”
This brought a laugh to his lips. “Well, I meant before. But yeah. I agree. For me too. Do you want some dessert?”
“For you to take me to bed.”
Jonah put down his fork, the smile on his face a mile wide. “Damn, you’re good for me. I’ve never met anyone like you.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“It was meant as one.”
While he settled the bill, she waited by the front door, gazing out into the street. As she did, a black Trans-am went by really slow. Delaney couldn’t stop herself, she opened the door and stepped out onto the sidewalk trying to see inside the tinted windows.
“What are you looking at?” Jonah came up to her in concern. “What wrong? Did something happen?”
“No, I just thought I saw…never mind.”
“A black sports car?”
“Yea, I act like there’s only one in existence. I’ve seen it more than once and it’s probably been a different car every time.”
“I know. I do the same thing. Don’t worry. I’m sure they’ll be able to use the description you gave at the station to catch them.”
“I hope so.” She rubbed her arms against the chill of the evening.
“Let me warm you up.” He took his jacket and spread it over her shoulders.
Delaney clutched it around her, loving the comfort it gave and the fact it smelled like him. “Delicious.” She took his arm as they strolled down the street. “Comfort is a neat little town.”
“It is.” He pointed out several of the buildings. “If you notice, the architecture is all original to the time of the Freethinkers. Most of it has been refurbished and repurposed but Comfort is known for having one of the more well-preserved historical districts of any small town in Texas.”
“I guess it makes you feel like you have established roots. A history.”
“I guess that’s true. Of course, my ancestors would probably frown at the menial way I make my living. Some of them were descended from Prussian princes.”
“See, you probably have royal blood flowing through your veins.” She laid her head on his shoulder. “You need to stop downing yourself. I think you’re a prince among men. If I had to choose between you and some movie star or sports celebrity – it would be you, hands down. No contest.”
“Why? That’s absurd.” He really wanted to hear her reason.
“Because you’re real. Honest. Hardworking. Tender. Handsome. Smart.”
“Oh, stop.” He felt the color rise in his cheeks.
“I’m telling the truth. I always dreamed of meeting someone like you. I’ve never longed for a fancy life, I just wanted to have someone I could trust. Someone I could love and care for. Someone I could give children and we could grow old together.”
Jonah felt both a longing and a bit of alarm. “You’re young. I’m sure you’ll get everything you’ve ever wanted.”
Delaney glanced up at his face, trying to determine if he was celebrating her choices or warning her off. She couldn’t tell, so she moved the conversation to a safer path. “Thank you for bringing me on the date.”
“I had a great time. And it’s early. You want to take in a movie?”
“Oh, sure. That would be fun.”
For the next hour and a half they held hands in the darkened theater. Stealing kisses between action
scenes. He ate popcorn and she indulged in chocolate covered raisins. When the show was over, they stopped for ice cream at the Dairy Queen.
“I came here once before, and I bought you an Oreo Blizzard.”
Jonah handed her a chocolate dip cone. “What happened to my Blizzard? Did you eat it?”
“No, I threw it away.”
“Why?”
“That was the day I saw you kissing Tressie. I mean, Tressie kissing you.”
“Damn. What a disaster. She cost me a blizzard.”
“Well, I’ll buy you another one next time I come to town.”
“That would be much appreciated.” He reached over and bit the top off of her cone.
“Hey, eat your own ice cream,” she chided him as they climbed in her car to go home.
The drive didn’t take long, and Delaney was sad the date was over. “I had a really good time. Thanks for taking me.”
“This was nothing. Like I said earlier, you deserve nice things. I wish I could take you to Paris or Hawaii. I wish I could buy you diamonds and furs.”
“I wouldn’t want a fur. And I’m not fond of flying. I’d much rather go to the movies with you and have ice cream.”
“You’re too easy to please, Miss Delaney.”
“No, I just know what I want.”
He felt his heart ache at her words. “Being wanted by you is a privilege. Don’t forget. As soon as Cletus leaves and Dad’s in bed – you’re all mine.”
“Oh, I won’t forget. Any of this.” She would cherish the memories forever.
…In bed, they took pleasure in one another. Jonah kissed her from head to toe, then took her tenderly as he spooned her from behind. Tonight, their lovemaking wasn’t urgent – it was tender, toe-curling, and amazingly familiar. To Delaney, each time they joined it was like coming home.
After their loving, she slept in his arms, her heart full of dreams for the future.
* * *
A few days later, Delaney was almost ready to throw in the towel. John was refusing to cooperate. She could tell he didn’t feel good. Reasoning with him was a lost cause. Standing her ground she held out her hand. “You are going to take your medicine if I have to sit on top of you and force them through your teeth, cowboy.”
“I’d like to see you try, you skinny little heifer.”
She stammered and stuttered. “Did you just call me a heifer?”
“I did.” He stuck his chin in the air. “You know those pills don’t do me no good.”
“You have to take them until the doctor says otherwise, you stubborn mule.”
“What are you two fighting about? I can hear you all the way to the shop?” Jonah looked from his dad to Delaney. “Tell me. I’m here to referee.”
“He doesn’t want to take his medicine.”
“I don’t need them damn pills. I need a vacation!”
“You have to take your pills, Dad. Why are you giving Delaney a hard time? She is so good to you.”
“She coddles me. She smothers me. One day she treats me like a baby and the next day she treats me like an invalid.” He patted his chest. “I am a man. In my prime! And I want to be treated like one.”
“Well, then act like one. Do what you’re supposed to. Take the pills like the doctor ordered. Delaney’s not trying to insult you or make you mad. She cares about you.”
He held out his hand for the pills, then he swallowed them without water. “There! Now, leave me the hell alone. I just need some space!”
As he stalked off to the living room, Delaney sank into a kitchen chair. “Wow. Whew!” She blew a puff of air up to lift her bangs off her damp forehead. “He wore me out.”
“Sorry. I don’t know what’s come over him.” Jonah was mighty afraid time was running out for them. If the day came when Delaney couldn’t handle his father, he wouldn’t have a choice about putting him into a home.
“He’s just frustrated and bored. I’ve tried everything I can think of – from board games to making cookies. He’s just not interested in my form of entertainment.”
“Did he keep you up last night? I missed you in bed this morning.”
“I was with him most of the night. He didn’t sleep worth a flip. He kept trying to go outside. I was afraid to shut my eyes.”
“Why didn’t you wake me up?”
“You needed your sleep. You have to work.”
“And what do you call what you do? You’re exhausted.”
“I’m good. I just need some coffee.”
Jonah knelt in front of Delaney. “Hey, you’re important to me. Don’t wear yourself out.” He put his arms around her. “Please take care of yourself. I need you.”
Delaney felt her heart contract. “I’m okay, Jonah. I’m just frustrated and worried about John. I hope those tests give us some answers.”
“I know. I do too.” His faith wasn’t as strong as hers, but he did have faith in her.
She rubbed his back, taking a moment to enjoy being close to him. “Go on to work. I’m sorry we disturbed you. We’ll be fine.”
Needing to finish some stuff up, he kissed her on the cheek and rose to his feet. “If you need me, don’t hesitate to holler.”
“I won’t,” she promised him.
When he was gone, she hurried to the living room to see what John was up to. To her relief, he was working on a puzzle she’d found in the closet.
“You’re making progress.”
“Just trying to find all the edge pieces.”
She knelt to help him locate a few.
“Stop. I want to do it myself.”
“Okay.” She moved away. “I’ll go put on the slow cooker. How does beef tips and rice sound?”
“Sounds okay.” He waved her away. “Go do your thing and leave me in peace.”
She did as he asked, retreating to the kitchen. There was no shortage of things to do. Laundry. Sweeping. Changing Tommy’s litter box.
After she’d made some progress, Delaney eased to the living room door to check on John. She found him watching television. When he didn’t look up to meet her eye, she left him alone.
In the kitchen, she poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down at the kitchen table to rest. After a few sips, she grew drowsy. Frowning, she rested her head on her hand. The caffeine wasn’t doing its job. “I’ll close my eyes for ten seconds. That’s all.”
The next thing she knew, she’d knocked her coffee cup to the floor. “Dammit.” Lifting her gaze to the microwave, she saw almost an hour had passed. “Crap.”
Jumping up, she walked to the living room. “Hey, how about another cup of coffee?”
When she rounded the corner, the recliner was empty. So was the rest of the room.
“John?” Hurrying through the first floor, she didn’t see him. “John!” Running up the stairs, she looked in his room. It was empty too. “John!” With a rapidly beating heart, she canvassed the whole second floor. He wasn’t there. “Oh, no.”
Running back downstairs, she raced out on the porch. And that was when she saw the Camry was gone. “Oh, no. John!” Taking off at a run, she dashed toward the shop. Halfway there, she realized the wrecker wasn’t parked in its normal spot. Jonah was gone too. Did he realize his father was missing?
Returning to the house, she found her phone. To her dismay, she saw it was nearly dead. Pressing the button to call Jonah, she dreaded telling him she’d failed. When he didn’t answer right off, she ended the call and ran to the breadbox to locate John’s truck keys. Pity she didn’t make a habit of hiding her own keys. “I can’t believe this,” she muttered, disgusted with herself for letting down her guard.
Once the keys were in hand, she hurried outside and made straight for the old truck. In such a hurry, she didn’t even take time to find her purse. Hopefully, this wouldn’t take long. Without a doubt, she knew where John had gone. All he could think about lately was his friend’s plans to do some traveling. She just hoped
he’d gotten there safely.
In a near panic, she started the engine, the tires squealing as she accelerated out of the drive. As she drove, she tried Jonah again. Still no answer. Next, she tried Cletus. When he didn’t answer, she tossed the phone in the seat. “Just be there, John. Please be there.”
Entirely focused on her destination, Delaney was oblivious to the passing scenery or vehicles sharing the road with her. She was driving too fast, but she didn’t care. All she could think about was how devastated Jonah would be if something happened to his father.
Delaney made it to the ramshackle trailer in record time. To her horror, she saw no vehicles at all. Neither Cletus’s truck nor his travel trailer was anywhere to be seen. Her Camry wasn’t here either. Passing the drive, she drove nearer the river in order to turn around. Just past a small grove of trees, she spotted something blue. “Oh, no.” Her heart sank when she saw her old blue car hidden in the bushes. “John, you scoundrel.” He might be forgetful, but he still had it him to be a sneak. The only conclusion she could draw was that he’d left with Cletus. Of course, he might be hiding somewhere around the trailer if his friend was already gone when he arrived. “Just let me get turned around and I’ll stop to see.”
Coming to a stop, she made ready to turn around. The road was narrow and rough. She wasn’t used to maneuvering a vehicle as big as John’s. Even though this road saw little traffic, she glanced in the rearview mirror before pulling out into the road. When she did – her heart almost came through her chest. Because the old truck’s engine made so much noise, she hadn’t heard the car pull up behind her. A black Trans-am was blocking the road and two familiar figures were headed her way. Snatching the phone from the seat, she dialed 9-1-1.
“May I help you?”
“Yes, I need help. Two men are…”
Before she could finish her sentence, the door was wrenched open, and a cruel hand grabbed the phone from her grasp and ended her call. “Not so fast, bitch. Bring the taser over here, Trey.”
Delaney tried to fight, but she was no match for them. The one called Hoyt jerked her from the car and threw her to the ground. As she fell, a sharp branch sticking out of the ground caught her leg cutting deeply into her flesh. The pain took her breath away. “Stop! Leave me alone!”