“You try to shoot me, and you might kill your daughter by accident,” Cal told him, his mind going crazy trying to figure out how he was going to protect Maggie and Twiggy and get himself out of this mess he was in.
“Hand over the baby, and we’ll leave and no one gets hurt,” warned Marcus, seeming very agitated.
“Why do you even want her?” asked Cal, stalling for time, trying to devise a plan. “You can’t take care of her.”
“No, but I can,” said Shelby. “We’re getting married, and that little girl is ours.”
“You want a baby, Shelby? Is this what it’s all about?” Cal thought back to the kidnapper who had tried to take Maggie. What was wrong with women nowadays that they were willing to do anything to get their hands on a baby that wasn’t even theirs?
“If Shelby can’t take care of her, then we’ll hire a senorita down in Mexico to be the baby’s nanny,” said Marcus.
“Mexico? So that’s where you’re going?” asked Tuesday.
“Well, they certainly can’t stay in the United States if he is a wanted man,” Cal told her. “I still don’t know why you even care about this baby when you didn’t when Jenna was alive.”
“He’s doing it for me since I recently found out I can’t have children,” said Shelby.
“My God,” grumbled Cal, shaking his head. “You are both messed up.”
“Hand over the baby, I said, or I swear I will kill you!” Marcus’ hand shook and a crazed look filled his eyes.
“It was written in Jenna’s will that I am the baby’s guardian. You have no right to her,” Cal told him, knowing he was going to have to fight the man and couldn’t do it with a baby in his arms. Damn, he wished he had a weapon right now. He slowly handed the baby to Tuesday and whispered to her. “Take Maggie back to the truck and lock yourself inside and call the cops.”
“Shelby, get the baby,” Marcus told her.
Shelby ran over and started to grab the baby from Twiggy, but Twiggy wouldn’t let go.
“Give her to me,” Shelby shouted. Cal reached out, planning on tearing Shelby away, but Marcus had moved closer and was pointing the gun right at Cal’s heart now. Burrito growled and grabbed Shelby’s leg with his mouth and she screamed out in pain.
“Shelby,” yelled Marcus. “I’ll kill that damned dog.”
As soon as Marcus aimed the gun at Burrito, Cal rushed him, diving at him, bringing him to the ground.
Tuesday screamed when she heard the gunshot, kicking at Shelby, holding the baby protectively against her. Shelby fought with the dog, and Tuesday dove behind a table. With one shaking hand, she dialed 911, praying for help.
“What is your emergency?” came a voice from the other end of the phone.
“There is an escaped convict trying to kill us,” she said into the phone, but didn’t have time to say more before the phone was kicked out of her hand. She looked up in terror to see Marcus with the gun in his hand, aiming it right at her.
“Cal?” she cried out.
“I killed him,” laughed Marcus. “And now, I will kill you, too, and take what belongs to me.”
“Burrito!” she yelled, bringing the dog leaping out of nowhere, biting at Marcus as he fell to the ground. The baby started crying. Tuesday looked across the floor to see Cal lying on the ground in a puddle of blood. “No!” she screamed, seeing he’d been shot and fearing he was dead.
“Get the baby,” cried Shelby, limping toward them.
“Forget the damned baby,” spat Marcus. “If you hadn’t convinced me to wait and steal the baby, I’d be across the border by now. Let’s go.” He reached out and grabbed Shelby’s arm, but she struggled with him.
“No! I’m getting my baby, and if you won’t help me, I’ll turn you in, I swear I will,” shouted Shelby.
“You’re proving to be more trouble than you’re worth. I’ve had enough of all of this.”
Tuesday couldn’t believe it when she saw Marcus raise the gun and shoot Shelby right through the heart. The woman fell down, landing at Tuesday’s feet. Maggie continued to cry, and although Tuesday knew she should run, she was so scared that she couldn’t even move.
“You two are next, since I can’t leave loose ends.” Marcus raised the gun to shoot her, and Tuesday held tightly to the baby and turned and forced her legs to move.
“Nooooo!” she heard a man cry out from behind her and then a loud crash and also a dog barking, and the sound of a struggle from behind her. She made it to the door and turned around to see Cal sitting on top of Marcus, punching him over and over again. The gun had slid across the floor and was now right at her feet.
“Get the gun, Twiggy,” yelled Cal. His shoulder was a bloody mess.
“Cal! You’re alive.”
Burrito howled and the baby cried.
“Get the gun and give it to me. Now!” Cal screamed, struggling with Marcus as they rolled over and over, fighting each other on the ground.
“Maggie, stay here,” she said, placing the baby on the floor and picking up the murder weapon with both hands. She slowly walked over to the struggling men, holding the gun, not wanting anyone else to get killed. Her body shook so badly that she thought she was going to faint.
“Cal, I got it,” she said.
He pushed up off of the man, barely able to walk, and grabbed the gun. Then he clicked back the hammer and pointed it right at Marcus.
“You’ll die for trying to hurt the people I love.”
“Cal, no!” shouted Tuesday, trying to bring him to his senses. “If you kill him, you’ll go to prison and you’ll never see me or Maggie again.”
“He deserves to die, Twiggy.” Cal was angrier than Tuesday had ever seen him.
“I love you, Cal! Please, don’t kill him because I want to marry you. I want to raise Maggie with you and I want to be a family.” Tears streamed down her face and she bawled.
“Really?” When he turned to look at her, Marcus got up and rushed him.
“Cal! Behind you,” she screamed.
Cal turned around and walloped Marcus over the head with the gun, then punched him hard, knocking him out. Marcus fell to the ground, unconscious.
“Cal!” screamed Tuesday, running to him and throwing her arms around him.
“Aahh,” he moaned when she accidentally touched his wounded shoulder. “Where’s Maggie?”
“Maggie!” Tuesday spun around to see Burrito sitting in front of the open door, blocking the path as the baby crawled on hands and knees, trying to leave. “Maggie,” she cried and ran over and picked up the baby.
“Good job, Burrito,” said Cal, coming over to them, gritting his teeth in pain.
“Cal, he killed Shelby,” said Tuesday, pointing to the woman’s dead body.
“Call the police,” said Cal, making his way back to Marcus. “I need to tie him up before he comes to.”
“I already called,” she said, hearing sirens and looking out the door. “Here they come now.”
“Good God, I want this day to be over,” grunted Cal, hovering over Marcus with the gun just in case he came to. He leaned against a table, wavering back and forth. She ran over and put her arm around him, knowing he was about to pass out from losing so much blood.
“So do I,” said Tuesday, holding the baby tightly to her chest, still in shock that she’d almost lost Cal. “So do I.”
Chapter 17
Cal awoke to find himself in a hospital bed with his right arm in a sling. He tried to focus, and when he did, he saw Twiggy sitting at the bedside with Maggie on her lap.
“Twiggy?” he asked in a gravelly voice, feeling like hell. His head hurt and so did everything else. He looked over to his shoulder and remembered exactly what had happened now. “Did they lock that bastard away?”
“Yes, Cal, and please watch your language around Maggie. The cops arrested him for the murder of Shelby and the guards, and for an attempt to kill you. Not to mention his escape from prison. They said he’ll most likely get a life sentence now
.”
“Good,” said Cal, licking his dry lips. “He got exactly what he deserved.”
“Are you thirsty?” She got up, still holding the baby, bringing him his drink cup and offering him the straw. He took a sip and it took all his strength just to lift his head off the pillow.
“Damn, I feel like death warmed over. I mean, darn,” he corrected himself when he saw Tuesday scowling at him. “How’s my little girl?” he asked, reaching out with his good hand, letting Maggie grab his finger.
“Maggie is fine despite all that happened.” Tuesday put down the cup and sat back down with the baby.
“I’m surprised they let her in here,” he said.
“They weren’t going to. But when they heard my whole story, I think they felt sorry for Maggie and said they saw why I didn’t want to let her out of my sight again.”
“Where’s Burrito?” he asked, feeling so tired that he could barely keep his eyes open.
“Burrito is in the truck and he’s fine. I’m going to stay in the truck with him and Maggie until the doctor releases you. I don’t want to go anywhere near the house after what went on there.”
“Ah, you’re awake,” said the doctor, walking in with a clipboard. “Mr. Reeves, you’re lucky to be alive after the story I heard from your wife.”
“She’s not my –” his eyes met Tuesday’s and he stopped. “Yes, I am. When can I get out of here, Doc?”
“Well,” said the doctor, flipping a page on the clipboard. “The surgeon said the bullet went right through your shoulder. Thankfully, it didn’t hit the bone, but you have extensive muscle damage and it is going to take a lot of time in rehab before you’re able to use that arm again.”
“It figures,” said Cal, his eyes drifting closed. “Okay, so when can I leave here?”
“Give it a few days. We want to watch for infection and any complications,” the doctor told him. “Oh, and there are police outside wanting a statement from you.”
“Cal, they already talked to me. But since you were passed out, they still need your story,” Tuesday explained.
“Sure,” he said. “I’ll tell them whatever they need to know to make sure guys like Marcus Styles stay locked behind bars forever.”
“He needs to get some rest, Mrs. Reeves,” said the doctor, heading toward the door. “Please don’t stay long.”
“I won’t,” said Tuesday, looking back at Cal and smiling.
“Mrs. Reeves?” he asked, raising a brow.
“I told him were weren’t married, I swear I did, but I guess because of the baby, he thinks we are.”
“What if we changed that?” asked Cal.
“Cal? What are you saying?” Tuesday shifted the baby to her other hip as she stood over him.
“I heard what you said when this was all happening. Did you really mean it when you said you wanted to marry me and raise Maggie with me?”
Tuesday’s eyes filled with tears and she was too choked up to answer, so she just nodded.
“Then let’s do it,” he said.
“Do it?” She sniffled and wiped away a tear.
“Twiggy, I’d get down on my knees and do this the right way if only I could. But since I can barely lift my head, this is going to have to do. Give me your hand.” He reached out for her, and she held his hand.
“Tuesday Twaggard, will you marry me and be my wife?” he asked.
“You – you really want me? As your wife? Are you sure?”
“Not only as my wife, but also as the mother to Maggie. Our baby. Now, do you want to marry me?”
“Oh, Cal, I do, I do. But how are we going to make this work?”
“Well, I think we say vows in front of a priest if I’m not mistaken,” he told her with a grin. “Of course, I’ve never been married before so I might be wrong.”
She laughed, and reached down to kiss him on the lips and then stood back up, all the while holding tightly to little Maggie.
“What I mean is, where are we going to live? I know you just bought your truck and love your job. But I would miss Sweetwater and I’d hate giving up my dream of being part-owner of the daycare center.”
“Twiggy,” he said, but she kept on talking.
“But I will give it up if I have to. I’m ready to live in a truck and travel all the time.”
“Twiggy.”
“As long as I am with you and Maggie and Burrito, nothing else matters. I just don’t want to be apart again.”
“Twiggy, let me talk,” he said, using all his energy for those few words.
“I’m sorry. Go ahead.” She sniffled again and repositioned the baby.
“You heard the doc. It’s going to be months or maybe even longer before I can use my arm again.”
“Yes, I know. But you will. After rehab.”
“I understand that, sweetheart. But with my job, I need to use both arms. I’m not going to be able to work for a long time.”
“Oh, Cal. I’m so sorry.”
“I’m going to sell the rig and buy a house in Sweetwater where we can live.”
“But – that’s not your dream, it’s mine.”
“It’s my dream to spend the rest of my life with you and Maggie, and damn it – dang it, I am going to be the best husband and father I can.”
“Cal, if this is about me saying that you were selfish and only thought about yourself, I didn’t really mean it. I was just upset and didn’t think things over before I spoke.”
“No, you’re right, sweetheart. I have been selfish my entire life and I’m done being a loner. I never thought I wanted to settle down and have a family. But these past few days with you and Maggie have been the happiest times of my life.”
“Do you really mean that?”
“I’m lying here struggling to speak. I wouldn’t waste my energy on saying things I don’t mean. I love you, Twiggy. I love Maggie, too, and I know we are going to be a happy family together.”
“We already are,” she said, reaching down to kiss him again. “But I can’t let you sell your wonderful truck. We’ll compromise. We can live in the truck in Sweetwater until we can think things through. I’ll buy into the daycare and work as well as take care of Maggie while you rest up and heal.”
“I can’t have you supporting me, Twiggy.”
“Cal, I didn’t tell you yet, but you were given the reward money for catching Marcus. So, we’ll have plenty of money to live on for a while.”
“I – I don’t know what to say.”
“All you need to say is I do,” she answered with a smile.
“I do,” he whispered, just before the pain medication made him drift off to sleep.
Epilogue
Sweetwater, Michigan - 1 month later
“The rings please,” said Pete Taylor, the town’s preacher, blessing Tuesday and Cal as they stood at the altar in the Twelve Apostles Nondenominational Church in Sweetwater with everyone in town there watching the wedding.
“Burrito,” called out Cal, and his dog came running down the aisle, stopping to sit at his feet.
“Cal? Why is the dog here?” asked Tuesday.
“He’s the ring bearer,” said Cal, reaching down and taking a small box out of Burrito’s mouth.
Charlotte Taylor, wife of Pete’s nephew, Dan, and also Tuesday’s best friend, was her matron of honor. Thad Taylor, Cal’s old school buddy was best man.
Cal popped open the box with one hand, his wounded arm still in a sling. He managed to take out the rings and handed the box back to the dog. The dog took it, and went to the front pew, dropping the box and lying down, panting. Thomas Taylor’s son, Zeke, who was great with animals, called the dog to his side.
“Do you, Calvin Reeves, take Tuesday Twaggard to be your bride?” asked Pete, after blessing the rings.
“I do,” Cal answered, sliding the ring onto Twiggy’s finger.
“Wait, there’s more,” said Pete, but Cal shook his head.
“Just give us the edited version,” he said, wanting
the wedding over, anxious to start the celebrating.
“All right, whatever you say.” Pete didn’t look happy, but continued. “Do you, Tuesday Twaggard take Calvin Reeves as your husband?”
“I do,” she said, sliding his ring onto his finger and looking up and smiling at Cal with her big, brown eyes.
After Cal had told her he liked her natural eye color better, she’d gotten rid of the blue contact lenses. She’d also dyed her hair back to her normal color and was no longer a blond but now a brunette. Cal had told her she was always beautiful and should be proud of who she really was.
“Then I guess there’s nothing left to say but I pronounce you man and wife and you may kiss the bride,” said Pete, snapping his book closed.
“That’s what I’ve been waiting to hear!” Cal pulled Twiggy closer to him with his good arm, still favoring his bad one even though therapy had been helping and he was doing much better now. He kissed her passionately, causing those troublesome twelve Taylor brothers to give catcalls and whoop out obnoxiously, but he didn’t care.
“This is my wife, everyone!” he said, raising his hand in the air, holding on to Twiggy’s. Everyone clapped and cheered.
“And in remembrance of Cal’s late sister Jenna, this is our baby, Maggie,” said Tuesday, nodding to Aunt Cappy who waddled over with the baby in her arms and handed her to Tuesday.
“The bride and groom asked me to announce that everyone is invited to the Three Billy Goats Diner for the reception,” Pete announced.
Levi, one of Pete’s brothers and also the town mayor, ran up and put his fingers in his mouth in a whistle to get the crowd’s attention. “My brother, Pete, forgot to mention that I am owner of the diner and do catering as well as receptions. I have business cards right here, so be sure to take one with you.” He held up his hand, clutching a stack of cards. “Once again, if you’re from out of town, it’s the diner right in the town square with the goats on the roof.”
“Come on, Levi, no one cares about your plugs for the diner,” said Judas Taylor, walking up in his sheriff’s uniform to haul him off the pulpit.
Trucker Daddy (Working Man Series Book 3) Page 19