Texas Summer

by Hachtel, Leslie

“You said two stabbings. Who was the other one?”

  “Dolores.”

  “Oh my God, is she dead?”

  “No, she will be fine.”

  “What happened to her?”

  “Somebody stabbed her in the shoulder, and she claims it was your daughter.” Miller saw Martha’s anger rise, and he held up his hand to calm her. “Now, I know it wasn’t, and she sort of backed off the accusation, but someone stuck her with a knife. Martha, I have my suspicions. But I don’t think Kennedy and Wylie are guilty of anything more than being in the wrong place at the wrong time. And your daughter has always seemed to bring out the worst in her sisters and their friends. No offense, ma’am.”

  “They’ve always been jealous of my Kennedy. That’s not her fault.”

  “No, it’s not. And then there was the money.”

  “I hate that money. I am so angry with PJ for causing all this trouble. If he hadn’t won that money, maybe no one would have been hurt. Maybe he and Delie would still be alive.”

  “Then I guess you don’t know?”

  “Don’t know what?”

  “About the money. There isn’t any.”

  “What are you talking about?” Martha asked.

  “The word is that James gave PJ some bad financial advice, and it’s all gone.”

  “You’re not serious?”

  “Yes, ma’am, I am. Kennedy met with James, and he told her. Which, by the way, cleared her of any motive for hurting Dolores. Could you call me George? We’ve known each other a really long time, Martha.”

  “That’s good…George.” A slight blush crept into her cheeks as she said his name. “Who is responsible for all these terrible things?”

  “That’s what I intend to find out. But I only came by to tell you Kennedy and Wylie have gone to Abilene on a date. She didn’t want you to worry.”

  “Why didn’t she come tell me herself?”

  “Well, they were anxious to get going so I offered.”

  “What was their hurry?” Martha asked a little suspiciously.

  “All I know is he said they needed to do some shopping. And they might stay over since this town isn’t the most pleasant place for Kennedy to be right now. My professional instincts tell me the shopping might be at a jewelry store.”

  “Jewelry store?” Martha squeaked. “As in engagement ring jewelry store?” Miller nodded. “But it’s too soon.”

  “Better than too late?” Miller said.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Miss Martha, I suppose I may as well come clean. I’ve been wanting to take you out and spend time with you for…forever.” Miller watched her face carefully for any sign of rejection, but all she did was smile patiently at him.

  “And?”

  “And what?”

  “Are you going to ask me out?”

  He swallowed. “Ummm, yes. I would like it if you would let me take you to dinner or something. This town doesn’t offer much of a social life, but I would certainly like to spend an evening with you—or many evenings.”

  “I’ve always thought you might like me a little, but I wondered if you’d ever get up the nerve to actually ask me.”

  “I like you more than a little, Martha. I would be honored and grateful for any time you could spend with me.”

  “Well, don’t you think the timing is a bit off? I would hate to have everyone in town think you’re favoring Kennedy and not trying to solve these murders and all. Not that I think for one minute she has had anything to do with it. I just want everyone to know she’s been fairly vindicated.”

  “I understand. But I also think that now that I’ve finally had the gumption to ask you, I don’t want to wait. Maybe we can work something out.”

  “What did you have in mind?” Martha asked.

  “Well, maybe I could invite you to my house for dinner.”

  “Can you cook?”

  “Well, as a matter of fact, I’ve been a bachelor for such a long time, there was no choice. Norma’s can get pretty tiring after a while, and I thought if I ate one more grocery pizza—”

  “When?”

  “Really? You’ll come?”

  “When?”

  “Tomorrow…about seven?”

  “That will be nice. And”—she winked at him—“I’ll make sure I’m not followed.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  Wylie and Kennedy poked around various jewelry stores in Abilene. In one, some estate pieces were sequestered in a corner. Wylie ventured over to look at them while Kennedy, all wide-eyed and grinning, looked at the shiny rings in the front cases. Then he saw it. It was perfect. Old fashioned and simple, with a square-cut diamond flanked by two triangular sapphires of the deepest blue. He discreetly inquired about it, and then, excusing himself to presumably visit the men’s room, he contacted his bank and had it wire the funds to the store.

  He’d winked at the clerk and then said he would return in the morning. He hurried Kennedy out of the store and down the street. They had a quiet dinner at their hotel and made sweet love before gliding into sleep wrapped in each other’s arms.

  The next morning Wylie left Kennedy relaxing at the hotel pool after breakfast, saying he had to make a few business calls. He returned to the store, picked up the ring, and slipped it into his pocket. Then he went back to get Kennedy, and they spent the remainder of the day walking around town shopping.

  Kennedy clearly tried to hide her disappointment that they were unable to find the “right” ring, but Wylie reassured her they could look again tomorrow. Hungry, they had gone back to the hotel and changed clothes. Then they headed toward a restaurant Wylie had spotted this morning. They found a secluded table. Kennedy was wearing a short green dress that highlighted her hair and made her eyes brighter. Or perhaps it was the endorphins from being in love.

  Now Wylie looked at her across the table and smiled. “You look so absolutely beautiful tonight.” He didn’t mention he had a little surprise for her burning a hole in his pocket.

  “Sweet talker. You just want in my panties.”

  “You don’t wear panties.”

  “Oh yeah.” She grinned.

  Just then a young woman approached their table and loudly cleared her throat. Both Wylie and Kennedy looked up at her.

  “Excuse me, but aren’t you Wylie Nichols?”

  “Yes?” he responded.

  “The author?”

  “Yes.” He assessed the young woman. He was surprised she recognized him. She seemed more the type to read Harry Potter than his grisly murder mysteries.

  “I just love your work,” she gushed. I’ve read both of your books, and I can’t wait for the next one. I didn’t mean to disturb you, but I just wanted to tell you.”

  “Well, thank you, Miss…”

  “Devers. Sarah Devers.” The girl let out a sigh. “Well, I won’t keep you. But I can’t wait for the next one. Soon, I hope?”

  “Thank you, Sarah. Yes, soon.”

  As she walked away, Kennedy dropped her head and looked at the tablecloth, trying not to smile at him. “So who knew? I am with a celebrity. I feel so…special.”

  “Cut it out. You know I write books, and someone was bound to read them.”

  “I guess I didn’t realize until now you were a famous author.”

  “She was just probably one of the ten who actually read my work.”

  “Don’t be so modest.”

  Wylie was unnerved by this attention. “Can we change the subject?”

  The wine was ordered and poured, and the order for dinner placed, when Wylie suddenly stood up and moved to Kennedy’s chair. He knelt on one knee and presented the small, wrapped box.

  “I have never met anyone like you, Kennedy. I want to spend the rest of my life discovering you over and over again. I am crazy in love with you. I can’t wait to grow old with you. So officially this time, will you marry me?”

  Her sharp inhale of breath attracted the remaining diners who weren’t already staring a
t the handsome couple. Word of a celebrity author in their midst had spread. Tears coursed down her cheeks as she nodded her answer. He opened the box, and she gasped. When he slipped it on her finger the entire restaurant broke out in applause. Wylie waved at his audience, and Kennedy blushed with pleasure. Then he took his seat, trying for nonchalance, as if this kind of thing happened to them every day.

  He was talking to her, but he couldn’t get her attention away from her new jewelry. So he was forced to take action. He slid his chair closer to hers, making sure the crowd had returned to their own interests. He slipped his hand beneath the tablecloth, reached under her dress and moved up her thigh. As he touched the moist place between her legs, she sat up straight and swallowed. He toyed with her while she tried valiantly not to squirm.

  “Could we get that dinner to go?” she asked.

  “As quickly as possible.”

  The waiter brought their to-go boxes; the people in the restaurant grinned and giggled, giving the couple knowing looks. Wylie and Kennedy escaped and, giggling themselves, hurried back to their hotel.

  Once inside the door, Kennedy grabbed the boxes of food and put them on the table in front of the couch. She shoved Wylie against the wall, fairly tearing off his clothes. First, the shirt buttons flew in various directions about the room. Then his pants were pulled and unzipped and pushed down, and her mouth was everywhere. The day had been so surreal, so out-of-the-ordinary miraculous, that touching and kissing and tasting made life tangible. It was obvious they both felt it. Wylie wondered if life ever got any better than this.

  Wylie managed to unzip her dress; she wasn’t wearing a bra. He held her. Now her back was pressed against the wall, and it was his mouth and hands exploring every secret part of her. He grasped a pink nipple in his mouth and bit down almost hard, and she moaned with pleasure. He went to the other nipple and sucked until she was groaning with need. She pushed him back slightly, bent to his straining erection, and took him full in her mouth. She swirled her tongue around the aching tip of his manhood until he could bear no more. He pulled her up, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He entered her hard. She pressed against him as he slipped deeper into her, driving them both to near frenzy. When he thought he could not hold out a moment longer, she cried out her release just as he pulsated inside her with his own. Then, locked together as one body, they slid down to the floor, not moving until their breathing had returned to normal.

  “How did you do that?” she asked when she could speak.

  “Oh, the usual way.”

  “Not that, silly. The ring. I never even saw you buy it.”

  “We just had the hottest sex ever, and you ask me about shopping?"

  “Honey, to a woman, shopping is sex.”

  “So where do you want to live?” Wylie blurted. He and Kennedy were driving back to Snakewater and had been riding in pleasant silence.

  “Well, I don’t know. How about you? Where do you want to live?”

  “Everywhere. That is, I’ve mostly been a gypsy. When I write, I like to drive, and so I’ve made it a habit to pack up my laptop and go where the spirit moves me.”

  “No home, no roots. That’s sad.”

  “Oh, I have my parents. I stay with them during holidays. Or when I need to get grounded in reality. In fact, I can’t wait for them to meet you.”

  “Do you think they’ll like me?” Kennedy seemed a little nervous at the prospect.

  “Honey, they’ll love you. They wanted me to find my passion, always. In work, in love. And you are that.”

  Kennedy smiled. “I am?”

  “Yes, you are.” With that, he slid his hand up her dress and toyed with the warm moistness that dampened her whenever he was near.

  “Oh no you don’t.” She laughed. “Two can play at this game.” With that, she pushed his hand down and ducked her head into his lap. She unzipped his fly and lifted his manhood free. Then she sucked, running her tongue up and down the length of him. He gasped and swerved the car. Luckily, the road was deserted.

  “Can’t you multitask?” she teased him. “Oh yeah, you’re a guy…so, no.”

  “Not where you’re concerned. I can only think about what you do to me.” He pulled to the side of the road and released his seat so it would go back. Then he lifted her onto his lap and lowered her on his shaft. He lifted her and then pulled her back down on his hard erection until her nails dug deep into his shoulders and she cried out with her orgasm. Instantly, his climax joined hers. He held her against him until the fervor had cooled.

  “Now, woman, let me drive or we’ll never get home. And I have a feeling you’re dying to show your mama that new ring.”

  “Florida,” she suddenly announced when he drove back onto the road.

  Wylie lost the thread of their earlier conversation. Something had obviously distracted him. “What about it?”

  “Where I’d like to live.”

  His brain was functional again with some restored circulation. He nodded. “OK. Why Florida?

  “Warm and sunny and lots of water. Not anything like Texas.”

  “Where in Florida? It’s a big state.”

  “Have you ever been there?”

  “Yep. Pretty much top to bottom,” he said.

  “Which part did you like best?”

  Wylie thought for a few minutes. “I think I like the Keys. Not the fancy ones like Key West. The more obscure ones in the middle.”

  “What about hurricanes?”

  “Now, you’re not afraid of a little hurricane, are you?” he teased.

  “I don’t know. Should I be?”

  “Are you afraid of anything?” he asked.

  She didn’t answer.

  * * *

  They had reached the outskirts of town and were headed to the other side, to Kennedy’s house, when she saw him. He was standing outside of Norma’s. There was no mistaking that it was Paul St. Cloud. She ducked a little in the car seat, hoping he wouldn’t see her. Nothing was more unpleasant than having the past show up to confront the future, and Kennedy wasn’t prepared to have anything interfere with her happiness.

  She looked back as they passed. She breathed a sigh of relief to see that Paul hadn’t seemed to notice. And she was happy to see that Wylie, who was concentrating on driving, didn’t seem to have paid any attention to what was going on.

  “Will she be happy?” Wylie asked.

  “What?” Kennedy asked, a little startled out of her thoughts. “You mean Mama? Yes. All she wants is for me to find love. Not have to deal with what she had to with PJ. Since you have a job, sort of, and you’re not a drunk—well, hardly, anyway.” She grinned.

  “A little Jack is good for the heart and the soul. It does not make me a drunk.” He sounded a little defensive.

  “You know I was kidding.”

  “I know,” he said, clearly not quite convinced. “Well, it’s show time. We’re here.”

  Wylie stopped the car. They were both surprised to see the sheriff’s car parked outside.

  “Now what does he want? And why is he involving Mama?” Kennedy asked.

  They got out of the car and walked up to the front door, which stood open.

  “Mama?” she called as they entered the house.

  “Kennedy. Honey, you’re back.” Martha was in the living room sitting across from Miller.

  “Why are you here, Miller?” Kennedy asked.

  “Unofficial business,” he said. Martha visibly blushed. Kennedy was confused. This looked more like a date than an inquisition.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Settle down, honey. Nothing’s wrong. George and I were just talking,” her mama said.

  “George?” Wylie and Kennedy said in unison.

  “Still Sheriff Miller to you,” Miller told them both.

  “So how was Abilene?” Martha asked, obviously hoping to shift their attention to something else.

  Kennedy broke into a huge grin and lifted her left hand into t
he air, moving it around to catch any light. “It was good. Very good.” When her mother didn’t immediately comment on the ring, Kennedy pouted. “Mama, don’t you notice anything?”

  “Oh, you mean like you’re having a problem controlling your left arm?”

  “Very funny.”

  “Well, bring it over here so I can see it.” Kennedy moved to Martha and presented her hand. Martha looked at it appraisingly, and then lifted her eyes to Wylie. “Are you sure?”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever been more sure of anything in my life.” He smiled.

  “Then you have to make me a promise,” Martha said.

  Wylie lifted his eyebrows in question.

  “You have to get her out of this toxic town.”

  “You’d want her to leave?” he asked.

  “Yes. I want her to go where there’s life and possibilities and no one to hate her just because she’s mine.”

  Kennedy jumped in. “That’s not why they hate me, Mama.”

  “It doesn’t matter. You don’t deserve the cards you’ve been dealt. I want you to start your new life with your new husband anywhere but here.”

  “She’s right,” agreed Miller. “This is not a good place.”

  “But you’re here, Mama,” Kennedy said.

  “Ain’t no law saying I have to stay either.”

  Miller cleared his throat. “Well, maybe I should pass one.”

  Martha blushed at this.

  “What is going on with you two?” Kennedy asked.

  “Same thing that’s been going on most of my life,” Miller admitted. “But this time I’m not alone.”

  “But,” Martha said quietly, “I told him I don’t want anyone to know until all this…terrible stuff is settled. I won’t have anyone say my relationship with George is interfering with the investigation.”

  “So what is new?” Wylie asked.

  “Luckily, it’s been pretty quiet. Dolores hasn’t pressed Miller to arrest Kennedy. I am pretty sure she got into some kind of altercation with somebody and decided to use it to make my daughter look guilty. I just can’t believe Dolores would do something like that.”

  “Mama, you always see only the best in people. That’s nice, but it’s not real life,” Kennedy responded. “I need to check with Norma. He’s shorthanded, and I can’t leave him in a bind. He’s been too good to me.”