Josh gritted his teeth as an orgasm surged through him. Growling like an animal, Josh collapsed on her gasping for breath.
Neither said a word as they recuperated after wild, spectacular sex. Her thighs still tingled from the aftermath of having him inside her. Feeling more at peace than she had in a long time, she let out a slight sigh. Feeling a little weak, Beth reached over Josh and clicked off the lamp preferring the moonlight spilling through the window bathing them in romantic light. She let herself float in the moment.
Too exhausted to speak, they curled up together in contented silence. Minutes passed before he trailed a finger down her spine and whispered, “I think it’s time to tell our family about us.”
“Exactly what is us?”
“I’ve moved into the pool house. I was kind of hoping you’d move in with me.”
Braced on her elbow, she peered into his eyes. “Slow down, Josh. It’s a little early in our relationship. Besides, isn’t your mother living with you?”
“The barn is vacant.” He ran his fingers through her damp hair. “If mama doesn’t like the barn, she can move back into the house. Grant and Nina asked her to stay. Neither want her to go back to Richmond. The farm is about to get busy and she’d be a real asset.”
She thought about his proposition. It was a big step for a man that loved ‘em and left ‘em. “I have strong feelings for you, but I’d rather I didn’t. I can’t help but to feel this is going to end ugly. You’ll tire of me and then our friendship will be ruined.”
“As I’ve told you before, if promises are what you’re looking for, I’m sorry. Let’s just see what happens. I’m having fun.”
She wasn’t ready to give up her apartment. It wasn’t but fifteen minutes from work. If she moved back to the farm, she would have two hours of driving every day. Two hours of not getting any work done. Beth twirled her fingers through the dark hair on Josh’s chest. She rested her head on top of her hand. “Give me a few days to think about your offer. I’ve never lived with a man before and it would be a big step for me.”
He didn’t answer. The quiet continued for what seemed an eternity. Josh broke the silence. “I have a plan to draw Shirley Powers out in the open. Beth raised her head from his chest and peered into his face. He was so close she could feel the warmth of his breath. “What do you have in mind?”
A dark look crossed his face. “I’m going to put the word out that David and Kathy are going to be brought to my office to discuss the case with the prosecutor. I have a feeling Shirley Powers will not be able to resist the chance to eliminate the only two people keeping her husband behind bars. Without them the case will fall apart.”
Beth doubted Shirley Powers would be stupid enough to believe Josh would risk Kathy’s life by bringing her out in the open. “You don’t think she’ll be suspicious?”
“No, she thinks she’s too smart to get caught. What she doesn’t know is we have put a tracker on her car. Her arrogance will be her downfall.”
“What if she doesn’t use her car? If she’s as smart as you say, she could have another way to get to the black Lincoln.”
His fingers absently stroked her arm. “Already thought of that. Someone will be watching the house. I’ve picked my own team for this. Only men I completely trust will be involved with the take down. If she finds another form of transportation, we’ll know. I’m sick of waiting and worrying. I fear whoever wants Kathy dead might discover where we are keeping her. It’s time to force Shirley Powers to make a move.”
“Did the forensic sketch artist have any luck?”
“Yes, we have a good likeness, but no one recognizes the man. Nothing matched in our database. But I do have some good news. I know who the rogue agent is. It wasn’t hard to figure out it’s Robert Tilley, the agent that took Kathy’s statement after the attack. He conveniently left out the part about celebrating David’s birthday at The Red Diamond.” Eager for more details, Beth sat up and looped her arms around her knees. “I had his phone records checked. We have a few leads. One person he made several calls to is Kevin Stevenson. He doesn’t have a record, but he lives a very comfortable life and we’ve yet to figure out what he does for a living. We’re got him under surveillance.”
“Have you arrested Tilley?”
“No, and I’m not going to. Not yet anyway. I still need him to notify Shirley Powers that Kathy and David will be at my office tomorrow. Hopefully he’ll use his phone to make contact and we can find out if he is contacting Shirley Powers himself, or using a go between.” His thumb grazed her jaw-line. “Once we charge Shirley Powers for attempted murder, I have a feeling Chase Powers will talk. He’ll do anything to keep his wife from going to prison for life. Don’t forget they have three children. We can use the love and devotion he has for his children to our advantage.”
“Sounds like a good plan. I hope it works.” Nothing would make Beth happier. The thought of defending Powers made her sick to her stomach. If they had the black Lincoln, then Powers would have to plead guilty. He would have no other choice.
Josh rose in a move so smooth and fluid her breath snagged. Lying on top of her, he pressed her into the mattress with his weight. “Enough talk. I want to make love to you again.” Her heart was thudding, a thick, pounding beat in her breast, her throat. He assaulted her mouth. One thing she could say about Josh, he was exciting.
Chapter Eight
From the kitchen window, Beth could see Josh and Grant tinkering with the tractor getting it ready for spring planting. Josh handed Grant a wrench. She wished she could hear what they were saying. By their body language they were having a very serious conversation. Were they discussing her or Randal Collins?
Now that Collins was back in Raleigh, Grant refused for anyone to leave the house alone. He insisted Lacy do her classes on line. It was the first time she had seen her baby sister get angry with Grant. It didn’t matter how mad she got, Grant got his way in the end. Randal Collins was one man her brother-in-law feared. Not for his own safety, but for the people he loved. The man had kidnapped Nina and Juan. Grant wasn’t about to let that happen again.
On the other hand Juan loved the idea of missing a few days of school. Grant and Maria had gone to Juan’s school and explained the danger to the principal and he felt it best Juan not be at school because his presence could endanger the lives of the other children. Especially since Collins had kidnapped Juan six months earlier right in front of the school during dismissal with parents and teachers nearby. It was cruel that their lives had to change because of one man.
With any luck, the FBI would have Randal and his cohort behind bars soon. Every available agent was working diligently to locate them. It was just a matter of time and their lives would go back to normal. She rested her elbows on the counter and wondered what normal would be for her. Things had been so crazy because of Josh and her new job.
Nina shut off the water and snatched up a towel from the counter to dry her hands. “Stop daydreaming and get those potatoes peeled. I told Grant we’d eat at 6 o’clock.”
Every Saturday evening Maria had the night off from cooking. That meant Nina was in charge of preparing the meal and she was great at giving orders.
Maria, Grace, and Juan were at the barn admiring Sugar’s new colt. He was a handsome fellow, black as Midnight and so sweet. They already had him spoiled rotten. It was a shame Nina planned to sell him, but she already had some great offers since Midnight was the sire.
With quick jerks, Beth scrapped the potato peeler across the potato in her hand. No matter how hard she tried to concentrate, her eyes kept wandering back to Josh. Her curiosity about their conversation was much too strong.
Lacy opened the oven door, bent over and pulled the pan holding the pot roast out enough to sprinkle on some spices, and then pushed it back into the oven. The room smelled of cumin and rosemary. The same spices her mother had used to flavor her pot roast. “I’m hungry. I can’t wait until we eat.”
All of a sudden Beth dro
pped the potato peeler into the bowl with the peelings and turned toward her sisters. “I had sex with Josh last night.”
Both Nina and Lacy stood staring at her as if she had two heads. The awkward silence continued until Lacy whispered, “I thought you two were just friends.”
In two long strides Nina was by her side. She took her hand. “That’s how it starts.”
Lacy propped against the counter and crossed her arms. “You don’t seem too happy. Is there a problem?”
“Of course there’s a problem. Josh goes through women like I go through underwear.” She swiped at a tear. “I don’t have time for an affair. I don’t have time for a man as demanding as Josh. Right now he is a complication.”
Nina dropped her arm over Beth’s shoulders. “How long have you been sleeping together?”
Reluctant to tell them she had slept with Josh the day of Lacy’s birthday dinner, she decided to lie. “Last night. It’s been building up for quite a while. With all the time we’ve been spending together, it was inevitable.”
Nina smiled putting her at ease. “You’re in love with Josh.” Unsure of what to say, Beth began to chew her fingernail. “Are you in love with Josh?”
Beth flushed at her steady stare. It was getting harder to picture her life without him. She gave a delicate shrug. “It’s too early to know. I have to admit I like spending time with him.”
Lacy pushed away from the counter. Her face broke into a huge grin. “Wouldn’t it be great if you married Josh? Just think, I’d have two wonderful brother-in-laws.” She chuckled, “I’d have brothers for brother-in-laws.”
Beth felt a moment of sadness as she peered at her beautiful sister. Shirt sleeves rolled up past her elbows, long blond hair draped over her shoulder, rosy cheeks, and perfect pink lips. It was as if her mother were standing right in front of her. It brought back all the wonderful memories of how she and her sisters had helped their mother prepare dinner on many occasions. The four of them laughing, joking, dancing as rock music played on the stereo. One horrific accident had changed their lives forever.
“Don’t go getting your hopes up. I don’t think Josh is the marrying kind.”
Nina cupped her hands to Beth’s face. “Change his mind. Make him love you, Beth. It shouldn’t be hard to do. Don’t hold anything back.”
Beth thought how the tables had turned. Six months ago she was trying to convince Nina to sleep with Grant. She took Nina’s hands, gripped them in hers. “Grant and Josh are nothing alike, Nina. If they were, I’d already have dragged Josh to the altar.”
Nina took her shoulders and squeezed. “Josh is a great guy. I don’t know why you’re fretting about him. What’s so bad about having an affair with a man like him? He has charm and a warm sense of humor. It’s not like you haven’t had relationships in the past.”
It shamed her to admit she was falling in love with Josh. “He is a friend. If we move in together and it doesn’t work, what then?” Did he have the loyalty and devotion to spend the rest of his life with one woman?
Nina shrieked, “Move in together?”
“Yes, Nina. He has asked me to move into the pool house with him. He wants to play house.”
She released her shoulders and took a step back. “That is a big step. One night of sex and he’s already asked you to move in. You must have made quite an impression.” With her arms folded, she asked, “What did you tell him?”
“I asked for some time to think it over.” She pressed a hand to her chest. “The sex is great.” Her lips bowed into a dreamy smile. “Last night I had one orgasm after the other. But I want more from him than sex. I want it all. Just because I have strong feelings for him doesn’t mean he returns those feelings.”
“I think I’m going to be sick.”
Both Beth and Nina looked at Lacy and laughed. “Your time will come little sister. One day you’ll meet some man and you won’t know whether you’re coming or going. Your head will be in the clouds like poor Beth here. The woman can’t even peel potatoes because she’s daydreaming about a man.”
“I doubt that. I’m too shy and clumsy around men. I plan to dedicate my life to my work.”
Lacy had shown no interest in men. With her looks, Beth was sure men had tried to gain her attention, but then her shyness would be a problem. “That’s what I said. Look at me. . .” Sensing movement in the doorway, Beth stopped mid-sentence. Her heart began to thud when her eyes met Josh’s. How much of their conversation had he heard? All three just stood there staring at him as if they had been caught doing something wrong. He didn’t move beyond the doorway for several seconds.
He jerked a thumb toward the refrigerator. “Need to get a couple of beers.” Without saying another word, he opened the refrigerator and grabbed two beers. He closed the refrigerator, turned and gazed at Beth. Color stung her cheeks when he winked at her before he disappeared out the back door.
Josh had heard enough of the conversation to know it had been about him. So Beth finally told her sisters they were sleeping together. Both liked him so he doubted they would have a problem with them moving in together. Could be they even put in a few good words to help ease her concerns about their relationship.
By the time he sauntered across the yard and handed Grant a beer, he was smiling from ear to ear. “What’s got you looking like you just won the lottery?”
“Beth told Nina and Lacy about us.”
“I guess they took it pretty good.” Grant twisted off the top and gulped his beer.
“Seems like it.”
Grant’s eyes leveled on Josh. “Tread carefully, brother. When you ask a woman to move in with you, they might read more into it than you want them to. Beth might think it’s time to pick out a china pattern.”
“Don’t go putting the cart before the horse. She hasn’t said yes yet. She’s still a little uncomfortable with the idea. She doesn’t quite trust me.”
Grant took a huge swallow of beer and wiped his mouth on the sleeve of his sweat jacket. “Can’t say that I blame her. You do have a reputation.”
“I like Beth. I like her a lot. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt her.” Not in the mood for advice from his brother, he quickly switched the topic. “Look at you. You had sex with Nina knowing you were going to re-enlist in the Marines. How is that any different than me having sex with Beth? I enjoy a hot body just as much as you do.”
Grant rounded on him, mouth pulled back in a snarl. “Show some respect, brother.” He placed his beer on the top of the tractor tire. “I’m man of the house around here and I’ll not have you speaking of my sister-in-law in that manner. Gentlemen don’t use that vulgar tone.” He raised his fists in the air. A blood vessel in his temple began to jump.
“Pardon me, Grant, but you’re not my father.”
He saw the hurt on his brother’s face. Common sense told him to walk away before they came to blows. He turned away from Grant only to see Beth, Nina, and Lacy standing on the back porch watching them. He whispered, “We have an audience.”
Causing a scene would have been humiliating. Ladies, too beautiful for words, stood staring at them with a look of shock and surprise. Uncertain what to do, Josh just stood there. Seconds passed before Beth turned and went back in the house. She predicted their relationship would cause problems. She was right.
****
Josh stepped into the kitchen to find it deserted, which was rare since it was usually where everyone congregated. It looked like everyone had gone to church but him. He was still in the process of unpacking and couldn’t find his coffeemaker so he was searching for some caffeine.
“Love you, Maria.” On the counter was a plate of sticky buns. He poured himself a cup of coffee from the coffeemaker and took a sip. Leaning against the counter he thought how awkward dinner had been last night. The conversation had been strained because Grant and Beth sat there in stubborn silence through the whole meal. No one could pull them into the banter that usually took place. Saturday night was family night. The n
ight they did their best to sit down and have a meal together.
The kitchen was too quiet without the family milling about. He decided to drink his coffee and enjoy his sticky buns on the front porch because it was a gorgeous, warm morning. Plate in hand, he sat in one of the red rockers on the front porch. He balanced the plate in his lap, picked up a sticky bun and took a bite. He closed his eyes and moaned. Maria baked the best homemade sticky buns in the world. He raised his face and soaked up the sun. A hint of spring in the air had him smiling. One more week and it would be spring. If today was any example of what was to come, he couldn’t wait. Maybe they wouldn’t have any more cold weather.
He saw Beth lead Midnight from behind the barn saddled and bridled. Shadow tagged along behind the stallion. He wondered why she didn’t go to church with the rest of the family. Cramming the last sticky bun in his mouth, he licked his fingers, and raced across the yard. He lifted the gate latch and swung open the gate so she could lead Midnight into the yard. After they cleared the gate Josh closed and placed the latch in place. Shadow sat on his haunches with his tongue hanging out waiting for the ride to begin. The dog loved when they went on trail rides.
The magnificent, black stallion dropped his head and began eating the green grass. “Good morning.”
In a stiff voice, she said, “Good morning.”
“Going for a ride.”
“No, I just went through the trouble of putting a bridle and saddle on him because I didn’t have anything better to do.” She threw the stirrup over the saddle and tightened the cinch.
Ignoring her sarcasm, Josh asked, “Mind if I come along?” Her cold assessing gaze had him wondering if he really wanted to go. She was still pissed at him even though he didn’t do anything to warrant that anger.
“Suit yourself.”
Shadows of the Falls (Twelve Oaks Farm Series Book 2) Page 14