by Ali Vali
“Why, you ungrateful little…” Carol’s anger made her shake as she glared at her daughter. “After all I’ve done for you, trying to save you from yourself.”
The fact that Cain hadn’t dropped Carol’s hand hadn’t escaped Emma’s notice as she moved closer, not wanting to wake Hannah or Hayden. “It’s not ungrateful of me to long for a life that makes me happy. As for saving me from myself, you obviously felt I needed it, but you never bothered to ask me.”
Emma closed the gap between them and took Cain’s hand, lowering it and kissing the palm. “I’ve made mistakes in my life, Mother, but my biggest was walking away from the only happiness I’ve known. Those are the things I have to live with, but my family has forgiven me. Perhaps it’s time for you to resolve the hurts or bad feelings you have because of your poor decisions because, frankly, the people around you are tired of paying the price for you.”
Cain stayed still and silent, knowing Emma had to fight this battle on her own. She watched closely as Carol opened her mouth for what Cain was sure was another barrage of hurtful comments, but the new player who was about to join the fun distracted her. She was almost sure it wasn’t anyone who worked for her, since they all seemed to have finally learned to follow orders.
“Not another word, Carol.”
Ross Verde had hastily dressed and rushed over when Emma had called him.
“This isn’t your business, and I’m tired of kowtowing to you on this issue. For God’s sake, Ross, Hannah lived with us. Don’t you think her soul deserves saving?”
“It’s a sin to lie, isn’t that what you’re always telling me? When have you ever kowtowed to anyone in your life, woman?” He ran his hand through his thinning hair and sighed tiredly. “I believe Hannah deserves to live her life with the people who love her, and if, for her own good, you’re never a part of her life, then that’s how it has to be. But I can’t speak for Cain and Emma.”
“What do you know? You’ve been sneaking over here turning that little girl against me.”
“I’ve been spending time playing with both of them because I’m their grandfather and I love them. And I’ve seen how well adjusted Hayden is. He’s a confident boy who’ll become an extraordinary man. But it’s late. We should go home and discuss this situation in private.”
Instead of moving to leave, Carol put her hand on the knob of the door to Hannah’s room.
Before she could open it, Cain curled long fingers around her wrist and squeezed just to the point of being painful. “If I were you, I’d listen to what my husband is telling me. Because you’ll be going in this room and taking my little girl anywhere over my dead body.”
Ross stepped closer and closed his hand around Carol’s bicep. “Come on, we’re going.” He pulled her to him, obviously relieved when Cain let her go. “Kids, I’m sorry about this. I’ll call you in the morning.”
“Drive safe, Daddy, and let us know if you need anything.”
They heard the heated muttering all the way out of the house, knowing the argument that would ensue would be monumental.
Once the front door closed, Emma fell against Cain in a silent plea to be held.
Ignoring the pain in her side, Cain bent, picked her up, and carried her back to their room.
“Why does she hate me so much?” The insecure little girl that still existed inside Emma wasn’t allowed out very often, but Cain heard her clearly in the question.
“I don’t think it has anything to do with you, my love. People like your mother just find it easier to hate people who are different for whatever reason they conjure up in their head, instead of trying to figure out what they hate about themselves.”
Emma squeezed her eyes shut, not crying yet. “You sound like a therapist.”
“Well, I’d love to get you on my couch at every given opportunity, but can you afford my fee?” The joke had its intended effect, and Emma ended up laughing against Cain’s chest.
“If I ask really nicely, maybe you’ll give me a job. Then I’ll be able to pay up. Because if you ask my mother, I’m really screwed together in the worst possible way.”
With little effort, Cain lifted Emma until she was draped over her. “You listen to me, Emma Casey. You’re a beautiful woman inside and out. That doesn’t happen overnight, so that means you were also a beautiful little girl. A beautiful and giving little girl who was wasted on your mother, so stop trying to figure out what you could’ve done differently to change Carol’s heart.”
Chapter Fifty-Two
The sky became a brilliant pink as the first fingers of light broke through the night. A rooster puffed his chest with air before letting out his first cry to greet the new day, and a tourist with her legs stretched out on the chair wearing a robe laughed at the little guy with such a loud voice. Her face was shrouded in shadows, but the interested sets of eyes looking on could see her bare feet clearly.
“Ms. Casey, there’s a message for you.” One of the resort workers handed her a folded piece of paper. “Could I get you coffee and breakfast?”
“Just the coffee, thanks. I’ll order when my companion gets up. If she misses out on the hot bread you’re known for, there might be bloodshed.”
He laughed, as did the others listening in. “We try to not let that happen, since stains on the white sand is no good for the tourists.”
“You know what the shame of putting this one in jail will be?” Lionel asked. They were sitting in the empty bar next to the beach with a very small mike pointed at the suite, and their new DEA friends were camped outside the front in case Cain decided to go somewhere without them.
“That she’ll never date you?” Claire asked in return.
“I was thinking that she’s amusing in a gangster, sarcastic sort of way and vacations in some really cool places.”
When the others looked at him as if he’d grown horns, he shook with silent laughter. “Come on, you have to admit this place beats being stuck in the back of a van somewhere in New Orleans. And our next assignment will probably be some old guy who eats peanuts all day.”
“The man’s got a point, Joe, so leave him alone.” Shelby scanned the grounds of the resort, trying to find their next post. Once the sun came up, Cain would see them if she as much as glanced toward the bar, and Shelby wanted to maintain the element of surprise as long as possible. “What do you two think of that stand of palms over there?”
*
Above the band of pink appeared a band of blue sky, assuring those enjoying the sunrise of another perfect day without a cloud to mar their tanning time. With one more look at the shoreline, Muriel strolled back inside to grab a shower, leaving the message the man had delivered on the small table where the coffeepot sat.
Joe hopped off his bar stool and flagged down the server who was on his way to clean up the suite’s patio, offering him a twenty to also bring back the note. Without hesitation, the man stuffed the money into his shirt pocket and soon returned with the light pink piece of paper.
The Blue Mayan at seven. Try not to be late.
The Blue Mayan was the hotel’s restaurant—that was the easy part. But was the intended time morning or night? Leaving Claire, Lionel, and Joe on guard, Shelby went to check out the layout of Cain’s meeting place.
In keeping with the rest of the resort, the restaurant was tastefully decorated. The tables were far enough apart to give the diners some privacy, and the large windows at the back provided a spectacular view of the Gulf. Surprising to Shelby, people were already arriving for breakfast, probably to try and make some tour off-site. But she was totally shocked when the elderly host approached her and smiled.
“Miss Daniels, would you like to freshen up before I escort you to you table? You are welcome to use our private facilities. You can brush you teeth and fix you hair, if you like.”
“How do you know my name?”
“Ms. Casey, she call ahead and tell me to expect you. She here for the game fishing and said you share the same passion, but it’s bet
ter with a full stomach.”
Shelby laughed until she cried, as she had a tendency to do when she was tired, and followed compliantly, looking forward to freshening up. What she didn’t expect was her favorite perfume, a sundress, and a pair of sandals in her size.
“There is also a shower, miss, if you like to use it before you try the lovely dress.”
“Pretty sure of herself, isn’t she?”
She didn’t really mean the question for the man helping her, but he smiled and said as he began to leave, “Ms. Casey, she come here at least twice a year to enjoy the sport fishing, so I’ve gotten to know her well. If there’s one thing she no lack, it’s confidence.”
Shelby thought about returning to telling the others what she was doing but knew that they’d eventually come looking. The helpful gentleman was waiting for her outside when she was done and escorted her to the only table located outside.
It was a rather romantic setting, secluded from the sides by a thick stand of palm trees, but with a clear view of the water. The breeze stirred her freshly washed hair as she sat down and waited, wanting to know what Cain had in mind with this meeting in this particular place. She was especially curious because the reconciliation with Emma seemed genuine.
The back door of the suite opened again, and Lionel elbowed Joe so he would look up. They had just been discussing going after Shelby when their target took precedence. The occupant stopped to say something to someone in the room, her face still indiscernible in the shadow of the patio. With a wave she stepped out into the sunlight, and both men came close to falling off their perches.
“Fuck,” both men said simultaneously. Claire was already off her stool and heading for the restaurant.
“If she’s here, then where’s Cain?” Lionel asked. He felt like an idiot when Muriel smiled and waved as she passed. “Shit, I’m beginning to feel like we’re hanging around for these people’s entertainment.”
They didn’t hide as they followed Muriel closely to see where she was going. The host showed them to a table inside and handed them a menu. Claire was already seated and craning her neck to get a glimpse of the table outside.
Shelby had leaned her head back and closed her eyes, clearly enjoying the peacefulness of the spot. Before stepping out the door, Muriel stopped and admired the serenity of her face. Had they picked different paths in life, she could have easily fallen for Shelby.
“This is a great spot, isn’t it?” She put her hands out in front of her when Shelby jumped and spun around. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“When did you get here?”
“Last night, right before you did.” The cast-iron chair scraped against the flagstone as Muriel took a seat and unfurled her napkin.
“Helping Cain find new ways to break the law?” Shelby asked as she swept a lock of hair behind her ear. “Or are you a fan of sport fishing too?”
“My cousin and I’ve never discussed her fishing preferences, but it’s one of my favorite activities.” The juice glass in front to her was filled without Muriel requesting it. “When you’re a paid mouthpiece, as it were, it’s nice to enjoy the quiet of the Gulf whenever possible.”
“But I thought the gentleman said…” Shelby stopped as if going over her prior conversation. “He said Ms. Casey liked to fish.”
Muriel poured the next round of juice herself as she shook her head. “Ms. Casey does like to fish. If you recall, I’m Ms. Casey too. I can show you my driver’s license.”
The word never vocalized, but Muriel clearly saw the “fuck” that formed on Shelby’s lips.
“How’d you get here?”
“Vincent was nice enough to let me borrow his plane.” A small part of Muriel felt bad for the agents who spent their lives chasing their tails trying to enclose what they considered rats like Cain and her in small cages. “It’s so much better than flying commercial.”
“She’s not with you, then?”
“Cain, do you mean?” She laughed out loud at the contemptuous look Shelby gave her for even daring to ask the question. “No, she decided to sit this trip out.”
“Who’s the blonde with you, then?”
The look became murderous when Muriel laughed even louder.
“My, Agent Daniels, why would you care?”
“I don’t, but I can’t believe you would’ve brought someone who so resembles Emma without a reason.”
“I’ll be sure and let my secretary know that you think she’s cute.” Muriel curled her lips up slightly. “Since I do presume that you think so?”
Shelby ignored Muriel’s comments. “Where’s Cain, Muriel?”
“Not here, so how about we enjoy breakfast and, if you’re free, a trip out to do some fishing?”
Muriel rose from her chair a second after Shelby sprang from hers and gently grasped her shoulders before she got two feet from the table. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be so flip. There’s nothing you can do about Cain right now, so stay. Stay and have breakfast with me, and we can pretend your three shadows aren’t on the other side of that door.”
“What about the blonde in your bed?”
Muriel eased her hands down until they rested on Shelby’s hips, and she used the position to rotate her. “You could’ve asked the front desk when you got here. It’s a two-bedroom suite. The blonde has her own bed and is typing files as we speak. She really is just my secretary and is here to catch up on some work that we fell behind on after our office was bombed.”
Shelby missed the warmth of Muriel’s body the moment she backed away and stood behind Shelby’s chair. “If I stay, does that mean we can declare a truce, if only for a little while?”
“Perhaps that gulf between us isn’t so wide after all.” Muriel’s hands strayed to Shelby’s shoulders again after she took her seat.
Chapter Fifty-Three
“You know something, lass?” The skin of Cain’s back felt warm and comfortable as Emma worked her hands under her shirt.
“I know I love you more than I thought I could love anyone.”
“Thank you.” Cain claimed her first kiss of the morning. “That was very sweet of you to say, but do you want to know what I know?”
“Will you put your lips to better use once you’ve told me?” She reached the band of Cain’s shorts.
“My lips, my hands, and just about anything else I can think of.” When Emma pulled her down as if to remind her of that promise, Cain shifted so she was more fully on Emma. “I know that our lives are sometimes hectic, but when I was lying here watching you sleep, something occurred to me.”
“What’s that?”
“That right now I’m blissfully happy, and I’m looking forward to whatever comes next.”
Emma’s tears came again at the sentiment in Cain’s voice, and she pulled the large hand up and kissed each knuckle before sucking the thumb into her mouth. “I may not be able to predict exactly what’ll happen next, but I can predict what’ll happen right this second.” Emma pushed past Cain’s boxers, but stopped when she heard the creak of the door opening.
“You were saying?” Cain asked as she glanced over her shoulder.
“Don’t blame me, mobster. You were supposed to lock it last night,” Emma said, seeing Hannah standing there looking unsure of herself. She kissed Cain’s jaw and lifted her hands above the blankets. “Come see us, honey.”
A squeal accompanied the run to the bed, and Hannah landed on Cain’s back when she made it on the bed. “Mom, you came back and brought Mama.”
“I came back for you and your brother. It’s time to go home.” She laughed at the other kid standing in the door when he pumped his fist in agreement. “Did you two have fun?”
“Yeah, but I wanna go to the zoo,” Hannah whined. “Haygen said there’s one at home.”
“There is, and an aquarium too,” Emma added. She crooked her finger at their son, not comfortable getting up in her state of undress. “And a Mom and a Hayden, so it’s the best place on earth.�
�
“Feeling a little sappy this morning, huh?” He kissed them both hello and fell into Emma’s arms for a long hug. “Come on, squirt. I heard Miss Maddie down in the kitchen making breakfast. We’ll let our moms get back to their mushiness.”
“What’s mushy something?” Hannah asked as she climbed onto her big brother’s back.
“Something we’ll both be really lucky to find when we get big like them.” With a wink for the grown-ups, he walked slowly out of the room.
Both of them laughed when he locked the door.
“Remind me to buy him a car when we get home,” Cain said as she returned to where she was before they were interrupted.
“Whatever he wants. Just stop talking.”
*
By late that afternoon Cain sat on the front porch with their luggage, waiting for it to be loaded. She watched as Ross told the kids good-bye and talked to them near the fence line of Jerry’s property. He was planning to come for a visit before the month was out.
Cain shifted her eyes to the door when she heard it open and smiled at Jerry. He looked tired, but she remembered what it was like to stay up with a baby at night. Even when Hayden was sleeping through the night, sometimes she would go into his room and just watch him.
“Happy?”
“I sure am, and ah…I…I wanted to talk to you alone before you left.” Jerry shifted from foot to foot as if not knowing where to begin.
“No need to be nervous. Contrary to what the world thinks, I really don’t bite.” Cain sat on the banister and smiled.
“Cain, I can’t begin to tell you how happy you’ve made Maddie and me. I’ve prayed all my life for a son, and I’d given up asking because I thought it would never happen.” He paced, then finally stopped and looked at her. “I cried like a baby myself last night when Maddie laid him down between us. And before you left, I wanted to give you these papers back ’cause we picked a name and wanted to make it legal. Since your cousin and her friend are taking care of it, I thought you could take them with you and send them back whenever you can.”