Arrested Romance (Oak Spring Series Book 2)

by Sherri McDuffie

  Pete set the goblets on the table and began to loosen his belt. He pulled it free from the loops and dropped it in one of the patio chairs. Their eyes met as he unbuttoned his shirt and tugged it from the waste of his jeans. He laid it across the back of the chair and lowered his zipper. His eyes never left hers while he sat and removed his boots, stuffed his socks inside, and placed them under his seat. When he stood, he hooked his thumbs in the waste of his pants. They were added to the rest of his clothes. The boxers were next. He picked up the two glasses of wine and stepped into the water. After handing one to Mikki he sat across from her and sipped the other one. The two sat in silence, except for the music, the bubbles, and the crickets. Their gazes locked.

  Mikki took a taste of wine and laid her head back, breathing in the night air. Pete’s hand wrapped around her foot and began to massage the arch. She moaned in approval. He reached in the water for the other foot and used his fingers to knead it the same way. His hands traveled up her ankles and calves. Neither spoke. He worked his way back to her toes, giving every inch of her skin equal attention. Her feet rested across his lap, while he watched her relax against the side of the tub, arms stretched out, her wine glass hanging between two fingers. The candlelight sparkled off the wide gold band he had placed on her finger in Gaston’s office hours earlier. Her eyes were closed, but her lips were slightly open. The long trail of her throat glistened with drops of water that had kissed her neck.

  He swallowed the last of his wine and stood. She looked up and took the hand he was offering. Pete turned off the hot tub, and she turned off the music. They gathered their discarded clothes and walked inside. She took his hand and led him down the hall to the bedroom. Pete closed the door behind him and threw his clothes in a chair against the wall.

  Mikki dropped hers on the floor and stepped into the bathroom. She tossed him a towel and said, “I’ll be right back.” When she returned, he was lying on the bed, his hands behind his head.

  Pete patted the mattress beside him. “Come join me.”

  She crawled on the bed and snuggled against him, resting her head on his arm. He began to play with her hair, still damp from the hot tub.

  “I’m sorry we didn’t have the big wedding you wanted,” he said. “We can do a fancy ceremony later, if you’d like.”

  “Actually, I was dreaming of something simple and quiet at the old mill, but it’s okay. We’re married. That’s all that’s important.”

  “You’re right, but I know you were looking at dresses and all the frilly stuff that goes along with it,” he said. “So, I have something for you.” He went and rummaged through his clothes piled on the chair then returned and sat on his knees on the end of the bed. Their eyes locked as he took her foot in his hand. He lifted it then slipped a sexy garter over her toes and past her ankle. She placed her heel on his shoulder as he slid the lacy item to her thigh, caressing her leg along the way.

  “How did you know?”

  He kissed her ankle and began to crawl up the bed. “I went into the dress shop this afternoon.” His lips grazed her knee. “And the saleslady told me what you had picked out.” His warm breath brushed the inside of her thigh. “The dress was very pretty.” His tongue danced around her navel. “The veil was nice, too.” He traced a path between her breasts with the tip of his nose. “But when she showed me that garter, I couldn’t wait to see it on you.” He nipped at the tender area where her shoulder met her neck.

  She wrapped her arms around him as he rolled to his back, taking her with him.

  They made love until they were both sated and exhausted. She collapsed beside him and stretched her arms over her head. He leaned on his elbow, and his fingers drew random patterns on her body as her breathing returned to normal.

  “We need to decide where we’re going to live. Your place, mine, or do you want to find something new?”

  Her hand rubbed his bare chest. “We both have three bedrooms, so size isn’t an issue. Your place is about ten minutes closer to your work than mine, if that matters. What do you want to do?”

  “It doesn’t really matter to me. Like you said, there isn’t much difference either way.”

  “Maybe one.”

  “Oh yeah? What’s that?”

  “Mine has the hot tub.”

  “Then it’s settled. We live here.” He kissed her and said, “I guess I’ll see about listing mine as soon as we can move everything out.”

  They held each other in the quiet for several minutes until Mikki said, “What about Lisa?”

  “What about her?”

  “She said she was going to start looking for a place here in Oak Springs. What if she moves into your house? Does she have furniture?”

  “No, she doesn’t. After that deadbeat took off, she had to sell just about everything to pay off the debts he’d left her with. I helped her move to the furnished duplex she’s renting now. It’s a great idea, if she’s interested. My place is plenty big enough for her and the two kids.” He kissed her and pulled her closer.

  “Okay, we’ll move you in here as soon as possible. She can start bringing things with her over the next few weekends when she comes to stay with Austin.” Mikki pushed up on one elbow. “I’m so glad she’s moving to town. I like her, and I would really miss seeing Austin if he moved away. I think we’ve become pretty good friends while he’s been here.”

  Pete rolled to his side and pushed her hair behind her ear. “I’m glad too, but I don’t want to talk about my family right now.” He kissed her shoulder.

  “Oh yeah?” Her hand slid up his chest. “What do you want to talk about?”

  She laughed when he nuzzled her neck and began to whisper in her ear.

  Chapter 59

  The morning sun was peeking around the closed blinds when Pete and Mikki bolted up in the center of the bed. The banging on the door was loud enough to fill the house. He slid one leg into his pants while Mikki grabbed her robe. “What in the world is going on?” she said.

  “Someone’s at the door.” He hurried into the hall, with her following behind him.

  The knocking continued. Pete yanked open the door, and Derik stood there with a grin on his face. He carried a drink tote with four large cups and a bag under his arm. Austin stood behind him with a bag in each hand, and a matching grin.

  “What’s going on? I thought Austin was going to ride the bus with the boys.”

  Derik walked in and said, “The kid forgot his backpack. Since I had to bring him back, I decided to pick up breakfast.” He winked. “I thought you guys might be hungry.” He set his items on the bar then took the bags from Austin and placed them with the rest. He turned and looked at Pete, barefoot and shirtless. “Did I wake you?” He grinned again.

  “You woke the dead with that knocking.”

  “Sorry about that. My hands were full, had to use my boot.” He stuck his foot out and said, “Steel toed.”

  Pete continued to stare at Derik in confusion.

  Derik opened one of the bags of food. “I didn’t know what you guys might want, so I picked up a little of everything.” He looked over his shoulder and said, “You might want to put on a shirt, and do something with your hair.”

  Pete mumbled under his breath as he took Mikki’s hand and headed toward the bedroom.

  They dressed and hurried back to the kitchen. Austin was eating an English muffin with egg and sausage and drinking a large hot chocolate. Two egg burritos sat in front of him. Derik leaned against the counter, a cup of coffee beside him and a breakfast sandwich made with Texas toast in his hand. He picked up one of the coffees and held it out.

  Pete accepted the coffee cup and popped the top off. He closed his eyes and inhaled. “I think I could live off that smell alone.” He took a drink and sighed.

  Derik nodded toward Austin. “You guys better gr
ab something to eat before the bottomless pit gets hold of it. I tell you, if my two boys eat like that when they’re teens, I’m going to have to get a second job.” He looked at Austin and winked. The boy stuffed a potato patty in his mouth.

  Mikki took the cup of coffee Derik offered her and sat down across from Austin.

  “So, are you going to take a few days off and go on a honeymoon, or what?” Derik asked before taking a sip of coffee.

  “Not right now. We haven’t talked about that yet,” Pete said.

  Mikki unwrapped an egg and cheese biscuit. “We did decide we’re going to live here.”

  “I’m going to see if Lisa would like to move into my house,” Pete said.

  “No kidding?” said Austin. “That’s cool. I bet she says yes.” He reached for a burrito. “I’ll talk her into it.”

  “No, I’ll talk to her,” Pete said. He picked up a sandwich and said, “You can help me move my stuff over here.”

  “And you both can help me clean it,” Mikki said. She laughed when the guys looked at each other and groaned.

  “Hate to wake you and run, but I need to get to work,” Derik said. “Congratulations again.” He waved and left the house.

  They were just finishing breakfast when Mikki’s phone rang. Pete took it off the charger and handed it to her. “Hello?” she said. She started to take a drink of coffee and stopped before the cup reached her lips. “No, you didn’t wake us.” Her brow wrinkled. “Yes, he’s here. Yes, Friday will be fine. Ten o’clock, okay. We will see you then.” She hung up and looked at Pete. “That was Carter Polk, the DEA agent who was in the courtroom yesterday. He wants to meet with Austin Friday morning at ten.”

  Austin looked from Mikki to Pete. “Why?”

  “He needs to interview you.”

  “You mean interrogate me.” His eyes watered, and he dropped his food on the table.

  “Don’t worry,” Pete said. He squeezed the boy’s shoulder. “You just tell him the truth, exactly like you did with your lawyer and me.”

  “But he works for the Feds,” Austin said, looking from Mikki to Pete with fear in his eyes.

  “Polk is on your side. He’s trying to help you. You heard him yesterday. He said he’s working with Mr. Keaton to drop the auto theft charges in exchange for your testimony.”

  “Will you be there? Can you call Mom and see if she can go?”

  “Sure,” Pete said. He patted Austin’s shoulder again. “We will meet with Polk Friday, and then in three weeks, we’ll go back to court and see what Judge Gaston says about the offer.” He stood and looked at his watch. “But right now, you need to grab your bag and get in the truck, or you’re going to be late for school.”

  Austin began to clean the table in front of him. He glanced at Pete and said, “You don’t have on your uniform. Aren’t you working today?”

  Pete looked at Mikki and smiled. “No, I think I’m going to hang around the house today.”

  “Are you guys going to start moving your stuff over here?”

  Pete winked at Mikki. “Yeah, something like that.”

  Austin grabbed his bag beside the door and walked out of the house. Pete kissed Mikki and said, “I’ll be right back.”

  “I’ll be waiting.”

  Chapter 60

  Austin, Pete, Lisa, Gil Keaton, and Agent Polk walked out of the DEA’s office and went around the corner to the courthouse elevator. When the door slid open, Polk held it while they entered the car then joined them and pressed the button for the second floor, “Austin, I think that wraps up things on our end. We will get in touch with Mr. Keaton if we need to meet with you again, but I believe we have all we need.” He patted the boy’s shoulder. “You have been a real help to us. Mr. Keaton and I have already talked to the judge about dropping the charges, and we explained how your testimony has been a big part of putting a case together against Larson and Echols.”

  “Thanks, but what about Frankie? What’s going to happen to him?”

  Pete said, “It seems his father and Senator John O’Dell went to college together. Apparently, there were some strings pulled and favors called in, and Frankie is now attending a military boarding school in Wyoming.”

  “No kidding? Frankie is in military school?”

  “That’s right,” Carter Polk said.

  The elevator stopped, and they started down the long hallway toward the courtroom. “What about Virgil? He hasn’t been in school since the day he gave me the drugs.”

  “Virgil and his family have been put in our witness protection program. They were relocated to an undisclosed location,” Polk said. “Don’t worry. We found jobs for his parents, and Virgil is in school. They are safe and doing fine.”

  “Can you tell me how to get in touch with him?”

  “Sorry, I can’t do that. Once a family is placed in the program we don’t give out their location to anyone. It’s for their safety.”

  “Okay, but if you talk to him, will you tell him I said hi?”

  “I sure will.”

  They stopped in front of the courtroom, and Keaton pulled open the large wooden door. Austin started to walk in, but Pete placed his hand on his shoulder. He leaned down and whispered, “Ladies first.”

  The boy blushed and nodded, allowing Lisa to step into the room in front of him. After they took their seats, Austin leaned toward his mother and said, “What do you think is going to happen today? Am I going to get to come home with you?”

  “I’m not sure, but I hope so.”

  Pete said, “You’ve done everything you were supposed to do, and your mom is settled here now, with a job. We’ll see what the judge says.”

  The bailiff cleared his throat at the front of the room. “All rise.”

  Everyone stood until Judge Gaston entered and took his seat. He began to go through the file he had carried into the room. Without looking up he said, “Austin Riley,” then waved the boy forward.

  Pete gave his nephew a thumbs up when he stood and took a deep breath.

  Austin walked to the bench and clasped his hands behind his back. The room grew quiet. Judge Gaston continued to study the papers. The hum of the ceiling fans was the only noise.

  The judge began talking but kept his eyes on the work in front of him. “When I was your age, I wanted to be a professional ball player. It was my goal, and I worked toward that goal every chance I had. I practiced whenever I could and played ball for the Boys Club until I was big enough to join the school team.” He signed a paper and picked up another.

  Austin looked over his shoulder at his mother and uncle and wrinkled his brow. They both shook their heads and shrugged. The ceiling fans hummed.

  “In my senior year, we had what was known as Career Day. I met an attorney, and after talking with him, my goal changed.” Judge Gaston picked up another form without looking at anyone. “I had a new goal. From that day on, I wanted to be a lawyer. That meant I had to go to college and law school.” He leaned back in his chair and laced his fingers over his chest. “What are your goals, young man?”

  Austin said, “I want to be a policeman, or a sheriff like my uncle.” He looked back at Pete.

  Pete smiled and nodded.

  “Good for you.” Gaston raised a stack of papers in the air. “These are letters, all about you. Some are from your probation officer, but there are also several from your teachers and your principal. There is even one from a classmate.” He tucked the papers into the folder. “They all say you are a bright young man with leadership skills and high character.” He pulled his glasses off. “And I believe them.”

  “Thank you.”

  The judge looked toward the gallery and called Lisa and Mikki forward.

  “Mrs. Riley, have you relocated to Oak Springs and established a permanent residence and
employment?”

  “Yes, Your Honor.”

  “Very well. Ms. Gray––”

  “It’s Foster, Your Honor. Remember?” Mikki raised her left hand to show off the wedding band.

  The judge nodded. “Ah yes, that’s right.” He put his glasses on and began writing. “I am returning Austin to his mother’s home, effective immediately.”

  Lisa covered her mouth with her hand. “Thank you, Your Honor.”

  Judge Gaston leaned forward and slid his glasses down his nose. “Young man, I expect three things from you.” He raised one finger, “Stay in school.” He lifted a second finger. “Stay out of trouble.” With the third finger, he said, “And stay out of my courtroom, until you become a bailiff.”

  Austin smiled. “Yes, sir.”

  “According to the prosecuting attorney and Agent Polk, all the charges against you have been dropped in exchange for your cooperation and testimony. Is that right?”

  Gil Keaton stood. “Yes, Your Honor.”

  Polk also stood. “That’s right, Your Honor.”

  Gaston looked at Austin. “Good. In that case, as of today, your record is sealed. But if you go two years and keep your grades up, and there are no more problems, I will expunge it completely.” He slammed the gavel down. “Good luck to you all.” Everyone stood as he left the room.

  Lisa hugged her son then turned and hugged Mikki. Pete stepped forward, patted his nephew on the shoulder, and shook his hand. When Austin looked at his uncle, they both had tears in their eyes.

  Pete put his arm around Mikki. They watched Lisa and her son embrace. Austin’s probation officer and Gil Keaton also came forward to congratulate the boy. Pete leaned toward Mikki and whispered, “He said immediately, didn’t he?”

  “Yes.”

  “That means tonight it’s just us, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll pick up dinner.”