by J. D. Faver
“That fool Scoutmaster approached Silky about letting the Scouts explore the caves. I might never have known until it was too late, but he took it to the local newspaper that she was going to let them have access in the spring. I couldn’t let that happen.”
“What did you do?” She kept her voice level, concealing the revulsion churning her gut.
“I had to stop her. I couldn’t let E.J. find out.” His eyelids drooped and closed.
She thought he’d passed out again, but in a moment, his lids fluttered open and he looked around as though surprised to find himself there.
“What happened to Silky?”
His gaze focused on Cami’s face. “It had to look like an accident. Everyone knew that big Paint stallion was too much horse for Silky.”
Cami’s stomach roiled. She fought to keep her expression neutral. “How did you do it?” Her voice was just a whisper.
“I took the handle from the jack in E.J.’s Jaguar. I remember thinking it looked like a toy, but it did the job. Silky went riding around the same time almost every morning. Her young lawyer usually rode with her, but I had one of my hands call him into his office early one morning and I joined her on her ride. That little woman had quite a spirit. She ordered me off her land and that devil of a horse tried to step on me. I hit her with the jack handle. The horse ran off.” He met her stricken gaze. “Don’t you see? I had to do it.” His eyes rolled up in his head, but he seemed determined to stay conscious.
“You killed my aunt to keep the boy scouts from finding the bodies in the cave?”
“I couldn’t let E.J. find out.”
“Find out about the bodies?”
“The Atwaters. After I hid the bodies, I went back to their house to see if I’d left anything that might incriminate me. That’s when I found him. Only a couple of weeks old and screaming his head off. Cutest little fellow you ever saw.”
“The Atwater’s baby!”
“I took him back to Dallas and gave him to my wife. She couldn’t have kids so, when I told her I’d won him in a poker game, she wanted to believe me. I raised him as my own son and she devoted her life to the boy. Spoiled him a bit, but he turned out fine.”
Cami stared at the man who had just confessed to murdering three people and kidnapping an infant. She cleared her throat and swallowed against the cold, hollow feeling inside her. “Yes, E.J. turned out just fine.”
#
The search party found them a little less than an hour later. The fire had almost burned out and Cami couldn’t feel her feet anymore. She’d covered Eldon with her jacket and marched around the interior of the cave, clad in insulated underwear, jeans and a flannel shirt. Chafing her arms to keep warm, she stomped her boots, hoping to reconnect with her toes.
Hearing shouts, she ran to the entrance and yelled in response. Waving the flashlight, she jumped up and down, shivering as her teeth chattered together.
She recognized the voices of the men scrambling toward her and sank to her knees.
Now she could give up. Now she could quit her task and let someone else take over.
Breck’s strong arms embraced her, lifted her, held her close. When she opened her eyes, she was inside the cave. Someone had built the fire up to a warming blaze and wrapped her in a blanket. Another blanket swathed Eldon Kincaid, who seemed to have shrunk from his former size. He blinked but hadn’t spoken to his rescuers.
Breck held her in a firm grip, cocooned against him.“The medical helicopter is on route from Amarillo. They’ll have you out of here soon.”
“I just want to go home,” she whispered against his neck.
“Me too, but you’re going to be checked out first. People die from exposure in weather like this.”
“The police,” she stammered. “You have to tell the police that Eldon killed Silky. He admitted it to me.” She stared up into his eyes, relieved that she’d unveiled her aunt’s killer.
Breck frowned at her. “The District Attorney won’t bring charges without proof. Kincaid will have to make a formal confession to be charged.”
Frank poked at the fire and came over to squat down beside them. “You okay, boss lady?”
She nodded. “I think so. How’s Eldon?”
“Weak. He hasn’t said a thing since we got here.”
She gazed across to where E.J. held Eldon in the crook of his arm, holding him upright. Eldon stared into the fire, glassy-eyed.
She heard the thwup-thwup of helicopter rotors in the distance and Frank went outside to signal them. In a short time, Eldon and Cami were loaded into the helicopter with E.J. riding along to act as Eldon’s responsible party.
Breck promised to meet her at the hospital.
Cami stared into Eldon’s eyes. No hint of his thoughts. No trace of emotion. He appeared to be an empty vessel.
As soon as she’d been checked out in the emergency room and been given prophylactic antibiotics, she peeked into the cubicle where E.J. waited with Eldon.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
E.J. stepped out of Eldon’s earshot. “They’ve sent for a thoracic surgeon. He’s in pretty bad shape.”
“He’s a tough guy.” She placed her hand on his forearm. “He’ll pull through.”
He covered her hand with his. “I have to thank you for saving his life. I don’t know what happened between the two of you out there, but he’s still my father and I’m grateful to you for keeping him alive.”
She nodded. “Can I talk to him alone? There are some things I need to say to him.”
E.J. gave her a surprised look. “I’ll get us a cup of coffee.”
She stepped behind the cubicle curtain. Eldon looked pale and waxy under the fluorescent lights, an oxygen mask in place. The staff had installed a new drain into his lung and had hooked up an IV with fluids feeding into his hand.
She leaned closer and placed her hand on the one at his side.
His eyes opened with a snap. Looking far more alert than before, he fixed her with a hard glare.
“Eldon, you’re going to live.” She let that bit of information sink in. “And you’re going to be punished for your crimes, but which of your crimes you’re punished for is your choice.”
Sinewy fingers wrapped around her wrist, pulling her closer.
She leaned against the side of the gurney, her lips close to his ear. “I think you’re a horrible man, but your love for E.J. may be your only redeeming quality.”
His eyes softened as he released her wrist from his cruel grip.
“If you confess to killing my Aunt Silky and attempting to kill me, I’ll seal the cave and never tell E.J. the truth. Otherwise, I’ll lead the authorities to the Atwaters and let them prosecute you for their murders and the attempt on my life. It’s your choice, but I need an answer now.”
“Protect my boy,” he whispered, nodding his head, then closed his eyes.
When E.J. returned, two cardboard containers of coffee in hand, she was standing beside Eldon, stroking his arm.
“I brought this for you. I don’t know how you like it so I added everything.” He offered the coffee and his infectious grin.
“Thanks.” She sipped the hot brew and looked into E.J.’s eyes. Other than his large frame, she realized he looked nothing like Eldon Kincaid, yet he bore his name and was heir to everything Eldon had been willing to kill for.
“You look like there’s something you want to tell me,” he said.
“Some things happened between your dad and me. When they come out, I hope it doesn’t affect our friendship.”
He shrugged. “I don’t have that many friends, Cami. I treasure the times we’ve spent talking together.”
She grinned. “Me too.”
At that moment, Breck pulled back the curtain. “I should have known I’d find you two together.”
“We’re friends,” they said in unison, then laughed.
#
A few months later, on a beautiful afternoon in June, the church was filled wi
th flowers and townsfolk.
Cami felt a stirring of sadness on what should have been the happiest day of her life.
Milita helped her slip her great-grandmother’s re-designed antique satin and French lace wedding gown over her head and smoothed it down all around. Milita had used the fabric in the long satin train to add a tier below the hem and inset a tucked waistband to lengthen the bodice.
Cami gazed at her image in the mirror. The soft glow of satin reflected back into her face. She fingered the strand of pearls that had belonged to Aunt Silky.
Cora Lee Ferguson, the organist, played Bach until such time she could rev up the theme of the day, the Wedding March.
Cami tried to shake off the all-pervasive sadness that gripped her.
She felt alone.
Not a single surviving member of her family was here to see her become Breck’s bride. Her throat ached with unshed tears. Her parents, Aunt Silky, all dead and gone. She gnawed the inside of her lip.
She imagined that half the church would be empty as the bride was a veritable stranger and everyone in the surrounding area knew and loved her tall, handsome soon-to- be husband and would be crowding into the “groom’s” side of the structure.
She expelled a breath, urged herself to stop moping and get it over with. She would have been perfectly satisfied to go to the Justice of the Peace and get married, but Breck was having none of that.
He had gazed at her, his head to one side, examining her thoughtfully. “You know, Cami, that just doesn’t feel like married. I want you to know that this deal is forever. It requires more than a handshake.”
She had acquiesced gracefully, but was having regrets.
“You look so pretty,” Milita enthused.
“So do you.”
Milita wore a pale blue satin dress, with lines that complimented the antique gown Cami wore but didn’t overshadow it.
She smiled at her in the mirror. “You did a great job. The dresses are gorgeous.”
Milita giggled, tucking fragrant stephanotis sprigs in Cami’s carefully arranged hair. Breck is going to fall over when he sees you.”
She forced a laugh. “Well, I hope not.”
There was a knock at the door. “Are you about ready?”
Breck’s deep voice sounded on the other side of the door. “The crowd is getting restless.”
She leaned her forehead against the cool mahogany panel. “Yes. Yes, I’m ready.”
“Cami, I love you,” he said. “Don’t get cold feet. I’ll see you at the other end of the aisle.”
“Yes, see you there.” She took a deep breath and turned to smile at Milita.
“Are you ready?” Milita asked. At her nod, she opened the door and made sure that Breck was nowhere in sight. She picked up her bouquet and handed Cami her spray of calla lilies.
Cami squared her shoulders and followed Milita, her lone attendant, out to the lobby area of the church.
A man sat waiting for her in a wheelchair.
Cami leaned down and kissed his forehead.
Doc grasped both armrests and struggled to his feet.
“Are you sure you’re up to this?” she asked. “You can stay in the chair, if you want.”
Doc gave her a glare. “I am for danged sure not going to escort my beloved Silky’s only great-niece down the aisle like a feeble old man.” He drew himself us to his full height and reached for his newly acquired cane.
Cami nodded at him. “Thank you, Doc, for everything.”
His face creased into a wide grin. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.” He offered his arm at the same time that Cora Lee hit a major chord and pulled out all the stops.
Milita stood in the archway with Cami and Doc taking their places behind her.
As the first strains of the Wedding March sounded, the entire assemblage rose to their feet. Milita stepped forward, leading the procession down the aisle.
Cami got her first glimpse of the sea of friendly, encouraging faces, all smiling at her. Reba and Loretta sat together on the front row where her family would have been seated, alongside Frank and T-Bone. They were her family now.
Cami raised her eyes to the man who waited at the other end of the aisle. The tall, loving man who waited to become her husband. Her family.
The warmth of his gaze enveloped her; gave her a sense of being embraced.
As she reached the altar and Doc handed her off to Breck, a sense of joy filled her heart, replacing the loneliness that had been there for so long.
A bubble of happiness floated in her chest. She smiled at Breck as he took her hand.
Oh, yes, I do. I absolutely do.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
About the author:
J.D. Faver lives near Houston, Texas with three spoiled, rotten cats and a rescue dog, affectionately called Heart of Darkness, Horrible/Adorable, or Minx for short. She writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense, both seasoned with plenty of steamy passion. Even the darkest murder/suspense is riddled with numerous snarky sentiments. She is actively involved in several writer’s organizations, including National RWA and two of its local chapters, West Houston RWA, and Northwest Houston RWA. She loves to spend time with family and friends. She writes daily but has time for other interests including painting, cooking and gardening.
She loves to hear from readers. Contact her through her website~ http://www.jdfaver.com
Twitter~ http://twitter.com/#!/JDFaverauthor
FaceBook~ https://www.facebook.com/pages/JD-Faver-Author/
~*~
You might also enjoy Book Two in the BADLANDS series:
The Reluctant Rancher~BADLANDS: Book Two
E.J. Kincaid has one thing on his mind. He wants to get the hell out of Dodge, or in this case, Langston, Texas. He sees nothing but miles and miles of Texas panhandle, even though his daddy does seem to own most of it. He wouldn’t be here at all, except that his father committed a heinous crime, for which he is serving a life sentence in a maximum security prison. E.J. feels obligated to stay and try to hang onto the land and cattle empire his father built for him. He has also infuriated the local veterinarian, Jenna Lewis, who thinks he’s a complete jackass.
In spite of their thorny relationship, a prank of E.J.’s turns the tables on the lovely red-head who proves to be both a worthy adversary as well as a fiercely loyal lover. As his world starts to fall apart, it’s always Jenna who stands by his side. With murder, cattle rustling and kidnapping occur right in his big back yard, E.J. turns to one of the local ranchers who hates everything about him, especially his name. Will E.J. be able to rescue the woman he loves, or will his efforts result in forfeiture of his life as well?
Cowboys, murder and romance. Oh, my!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005341WX2
Other books by J.D. Faver
The Edge of Texas Series:
~BAD MEDICINE~
“You’re too stupid to live, Rafael Solis!” Chloe Palmer’s words still echoed in Rafael’s memory. The last words she said before she shot him and left town…
Unable to escape her past, Chloe returns to the Texas coast for her murdered father’s funeral and to face Rafael, the man she left behind. Rafael never gave up her.
Rafael’s passion breaks down her emotional barriers, but her impetuous nature draws her into a cruel vortex where she runs afoul of old and new enemies.
Previous rivalries emerge, pitting Rafael against the heir-apparent to a crime dynasty. With the body count rising, Rafael and Chloe battle an infatuated but vicious drug lord, kidnappers, and a twisted curandero (Mexican healer). Will they survive the violence and be able to forge a life together?
5***** Review~ “The suspense story line was perfectly done. I never knew from one moment to another how the story was going to turn. It kept me guessing and COMPLETELY involved with the story. It was ALL so good...both the romance and the suspense. It was just a superbly written book. I stayed on the edge of my seat and with my nose buried in the book until I got it finished
...and then I was sad that it was over.”
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007H5IUQ2
~BAD KARMA~
Next time, he’d be more careful. Next time, he’d make sure he killed the right woman...Next time...BAD KARMA ~ 93k word mystery/suspense/steamy romance.
5***** Review ~ “Not one but TWO romances in ONE story, sexy men, sexy women, love, lust.. then add a bad guy trying to kill the heroine, nearly killing others in the midst of his anger and you have one helluva storyline!! Great suspense and a story that was truly believable.”
With a vengeful stalker on her trail and a hurricane in the Gulf, Skyler Danforth relocates to South Padre Island only to find a new danger when her neighbor, Zach Bailey takes her heart by storm. Sky tries to fit in and be patient when she realizes that she is falling fast for Zach, but he's on the rebound and cautious. Sky is a nurse and after two attempts on her life, moves to South Padre to live with her baby sister in hopes of eluding her stalker.
Cassie, a brilliant prodigy, is in over her brainy head when a local heart-breaker and fire fighter, Javier Rios pursues her. He is attracted to her natural innocence and beauty, but thinks she is only a restaurant delivery girl. He falls hard for the geeky, Master’s degree wielding Marine Biologist.
When the storm comes ashore and the island is evacuated, Sky and Cassie are trapped in the fortress-like hospital with a woman in labor, a heart attack victim and the stalker. Locked out, Zach and Javi use their own unique talents to breach the impenetrable medical facility, each sacrificing something of great personal value in the process. The easy going Zach is forced to step way outside his comfort zone and fight to protect the woman he loves.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0081SGPZW
~BAD VIBES~
5 ***** Review~ “J.D. creates two characters in Mike and Darla that you'll be rooting for while simultaneously ratcheting up the suspense to the breaking point. The Texas Coast will *never* be the same by the time these two get done…”