by Kathy Ivan
“All done.”
“I see. Go wash your face and brush your teeth. And wash your face good because you’ve got syrup all over your chin.”
Her daughter raced from the room, and Beth realized she still held her cell phone in her hand. Touching the screen, Brody’s text appeared, and she read it through again, not sure what she was looking for. Some secret subliminal message, or underlying declaration of desire. Ugh, she was being ridiculous, reading something into a kind gesture.
Except, maybe she wasn’t. Maybe this was the universe sending her a sign she needed to get off her keister and make the first move. Because frankly she was tired of being alone. She adored her baby girl, but sometimes she craved, she needed, somebody to hold her. To wrap their arms around her and let her simply lay her head on their shoulder and be.
Taking a deep breath, she punched in Brody’s number, and hit call.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Brody had arrived just outside the Austin city limits when his phone rang. Without bothering to check the caller ID, he hit the answer button. He’d connected the Bluetooth to his truck, so he’d have handsfree calls, one of the features he liked about his truck. A quick tap of a button on the steering wheel, and he could talk to anybody.
“Hello.”
“Brody? Um, hi, it’s Beth. I hope I’m not calling too early.”
His gut tightened at the breathy quality in her voice. The sexy whispery rasp did something to his insides. An image of her, disheveled from sleep, eyes half-closed, and her hair tousled flashed through his mind, and he swallowed at the thought of her lying in bed talking to him.
“No, I’ve been up a couple of hours. Is anything wrong?”
“Everything’s fine. Jamie and I have been up a while, too. She’s already had her breakfast, and I’m on my second cup of coffee.”
Brody smiled. “Lemme guess. Frozen waffles?”
“Not too much of a stretch there, Brody. Yes, she got frozen waffles. Again.”
“Nothing wrong with knowing what she likes and asking for it.”
He heard Beth’s sigh. “She definitely isn’t shy about making her preferences known. I’ve promised her she can pick up the colors she wants for her new bedroom. I checked with Ms. Patti, and she said it would be okay to paint any of the rooms. Jamie and I are going to head to the paint store later this morning, so she can pick out exactly what she wants. I hope she doesn’t pick some outlandish color. Heaven help me if she wants sparkles on her walls.”
He could tell from her voice Beth was smiling, the happiness in her tone evident even over the miles separating them. “If you pick the color, I’d be happy to help you paint Jamie’s room. Whenever you’re ready, that is. Except today. I’m on my way to Austin.”
There was a beat of silence and then another before she answered. “Brody, you’ve done so much for us already, I can’t ask—”
“You didn’t. I volunteered. I like helping out. I’m pretty good with a paintbrush and roller, had quite a bit of experience, so there’s that.”
“If you’re sure it’s not an imposition, I’d love the help.”
Brody glided to a stop at an intersection, watching the traffic lights. Hearing Beth’s voice made him wish he was back in Shiloh Springs, instead of an hour and a half away. He almost groaned when he noted the orange signs, indicating construction ahead on the road he needed to take to get to the Texas DPS Forensic Arson Laboratory, where he needed to drop of the evidence bags, and turn in the report of his findings.
“How about this weekend? I’ve got Saturday off. Bet we can get Jamie’s room knocked out in no time.”
“Actually, Saturday would probably be good. Today we going to get Jamie registered for pre-kindergarten. I don’t want her falling behind, especially with the move. I’ve been working with her, but it’s not the same.”
Brody chuckled, thinking about Beth and Jamie meeting with the kindergarten teacher. Mrs. Gleason had been teaching her little darlings, as she liked to call them, for longer than he’d been alive. She likened herself to being a second grandmother to all the kids. The children adored her, too, which made their parents very happy.
“Jamie will love Mrs. Gleason. I bet she’ll have her wrapped around her little finger by the end of the first day.”
“You know the kindergarten teacher? What am I saying, of course you do. You Boudreaus know everybody in Shiloh Springs, don’t you?”
“I keep forgetting you’re from the big city. I’ve lived most of my life here, so naturally I know most of the folks hereabouts. Mrs. Gleason has a way with the kids; you’d call it the magic touch. She’s like the Pied Piper of the local munchkins. Jamie will be in good hands, I promise.”
Brody heard a rustling sound, followed by Jamie’s voice. “Mommy, who you talking to?”
“I’m talking to Brody.”
Her response was followed by a loud squeal. “Can I talk to Uncle Brody, Mommy?”
Seconds later, Jamie’s voice asked, “Uncle Brody, you know what?”
“What, honey bear?”
“Mommy’s taking me to school today. I went to school before, when we lived in the other place. Then I didn’t go anymore. Now, I get a new teacher, and a new class. Do you think they have a lot of kids there? I really like having lots of kids to play with, and do art with, and write my numbers.”
Brody felt his smile grow bigger. Jamie’s enthusiasm for everything was infectious, and every time he saw her, she raised his spirits and lightened his heart. “I know your new teacher. Her name is Mrs. Gleason and she’s really nice. And, yes, there will be lots of kids for you to play with. Your class is in a building with lots of big rocks on the outside, and a bright red roof made of metal.”
“It has a roof of metal? I don’t think I’ve ever seen one. I love red. It’s pretty. Mommy, Uncle Brody says the place where school is has a metal roof and it’s red. Can I paint my room red?”
“Red? Are you sure? Why don’t we wait until we go to the paint store this afternoon and look at all the colors? You might see a different one you like better.”
“Okay, Mommy. Uncle Brody, I gotta go finish getting dressed. I love you.”
The vice grip around his heart tightened at her casually stated words. He’d grow to adore the sweet little sprite over the past few months, with her golden curls and big blue eyes, and her caring and loving disposition. Jamie was one of those children who never met a stranger, and her larger-than-life personality encompassed everyone she touched.
“Love you, too, honey bear.”
“Thanks, Brody. Seriously, a red metal roof? You might as well have waved a scarlet cape in from of her and said pick me, pick me.” The amusement in Beth’s voice played like music to his senses. He loved her sense of humor, which surfaced more and more lately, as she settled into her new life in Shiloh Springs.
“Not my fault if she wants a red room. Maybe you can talk her into a red blanket instead. Or one of those ruffled pillow things.” He maneuvered his truck into the far-right lane, merging with the excruciatingly slow-moving traffic, which was down to one lane. At this rate, it’d be another hour before he hit the lab.
“Good luck with that,” he heard Beth mutter.
“Beth, was there a reason you called? Not that I don’t enjoy hearing your lovely voice first thing in the morning, but…”
“Oh, right. I just wondered if…maybe…that is,” he could hear her take a deep breath, before she continued. “Would you like to go out with me sometime? For dinner?”
Wait, she was asking him out? He’d made up his mind to ask her out when he got home this evening, yet here she was, beating him to the punch.
“Yes.”
“Okay. Good. Right.” Now she sounded flustered. He didn’t even attempt to fight his grin, smiling so big it almost hurt his cheeks. Had she expected him to turn her down? That was going to happen ever.
“When would you like to go out for this dinner?”
“Well, I’d thought about tonight
, but since you’re out of town—”
He cut her off before she could finish. “Tonight is good. I’ll be heading back to Shiloh Springs after I drop off some stuff at the lab and turn in my reports on the Summers’ fire. I should be home before six.”
“Oh. That will work. How about we meet at Daisy’s Diner at seven?”
“Beth, do you really want our first date to be in the middle of town, where everybody’s going to be up in our business?” He’d grown up with the folks of Shiloh Springs, and while he loved them all, they did tend to get nosy. Not in a malicious way, it was simply because they cared. But for his first alone time with Beth, he wanted something a little more…intimate.
“I didn’t think of that. Where would you suggest, Brody? You’re more familiar with what’s good around here. I’m still figuring out where stuff like the grocery store is.” Her laughter was a beautiful thing, and he was so distracted he almost missed his turn. Waving a half-hearted apology to the driver he’d cut off, he drove another block before answering.
“If you don’t mind a bit of a drive, I know a nice place. Quiet. Good food. Peaceful atmosphere. Sound good?”
“It sounds perfect.”
“I’ll pick you up at seven then.” He pulled the car into the parking garage and quickly found an open spot. “No arguments, I’ll drive.”
“No argument. I’ll see you tonight. Bye, Brody.”
He hung up the phone and drew in a ragged breath. Images whirled around in his head with rapid-fire quickness. Beth laughing. Beth smiling. Beth standing in the moonlight, its subtle shadows highlighting her beauty. Tonight, he’d finally have her alone. Explore these feelings that kept him awake far too many nights, fantasizing about the intriguing, yet elusive woman.
He couldn’t wait.
Evan hunkered down in the trunk, cursing when his cramped knees hit something sharp. It was black as pitch, and stifling hot. A trickle of sweat ran down his spine and he cursed again. Stuffed into the trunk of this tiny car almost made staying in his cell seem tolerate. Almost. Nothing on this earth equaled being caged like a beast, confined day in and day out with no way of doing anything about it.
Axel’s plan had gone off without a hitch. If he didn’t know better, Evan would think his cellmate had escaped from prison before, but he knew he hadn’t, not with as much moaning and complaining the guy did on a daily basis. Axel talked about how he and his old lady plotted and planned for months how to get away if he was ever arrested again. When he’d ended up back behind bars, they’d started implementing their getaway. Evan was grateful the muscle-bound oaf had let him come along for the ride.
Axel and his woman were headed for the border. Lots of fun in the sun, that’s all he’d talked about incessantly. Claimed he was going to live life free and easy on the Mexican Riviera. How he planned to do that Evan wasn’t sure, since he knew Axel didn’t have two nickels to rub together when he’d been tossed into the cell with him.
At least he’s getting to ride inside the crappy car. It was little more than a rust bucket on wheels from its looks, but the engine purred like the proverbial kitten. Evan didn’t care if it was a clown car from a three-ring circus. As long as it got him away from the prison and closer to getting his rightful payback, he’d stay inside this coffin on wheels.
It seemed like an eternity passed before Evan finally felt the car slow. The sound of gravel crunching was accompanied by the thump, thump, thump of the tires riding over something bumpy on the road. With a shudder and a lot of shimmying, the car finally eased to a stop. Then there was nothing but silence. Interminable silence which seemed to go on forever. He couldn’t even hear a whisper from the passengers inside the vehicle, and his heartbeat sped up. Surely Axel wouldn’t leave him locked inside the trunk and take off, would he? The acrid taste of bile rose in his throat at the thought, and he willed himself not to throw up. No, he wasn’t going to die in the confines of a crappy compact foreign car.
Using what little room remained, he scooted and shifted around, contorting his body in ways he’d never imagined possible, until he got his feet braced against the car’s back seat. Hauling his knees to his chest, he tucked them as tight as he could, and took a deep breath, ready to kick out toward the seat. Holding his breath, he unleashed his strength, his feet connecting with the heavy covering with a solid thunk. Nothing. It didn’t budge, not even an inch.
Before he could pull his feet back for another kick, the trunk above his head flew open, and warm air and light filled the cramped space. Rolling over onto his back, he dragged in wonderful fresh air. Axel choked out a laugh, before reaching in and grabbing Evan’s hand.
“Sorry, dude. Had to make sure nobody spotted us.”
“Easy for you to say. You weren’t the one stuck inside a cracker box without any air.”
Axel rolled his eyes and slammed his hand against Evan’s shoulder. “Wuss. I wasn’t exactly riding in high style, you know. That hump in the middle of the floor in the back is a real pain in the—”
“Yeah, right. Where exactly are we?”
“Humble. About half hour, maybe forty-five minutes from Houston. Baby’s gassing up the car. Should only take a second. Enough time for a bathroom break if you need it.”
Evan straightened and rubbed his back, easing the soreness from being confined in such a tight space. Looked like it was time to say adios to Axel and head out on his own. Mexico didn’t play into his plans, not yet. No, by the time he’d finished dealing with his traitorous witch of a wife, he’d head someplace where he could relax. Some place without extradition treaties, since he was now an escaped felon.
He wasn’t going back behind bars ever again. The money he’d socked away for a rainy day was sitting in the bank, waiting for him. He’d been smart enough to put it under a different name, one nobody could even guess at. It wasn’t nearly enough, not yet. But, before he was through, he’d have the funds to retire in style, and lounge on the beach and drink all the Mai Tais he wanted.
“Listen, Axel, I appreciate everything you’ve done, but I think splitting up’s the best option here. The cops are going to be looking for two escaped prisons, a black guy and a white guy. You’ll have a better chance if it’s you and your girl. With me being alone, well, they won’t be expecting that.” I hope.
“Wait…what? Dude, that’s not the plan. All three of us are supposed to head south of the border. Mexico. Cops ain’t looking for three people, either.”
“I’ve been thinking about this a lot, and it’s better this way, I swear. Besides, I’ve got some unfinished business I need to take care of before I can relax in the Mexican sunshine.”
Axel simply shook his head. “It’s your funeral, dude. You know where me and my lady will be hanging, if you change your mind.”
“I’m gonna take you up on that. Just need to finish what I started first.”
Axel yanked him in for a hug, and Evan cringed, even as he pounded the other’s back. Yeah, he really needed to hit the road before things got any more awkward. He wasn’t looking at being any part of Axel’s extracurricular activities. Taking a step back, Evan finally noted what was in Axel’s outstretched hand.
“Take these. They’ll probably be too big, but they’ll do until you can find something else. Can’t have you running around in those,” Axel gestured toward Evan’s prison uniform. “You need cash? I ain’t got much, but I can float ya a big.”
He didn’t want to take Axel’s money, but he’d be a fool to walk around strapped for cash, not even able to buy a meal. “That’d be awesome. I’ll pay you back, I swear.”
“Don’t sweat it. Pay it forward when you can, help somebody else out. Anyway, my girl’s headed this way, so we’re outta here. Peace, my brother.”
“Take care of yourself, Axel. Thanks for getting me out of that hellhole.”
He stood, watching until the car drove out of sight, before heading toward the restroom with the clothes and cash. Making quick work of shedding the loathsome uniform, he we
t and slicked back his hair, and scrubbed the grime of the trunk from his body as best he could do in the miniscule sink. Donning the T-shirt and jeans, he shoved the money in his pocket, and headed into the gas station’s convenience store, and bought a map.
It took less than a minute to locate his destination.
Shiloh Springs, Texas.
CHAPTER NINE
Beth nibbled on her thumbnail and stared at the clothes laid out on her bed, a knot of dread in the pit of her stomach. What was she doing? She hadn’t been on a date in…forever. Not since she’d married the ratfink ex. They’d never done date nights. Shoot, they’d barely spent quality time with each other once Jamie was born. Now, she’d jumped off the deep end and invited Brody on a date. A date! Maybe this was a dream, and she’d wake up and realize it was all in her imagination.
She reached for her forearm and pinched. Ouch! Nope, not a dream. Somehow, moving into Tessa’s old cottage had jumpstarted her libido, and she’d given into temptation, and its name was Brody Boudreau.
“What ya doing, Mommy?”
Beth glanced toward her daughter, who stood in the bedroom’s doorway, her head cocked to the side.
“I’m trying to decide what I’m going to wear.”
“Why can’t you wear what you got on?”
Beth wanted to laugh, because her daughter’s question was said in such a serious tone. Jamie was too young to understand the ins and outs of fashion, especially dating attire. Not that she was any kind of expert. Jeans and a shirt had pretty much encompassed her entire wardrobe when she’d been dating her ex. She wanted to look nice tonight, but not like she was trying too hard.
“Aunt Tessa’s here.” Jamie made the announcement and proceeded to run down the hall, toward the front door. Ever since Beth had told her she’d be spending the night with her Aunt Tessa, Jamie had been a bundle of uncontained energy, over-the-moon excited to get to have a sleepover at the Big House. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear those Boudreaus were spoiling her child. Oh, who was she kidding? They were totally treating Jamie like a pampered princess.