Mariana joined him on the lanai as he read through a periodical on harvesting techniques. He looked up when she walked out. “You know, Mariana, it is a sad day when you cannot even trust the bad guy to stay bad.”
She froze in her steps. Eduardo knew she had a bad update. “Don’t be shy, my dear, tell me more information that is going to ruin my day.”
She was trying to remain strong as she delivered the news. “Dwight Dobbins has been shot. He is in Mercy General in Corpus Christie. I do not know, Seńor, if he is going to make it.”
Eduardo rose slowly from the seat. He inhaled deeply and exhaled with purpose. These were the times which frightened Mariana the most, when he seemed very calm.
“Who put the bullet in him?”
Mariana stepped back before delivering the news. “His wife.”
The silver tipped boot came up and out with force as he kicked the wood post that held up the roof. It hurt his toe as he balanced on one foot, hopping about the patio, swearing like a sailor in a whorehouse. “Ay Dios Mio! What does it take to kill those damned people?”
He flopped down in the chair, raising his leg to rest on the footstool. The fight seemed to have left him. Mariana spoke softly. “Is there anything I can do for you, Seńor?”
His fingers were over his eyes, rubbing softly, trying to hold back the pain. “Sí, por favor. Please call el doctor. I think I have broken my toe.”
Corpus Christie, TX
Ryanne watched the mouthpiece that Saxton had hired to speak with the police as she sat clutching her purse. Great, I grabbed my purse with my phone but didn’t put on any panties. Photos were taken of her face, the side of her head, her ankles, and the bruises to her back where she had fallen on the floor in her attempts to escape Dwight’s assault. What she could not escape were his words. Mean words. Nasty words. Ugly words that kept coming at her face like hard blows crushing the bones that supported her smile. I thought he loved me. All of that. All of it was to get to my sister?
A ruckus was taking place in the lobby and she knew her parents had arrived. She checked the clock on the wall. 8:15. Four hours. Just like he promised. Saxton had brought the cavalry, but for Ryanne, it was too late. The herd was already out of the fence and her faith had been rustled by sidewinder that had sunk his fangs deep into her psyche. She had known better than to kill him, but there would be several things he would never be able to do again. At the top of that list was hurt another woman; following in a close second was the ability to be a father. Dwight was physically broken but so were her spirits.
Odessa walked through the door first. Her rounded belly pointing at Ryanne, reminding her of something else she was not going to have with her husband. She was only older than Odessa by a year, but her sister was more like their father. She had a quick wit and an outgoing personality. Everyone who met her instantly liked her and men all wanted to be with her. It wasn’t as if she was the prettiest girl in the room. She was just always in the damned room. Filling it up with her Odessaness.
It wasn’t as if she was jealous of her sister, but secretly, she coveted her confidence. There was no doubt that Ryanne was the smartest of the three children. She was proud of the two master’s degrees she had earned, as well as a doctorate in finance, but relationships had never been her thing. When Dwight came on so strong, then asked for her hand in marriage, Ryanne was overjoyed. She was going to be married, have a family, a career, and be happy. Happy. Right now, she was happy she had put a bullet in him.
Her parents burst through the door, startling the large lawyer.
“Baby, what happened?” Dora implored.
“Are you alright, Pumkin’?” Big Sarge wanted to know.
Odessa only held her sister’s hand as Saxton stood in the corner watching the family rally around his crumpled sister-in-law. The bruises on her face took him back to a memory that he often tried to forget.
“Oh my God, look at her face,” Dora was crying as she pulled her child into her bosom, trying to rock away the pain. Ryanne’s eyes were glazed and trying to connect to her family.
“What do you need, Pumkin?” Big Sarge asked.
Through dry lips and a quivering tongue, the only words that Ryanne uttered since calling 911 were spoken now. “Take me home, Daddy.”
Big Sarge leaned in to whisper in Ryanne’s ear, “Sure thing, sweetie, but I have to know, did you kill that mutherf-…”
Odessa called to him, “Daddy!”
He wasn’t hearing it. “Aww hell! Y’all wanted to know, too, but just didn’t want to ask. Saxton, all over in the corner with that plausible deniability shit. I want to know did she kill that rotten mutherf-…”
“Daddy!” Odessa called again.
Big Sarge was muttering under his breath, “I’m just saying, ‘Dessa. You gonna pull the trigger, you need to drop him like a sack of shit ... that low down, conniving mutherf-…”
“Daddy, please. She is upset and traumatized. You are not helping,” Odessa implored.
Saxton was speaking with the attorney, making sure they would be able to take her home. Bertha Stollings handed her business card to every member of the family. “Just make sure when she comes back to get her belongings and anything else from that house, you call me first.”
Saxton handed her a business card for Blakemore Imports and Collectibles. “Will do. Make sure you send the bill to this address and I will take care of it.”
Ryanne, still clad in a nightgown and robe, was covered with Big Sarge’s coat as they all headed out the door, back to the airfield. Technically, they could not take her from the city, but right now, Ryanne needed to be home.
Saxton was feeling the same way. It was time to head home for minute to reconnect with his own family.
Chapter 6. Reconnecting…
The flight to Dallas was quiet. Saxton watched his wife closely as she slept on the plane. Her head lolled from side to side with her jaw growing slack as drool seeped down the side of her face. Yep. All that sexy belongs to me. His eyes came up to find Ryanne watching them as he held his wife’s hand. The glazed look he had seen earlier was gone and a sadness hovered in her eyes. Saxton muttered the words, “Be strong.” She gave him a weak smile. Strength was really all she had at this point.
I’m not even wearing a bra. All of my clothes are in that house. Her life was in Corpus Christie. I have to start over.
It was no real surprise to any of them when Ryanne asked in a low voice, “Saxton, Odessa, can I stay with you guys for a few days?”
“Stay as long as you need to, Ryanne,” Saxton told her. It was actually more perfect than either his wife or sister-in-law knew.
Odessa was a bit tuckered out from the early Saturday morning rising, the excitement, the worry and all of it was crashing down around her. It was 11:30 am and she was ready to head back to bed. So was Ryanne.
In the kitchen, he watched his wife try to feed her sister, who refused everything she saw in the fridge. Odessa piped up, “I will have you know that I have been taking cooking classes, and everything in there is tasty, well-seasoned, and delicious!”
“I will take your word for it, sis, but I’m not hungry,” Ryanne told her as she cut her eyes sideways at Saxton.
Saxton tossed her an apple as he walked around the table and swooped his wife up into his arms. “Make yourself at home, Ryanne. I’m putting these two back in bed.”
He carried Odessa up the stairs, sitting her gently on the bed. She was grinning at him as she began to remove her shoes. “You aren’t slick, Saxton Blakemore. You’re being all nice because you’re trying to slip in some brunch since you didn’t have any breakfast.” She shimmied her shoulders as she took off her bra. Her breasts were growing fuller as each week passed as they prepared themselves to nourish their son in a few months. Saxton loved the changes in her body. The roundness of her belly, swollen with his son was a major turn on to him. I did that. I planted that seed.
“I know something else I would like to slip you,” he s
aid as he lay down beside her.
She laughed as she rolled to her side to face him. “I’m game if you are,” she told him as her fingers trailed along his chest.
The crow’s feet at the corners of his eyes crinkled. “I dunno, baby. The way I’m feeling right now, I may mess around and dent his little head.”
“If I could see my panties, I would take them off and hurl them at you, but you are going to have to help me,” she chuckled as she reached for her hips to grab the soft cotton.
“I have no problem helping you with anything, my sexy wife,” he tugged at her underwear, pulling them down her thighs, over her knees, and down past her ankles. “My God, you are beautiful.” His throat seemed to close as he found himself nearly gasping for air.
“Saxton, are you okay?” she asked as she reached for him.
He closed his eyes for a second to get a grip on the surge of emotions threatening to spill from his eyes. “If I’m to die today, Mrs. Blakemore, I want to leave this world remembering you in your finest glory, the beauty of your magnificent form in this light of the day.” His fingers ran across the skin of her belly, their son inside, responding to the touch of his father’s hand.
Odessa eyes misted. “I never get tired of hearing you say that to me, Saxton.”
“I say it because you are the most beautiful woman I have ever … oh hell,” he said as he pulled her in his arms. “Enough talk,” he said as he smacked her lightly on the ass, signaling that he was ready. He was tired of talking; all morning long there had been talking and he was hungry. Brunch was as good of an idea as breakfast.
After seeing Odessa’s family rally around Ryanne, Saxton had the overwhelming desire to head home and hug his mama. He packed an overnight bag before informing his wife he would only be gone a few days. It was Thursday. He would be back on Sunday. Thanksgiving was next week, and he had a great deal to be thankful for and he needed to let his parents know.
In the kitchen, he stood next to Ryanne. “You can only take this one day at a time. You talk about it when you’re ready, not a moment before. Okay?”
She nodded, her face still blank. Saxton told his sister-in-law, “I’m heading home for a few days, and I’m glad you’re here. She could use the company.”
It was also his hope that giving Ryanne something else to focus on would help her healing. There was plenty to get done. New orders had come in and needed to get boxed up and shipped to the customers. Odessa had taken off for almost two weeks to get everything caught up, but she spent more time napping than anything. He took a few extra minutes to make sure everything was settled before heading to the airstrip to catch a ride home with the pilot. Both the pilot and the stewardess had taken a brief layover to rest before refueling and heading back to Houston. Walking through the front door of the Busy B Ranch was going to really be a surprise to his parents.
Another surprise occurred when Odessa awoke. Ryanne had pan seared some chicken breasts and made a Southwest Cobb salad for them to eat. She had also gone into the office of Blakemore Imports & Collectibles and began expediting orders. All of which was completed in her tattered nightgown.
“How long have I been asleep?” Odessa asked.
“Almost three hours,” Ryanne mumbled.
Odessa pulled her sister into a sideways hug, her belly preventing any head on contact. “After I totally inhale this salad, why don’t you and I head out to buy you some clothes?”
“I have some stuff at the house,” she said softly.
Since they both had homes of their own, they often referred to their parents place as the house. Odessa was certain that most of the items there were dated, smelled like mothballs, and were behind a wall that was covered with their parent’s questions. Odessa had a mouthful of chicken when she asked, “Yes, that may be, but are you ready to answer questions from Mom and Dad?”
“Good point. Is there something here I can put on? I mean really,” Ryanne said as she turned and lifted the back of her nightgown to show Odessa her naked ass. She opened the robe to show she didn’t have on a bra. “I feel like I was on some episode of cops, dragged out of my house in my housecoat. All I’m missing are three curlers and a beer can!”
Odessa was grinning through teeth full of Romaine. “Yeah, you are missing the ‘he won’t hit me no damned mo!’ line that accompanies the swig from the beer can.” They both grinned for minute, sharing almost a private secret.
Ryanne bent quickly and wrapped her arms around her sister’s neck. “Thank you.” She kissed her cheek briefly and headed towards the guest bedroom. “I hope you have a pack of new panties, I am not wearing an old pair of yours!”
“If you are going to get all picky, you can go commando for all I care,” Odessa yelled down the hall at her.
Chapter 7. What is that … a tattoo or something?
It was the guitar strapped across his back that Ryanne noticed first. The second thing she noticed were all the women who were watching him, flirting and trying to get his attention. The last thing she noticed was that he was truly a good looking man with a lot of self-confidence. His sexuality was oozing from his pores and smacking her in the face to get her attention. He had it. The sexy guitarist was not looking at anyone but her. Odessa had disappeared to the baby section of the store as Ryanne pulled a few bras and packs of cotton undies from the shelf.
The sexy man walked over to her. “Are you sure you want to buy those. They don’t seem like something you would wear for a spicy evening,” he said to her.
Ryanne eyes were down, as if she were refusing to look at him. “A spicy evening? Thanks but I don’t need any help.”
He reached for her arm but pulled his hand away. The bruises on her face had his focus. “I only said something because you have a sadness in your eyes. Even if he is no longer in your life, you still have to plan for the future. Those are for planning a future as a nun.”
She looked in her basket at the 8 pack of white cotton undies. They were horrific underwear. Maybe I could buy something with a little color. Ryanne looked up at him. “Why do you care?”
“You seem like a smart lady who is sad. I dig smart women, and I don’t want to see you so unhappy,” he said to her. He was surprised that there was a great deal of truth in his words.
A young woman in short shorts and a halter top walked up to him. She asked, “Are you like famous or something?”
He was polite as he dismissed the girl. He swung the guitar from his back and flipped it over and began to strum a few notes, singing a tune about a sad woman who did not smile. Ryanne was momentarily transfixed. The stranger finished the song and smiled at her as if they, too, were sharing a secret.
“You do know the best way to get over a man is to get under a new one,” he said with dark eyes that almost smoldered.
“And you are mighty forward. A few strums of a couple of chords will not get me out of my panties nor under you,” she said. She pointed to the pack of tidy whities. “Not even wearing those.”
He gave her a smile so soft and lascivious that Ryanne took a step backwards. His words were caressing her like a lover in a darkened room. “I’m progressive. I’m okay with being under you. I am willing relinquish control over to you….”
Is this how it feels to be Odessa? She sure as hell was channeling her sister as she took his card. The sexy man told her he was on a modified tour of Texas, in Dallas tonight, then on to Austin, San Antonio, and then Houston.
“May I see your phone?” he asked her.
She handed it to him as he swiped the screen, found the camera, and stood behind her. The guitar was poking her in the butt. Thank God it’s just his guitar. His arm came around her neck as he posed and took a selfie with her.
“So you can think of me tonight,” he said, grinning as he started to walk away.
“I don’t even know your name,” she said as she looked at the card that only held an image of his guitar and a phone number.
“I am Eduardo, but, when you ring me tonight, I pr
efer you to call me Eddie.”
Ryanne was uncomfortable as the top button of his shirt slipped open. He had some sort of tattoo. She pointed to it. “What is that, a tattoo of something?”
Eddie stood still as he moved the guitar around to his back, the strap hanging about his neck. He opened three buttons of his shirt as several women stood close by watching. Using both hands, his fingers caressing the material, he pulled back the plain front of the shirt to show his chest.
Ryanne was squinting at the detail of the image etched into his skin. “What is that- a cobra?”
He was smiling at her. “No, my lovely smart lady, it is the head of a serpent.”
Chapter 8. Mom, I’m home …
Saxton walked into the front door of his childhood home feeling a sense of exhilaration. He still had keys to the front door, but as excited as he was to see his parents, he was more excited to ride his horse, Longshot. Lately, thoughts of moving back to Houston had been in the back of his mind, but Odessa’s parents were also getting up in age. At least his brother and sister were here and interacted with Lucy & Bobby Ray on a daily basis. He only wished he could do the same.
“Mom, I’m home. Are you here?” he called into the cavernous living room. When he received no answer, he pressed one of the intercom buttons, which connected to every room in the house, including the lanai. “Mom, I’m home.”
Dinner With the Blakemores (The Blakemore Files Book 5) Page 3