“Mmmmmm. Yes.” She purred against his neck and paused. “Are you really going to make me wait until we get home? Damn tease. One more kiss for the road?”
“He put his phone in his pocket.” Holloway updated them as Joe heard footsteps on the move again. A car door shut nearby followed by the cough and roar of an engine coming to life. “He’s leaving. Looks like our boy got stood up. Hang tight for just a few more moments.”
Headlights swept across them as a car backed out and turned. He held his breath. Cara’s body tensed beneath his. He shielded her as best he could, despite knowing he was the one who needed to stay hidden.
Holloway spoke again. “You’re good. He’s gone. I’ll keep watch until you’re out.”
“Load up and get your asses back to base,” Rick’s tense voice commanded.
Joe lifted Cara and carried her to the passenger side. He told himself that it was for time’s sake and hoped she wouldn’t feel the trembling of his hands. He knew better.
He sat her inside, where she stopped him with a tender hand on his cheek. “Who was it?”
“Jimmy Hawkins. He’s the Potter County Sheriff’s cousin.”
Cara walked into Trent’s house, thankful she’d had time in the dark of the truck to get her hormones under control. She waved at her team and went to Trent’s kitchen for water, giving herself a moment to get over her residual lust and nerves. Good lord, she’d never acted that way around a man in her life. To be fair, she’d been given a hell of a shock. One moment she’d been happy and laughing with the kid she’d danced with. Then Boyd showed his nasty hand, and she’d panicked. No, she hadn’t run, but the terror had been stark and alive in her heart. She’d frozen and been useless to the guys, and she hated that more than anything else. She’d even had a moment to realize that they needed her to keep her cool and she’d blown it.
When she’d heard Joe’s voice, she wanted to collapse, her relief was so bright. Then again, she’d been slammed with fear when the men had gone chest to chest in a full-on primal confrontation. The single thought in her head had been to stop Joe from killing Boyd, and she’d done the only thing she could think of.
She’d climbed him like a tree and plastered herself against him. She’d gone total hussy. Even her mother would have been appalled. She could hear her mother now. “Darlin’ girl, you need to play hard to get, just a little. Make him work for you so when he finally gets you, he thinks he won the grand prize. Then, he’ll move Heaven and Earth to keep you.”
But, nope. She’d thrown herself at him, embarrassed herself and likely him as well. Who knew what her team thought of her now.
Time to face the music.
She went to the living room and found a seat next to Noah on the couch. Without hesitation, he wrapped his beefy arm around her shoulders and tugged her close in a rough, but affectionate hug. “Smart thinking, sweetheart. You did good. You okay?”
“That’s what I want to know.” Rick interrupted from his seat at the table they’d moved into the room. “We’ll start at the top with the most important business and work our way down. No bullshit, how are you?”
God, I love them. She pulled her hair back then remembered she didn’t have a scrunchie and let it go. She’d worn a totally different type of uniform tonight. Was that why they treated her differently now?
“I’m fine. I admit I had a bit of a shock and when Boyd grabbed me, and I was scared for a moment. To be honest, he terrified me, but it was knee-jerk. I’m good.” She looked around at her team, assessing their moods and saw nothing but concern for her. There was not one hint of disgust, anger, or even disappointment that she hadn’t done her job. She met Rick’s steely gaze. “I promise.”
“You kicked ass, Mayhem.” Holloway, sitting at the table with Rick, nodded his head to her. “I didn’t have eyes inside, but I can only imagine how charged the situation became. I wish I could have seen you diffuse all that anger without bloodshed.”
“Uh, well. Literally throwing myself at Joe wasn’t exactly textbook, but it was the only thing I could think of. Luckily it worked.”
“It had nothing to do with luck. It was skill.” Joe’s quiet words entered the conversation. He sat at table’s end, leaned back in his chair, as if he didn’t have a care in the world. His eyes, on the other hand, glittered with a mix of emotions. “Will you be safe at home? What are the chances he’ll let this insult go? Or will he come after you?”
“Mayhem, you’re welcome to stay here. We have plenty of room. Kate would want you to stay.” Trent’s storm gray gaze met hers. “It might be the safest option.” Trent wasn’t boasting. The Walker’s horse farm was a topnotch facility. His horses were cared for, like the most precious of treasures. After Kate’s trouble, Trent had increased his already tight security measures.
“No, thank you. I’ll be fine. I can take care of myself, and I’ve got Momma to take care of. We’ll be fine.” She loved her mother, but wouldn’t dream of making anyone else put up with her theatrics.
Trent didn’t reply, other than to frown as if he wasn’t happy with her decision.
Rick spoke and everyone turned at the sound of command in his voice. “Cara, I agree that staying here at Trent’s would be safest, but we can’t force you. That being said.” He pinned her in place with his will. “If at any point, you get the slightest feeling that you’re being watched, I want you to pack your bags and get both yours and your mother’s asses out here. No argument.”
“Okay.” She hoped it didn’t come to that but, if it did, she wouldn’t have any choice.
“Good, now that family is taken care of, onto business. MacDonald, Pete can probably pull up info from the license plate on that Mustang, but I want to hear it from you. Who are we dealing with?” Rick’s thumb tapped a steady rhythm on the table, as if he were thinking.
Joe took a deep breath and straightened in his chair, sitting upright. He put his forearms on the table and looked around at the team. “I never saw him, but I’m guessing the driver was Jimmy Hawkins. Dale Hawkins’ cousin.”
“Why does that sound familiar?” Rick frowned as he thought.
“You probably saw campaign signs for Dale Hawkins the last time you drove through Potter County. He’s up for re-election this fall for Sheriff. Years ago, Jimmy got into a little trouble as a juvenile and Dale took him in, supposedly to straighten him out. This makes me wonder if he had another motive. They’ve been close since then.”
“Fuck a duck. I don’t envy you, man.” Pete stared, slack-jawed from his seat, parked behind his ever-present laptop. Then he shook his head and returned to typing. “I’m running a search on the car’s license plate now. We’ll have an answer in just a wee moment.”
“Mustangs are a dime a dozen. Maybe it’s not your guy.” James pointed out what they were likely all thinking. What made Joe think that a common car outside a bar, one county over from his own, could be the same one he knew? Cara didn’t doubt Joe, his instant alertness and frustration had been obvious.
“I recognized the junk heap as it turned to park. He’ll tell you he’s restoring it, but the only thing he’s done is replace the driver side door. The paint doesn’t match. It was Jimmy.” Joe ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. “I hope I’m wrong, but I’m not. The car will come back as his. He would die before loaning it to someone else.”
Noah returned to his seat beside her and opened a bag of chips. He pulled one out and offered the bag to her. “A better question is, what was he doing in Bourbon County, at a dive like the Thirsty Beaver? Did you see anyone else connected to Potter County?”
“No, I wish I had.”
“What a mess. Too bad we can’t chalk it up to coincidence. His Potter County connection paired with the fact the message he received could have been from Boyd canceling their meeting looks awfully damning,” said James.
“Food’s here. Keep talking. I’ll be right back.” Trent stuck his phone in his pocket and all but ran out the door.
“
Bingo!” Pete called out as if he’d actually won a game. “Joe, my man, it looks like you’re tonight’s winner. The Potter County plate number James got off your Mustang is registered to one James A. Hawkins.”
She looked to the group. “Now that we have confirmation of what we already suspected, what’s next?” She handed the bag of chips back to Noah.
The front door opened and Kate MacDonald, carrying a white carryout bag, held it wide open for Trent. He carried in a stack of pizza boxes and the house filled with the mouthwatering smell of Pop’s pizza. The couple set out the food, plates, and napkins together. They spent as much time touching as they did working. Light, casual touches, so comfortable in each other’s presence that it was second nature to reach out to one another.
Cara was envious even as she was happy for them, Trent especially. She’d only met Kate briefly a few times, but she genuinely liked the other woman. And Trent deserved only the best. Love and happiness couldn’t have landed on a more deserving man.
“Kate, love, I would’ve have ordered. You didn’t have to.” Rick rose and walked to kiss her lightly on the cheek.
She smiled brightly and gave him a friendly side hug. “I know. That’s why I told Trent not to tell you. You take care of everyone. It’s not a big deal.” She lowered her voice. “No luck finding Mary?”
“None. She’s a canny little brat.” He sounded equal parts sad for and proud of the child he’d been trying to find for over a month.
“With both you and Leigh on the hunt, she doesn’t have a chance. You’ll have her safe and in a loving home in no time.” Kate hugged him.
“She should be getting ready to go back to school. Not hiding out like some fugitive.” He sounded so heartbroken that Cara barely squashed the urge to go give him a hug of her own. Sorrow and worry ravaged his features as he touched his forehead to Kate’s temple.
Trent stood nearby, holding a slice of pizza, seemingly not bothered by their affection. “You’ll figure out a plan. You know I’m on board. I don’t want any of your bullshit ‘asking for a favor’ crap. You tell me where and when. I’m there. You get me? We’ll track her, find her and do it without scaring her.” Cara hadn’t moved home yet when trouble found Kate, but from what little pieces she’d heard, both she and Trent had been through hell and only come out stronger and infinitely closer on the other side. Rick had seen them through it all.
She couldn’t be happier for them.
Rick only allowed himself a brief moment to absorb Kate’s care then looked to Trent. “I get you. That’s the problem. I don’t have a plan for this kind of situation. Who the fuck does? And she’s not even mine.”
“Mary is yours now. The law might say she’s a runaway, but at heart, she’s yours. That girl has no idea how lucky she is. You’ll find her. I know it.” Kate kissed Rick’s cheek and he pulled away. Cara didn’t miss that he left the kitchen without getting food for himself.
When Rick sat in front of his laptop, Pete left his and practically ran to the kitchen. “Food! Thanks, pretty Kate.”
Trent scrunched his brow at Pete’s use of his pet name for Kate then sighed as if giving up the fight.
“You’re welcome. I know you guys started late this afternoon planning, stayed busy and likely didn’t have time to grab a bite. It’s not fancy, but it’s—”
“Perfect. Thank you.” Noah joined them and gave her an easy hug, kissed the top of her head and grabbed a plate from the stack on the counter. “So, where do we go for now? Situation smells worse than Pete’s socks after PT but we don’t have a lick of proof. I don’t like it.”
“Neither do I. As much as I wished differently, there’s a damn good chance that Jimmy and Dale Hawkins are connected to Campbell. That’s a can of worms I’m not looking forward to opening, but we don’t have any choice. Anything connected to Campbell is highly suspect. I’ll report what happened and what little we found to Bowie and update you all.” Elbows on the table, Rick rubbed his face with his palms.
“I don’t wanna be the bad guy, but I have a really bad feeling about this mess.” Pete said what they were all likely thinking as he piled a mountain of pizza on his plate.
Chapter Three
“I’m hurting too badly today, baby girl. I don’t think I can do it. I’ll try again tomorrow.” Her mother’s grimace looked suspiciously more like a pout as she lay in bed watching her morning talk show.
“Momma, I’m sure it hurts you a great deal, but I promise if you follow the physical therapy orders, you’d have an easier time getting around. The exercises are meant to help you get stronger, not hurt you. No one wants you to be in pain.” Cara repeated the exact same words she’d used twice already this week. And it was only Wednesday. “Everyone wants you to get better.”
Stubbornness set in on her mother’s features, hardening the pout. “Who expects a woman to walk so much after breaking a hip? Really. It’s…archaic. I bet you don’t see those doctors up and walking around after surgery. They’re allowed to rest.”
Where in the world did her mother get this crap? She felt as though she was trying to reason with a two-year-old rather than a fully-grown adult. When her mother set her up on the surprise date, she’d had little trouble getting around. Three days later, she acted as if she’d just come out of surgery.
“No, Momma, it’s not archaic. It’s proven medical science. Why would you think doctors get special treatment? After surgery, they’re expected to follow the same guidelines as everyone else. Yes, it might hurt you some now, but it’s worth it.” Cara picked up her mother’s shoes and put them under the bed, so she wouldn’t trip over them if she ever got her up. It was funny how she could get up and make it to the bathroom and fix her hair and makeup without much trouble, but the moment Cara expected her to walk a little for recommended exercise, she turned into the worst patient ever.
“Hmpf.” Her mother crossed her arms over her chest.
“Momma, you gave birth to me.” She took a deep breath, hoped for an ounce more patience and continued. “I’m truly sorry it hurts, but I think you can tolerate the pain for a few minutes of exercise. You’re a very strong woman and I believe in you. I mean, without pain meds, you squeezed a six-and-a-half-pound baby out of your—”
“Cara May! Don’t you be vulgar in this house. I raised you to be a lady. I swear, I don’t know where I went wrong. It had to have been all those filthy-mouthed soldiers you spent so much time with. Bad influences not fit for a lady’s company. To this day, I don’t understand why you left home for the Army. A woman’s place is at home.”
“Mother—” Her blood began to boil at her mother’s hateful words.
“No, Cara May. Just because you got a piece of paper that says you’re a nurse, doesn’t mean you have the right to boss your own mother around.” Her mother pinched her lips together in an ugly frown that Cara knew well. The look signaled the beginning of the silent treatment. It was just as well, as she’d never make headway in their fight, no matter how badly she wished differently.
But her mother carelessly threw out one insult she could not let go. “Mother, those filthy-mouthed soldiers are my friends. They’re some of the best people I have ever met and I consider myself lucky to have served beside them. I postponed a program that means so much to me to come home and help you. Are you even aware of how badly you just insulted me and my friends? I’m ashamed of you.” Not bothering to see if her words made an impact of any sort, she turned and shut the door carefully behind her. She would have rather slammed it hard enough to bust the frame.
She had more control than that, though. Barely, but still.
She’d walked out onto the porch to get her anger under control when her cell rang. She looked at the display and saw an unfamiliar local number. Grateful for the distraction she answered on the second ring. “Hello?”
“Hi, Cara? This is Leigh Ann MacDonald, Kate’s cousin.” A friendly, feminine voice greeted her.
“Um. Hi.” She sat on the porch swing and wonde
red what she was supposed to say.
“Listen, I hated to call you out of the blue like this, but I’m out of options and Rick said you might have an hour or two to spare today. I need a favor, if you’re able.” The faintest trace of desperation in her voice bled through the phone.
Cara pushed back on the swing absently. She knew Rick wouldn’t have volunteered her for something frivolous. “How can I help? I can leave for a few hours.” Even though she might be upset with her, she wouldn’t leave her mother for longer than that.
“This sounds odd, but I’ve got to make a delivery and I need an escort.”
“Sure.” An escort for Kate’s cousin? It had to be better than arguing with her mother. “When and where do you want to meet?”
Leigh Ann gave her directions to the office where she worked. They’d meet and go together from there. Wherever there was. “And come armed. Rick said you could and that you know what you’re doing. The menfolk think the little lady needs protection.” Leigh’s tone sounded like equal parts disgust and amusement before they disconnected.
Cara stared at her silent phone in bafflement.
Two minutes later, as she pulled out a looser shirt to conceal her gun if need be, her cell chimed with a text.
Leigh Ann is Joe’s sister and Kate’s cousin. You’ll like her. Long story and she’ll explain, but she’s going into a situation that is most likely safe, but has a small chance that it might not be. We never allow her to go alone.
Just do what you’re good at and keep your eyes and ears open. And thanks. I owe you. This one is personal.
She changed and grabbed her Beretta and went to her mother’s room. “I’m leaving and may be gone for a couple of hours. I’ll have my phone on me, so call if you need anything. I love you.”
Her mother made a face without looking away from her TV, but she replied. “Of course. It’s not like I don’t feel like getting out of bed. I could need any matter of things while you’re out running around town.”
Catching Cara: Dark Horse, Inc: Book 2 Page 5