Faith had turned around and was heading back home when Sam’s Jeep pulled up beside her. The window rolled down. “There you are,” Sam said, leaning across the passenger seat. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Get in! It’s freezing out there.”
Faith climbed into the Jeep, grateful for the warm air blowing on her feet.
“I need to run to the grocery store. Do you mind going with me?”
“That’s fine. I have a couple of things I need to pick up as well.” Faith patted her pockets. “Although I don’t have my wallet with me.”
“You can pay me back later.” Sam eyed her cell phone in the cup holder. “But text your husband and tell him you’re with me. He’s worried sick.”
Faith’s fingers flew across the screen as she apologized to Mike for worrying him: “Just needed some fresh air. Going to store with Sam. Back soon.”
“I hope you don’t mind, but my grocery list is kinda long,” Sam said as they headed toward town. “Eli and I are having the family over for dinner Tuesday night. I hope you can come. I can’t wait for you to see what we’ve done to our living room. Our shipment of furniture finally arrived last week.”
“Hmm, Tuesday.” Faith tapped her chin. “Seems like we already have something on the calendar.”
“Tuesday is Valentine’s Day, Faith. Are you and Mike planning a date night?”
Faith’s face lit up. “How could I forget Valentine’s Day? No date night for us, though. Valentine’s Day is for celebrating with all those you love, not just your significant other. Does your invitation include the children?”
Sam nodded. “Of course. Eli is cooking ribs on his new Green Egg.”
A deep line creased Faith’s forehead. “I’m sorry I ran out like that, back at the house. I hope Annie isn’t too upset.”
“She’s upset. But not at you. Annie understands where you’re coming from.” Sam turned into the Harris Teeter parking lot and drove around until she found a space close to the door. “The weatherman says we may get an inch of ice. I bet there’s not a loaf of bread left on the shelves.”
They hopped out of the car and made a dash for the store. They each got a cart and shopped the crowded aisles for the items on their lists.
“Every child is a gift from God,” Faith said as they waited in the long checkout line. “Terminating the pregnancy would be a mistake. I understand if she doesn’t want to keep the baby. But she can give it to someone else to raise.”
Sam smiled. “Like who, you?”
Faith’s mouth dropped open. “Was that Annie’s idea?”
“No. But I’m sure she’s thought about it. We’ve all thought about it. Including you.” Sam nudged Faith with her elbow. “Having you and Mike raise Annie’s child is the most logical solution.”
Sam paid for the groceries and they wheeled their bags to the car.
“I can think of a hundred reasons that scenario won’t work,” Faith said when they were on the way home. “The biggest is the friction it could potentially cause in our family. I would be raising Cooper’s child as my own. How would Jackie feel about that? And Mom? She would never understand that arrangement. Seriously, Sam. That idea is just screwed up.”
“Stranger things have happened. Especially these days. The traditional family unit no longer exists.”
“Maybe so. But that doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for us.” Faith stared out the window as she contemplated the idea. What was wrong with her? She wanted a baby more than anything, yet here she was thinking of every reason not to adopt the one that had fallen into her lap. “Think about the potential for heartache down the road. What if, in ten years, Annie decides she wants the baby back? Am I supposed to just hand the child over?”
“That won’t happen if you hire an attorney and follow the proper procedures,” Sam said, her eyes glued to the road.
“If Mike and I adopt the baby, Annie will leave this town and never come back. She’s like a daughter to me. I don’t want to lose her, anymore than I’m already losing her to Heidi.”
“You’re underestimating Annie. She has enough love in her heart for ten mothers and twenty children.”
“I agree with you there.” Faith turned to face Sam. “Okay, then. What am I supposed to tell this child when he or she asks about his or her biological parents? Hey kid, your uncle is actually your biological father.”
Sam snickered. “It won’t come as a surprise if he or she has the same red hair and deep blue eyes as Cooper.”
“I’m glad you think this is funny, because I’m not laughing.” Faith sat back in her seat and crossed her arms over her chest. “Trust me, Sammie, your solution won’t work. Do us all a favor and don’t bring it up again.”
FIFTEEN
Eli
Eli was purchasing a chicken salad croissant and a coffee from the Island Bakery early Tuesday afternoon when he spotted Willie and Tyrone Bell coming out of the liquor store next door. He hurried out to his cruiser, started the engine, and pulled into the line of traffic two cars behind the Bell brothers’ silver, jacked-up Dodge Charger. Eli experienced a flash of anger, an emotion he’d long since learn to suppress, when he thought about the way Tyrone had hassled that young woman in front of the Minute Mart several days ago. He was determined to get these two off the streets of Prospect and send them to a maximum security prison for a very long time. Away from Annie. Away from Flora and Thea. He would build a rock-solid case against them, even if it meant following them around town until they slipped up. And they would eventually slip up. He felt that in his gut.
He realized that sending the brothers to prison would likely put Thea and Flora in financial hardship. But he would figure out a way to somehow compensate for the money Willie and Tyrone gave them, however meager and inconsistent their contributions were.
When the Charger sped through a red light, Eli turned on his blue lights, accelerated past the cars in front of him, and stayed close on the Charger’s tail until they pulled over to the side of the road.
Eli got out of his cruiser and approached the other car. The tinted window rolled down and Tyrone flashed Eli a mouthful of gold teeth. “Dude. Eli. What’s with the blue lights? I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“You sped through that red light back there.” Eli aimed his thumb over his shoulder. “You could have killed someone if another car had been entering the intersection.”
Willie’s eyebrows shot up above his mirrored sunglasses. “A red light? Seriously, man. You know that light was yellow. You just looking to give us a hard time. I call this harassment.”
“Call it what you want,” Eli said. “You’ll have a hard time proving it.”
“C’mon, Deputy Fife,” Tyrone said. “Can’t you find someone else in Mayberry to pick on?”
Eli held out his hand, palm up, fingers wiggling. “License and registration, please.” He kept a close eye on Tyrone’s hands as he retrieved his license from his wallet and the registration from above the sun visor.”
Tyrone slapped the credentials in Eli’s hand. “What will it take for you to overlook my little mistake?” he asked, thumbing through the hundred-dollar bills in his wallet.
Eli peered at him over the top of his Ray Ban sunglasses. “Are you suggesting a bribe?”
“Call it whatever you want. Bottom line is, I get my way, and you get to take your lady out on the town. I’m guessing that uniform don’t earn you much.”
Willie cackled from the passenger seat.
Encouraged by his brother’s laughter, Tyrone continued. “How long has it been since you treated Sam-an-tha to a romantic dinner?”
The sound of his wife’s name on Tyrone’s lips sent a wave of fury through Eli’s body. He reached for the chrome handle and flung Tyrone’s door open. “Step out of the car.” Tyrone hesitated and Eli added, “Now!”
In exaggerated slow motion, Tyrone climbed out of the car. When he was finally on his feet, Eli grabbed a handful of Tyrone’s Nike T-shirt and spun him around to face the
car. “Place your hands on the roof and spread your legs.” Eli patted him down, removing a switchblade from his back pocket. “What do we have here?”
“Ain’t no law against carrying a knife, bro.”
“If I had my way, you’d need a permit to own a butter knife.” Eli stuffed the knife in his coat pocket. He wrenched Tyrone’s hands behind his back and slapped a pair of handcuffs on his wrists.
“What up, man?” Tyrone said. “You can’t arrest me.”
“Like hell I can’t. You tried to bribe an officer of the law.” Eli manhandled Tyrone around to the other side of the car. He removed his revolver from its holster, and then aiming it at Tyrone, used his free hand to open the passenger door and yank Willie out of the car. Both Bell brothers were surprisingly lightweight despite their sinewy physiques. He then conducted a one-handed search of Willie’s body but came up empty.”
“Open the trunk,” Eli ordered Willie, shoving both brothers toward the rear of the car.
“Fine.” Willie stumbled, but then righted himself. He released the button and opened the trunk. “You ain’t gonna find nothing in there.”
“I didn’t expect to.” He glanced down into the immaculate trunk. “You’re too smart to stash the good stuff in your trunk. I better not catch you dealing out of your mama’s house.”
Willie stiffened. “That sounds like a threat to me.”
“Because it is.” Eli slammed the trunk shut. “Flora doesn’t need your kind of trouble. Neither does Thea.”
“Shut up, man,” Tyrone said, kicking the gravel at his feet. “You don’t know nothing about my mama or my baby sister.”
Eli squared his shoulders. “I know more about your family than you think,” he said, staring him down. “Flora and I have been friends for years. She’s told me all about the heartache you’ve brought her. She deserves better. And so does Thea. Your sister seems like a sweet girl. Have you ever considered what kind of example you’re setting for her? She doesn’t stand a chance growing up in the shadow of brothers like you.”
“Mind your own business, pig.” Tyrone puffed out his chest. “We take care of our folks and you take care of yours. That Annie now. She’s a hot little piece of ass. How’s she kin to you? She your niece or something? I wouldn’t mind dipping my wick in her—”
Eli whipped his pistol out of his holster and held it under Tyrone’s chin. “Say another word about Annie and I’ll put a bullet in your brain. Is that understood?”
Tyrone nodded, his nostrils flaring.
“All right, then,” Eli said, returning his revolver to his holster as a passing car drew near. “Let’s all take a deep breath and calm down.“ He knew his charges against the Bell brothers wouldn’t stick. No good would come from locking them up for twenty-four hours. He needed them on the streets where they could get into trouble. And when they did he’d be standing by to catch them. He uncuffed Tyrone and handed him back his switchblade. “I’m willing to forget about this little exchange. At least for now. Thea and Annie are friends. Arguing won’t help either of our families.”
Eli had lost count of the number of years since he’d last had a drink. He seldom experienced the craving anymore, but his confrontation with the Bell brothers had unnerved him to the point his hands trembled. He and Sam, both recovering alcoholics, refused to keep booze in the house for exactly this reason, for weak moments of temptation like these. Needing fresh air, he changed into jeans and a flannel shirt and went out to the back patio to fire up his Big Green Egg.
Sam found him there twenty minutes later, staring into the blazing fire. “I thought the point of the Egg was to slow-cook the meat.”
“Huh?” His head shot up. “Did you say something?”
“Isn’t the point of the Egg to slow-cook the meat?” She gestured at the grill, at the flames licking out at him. “We can roast hot dogs and marshmallows over that bonfire.”
“Oh! Sorry.” He lowered the heavy ceramic lid. “I had my mind on something else.”
“Clearly.” Sam massaged his back. “Want to talk about it?”
“I was just thinking about Annie. The poor kid has so much on her plate. She really needs a friend right now, and I’m glad she has Thea to talk to, but I don’t think the Bell home is a safe place for Annie to visit. Not with Thea’s derelict brothers hanging around. Not after what happened today.”
“That doesn’t sound good.” Sam rested her chin on his shoulder. “What happened today?”
“I pulled the brothers over for running a red light. The oldest boy, Tyrone, was driving. He tried to bribe his way out of a ticket. We had a heated exchange. And I’m worried they’ll take out their anger at me on Annie.”
“I see. We better sit down.” They moved to the wicker love seat. “Start at the beginning and tell me everything.”
Eli described in detail not only the red light incident from that afternoon but also the scene in from of the Minute Mart late last week when Tyrone hassled the innocent young woman.
“Sounds like things are pretty hostile between you two,” Sam said.
“That’s an understatement.” He leaned against Sam for comfort. “Things might get worse before they get better. I’m on a mission to get the two of them off the streets for good.”
Sam turned to him and took his face in her hands. “You be careful, Eli. If those boys are as dangerous as you say they are, your life could be in jeopardy too. As for Annie…” Her hands slid down his cheeks and rested on his shoulders. “I’m not even sure if she’s ever been to Thea’s house. I’ll explain the situation to Faith and she can talk to Annie. If I know Faith, she’s already on top of the situation. Remember she was in the emergency room the other night when we met Thea. She heard the exchange between the two of you. She knows the Bell brothers are dangerous. I’m sure she’s looking for a concrete reason to keep Annie away from their house.”
“Tell Faith to blame it on me when she talks to Annie. Anything to keep her safe from Thea’s brothers. I’m telling you, they are no good.” He buried his face in his hands. “The way they talk about Annie makes me sick to my stomach.”
Sam brought his head to her breast. “Let’s try not to think about it anymore,” she said, stroking his hair. “If the grill is ready, I’ll bring out the ribs. Then I can tell you about my dilemma.”
Lifting his head, he stared into her deep blue eyes. The compassion and understanding he found there made everything right again. “That sounds like a good plan.” He kissed her softly on the lips. “Happy Valentine’s Day. We haven’t been married long, but having you around makes my world a better place. I think I’ll keep you.”
“Good!” She bit his lip playfully. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”
He stood and pulled her to her feet. “Except inside to get the ribs. We should have put them on the grill a half hour ago.”
“They’re ready to go. They’ve been marinating in rub all day.” Sam disappeared inside and returned a minute later with the ribs.
“Great goodness!” Eli said when he saw the platter piled high with four racks of ribs. “Who’d you invite to dinner, the whole USC football team?”
“You know how my family loves ribs. But to answer your question, it’s mostly the adults tonight—Mom, Bill and Jackie, Faith and Mike. Plus Bitsy of course. The teenagers are tied up with projects and homework.”
Together they forked the ribs on the Egg. Eli closed the lid and manipulated the draft door at the bottom and the metal wheel on top until the Egg reached his desired temperature. They returned to the love seat. “We’re lucky. It’s a perfect night for grilling. I’m glad the sleet storm on Sunday was short-lived.”
“Typical Carolina weather. Blink hard and it will change.” She looped her arm through his, nestling up to him. “Did you get me a present for Valentines Day? Because I got something for you. But you can’t have it until after everyone leaves tonight.”
“Now that sounds interesting. I have something for you as well. And you’re gonna
model it for me later.” Eli could hardly wait to see her in the sexy teddy he’d bought.
Sam ran her tongue up his neck to his ear. “Should we call them all now and tell them not to come?” she whispered, her voice husky with desire.
“Nope. I’m sorry but you’ll have to wait. We promised them dinner. And dinner we shall deliver.” He kissed the top of her head. “Besides, the anticipation will make your pleasure more intense.”
“You think so, do you?”
“I know so.” He settled back against the cushions. “Now tell me about your dilemma.”
“Well…” She tucked one leg beneath her. “Heidi is thinking about opening a gourmet shop in Charleston, and I’m considering investing in it.”
“A gourmet shop? I thought Heidi was a wedding planner.”
“She caters events, including but not limited to weddings. The converted warehouse she’s looking at has a commercial kitchen in the back. She’s planning to operate her catering business from there. She would sell specialty items, entertainment goods, and prepared foods in the shop out front like we do at Sweeney’s.”
“You mean she’d be competing with Sweeney’s?”
Sam smacked him on the chest. “Don’t be ridiculous. You really know nothing about retail. Charleston is forty minutes away, a different city entirely. And she would not limit her provisions to seafood.”
“Did she come to you asking for money?”
“Not at all. I volunteered. We talked about it last week, when I saw her at the hospital during Annie’s surgery. Heidi took a second look at the warehouse today and sent me some pictures. Here.” She handed him her phone.
He swiped through the pictures. “I’m impressed. The place looks like it has real potential.” He handed her back the phone and added, “Careful. You might find yourself commuting to Charleston like Jackie.”
Tangle of Strings (Sweeney Sisters Series Book 4) Page 8