Framed Shadows: Shadows Landing #6

by Kathleen Brooks

  He delivered the package to the shipping company, and when he returned Tinsley was in her studio with music on. Paxton moved quietly to watch her paint. He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the doorway. He watched her back as she swayed to the music and at times she closed her eyes and let her head fall back as if she were picturing the creation she was about to make. Then she’d open her eyes and get back to work.

  Paxton didn’t know how long he’d watched her. In the beginning he couldn’t tell what the painting was going to be. It seemed as if it were filled with random brush strokes. By the time his phone buzzed with an incoming text message, he could see that the painting was of a woman. For someone who claimed to only be good at painting landscapes, Tinsley was pretty impressive with the people she’d been painting recently.

  Call me.

  Paxton read the text from Peter and slipped from the room. He stepped to the far side of the gallery and called his boss.

  “Do you have the money set up for the sale?” Paxton asked Peter.

  “We do. We have a fake account set up ready to make the wire transfer for the artwork for up to a hundred thousand dollars. Tinsley can do it all over the phone with our financial guy so Maurice and Murray will believe there’s a real buyer and will be happy when they see their account go up by the sales price. They shouldn’t press Tinsley for any more information after that.”

  “Great. Tinsley is going to call them tomorrow afternoon to set up a time to complete the sale. We didn’t want to appear to be too eager,” Paxton told him.

  Peter was quiet for a moment and Paxton could swear he could hear his boss smiling. “So I hear you met Granger and Kord. They’re good guys. Use them if you need backup.”

  “I will. Why are you smiling?” Paxton asked.

  “How did you know I was smiling?” Peter asked but then just chuckled. “I heard they told you at least you weren’t Stephen Adkins. Quite the ringing endorsement. Funny how fast things changed from you tolerating Tinsley to you apparently living with Tinsley.”

  “I never said I didn’t like her or that I only tolerated her. That was shoddy investigative work on your end,” Paxton pointed out.

  “Oh,” Peter said, not bothering to hide his amusement. “You’ve liked her all along and didn’t know how to handle it. You’re right, bad work on my part. I should have seen that. What’s the plan because I’ve fielded no fewer than five calls about you today and whether I think you’re good enough for Tinsley.”

  “What?” Paxton yelped before quieting down. The last thing he wanted to do was disturb Tinsley as she was working. Plus, this was not the conversation he wanted her to overhear.

  “What can I say? Tinsley is loved by all. Everyone wanted to make sure you were worthy of her.”

  “What did you say?” Paxton asked, sounding a little too much like a high school boy hoping the girl he had a crush on liked him too. He cleared his throat and took a deep breath. “Not that it matters. This is between Tinsley and me and no one else.”

  He didn’t think it was a good sign when Peter snorted with amusement. “Don’t worry. I told them you were better than Stephen.”

  “I need to meet Stephen.”

  Peter laughed again over the phone and Paxton wanted to shake him. “I’m sure you will soon. Seriously though, I told them you were a damn good agent and to give you a chance.”

  “I guess I owe you then.” Paxton paused and looked back toward Tinsley’s studio before dropping his voice. “Have you heard anything from Atlanta?”

  “Already looking to leave? Not so serious about Tinsley then?”

  “It’s not that,” Paxton admitted. “I put in for a transfer as you know, but now I’m not so sure what I want. One thing I do know— something isn’t right. I should have been promoted. I was just curious if you’ve heard anything.”

  “Your transfer was denied an hour ago. It’s one of the reasons I’m calling. The reason for it did strike me as odd. It said you weren’t qualified. I looked up who got the promotion and you have five years of seniority over him. Plus you have more street experience. From what I can tell, you were blackballed. I’m curious as to the reason.”

  “Who was appointed?” Paxton asked as he clenched his fingers into a fist.

  “Mark Trevino.”

  “That asshole? Something is definitely up.” Mark was always the one to cut corners. Paxton had no evidence of it, but he thought it was Mark who had blown Paxton’s cover, causing him to be shot.

  “I tend to agree. What else is interesting is that your file has been changed. I have a copy from when you were transferred to me. I’m old school and printed it off. I pulled up the file online after I was told you weren’t qualified. There’s a ton of disciplinary actions that weren’t there before. The question is: who is Mark Trevino and is he powerful enough to alter your file?”

  “Pull his record,” Paxton told him as his mind tried to understand this new development. He’d thought he was crazy thinking there was a conspiracy against him but now, it didn’t seem so crazy at all.

  “I could, but he’d probably get notice of it. I didn’t think you’d want that yet.”

  “No, you’re right.” Paxton took a breath and focused his mind. “Mark transferred in last year from the gang unit in the Boston office. He said he was tired of the cold weather when we asked why he transferred.”

  “Okay, I’ll ask around to see if anyone has any contacts in the Boston office. See if we can find out the real reason for his transfer. Meanwhile, keep Tinsley safe and wrap up this art theft ring.”

  When Paxton turned around, he realized the music was off and found Tinsley standing in the door to her studio drying her hands.

  “I didn’t want to disturb your call since you looked upset. Is everything okay?” Tinsley asked.

  “Yes, just Bureau politics. Peter has everything set up for a wire transfer. You’ll call a number and talk to one of our agents. He’ll send a wire with hidden software to trace it to the account number Maurice gives you. Then have Maurice sign over the sales papers and we’ll swoop in to arrest him.”

  “Okay, I’ll call him tomorrow after lunch and set it up.”

  Paxton nodded and then held out his hand. Tinsley walked across the gallery and slipped her hand into his. “Can I take you out to dinner tonight?”

  “As in a date?” Tinsley smiled up at him. There was truly no better feeling in the world than that.

  “Yes, as an official date. I’ll even take you home and kiss you goodnight.”

  “I’d love that.”

  “I know this great place to eat and it happens to be right across the street. I have an in with the owner. I work with her boyfriend,” Paxton teased as they locked up the gallery and headed to Karri’s restaurant.

  Paxton and Tinsley enjoyed shrimp and grits that were elevated way above any shrimp and grits Paxton had ever had before. The grits were made with a special cheese, then deep-fried to make grit cakes before being smothered with Lowcountry shrimp, sausage, and gravy.

  Then there was the company. Tinsley had him laughing with stories of growing up in Shadows Landing, the pirate history of the town, and how they’d met their relatives from Keeneston, Kentucky.

  “Wait, your cousin Greer is with FBI Hostage Rescue?” Paxton asked for clarification. He’d heard of a woman joining HRT but not her name.

  “Yup, she’s in New York City. Her father is retired FBI, her oldest brother is the FBI agent in charge in Lexington, and her other brother is with hostage rescue, too,” Tinsley said proudly. It was clear that while the two families had only known each other a couple of years, they were already very close.

  By the time they left the restaurant, it seemed second nature to slip her hand into his as they walked. Tinsley leaned against him as they took in the warm night air on the short walk to the cars. Paxton stopped by Tinsley’s driver door as she opened it and tossed in her purse. She turned back around and smiled up at him. “This was fun. I’ll see yo
u at home?”

  Home.

  The thought of Tinsley at home waiting for him had him reaching out and grabbing her hips. He stepped forward and pressed her against the side of the car before kissing her. He let his desires take over as he speared one hand into her hair and deepened the kiss. His other hand pulled her flush against him. He felt the curve of her breasts, the way her breathing hitched in desire, the gentle rocking of her hips against his, and all thoughts fled from his mind.

  His mouth devoured hers as his other hand ran up her hip and past her waist before cupping her breast. The little moan Tinsley let out vibrated straight through him like a dagger to the heart.

  “What’s that man doing to Miss Tinsley, Momma?” a little voice asked. It tore through the veil of desire and Paxton reluctantly took a step away from Tinsley.

  “They’re making babies,” another little voice answered.

  “They shouldn’t be doing that on the street. No baby wants to be born on the street. It’s dirty and icky,” a little girl said.

  Paxton turned to find a young woman surrounded by a herd of children, all staring at him and Tinsley.

  “Good evening, Lydia,” Tinsley said as if she hadn’t just been caught clutching Paxton’s shirt. “Hello, kids.”

  “Hello, Miss Tinsley,” they all echoed back.

  “Who’s that?” the youngest boy asked.

  “This is Mr. Paxton. He’s a friend of mine,” Tinsley said sweetly.

  Meanwhile, Paxton just stared as he counted kids. “There’s seven of them,” he whispered to Tinsley in disbelief.

  “Mr. Paxton, you look horny like Mr. Fuzzy Butt,” the smallest girl told him with a giggle.

  “Lindsey!” the mother admonished the little girl in pigtails who just shrugged off her mother.

  “He does. He looks all horny with the way he’s glaring. He’s looking at me the way Fuzzy Butt does when I take his toy away.”

  “Ornery,” the mother said quickly. “She means ornery.”

  The older boy crossed his arms and scowled at Paxton. “I think she had it right with horny.”

  “Landry Junior!” The mother smacked his arm. “How do you know what that word means?”

  Paxton had to choke back a laugh as the boy who looked to be closing in on his teenage years let out an annoyed sigh and rolled his eyes in a completely adolescent way. “I’m twelve, Mom. I think I know what horny means, just like I know when you and Dad tell me to put on my headphones and listen to music in my room that I’ll probably end up with another brother or sister in nine months. Duh.”

  The oldest daughter smacked her brother. “Landry, don’t make Mom feel bad for being horny. If she’s horny, then she’s not ornery. Duh,” she said, mocking her older brother.

  “Shut up, Lacy. You think you know everything. I’m the older brother.”

  “Well, I know Mr. Paxton made it to second base while you probably think it’s about baseball,” Lacy shot back.

  Paxton was going to lose it. He was trying hard not to because of the horrified look on the mother’s face, so he pressed his lips tightly together to keep from laughing out loud.

  “I like baseball,” one of the little boys piped up. “I don’t want to make it to second base though. I want to hit a home run!”

  “I know I want to round second base, hit third, and slide home,” Paxton whispered to Tinsley who smacked his arm. He saw the way her shoulders shook as she tried not to laugh.

  “It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. Paxton. Say goodbye, kids,” Lydia ordered in an attempt to wrangle the kids up and escape the increasingly embarrassing situation.

  Landry scowled at him. Lacy smiled at him. Lindsey said he didn’t look horny anymore because he was smiling. The little boy was still talking about making a home run as Lydia herded them away. As they disappeared down the street, Paxton heard the youngest boy ask how babies were made and Paxton lost it. The laughter broke free and it wasn’t just from him. Tinsley held tight to his arm as she bent over in a fit of giggles.

  “They’re going to tell everyone that you are horny and we were making babies on the street. Right now I’m just laughing too hard to care. But you may want to steer clear of my brother for a few days.” Tinsley took in a deep breath to try to calm down, but it only resulted in more laughter.

  “Come on, let’s go home. I believe I’m up to bat.”

  “You sure you won’t pop out on a foul ball?” Tinsley asked.

  “I’m sure. In fact, I’m up for a doubleheader.” Paxton placed a kiss on her forehead and held the door open for her to get into her car. “I’ll see you at home.”

  He closed the door and watched as she drove away. Home. Nothing had ever sounded better to him than that.

  Paxton followed Tinsley home. They met on the front porch and it was as if a spark had ignited a passion that was burning out of control. They came together in a clash, and before they were inside they were all hands, lips, and tongues. Paxton blindly reached around her to unlock the door. His heart was pounding, his body was on fire, and his mind was full of every little sound of pleasure Tinsley made.

  That was until the sound of a car driving up the way entered his brain. “Are you expecting anyone?” Paxton asked as he moved his hand to the gun hidden at the small of his back.

  “No,” Tinsley confirmed as she looked into the darkness. Two headlights appeared and Tinsley groaned as the truck came into view. “It’s my brother.”

  The truck stopped and Ridge pushed the door open. His wife got out on the other side and mouthed “Sorry” to them.

  “Hey, you two,” Ridge called out. “I felt bad about how the other night went so I thought we’d come over and get to know Paxton better.”

  Paxton knew better. He bent his head toward Tinsley and whispered, “Your brother is blocking the plate.”

  “So, Paxton,” Ridge said with a smile as if he knew he’d interrupted them. “Do you want kids someday?”

  “I am so sorry,” Savannah muttered again as they all went inside for the longest, most frustrating night of Paxton’s life.

  10

  Tinsley pushed open the door to the Lowcountry Smokehouse for lunch the next day with a little more force than necessary. It was all the pent-up sexual frustration from the night before.

  Today she was both horny and ornery, and it was all her brother’s fault. He’d kept Paxton talking until three in the morning. Tinsley gave up after Paxton had shared his views on children, marriage, monogamy, how many women he’d been with, his political views, how much money he made, if he went to church, and on and on. Her brother had been relentless and yet Paxton had just grabbed a beer from the fridge and sat back and answered everything.

  At first it was interesting. While he didn’t come off as the family man, he actually was, which only turned Tinsley on more. But then Ridge threw cold water on her feelings when he’d turned the conversation to Paxton’s ex-girlfriends.

  She’d zoned out after hearing his view of the current president and congress. Then she’d fallen asleep when he and Ridge started discussing movies. When she woke up, she’d had a pillow placed under her head and a blanket pulled over her. Now she was exhausted, had to call a criminal in two hours, and had promised to meet the girls for a lunch she knew she couldn’t avoid.

  Tinsley looked around the restaurant and found them around a big circular table in the back. Savannah was pouring coffee and as soon as she saw Tinsley, she poured her a cup. The rest of them stared at her with matching grins on their faces.

  “When did y’all talk to Lydia?” Tinsley grumbled as she took the coffee from her sister-in-law.

  “Probably while you were still getting felt up on the street,” Harper said bluntly.

  “You should talk. Remember I accidentally caught you and Dare behind the bar when I tried to take the shortcut to your house last month,” Tinsley told her cousin with no remorse for sharing her and her husband’s private moment.

  Harper just smiled at the memory.


  “Wade and I got caught on our boat deck by some college students on spring break. They tossed us a beer,” Darcy admitted.

  “I can’t count the number of times Sadie has walked in on Gavin and me,” Ellery told them. “In fact, we’re so bad about being caught I’ve told Gavin he has to put a deadbolt on our door or we’ll be explaining sex to baby Chase by the time he’s three.”

  “Ryker caught Trent and me on our back patio,” Skye confessed.

  “Don’t let Ridge make you feel guilty,” Savannah told her. “We totally got busted by Reverend Winston after Ridge said we didn’t need to lower the shades in the living room because, quote, ‘Who would stop by?’”

  “We’re not here to give you a hard time,” Harper told her. “We’re here to find out how it was.”

  Tinsley didn’t realize she’d sighed out loud until the table burst into laughter.

  “Also, I put a hole in Ridge’s tire after I heard what he did last night,” Harper told her. “I actually like Paxton for you. He pushes you to be you. Not the quiet little mouse you think people want you to be. Plus, he’s way better than Stephen Adkins.”

  Savannah spoke up sheepishly. “First, I am so sorry about last night. I tried to tell Ridge he was going overboard, but he said as your brother he had to protect you. Second, I agree with Harper. I actually like you two together. He’s not the kind of man I pictured. But now that I see it, I realized how wrong I was before.”

  “What kind of man did you think I’d be with?” Tinsley asked. What did they all think of her?

  “Honestly, someone like Stephen, just not so snobby. Maybe another artist or maybe a professor? I thought you’d end up with someone chill, safe, reliable, and maybe just a little snobby. That was where I was wrong. I like that Paxton is so intense. You two play off of each other in a way that makes it appear like foreplay,” Savannah told her.

  “I see that,” Skye agreed. “I know I’m new, but he’s brought out more confidence in you.”