43. Still a shit show
Still a shit show
Wade
“It’s a fucking shit show,” Pete growls, tossing his glasses onto his desk.
“She’s blocked the injunctions and the warrant.
I’m waiting to hear from the Montana Supreme Court justice to see if I can go over her head.
Why in the hell do I need permission to stop someone from grandstanding and keeping their kid from being arrested? ”
It’s only the last few weeks that I appreciate Judge Simmon’s tenacity.
“She’s good at it. How many times did I pick up Matt for beating the shit out of his wife, before and after their divorce, and she got them all kicked out of court?” I tilt my hat back to wipe my face.
Would I be that kind of parent? I just can’t see it in that case.
But I understand the drive to want to protect my kid.
“I’ve got him narrowed down to being here in the state. That’s the closest I’ve been able to get.” I guess if I started tailing the judge there’s a chance she’d lead me to him.
At this rate, I’d have better odds at winning the lottery.
Pete stares at me in silence, breathing hard enough to make a thin whistle through his mustache. “I have an idea.” He jerks into movement, pulling out his phone.
“Can it be that you went to college with the Speaker of the House? Maybe the head of the CIA?” I’d take a hacker without scruples at this point.
“Close.” He raises his nose to look through the bifocals of his glasses. “Let me make this call. We might have something moving by tomorrow.”
I push up from my chair, then pause at the door. “One more thing.” I’m not entirely sure I want to push my luck. “Since we have this asshole pegged down, what are the chances of lightening Elena’s sentence?” I’d love to be able to offer her the best gift of all, freedom.
He squints at me with his finger poised. “Let me think about it.”
It’s all I can ask for. After dipping my hat, I close his office.
I’ve done everything I can for now.
There’s no trail, no evidence for where Max could be hiding. There’s a part of me that wants to march down to the county courthouse and interrogate her myself.
Except I know I’d be the one in trouble.
I hate politics.
A fake pumpkin makes a weak moan when I set off the motion detector near the main desk.
Oh yea.
It’s Halloween.
Elena has been secretive about the costume she chose and the suspense is killing me.
“Are you sure?” I ask Dad one more time as he stands on my porch.
He adjusts the ridiculously large collar on his Dracula cape and smooths his slicked hair. “Yep. I haven’t gone trick or treating since you were ten. I’ll get her all the best candy bars.” He grins to show off the fake fangs hanging from his dentures.
I can’t help but chuckle. “Alright. If you insist. We’ll be at Hilltop for a few hours. Call me if you need me.”
When Cynthia pops outside, she struggles through the door with an inflatable duck on her lower half that’s fashioned to look like she’s riding it like a horse.
“You know you’re gonna have to let that go flat for the ride.” I grin as she frowns. “Well, unless you want grandpa to have to haul you in the livestock trailer?”
“Um, no thanks. It smells like poop.” Her nose wrinkles as she pulls the tab until her inflatable flattens.
“Let’s go, kiddo. Best houses start giving the big ones at six!” Dad claps his hands, herding her towards his car.
“Have fun!” I call after her.
Is it strange I’m missing her first Halloween?
Seeing the look on my dad’s face makes it worth it.
“I will! Love you!” She pulls the passenger side shut.
Leaving me stunned.
She’s never said that to me before.
It knocks the breath out of my chest and I claw for the wall to hold myself up.
The best kind of pain clinches me into a chokehold.
“All set.” Elena appears next to in a long coat with a bag in her hand.
Her eager smile fades when she sees me wiping my eyes.
“Wade? Daddy? What’s wrong?” Her palm works over my lower back.
“She said she loves me,” I cough, then start to laugh. “Sorry, I’m acting like an idiot.”
She wraps her arms around my waist, pressing her breasts against my chest. “I think it’s wonderful.”
My palms cup her ass cheeks to lift her against me. “Let’s ditch the party and work on making babies.” With a growl, I burrow my mouth against the hollow of her collarbone.
With a shriek she giggles and pushes away. “We can go for a little while. I’ve been stuck in the house for weeks and would love a break.”
Shit.
I let her feet flatten from holding her up. “I’m working on that.” Pressing my lips to her forehead, I find her hand to lead her to the truck.
But then I have an errant thought.
“Am I supposed to change here? Or is my costume in the bag?” I’ve asked her a few times about if I needed to get anything, but she just kept smiling and saying she had it covered.
“It’s here.” She pats the plastic as she slides into her seat. “I know it’ll fit.”
I guess I’m gonna have to trust her.
The parking lot is packed as it is every year. After I slide the engine into park, I sit back.
“So…Do I get to find out now?”
“Mmhmm, I have a surprise for you, daddy.” She pushes her door open, then pats her lap.
When I walk around, I push between her knees. “We aren’t gonna make it inside this way.” I let my fingers push under the edge of her coat to find her bare thighs.
She reaches into the bag and pulls out…One of my uniform shirts?
“I told you it’d fit.” Mischief shines in her dark eyes as she watches me strip off my t-shirt and button up the one with “Sheriff” on a badge.
Then she leans out, falling into my arms. “My turn.” With a flourish, she peels off the long jacket to reveal a low cut black and white striped outfit with the word “criminal” blazed across the chest.
“Damn, baby girl. That skirt is so high it shows off your ass cheeks.” I smack her hip, then grip her thigh with a growl. “You’re gonna make me kill someone tonight, aren’t ya?”
“It’s why I got these, too.” She holds up one finger, dangling a pair of plastic handcuffs. “I’m yours.” Her lower lip pokes out as she snaps one ring over her wrist, then the other over mine.
They barely fit me, but the snap combined with her words triggers something possessively feral in me.
She’s mine.
The crush of bodies when we push in the door slams us tighter together as they sway with the raucous music coming from the stage.
Blue’s fingers fly over the strings of his guitar in a fast paced rendition of The Monster Mash. When he grins into his microphone, I see his eyes fix across the room.
It has to be Libby.
My stomach tightens.
Libby and Elena haven’t crossed paths since that day .
“‘Scuse me.” Something firm bumps against my side.
“Sorry, Wade. Coming through!” Sawyer rushes past me carrying a case of vodka, then ducks into the crowd.
I catch a glimpse of his baseball hat working through the chaos until he disappears behind the bar.
Guess Val found a helper for tonight.
“Let’s get a drink.” I have to almost yell into Elena’s ear to be heard over the din.
She nods, tightening her grip on my hand so I can lead her through the moving throng.
I swear this place gets busier every year.
Several times someone calls out my name, holding their glasses up in a long distant cheer. It seems like everyone knows I’ll be here.
Even Blue raises his hand when I manage to glance up as we’re passing the stage. He sets his guitar against a stand, then hops off the end near Libby’s table.
“You’re like that one guy in Cheers,” Elena laughs when we reach the row of stools.
“What was his name?”“Norm.” I share her smile.
“Except in the show, they liked him. Here, they’re all trying to stay on my good side in case they decide to be assholes later.
” I chuckle and throw up two fingers when Val points at me.
A pair of ice cold bottles appear in front of me and I hand one to Elena. “I think it’s time you meet Libby.”
Her cheeks pale. “I’m, um, maybe next time?”
“Believe me, this is the best option.” I press an encouraging kiss to her temple, tossing a glare towards the guy behind her staring at her ass.
Smart of him to turn away.
She follows slowly, dragging her feet as we get closer to where Blue’s table is in the corner.
I know he won’t do anything, we’ve already hashed that shit out.
Libby’s a wild card though.
I see his Stetson before I see him. But his face is hidden in a close conversation with his wife who looks like she’s dressed up as a…cow?
“Blue, Libby, I wanted to bring Elena by to say ‘hi’.” I might as well cut to the chase.
He straightens and half-stands, extending his hand. “Glad y’all could make it.” His palm turns when he reaches for Elena’s. “Welcome.”
I’m glad to see he’s smiling, even if it’s a little forced.
“Libby, I wanted to say I’m sorry.” Elena stammers. “It was the only way I could get my sister back. I didn’t want to hurt—”
Libby holds up her hoof-covered hand. “I know what happened. I would have done the same thing if someone had my little brother.” Her chin tilts to let her long blond hair drape over her shoulder making the horns on her headband aim for Blue’s hat.
“Do I like it? No. But I can’t be angry at you.
” Her blue eyes flick between me and her husband.
“For their sake—” Her thumb rocks between Blue and I.
“—let’s talk. Tell me about your sister? ”
I can feel Elena relax next to me.
My own shoulders lighten with Libby’s peace offering as I pull out Elena’s chair for her to sit.
I lock eyes with a man in an opera mask a few feet away who’s intently watching Elena.
“Fuck off,” I mouth at him, then pull out the seat next to her.
As soon as my butt lands on my own, my phone dings in my pocket.
Blue jerks his cell out at the same time. “Well, holy shit on a stick.” He looses a low whistle.
“What is it?” Libby leans towards him, showing off her very round pregnant belly that was hidden under the table.
“Ford’s a dad. It’s a boy,” I answer, flipping my screen along with Blue to show our matching texts.
“I knew there was a group chat,” Elena mutters with a smile.