Chapter 18
Clar pulled the SUV up to the store front. She’d finally closed on her house and packed the last of her home and business into boxes several days ago, while Jimmy moved his belongings from California weeks ahead of her. In a few hours the moving van would arrive from Wisconsin to Black Horse Canyon in Oklahoma. Her once new life would return to her with a freshness she’d not imagined a few months ago.
After all the pain and suffering, Edward Dagmyer DeLuca was isolated behind bars awaiting evaluation and only semi aware of what he’d done. Clar held a sadness in her heart. A well-kept family secret, her father, Karl Turner, for years had made valiant attempts to convince his sister, Isabel Turner Anderson, to bring her twin babies home to live with them. He’d promised to care for her and the babies until she could afford to live on her own. But Belle wouldn’t leave Salvador DeLuca, not even for her own family. She loved Sal, truly loved him despite him being a mobster. Clar believed Sal loved her Aunt Belle just as much. An aunt Clar herself never knew existed.
Sal had done the only thing he could without uprooting his own family at home, make sure Belle and their twins, Evie and Eddie, were well taken care of. He’d managed to convince his wife to allow him to bring home the little boy in need of his daddy.
Karl Turner found a way to make sure DeLuca honored his promise to Belle. He kept a list of every person in Chicago who’d ever done a “favor” for Sal. Held it as insurance that his sister, and niece and nephew, would continue under Sal’s protection.
As Eddie grew from a loving little boy to a bitter young man, he wanted everything Sal had. He’d found out about the list that would expose Sal. He hired a rogue hit man to have Clar’s parents killed, and then a few years later planned to have Dylan Cameron murdered at the studio once Evie took it over.
His planning progressed when Eddie realized his plain looking sister had pangs of jealousy towards Clar. Eddie admitted in court to being equally jealous of her himself, but for different reasons. While Evie appeared jealous of Clar’s movie star looks, Eddie envied her sex appeal and harbored aspirations to be like her.
As Sal’s health began to fade, Eddie perceived Dylan Cameron’s death as a way to keep his sister, and Cameron, at bay. Eddie wanted the DeLuca family empire to himself. He’d thought by killing Clar, Evie would be blamed and her apparent suicide as a sign of guilt.
Levi had been a pawn in the scheme of things. After Clar quit the business, Eddie used Levi to draw her back to LA. He’d make her death look like Evie did it out of jealousy. It had almost worked.
Now with Eddie behind bars with a life sentence looming, Evie was his only visitor. Cameron had returned to Chicago, retired as a detective, and became a private investigator helping families locate missing loved ones.
“Clar?” Jimmy’s voice drew her from the memories of those awful times.
“Hey.” Clar smiled, looking at him. “What’s up?”
“You alright?” Jimmy asked, putting the final touches on the window of Clar’s new candy store.
“Yeah, just thinking about Evie and how much we missed because we hadn’t grown up together as cousins.” Clar strolled over and wiped a splatter of pink paint from his face. “Thank you for coming out ahead of me and getting things ready. But I think you might be getting more on you than the window.”
Clar looked away at the sound of horse’s hooves. Jacki came riding up the street on Max, her black stallion. Halting in front of the store, Jacki slid out of the saddle, then tied Max to the hitching post. Her best friend had returned to her ranch life with a former Texas Ranger hot on her heels.
“Now that’s something I’ll have to get used to, you riding into town on Max.” Clar walked over, stroking the horse’s glistening black neck. “Don’t worry, big guy, I’m making some special candy kisses just for you.”
“You’re going to spoil the heck out of him.” Jacki placed the ring of keys in her hand, giving it a squeeze. “Here’s an extra set of keys for the shop. There’s an apartment upstairs that’s yours as well. I had it cleaned up for you, but you may want to put your own little touches on it. The place is yours for as long as you want to stay.”
“Only if I can provide you and Max with all the treats you can devour.” Clar said, her fingers closing around the ring.
“Looks like you’ve come home, Clar.” Jimmy’s voice teased her ear and a shiver of heat raced through her. His arms wrapped around Clar from behind, and she sighed.
Clar leaned her head against his shoulder, then turned, folding her hands around his neck. “I’m never leaving again without you, Jimmy.” She rose on her boot covered toes, kissing him fully on the mouth. Clar pulled away, watching the moving van drive up their dusty road.
“Yes, we’re finally home.”