29. Tessa
29
T urns out house arrest ain’t half bad.
School started for Wiggles two weeks ago, and I’ve been streaming Matlock while cooking up a storm for my boys.
At first my husband wouldn’t let me out of the house even to bring the cowboys their afternoon refreshment. But he’s eased up the last few days.
We signed an official marriage certificate with witnesses two days after I came home. Noah claimed the last one had the incorrect spelling of the bride’s name…oops… and had the “corrected” one filed with the state of Colorado.
I slip on my cowboy hat and step outside with my tray.
“Oh, let me get that for ya, Tessa.” Max picks up my tray and carries it down the back porch steps. He plants it on the small folding table already layered with a plastic tablecloth.
“Thanks, Max.” I frown. “You didn’t have to set me up. I could see your boss getting all cranky because I’m distracting his boys from workin’.”
“He’s the one who told me to do it. ”
“You tellin’ on me, Max?” Levi rides up on Anton and hops off.
I jerk back from my least favorite horse. “I can set up my own table, you know?”
“Appreciate the help, buddy,” Levi says with a smile on his face. He’s been doing that a lot lately.
Being friendly with his staff.
“Season’s changin’, Tess. Gonna need to switch that up to warm cider soon.” Max tips his hat and races down the field. “Catch ya later.”
“But I don’t know how to make cider,” I mutter.
“Grocery store.” Levi winks. “They’ll never know.”
“Baby, I’ve got nothin’ but time on my hands. I’m going to learn to make it.”
He wraps strong arms around me and dips his head with a soft kiss.
I groan. “Ugh. You smell like horse.”
“You love the smell of horse.”
I scowl at the beast behind him. “Not that one.”
He laughs and brings him over. “That’s does it. You two are going to learn to get along. Even if I have to leave you in a room to work out your differences.”
I fold my arms and turn away. “Never.”
Levi lifts my chin. “What’s botherin’ you? Why you so grouchy?”
“I'm bored . I miss Jackson.” I run my hand up his arm. “I miss our sunrise mornings.”
“It’s gettin’ a little chilly for that, Whiskey. Things are pretty busy now, but after the fall festival, we could have a new morning ritual.”
“Like what?” I pout.
He wraps his arms around me from behind. “Like lighting up the fireplace. Workin’ out together downstairs.”
I twist my head back. “You callin’ me fat?”
“What? No. ”
“I’ve just been bloated.”
“We both like working out. It was just a suggestion, woman.”
I’m on the verge of tears, and I don’t understand it. All I know is this stupid horse—as beautiful and innocent as it may be—is making me ill.
“Can I leave these out here for the boys? I’m going to go start dinner earlier. I need to neutralize this smell with fresh herbs.”
He grins like he knows something I don’t. “Alright.”
I turn to head up the steps, but he twists me back, pulling me against his warm chest. “Let’s put Jackson to bed early tonight and watch a movie in bed.”
“Hmm…” I stroke his chest. “Maybe some wine?”
He narrows his eyes. “Or...strawberries.” He kisses the tip of my nose.
I purse my lips. But then again, that does sound pretty good. “Deal.”
Charlie waves to me from the driver’s seat of her SUV.
I wave back. “Morning. He’ll be right out. Come on, Jackson. Your ride’s here.”
With his brick of a backpack, he races out the door. “See you later, Tessa. Don’t watch any Knight Rider without me.”
“You try staying home with nothin’ to do,” I call after him.
When they back out of the driveway, I turn a warm smile to my guard, Kenny. “Morning.”
“Good morning, Mrs. Reeves.” Kenny greets me stonily. He’s not the one from Hideaway Springs P.D. And he didn’t like being relocated one bit. He's been staying in one of our spare rooms upstairs.
“Can I get you a coffee or anything?”
He lifts his cup. “Already got one. Thank you.”
I nod. “Maybe a chair?”
He stares ahead. “Thank you. No.”
“Mmmkay.” I salute him and step back into the house.
I pull my Cowboys Do It Better mug from the cupboard and pour myself some coffee.
Levi bursts through the basement door, drenched in sweat. He glances toward the front door. “Who was it this morning?”
“Charlie. She’s actually doing a reading at the school, so it worked out.”
“Thank goodness for book lovers.”
“Agreed.” I hold up my mug.
He glances at it, then moves to the cupboard, grabbing one for himself. “Hey, did you hear anything from Lonnie about her and my dad? Sounds like they’re talking—a lot.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Do you think of your ex every time you see this mug?”
He coughs a laugh. “What? Of course not. Just… when you’re holding it.”
I roll my eyes and dump the rest into the sink. Then open the trash and drop it inside.
With a wide grin, he pulls me against him. “Okay, that was adorable. But I thought jealousy wasn’t your thing?”
“It’s not.” I step back stubbornly. “It was cracked.”
“No, it wasn’t.”
I open the trash bin again and toss the near-empty jam jar into. It lands with a crash. “Is now.”
He breaks into laughter. “What is going on with you? ”
“I don’t know. I don’t feel like myself. Maybe I’m just on edge. Eddie is still out there. He could be halfway across the country or in our bushes. What if all this security is for nothing? I’ve upended everyone’s lives. Especially yours.” My voice cracks and my eyes burn.
His expression smooths and his arms wrap around me again. “I know. Let’s catch up with Frank and the Sheriff tomorrow. See how much longer we need to keep up precautions before we move on with our lives.”
I nod and rest my head against his chest.
“You ready for breakfast?”
I consider it for a moment. My usual morning nausea hasn’t improved the way my nightmares have over the last few weeks.
In fact, it’s stronger and surprisingly leaves me craving food rather than averting it.
“I think so. Are you staying for a bit?”
“For the morning. Then I have a catch up with Maggie about the Barley wedding next week.”
My eyes light up. “A Hideaway Ranch wedding?”
He narrows his gaze. “Yes. Sound like something you might want?”
I bite my bottom lip. “Maybe. Think they’ll let me spy on them next week? To get some ideas?”
He inhales a deep breath. “The ranch is private and closed in. I don’t see why not, but let me check in with Sheriff later.”
I smile up at him, already excited about the idea of a ranch wedding. Even if we are keeping it small.
The next day isn’t much different. The fall chill hit a little harder when I opened the front door to walk Jackson to Chase’s car. He and Pepper were going to breakfast at the Inn then driving to Denver for the first pre-season practice.
At two in the afternoon, I’m curled up on the couch with the third thriller novel Charlie dropped off for me this week. I made the mistake of telling her I was bored. And she knew just the cure.
It’s a crazy intense series, and I’m hooked.
I jump when my cell phone rings, snapping me back into reality. Goosebumps race along my arms.
Heavens. Where am I?
Oh right. Phone.
The screen shows a private number. Chase and Noah both call from a private number. For different reasons.
“Hello?” No answer. “Hello?” I shake my head and hang up, lifting the book back up from my lap.
A moment later, my phone dings with a text message. It’s from an odd phone number that looks automated.
Hello. Jackson never made it to school today. Could you please let us know if he’s home sick?
Heart racing, I sit up, my fingers typing back a quick reply.
Tessa: He was dropped off this morning. He should be there.
I quickly shoot a text to Chase. He immediately confirms he left him in the school yard.
School yard.
Those are safe, aren’t they ?
Oh God.
A lump forms in my throat and I rush to find the school’s phone number and dial.
Someone answers right away.
“Hi, this is—”
“Please hold.”
“No, wait—”
Hand shaking, I hang up and call again. The line is busy.
Fuck.
I text the number back.
Tessa: We dropped him off. Please check again.
No response.
I shove off the couch and pace the living room.
Maybe it’s the thrillers I’m reading. Maybe it’s the fact that a dangerous man is believed to be lurking around Hideaway Springs, waiting to make his move. Or maybe it’s just paranoia, but I’m shaking with fear that someone took him.
Lilly.
My mind spirals.
Levi told me she’s pulled him out of school before, what if it was her? They wouldn’t release him to her, so she must have grabbed him from the yard before he even had a chance to go inside.
That’s got to be it.
I’m trembling as I dial Levi’s number. He’ll drive to the school and check. It’ll be fine.
“Hey, love,” Maggie’s sweet voice answers.
“Mag? Did I call the wrong number?”
“No sweets, the boss left his phone here. He’s been a little on edge lately and forgetful. ”
“He has?” This is news to me. He’s been so calm and laid back since I moved in.
My heart sinks.
Of course he’s on edge. He’s been holding it together for my sake. While simmering on the inside.
“Just the last week or so. Probably the season change and the events coming up.”
Or me. It’s probably me.
“Thank you, Maggie,” I whisper, feeling like I’ve lost my voice.
Fuck it.
I grab Levi’s car keys. Since I had to abandon mine outside of town the night Frank sent his team for me.
I step out the door. Kenny is in front of me in a flash, his impressive biceps bulging from under his black T-shirt.
“I need to…pick up my kid from school.” I don’t have the energy to explain what’s really going on. He doesn’t need to hear the Lilly drama.
“Levi is busy and they won’t release him to anyone else.”
He stares at the keys in my hands, then motions to the car. “I’ll go with you.”
I give a curt nod and head for the driver’s seat.
Ten minutes later, I pull up to the front of the school. “Wait here. They won’t let you in.” And the last thing I want to show this private school is the continued family drama of Levi Reeves’ new wife needing security detail.
He glances at my left hand then nods. “Go ahead. I’ll be here.”
I sigh with relief. “Be right back.”
I slip out and race down the well-paved walkway to the main entrance. I hold up my driver license to the camera and hope it doesn’t get picked up on any illegally monitored surveillance.
I’m buzzed in and race to the front office .
The middle-aged lady at the desk scans me skeptically. “You’re…Tessa? We have you down as an authorized pick-up. Are you Jackson’s nanny?”
I shake my head. Not bothering to correct her. “No—I got a call—a text that he wasn’t in school today?” I start breathlessly. “His uncle dropped him off this morning. He was supposed to be in the yard. Are you su—”
“Ma’am,” she shouts, holding up her hands. “Please keep your voice down.”
Was I screaming?
“Jackson is here today. It must have been a mistake,” she says softly with a smile I know is fake.
I sigh with relief. “Thank you. I just wanted to make sure. It’s been—he’s—thank you.”
She nods and I swear, she thinks I’m insane. I’ll just have to explain this one to my husband later. “May I…see the message?”
I nod and tap my pockets. “Oh. I left without my phone.”
She stares at me.
I laugh nervously and swallow. “You’re sure he’s here?”
She nods. “I saw him today and no one leaves school grounds until pick up. Which is in thirty minutes if you’d like to wait.”
I shake my head. “That’s alright. I need to get back. Thank you.”
Still shaking and feeling stupid, I walk back to the car.
What the hell was that text then?
I want to cry. I can’t keep living like this. I slide into the driver’s seat and glance at my guard.
Jesus, no wonder Kenny never wants to sit. The man is out cold, head leaning against the window.
“Please, don’t get up,” I mutter, buckling my seatbelt. “I’ll drive.”
“Sounds good to me.” A lethal voice comes from behind me. One that’s rottenly familiar. Followed by something cold pressed against my temple.
I freeze.
“Sleeping Beauty is going to wake up soon. We’re going to toss him on the roadside. Drive.”
My breaths come in sharp, ragged gasps, chest heaving with panic.
“Drive!” he roars.
I jolt and grip the steering wheel, barely giving it a beat before my gaze lifts to the rear-view mirror. His eyes meet mine there.
It’s him.
Eddie Graves. Dark hair, tanned skin, hostile grey eyes.
“If he wakes up, I shoot him. Go.”
I shift into drive and hit the gas.
My heart pounds against my chest as we drive through and then out of Hideaway Springs. In the rearview mirror I see him glancing at his phone, giving me directions from his GPS.
“Take a right, then get on the expressway.”
Swallowing hard, I resist the urge to ask where he’s taking us.
I’m not sure I want to know yet.
“Pull over.”
I slow the car over onto a gravel road. There isn’t another car in sight. I’m virtually alone with this man. He’s going to kill me. Right here.
Eddie snakes a hand to my door and hits the unlock button. Then hops out the back seat.
Within seconds, his small frame yanks Kenny out from the passenger’s seat and onto the dirt road. Then he slides into his place, slamming the door.
My heart pounds against my chest .
“Nice ride, Red. This one’s a lot prettier than the last piece of junk you been driving around.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “How long have you been following me?”
“Too long.”
What do you know, we agree on something .
He points the barrel at me. “Go.”
I tremble, feeling as cold as a dead body as I merge back onto the highway.
“This was supposed to be easy,” he mutters. “Vince and I were supposed to bring you back dead that night.”
“Bring me where?”
“The Brunetti family warehouse. But they’re going to find you somewhere else tonight. An old logging site. They’ll find you dead in a shed on their grounds, and they’ll know I did it.”
I swallow hard. My vision hazy. “You’re not going to hang around to take the credit?”
“Starting a new life. But not till I show ‘em I always finish what I start.”
“I don’t suppose you’ve been staying at Hideaway Springs Inn all this time?”
“Been sleeping in your car ever since Vinny and I split up.”
“My car?”
“The night you were picked up outside of town. You abandoned your piece of shit and hopped into a black SUV.”
“You were there?”
“Vin and I followed you. As soon as you got in that car, I knew they were onto us. It was only a matter of time before they tracked the surveillance device back to its source.”
“Which was…your truck?” I ask, trying to make sense of it. Not that it mattered anymore.
“I couldn’t be in it when they did. So I took your car and told him I’d be in touch.”
It scares me how smart he is.
Because he was right. Vince was caught a few days after I was brought back to the safehouse. Just like Eddie suspected.
“So what now?”
He waves the gun around. “Prove I don’t shoot to miss, and then…game over.”
I swallow hard. “No kidding.”
He laughs. “You’re funny. I like you.” He glances at my left hand. The same one Kenny glanced at earlier. “Too bad you’re married.”