Chapter 22
CHAPTER 22
H ead down, Barry didn’t hear the men who entered the barn. He was helping build the new stalls inside the big barn the Hollisters had been constructing.
“Barry, got a minute?” Andrew’s voice pulled him away from the job. Ryan took his place, holding the wall in place as Dusty screwed the bolt into the wall. “What’s up?” He extended his hand to Ken and winced at the man’s face. Even five days later, the bruises under his eyes were dark purple, although yellow tinged his cheeks. “I am so sorry about that.”
Ken shrugged. “Shit happens. We need to talk. Come outside?”
“Sure.” He accompanied the men out of the new barn, which was nothing more than an echo chamber at the moment.
Ken turned and leaned against his SUV. “The FBI got involved in the case. It seems the Deputy Director, Cole Davis, flexed and claimed the entire investigation. I asked if the FBI needed to talk to anyone to line up interviews. The answer was a resounding no. Seems whatever he’s done here, Jackson Gill has done worse elsewhere. They’re fencing everything to do with the man. Domestic terrorism is the term they slapped on the case. I got the sense he was involved with a group of disgruntled ex-military. Extremist is a word I’ve heard more than once. I have a feeling we’ll never hear about him again.”
“Or if we do, it’ll be on the national news,” Andrew added.
They all nodded at that. The military was a microcosm of society. There were the good and the bad. Barry kicked the ground with the toe of his boot. “Can’t say as I’m sorry about that. I liked Fish and wish I could’ve told someone what I saw, but I couldn’t. I can’t change the past. We were pawns in a war game. The enemy took too many, too young.”
Ken nodded. “I’ve never been to war. I can’t imagine what that’s like. I know it can mess someone up, but the evil Jackson Gill brought to this place was dark, man. Kathy’s statement about what he was planning about Gen and Sev.” Ken shivered. “Fuck, how messed up do you have to be to do something like that? ”
Barry shrugged. “Don’t know. More messed up than I was—am.”
“You’re getting better,” Ken said. Barry lifted an eyebrow and pointed, circling his face, causing Ken to laugh. “Shit! Don’t make me laugh. It hurts.”
“Sorry.” Barry laughed with Andrew and Ken. The humor released the tension the talk had caused.
“I heard you’re going to go to work on the Prentiss place.” Ken crossed his arms, leaning against his SUV again.
“Yes, sir.”
Ken narrowed his eyes and stared at him. “I wanted to ask you something. Feel free to tell me to jump off a bridge.”
“Not many of those up here,” Barry replied.
“True, I’d have to travel a bit to find one, but … here it goes. I’d like you to consider going to the reserve sheriff’s academy. It would take you six weeks to graduate. Then you could work with the department part-time. Basically, when one of my guys wants to go on vacation or someone needs a day off.” He held up a hand when Barry attempted to decline. “The real reason I want you on the force is because of how you dissected that murder scene. You noticed things that I didn’t. Eyes like yours could be priceless.”
Barry rubbed his jaw and then shook his head. “I gave my word to Melvin. He’s counting on me, and I’m happy with that decision. Besides, I still have my moments with my anger. Working with the animals and my hands, well, it gives me a sense of peace I’ve never had before. I need that. I’m sorry, I’m going to be selfish and say no. But if you want me to help with something specific, I’ll be there in a heartbeat.”
Ken nodded. “It was a long shot, but I had to take it.”
“At least he didn’t tell you to jump off a bridge.” Andrew shrugged.
“Well, there is that. Tell Kathy I said hey, and let her know we don’t foresee anything more on this case. As far as the department is concerned, it’s a closed case.”
“Thanks.” Barry watched him get in his SUV and leave. Andrew stopped him just as he turned to go back into the barn. “Just to let you know, the case the FBI is working won’t be on the television. It will be classified at the highest levels. Jackson Gill’s ties to the domestic terrorist group were recently discovered. I understand they have someone going undercover using Jackson Gill’s identity. Of course, that’s classified at the highest levels.”
Barry nodded. “I won’t say shit to anyone, but that’s good to know. I mean, that his death will be used for some semblance of good.” Barry kicked the ground again. “Seen too much death, Cap. Do you think it’s wrong to say no to Ken?”
Andrew shook his head. “No. Follow your heart and your head on this one. If doing this is where you’re at peace, grab onto it. It took me a hell of a lot longer than it took you to figure out this place is a slice of heaven.” He looked up. Barry followed his gaze, taking in the dazzling blue sky dotted with white cotton ball clouds. “South Dakota, the land and the people get into your blood.” Andrew turned to him. “We’ll always be here for you, my friend. If life goes to hell in a handbasket, we’ll be here. Don’t ever forget that.”
“Couldn’t do that, Cap.” Barry put his hands on his hips. “Better get back to helping with that stall.”
Andrew looked at his watch. “This is your last day, right?”
“Yes, sir. Senior only wanted a week’s notice. He’s got a new hand coming in next week.”
“Call it, then. Go see your woman and start that new chapter in your life. I’ll help with the stall.”
“You sure?”
“Yep. Don’t be a stranger, you hear?”
“I hear.” Barry extended his hand and was pulled into a bear hug.
“If you ever need anything, I’ve got you.”
“And I’ve got you, Cap. Now that I’ve got my shit together, I’ve got you, too.” They ended the hug, and both of them cleared their throats. Barry chuckled. “Gunny would have a field day with all this mushy stuff.”
Andrew chuckled. “Yep. I miss him.”
“So do I, but you know what he’d say.” Barry chuffed out a hard breath.
“Yeah, he’d say, you two need to screw your head on straight, stop crying, and show up.”
The sad smiles echoed the loss of a man who left the world far too soon. Barry turned and whistled. Honey came trotting out of the barn where she’d been supervising the work. “Let’s go home, girl.”
He nodded to Andrew and headed to his truck. He was going home to the woman he loved.
Kathy watched as Barry pulled into the drive. She opened the door, and Mitzi hobbled out of the house. Honey jumped down from the truck, and the two dogs did the normal nuzzle and sniff before Mitzi laid down, and Honey sprinted around her with the zoomies.
“You’re home early.” She smiled at him as he walked across the small yard to where she stood.
“Home. I love that word.” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his hard body as he kissed her. The sensation of his strength against her was electrifying. She leaned into his chest when he pulled away and absorbed his masculine scent, strength, and protective hold. The combination was a heady cocktail that altered her perception of the world. When she was in his arms, everything would be okay. Everything had the most wonderful possibilities.
“Something smells amazing.”
She laughed and arched back to look up at him. “Crockpot roast. Nothing special.”
“It smells special.” He opened the door, keeping her against him, and backed her into the house. “When is it going to be done?”
She glanced at the clock on the wall. “A couple of hours. I didn’t know you’d be home early or hungry when you got here.” She laughed as he kept shuffling her backward.
“Oh, I’m hungry. I’m starving.” He lowered and bit her neck before picking her up and carrying her the rest of the way to the bedroom.
“Then we should fix that.” She ran her hands through his hair as he lowered her to the mattress.
“We’re going to.” Barry stood up, stripped his t-shirt, and toed off his boots. Kathy made haste to shed her clothes. He watched her closely as he finished undressing. The attention would have made her blush, but not with him. The way he adored her and told her how beautiful she was to him gave her confidence. It was a feeling she hoped every woman could experience. The perfect acceptance and love that was given freely. She accepted him into her arms, and the sensation of his weight and firm body against her once again ignited the fire deep inside her.
He was careful to avoid the painful area on her hip caused by that damn snake and the madman who’d tried to pull them apart. Kathy wound her fingers through his hair as his lips traveled down her neck and lower. She gasped at the sensations and the rivulets of pleasure that pooled deep inside her.
He was a patient lover, using tender touches that left searing trails of enticement that she arched against in her need. The world narrowed to their connection. His taste, his scent, the contact, the sensitivity of flesh against flesh, all combined in an explosion of need so basic that the culmination felt raw and vulnerable.
He held her as she caught her breath. “I’m so happy.” She brushed a tear away.
He lifted to his elbow and wiped another tear away with his thumb. “Crying?”
She nodded. “You make me so happy that I get emotional.”
“It’s my fault you're crying?” He dropped a kiss on her nose. “Because you're happy?”
“Of course, it’s your fault, and yes, I’m happy.” She laughed and sniffed a bit.
“Ah. Then this should be an interesting moment.” He looked behind him. “Hold on.” He rolled to the edge of the bed, picked up his jeans, and then rolled back to her. He had something in his hand. She rolled to her side. “What do you have?”
He looked at his closed fist. “Andrew sent me home early today. So, I stopped by your mom and dad’s before I came home.”
She lifted on an elbow. “Why?”
“To make it official.”
“What?” Kathy shook her head. “I’m sorry, I think I missed half of the conversation somewhere.”
He laughed; the sound was magical, and it caused her to smile. It probably always would .
“I asked your mom and dad for permission to marry you.” He opened his palm. “Your dad had already said yes, but your mom agreed only if I used this as my engagement ring.”
He opened the box, and Kathy gasped. The old-fashioned ornate silver setting held a small diamond. “That’s my grandmother’s ring.”
“It is.” He took it out of the box and held it between two fingers. “Kathy, will you marry me and wear this ring so your mom doesn’t disown either of us?”
She smiled at him and leaned over, kissing him. “I will marry you, and you don’t have to use this ring.” The tears she’d just managed to corral were loose again.
He slid it on her hand. “I was going to go to Rapid and buy you one, but when your mom told me you’d always admired the ring, and she wanted you to have it …” He slid it on her finger, and it fit beautifully.
Taking her hand in his, he kissed the back of her hand. “I don’t want to wait forever, but if you need to plan the wedding …”
She pushed him back and laid on top of him, staring down at him. She wiped at the new tears. “I know exactly what I want. I want to be married at our ranch. I’ll need two months, maybe a bit longer if Kayla is busy. I want her to make a dress for me.”
“I’ll give you three months. After that, we’re eloping.” He winked at her and smiled.
“Deal.” She leaned down to kiss him, and his hand slid up her back to her neck. He held her gently as they kissed. Happiness wasn’t a diamond. A big ceremony wouldn’t guarantee a forever love. What they had, the deep friendship, the shared struggles, similar likes and dislikes, and an almost magical chemistry would see them through the lean times. Life was hard. Love made it easier. Love made it worth the struggles.