Chapter 21
Brody
Melody is pacing in her office when I open the door. She spins around to face me. Fury is written all over her face, and for a moment, I think she has already spoken to the sheriff. Maybe he called her.
She points toward her computer. “Someone is trying to blackmail me.”
I wince. Fuck. We suspected this might happen. “What happened?”
“They emailed me. Told me if I don’t get out of town, they will out me to the entire town.”
My nostrils flare. I’m so fucking angry.
She comes to me, her shoulders dropping.
I wrap her in my arms. “I’m so sorry, baby. If it’s any consolation, I’m pretty sure we know who it is. Sheriff Johnston is coming here in a few minutes to talk to us.”
She tips her head back. “Who do you think it is?”
“Whoever fills in for Jessop when he’s not delivering the mail.”
She gasps. “It’s a woman. I don’t know her.”
I nod. “Yes. We figured that out from your camera. A woman put your mail in the box the day your book didn’t arrive.
And Sheriff Johnston set up a second camera at your place last night.
Again, a woman came to add to her artwork.
And I just spoke to Winston about your car.
It’s fixed, but someone intentionally disabled it.
I’d say that has to have been the same person. ”
“What a bitch,” Melody grumbles.
“Yes. What I want to know is why?”
“Oh, you don’t have to wonder about that anymore.
She makes herself super clear in her email.
She thinks I’m a ‘skanky whore’ who ‘doesn’t belong in this town, filling people’s heads with my filth.
’ Lots of words about God and what a heathen I am and how my soul is going to rot in hell. Blah blah blah.”
My body tenses. I want to throw something.
“This is why I prefer to remain anonymous. Now, because that bitch committed a felony, I have to leave town.”
I flinch. “You’re not going to cave to that woman, baby.”
“Of course I am. We’ll move to San Antonio. I won’t tell anyone what I do. You can say I’m a kept woman who cooks and cleans and shit.” She holds up a finger. “For the record, I’m not the world’s best cook. I get by, but it’s not always edible.”
I chuckle. “Baby, we’re not going to San Antonio. This is our home.”
She frowns. “But you don’t want to stay here anyway.”
“Changed my mind when I met a certain woman who turned my life upside down. You love it here. We belong here. I see how your face lights up when you’re with all the others.
You stare out that window with longing as if the view is temporary, but it’s not.
It’s yours. This room is yours. The room next door is ours.
The one on the other side is for our firstborn.
We’re staying. My business can run itself without me for a while. Maybe I’ll eventually sell it.”
She gasps. For the first time since meeting her, Melody’s lips start quivering. She’s always so strong. I hate that she feels like she has to hold back her emotions. But they’re cracking now. Tears have pooled in her eyes. “What if people agree with her?” she murmurs.
“No one is going to agree with her, baby. I promise. The entire town adores you.”
Her voice rises. “But they don’t know. They don’t know who I am.”
“They know exactly who you are. You’re Melody Thorne. They aren’t going to care what you do for a living. Besides, they already know what you do. The only thing they don’t know is your pen name.”
I want to tell her they are never going to find out, but I’m worried I can’t keep that promise. I can’t control the volatility of this woman who is out to destroy my girl.
I cup Melody’s face and lean in closer so we’re eye-to-eye. “Do you want my opinion?”
“Yes, of course.”
“I think the woman who’s attacking you is about two seconds from being arrested.
What she did is a federal offense. She might be able to bargain for a lesser sentence if she agrees to keep her fucking trap shut.
But you’ll always be looking over your shoulder, wondering if she’s going to out you.
Your other option is to get ahead of her.
Go public. You don’t have to go on national television.
You could speak at a town meeting. Tell your story.
I think people will be sympathetic and accepting. Anyone who’s not, fuck ’em.”
She drops her forehead against my chest, breathing heavily while I rub her back and hold her. My heart hurts for the woman who has become my entire life.
“You’ve only known me a few days, Brody,” she whispers before looking at me again. “You don’t have to stand by me on this. You can get out now. If you support me, you run the risk of dragging your family’s name and this town through the mud.”
I shake my head. “Baby, there is no getting out. We’re a unit.
We’re going to get married, have babies, and grow old together.
We can do that here or wherever you want to go on the planet, but I’m in this for life.
I don’t care how the town reacts to this news.
And I’m certain no one living in this mansion will either. ”
Finally, her tears fall. Finally, she lets out a sob.
“I love you, Melody. With all my heart. I don’t give a fuck what your pen name is or what you write.”
She rises onto her tiptoes, wraps her arms around my neck, and jumps up to loop her legs around my waist. “I love you, too.”
“Then, it’s settled.” I kiss her. “We’re a team.”
There’s a knock at the door, and I turn to open it, still holding my girl.
It’s Ryder. “The sheriff is here.”
“Thanks. We’ll be right down.” I carry Melody into our room and through to the attached bathroom, where I sit her on the vanity and wet a washcloth to wipe away her tears.
She keeps sobbing. “Stop being nice. It’s making me cry harder.”
I chuckle. “I’m never going to stop being nice, so you’re going to be crying for a long time, little pixie.”
Eventually, she takes deep breaths and calms to the occasional sniffle.
“Ready?”
“Yes.”
I stand her on her feet, take her hand, and guide her down the stairs. We find the sheriff waiting by the front door. No one else is around. I’m sure they are giving us space to handle this.
“Let’s use the library,” I suggest before leading the three of us in that direction.
“I’m so sorry this is happening to you,” Johnston says as soon as I shut the door.
We all move to the center of the room. I sit with Melody on a loveseat. Johnston takes a nearby armchair. He leans his forearms on his thighs and rubs his hands together. “The good news is, we’re pretty sure we know who’s harassing you.”
Melody nods.
“Unfortunately, we don’t know where the woman is. She’s not at home, and we don’t want her to realize we’re onto her. She’s a flight risk.”
I palm Melody’s back. “Is someone watching her house?”
“Yes. But this could get ugly.”
“Very,” I agree. “She emailed Melody this morning and threatened to out her if she doesn’t leave town.”
Johnston cringes. “Jesus. What is wrong with people?”
“Apparently, she thinks she’s in charge of the morality police, and she has decided Melody’s line of work is not godly enough for her,” I reply.
Johnston rubs a hand down his face.
Melody turns to me. “Let’s do it.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
“Do what?” Johnston asks.
“We’ll hold a town meeting. Tonight. Melody will speak to the community.”
Johnston slowly nods. “Are you going to out yourself?”
“Yes. It’s the only way. I won’t be blackmailed.
I refuse to be. All she asked of me this week was to leave town.
But there’s no stopping her from deciding to extort money from me next week.
It may never end. And for what? Someone was eventually going to find out who I am.
I just didn’t expect it to happen like this. ”
“I’m sorry,” Johnston repeats. “For what it’s worth, I think you’re doing the right thing.
I also don’t believe the people of this town will turn their backs on you.
” He reaches into the leather bag he set next to him and pulls out the wrapped book from yesterday.
“This is yours. I didn’t open it. It wasn’t necessary.
We ran a bunch of tests on the packaging. There were no prints.”
“Thank you.” She takes it from him with a shaking hand.
Johnston stands. “You’ll have Ryder send out a community notice about tonight?”
I also rise. “Yes.”
“I’ll be there with my deputies, just in case the woman dares to show up.”
“Thank you.”