Perfect Storm (Storm Warning Series Book 3) Page 5

  Austin reached out and took her arm again, turning her to face him. “Why doesn’t he leave you alone? It’s been over seven years and he’s hanging on to what exactly?”

  She wasn’t sure how to answer because she couldn’t explain what she hardly understood herself. “Don’t bother trying to figure it out. It’ll hurt your brain.”

  “Try me,” he said, remaining firm.

  She pulled her arm away from him and jammed her hands on her hips. “He thinks he still loves me and if I give up Tyler we can live happily ever after.”

  His face screwed up in bewilderment. “But that’s his son.”

  She shook her head. “Not in his mind.”

  He narrowed his eyes, clearly trying to work it all out. Good luck with that. I’ve been trying to figure it out for years.

  Shrugging, she started to head inside, when he blocked her entrance into the diner. “What about you? Do you feel anything for him still?”

  Her mouth fell open in shock. “What? Of course not. That ship sailed the second he told me to get an abortion.”

  He nodded distractedly, then, intently met her eyes. “You looking?”

  Surprised at the question, she mutely shook her head for a second before answering. “It’s not just me I have to consider. Any man I get involved with will also be in Tyler’s life. And that’s just dating. Marriage—if I ever got there with someone—would make that man Tyler’s dad. I’d like to make sure he’d be a good one but, honestly, can you blame me for questioning my own judgment when it comes to men?”

  Evidently, he settled for her answer because, after a moment of consideration, he nodded and opened the door. She rushed inside, greeted her boss and looked around. No one sat at the counter and only two booths were occupied.

  Austin took the first booth and picked up a menu. She quickly tied her apron, grabbed her ordering pad, a cup and the pot of coffee on her way to his booth. They’d get busier as the morning went on and she didn’t want him to have to wait.

  “Coffee?” she asked, sitting down the cup and holding up the pot.

  He nodded and reached for a couple packets of cream while she poured.

  “You know what you want?”

  “Give me a couple of eggs, bacon and toast.” He glanced at his watch. “I don’t have time for much else.”

  She placed his order on the cook wheel and walked up to Buck. “Busy today?”

  “The usual,” he said, wiping down the counter. “I saw Aaron come up to you in the parking lot. I was on my way out there when I saw Austin approach.”

  “I know. I’m so sorry, Buck. I don’t think that guy will ever learn. I know he’s a nuisance here but I can’t help it. You’ve seen for yourself. I’ve never encouraged him.”

  “I think it’s going to take Lucas locking him up to get him to stay away and you know what a fit his daddy will throw over that.”

  She let out a tired breath. “Dallas is looking better and better.”

  He leaned closer, his face inches from hers. “Don’t you dare let that little worm win. That’s exactly what he and Levi want. To get rid of you. Don’t give them the satisfaction of leaving.”

  She wasn’t so sure that was what Aaron wanted, but Buck hit the nail on the head when it came to Levi. It would solve all his problems if she moved away and he never had to face her or Tyler again. She stood a little taller. Rainwater was her town as much as his and she didn’t plan on going anywhere.

  Vern dinged the bell, letting her know Austin’s order sat on the warming shelf to be picked up. She grabbed the plate and the bowl full of jelly packets and rushed to his table. Placing the food in front of him, he closed the local newspaper and looked down at the plate.

  “Cooked to perfection.” He smiled and picked up his fork. “What do you have planned tonight, Candi?”

  Not sure why he was asking, she hesitantly answered, “Ah, I don’t know. Why?”

  “I thought you might help me figure out where I want to live.”

  “What?” Her knees nearly buckled. Was Austin asking her out on a date?

  “I have to buy a house and I’m thinking Rainwater is the place I want to be. My Uncle Jeff has put in an offer on the Patrick’s old place and my dad’s due to have minor surgery next month.”

  “Russ? He’s sick? I didn’t know.”

  “He claims it’s pretty simple. The doctor is going to put a defibrillator in his chest because his heart isn’t pumping correctly.”

  That shocked her. “Oh dear, if anything happened to your dad, Tyler would be devastated. He loves him like a grandfather.”

  “Like I said, Dad claims it’s pretty simple. Only more proof I need to be nearby.”

  “You plan to move here?” she pointed to the floor. “In Rainwater?”

  “Well, not in the diner, but yes, Rainwater.”

  She understood him wanting to live close to his dad, but he had a job in Dallas. “Did you quit the FBI?”

  “No, I’m opening a satellite office near Krum.”

  “So, this will be your home?”

  He nodded.

  Her heart fluttered in a way it hadn’t since that night at the lake so she only managed one word. “Oh.”

  He tilted his head, his green eyes flashing a warning she’d be smart to heed. He didn’t want to be talked out of moving here and he wouldn’t listen to anything or anyone who tried to change his mind. He always was stubborn once he set his mind to something.

  “You have a problem with that?”

  She put out her hands and backed away. “No, no, no. Not at all. It’s just, I thought your life in Dallas was pretty complete.” She scuffed the floor with her shoe, a little embarrassed to be bringing this up. “I’ve been waiting for Russ to announce you were getting married.”

  “Oh, that.” He picked up his cup of coffee. “It didn’t work out.”

  “Really?” Was that too much excitement in her voice? And who was she kidding, why should she be excited about that? “Oh, well, I’m sorry.”

  He chuckled a little at her blunder and she blushed. “Don’t be, it was mutual.” He put his cup down and wiped his mouth with his napkin. “So, you free tonight or not?”

  “I have Tyler.”

  “Bring him. We’ll go to that new pizza place in Denton.”

  “Really? You like kids?”

  He shrugged. “Never spent much time around them, but I met Tyler yesterday and he seems like a cool kid. Besides, he’s got you for a mom, so what’s not to like?”

  She felt her face heat even hotter. “Why?” she blurted.

  “Why what?”

  “Why are you asking me out?”

  He smiled softly at her question and tilted his head. “Why wouldn’t I? We’ve known each other a long time and everything feels like it’s finally falling into place. You don’t agree?”

  “I…well…I mean…” she stammered.

  “Look,” he reached out and took her hand. “I thought you might help me pick out a house. You know this town better than I do and it would be nice to spend some time with you outside of this diner.”

  This was a real turnaround from their last conversation here and she wasn’t sure what to make of it. At a loss, she said, “I don’t know anything about what you want to live in. We haven’t seen each other in years.” She nibbled her bottom lip. “The last time we really talked wasn’t our most shining moment.”

  He nodded and stood, his stare revealing nothing about his feelings. “You’re right. So, let’s fix that. What time should I pick you and Tyler up?”

  Stunned at his honesty, she looked into his eyes and blinked dumbly. “Tyler can’t go. It’s Friday and his friend Kyler is having a sleepover.”

  “Okay, it’s just me and you. Be ready by six?”

  “Where are we going?”

  “Anywhere you want.”

  He tossed down several bills and turned to go. Several customers came through the door but she ignored them. “Wait, I didn’t say yes.”

>   “You didn’t say yes at the lake either, but that didn’t stop me from kissing you.”

  If she thought she was blushing before it had nothing on the flames suffusing her face now. He remembered. She lowered her head as memories of his hot, demanding kiss pressed against her mind, causing her to lick her lips in anticipation of tasting him again.

  When she finally looked up, he’d already left. Just like she’d disappeared at the lake that night.

  * * *

  Aaron refused to tolerate being pushed around by some FBI jerk. Holding his right hand against his chest, he drove through Rainwater like a man on a mission. He knew how to shut down Austin Crawley and damn if he wouldn’t do it. He pulled against the curb in front of the Sheriff’s office and after several attempts managed to get out of his truck.

  A crisp breeze brushed against his face as he marched into the station a justified man. Time the law stopped harassing him and turned to the real problems of the town. Inside, he breezed past the secretary and right into Lucas’ office.

  The Sheriff looked like he’d only just arrived for work that day. Good. He didn’t want him too comfortable. Just as Lucas was lifting his coffee up to his mouth, he charged into his office, sending the glass windowed door banging against the wall.

  Lucas nearly spilled his coffee.

  “I want Austin Crawley arrested,” he demanded. “His ass belongs in jail.”

  Lucas put his cup down and scowled. “What are you doing here?”

  He pointed at him with the index finger on his left hand. His right was too swollen to move. Probably broken. He planned to visit the emergency room when he finished here, but first things first. “I want Austin arrested. He assaulted me.”

  “First, you don’t come in here making demands. Second, don’t ever point your finger at me. Third, you bang my door like that again, I’ll arrest you.”

  He held out his right hand. “Look what he did to my hand. It’s broken.”

  Lucas leaned back, taking his coffee with him. Doubt darkened his eyes. “What did you do to deserve that?”

  “Nothing!” he screamed. “I was just talking to Candi when—"

  Lucas shot forward, slamming his cup on his desk, spilling half the contents. “You what?”

  He held out his left hand. “Now hear me out. I didn’t mean no harm. I was only talking.”

  “I don’t believe a word you say.”

  Before he could react, Lucas charged around the desk, grabbed him by the arm and hauled him through the doorway. Turning left, he then herded him toward the jail cells. “What are you doing? I said I didn’t do anything.”

  “If Austin hurt you, then you were doing something wrong. And it just so happens to be exactly what I told you not to do.” He yanked open a cell and shoved him inside. “You stay there.”

  He recoiled when Lucas turned the key to the cell, trapping him behind bars, not for the first time. Hell, years ago Lucas used to lock him up just for the fun of it. This time felt different.

  He rushed to the bars. “What are you doing? I didn’t hurt anyone.”

  “I’ll take a guess that you raised that hand to Candi and Austin caught you.” Lucas gave him an ugly, tormenting smile. One that sent a strong message he’d be there for a while. “Am I right?”

  “I was just teasing. I had no intention of actually hitting her.”

  “That’s called threatening, Aaron. You can’t go around doing that, especially after I just warned you to stay away from Candi. Now, you’re under arrest for harassment.”

  Lucas turned to leave.

  “Hey, my hand is broken.”

  “I think that’s the least of your problems.”

  * * *

  Austin couldn’t believe he’d actually asked Candi out. Yes, he’d liked her when they were kids, enough to kiss her even though she was dating someone else at the time, but now? He’d just gotten out of a long-term relationship and she had a kid to take care of. But, if he was honest with himself, both of those reasons just sounded like excuses. Didn’t he just tell his dad his thing with Lydia was never all that serious? And didn’t Candi just say she would date if she thought the guy was worthy? Did he consider himself worthy?

  After mulling it over for about an hour, he decided that, no matter what, he wanted to spend more time with her…and perhaps he always had.

  His mind wandered back to the night at the lake. They’d joined a bunch of other people and had ended up sitting next to each other around a campfire. Aaron had other plans—and her name was Cynthia Barnes. Not that Candi was aware of that.

  Beer, the cool weather, and the lake had set a perfect back-drop for lovers. He’d imagined Candi missed Aaron. Everyone knew they were a couple, but he hadn’t cared. She was sweet and kind and had the cutest mouth in town. He’d waited for years for her to finally see what a loser Aaron was, but it had never happened.

  They’d all graduated from high school that past June and she’d turned eighteen in August. He was home for the Christmas holidays and he’d realized Candi didn’t have plans to ever go to college. Either her parents couldn’t afford it or she was waiting for Aaron to propose.

  As others had drifted away, they’d stayed put, talking and laughing, until they were alone. Unable to resist his one chance to get her to see him for who he really was, to see that he was so much better than Aaron Travis, he’d put his arm around her and, when she hadn’t shrugged him away, he’d dipped his head and captured her lips.

  He’d never been the same since.

  That kiss had zinged right from his mouth to his heart and right down between his legs. Lord, he’d never expected that reaction. Never expected her to deepen the kiss, and certainly hadn’t expected her to wrap her arms around his neck.

  Being young and healthy, his mind had gone to all kinds of places, but he’d really liked Candi and wouldn’t have done anything to disrespect her. Besides, she hadn’t belonged to him...yet.

  Lucas, who’d been part of their party, had walked upon them unexpectedly and they’d instantly parted. He’d wanted to shoot him. Candi had kept her head down, too embarrassed to show her face. Before he could stop her, she’d stood and hurried to her car. He’d called out, but she hadn’t stopped.

  The next time he saw her, she and Aaron were in his pickup with her practically on his lap. The message was clear—the kiss meant nothing to her. She hadn’t changed her mind about anything.

  The following day he’d returned to college. He’d had a few more years to finish before, hopefully, getting accepted by the FBI. That had given him the perfect excuse to get out of Rainwater and away from Candi, the girl he hadn’t realized had claimed his heart so fully…and maybe still had it.

  Shaking off his thoughts, he pulled into Rainwater, after having spent the morning in the Dallas office, and stopped at the Sheriff’s office. Looking at his watch he realized he had plenty of time before picking up Candi.

  Walking up and opening the door to the office, he stumbled into the loudest disturbance he’d ever heard in a precinct before. Pausing at the door, he listened carefully. The noise came from the jail cell area of the office. Margaret, Lucas’ secretary, sat huddled in the corner. Thinking Lucas might be in trouble, he pulled his gun and raced toward the door to the jail.

  Once inside, he paused and stared at the scene before him. “Lucas, what’s going on?”

  “Oh, hi Austin.” He waved him forward. “Come on in and join the party.”

  He put his gun away when he realized it wasn’t needed. Aaron stood on the other side of the bars with his dad, standing in front of him in a protective stance. Lucas had his hands out, talking to Grandma Faith who, by the way, had her shotgun pointed at Levi’s chest.

  “Move out of my way!” she shouted. “Or I’ll put a bullet right through you.”

  Lucas stepped closer and spoke softly. “Now, Grandma Faith, put the weapon down before you hurt someone.”

  “I’m going to blow his brains out.” She raised the shotgun and
eyed down the sight. “You done stepped over the line this morning when you tried to hit her.”

  Lucas stepped between Grandma Faith and the shotgun, slowly lowering the barrel. “How did you find out about that?”

  “Get that crazy woman out of here before she murders someone!” Levi screamed. “I want her arrested. Now.”

  “Be quiet,” Lucas warned. “Or you’ll be behind bars with your son.”

  “Who told you?” Austin asked her again.

  “He broke my hand!” Aaron screamed so loud he feared his eardrums would pop.

  Glancing over his shoulder, Aaron pointed a damning finger at him. “He did it deliberately.”

  “Good,” Grandma Faith replied. “I wish he would’ve broke your neck, you bully.”

  With the weapon lowered, he relaxed a little.

  “Answer me,” he insisted. “How did you know?”

  “I saw Buck Winston at the bank. He was making yesterday’s deposit. He told me this coward was waiting in the parking lot when Candi came to work.”

  “I wasn’t going to hurt her.”

  “Yeah, you were,” he said. “If I hadn’t grabbed your hand, you had every intention of making her pay because Lucas came out to your place yesterday and warned you to stay away.”

  “That’s a lie,” Aaron spit out. “He’s lying.”

  “Those were your words exactly. Want to take a lie detector test and see who’s telling the truth?”

  “That’s why I need to blow his brains out,” Grandma Faith tried to lift the shotgun but he held down the barrel.

  “Best to let the law take care of this.”

  “The law had no right to put my son in jail,” Levi fumed. “He didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “I told him to leave Candi alone,” Lucas growled. “I’ve been relaying that message for years and he refuses to listen. I’ve had enough of his arrogance. Now, I’m charging him with harassment.”

  “I can back that up,” he said, glaring at Aaron. “It would be the word of an FBI agent against a punk kid that’s never done anything but spend his daddy’s money.”