Stalking her Dreams (A Coverton Mills Romance Book 1) Page 5

  •♥ •

  “I can’t believe he’d be so cruel, Juanita.” Tim Masterson was biting his lip to keep from being too emotional as he looked across the table at his wife. “He…he…”

  She stood and put her arms around her husband’s shoulders without saying a word.

  “I thought maybe this one thing would make my father proud to have such a wonderful grandson.”

  “Your mother will create enough of a scene to make up for it. I can’t wait to see her face when we tell her.”

  Tim laughed a nervous laugh. “She’ll probably go overboard, but let’s not tell her until she’s back in town.”

  “I agree.” She kissed the top of Tim’s head. “I love you, you know.”

  He put both arms around her and rested his head on her protruding stomach. “I love you, too, Juanita. I have since the day you walked into class with your beautiful long black hair and those expressive smiles. I only hope my father’s treatment of me doesn’t affect the way I raise our children.”

  Ben came bounding in the room and interrupted them with an announcement. “I’ve made a decision.”

  They turned and looked at him. “And what is your decision, son?” Tim asked.

  “You told me I could be anything I wanted to be, didn’t you, Daddy?”

  “I did, and you can.”

  “Then, I’ve decided what I’ll be.”

  Tim reached over and ruffled Ben’s hair. “What is it you’re going to be, Ben?”

  “I’ll be the president, and then be a daddy just like you.”

  Through tears Juanita said, “Does that answer your concern about the influence you have on your son?”

  Tim was too emotional to speak. He continued to hold Juanita with one arm and he gathered Ben in the other.

  At that moment, the child in Juanita’s womb decided to rotate her position.

  “I felt my sister,” Ben cried. “Do it again, girl. Do it again.”

  It was as if she heard her brother. For the next few minutes the three of them stayed close together as the little girl performed several acrobatic tricks.

  •♥ •

  The two-story brick house sat back on the half-acre lot and had several big maple trees in the front yard. The driveway led from the street to a double garage on the end. The shrubs were surrounded with a variety of seasonal flowers, all below the windows so there was no question of anyone hiding behind them.

  The place was neat and pretty, but not nearly as fancy as Rachelle thought it would be. Didn’t best-selling authors live in mansions? Surely, Heather Masterson made enough money to have a nicer place than this.

  Sitting across the street in her ten-year-old car, she shrugged and lit a cigarette. She’d rather have a drink, but she’d been caught driving under the influence before and she didn’t want to get caught again. Not when things were going to work out for her, at last. All she had to do was get rid of Heather, but she couldn’t be in a hurry. She had to get some money saved up so she could resign her job and concentrate on writing about Alex and Rachelle full time. She wondered in their first year together if she should have them live in a house like this, but shook her head. Alex needed a nicer house. She would give only the best to the man she loved.

  CHAPTER 9

  “Alex, would you like more ribs?” Brenda passed the platter to him.

  “Thanks. They’re awfully good.”

  “Yes, they’re tasty.” Kate’s voice sounded timid as she looked at Brenda.

  “Luke does the grill cooking, not me.” Brenda smiled at her.

  “I like the corn.” Jacob had butter around his mouth and some dipped toward his elbows.

  “We see you do,” Brenda laughed. “Use your napkin, son.”

  “But I’ll have to put my corn down.” He looked confused.

  Everyone except Kate laughed. She did smile as she glanced down at the child sitting between her and Alex. “Won’t it ruin the linen napkin to wipe the butter on it?”

  “Mommy says they’ll wash.”

  “Here, boy,” Alex said. “Let Poppa wipe your chin. That way you won’t have to put your corn down.”

  Jacob turned his face to his grandfather. Alex also cleaned his arm. “Now, go right on eating your corn. If it drips again we know what to do, don’t we?”

  His blond hair bobbed up and down as he nodded his head.

  “Kate, Dad tells me you live on a farm with your sister and her husband. I suppose you’re like us, and enjoy the country life?”

  “Yes.” She looked up from the table on the patio of Luke and Brenda’s elegant home and added. “Of course, our place is nothing as fancy as this.”

  “Brenda designed the house,” Luke muttered.

  The conversation lagged for a minute. Finally, Kate asked, “When is your baby due, Brenda?”

  “In a couple of months. I can’t wait because it’s starting out to be a rough summer. I hope I never have to carry another child during hot weather.”

  “I suppose it is bad,” Kate said.

  There was another lag then Jacob threw his corn down. “I through,” he announced. “Wipe me again, Poppa.”

  Alex wiped his grandson’s face and hands. When he finished Jacob reached up and hugged his grandfather’s neck.

  The little boy then turned and looked at Kate. It was obvious from her expression she was hoping the child wouldn’t touch her. He didn’t.

  “Can I go swimming now, Mommy?”

  “No, honey, you have to wait a little while after eating. If you want to wait on dessert, why don’t you go inside and have Ginny play a game with you.”

  “Okay.” He jumped down and paused halfway across the patio. “Will you swim with me, Daddy?”

  “Later.”

  “Will you swim with me, Poppa?”

  “Not tonight, buddy. Maybe another time.”

  “Okay.” He ran to the glass doors off the patio of the five-bed-room house and called out to the housekeeper, “Ginny, where are you?”

  Kate said, “You have room for lots of kids.”

  “I think two are enough.” Brenda chuckled.

  “Do you think your son will be jealous when the little one comes?”

  “Probably,” Brenda answered. “That’s why we’re going to take him on a trip. We want him to know he’s still special to us no matter what happens.”

  “That’s probably a good idea. Where are you going?”

  “Myrtle Beach. We haven’t been there in a long time and we decided it was time we checked it out again.”

  “Do you like the beach, Kate?” Alex asked.

  “Not much. I feel uncomfortable when I leave these mountains.”

  “We thought Jacob would enjoy it. He’s old enough to dig in the sand and walk in the surf,” Luke said.

  Brenda stood. “I’ll get the table cleared and we’ll have dessert.”

  “I’ll help.” Kate stood, too.

  When dessert was eaten and Jacob appeared in his swim suit, Alex stood to take Kate home. They said quick good nights to Luke’s family.

  Because Kate acted as if she expected Alex to kiss her good night when they reached her front porch, he brushed her cheek quickly with his lips and hurried away.

  CHAPTER 10

  As Alex parked his truck in the church parking lot and got out on Sunday morning he saw Minnie Cox heading for him. He almost cursed right there in front of God’s house.

  “Alex,” she called as she approached. “I’m so glad you came. You look wonderful. The world must be treating you good.”

  “I’m fine, Minnie. How are you?” He wondered if he should tell her there was lipstick on her front teeth.

  “Great, since I ran into you.” She didn’t give him time to say anything. “The single’s club is having a couples’ dance two Saturday nights from now. I know you like to do the two-step. I want you to go. It’ll be lots of fun and there’ll be plenty of good food. Now, I’m not going to take no for an answer this time.”

 
Alex knew the last thing he wanted to do was go to a dance with Minnie Cox. “I’m afraid it’ll have to be no, Minnie. I’m going to the beach with Luke and his family.”

  “Oh, pooh. I thought this might be the very thing to tempt you to get out of the house and go with me. Could you put your trip off till Sunday? Then we could go to the dance before you leave.” She shook a finger at him. “It’ll be fun.”

  “I’m afraid not, Minnie.”

  Alex felt a slap on the back. He turned to see Neil Parker, one of the men he’d been friends with since first grade.

  “Hello, Alex. Hi, Minnie.” Neil held out his hand to Alex. “Good to see you.”

  “You too,” Alex said taking Neil’s hand.

  “Well, I guess I’ll have to let you two men talk. Maybe I’ll see you inside, Alex.” Minnie appeared to try to give him a seductive look.

  The two men watched her climb the church steps. The sun was dancing off her bleached blond hair where the roots were beginning to need a touch up.

  When she was out of earshot, Neil laughed. “I saw that look she had on her face. She’s not going to give up chasing you, is she?”

  “I’m afraid not.” Alex chuckled. “I hate to hurt her feelings, but…”

  “I know, I know,” Neil said. “How’s it going otherwise?”

  “Pretty good.” He looked around. “Where’s Mavis?”

  “We have our grandson with us and she took him to the nursery. Darlene had morning sickness and we thought we’d give her a break.”

  “I see.”

  “You had any more fences cut, Alex?”

  “Everything’s okay right now. How about you?”

  “Found a couple down day before yesterday. I can’t understand why some idiot is doing this.”

  “I sure hope we catch him soon. I’m supposed to go to the beach with the kids in a couple of weeks and I wouldn’t feel right going off with this happening.”

  Mavis walked up. “Well, I think I got Billy settled.” She smiled. “Hi, Alex.”

  “Hello, Mavis.”

  “Alex, we’re going to lunch at Buck’s after church. Want to come?”

  “Thanks, Mavis. Any other time I would, but I have some things I have to do.” He didn’t tell his friends he wanted to call Heather when the clock passed twelve.

  They went into the church and Alex saw Luke and Brenda in their usual pew, four from the front on the right. He slipped in beside his son.

  It was after the second hymn and they were getting ready to take the offering when Luke leaned over and whispered, “It’s unanimous. We all decided Kate isn’t the one for you. Even Jacob voted.”

  Alex rolled his eyes and shook his head. He forced himself to concentrate on the rest of the service, though he was pleased with their election.

  As soon as he got home, Alex didn’t bother changing clothes. He grabbed the phone and dialed Heather’s cell number. He’d already memorized it.

  It rang twice and she answered.

  “Hi, it’s Alex.”

  He heard her laugh. “I didn’t expect you to call so early, but I’m glad. Have you had a nice morning?”

  “Very nice. Got up, took a shower, went to church, came home and called you. That’s been about it.”

  “That’s enough. I went to church, too. I just got in and haven’t even had time to remove the panty hose.”

  He chuckled. “Do you always go to church when you’re traveling?”

  “Not always, but this is such a neat town and it has such lovely churches I decided to try one out.”

  “Where are you anyway?”

  “Hendersonville.”

  “Hendersonville? Why didn’t you tell me?” His voice was excited.

  “Should I have told you?”

  “It doesn’t matter. You’re actually closer to my farm than you were in Asheville.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. Have you had lunch?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Good, can you wait thirty minutes or so?”

  “Sure.”

  “I’m on my way. We’ll have a picnic or something.”

  She laughed. “I don’t have anything to fix a picnic, do you?”

  “I’ve got bread and peanut butter.”

  Heather continued to laugh. “I don’t think I want peanut butter, but come on. We’ll go by and get fast food somewhere.”

  “I’ll get these church clothes off and be there shortly. Where are you staying?” When she told him he said, “I know the place. See you soon.”

  Alex hung up, made another quick call then began peeling off his suit and tie.

  •♥ •

  For a moment, Heather sat on the bed, stunned. He’d called, and he was coming to see her. It wasn’t going to be weeks before she saw him again.

  Questions tumbled into her mind. What should she put on? Was he serious about a picnic? If so, she needed to wear something comfortable and cool. What if he didn’t mean picnic? She didn’t want to go into a restaurant looking like a bum.

  Finally, she decided on white Capri pants and a red and white knit top with cap sleeves and scooped neckline. She slid her feet in white leather flip-flops and noticed her toenails needed polishing. She grabbed the red polish. Finished, she added a snow jade bracelet and earrings. Touching up her makeup she stood back and was satisfied with the way she looked. She hoped Alex would be, too.

  •♥ •

  Rachelle dragged herself up in bed and reached for her cigarettes. She coughed as she sucked it into her lungs. “These things will probably kill me one of these days,” she grumbled, then drew deeply again. The cigarette was half-smoked when she managed to get her feet on the floor. Though her head pounded, she didn’t pay it much attention. She was used to having morning headaches. She went to the bathroom, not bothering to put on a robe or slippers.

  Glancing in the mirror she muttered, “Girl, you’ve got to start taking better care of yourself. You look like terrible.”

  After using the facilities, she gave her teeth a fifteen second brushing, then headed to the kitchen to plug up the coffee pot. While it perked, she smoked another cigarette and tried to keep her eyes open. It would be so easy to go back to bed. Noon was early for her to get up on Sundays. Three or four in the afternoon was more her style.

  But today was different. She wanted to ride by Heather’s house this morning, just in case the woman came home. Though she didn’t think she would get to her this quickly, she wasn’t going to pass up any opportunity, regardless of how remote the possibility of success.

  She knew her plan was now taking form. She’d even decided last night how she was going to kill Heather Masterson. She was going to do it like the killer did in the first Alex Hargrove book. It would work perfectly because Alex wasn’t in town to solve the murder. And he was the only one who had the smarts to figure it out.

  The coffee maker sounded its last gurgle and Rachelle grinned as she filled the Dallas Cowboys’ mug. She liked to drink out of this particular mug, because when she was married, her husband never wanted her to touch it. He said she left it tasting like tobacco. She drank from it now as part of his payback for leaving her for that sexy little nurse.

  Of course, no one knew she’d given him his big payback when a neighbor found the nurse at the bottom of the stairs leading to their second-floor apartment. A tragic accident, everyone said. The newspaper reported the young beautiful bride had slipped on the icy concrete steps leaving for work that wintry morning and broke her neck as she landed. The grief-stricken husband not only was mourning his wife, but there was no chance to save the unborn child. Rachelle remembered how she’d grabbed the umbrella she’d tripped the women with and headed home, so nobody would ever think the woman’s death was anything except an accident. When she got home that day, she celebrated with whiskey-laced coffee in the Cowboy mug. Her plan to rid the world of that bitch worked, and it’d work this time, too.

  “I’ll celebrate when you’re gone, Heather Masterson. No
body takes anything away from Rachelle. Alex Hargrove is mine, and I’ll have him to myself before long.”

  She moved to the coffee maker and poured a cup. She then picked up the whiskey bottle and looked at the half-inch in the bottom. Laughing, she poured it into the cup.

  CHAPTER 11

  Heather waited for Alex on the front porch of the Inn. It wasn’t long until she saw him walking toward her. He wore navy slacks and a navy-and-white checked western shirt. His white hair glistened in the sun and she thought he was one of the most handsome men she’d ever seen. She had the urge to get up and run to him, but didn’t dare.

  He was almost to the porch when he saw her. His face broke out in a wide grin.

  She stood and smiled back.

  When he reached her, he hesitated only a moment, then took her hand, leaned down and kissed her cheek. “You look pretty.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Are you ready for our picnic?”

  “I’m ready.”

  On the way to his car she said, “Did you notice we’re color coordinated? Red, white and blue.”

  “Are you saying we look like a flag?”

  She giggled and punched him playfully on the arm. “I guess we do.”

  “Hey, I’ve known you two days and you’re already beating up on me.” He dropped her hand and slid his arm around her shoulder. “Now if I were to hit you back, I’d be arrested. Does that sound fair?”

  “Sounds fair to me.”

  He pulled her to him. “I’m sure it does.” He smiled down at her and added, “I saw this neat park not far from here. Would that be okay with you?”

  “Yes, but we need to get the food.”

  “It’s taken care of.”

  “How was it taken care of?”

  “You’ll see.” He winked at her and helped her inside his car.

  At the park, he opened the back of the car and took out a picnic basket. With his free hand, he handed her a blanket and pointed her toward an empty table near the lake. “I’ll take the basket and come back for the cooler.”