Page 22

Chapter 22

Jack

There was no reason I’d kept that night from Henry other than I didn’t want to relive it. If I didn’t talk about it, I could pretend like it didn’t happen.

My head hurt, and I wanted to sleep for a week, but Henry’s gentle touch and patient words gave me strength. “Some of this you might already know, I can’t really remember what I’ve told you so far.”

“That’s fine. Just tell me what you think I need to know.”

I gritted my teeth together and launched into my story. “So, Joseph owns Hill’s Autos. He planned on Douglas taking it over and me working for him. I never liked working there, but he insisted I work for the family business. That’s why he made me get a business degree. But I was a really bad car salesman,” I said with a huff. “Like, the worst.”

“That’s because you’re amazing at baking,” Henry said with an encouraging pat to my leg .

“The night I left, I overheard something I definitely wasn’t supposed to.” I took a deep breath. I’d done my best not to think about it, but I needed to fill Henry in. It was important that he knew. “I’d forgotten my phone, so I went back to grab it, and I heard Joseph and Douglas talking in Joseph’s office when I left mine.” Swallowing thickly, I opened my mouth and replayed the entire conversation.

“Douglas was saying, ‘He sucks. He couldn’t sell a car if a person walked in and said they were there to buy the most expensive car on the lot.’

“Joseph laughed, but not like he found it funny. ‘I spent a shit ton of money getting him that business degree. We need to keep him around at least until he earns out.’

“Douglas was whiny when he said, ‘Can’t he have a desk job? Like something pointless? Be your assistant?’

“Joseph snorted. ‘Maybe I’ll make him your assistant. You know we can’t have him near the finances.’

“Douglas had scoffed. ‘He’s got shit for brains. Reads like a child, and numbers aren’t much better. Unless it’s on a damn recipe card for cake, he’s not gonna notice it.’

“‘Well, once he’s earned back what I spent on his college, I don’t care what happens to him,’ Joseph said. ‘In fact, the life insurance would be a nice little bonus. Maybe he’ll have a terrible accident.’”

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I finished. “They were laughing their asses off when I grabbed my phone and ran out of the building.” I cried harder when Henry leaned in to pull me into a hug. “As soon as I got home, I shoved everything I could into an old suitcase, filled my backpack, and took the car they let me drive. It was an electric car, so I knew it wouldn’t get me far, but it was charged. I thought maybe it would give me a head start since they’d think I was just out—I went to the library a lot. They hardly ever checked in on me when it really counted, so I figured they wouldn’t really notice I was gone until the next day.” I nuzzled into Henry’s chest, wiping my tears on his shirt and breathing him in.

At that point, the curtain was pulled aside, and Casey Joe walked in with two uniformed county officers. They introduced themselves as Officer James and Officer Smathe.

“I think you better start over. Tell them everything you just told me,” Henry suggested softly.

So, I did.

The officers listened intently and took notes.

When I got to the point of leaving, I took a sip of water. Henry taking my hand in his helped boost me.

“So, I drove to a spot where I knew I could charge the car. It got me about fifty miles out of town. I slept for a while as the car charged. Then I drove until I reached the next city, charged the car, and drove some more. By the time I’d left all the skywalkers behind—” I snapped my mouth shut and looked at Henry as my cheeks heated. “I mean, once I’d left the city, I drove to where my map said there was a bus station. I stopped and withdrew almost every cent from my account. As soon as I had all the cash, I destroyed the card. I drove past the bus station until I found an old barn. I parked the car behind it and covered it with this big tarp. I knew they’d be able to track it, but I planned on being long gone.” I stopped to take another drink while the officers scribbled furiously. “I walked to the bus station and told the ticket guy I wanted to get at least five hundred miles away. He pointed to a few spots on a map, I told him to give me the one that cost the least but got me the farthest. Within five minutes, I had a ticket. I washed up in the bathroom, bought a hotdog from the little concession stand, and stocked up on water and crackers from a vending machine.”

My nurse came in, checked my stitches, took my temperature, clicked away at the keyboard, and told me she was going to start my paperwork to go home.

I nearly cried again.

“So, I settled in on the bus. I slept a lot of the way. We stopped once, and I got off the bus to stretch, buy some more crackers and water, and get some fresh air. I lucked out on the second half of the trip because the seat next to me was empty, so I stretched out and slept some more. I guess I was tired from the anxiety or something. When the bus stopped again, I purposely left my phone turned on and stuck it between the seats. I hoped it would look like I was somewhere completely different if Joseph tracked it.” I shrugged. “When I climbed off the bus, I saw the sign for Haven Grove, and that was where I decided to go.”

Everyone was quiet while the officers wrote notes. Henry gave my hand a squeeze, and I wondered if he was as grateful as I was that I’d decided to head to Haven Grove.

Smathe finished writing first. “Okay, can you tell us about the wreck?”

I nodded. “Yeah. I drove Henry’s truck up the road to get some groceries. Our truck delivery was going to be late, and I needed ingredients for that evening’s cakes.”

Henry interjected. “I run the Riggs Roadhouse. Jack just started running Cake and Cocktails there.”

James smiled. “I’ve heard of your place. My wife’s been begging me to take her there.”

Smathe chuckled. “We’ve gotten a good laugh out of the newsletter emails. Good marketing.”

Despite the throbbing in my head and the exhaustion blanketing me, I couldn’t help the smile. “Give me a few days, and I’ll be back good as new. Come in and say hi. First cocktail and cake combo is on the house.” The warmth of Henry’s hand on my leg, and the excitement of hearing these guys had heard of my business were enough for me to continue the story.

“So, as I was driving home from getting the supplies, I noticed a gun-metal gray Jeep behind me. At first, it didn’t register, but then I realized it was the same Jeep I’d seen in the parking lot at the store. I tried to tell myself it was just a coincidence that it was behind me. Maybe it was someone from Haven Grove, right?” I shook my head just as Henry chuckled. “But one thing I’ve learned about living in a small town is that everyone is all up in everyone else’s business, so I would have known if someone in our town had a pretty, fancy new Jeep. Then he got closer and closer. The first time he bumped into me I got slammed around pretty good. I kinda lost my bearings for a bit. I slowed down hoping he’d go around me, but then I saw his face in my mirror. It was Douglas. He was grinning like he was having the time of his life. I knew he was going to try to kill me after what I’d heard them talk about. He slammed into me again and I went flying down the embankment into that ditch.” I shrugged. “Then Casey Joe found me,” I said with a nod toward Henry’s dad.

Henry and Casey both cursed under their breath.

James and Smathe hurriedly finished their notes.

Smathe showed me photos of some Jeeps until I pointed to the one that looked most like what Douglas was driving. James tapped around on his phone until he found photos of Joseph and Douglas for me to identify. He confirmed their address.

They asked a few more questions and then they handed the three of us their cards. After promising they’d be in touch and telling us to be on the lookout for anything strange in Haven Grove—and to report anything we might notice directly to them—the officers left.

Before the curtain had even stopped fluttering, Donna came bustling in. “Who’s ready to head home?”

I groaned. It was supposed to sound excited, but it just came out pathetic.

“He means yes ,” Henry translated for me with a big smile.

Donna chuckled. “Perfect. I’m going to print out your papers and get your prescriptions. You get dressed.” She glanced at Casey Joe. “Can you bring your vehicle around to Door Two on the south side of the building? We’ll bring him out there.”

Within half an hour, I was dressed in most of my clothes—minus my shirt which I think they’d cut off me. I was swimming in Henry’s t-shirt, but it was better than nothing, and he’d just buttoned up his flannel.

Donna told me if I didn’t ride in the wheelchair I could stay an extra day, so I flopped down with as much attitude as my tired, achy body could muster and let her wheel me toward Casey Joe’s truck.

I was asleep against Henry’s shoulder before Casey Joe pulled onto the highway.

Henry gently shook me awake when we reached the apartment. “Come on, babe. Let’s get you upstairs. Dad’s going to go get your medicine.”

“No,” I protested. “It’s okay, I don’t need it.” I wasn’t completely aware of what was going on, but I knew it was late, and I didn’t want Casey Joe to have to go back up the road to the 24-hour pharmacy.

“It’s not a problem,” Casey Joe said. “I’ll be back in a jiffy. You’ll be wanting those pain meds through the night—even if it’s only some strong Tylenol.”

I didn’t have the energy to argue, so I grunted before Henry hefted me into his arms and headed up the stairs.

Once we were through the door, he placed me gently on the couch. “I’m going to get the shower started. You need to wash off before you sleep. Don’t move.”

I think my only answer was a snore.

The next time I cracked my eyes open, the sun was streaming through the window, and I was cuddled under a cover in bed. Blinking myself awake, I tried to recall how I got into bed. Fuzzy images of Henry helping me shower while keeping the stitches mostly dry trudged through my sleepy head.

Bottles of prescription medication and water sat on the bedside table. After a full-body scan, I realized I was achy but not in pain. Sitting up slowly, I continued to be grateful my injuries were fairly minor .

The note on the bedside table caught my eye, and I smiled.

Jack,

You had medicine around 4:00. I’m down helping Sam. Text me when you’re awake. Do NOT shower or try to come to work.

Love you,

Henry

Warmth washed over me.

The wreck, knowing Douglas and maybe Joseph were nearby, and my injuries were a dark cloud, but I knew I was welcome and loved in Haven Grove.

For the first time in my life, when faced with an overwhelming problem, I had no doubt my newly acquired family would help me through whatever came my way.

I just hoped that we could get some answers and bring everything to an end soon. Luckily, my uncle and cousin were impatient and not very smart. So, they’d hopefully mess up quickly.

I made my way to the bathroom, winced at how bad my face looked, and shuffled to the kitchen. Once I had water set to boil for tea, I texted Henry to let him know I was awake.

I immediately heard his big feet on the stairs.

When he blasted through the door, I smiled.

“Jack?” Henry called. “I swear to God if you’re in the shower?—”

He stopped in the kitchen .

I blinked innocently at him as I put a tea bag into my mug. “What?”

Henry eyed me suspiciously, his arms crossed over his chest. “Did you take a shower?”

“Nope. Just got up.”

He moved into the kitchen and looked closely at my hair.

I giggled. “Babe, I woke up, could barely remember how I even got to bed, went to pee, and came in here to make tea. I’m not going to shower without help, at least not today. I’m not going to try to walk down the stairs without help, at least not today.” Wrapping my arms around his thick body, I snuggled into his chest as his big, strong arms automatically pulled me close.

“I don’t know what this at least not today shit is about,” he mumbled into my head.

“The doctor said I had to take it easy today , and I could play it by ear based on how I feel tomorrow.”

Henry growled. “Next week—” He yelped when I bit his pec.

“Next week, nothin’,” I said, smiling up at him sweetly. “I will take today to rest. Maybe tomorrow. But then I’m getting back in my kitchen.”

“Jack, babe…”

“No, Henry. You said I had to follow the doctor’s orders, and I am. If tomorrow feels like too much, I’ll rest. But I can’t just sit up here for days. I’ll go bananas. Between wondering where Joseph and Douglas are and worrying about Cake and Cocktails, I’ll be more of a mess if I have to just sit here and stew.”

Henry grumbled as he worked over my words. “ Fine. Today. And tomorrow, you have to be honest with me. If you don’t feel well, you’ll take another day.”

“Yes, Papa Bear.”

Henry smacked my ass.

“Ow! Be careful, I’m injured!”

He laughed and shook his head. “Let’s get you set up on the couch. I’ll come back up after lunch to check on you.”

By the time Henry headed back down to the bar, I was covered in no less than five blankets, had the remote in hand, and wouldn’t be able to consume all the drinks and snacks he’d left for me in a month.

But the sweet kiss and I love you he gave me before he left was worth roasting under the covers.

After a movie, I dozed off. When I woke, I checked the time on my phone. Henry would be finishing up with the lunch rush soon, so I dug myself out from the blankets and headed to the bathroom.

Even though I’d promised not to shower, I couldn’t not wash off a bit. So, I gave myself a bit of a sponge bath with some soap and a washcloth. Once I’d brushed my teeth, I at least felt human.

When I made my way back to the living room, voices caught my attention. I moved to look out the window just in time to see Henry draw back and slam his fist into a man’s face.

Without thinking, I yanked open the door. “Henry!”

The man and Henry both looked up at me.

Henry’s face raged with fury, but it softened the moment his eyes landed on me. The man he’d punched held his face, but there was no doubt in my mind who it was.

“Jackie,” he crooned. “Come give your uncle Joseph a hug.”

“You have about five seconds to get your ass off my property before I call the cops,” Henry growled.

Joseph ignored him. “Jackie?—”

“Don’t call me that,” I yelled just as Henry charged Joseph and pushed him against the stair railing with a deep warning of, “Don’t fucking speak to him.”

Joseph held his hands up in surrender. “Okay, okay. I just need my stuff and I’ll be gone. Not like we want to spend any more time in this hell hole.”

“What stuff?” I asked, but Henry shoved Joseph.

“We got nothin’ to give you, so you can leave now. I’m callin’ the cops either way, just up to you whether they show up while you’re here or after.” Henry shoved Joseph again. I wasn’t a proponent of violence, but I wasn’t going to lie, watching Joseph get the grumpy end of Henry’s anger soothed something deep inside my soul.

Casey Joe came around the corner just as Joseph nearly face-planted on the concrete. Casey glanced up at me, looked between Henry and Joseph, and then crossed his arms. He’d been putting on some muscle as of late, and he looked just as menacing as his son.

Joseph caught himself from falling and wiped at the blood pouring from his nose as he eyed up Casey Joe. “That’s not the way this shit works, man.” He turned himself so he could see all three of us. “Jackie-boy took things that belong to me, and I want them back. If I don’t get them, I’ll be the one going to the police. Let’s see how well that sissy can run his stupid cake place when he’s arrested for theft.”

Henry started to say something, but I cut him off. “Theft is when you knowingly take something that isn’t yours. I have no idea what you’re talking about. I grabbed a suitcase, shoved my life into it, and left. I didn’t take anything from you.”

Sam threw open the door with a phone to his ear. “You want them to send a patrol car?”

Henry nodded, speaking without taking his eyes off Joseph. “Yeah, give them my name. Have them send the two we talked to at the hospital. James and Smathe.”

Joseph let loose a string of curses and rushed for the stairs. He hadn’t made it three steps before he was on his ass with Henry and Casey Joe both standing over him.

He got himself up on his knees and pointed up at me. “I’m not done with you, Jackie-boy. You won’t get away with stealing from me. I was nothing but good to you. Gave you a roof over your head, food in your belly, a car, a college education. Your fuckin’ pansy ass had it good , but then you had to go and turn into fucking weak-ass thief.” He stood up, blood gushing from his nose and elbow. “Mark my words, you’ll pay. There are good people in this town who area already suspicious of you, and they’ll help me see to that. Nobody likes a thief.”

At the blast of a police siren, Joseph’s face screwed up. He glanced around and took off, scrambling like a panicked piece of shit.

James and Smathe took statements from everyone.

“I do have to ask, are you sure you don’t know what it is he thinks you took from him?” James asked .

I shook my head. “No idea. The car was just one he used from the lot, so I don’t think it’s that. The phone was in his name, but I can’t see him being pissed about that. I mean, I guess he bought me some of the clothes, but I doubt he’s throwing this kind of fit over some jeans.”

“Well, you let us know if you think of anything,” James said.

“And keep your wits about you,” Smathe added. “Don’t go anywhere on your own.” He pointed at me. “You especially, but I mean all of you. He’s likely to escalate. He’s already proven he’s not above vehicular manslaughter, so I doubt he’s going to give up and go home.”

“He’ll probably mess up,” James said. “Just be careful so you’re not caught in the crossfire when he does.”

Henry walked with the officers to their car, and Casey Joe came up the stairs.

“Come on, let’s get you inside. I’m sure Henry needs to finish at the bar, and you need to rest.” Casey’s warm hand on my shoulder steered me toward the couch.

He helped me get settled and then moved to the kitchen to make me some tea. By the time Henry came upstairs, Casey Joe and I were sipping on piping hot mugs of tea while we watched some comedy from Casey’s childhood. I was still laughing at his look of indignance when I referred to it as something from the good ol’ days.

Henry kissed the top of my head, went to the bathroom where I heard him washing his face and hands, and then reappeared. “You won’t be out of my sight until those two psychos are behind bars.”

I shrugged. “I’m fine with that. I guess I just wish I knew what he wants back from me. Hell, if I knew what I’d taken, I’d give it back if it meant he’d leave.”

“Fuck that,” Casey said. “He’s not gettin’ shit from you. Whatever it is, it’s either worth a lot or it’s something that could get him in big trouble.”

Henry situated himself on the couch and pulled me onto his lap.

“I’ve been racking my brain for what he thinks I took.” I ran through items in my head. “Maybe there was something in the car?”

“But he could track that, right?” Casey Joe asked. “He’s probably already found it.”

“Maybe someone took something out of the car before Joseph got to it?” Henry suggested.

“I mean, I locked it before leaving it behind the barn, but I’m sure someone might have broken into it. If there was something in the car, it was hidden. There was nothing in the trunk or glove compartment.” I rubbed my knuckle over my stitches. The gash was swollen and sore, but I knew it could have been so much worse. “He can’t be upset about the suitcase,” I said with a huff. “I took the nastiest, oldest looking one just so he wouldn’t notice it was gone.”

As the words hung in the air, we all froze.

“Was it your suitcase?” Casey Joe asked, his words quiet like we were in a secret meeting.

I shook my head even as I moved to stand. “No. The one I came with as a little kid had been tossed years ago. This one was in the hall closet and had definitely seen better days. I just figured it was gross and old, so it would be the one they were least likely to miss. ”

Henry gently eased me back down onto the couch. “I’ll get it.”

There was no reason to protest, so I wrapped the blanket around my shoulders and waited for him to pull the ratty suitcase from the coat closet at the front of the apartment.

He returned and placed it on the coffee table in front of me.

“You don’t really think they were ignorant enough to hide stuff in an old suitcase, do you?” I asked.

Henry cocked a brow, and Casey Joe chuckled.

I couldn’t help the grin. My uncle and cousin were mean , but I’d never heard anyone accuse them of being smart.

The main section of the suitcase was empty which wasn’t at all surprising since I’d packed my clothes in it. I would have seen it if they’d hidden something there. I let Henry unzip the pockets and run his hand through them.

Nothing.

“Wait, is it one of those that has a zipper…” Casey Joe mused as he moved closer and examined the case. “Yeah, right there.”

A zipper on the inside of the suitcase sat looking as innocent as could be.

Henry opened it and slowly moved his hand inside as if something was going to bite him. His brows shot up, and he pulled a large manilla envelope from the pocket.

“Holy shit.”