Page 89 of Family Jewels

“Of course, but you’re not calling me all the time to do it.”

“Not true. I used your resources last winter, often with little notice and at great personal burden to you. Hell, I called you just a couple of days ago.”

I couldn’t help but grin. “You said we’re friends. You told me once that you don’t do friends.”

“I was an idiot. Now are you safe?”

I checked the rearview mirror again. “Yeah.”

“If you hear so much as a tree branch scrape your window, you call me straightaway. Got it?”

“Got it.”

“Rose. Be safe.”

I was going to try my best, but trouble seemed to find me, even when I wasn’t looking.

How long until Buck Reynolds showed up on my doorstep?

Chapter 19

Neely Kate was alreadyin her room with the door closed when I got home. She’d sent a text earlier saying she was going to bed early and she was taking Muffy with her.

I was having an uneasy, nonsensical dream about James, Raddy Dyer, and Buck Reynolds when I awoke with a start and realized my phone was ringing. I didn’t recognize the number on the screen. Who was calling me at 2:39 in the morning?

“Rose, I need your help,” a man pleaded after I answered.

“Raddy?” I asked, bolting upright in my bed.

“If you don’t help me, he’s gonna kill me.”

My breath caught in my throat. “Who’s gonna kill you?”

“I can’t tell you on the phone. You have to come to me.”

“No,” I said. “Call the police. Call a friend. I’m not coming.”

“He’s gonna get Malcolm.”

That got my attention. “Who’sgonna get Skeeter Malcolm?” Oh my word. Was he talking about Buck?

“Meet me at the fertilizer plant in thirty minutes, and I’ll tell you then. Come alone. If I see anyone with you, I’m leaving.”

“No,” I said in a harsh tone. “You’re not gonna coerce me into meetin’ you with some vague threat. Someone’s always out to get Skeeter Malcolm. What makes you think I care about him anyway?”

He released a harsh laugh. “I’m not sure how much you care about him, but I saw how he was with you in the barn—he’s got it bad for you. Right now it’s my secret. But if you don’t come, you have no idea who I’ll tell.”

I was already scrambling out of bed. This was James’ nightmare come true. “I’m coming.”

“That’s what I thought.” He sounded happy with himself. “But if he or one of his guys comes even close to the place, I’m gonna tell everyone I know.” Then he hung up.

I grabbed a pair of jeans out of the closet and pulled a T-shirt out of my drawer. My heart hammered in my chest as I pulled on the clothes. Should I call James? After our conversation several hours earlier, I wasn’t sure he’d condone this outing since it was specifically about him. Still, he’d been right. I couldn’t meet Raddy without letting someone know what I was up to, and there was no way Neely Kate would let me go alone.

Grabbing my phone, I crept down the hallway and then the stairs, avoiding a few of the wood boards I knew to squeak. My keys were in my purse in the kitchen, so I grabbed it off the table and slipped out the back door.

The night was cool for early June, and I wished I’d grabbed a jacket, but I couldn’t risk going back inside for one. Raddy had said I had to be there within thirty minutes. I didn’t plan on being late.

The fertilizer plant was on the southwest end of town, but the quickest way to get there from my farm was to go through town. At least I wouldn’t need to worry about traffic at this time of night.