Mr. Dangerous (15 page)

“I know, I know. Thank you for saying that, but I want to.”

Wade almost wanted her to say that she didn’t want to anymore, that way he wouldn’t have to worry, wouldn’t have to feel guilty if anything did happen. He wasn’t used to being in situations where the outcome was up in the air. There were only two ways the day could go: good or bad. He didn’t like his odds.

He knew he wouldn’t be able to convince Delaney to stay at home, but he also knew she was too proud to say she didn’t want to participate.

“We can always switch the roles back so you stay with the horses, that way you won’t be in any danger.”

“I won’t be in danger anyway—the gun won’t be loaded.”

“Yeah, but there will be the danger of getting caught.”

Delaney grew quiet. She sat up straight and looked down at her hands. She took a deep breath and said, “True. But if I’m being honest, I have to admit I have absolutely nothing to lose. I’ve been miserable since my mom died. I can’t live with my uncle anymore. You are the first good thing that has happened to me in months. I want to help you. I need to do this.”

Wade listened to her, then said, “I understand.” He kissed her, and even though he did not want to, he added, “We’re doing this then.”

He stood up and held out a hand; she grabbed it and he led her out of the room.

John was already awake and cooking breakfast in the kitchen.

“Well, hello sleepy heads! You two ready to rob a bank today?” John chuckled as he flipped a pancake.

Delaney and Wade glanced at each other and broke out laughing. Wade realized how ridiculous their plan was, and he could not stop laughing. He put his head in his hands and felt a weight fall off his shoulders. There was no way they would pull this off, but he knew in his heart that he had to try. If he didn’t try, he would regret it for the rest of his life. He had to fight for the ranch. The ranch—and John—had changed his life. He’d give that same life to protect them.

John’s laugh subsided into a coughing fit, and Wade remembered how sick he was. After the bank, he promised himself, whether John agreed with it or not, he would call the doctor. It was time to take matters into his own hands.

There was a knock at the door, and Delaney went to open it. She returned with Jacob following her. In Wade’s opinion, the two of them looked very nervous, but then again, so was he. The only one who didn’t look nervous was John, who sat at the kitchen table eating his pancakes as if nothing at all was the matter, as if the four of them weren’t about to go off and break the law.

After they all finished eating, Wade said, “So, everyone knows what they need to do? Do we need to go over anything?”

John, Delaney and Jacob stared at him in silence.

“Okay, then. First matter of business is getting the car. Delaney and I will go do that now. We’ll be back by noon, and then we’ll head to the bank. Everyone on board?”

“We’re with you,” John proclaimed. He made eye contact with Wade, and smiled warmly.

He felt a deep love for the boy—as if he were his own son. He was proud to see Wade taking control like this, proud to see him caring so much about the ranch. John knew he was sick. He’d been to the doctor, though he hadn’t told Wade. He had a rare lung condition, but it wasn’t fatal. He was just getting old. When he saw Wade and Delaney together, it made him think of his wife, Betty.

He missed her so much, and was glad that Wade had someone to love as Betty and he had loved each other. That’s all he wanted now—for Wade to be happy and have a meaningful life. And of course for the ranch to remain as it was. He felt blessed and relieved that today they would go off and fight to make that happen.

*

“You sure your uncle will be out of the house?” Wade asked, once they were on the highway.

“No, I’m not sure, but it’s now or never.”

“Alright, then. What can I do to help you?”

“I just need you to park down the block and wait for me. I’m going to slip in and out as quickly and as quietly as I can.”

“Please be careful, Delaney. I don’t like the idea of you going into that house by yourself.”

“I’ll be careful,” she promised.

Wade grabbed her hand on the way out the door, and pulled her back into the car for a kiss. She stayed an extra moment, basking in the calm before the storm, and then she bounced down and slammed the door behind her. Wade watched her go. He turned the car off, thought better of it, and turned the car back on, wanting to be ready if something bad happened, although he prayed it wouldn’t.

Delaney walked down her old street, desperately hoping her uncle would not be there, that he would be at the bar or somewhere else, just not at home. She walked up the driveway, her fingers brushing against the 1967 Mustang and coming away with dust.

The front door was closed, which was a good sign. It was early, but perhaps he would be out at the bar. She walked up to the front of the house but decided not to take her chances, and hurried around to the back. She peered in the sliding glass door, and she almost yelped in surprise when she saw her uncle sitting at the table. She thought he had seen her, but then she realized he was sleeping. His cheek was flat against the table, one arm bent around his head, the other in his lap.

She weighed her options; she could go in the front door, which would creak loudly as she opened it, or she could go in this door, which would take her much closer to her slumbering uncle. She decided to risk it. She grabbed the handle with resolve and pushed gently, but decisively. It slid backward silently. When the door was about a foot open, she stopped, leaving just enough room for her to slip inside. Her uncle snored irregularly, but he seemed very much asleep.

Tiptoeing, she made it around the table. A few more steps and she’d be at the counter, where the keys waited. Her shirt caught on a dining room chair. The feet of the chair scratched and shrieked against the floor as it got yanked back.

Delaney dropped to her knees just as her uncle snorted and raised his head. He sat up quickly and looked around, surprised to be where he was. She scooted under the table, out of view. Her uncle pushed his chair back and stood up. She watched his feet stagger as he gained his balance.

“I didn’t leave that open,” he grumbled to himself, and closed the sliding glass door.

Delaney held her breath as she pulled her knees into her chest and curled her toes under, trying to make herself as small as possible. Her uncle stepped around the table, and made his way to the cupboard where he kept the whiskey. If he looked down, he’d be able to see her; if she moved at all, he’d notice.

The cupboard door banged open, and the cap from the bottle fell to the floor. For a moment she thought he would bend down and pick it up, putting him face to face with her, but then he took a big swill, slammed the bottle down on the counter, and staggered out of the kitchen.

Delaney let out the big breath she’d been holding. Quickly she crawled out from under the table, grabbed the keys off the counter, and without looking back, slipped out the sliding glass door, leaving it open behind her.

She fiddled with the keys, trying to find the right one. Her heart beat in her chest louder than a car alarm. Finally, she found it, jumped into her uncle’s Mustang, turned on the engine and sped off. Wade was right behind her. He trailed her all the way back to the ranch. He couldn’t believe she had pulled it off. She impressed him more and more each day, he realized, and felt like the luckiest man in the world.

When they finally got back to the ranch, he hopped out of the pickup and ran over to her.

“You did it!” he praised her, smothering her with kisses.

“Barely!” Delaney admitted.

“We are really doing this, aren’t we?”

“Now all we have to do is rob a bank,” Delaney said, smiling, though her heart was still pounding, the fear of getting caught leaving a bad taste in her mouth. It had been way too close.

*

John was waiting for them in the living room with an outfit laid out for Delaney.

“So, here’s what I was thinking. We don’t want to run the risk of Wade being identified; he has to wear a mask. People from town know him too well. Delaney on the other hand, will wear a disguise. She hasn’t been in town for very long, and if we dress her up well enough, she could pass for much older.” He looked from Wade to Delaney.

“You both with me so far?”

They nodded in unison.

“Good. Now, I’ve pulled out some of Betty’s old clothes. They might be a little bit big on you, Delaney, but hopefully, it won’t be too bad. And I have a blonde wig—don’t ask where I got it because I honestly don’t remember.” He smiled mischievously and handed Delaney a pile of clothing. “Why don’t you go try them on?”

Delaney took the clothes and went into the bathroom. John had given her a navy blue skirt and matching blazer, pantyhose, an off-white blouse, and a shoulder-length blonde wig. She sighed as she pulled her blouse up and over her head. This was going to be interesting. She rolled the pantyhose up her legs, zipped up the skirt, and tucked the blouse in.

As she slipped her arms into the blazer and fastened the buttons, she looked at herself in the mirror, fully dressed in Betty’s old clothing. The skirt fit well. The blazer was snug across the chest and the arms were too long, but it would work. She curled her braid on the top of her head, and secured the blonde wig in place on top of it.
I look like a flight attendant
, she thought.

The lighter hair paled her skin tone, but made her blue eyes pop brightly. She slipped into her black shoes—they didn’t quite go with the outfit, but weren’t atrocious—and then applied red lipstick as a finishing touch. She was ready.

Wade and John were arguing in the living room about some detail of the plan when she returned. They both stopped and stared at her when she entered the room.

“Wow,” Wade breathed.

“Wow is right,” John agreed. “You look just like Betty. It’s incredible. How did you do it?”

“What do you mean, how did I do it? I just put on the clothes you gave me.”

The two men couldn’t shake their shock from the eerie resemblance. John came over to her and touched the hair and squeezed the shoulder pads.

“You even smell like her.”

“Well, that’s just the clothes!”

“Okay, enough,” Wade finally chimed in.

John leaned in for one last sniff, and Delaney frowned at him.

“Where’s Jacob?” Wade asked John.

“He’s already out in the stables getting the horses ready to go.”

“Okay, great.”

“I’ve got my mask, and a big coat. I think we’re all ready to go.”

“Agreed.”

Wade looked around the room one last time as John led the way out the front door. Delaney smoothed her skirt, and took a deep breath.
Here
we go
, she said to herself.

The Final Chapter

Wade parked the car approximately a block away from the bank in front of the local supermarket. It was a gloomy day, but the clouds had broken, allowing the sun to stream down and light their way to the bank, almost as if on purpose. It was Thursday morning, and only a few people were on the street. That was lucky.

Delaney checked her red lipstick in the car door mirror and reapplied. Wade unloaded his gun, storing the ammunition in the glove compartment.

“Well, this is it,” John marveled as he watched Wade and Delaney get ready.

“We’ve got this one chance. Our timing has to be exact. Do you two remember what to do?”

“Of course we remember, Wade,” John said, scoffing at him. “I think the most important thing is to act nonchalant. Delaney, you are a woman going into the bank to open up an account; it would cause concern if you were incredibly nervous. All you have to do is behave casually, and then be terrified when Wade comes in. It will be over before you know it.”

“I’ve got it,” Delaney said, nodding like a soldier.

“And you know what you’re doing, John?”

“I sure do. I’ve always said I would rob a bank someday, and now here I am doing it!”

Something had lifted inside John when he decided to help rob the bank. It gave him a sense of purpose and motivation that he hadn’t felt in a long time. Before he’d spent all his time reminiscing, getting lost in nostalgia, remembering Betty. He didn’t have much hope or reason to get off the couch. Now, he had to help save the ranch. The fact that their chance of succeeding seemed slim was of no consequence.

At least they were doing something. His coughing seemed to lessen and he had more energy. Plus, he got to do something with Wade again. He missed the days when they would go out riding together, so he was grateful this was something he could manage to do. 

“All right then,” Wade said, ignoring John’s last comment; he was too nervous to laugh.

“Let’s go.”

Delaney left the car first. As she walked down the street, she attempted to match her walk with how she imagined a wealthy, independent woman in her thirties would carry herself. She moved forward with grace and ease. The bright sunshine caused her to squint so she held her hand up daintily to shield her eyes. A very tall man passed by her, and turned his head to look after her.

The bank loomed ahead, its large wooden doors a menacing height. Standing for a moment in front of them, she took three deep breaths. This was it. The bankers had to not only believe she wanted to open an account, but also that she was genuinely terrified of Wade.

She had a moment of panic when she realized she could never be terrified of Wade, and then she thought to herself, “
But I can act.
” And act was what she must do. With more confidence than she actually possessed, she took a step forward and then another, until she was pushing the doors of the bank open and a man in a suit asked if he could help her. He had a shaved head and a round face; he resembled her uncle, and for some reason, Delaney thought that was a bad sign.

“Yes, I’d like to open an account here. Can you help me with that?”

“Of course we can,” he said, through big teeth and thin lips.

Delaney followed, clutching her purse at her side. She was the only female customer, and that made her feel self-conscious. The man who greeted her asked her to sit down to wait and told her someone would be with her shortly.

She took a seat and crossed her legs. It took a lot of effort not to fidget or jerk her head up every time someone entered. In another ten minutes John would cause his scene in front of the door, and Wade would race in and the whole plan would unfold.

Not only was she the only woman present, but she also was the youngest and best-dressed person. All the other customers were cowboys or something of the like. She hoped she didn’t stand out too much. The woman at the desk in front of her finally looked up and said, “All right, miss. Why don’t you come on over and we can see what we can do for you.”

Delaney stood up and smoothed her skirt. “Thank you,” she said, hoping the bank teller didn’t notice her quivering voice. She was led to a simple and highly organized desk with a gold plaque on it that read Mrs. Margaret Blanch.
Blanch
, Delaney thought.
What a terrible name
.

“How can I help you today?” Mrs. Margaret Blanch had pale skin and a slight double chin. The smell of hairspray wafted around her like a cloud. Delaney did her best to breathe out of her mouth.

“I would like to open an account,” Delaney explained. “I’m new to town, and my husband will be traveling for a month or so yet. I need to get our affairs in order,” she added, trying to sound convincing.

Right at that moment she heard a loud thud, and then John’s boisterous hollering.

“Goodness me,” Delaney commented, as if she were really disturbed. “What in the world was that?”

“One moment, ma’am.” Mrs. Blanch stood up and conferred with the man who greeted her, and he hurried to the front doors. A hooded figure sneaked past him. Delaney made eye contact with Wade, and then she turned around quickly until she felt the barrel of the gun near her temple.

* *  *

After Delaney left to go inside the bank, Wade and John silently sat in the car. They had ten minutes before they followed. Wade went over the steps of the plan one last time and focused on his breathing. John looked out the window, imagining Betty sitting in the seat next to him, and that thought gave him strength.

“So,” he started, “you really like this Delaney girl, don’t you?”

Wade was surprised. “What makes you say that?”

“Not only have I seen the way you look at her, but you’ve really changed in these last few days, really coming out of your shell and stepping up.”

“You think so?”

“I think she’s the best thing that has happened to you in years.”             

“I do too. It’s pretty amazing how she swooped into my life so quickly,” Wade confessed. “I just hope today goes well because I don’t want to lose her. I just can’t.”

“I know, Wade. And you won’t. I’m sure of it. She’s doing this for you, and for herself. I think she’s too strong of a woman to do this simply because you need her to. She must have her own reasons.”

“Thank you for saying that, John. And thank you for everything. I don’t know where I’d be without you.”

“To see you grow into the man you are now has been one of the most rewarding things in my whole life. There is no need to thank me.”

Wade couldn’t remember the last time he cried, but he suddenly felt tears springing to his eyes. As he wiped his sleeve over his face, the sun was lost behind a big gray cloud slowly filling the sky.

“It looks like storms are brewing up again.”

“Sure does,” Wade agreed as he rubbed his eyes. “I think it’s about time. Are you ready?”

“Yes. Let’s do this.”

Wade positioned his gun in the back of his pants and followed behind John about thirty paces. The storm was coming in fast. Wade felt two big drops land on his forehead. He pulled his hood up and clutched the ski mask in his pocket. There was a risk of people recognizing him on the street, and he didn’t want anyone to see him anywhere near the bank today.

They were already running that risk with John, but he would never actually go inside the bank,  so it was less chancy. His pace quickened as they got closer to the bank—he needed to slip past John just as he fell down. The old man held up five fingers behind his back, then four, then three, then two, then one.

That was the signal. Wade pulled the ski mask over his face, flipped the hood of his coat back up, hurried past John, and slammed the bank doors shut behind him. He heard John hollering, and then there was a loud thud as he hit the ground. It sounded so real, Wade wondered if he actually fell or if he’d managed to fake it. Quickly, he glanced around the bank, saw Delaney, and made a beeline for her.

His heart was pounding in his ears and he felt the blood rush to his face. A warm bubble enclosed his senses, and all he was aware of was his breath, of Delaney, and of his task at hand. He reached the desk where Delaney sat, seemingly unaware of his presence, though she had made eye contact with him right as he came through the doors.

He slipped his gun out of his belt and into his hand. His finger found the trigger, and he pushed the barrel into Delaney’s temple. She screamed shrilly and his heart broke. Part of him couldn’t believe he was holding a gun to the head of the girl he loved, and the other part of him hated himself. How could he do this to her? How could she let him?

Dragging her out of her seat by her hair, she resisted him, pulling against his strength and shrieking like a banshee. He rammed the gun hard against the side of her head and she went quiet. Were those real tears in her eyes? He had a moment of hesitation, but Delaney squeezed his thigh and whispered, “Come on,” and he was back in character.

“Nobody move!” he shouted. “Everybody stay calm and still, and this will all be over in a few minutes.” He nodded toward the bank teller he had talked to when he came in before, the same woman who was helping Delaney, Mrs. Blanch. “You. Fill up these bags with money.” He threw three cloth bags onto the floor in front of her. 

“What money?” She asked, frozen in place, her eyes big and round, her lips quivering. Wade realized she was scared, actually scared. 

“What do you mean, ‘What money?’ This is a robbery. Fill them up with bank money. Do it. Now!”

Mrs. Blanch went to collect the bags off the floor, and fell because she was shaking so much.

“Get up!” Wade yelled at her. She didn’t move, huddled on the floor like a scared dog. Wade kicked her in the side. Not too rough, but enough to get the message across. Delaney whimpered empathetically, as if she felt the kick herself. Wade realized how horrible this all was, but then he reminded himself of the ranch, of Jacob’s ranch, of the bigger picture.

“Get up now and get me the money or this young woman here gets shot in the head.” It didn’t feel like his own voice coming out of his mouth. He felt as if he were channeling a bank robber from the movies. Mrs. Blanch collected the bags off the floor and hurried to the large safe at the back of the room. Not a soul moved. It was so silent the rain could be heard pitter-pattering on the roof.

Then John’s howls came again. “Get off me, I can stand on my own, thank you very much,” he hollered. It was a signal. Wade only had a minute or two left before he had to get out of there. John would be getting the car soon.

“Hurry it up,” Wade yelled to Mrs. Blanch. She was stuffing the second bag, and now, the third. Wade chanced a glance down at Delaney. Her face was wet with tears. Either she was actually scared or she was a really good actress.
Probably both,
Wade realized. He looked around the room. Nobody moved.

There were six customers, including Delaney, and seven employees, including Mrs. Blanch. Everyone had their heads down; no one dared look at him. “Hurry up!” Wade called again. He was losing precious time. About a minute left.

Mrs. Blanch hobbled toward him with the three bundles of money under her arms. Wade realized tears were streaming down her face as well. He remembered how cold she had been to him when he came into the bank to try to resolve this. He couldn’t believe how far it had escalated. He couldn’t believe he was robbing the bank.

“Hand the money to her,” Wade growled, indicating Delaney. He almost said her name, but caught himself just in time. 

Mrs. Blanch fumbled with the bags as she placed them in Delaney’s arms.

“Now, nobody move a muscle!” He kept the gun firmly pointed at Delaney’s temple. She was shaking as he guided her back toward the door. A man, who Wade thought he recognized from the diner, reached for a phone on one of the desks. “Don’t move! Or I will shoot this woman right here and now!” Wade yelled, beginning to panic.