She Belongs to Me (19 page)

“I understand. I’m just excited about our life and ready to move ahead.” His hand soothed circles on her back.

“You are the most wonderful man.” Jaynee leaned in to kiss him. “I guess I have to comprehend you long for what most men don’t. I always hear about men being afraid to make a commitment. How did I get so fortunate?”

He huffed and shook his head. “I think you deserve a l
ittle good fortune, Jaynee. And
I am happy to be your
Prince Charming if that’s how you view me…even if I don’t always act as such.” He laughed at his comment then pulled her back into his arms.

They were quiet again. Was that their first argument? No, it was a misunderstanding. Children…she wasn’t even twenty-two. What was he thinking? Her mother had her when she was nineteen; of course, she wasn’t a good representation of what was normal. She would never be like her. Maybe that worried Jordan. No, he couldn’t possibly be thinking she’d be anything like her mother. But maybe he thought she wouldn’t want children after her experiences.

She didn’t want to voice her concerns. It was too comfortable sitting there in silence. She realized one of the situations of marrying quickly—you discover secrets after it’s too late. All the quirks were hers though; she couldn’t find a fault in him. Not that she was trying, but there certainly must be something. She giggled at the notion, trying to find a fault in her husband. He
was
controlling...but in a good way, she amended.

Jaynee heard a rustle in the trees and looked up at Jordan; his eyes were already there.

“
Shh
, be very still. Maybe they’ll come closer.”

Did she want whatever it was to come closer? If he wasn’t troubled, she surely had no reason to feel nervous. He pulled her further to his side of the blanket so she could see in the direction he was looking.

“What is it?” she asked in a hushed tone.

“I hoped we’d see some but didn’t want to mention it in the event we didn’t. They’re wild horses.”

“Really?” she asked too loud
ly
, excited by the prospect. She saw three heads spring up from the grass they were eating. Sure enough, wild horses stood in the small clearing. Their coats were brown and black, one with a very short mane cropped to his neck but the other two had longer manes that swayed down their necks.

When the horses finally moved along, they were able to speak again. They didn’t try to make contact, instead, simply enjoyed the opportunity to watch them in their natural state.

“Jordan, do you have horses?” she asked abruptly.

He laughed. “No, but we can if you want
;
our property is plenty large enough.”

“Really, we can?”

“Whatever you wish, my love. Let’s start heading back; there’s something else I want to show you.”

They descended the path faster than their ascent. Jaynee had to move fast to keep his tempo, but finally Jordan slowed his pace. Could they have made it back to the start already? That’s when she heard it—a waterfall.

“Jordan!” she exclaimed. “I love waterfalls!”

He stood behind her, his arms wrapped around her waist as they stared at the magnificence and splendor. Something about a waterfall entranced her, especially in the desert. The breeze created as the cascading falls pounded the river below as the sound of the crashing water drowned out all other noises as it beat the rocks below the waiting river’s surface. It was simply breathtaking.

Her eyes glazed over just a tad at the thoughtfulness that Jordan had put into their week. “Thank you,” she whispered.

He bent over her shoulder, kissing her neck. “I love them too,” he admitted.

***

Kenny drove by Caycee’s house several times yesterday, throughout the night and again today. Neither her Focus nor the dude’s F-150 had moved.
No wonder Brian was infatuated;
she must be a nympho.

He had stopped by Caycee’s work late Saturday, assuming she would be working on a weekend. She wasn’t. Although, that was all the information he got from the witch upfront. Amy, the girl’s nametag read, refused to tell him anything.

Now, Kenny just stared at Caycee’s Grandmother’s house. Brian had told him she lived across the street. The older woman had come out a couple of times. Once to get the mail, another to pitter in her garden for a few minutes pulling weeds. Maybe he could offer his services, do some chores around the house. He could be pleasant when he wanted. Whatever he did, he needed to do it quick
ly
. He had promised to meet Brian during visiting hours today, and Brian would be upset if he didn’t have information.

Kenny pulled onto the driveway of her grandmother’s house. He saw her examine him through the blinds with concern, evidently not used to company
as
so many old folks. Maybe he should visit his
grandma…she was the only one ever nice to him growing up. He noticed the woman opened the main door but kept the storm door closed between them. Sad, he thought. If he meant her harm, that certainly wouldn’t stop him.

“Hello, ma’am, I was doing some work for the Johnsons,” he started. He had seen their name on their mailbox.
How convenient, how stupid.
All some people needed
was
association to make them feel comfortable. “And was wondering if you needed any odd jobs done around your house? I’m sure they would provide you a good reference.”

“That’s polite to offer, young man, but my son handles all my upkeep.” She smiled sweetly, just like his grandmother.

“How ’bout the lady ’cross the street? The Johnsons mentioned she was single and may need help around her house?”

“Oh, that’s Caycee, she was only renting. No, she won’t need any help. She left yesterday…she’s getting married and moving away.” Her face looked a little concerned, but she smiled anyway.

Kenny worked to control the distress that surged up inside him.

“Wow, that’s something…where’d she move to?” he asked offhanded, as if it
weren’t
important, just making conversation. Surely, this old woman didn’t get much company and would love to talk about her granddaughter.

The expression on Caycee’s grandmother’s face changed. She may be old, but she wasn’t ignorant. Just like his grandma.

“I couldn’t tell you even if I knew. She asked me not to tell anyone. Goodbye, son, have a good day.” She shut the door in his face. Just like his family.

Crap! Brian is
gonna
be furious. Kenny drove to the jail, fearful the entire trip. Would Brian give him up? Would he break his end of the bargain because he
’d
failed?

Kenny waited in silence in the pale-grey slathered room.
Claustrophobia washed over him;
his eyes darted around the concrete-block visiting area that had no windows and only a single exit leading to freedom. He could never come here. He could never let them incarcerate him. It would kill him. The thought of being in a cell was no different from what his father did to him growing up—the beatings, the darkness, and worse, the screams from his sister. He could never handle it.

He sat stock-still as Brian stepped to the window and picked up the phone. “So, what do
ya
got for me? Who is he? Did you talk to her?” He wasted no time in chitchat.

“Not quite, but I did what you said. I waited for her to leave work then asked her if she read the letter. She acted as if she didn’t know what I was talking about, so I got a little persuasive, roughed her up a bit.”

“You did what?” Brian lurched to his feet, pressing his fists to his temples as if he
were
able to come through the glass but then regained his composure. His mouth twisted. “Don’t you
ever
put a hand on her again, do you hear me?” He was calmer, but his words still came out in
a rush of anger. “No one touches Caycee but me. Do you understand? That’s all you were supposed to get across.” Brian continued to seethe, but he managed to pull himself together, sinking down in his chair before officers intervened on Kenny’s behalf.

Kenny wasn’t sure what to do. If he told Brian Caycee was getting married, would he forget about her and move on with his life? Not much of a life it was behind bars. If he didn’t tell him, he wouldn’t know…at least until they released him, then he’d come after Kenny.

“Brian,” Kenny started with trepidation. “I’m sorry, man…it’s over…it’s too late.”

“What do mean?” He bristled. “What’s over? What’s too late?” His tone was demanding… frightening, even behind the glass separating them.

“Her…Caycee, she’s gone. She’s moving away and,” Kenny gulped, “look, man, don’t shoot the messenger. I’ve kept tabs on her for almost six months. She hasn’t done anything but go to college and work. All of the sudden, she’s having coffee with some
schmo
, and then he’s with her every minute for four days and now—”

“Now what?”
Brian’s voice barked into the mouthpiece. “Now what!” he repeated, enraged. “Say it! What happened to Caycee?” Brian slammed the phone against the partition separating him from freedom. The guards started toward him, clubs drawn, ready to inflict pain.

Kenny winced at the scene, deciding to assuage Brian’s concerns. “Nothing happened to Caycee, Brian, she’s okay, but…she’s married, dude.”

The conversation halted as Brian slammed the phone against the glass again. The waiting guards had had enough and dragged Brian from the room, each latching onto one of his arms.

“No!” He heard Brian’s tortured peal
.
H
is scream pierced the air as if Kenny
had
thrust a knife into his heart.

Kenny knew without a doubt Brian would call tonight, tell him he would turn him over as his accomplice. He should leave town. But where would he go? He left the jailhouse distraught, his head lowered, hoping no one recognized him. All he wanted was to seep into the ground, disappear and start a new life.

63

After returning from their hike, Jaynee decided to take a nap before dinner but awoke to a dark and quiet hotel room. Only the soft blue lights of the Venetia
n
’s gardens shone through the cracks in the curtains. Her hand patted the space next to her, searching for her husband, but came up empty. Instead, she heard crinkling as her hand stumbled on a piece of paper. She flicked on the lamp, her heart skipping fearfully. Had he left her? Had he decided it was too much? Oh, God, please no. Her breath caught in her throat as she unfolded the hotel stationary.

My Beautiful Wife,

I made reservations for seven at Emeril’s, which I hear is quite delicious. I anxiously await your presence downstairs. I thought of waiting, but I knew we would never make it out of t
he suite. I hope you don’t mind;
I purchased you a gift. I couldn’t resist. The dress will look fabulous on you. It will bring out the green in your eyes, and oh how I anticipate removing each individual button to reveal what’s underneath afterward. My heart longs for your arrival. Please hurry!

Yours forever,

Jordan

Instantaneous relief melted through her. How could she have considered for a second that he’d left her?

She saw the dress hanging on the back of the door. When did he get it? How had he had time to shop? She must have slept longer than she thought, or maybe yesterday…the woman at the boutique.

The evening gown was an elegant, deep-emerald green. It had a plunging neckline with delicate gold buttons all the way down where they met the bottom of the dress which was cut in an upside down V, and then the rest of the gown angled to floor length. Next to the dress were other accompaniments. A box she assumed held shoes and another she wasn’t certain of its contents. She reached for the package and lifted the top. It contained an entire ensemble of what she could only imagine she was to wear under the dress, also in deep green.

Blood coursed through her veins;
she felt as if her heart would crash through her chest. Everything seemed surreal, but beautiful. She thought of Jordan waiting, and her mind soared.

Her hands shook in anticipation, making it difficult to apply her makeup. She really didn’t need any; her face was still glowing from the facial and the sun today. She applied a little eye shadow, just enough to bring out the green…as he suggested. She opted for a neutral peach slightly brighter than her skin tone then lined the rims of
her eyes with a darker bronze color and lastly applied a layer of mascara.

The lingerie fit flawlessly, which somehow she never doubted. The dress followed every curve of her body without clinging. The V-neck plunged enough to be sexy without showing excess cleavage, and the cut at the bottom opened high enough to see the front outline of the lower half of her legs. The shoes were black velvet with straps around the ankles and an attractive high heel.