Whispers of the Falls: Book one (Twelve Oaks Farm Series 1) (19 page)

Shadow sat in his lap and licked his face. Wrapping his arm around the squirming dog he ordered, “Be still.”

The sound of sirens was coming closer. Grant stood, lifted Clay’s dead body, and threw it over his shoulder. He kicked dirt over the blood stain on the ground. Making sure to stay out of sight of the house, he carried Clay’s body into the barn from the back alley, opened the horse’s feed barrel, and dumped his body inside. By the time he placed the lid back on top, his hands trembled.

He hurried to his room and removed his bloody shirt before he raced to the sink and scrubbed the blood from his hands and arms. He grabbed a clean shirt and tugged it over his head. From the window he watched as three police cars wheeled into the driveway sirens still blasting. Sheriff Matthew Collins stepped out from behind the wheel of one of the cars and moved toward the house. Tall and thin he trotted across the yard toward the house, his deputies following close behind.

Nina appeared on the front porch, shot gun still in her hands, and waited for the high Sheriff. She pointed toward the forest.

Grant snuck out the back door of the barn and raced across the pasture.

He didn’t get far when he heard, “Drop your weapon and get on your knees.”

Instantly, he dropped to his knees, placed his pistol on the ground, raised his hands over his head, and shouted, “Don’t shoot. I’m a guest here.”

From behind him he heard Nina’s voice. “No, don’t shoot him. His name is Grant Wilson. He is my guest.”

In slow motion, Grant stood and placed his hands on top of his head. When he turned around, Nina stood in front of him, her hands in the air. Three officers had their guns pointed at him, one of them Sheriff Matthew Collins.

“Explain what is going on.”

Grant looked at the sheriff and wondered how much he should tell him. Perhaps he shouldn’t tell him anything.

Even Nina turned and peered at him waiting for an explanation. “I heard shots. Who were you shooting at?”

In the distance Grant saw Josh step out of the woods leading Midnight by the halter, Thunder following behind. At least they were on the same page and he left Tim hidden somewhere in the forest. Now he could tell Matthew Collins any story he thought he would believe.

The Sheriff asked, “Who is that?”

“My brother, Josh Wilson. A pack of coyotes got after the animals and we tracked them into the forest. They had one of the goats cornered and I shot at them to scare them away.”

The Sheriff holstered his pistol and so did his deputies. The man looked down his nose at Nina. He removed his hat and wiped the sweat off his bald head with his sleeve. “You called us because coyotes got after the animals.”

Face red with embarrassment, Nina stuttered, “I’m sorry. When I heard the shots, I thought maybe Grant was shooting at someone or worse someone was shooting at him.”

Brows drew together in confusion, Matthew Collins asked Grant, “Coyotes don’t usually hunt in the day. They hunt at night.”

Grant squared his shoulders. He had to be convincing so the sheriff would not become suspicious and search the area. “I’m telling you what I saw. Coyotes were just about to pounce on the goats so I took a couple of shots to scare them.”

In a calm voice, Nina offered, “It is not uncommon to see coyotes this late in the day, Matthew. Plenty of times I have seen them stalking the perimeter of the fence. That is why I keep heat on it at all times.”

Palm up, the Sheriff asked, “May I please see some ID?”

Grant pulled his billfold from his back pocket and handed it to the sheriff. He flipped open the billfold and studied the information before he handed it back. “So you are a Marine. What are you doing at Twelve Oaks Farm?”

“I’m on medical leave.” One of the deputies bent and picked up Grant’s pistol and handed it to the sheriff. Before he got a chance to ask, he explained, “I have a permit.”

The Sheriff ejected the magazine, then the bullets and counted each one. “How many shots did you hear, Nina?”

Grant caught the glint of suspicion in her eyes. “I’m not sure.” Bottom lip caught between her teeth, she kept her eyes on him. “Maybe three or four.”

“I only see two rounds missing.”

Sharp, accusing eyes pinned on Grant. “Perhaps I only heard two shots. I was so scared and nervous I’m confused.”

“Sheriff, the dog has blood on his fur.” The deputy moved toward Shadow only to have him bare his teeth and growl.

Nina placed her hand on Shadow’s head. “Shhh, Shadow.” She crouched low and looked at his face where Mark’s blood remained on his fur.

“One of the coyotes jumped him. It’s in his nature to protect the goats.” The hair stood up on the back of Grant’s neck when Matthew Collins looked him right in the eye. Suspicion was written all over his face. Did he know his son had put a hit out on him? Either he knew nothing about the hit or he was an excellent actor. Maybe he didn’t know Clay had even been staying in the pool house.

“Let’s get back to Taylorsville.” In a sarcastic voice, he added, “Maybe someone needs us for something other than coyotes.” He handed Grant his pistol, magazine and bullets.

Relieved, Grant watched them return to their cars and drive out of sight. But then he had Nina to deal with.

“You scared the hell out of me.” She poked her finger against his chest. “You told me you thought someone intentionally left the pasture gate open.” Anger shone from her eyes. “What really happened? I counted six shots.”

“I reloaded. There were so many coyotes.”

Her entire body went rigid. She turned and walked toward the house. Over her shoulder she shouted, “I feel like such a fool.” Her tone was so clear and cold it could have frozen the waterfall.

Instead of going after her, Grant thought she needed time to cool down. However mad she may be, he was just relieved he didn’t have to tell her there was a dead body in the forest and another in the feed barrel.

He fished his phone out of his shorts pocket and called his uncle. “We have a couple of bodies for you to pick up.”

On the other end of the line his uncle asked, “What happened?”

“Randal Collins put a hit out on me. Clay is in the feed barrel in the barn. Mark is in the forest across from the pasture. Hold on just a minute.”

Grant waited until Josh walked Midnight and Thunder into the pasture and shut the gate behind him. In a soft voice he asked, “Where’s Tim?”

“He is in the forest where I shot him. I tied him with my shoestrings.”

Grant glanced at Josh’s shoes and the strings were missing. “Aren’t you a quick thinker?” He put the phone to his ear. “We left one alive. He is in the woods tied up with Josh’s shoestrings.” He explained in detail what happened and closed his phone.

Listening to every word, Josh replied, “I think you should tell Nina what happened in the forest. She may also be in danger.”

“If she finds out I was sent here to investigate her, she’ll insist I leave. She is stubborn and headstrong.” Grant ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. “Who’ll protect her if I’m not here?”

“You are too emotionally involved. Maybe you should let Uncle Tate assign someone to protect her.”

Not knowing what to do, Grant changed the subject. “Let’s go get the goats and other horses.” He slapped his brother on the back and smiled as if it was just another day. “Then we’ll have a big juicy steak.”

The stern expression on his brother’s face made him cringe. He opened his mouth to argue but then slammed it shut. From past experience Josh probably knew it was futile to try to change his mind.

Chapter Fifteen

Nina felt the strain as she sat at the table beside Grant. Maria, Juan, and Josh carried on with a lively conversation as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened today. They laughed and joked as they devoured their steaks.

“More tea?”

Without waiting for an answer, Grant lifted the clear pitcher of golden tea, and filled her glass. When he reached under the table and squeezed her thigh, she wanted to scream at him not to touch her. Instead she clenched her teeth and held her tongue.

As if he didn’t feel her unease, Grant lifted his glass and toasted Maria. “This is the best sweet tea I’ve tasted, Maria.”

She offered an easy smile. “Thank you.” She lifted her glass and replied, “This steak is delicious. Whatever spices you used are perfect.” She tapped her glass to his and giggled, something she rarely did.

Fear snaked up Nina’s spine. Something was going on but she just didn’t know what. Today when Sheriff Collins said Grant had only shot his pistol twice, she knew better. She had heard six shots. Why would he reload if he had only used four bullets? A magazine could hold a total of ten. None of it made any sense to her. Then there was Josh’s arrival. For someone that couldn’t hold down a job, he seemed mighty self-confident to her. Didn’t put her in mind of someone who wasn’t sure of what they wanted out of life. The two brothers always seemed to be whispering about something. Secrets made her nervous.

She lifted her gaze to Grant’s and he smiled. Maybe she was being ridiculous. Life had been so much better with him at Twelve Oaks Farm. He didn’t mind the work, seemed to love the animals. Juan and Maria loved him. She couldn’t imagine her life without him. But then he had made no promises.

Josh walked to the sink and placed his glass and plate in the sink. He turned and placed his hand on his stomach. “I ate too much. I need to work off some of these calories. How about a swim, Juan?”

Juan bounded to his feet. “I’ll go put on my swimsuit!”

“Not before you clear your place, young man.” Maria admonished, “You know the rules.” She moved toward the sink and began loading the dishes into the dishwasher.

Grant stood, pulled her away from the sink, and gave her a gentle push. “I told you Nina and I would do the dishes. Now that you’re no longer afraid of water, go swimming with Juan and Josh.”

Maria looked at Nina. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like me to help clean up?”

She pushed her toward the door. “No, go have some fun. You work too much.”

The moment they were alone, Nina felt the butterflies return to her stomach. She handed Grant her plate and glass. His fingers brushed hers and she felt a jolt of lust.

After he placed the last dish in the dishwasher he filled it with detergent and turned it on. He took her hands and peered into her eyes. “I’m sorry for scaring you today. I made a big to do about nothing.”

She opened her mouth, but he put a finger to her lips. “Please let me explain.” He hesitated as if searching for the right words. “The war is still fresh in my mind. Sometimes I see danger when there isn’t any. You have no idea how many times I almost lost my life. I want to be sure nothing happens to you.”

Unable to look him in the face, she lowered her head and looked at his hands now twined with hers. “I heard six shots, Grant. I know what I heard.” She hated for him to know she didn’t trust him, but she needed to be reassured. Instincts told her something was going on behind her back.

With a calloused finger he lifted her chin so she was looking directly into his brown eyes. “Truth is Josh also shot at the coyotes.”

So he had lied. In a bitter accusation, she asked, “Why didn’t you tell Matthew?”

“Because I didn’t know if he had a permit for his pistol. I wasn’t going to get my brother into trouble. Sometimes he bends the law a little. Mama always said he was the troublemaker in the family.”

She searched his face for deceit but she didn’t see any. A sense of peace settled over her knowing there was a logical explanation for what transpired with the sheriff. She pulled her hand away and touched her fingers to his cheek. “Will you please forgive me for doubting you?”

“On one condition.” His eyebrows rose provocatively.

Nina leaned against him pressing her breasts against his chest. “And what might that condition be?”

“You let me show you the other sex positions tonight.” His fingers slipped into her hair as he touched his lips to hers. He raised his head and peered into her eyes. “I promise you pleasure the likes you have never felt.”

“More pleasure than you’ve already shown me?” Her arms came up to circle his neck, and she pressed her lips to his, and kissed him with passion. “Impossible.” His hands moved to her bottom and he lifted her off the floor pressing her against his rock-hard erection. Love strong and powerful washed through her whole body. She wanted to shout it to the world. The man made her feel beautiful and powerful when he touched her.

The back door opened and Nina pulled away from Grant. She turned the water on to the sink and pretended to wash her hands.

Juan darted to the refrigerator and took out a bottle of orange juice. “Are you two coming out to the pool, or are you gonna’ stay in here and kiss all night?”

Nina felt her face couldn’t get any redder. Grant grabbed the dishtowel, and snapped it against Juan’s rear causing him to yelp in pain. “We’re coming.” Grant pushed him toward the door. “Now get out of here before I box your ears.”

“Hurry up. Josh and I challenge you to a chicken fight.”

“I’ll go put on my bathing suit.”

The moment Nina and Juan left the room, Grant sat down and placed his head in his hands. The lies were taking a toll. It wasn’t easy to look her right in the eye and tell a boldfaced lie. He kept telling himself it was for her own good but the guilt was tearing him up inside.

He took out his phone and punched his uncles’ cell phone number. On the third ring he answered. “You have to end the investigation. Nina is suspicious. If she finds out I was sent here to snoop, she will insist I leave.”

After a few minutes Grant closed his phone. Stomach in knots, he moved to the sink and filled a glass with water. He took slow sips as he stared out the window.

Midnight and Thunder raced across the pasture, their manes and tails blowing in the breeze. The goats were all meandering to the barn because it was feeding time. It was a peaceful scene, but he was a jumble of nerves.

The door opened and Josh walked into the kitchen. He placed a towel on the chair because his bathing suit was wet and sat down. His hands tapped on the tabletop.

“Where’s Nina?”

Josh leaned back in the chair and looked his brother in the eye. “At the pool wearing a black bikini that has me thinking wicked thoughts. She has one more smoking hot body. If I stayed much longer, I feared I would jump her. I told her I was going to get me a beer.”

Grant moved to the refrigerator and grabbed two beers before sitting at the table beside Josh. “I can see why you’re attracted to her. Her body alone has me salivating.”

His guilt intensified. “But I’m not sure where our relationship is going.” He handed one of the beers to his brother. Not wanting to talk about Nina, Grant changed the subject. “Uncle Tate said Tim wasn’t talking. Said he knew nothing about the marijuana crop. Swore he had no part in the death of Detective Shaw. Faced with attempted murder charges, surely he’d divulge what he knows to lessen his prison time.”

“Maybe he doesn’t know anything.” His brother twisted the cap off his beer and took a swallow.

Disappointment rang in Grant’s voice. “Maybe he doesn’t. Could be he was a friend of Clay’s doing him a favor as he claims.”

“What about Mel and Callie?”

“The FBI picked them up the moment they pulled out on the highway. Uncle Tate said they were so scared he didn’t think they knew anything.” Tipping back his beer, he took a gulp before he continued, “Both sobbed like babies when questioned.”

“You do realize you are in love with Nina?”

“I don’t want to deal with that right now. I have too much on my mind. Randal Collins put a hit out on me.”

Josh studied him for a moment before he said, “Don’t change the subject. Have you told her?”

Grant bounded to his feet and began to pace the room. “No, I don’t know what my plans are. I don’t know if she fits into my life.”

“You are more at peace than I have ever seen you.” He swiped his hand through the air. “Why not stay here in paradise and marry Nina? Don’t go back to the war. It almost killed you.”

Eyes snapping with anger, Grant placed his hands flat on the table and glared at his brother. “I can’t throw away nine years of my life. I’m a soldier. That is all I know.”

“With your expertise you could work for the FBI.” A huge smile split his face. “Or you could be a farmer. I would love to see you milk a goat and gather eggs.”

Grant grabbed his brother in a headlock. “So you think that’s funny, bro?”

****

Twilight was creeping in so Nina flicked on the outside lights. The water looked even bluer at night from the glow of the pool lights and the reflection of the sky blue tiles. She took the beer Grant offered her. “Where have you two been?”

“Reminiscing about our childhood.”

Her eyes shifted to the pool house. “I haven’t seen our guests all day. Their car’s gone. Do you think they left?”

His brows drew together. “It has been quiet. Maybe they got bored and went home. I’m glad they’re gone.” He offered his hand. “Come on, let’s take a swim. Juan has challenged us to a chicken fight.”

Nina giggled. “Is that all you men think about? Who has the biggest muscles?” She took his hand and felt her cheeks heat up when her mind wondered to earlier in the day at the waterfall. It had to be her most exciting day ever. If he decided to return to Iraq, she would have some special memories. Deep in her heart she prayed he would stay.

Nina and Grant jumped into the pool and walked to the middle where Josh and Juan waited. She climbed onto Grant’s shoulders. Facing Juan and Josh, she smiled and taunted, “Let’s see if you can knock me off.”

Juan crowed like a rooster and everyone laughed. He asked, “What are we playing for this time?”

Josh replied, “How about the loser fixes breakfast in the morning.”

Sitting on the steps watching, Maria shouted, “I could get used to these challenges. Maybe I’ll never have to cook again.”

“You get to sleep late in the morning, Mama.”

Attention on Maria, Nina wasn’t prepared for the shove she received from Juan. She would have fallen into the water if not for Grant holding to her legs. She gripped her hands in his hair to gain her balance. “Someone wants to play dirty!” She wrapped her hands around Juan’s slender arms and struggled to push him off Josh’s shoulders and into the water. All the work around the farm had her muscles toned, but Juan was also strong from the manual labor. Josh braced his legs and held on tight to keep Juan from being shoved in. Using every muscle in her arms, she gritted her teeth and shoved with all her might. Since Josh and Juan won the volleyball game earlier in the day, she was determined to win the chicken fight. No reason to let Juan and Josh think they could beat them at everything. “Don’t try any of those moves Grant has been teaching you. I don’t want to end up with a black eye or a busted lip.”

“I’ll take it easy on you since you are a girl.”

“Push, Juan. Don’t let a girl beat you.” Josh’s laughter spurred Juan to fight harder. He leaned forward and pushed with all his strength. Nina let go of his arms and Grant stepped to the side. Both Juan and Josh fell in the water.

When they surfaced sputtering and coughing, Grant said, “I’ll have bacon, eggs, grits, and homemade biscuits.”

With a sweep of his hand, Josh pushed his wet hair out of his face. “I’ve never baked a biscuit in my life. I’ll pop open a can.”

“Someone’s having some fun.” All eyes turned and peered at Beth and Lacy watching from the side of the pool.

Josh swam to the side and placed his folded arms on the tile. Dark eyes sparkled as he smiled at them. “Ladies, you’re welcome to join us.”

“My sisters, Beth and Lacy. This is Grant’s brother, Josh Wilson.” Still on Grant’s shoulders, Nina wiggled off and dropped into the water. By Beth’s expression something was bothering her. Arms crossed over her chest, her foot tapped on the tiles.

Nina asked, “Is something wrong?”

Beth tore her eyes away from Josh who was watching her with interest. “I got a call from a friend informing me there was some kind of trouble at Twelve Oaks Farm this afternoon. Did you make a 911 call?”

“Sorry, about that. Everything’s okay. It was just a misunderstanding.” Nina swam to the steps and climbed out of the pool. She grabbed a towel and began to dry off.

In three long strides, Beth was by her side. “If you would have answered your phone, then I wouldn’t have been so worried. I’ve been trying to get you for hours.”

Nina groaned. She should have called Beth and Lacy to explain what happened. Of course they had worried when she didn’t answer her phone. “I left my phone in the house and we’ve been out here most of the evening.”

Beth tucked her arm into Nina’s and propelled her toward the sliding door leading inside. “May I see you in the house?” Without saying a word Lacy followed them inside.