Taking care of her son, Nicole battled the urge to cry. She wasn’t entirely sure what had just happened, but part of her couldn’t help but feel like it was all a huge trick, one more horrible hit on her heart to attempt to break her. She took pride in her strength and resilience, but her mother acting so completely out of character shook her.
And there was that little matter of divorce. Fran had said she was divorcing Nicole’s father. Since neither of them believed in divorce, Nicole wasn’t at all sure how to take this statement.
Jacob cooed, coaxing a smile from her. One thing Fran had said resonated to Nicole’s core. Her mother claimed she loved Jacob, that she desperately now wanted a relationship with her grandson. Nicole had wished for that very thing for so long that she was now afraid to trust it. If it happened, when it happened, the thought brought her the potential for so much joy. Or so much anguish, if she were to learn the possibility had been a lie.
Finally, once Jacob had been changed, fed and burped, Nicole carried him with her back to the kitchen. Fran sat across the table from Kyle in silence. Kyle jumped to his feet the instant he saw her, mumbled something about needing a shower and bolted for his room.
Fran looked up, her dejected expression disappearing when she caught sight of Jacob. In fact, she visibly softened. “There’s my little man,” she cooed. “Nicole, can I hold him?”
Instead, Nicole continued to hold her son while she studied her mother. “He’s three months old now, Mom. Don’t get me wrong—I’m thrilled that you’re taking an interest in him now. But I want to know what’s really changed?”
Another woman might have pretended ignorance. But Fran Shelton had always stood by her convictions, wrong or right. She lifted her chin and met her daughter’s gaze straight on. “I’ve changed,” she said. “It would be easy to give you an excuse for the way I acted before, but there really isn’t any. Looking back, I realized I don’t like the person I was.”
Nicole nodded, but she still couldn’t make herself move. Though she’d spent her entire life longing for her mother to be more…well, motherly, this change in attitude seemed to come up out of the blue. She was afraid to trust it. Because if she let herself believe, even with a tiny fraction of her being, and then Fran let her down, she knew the pain would be much, much worse. In fact, she didn’t know if she could bear it.
“I understand you’re skeptical,” Fran continued. “But I mean it, Nicole. I’m starting over. I’ve quit the church, I’m leaving your father and I’d love it if you’d allow me a second chance with you and Jacob.”
“This is a lot to take in, all at once.” Still Nicole prevaricated. “Where are you going to live?”
“I’m keeping the house,” Fran answered. “Your father has agreed to move into an apartment in town. I think he’s a bit shocked, but more relieved than anything.”
Nicole sank into a chair, still holding Jacob. She wasn’t sure what to say.
“Please.” Fran swallowed. “I’m not sure what else I can do to convince you. But you should know this. I will defend you and my grandson to anyone who dares say anything now that his true parentage is known.”
“Will you?” Nicole locked gazes with her mother. “And what about Kyle? Will you defend him too?”
For once, at the mention of Kyle’s name, her mother didn’t look away. “Yes,” she answered. “I will. If you love him, I’ll learn to love him too.”
Telling herself she would not cry, Nicole held out her one free arm. “Come here.”
They hugged, Fran taking care not to hug too hard and smoosh Jacob. They’d just broken apart when the front door slammed open and Kyle rushed into the kitchen.
“The Mabrys just pulled up,” he said. “Do you want me to send them away?”
Nicole looked at her mother, who shrugged. “Maybe you should call the police,” Fran said.
“No. Mom, will you hold Jacob? I’ll go out there and see what they want. I’m not letting them in the house anywhere near Jacob.”
“Are you sure that’s wise?” Fran frowned. “This can’t be anything good.”
“I’m sure.” After handing Jacob over to her mom, Nicole took a deep breath, trying to quiet her pounding heart.
“I’m going with you,” Kyle announced. “Because I agree with your mother. The Mabrys are most likely looking for trouble. I won’t let them hurt you.”
This comment gave Nicole pause. Before Theresa had tried to kidnap Jacob, Nicole never would have believed her in-laws to be capable of violence. “Good idea,” she told Kyle. “Make sure you have your phone too, just in case we need to call 911.”
Fran’s eyes grew huge. “Okay.”
Right before Nicole reached the front door, Kyle grabbed her arm. “Are you absolutely certain you want to do this?”
“No,” she admitted. “I’m terrified. But I have to face them sometime. I refuse to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder for them and trying to hide. Except for recently, after the death of their son, I always found the Mabrys to be reasonable people. I hope once I explain, they’ll understand.”
His steady gaze searched her face. “I’m not counting on that.”
“One can only hope,” she replied.
With him right behind her, they headed out the front door.
Dan and Theresa had gotten out of their car, though they hadn’t yet made it out of the driveway. Dan had Theresa’s arm and appeared to be trying to argue with her. Since she had her back to the house, Dan caught sight of Nicole and Kyle first.
Before he could say anything, Theresa spun around to face them. The stark pain in her face was not what Nicole had expected. But then again, she’d had no idea what to expect.
“You…” Words apparently failing her, Theresa took a few steps toward Nicole. Her husband kept hold of her arm, probably as a precaution.
Just like Kyle stayed close to Nicole’s side.
“Hello, Theresa,” Nicole said quietly.
With her jawline tight, Theresa came closer. “I want to know if what your mother claimed was true. Is Jacob really that man’s son?” Her gaze swept over Kyle, registering her distaste.
“Yes. I’m sorry. But I can assure you, Bill knew. I told him before I accepted his marriage proposal.”
Twin spots of color bloomed in the older woman’s pale cheeks. “I don’t believe you.” Still the cold and measured tone. This worried Nicole almost as much as if Theresa had been screaming.
“Believe me or not, it’s the truth. I’m sorry you had to hear it the way you did. I’d planned to tell you eventually, but—”
“Did you?” Theresa glared. “You money-grubbing, hateful little b—”
“Enough.” Dan cut his wife off before she could utter the insulting word. “Theresa, you insisted we come here so you could hear the truth from her mouth. You have. We’d best be getting home now.”
But Theresa didn’t move. “I want you out of my son’s house. You and that bastard child of yours.”
Nicole gasped. But before she could speak, Kyle stepped forward. “You need to get off my property. Now.”
“Glad to.” Still gripping his wife’s arm, Dan tried to steer Theresa away.
“I’m not finished,” she said, attempted to jerk herself free.
Gaze narrowed, Kyle shook his head. “Keep it up, Theresa. I might have to ask the fire department’s arson investigator to consider you a suspect in the fire at Nicole’s house. Since they were legally married when they bought the house, now that she’s a widow, that house does belong to her. Community property.”
Theresa’s mouth worked, but no sound came out.
“Leave,” Kyle reiterated. “There’s absolutely no need for you to treat Nicole like this.”
“No need?” Dan spoke up, a kind of calculated fury in his eyes. “All this time, she’s let my wife and me believe Jacob was our grandson. I just don’t understand why she—and our son—didn’t tell us the truth.”
“Because of this,” Nicole answered softly. “Jacob is a baby. None of this is his fault. None of it. We’d agreed to wait to tell him until he was older.”
“Come on, Theresa.” This time, Dan’s attempt to redirect his wife was successful. Without another word, the couple got into their car and drove away.
“Is that true?” Kyle asked, once they’d gone. “The reason why Bill didn’t tell his parents the truth?”
“It was my truth.” Nicole sighed. “Bill and I never discussed it. Honestly, I assume he didn’t inform his parents because he felt it would make him look weak.”
Once they’d gotten inside the front door, Kyle stopped. “I’m going to go out for a while,” he said. “Will you be all right here with your mother?”
Slowly, she nodded. “Are you okay?”
“I don’t know. I’ve got a lot to think about.” With that, he walked away.
After he’d gone, Nicole took several deep breaths, trying to calm herself back down. She knew her mom would have questions, and she wanted to be able to answer them as clearly as possible.
* * *
Since from what he could hear, Nicole and her mother were getting along just fine, Kyle felt no qualms about leaving them alone together. He needed to get out and clear his head. All the time he’d been in Afghanistan, when he’d thought of his hometown, he’d thought of peace and quiet. He’d always regarded Anniversary as a sort of bucolic place, isolated and insulated, serene and restful. Not a place of murder, arson, intrigue and nonstop drama.
Since it was a small town, everyone knew everyone else, and as a result, gossip sometimes ran rampant. He’d figured boredom drove people to find something interesting to talk about and, like everyone else he knew, took the gossip in stride.
Funny how rapidly that outlook changed when talk was about someone you loved.
Instead of taking his truck, he thought he’d take his Harley for a spin and head into town. Since the accident, he’d been a bit leery of driving the bike, but he knew he had to get back on soon or he’d never ride again.
He’d barely gotten his garage open when a marked squad car pulled up and blocked the exit to his driveway.
A uniformed sheriff’s deputy emerged and walked up to Kyle. Tall, thin and bald, he wore mirrored aviator sunglasses and walked with authority. Kyle didn’t recognize the man, which meant he must have been hired during the time Kyle had been away.
“Kyle Benning?” the deputy asked. His name badge read Deputy Perkins.
“That’s me. Can I help you?” Kyle asked. Now what?
“I need to talk to Nicole Mabry. Is she here?”
“Yes.” Kyle pulled the garage closed. “Can I ask what this is about?”
“I need to speak with Ms. Mabry.”
Of course. Kyle turned and headed back toward the front door. “Follow me.”
When he walked into the kitchen with the deputy right on his heels, Nicole looked up, her initial smile freezing. “What’s going on?” she asked quietly.
“We apprehended Dan and Theresa Mabry a block from here and they’ve been taken into custody,” Deputy Perkins replied.
Nicole gasped. “Why?” she asked. “What did they do?”
The deputy heaved a sigh. He hadn’t removed his sunglasses, despite being inside the house. Kyle found that both annoying and amusing.
“Sheriff Cantrell asked me to inform you in person, since this will be all over the evening news.” Perkins pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket and began to read. “As of ten a.m. this morning, the ATF, in conjunction with local authorities, conducted a widespread sting operation. Part of this operation centered on Mabry Trucking Company.” He paused for dramatic effect before continuing. “Several refrigerator semitrailers were apprehended, as well as over 500 pounds of marijuana and several million dollars of cocaine.”
“What?” Nicole interrupted. “Are you kidding me?”
“Unfortunately not, ma’am. If I may continue?”
Nicole gave a jerky nod of her head.
“Dan Mabry is suspected of importing drugs, primarily cannabis and cocaine, for distribution here in Texas and points eastward. The drugs were hidden alongside legal loads when they made deliveries. Seven other individuals, including some of the truck drivers, have either been arrested or have warrants issued for their arrest.”
When Nicole swayed, Kyle hurried over to her side. He slid his arm around her shoulders, offering his support.
For a moment, no one spoke. Even Fran, normally so outspoken, appeared to have been stunned into silence.
“Is there anything else?” Nicole finally asked, her voice wavering slightly.
“If there is, I wasn’t instructed to pass it on,” Perkins replied. “Thank you for your time. My understanding is that the press will soon be descending in swarms upon our little town. You’d better brace yourselves, because once they learn of your connection to these people, they’ll be camped outside your front door.”
Kyle swore, drawing the deputy’s attention. “No need to see me out,” Perkins told him. “I can find my own way.”
Once he’d gone, Kyle helped Nicole into a chair. Fran still held baby Jacob, who’d fallen asleep and managed to remain that way all through Perkins’s discourse.
“I wonder if they timed the raid so the Mabrys were gone?” Nicole mused. “Apparently they were here when all this was going down.”
“That was probably only a coincidence.” Kyle kneaded her shoulder. “I have to wonder if Bill was the mastermind of all that, if his parents even knew. They may not have even been involved.”
“Involved?” She gave a humorless laugh. “Bill and his mother were joined at the hip. While I think that he was probably the one that set the entire thing up. I wouldn’t be surprised if his mother not only knew, but helped plan shipments. Dan’s the only anomaly. Theresa may or may not have brought her husband in on the scheme.”
“Drugs?” Fran finally spoke up. “Bill Mabry was moving drugs?”
“And distributing them,” Kyle confirmed.
Fran looked from him to her daughter. “But he was a deacon in the church.”
Nicole only shrugged. “You truly had no idea what kind of man Bill was, Mom. He was awful.”
“Awful?” The disbelief in Fran’s voice, even now, had Kyle clenching his jaw.
“Awful might be too gentle a word,” Nicole replied. “He treated me like his possession, believing he had me cowed into not having an original thought of my own. He drank and when drunk, he used me as his very own punching bag. I’d started saving money, every penny I could out of my grocery allowance, because as soon as I had enough, I planned to take Jacob and run as far away as I could.”
Stunned, Kyle swallowed hard. If Nicole’s mother hadn’t been there, he’d have Nicole in his arms right now and would be kissing her senseless.
Instead, he watched myriad expressions play across Fran’s face. First shock, then disbelief, anger and, finally, sorrow. “I didn’t know,” Fran cried. “You never told me.”
Nicole eyed her mother. “Seriously, Mom? Why would I? You would have refused to believe me. You and Dad made it clear to me that I was on my own once I got pregnant. You threatened to throw me and my unborn child out into the street with only the clothes on my back if I didn’t marry the man you handpicked—Bill Mabry.”
Again, Kyle wanted to kiss her. More than that, he wanted to cover her body with his and make love to her until he’d driven the past from her mind.
“But—” Fran began.
“No,” Nicole interrupted. “Don’t say another word. I’m going to try really hard to work on this new person you say you’ve become, but it’s difficult when I remember the kind of mother you were.”
Though baby Jacob still slept, Nicole extracted him from Fran’s arms. “Go on home, Mom. I need some time alone to think. We’ll talk again tomorrow.”
Then, carrying her son, Nicole left the room without a backward glance.
Though he wanted to follow her, Kyle showed Fran out instead.
* * *
Once she’d reached the safety of her temporary bedroom, Nicole put Jacob down in the small bassinette. He hadn’t woken at all, despite the shuffling from his grandmother to his mother.
She felt like a fool. Just as she had in the early days of her marriage to Bill, she’d allowed herself to hope based on words. Her mother had given her pretty words, soft words, and said things Nicole had longed to hear. But if Bill had taught Nicole anything, it was that actions were what really mattered. All the apologies and promises in the world meant absolutely nothing unless they were followed up by action. Reality rather than promises.
The truth of this sliced her open, exposing a gaping, painful wound in her psyche that she’d convinced herself had long ago healed. A hundred times she’d wanted her mother to love her, to help her, to be there with comfort and a smile and wisdom, only to understand that this matronly version of Fran did not exist. Never had, never would.
Until today. Fran had done the one thing Nicole would have sworn she’d never do. She’d announced to the entire town, including her church, especially her church, the truth about Jacob’s true father. Was this enough to indicate Fran truly had experienced a major epiphany?
Nicole wasn’t certain she believed it. She wasn’t sure she’d survive if she allowed herself once again to hope, only to realize Fran truly hadn’t changed.
Why now? She wondered, sitting down hard on the edge of her bed. What could her mother possibly have to gain by pretending she wanted to mend fences she’d torn down and destroyed years ago?
Exhausted from trying to decide, Nicole crawled up onto her bed and underneath the covers. She closed her eyes and willed herself to sleep. Maybe a nap would help her regain perspective.
Miraculously, she must have fallen asleep.
When she next opened her eyes and stretched, she felt better. And then she turned over, to find Kyle lying on the bed next to her, sound asleep. He was shirtless, wearing only a pair of shorts. The sight of his muscular body made her mouth go dry.
Damn how badly she wanted him.
Temptation had her curling her toes. She remembered, oh how well she remembered, them napping wrapped in each other’s arms. The first to awake had delighted in arousing the other and every single time, they’d ended up making love.
Shaking with need, she put her hand on his chest, splaying her fingers so she could feel the steady beat of his heart.
His eyes opened, those glorious green eyes. Unclouded by sleep, blazing with a desire that matched her own.
She allowed this to embolden her. In this moment, fraught with sexual tension and the promise of fulfillment, nothing else mattered. They would lose themselves in each other, and the outside world would disappear.
He reached for her and she stilled him with a shake of her head. “Don’t move,” she told him. “Let me do this first. No touching until I say so.”
This was something she’d always wanted to do. A younger Kyle, less disciplined than this elite soldier he’d become, had always refused. She held her breath, waiting to hear if he’d refuse again.
To her surprise, he agreed. Lying propped up on one elbow, he watched her. It took every ounce of self-control she possessed not to pounce on him and cover his body with hers, but that would defeat her purpose. Eventually, she planned to be on top, to control their movements, but first, she thought she’d see how far she could go without letting him touch her.
“Roll over on your back,” she ordered. He complied, the bulge in his front a testimony to how all this affected him.
Slowly, she stripped off his shorts. He wore no briefs underneath. A surprise. The strength and size of his already aroused body made her melt. When she reached for him, he called her name, his voice husky.
“Nicole, take off your clothes. If I can’t touch, at least let me look.”
At first, she thought her hands were trembling too much to accomplish this, but after she’d pulled her T-shirt off, she managed to unhook and remove her bra. Her breasts felt tight, not just her engorged nipples either. Arching her back, she removed her shorts and then her panties. Because the tension made her ache, she rubbed herself on him like a cat. His hands came up, but she hissed a warning and he lowered them back to his sides.
She took him into her mouth, slowly, savoring the unique taste and feel of him. When she moved, caressing him with her tongue, he cried out.
Again his hands came up, tangling in her hair. The instant he did this, she pulled back, putting a small distance between him and her overheated body. “No touching, remember?”
Eyes narrowed, he nodded. “I should warn you though, if you keep that up, I won’t be able to control myself or what I do.”
This pleased her. “Good.” She smiled. “I love making you lose control.”
“Do you?” he rasped. “Because Nicole, I’m about to do that right about now.”
As he spoke, he grabbed her, rolling so that his body covered hers. Though she gasped, instinctively arching herself so he could enter her, she pushed at him instead. “I wasn’t done. I want to be on top.”
“Your wish is my command,” he teased, shifting them around and reversing their positions. She pushed up on her knees, hovering over him for a second. Then, because she couldn’t take any more, she lowered herself onto him, taking him deep inside her.
Though she wanted to move slowly, he bucked against her, and the two of them worked in unison. Lovemaking had always been this way with them, electrifying in its passion. Though she remained on top, he pounded into her from below, claiming her with his body. She lost her capacity for thought, for speech. Nothing else existed but this man, the only man she’d ever loved.
Kyle.
She must have cried out his name as the ecstasy built. Cried it out again as she found her release, shuddering, her body clenching around him, bringing him to his own climax.
After, they held each other, letting their perspiration-slicked bodies cool, neither speaking. She loved him and knew, even if he couldn’t admit it yet to himself, that he still loved her as well.
Actions, after all, spoke louder than words.