Chapter Twenty-Six

The next day Jess had errands to run in town including meeting with the banker. “You’re going with me.” Snagging a burning hot cookie she’d just taken from the oven, he bit into it.

“I just took...” Too late. His eyes watered and he made huffing sounds trying to cool his burning tongue. Grabbing the glass of water she held out, he gulped it. “No, I’m not going. I’ll be just fine right here until you get back. Besides, I’ve got more cookies to bake.” She dipped a finger into the batter and licked it slowly from her finger.

His burning tongue was forgotten as a wildly erotic blush of heat tinted his whole body. “I’ve got something you can lick that dough off of.” Waggling his brows, he laughed at the shocked expression on her face.

Raine punched him lightly on the shoulder. “I’ll never be able to bake cookies again without thinking of that wicked suggestion. You’re a mess, Jess Harper, but I love you, anyway. Now, go get your business done and leave me to my cookie baking.”

Jess was barely out of sight when the prickliness crept up her neck. Although positive the house was locked tight, Raine quickly went from room to room making sure. Afterward she calmed down with a cup of coffee. You’re just spooked because you’re not used to being alone. Besides that, per Gordon, Addison’s still locked up.

Unfortunately, Gordon would learn much too late he’d been given the wrong information. By then Addison was stalking his prey.

Ensconced in a hunter’s tree-stand he’d found by sheer luck, Addison had a clear view of the cabin. Now that she was alone, he was tempted to confront the bitch right then but decided to bide his time. Thanks to a handy-dandy map app, he’d already scoped out the appointed meeting place. With its acres of meandering trails, he had to agree it was the perfect place to get rid of a body. Or two. He pictured Robert Ford’s in the cargo trunk in the adjoining motel room.

Feigning hunger, Addison had asked him to get fast food for both and when the PI had stepped away for a minute, he’d drugged his soda. Once the man was down for the count, he smothered him with a pillow. Hopefully, the do-not-disturb sign would deter any nosy maid, and by the time they did find the body he’d be long gone. Smug, Addison sipped coffee from the thermal cup before pulling the new burner phone from his pocket. It had been a while since they’d chatted.

As Raine lifted the cup to her lips the old cell vibrated. A sense of foreboding slithered through her. Addison. After his rage-filled response to her latest taunt he’d gone silent. Until now. And ironically, Jess was gone.

Opening the message, she read. “Just think. Another couple of weeks and I’ll be paying you a visit. I can hardly wait to meet you and Katy at the park. Do you remember how much fun we had hiking through the mountains?” He made it sound like a family picnic, not some volatile meeting that could, and probably would, end in disaster.

Pinching the bridge of her nose, she pondered her decision to not tell Jess what she was up to. When he did find out, Mr. Cranky-Pants Harper would rant at her for days on end. So, it was better to wait until the day of the assigned meeting to confess. He’d still rant and rave, but he’d gather the gang and they’d all converge on Addison. In the meantime, she might as well keep Addison riled up.

“I remember, all right, and it’s too damn bad you didn’t fall off one of those mountains! Come to think of it, I should have pushed you off when I had the chance!” That ought to get him worked up, she thought, hitting send. Sticking the phone back in her pocket, she went back to baking cookies and happily humming.

The phone’s vibrating alerted him she’d responded. Reading it, his temper rose. Once again, he was tempted to attack right then. So, she wished she’d pushed him to his death. The high-and-mighty bitch! He’d give her an extra dose of medicine for that!

While Addison was having a meltdown, Jess had a nagging feeling his bride was keeping something from him, but he’d be dogged if he could figure it out. Fleetingly, he wondered if she’d somehow contacted Addison thinking of luring him into a trap. No, she wouldn’t do that. Or would she? Would she brazenly invite the devil to a come-to-Jesus-meeting? Knowing his spitfire wife, she most certainly would! As he’d heard directly from her lips, “I’m tired of Addison hanging over me.”

Gripping the steering wheel until his knuckles shown white, Jess understood her feelings. Part of him wanted Addison to show up, too. Then he’d make damn sure the scumbag never saw the light of day again. And he was quite capable of making it happen without a trace of evidence and no one the wiser. Men had underestimated his killer-instincts and paid the ultimate price.

The stop at the bank consisted of signing loan papers for the new addition then he was on his way to the feed store. Normally, he’d pull up a chair and join the old fellows but today he gave them a sly wink. “Can’t stay long, boys. I’m a newlywed and the little woman’s waiting for me.” Inwardly he cringed. If Raine heard him referring to her as “the little woman” he’d be sleeping alone for a long time. And that would be after she’d beamed him with her favorite iron skillet!

The old-timers glee-filled hoots followed him to the truck. About a half-mile out of town he remembered his sinfully wicked idea. It was his turn to surprise his very imaginative wife. And knew just the thing, having read it in one of the manuscripts she’d been working on. The dialogue had so turned him on that they’d made love on the living-room floor right then and there.

Practically turning the truck around on a dime, he backtracked to the nearest supermarket. A few minutes later he emerged carrying his surprise while visions of the fun he was going to have that night filled his head all the way home.

The object of his visions was standing at the stove when he walked through the door. Greeted by the combined aromas of fresh-baked cookies and spicy chili simmering on the stove, his mouth watered. “It sure smells good in here.” He planted a kiss on her lips as he passed by headed to the refrigerator. Yes indeed, he was a lucky man. Not only was his wife a passionate, loving woman but she was a great cook, too. What was the old saying about the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach.

Raine eyed the bag. “What’s in there?”

“A little something for later. I’ve got to unload the truck. Lock up after me.”

“Yes boss.” She saluted and received an eye-roll as he went out the door.

A rush of love so intense threatened to suffocate her. God forbid Addison harm him in any way. As if tuned in on her thoughts, the old cell vibrated again. Will the man ever give up!? This time he’d sent a picture: of a belt.

Beyond fed up, she typed: “You don’t scare me. Bring it on! Come and get me!” Hitting send, she tucked the phone away before Jess came back. She still wasn’t prepared to tell him her secret, because when she did, he’d strangle her.

After unloading the truck Jess filled the horses’ feed trough and was rewarded with happy neighs as they munched. He loved spending time up here almost as much as he loved spending time with his new bride. Funny, he reflected, sticking a hose in the watering trough, just how happy he was. In fact, it seemed they’d been married forever instead of only weeks. Just thinking of his beautiful wife sent him meandering into cotton-candy land. So, it took several moments before the sudden agitation of the horses penetrated. Dropping the hose, he pulled the pistol hidden in his boot and started scanning the woods, then circled the building, but nothing seemed amiss and the horses had calmed back down, which eased some of his tension. More than likely an animal had spooked them.

“You ladies need to quit scaring the hell out of me. You’re as jumpy as the rest of us. I just wish you could tell me what the scumbag has up his sleeve.” Ready to head back he had one leg inside the truck when the eerie feeling of being watched came over him. Scanning the woods again, he didn’t see anything but when he got back to the house he’d check the perimeter cameras.

Behind a stand of thick cedars, Addison watched Jess’s movements through binoculars. It was another perfect place to watch the comings and goings of the bitch and her lover. He—couldn’t bring himself to call him her husband. Actually, he kind of felt sorry for the guy. The poor sap hadn’t a clue how devious Raine was and now he was saddled with her.

An image of the latest photos turned his face a raging red. That she found an intimacy with this man as she never had with him scraped a festering wound raw. It was just one more thing to punish her for. Touching his chest through his shirt, Addison felt the scar from the gunshot. Yes indeed, her sins were stacking up higher and higher and soon, very soon, he’d exact payment.

With bated breath Addison watched Jess walk to the cabin then pause at the door. So, they’re keeping the doors locked. Silly people! Raine should know a locked door won’t stop him. It never had before. Then it opened and there she was. Even from this distance there was no mistaking the love shining on her face. For the merest moments sunlight glinted off her shining gold hair. Struck by her beauty, it transported him back to a time before the drugs and alcohol had taken control of him. Sweet memories flooded through him of the times she’d looked at him that way, making him feel he was the luckiest man in the world. Then reality returned as he watched her kissing another man. The pressure cooker inside his head was ready to blow sky high. He needed to start punishing her. He vowed to nail her coffin shut!

Thinking a batch of cornbread would be good with the chili, Raine whipped one up and set it to baking while Jess checked the security monitors. Returning to the kitchen, he checked the oven timer. Fifteen minutes to go. “Since the cornbread’s not quite ready, do I have time for a quick shower? By the way, it smells great.” After taking a small taste from the pot, he continued, “I don’t know what all you put in it, but it’s the best I’ve ever eaten.”

“It’s an old family secret,” her eyes twinkled sassily when she added, “from the orphanage,” then giggled when he gave her a playful swat the backside. “Yes, you have time. If you’re not back when it’s ready I’ll come get you.”

A while later with heads bowed, Jess said grace. Raine appreciated that. She’d tried teaching Katy that blessing their food and asking God’s grace was something very special, but the monster Addison had become hadn’t appreciated any of the finer points she tried instilling in their child.

The mouth-watering chili and the golden-brown cornbread would tempt any hardened dieter. It was after his second helping of both that Jess finally sank back with a satisfied sigh. “I think that’s the best chili I’ve ever eaten.” He was glad he’d stayed in the bathrobe with nothing constricting around his waist. With no kids around he’d been freer with his dress. However, he drew the line at dining in his birthday suit. Something hot, or cold, might get spilled on some very sensitive places.

The compliment sent a rush of guilt through Raine. Keeping secrets did not make for a happy marriage, but she had to keep this one for a while longer. Otherwise, he’d head for Phoenix and pop Addison the second he stepped outside the jail.

Sensing her sudden mood swing, he mistook the guilt for worry and wished for about the millionth time Addison Andrews would disappear off the face of the earth. Suddenly, the earlier inexplicable eeriness overtook him. It must be her unease affecting him, but to be on the safe side he’d check in with Gordon for an update.

While Jess was experiencing his weird feelings, the neck prickling she associated with Addison was so strong it hurt. “You’re just being silly,” she chided herself silently while casually touching her neck. “Get over it and enjoy your alone time with your husband.” Dipping a tiny bit of chili onto her spoon, she put it to her lips. Her appetite was non-existent. But she knew that if she didn’t attempt to eat something Jess would force-feed her himself.

As if reading her mind, he pointed his spoon at the chili. “Eat all of it and you can have a treat. Otherwise, I feed you and you get nothing.”

“Fine!” She stuck her tongue out at him, but spooned the bit of chili into her mouth.

“And you call me cranky-pants!” He teased. “Don’t forget we have a meeting Saturday morning with the architect Cooper and Belle recommended.” The talented man had converted an old barn into a beautiful home for them and the first time Raine and Jess had seen it they’d fallen in love with it. “You’re still going with me, aren’t you?”

“Darn it! I did forget. I promised Cora I’d spruce up her place in preparation for Ethel’s arrival. With her taking the girls it was the least I could do.”

“No problem. We can always reschedule the meeting.” He couldn’t resist another piece of cornbread. Slathering it with sweet cream butter he thought, If he kept eating like this he’d need a wench to get off the chair.

Raine shook her head. “The sooner we get started on the new additions the better. You meet with the architect, and I’ll help at the cabin. By the time you get back I’ll be finished and then it’ll be time for Cora and the girls to be home.” When she started clearing the dishes, he offered to help. “Go catch up on the world news.”

Jess liked to keep abreast of the goings on around the world, especially security situations. He was often called in for consultations. Several schools had requested his advice due to the rising incidents of school shootings. Now that he had children, it was of uppermost importance they be in a safe learning environment. He loved his girls to the moon and back and no one had better harm one golden hair on their heads.

From the corner of his eye he watched Raine store the chili in the refrigerator and wondered how she could miss the cans of whipped cream and cherries. Biting his lip, he asked. “What’s for dessert?”

“The chocolate chip cookies I baked today. I didn’t fix anything else.” She shut the door and headed his way.

“Chocolate chip cookies it is, but I’ll have some later.” There was another kind of dessert he had a hankering for. Looping her arms around him from behind she nuzzled his neck. He turned his head and met her lips.

When they finally parted, she was left breathless. “While you’re checking on what’s going on in the world, I’ll take a shower.”

“If I’m not here when you’re finished, I’ll be in the office. There’s some paperwork I need to look over.” As she turned to step away he patted her cute little backside. That was one of the perks of being married. He could pat his wife’s delectable derriere any time and any place he wanted. Well, almost any time and place, he amended, certainly not the grocery store.

The old roll-around chair creaked in protest when he settled into it and began studying the bank of screens. Everything looked okay so why couldn’t he shake the feeling of being watched? Frustrated, he scrubbed his face. It must be Raine’s anxiety rubbing off on him. The woman was jumpier than a barrel of frogs. Her appetite was practically non-existent and she’d lost weight since their wedding. He’d give his right arm to assure her Addison had no clue where she was, but his gut instincts screamed otherwise, and he always listened to them. They’d saved his backside more times than he could count.

Opening the top drawer he removed a folder containing updates from Cooper’s contact in Arizona. Digging deeper, he’d unearthed more information. Figuring if a man with this dangerous a reputation had one dirty little secret, there were more hiding in the closet. And boy-howdy were there. Cooper’s guy had unearthed investigations into alleged drug dealings, and with a word here and there, it came to light he had a gambling problem owing some pretty hefty debts to some not so savory characters. Jess surmised Daddy Andrews had paid them off since Addison still had both kneecaps.

A newspaper article dating back three years associated Addison’s name with a couple of businessmen who’d gone missing after meeting with him. Though he claimed they’d been fine when they parted, Jess figured Addison knew where the bodies were buried. Literally. The date of the article coincided with the timeline Raine had given as to when he’d become so violent. He’d also bet a hundred bucks she knew nothing about the missing men or Addison would have made sure she kept her mouth shut.