Chapter Twenty-Six
Tyson had been right. The cemetery had been hit and Eric felt violently ill. His mother’s headstone had been the worst hit.
“They know this is important,” Eric said as he picked up a piece of the stone. “I don’t think your grandfather is behind this. I think something else is going on.”
“He wouldn’t condone this,” Lydia said. “He’s a ruthless businessman, but he’s not…malicious.”
A week ago Eric would have argued that, but today, standing over his mother’s grave with his brother, he just didn’t believe it anymore.
“Elias has to talk to us. Why did he want this land? And if he’s not set to destroy it who is?”
Lydia tapped her foot and tightened her lips. “I shouldn’t do this, but…” She looked at Susan then back at Eric. “He’s having a party on your mother’s birthday to celebrate her sixtieth birthday.”
Eric exchanged glances with Susan. It was obvious she only knew her part and not what it was for.
“He always celebrates her birthday, privately,” she told Eric. “But this year it’s bigger. It’s a formal dinner party with people who didn’t know your mother. People who didn’t know our father,” she said.
“Why?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. He asked me to work with Susan and set it up.”
Eric looked at Susan whose eyes had gone wide. “Is that all?”
She looked at Lydia and still said nothing.
Lydia rested her hand on Susan’s arm. “We asked her to sign a confidentiality statement and she did. I can see we made the right choice in caterers. She isn’t even talking now. But that is what she was doing at the house.” She looked at Susan. “I won’t tell him that the agreement was broken in any way.”
“I need to cancel the contract. I can’t do this now. Not when it’s a conflict of interest like this. I love Eric. I can’t hurt him by going through with it.”
Lydia nodded in understanding.
Tyson held up a finger. “Wait. You’re planning the party,” he said to Lydia. “Susan is already embedded. I have a funny feeling that the guest list includes maybe business associates that I don’t know. Maybe it includes someone who is messing with our land.”
“You’re thinking he should have his party and we should gather information,” Eric offered.
“Exactly. Lydia and I can work on getting the guest list and figuring out who everyone is. Susan will be working the room during their lunch. We can certainly keep tabs on what’s going on.”
Eric turned to Susan. “What about Bethany? She’s serving?”
Susan looked to Lydia, who gave her a nod. “I was asked to not use her as a server.”
“My grandfather’s request,” Lydia answered.
“Because she’s Byron’s daughter,” Eric said smoothly as he fit the connection together. “I’ll bet my uncle is on that guest list.”
“Do you think he’s involved?” Susan asked.
“No, I really don’t. I don’t think he’s smart enough or savvy enough. I think he’s being played. And I think Elias is being played too.”
“I’ll head home and see if I can get my hands on that guest list. Grandpa is in his eighties. He often misplaces things,” she said smiling.
“I’ll go with you. Maybe if I get more of this story about my parents, I will know something as well.” He visibly shuttered. “And if I come back calmly maybe he’ll tell me what’s going on.”
They both walked back to Tyson’s truck and then Lydia turned back to them. “Eric, I’m really sorry about your mother’s headstone. I’m sure this was a lovely place and will be again.”
Eric graciously smiled. “Thank you. It will be.”
As they drove away, Eric knelt down next to his mother’s broken headstone. “I can’t believe someone would do this to you. You’ll have a new one. A better one,” he promised.
“Why don’t I leave you alone for a little bit,” Susan offered. “I’ll walk back to your place. You spend some time with her.”
Eric shook his head. “No.” He stood. “She would have liked you, I think. I remember her being no nonsense. You’re like that.”
“Thank you. I’m sure I would have liked her too.”
Eric took her hand. “Glenda likes you. I think your charm and my sad single life got you that job.”
“I’d like to think I got that job on my own credits.”
Eric laughed as he lifted her hand to his lips. “You did. She chose well, for both a caterer and a girlfriend.”
“You said she has us married off.”
“I think she does. Maybe we’ll have to talk about that soon.”
“I’m in no hurry,” Susan quickly said. “I’m not against it. I’m just in no hurry.”
He had to accept that, but as far as he was concerned, she’d stuck by him this week. He’d marry her tomorrow if he could. But he’d wait until she was ready. It didn’t look as though either of them were going anywhere.
It felt right to sleep in Eric’s arms again and Susan was grateful. However, as she laid there, Eric breathing heavily with his chest against her back, she wondered what he would be like when there wasn’t so much drama.
There was no reason for her not to think he’d be as calm as he was the day she’d met him. Taking life at his own pace and not answering to anyone but himself.
She closed her eyes. She remembered falling in love with her ex-husband. She was young and easily persuaded. The whole world revolved around him and she’d have done anything to marry him as soon as she could—and she had.
In the back of her mind would always be the question of when it began to go so wrong. Just the thought of him now made her skin go cold.
Their relationship had turned one day. No explanations. Suddenly everything she did or thought was wrong. He spent more time away from her. She knew it wasn’t another woman, it was his life. A man like him needed the outdoors more than he needed a woman in their cozy house. However, he’d returned more lean and tanned from any of his adventures, but his mood would be foul. She had finally decided it was because he didn’t want to come home to her. The night his fist hit her jaw was the last night she ever saw him.
What would stop Eric from becoming a beast?
He was beaten and bruised because his temper had gotten in the way. Would it happen again?
She just wouldn’t rush into anything else with him. Of course she was sleeping in his bed, again, after only a week of knowing him. But she just couldn’t help it. She was absolutely in love with him.
Eric snuggled in closer and she let herself relax against him. She let herself drift away to the sound of his breathing until she heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps as they moved past the bedroom window.
She sat up with a start and that woke Eric.
“What’s wrong?”
“Someone’s outside,” she said.
He moved quickly to his feet and pulled on his pants. Susan scrambled for her clothes and stopped when she heard the unmistakable sound of her car starting.
“They’re stealing my car!”
Eric pulled his shotgun out from under the bed and headed out of the house with Susan following close behind, pulling on her clothes.
Susan’s car sped away down the road. Eric swung open the door on his truck and then slammed it again. “They freaking sliced my tires!”
He kicked the flat rubber.
“I’ll call the police,” Susan hurried back into the house as Eric walked the perimeter.
Ten minutes later Eric walked in, shotgun still in his hand.
Susan buttoned up her shirt. “Police are on their way.”
“I’ve had enough of this. What the hell do they want? This is just freaking land!” He set his gun on the couch and ran his hands over his hair.
She wished she understood the situation more. How could someone kill off animals and destroy property? Why would someone want to drive them away?
It was three i
n the morning, but they certainly weren’t going back to bed. Susan decided to make a pot of coffee and have it ready when the police arrived. As it brewed, she went to the bathroom and tied up her hair, then texted Bethany to let her know what was going on. It worried her that if they were messing with Eric’s life they’d begin to focus on her as well. She didn’t want to mention that to him, but it was in her head.
The one problem with living so far out of town, it took longer for the police to arrive. It had been nearly forty-five minutes since she’d called before a police car pulled up.
Eric opened the door as the man walked up the front steps.
“Hey, Douglas. How’d you get this crappy shift?” Eric asked as the man took his hat off and stepped through the front door.
“Luck of the draw I guess. So what’s going on?”
“Come in and have some coffee. We have a long list.”
“We?” Douglas asked as Susan walked around the wall from the kitchen. “Oh, look at that. You have a woman here.”
“Don’t act so surprised,” Eric said as he shut the door. “This is Susan Hayes.”
“Ma’am,” Douglas said with a nod. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Likewise,” she said. “Can I offer you a cup of coffee?”
“I’d like that.”
The men followed her into the kitchen.
“I was sorry to hear about your grandfather,” Douglas said as he sat down at the table with Eric. “He was a good man.”
“He was.”
Susan set the coffee carafe on the table and retrieved three cups. “Do you need milk?”
Douglas shook his head. “Black is fine.”
She nodded and sat down next to Eric.
“So you two have known each other awhile?” she asked as she poured the coffee.
Douglas picked up his cup and took a sip. “Yeah. I grew up with Dane. Eric was like everyone’s big brother.”
“That makes me sound old.”
“I said you were like everyone’s brother, not their father. But okay. You acted old enough,” he said on a chuckle. “So, down to business. Your car was stolen?”
“Yes. Someone was outside. I heard them. Then they drove off in my car and sliced the tires on Eric’s truck.”
Douglas pulled his cell phone from his pocket and set it on the table. “Do you mind if I record this? That way I have all the facts.”
“No problem.”
“Great, would you repeat that?”
Susan did as he asked.
“Any reason someone would be out here this far?”
Eric clasped his hands together and let out a breath. “Since my grandfather’s death we’ve had a lot of things going on out here.”
“Such as?”
“Stuff,” Eric snapped out.
“Someone poisoned his cows and horses,” Susan quickly added.
“You didn’t report that?”
Eric snapped his teeth together. “Thought I knew who was responsible.”
“And who did you think it was?”
“Not important,” Eric said as leaned back in his chair.
Douglas ran his tongue over his teeth. “It’s not important. Someone is poisoning your animals, stealing your cars, and slicing your tires and this isn’t important?”
Susan took a quick breath before blurting out, “And vandalizing the cemetery.”
She noticed the quick flash of irritation in Eric’s eyes.
Douglas raised his brows. “Vandalized your cemetery?”
Eric didn’t answer right away. Susan could see the vein pulse at his temple and his fingers tense against his thighs.
“Yes.”
Douglas cracked his thumbs. “You haven’t changed, huh? Eric Walker is always bigger than the world. He can handle anything on his own?”
She watched as Eric’s eyes narrowed and the glare intensified.
“Sometimes, Walker, I think you make this crap up to look tough.”
The vein on the side of Eric’s neck thickened as his jaw tightened.
“This is why you pay taxes, Walker. The police are here to protect you and keep your family and crap safe. How are we supposed to do that when you don’t report things?”
“I can handle this.”
“Really? At this point, you can’t even drive away from your house. This is pretty serious stuff.”
Eric pushed back from the table and Susan worried that he’d begin to hit the police officer in front of them, just as he’d obviously done when he’d confronted Tyson in the past week.
He paced the kitchen and just as he turned to take a breath to speak the front door flew open.
“Susan?” Bethany’s voice rang through the house and a moment later she raced into the kitchen, panting. “Thank God you’re here.”
Susan stood and moved to her. “I told you I was here. I texted you.”
“You said your car had been stolen and Eric’s tires cut, but your car is parked outside our house.” She sucked in a breath and looked at Douglas. “Oh, hi.”
He gave her a nod. “Bethany Waterbury?”
“Yes,” she said on an obviously annoyed sigh.
Douglas stood and handed her a business card from his pocket. “I’ve seen all of your movies. You’re pretty gifted.”
“Thanks,” she said, as she looked down at his card. “Douglas Brant?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“You gave me a ticket the last time I was here.”
“I remember.”
“You remember that? It was at least four years ago.”
Susan wondered if Douglas even realized he was grinning at Bethany.
“I was still dishing out tickets back then. You were parked over the line and in a fire lane. You argued with me for at least thirty minutes.”
Bethany crossed her arms in front of her. “And now you’re drinking coffee in my cousin’s kitchen at four in the morning?”
“Believe it or not, this is a promotion.” He shifted his glance to Eric. “Cousin?”
“Byron’s youngest daughter.”
Douglas’s mouth formed an “O” as he looked at Bethany.
“Oh, great,” she growled. “People know Byron Walker and simply roll their eyes when they know I’m his daughter.”
“I didn’t roll my eyes,” Douglas said as he narrowed his gaze. “You’re Violet Waterbury’s daughter?”
“Yes.”
“You’re the spitting image of her.”
“I know.”
Douglas gave her a nod. “You said her car was at home?”
“I live with Susan. She texted me to tell me her car had been stolen. But it’s parked outside the house.”
Susan placed her hands on her abdomen. The adrenaline of the evening had landed like a lead ball in the pit of her stomach.
She noticed Eric’s quick move to her side as he stepped toward Douglas. “I don’t know who the hell is messing with us, but this says they’re too close. I don’t want them near the girls.”
Douglas stood. “Someone is trying to scare you.”
“It’s working.”
“Why don’t you go to your family’s house tonight? Susan, I need your address so I can go by your house.” He turned toward Bethany. “Did you see anything? Hear anything?”
“No. I did my yoga and went to bed. Next thing I knew she texted me and told me her car was stolen and Eric’s tires cut. I decided to come out. When I left, her car was there.”
“I’ll call you,” Douglas said putting on his hat and walking toward the door. “Anything else happens you call me directly.”
Eric nodded. “We will.”
“I mean it,” Douglas reiterated before he walked out the door.
They watched as Douglas drove away, his headlights illuminating the dark road.
Eric shut the front door and turned toward them. “I don’t like this. Someone’s going to get hurt.”
“I don’t understand what they want,” Bethany held her hand
over her mouth. “My father lost the land to the Morgans. Why are they trying to push you off now?”
“I firmly believe the Morgans aren’t part of this. There’s more to it. Someone wants all this land. They’re not going to get it. They’ll have to kill me first.”
That knot in Susan’s stomach tightened. She certainly didn’t like the sound of that.
“Should we call your parents and tell them we’re coming to their house to stay? They should know what’s going on.”
Eric tightened his lips. “I’ll call them and tell them what’s going on. I’ll have Russ set me up with some new tires, but I’m not going to start staying at their house. No one is running me off.”
She could admire that about him. His Walker pride ran deep, but she was scared. She certainly didn’t want to go back to her house and she didn’t want Bethany to either. It looked like the three of them were going to be roommates for a little while. At least until they truly knew what was going on.
Later when they were alone and getting ready for bed, she approached the subject of Douglas Brant.
“You and Douglas have some history together, don’t you?”
“Why do you say that?”
She pulled back the covers and climbed into the bed. “He seemed a bit anxious around you.”
“Like he said, I’m an older brother.”
“There’s something else. The bit about you having to take care of things and making stuff up. That got you angry.”
“He’s just a punk who happens to be a cop now.”
That made some sense. “That bothers you?”
Eric climbed into bed and fell back onto his pillow, his hands behind his head. “Do we need to talk about this?”
“I’m just curious about it.”
“I saved his ass once by lying for him. Who knows, had he gotten in trouble maybe he’d not be a cop now. But as it is, I lied so he wouldn’t get in trouble. I sometimes think he forgets the reason I made stuff up.”
She was certainly intrigued now. “What did he do?”
Eric turned on his side to face her. “I hate talking about things in the past.”
“I’m in your bed after knowing you only a week. I think it’s okay to tell me everything. I want to know who I’m sleeping next to.”
“I haven’t scared you off yet?”
“You’re about to tell me how you covered for a friend. That’s admirable.”
His lips puckered as if he thought she was wrong. “He borrowed my truck for an intimate night with some girl. They got drunk and he crashed it out by the lake. Then he left it there with all the beer cans left in it. When the cops came looking for the owner they came looking for me.”
“Eric, you covered for him? That’s not okay.”
“No one was hurt. My truck was totaled. He was screwing around with some older woman. I don’t know why I covered for him. I guess I had a lot less to lose and a family that would bail me out and still love me. He wasn’t that guy. He didn’t have that kind of home.
“You said you’d crashed the truck?”
He shrugged. “That’s what friends do.”
“Not his.”
“It was a long time ago. We need his help now and I’m willing to let him have his power trip. We all make mistakes.”
Susan snuggled in closer to him. How could she not love a man who took care of everyone?