Sin With Cuffs (11 page)

“Whether she guessed what we were doing, she’ll always think what she wants to. And I see she’s still capable of getting a rise in your blood pressure,” he said in a gentle tone.   

“Yeah. Maybe.” Turning away, Holly stared through the window of the door, expecting Vicki to storm in again. “Now she’ll be out for blood since grandma left me the house and the money. I’ll have her breathing fire down my neck along with some jerk painting up my house and breaking my windows. Life is grand.” She went to the refrigerator and took out two bottles of water, handing him one. Opening hers, she drained half in one gulp, but the water did nothing to ease her nerves.

“Maybe she’ll leave town now that the funeral is over.”

Recapping the bottle, Holly looked at him. “Sadly, I hope so .Maybe if I gave her the money it would satisfy her,” she said.

One brow snapped up and his mouth twisted. “Are you kidding? Is that what you want to do? From what I understand of greedy people, they are never content.”

“You’re right. She’d probably want more and more until she had everything. I can’t allow her to do that. I want the house to remain in the family and I especially don’t want grandma’s money to finance my mother’s expensive tastes.”

Liam checked his watch. “I’m sorry, I’ve got to go.”

“I understand. You’re still in uniform.” She winked.

“Are you disappointed we didn’t get to finish?” he asked.

 “I’d hoped to be wrapped around your manliness right now, but there’s always later.”

His eyes brightened. “Can I see you this evening?”

“To renew what we’d just shared?” She suffocated the urge to lick her bottom lip.

“I’m not a jerk just looking to get my rocks off.”

“Why not? We’re good at sex. Like you said, we’re adults.”
So much for not coming on too forceful.

 “Let’s see where this path leads us.” He moved toward the door. She knew he was on a fast getaway. He opened it and started to walk out, but stopped and looked over his shoulder. “Keep your doors locked. We’ll figure out who is doing this. I promise.”

“Before you leave, tell me who reported the vandalism?”

“It was an anonymous caller.”

She inhaled and exhaled. “I’m not surprised. How can a stranger get by with so much?”

“Trust me, Holly. I will get to the bottom of this.”

Against everything that had happened, all of her logical reasoning and pain over the past, she believed in him. He’d never let her down, even when they were kids. Whenever she’d needed a shoulder to cry on, he’d stepped up.

She bid him farewell with a smile and then he was gone. The room grew colder and her heart even pained. She couldn’t allow her emotions to get all coiled up in this fantasy-like connection she shared with him.

Energy flowed through her like a mad river. Curiosity made her dial a familiar number. Vicki answered, “Did your friend finally leave?” Her catty tone scraped against Holly’s nerves.

“I’m heading to the diner for a bite to eat. If you want to talk, meet me there,” Holly said and hung up.

* * * *

Holly waited in the corner booth where she’d sat with Liam. A few minutes later, Vicki walked in, alone. Watchdog James was missing. Holly thought her mother and new husband did everything together. Holly wouldn’t complain about his absence. Something about him unsettled her.

As Vicki walked by, the other patrons lowered their heads or turned away. No one greeted her, but Vicki didn’t seem to notice as she busily tapped away on her cell phone. When she did glance up, she rolled her eyes. “Maybe you could have picked a better spot?” Vicki almost snarled the words as she sat down in the booth.

“We’re in Raven. What other choices are there?” Holly hoped the other patrons sitting close didn’t hear her mother’s snooty remark.

“How about mother’s house, or should I say,” Vicki paused for dramatic effect, “
your
house? Although, you did throw me out, so I take it that I’m uninvited.” She fluffed her blonde nest. Holly started to answer but Vicki didn’t give her an opportunity. “I hope they serve low fat meals.” Vicki grabbed a menu from the wire holder.

“I’m glad you’re having more than your usual liquid lunch.” The words spilled from Holly without thought. The icy glare Vicki snared her with warned Holly her mother was ready to pounce.

“My, my…that Chief of Police is having a bad influence on you, young lady. Maybe you should think before you speak.”

“I apologize. I guess some things have changed, for the better.” Holly breathed in deeply and exhaled slowly. “Where’s James? I expected to see him too. I figured he doesn’t like being holed up in the suite.”

“He ate something that didn’t settle well on his stomach. He decided it was best to stick around the room. But, you’re right. He
is
getting a bit anxious stuck in this town with its interesting people.” Vicki sniffed.

“Hopefully he’ll feel better soon. Are you two still planning to leave this weekend? I remember you saying you had plans,” Holly asked.

“Our plans altered. I think we’ll stick around a little while longer.” Holly’s stomach twisted. She knew how much her mother hated Raven. “But one never knows what a day can change.”

Vicki’s words were loaded, but Holly didn’t want to guess the hidden meaning.

The young, pretty server, Danielle, approached the table. “What can I get you ladies?” she asked.

“I’ll have a cheeseburger platter and water,” Holly ordered.

“You can start by wiping the table. There are food crumbs left here older than you are, child. It’s disgusting.” Vicki ran a finger along the top then wiped it on the paper napkin.

Danielle’s cheeks pinkened. Holly wasn’t sure if the young girl was angry or embarrassed. It wouldn’t be the first time Vicki’s impolite demands made someone hurt or angry. The tension grew as Danielle stood there, staring at Vicki as if she wanted to tell her something. Finally, Danielle said, “I’ll clean the table. Can I get your order first?”

“I’ll have a salad, no dressing, and bottled water,” Vicki said.

Danielle dragged her gaze from Vicki to Holly. She offered the young girl a smile of understanding. She’d worked in a restaurant for over ten years and knew how rude customers could make a waitress miserable.

Danielle made her way to a side table and came back with a wet cloth.

“Here, I can wipe it down, Danielle. I don’t mind.” Holly took the damp towel.

Vicki’s sigh seemed to vibrate the room. “That’s her job, Holly. Allow her to do it without your interference.”

Holly’s patience thinned. Danielle stood quietly, with her hands clasped. Holly recognized the uncertainty in Danielle’s expression. It wasn’t long ago that Holly had been the same unsure girl standing before Vicki, waiting anxiously for approval. The girl captured Holly’s compassionate side. “Danielle, you can go ahead and place our order. I’ve got this covered.” Holly winked in a silent message. When the girl was beyond earshot, Holly turned her gaze on her mother. “That was rude. She’s young and from what I hear, a damn good server.”

Vicki didn’t show one shred of apology or kindness. Instead, she seemed preoccupied with removing a string hanging from her jacket. “She’s a disturbed girl who is hiding something.”

“Mother!” Holly looked across the room to see if Danielle had overheard. “You don’t know her.”

“I know all I need to know. She can’t clean a table and she’s as mousy as Cousin It from that show you loved as a kid.”

Holly clasped her hands in her lap. She’d been called mousy too by her mother. “Why did you want to see me?”

“Did you read your letter?”

Holly sat back into the booth. “No, not yet.”

“I’d like to read it,” Vicki said.

“Why?” Holly knew where this headed.

“I just think it’s fair.” Vicki tapped her long fingernails against the table.

“No. It’s for me to read.” Holly refused to give in to the ridiculous request. “I’m guessing you read yours.” Vicki didn’t respond. “You didn’t?”

“I did.” Vicki shifted uncomfortably. “I guess Mother decided to give me one last lecture on forgiveness, understanding and how a good girl behaves. I guess the old lady got the last word in after all.” Vicki straightened her spine and cleared her throat, as if she prepared for a long speech. “About the will. I’m hoping you’ll reconsider.”

“Reconsider what?”

“You know what I want.”

“I really don’t know what you want,” Holly said. “I’ve never been able to do anything that has made you happy.”

“Don’t be silly, dear.” Vicki waved a slender hand through the air, as if she could make Holly’s feelings disappear. “Think again on taking the house and the money. You don’t want to live in this town all of your life.”

Holly looked at her mother, checking for any signs of affection or understanding. She reminded Holly of a beautiful, empty box. Vicki’s looks would fade, and what would remain? Holly hated the lonely life her mother headed for. “Mother, there is nothing for me to think over. I didn’t ask for the money or the house, but Grandma had her reasons and I will stand by them.”

“Really?” Disbelief twinkled in her pale eyes.

Holly breathed in, filling her lungs with sweet air. “Yes, really. I won’t change my mind.”

“I suppose you did have more time with her than I did,” Vicki stated.

Holly didn’t miss the jealousy and accusation that dripped from her mother’s words. “She raised me. Of course I was with her more. I didn’t ask you to stay away. You were preoccupied with whatever handsome face held your attention at that moment.”

 “And I didn’t have a role in raising you? Not one sliver?” Vicki moved her hand in a jerky motion. Her gold bracelet dinged loudly against the table, causing several patrons to turn their heads. Holly guessed they’d been listening anyway.

Not wanting the whole news of family dysfunction blared across town, Holly lowered her voice and said, “You dropped me off here. You told me you needed a break, and then you vanished. Once in a great while you’d show up, but only when you needed something. So, yeah, not one iota in the raising of me.”

Vicki laid her clasped hands on the table. Each time she moved the trinket on her bracelet chimed against the table, like a siren of warning that she planned to blurt something unreasonable. “And you blame me? I was a single parent. Where was your father?”

“How do I know? Do you even know who the lucky sperm donor is?”

Vicki’s mouth fell open. “How dare you! You didn’t see tramp written on the side of my house, did you? I wasn’t having sex with the chief in the kitchen, was I?”

Holly couldn’t have been more flabbergasted if her mother had slapped her. The path they headed down remained overgrown with bitterness and hostility. “I know you regret having me,” she said. “You’ve reminded me of your disappointment each and every day, especially when you told me you wish you had “taken care” of the pregnancy. What do you think that does to a kid? Makes them feel special?” Tears flooded her eyes, but Holly pushed them away. She couldn’t allow her mother to pull the strings of emotion another day. Vicki would never change, no matter how many years aged her. “I feel sorry for you.” Holly held her mother’s cold gaze.

“Sorry for me? Let me tell you, I feel sorry for you! When will you stop allowing
that man
to treat you like his slut? Wasn’t it enough that he married another woman? How much more will you let him humiliate you?” Vicki dripped animosity. “When he humiliates you, I fall into that same muddy puddle and I don’t appreciate being made fun of.”