Once again, Daniel didn’t disappoint; he started shoveling it down. Colt and Callon both hesitated until I started to eat and then they dug in. I had about twenty minutes from the time the berries went into their mouths until the side effects would kick in. The only antidotes were the leaves I’d eaten earlier. My dad had warned me to eat them at least an hour in advance to get the antitoxin into the body.
The berries paralyzed the muscles. They weren’t potent enough to stop a person from breathing, swallowing, or blinking, but their arms, legs, and torso would remain immobile. The effects would only last about half an hour to an hour, depending on the dosage. I just needed to make sure the three of them were sitting on the couch or loveseat because I wouldn’t be able to move them if they fell. I didn’t want to hurt them, just have time to get away.
They finished the pie, and I once again gathered up the plates with their help and started cleaning. Colt neared the counter and leaned across the sink full of dishes to look at me.
“
Are you still mad at me?” he asked.
“
No. I’m fine,” I replied, as I started washing. I really had gotten over being angry with him. I wasn’t exactly thrilled about the situation, but I couldn’t stay angry forever. He’d been desperately trying to make amends. Now what I’d done was probably going to make
him
mad.
“
Why don’t you sit down and watch the baseball game? When I finish the dishes, we can go for a walk and talk about it.” I gave a quick smile to let him know it was okay and pushed my hands into the sink further, scrubbing and swirling the water around.
“
Ok, we’ll go for a walk then, after you’re done.” He repeated and slowly moved his arms around me in a hug; still unsure about how I would react. He pressed his face to mine and gave me a soft kiss on my cheek, near my ear. The butterflies in my stomach came to life. I’d missed his touch.
I listened intently as he walked away, waiting to hear the creak of the leather on the sofa when he sat.
I let out a sigh of relief. All three were watching television. Colt was on the couch, slouching across the majority of it. Daniel was in the overstuffed chair with his feet dangling off the ottoman and Callon was sitting in the corner of the loveseat. This was going better than I thought.
I finished cleaning the kitchen and walked into the bedroom to get my wallet and change into my skirt and blouse—just in case I needed to look impressive, regardless of the fact that I had the key. I didn’t want to look like a slob walking into the bank. If I needed to convince a bank clerk, because I was late, I’d probably have a better chance if I was more presentable.
When I returned to the great room, the trio had a dazed look on their faces. The berries were doing their job. Their eyes followed me across the room, filled with frustration and anger, as they could do nothing to stop my upcoming escape.
Setting my backpack on the kitchen counter, I went to Daniel first. His head was in an uncomfortable position so I carefully placed both my hands on his cheeks and repositioned it so it was resting on the back of the chair. He was staring at me, more curious than anything else.
“
I’m sorry, Daniel. But I have to do this. I want you to know I had a wonderful day hiking with you, and I can’t thank you enough for showing me your valley.” I produced a small smile. “Don’t worry; this will only last about an hour.” I gently brushed his dark hair from his eyes.
I turned to Colt, who was sprawled across the couch. His eyes met mine, filled with a mix of concern, helplessness, and anger. I knelt so I could get close to his face. His massive body was so still, and his arms lay limply at his side. Reaching out, I took one of his hands in mine and pulled it to my chest.
“
Colt, forgive me. This is the only way I’ll be able to leave. I’m not angry with you. I was hurt, but I know you meant what you said.” I didn’t know what else to say; I had so many emotions swimming in my head and heart right now. “I didn’t want to say the wrong words and hurt you, so I’ve said nothing at all.”
I sighed.
“
You hold a special place in my heart. But I’m not sure it’s the same kind of love you have or desire from me in return. You understand me, you make me laugh, you comfort me, and you make me feel safe when you wrap me in your arms. I really don’t deserve someone like you. I hope you’ll forgive me.”
I closed my eyes and pulled his hand to my face, cupping it into my cheek while I lowered myself towards his lips. I kissed him softly, and his lips trembled at the contact. A sense of regret hung low in my stomach. I kissed him again, then carefully folded his arm to his chest and rose.
Callon was drooped in the love seat, his face clouded with irritation. He was annoyed I had gotten the better of him. I gave a sly smile as I neared. I’d won, and there was nothing
he who must be obeyed
could do about it. Victory was sweet, at least for the moment. I warned them they couldn’t keep me here. They didn’t think I could get away, ha!
I sat next to him, looking into his hazel eyes while I slowly placed my hand to his cheek. I couldn’t help myself. After being under his thumb, it was about time he got a taste of his own medicine. Deliberately, I stroked his left cheek, letting my hand trace his neck, his shoulder, and down his arm to his fingers where I paused.
His gaze changed from irritation to something else, and I felt a corresponding reaction, although I wasn’t sure if it was excitement or something deeper. I moved my hand to his left jean pocket. The key to the Jeep wasn’t there.
I moved my hand over his right pants pocket. This time I found what I was searching for. I pushed my hand up under his wrist and pressed my fingers into his pocket to grasp it. He knew what I wanted, but his stare distracted me. There was a passion in his eyes that set my heart fluttering. It was so deep and intense that I stopped what I was doing. Closing my eyes, I pulled the key free, struggling to keep my pulse from bounding.
Leaning forward, I bent close to his ear and whispered, “You should have never underestimated me, Callon. I was surprised at how easy it was. I’m sure you’re dying to know what I did. Here’s a hint: I hope you liked the berry pie. Not so much fun being held against your will now, is it?” I lightly blew warm air through my nose.
My mouth continued before my mind caught up. “Maybe one day we’ll meet up again under different circumstances. That passion in your eyes, who knows where that would lead?” Oh great! I was getting cocky and stupid and wrapped up in his good looks. Step away, Cheyenne. Don’t waste all your hard work.
But my body took over, moving without my consent. I caressed his ear with my lips, then lifted my head…right as my hand slipped off the couch and my lips collided with his. I quivered slightly—he felt it. I’m not sure why I said what I said or why I didn’t pull away when my mouth met his, but it was too late now. It was foolish and reckless and totally unlike me, but I wasn’t me, I was someone else—the secret!
It didn’t matter now, this would be the last time I would see them for a while. Any attraction, conscious or subconscious, I had for Callon I would force myself to forget. He’d only looked at me twice with any warmth, but seeing his gaze now…
I took a shaky breath as our eyes met. “Good-bye.”
I jumped up and ran to the kitchen counter to grab my pack. Time to go.
I flew out the front door and dashed to the Jeep with car key in hand. It started right up. I was very grateful my dad had insisted on getting a GPS system installed. I had saved the bank address in my favorites menu. I stomped on the gas and was soon speeding down the dirt road.
It took about ten minutes to reach the main highway and then I was able to really open the engine up and rocket down the road. My heart was pounding, the adrenaline flowing, but my mind was clear.
I was back in control again.
Chapter 8
T
ime raced by. I had known my plan would work, but I was still in shock over the success. I had never done anything like this in my entire life. I could picture my dad being proud of me—I was proud of me.
I had so many questions racing through my mind, observations I’d made about the trio. I knew Colt, or at least I thought I did; however, I knew nothing about Callon except his rather bossy attitude. Even with as little conversation as Daniel and I had, I’d learned the most from him. Either he didn’t know anything, was excellent at hiding the truth, or was afraid to reveal too much because of Callon.
That their presence
had been kept hidden from me continued to both hurt and anger me. They’d been watching me along with Colt, although I’d never seen or caught wind of them. Why hadn’t my parents told me? I inhaled a shaky breath. Probably because they knew it might frighten me, and they wanted me to have as normal a life as possible. So much for normal now…
Town was an hour away; at least, I guessed it would take that long because I was too busy screaming down the highway to notice the time. The mileage log on the GPS system said it was about one hundred and twenty-five miles; I must have been driving like a bat out of hell to get there so quickly.
Glancing at the clock, I saw it was five fifteen. The sign on the bank door said it would close at five thirty; I had just enough time to get what I needed.
I parked the car around the corner and jumped out, my heart burst into flight. Everything was falling into place.
Straightening my shirt and blouse, I made my way to the bank entrance.
Once inside, I located the clerk in charge of the safety deposit box area. I was in luck; he was a young man, about twenty-five. He was scrawny and had a pale complexion. Probably hadn’t had much luck with finding a girlfriend.
The sign said that access wasn’t allowed into the safe deposit box area after five p.m. I put my best foot forward, and strolled over to his desk. I was going to have to really work this poor guy to get what I needed. But I was prepared to do just about anything at this point. I had to find out what lay in wait for me. I needed answers; who I was, and what else was being kept from me.
You’re an actress,
I reminded myself.
Callon, Colt, and Daniel would be on their way by now. I was positive they would come into town first; that’s what I would have done. I didn’t tell them where I was going, but they seemed pretty adept at finding me, and they’d already found the key. Regardless, I wasn’t going to make it easy for them. I had managed to get away and was fairly confident I could stay away.
“
Hello, Joseph,” I said in my most persuasive voice. I wanted to gag. I wasn’t going to win any Oscars for this performance.
The clerk’s
head flipped up so fast that if it hadn’t been attached at his neck it would’ve flown into the air.
“
Uh, hello. Can I help you?”
“
Well, Joseph, you don’t mind if I call you Joseph, do you? That’s what your nametag says, and it’s such a cute name.” He blushed as I poured on the charm.
“
You can call me Joseph,” he answered, hope in his eyes. “What can I do to help you?”
“
Well, you see, Joseph,” I emphasized his name on purpose, “your sign says I can’t get into my safe deposit box after five, and I was hoping you could help me out. I left some important documents in my box, and I really have to have them for tonight. I tried to make it down here earlier, but got a flat tire along the way. Some really nice gentlemen stopped to help me, but it took longer than I expected.” I batted my lashes. Inside I was cringing at the foolish display I was making.
He stared at me for a moment, glancing at his watch and then answered, “Bank policy says we can’t allow customers into the secure area after five, but in your case, you did really try to get into the bank before the cut off time, so I’ll make an exception.” He gave an optimistic grin. “Do you have your key?”
“
Yes,” I replied, and placed it in his hand as I squeezed his fingers. I was relieved it had worked so easily.
“
Please follow me.”
He led the way behind the counter to open the secure door to the room. He glanced at the number, and proceeded to the right where he stopped and hopped up on the step stool, placing the key in box number 258. He then placed his master key into the adjoining lock and turned them both. The small drawer popped out and he stepped down the stool with the contents in his hands.
“
This way, please.”
He motioned for me to follow. We entered a private room where he set the box on the table.
“
It’s all yours.” He smiled and walked out, closing the door behind him.
My hands were shaking. I didn’t have time for nervousness; I needed to get the contents out speedily. I released the lid and slid the items in the box toward the table. A small package wrapped in a cloth with a leather strap fell out. Attached to the leather strap was a ring. But it wasn’t just any ring. It was the most stunning piece of jewelry I’d ever seen.
It was a sterling silver band that held a brilliant, sparkling, blue stone. It reminded me of the rare blue diamonds I’d heard about but never seen. I touched it with my fingertips, and it threw flecks of light onto the walls. Was this what my parents wanted me to find?
A soft knock on the door made me jump. I’d have to explore the ring and package later.