Complicated Matters (15 page)

   “They’re in protective custody for now. We’ll take good care of them,” Flo promised.

   Millie hugged each one of them. “You guys take care of each other. Call me if you need me.”

   Flo tapped on the door.

   Another agent came in.

   “Miss Jackson is ready to leave now. Don’t let her out of your sight.”

   After Millie left, Flo sat back down. “I don’t know how to go about telling you this.”

   Alex stood up. “Why don’t you just cut the crap and spit it out?” 

   “Taylor said you were a tough lot. I see what he meant.” Flo went to the door and tapped on it. “Send them in.”

   “Mom and Dad,” Jess yelled, as he and the others stared at John and Tara Mathews.

   John forced a weak smile. “Don’t we at least warrant a hug?” 

   Alex stared at the table. “They told us you were dead.” 

   Tara went over to her sons. “I wish there had been another way, but we had to keep you safe.” 

   “Get away from them.” Farrah didn’t realize she was capable of feeling that much rage. Her tone of voice and anger scared her. She stood between her brothers and put her hands over their shoulders.

   “Farrah, we were only trying to protect you,” John said.

   “Protect us?” Her mouth remained open as she gasped for breath. “The farm looks like a friggin’ war zone. Champ is at the vet’s fighting for her life. And Sheriff Taylor is in the hospital because you protected us so well. You died four months ago, so you might as well stay dead now.”

   The minutes ticked by one-by-one. The Mathews’ family just stared at each other.

   John took his wife’s hand and they sat down. “I’m sorry, Farrah.”

   Farrah couldn’t believe her ears. In her entire life, she had never heard her father apologize for anything. “What did you just say?” 

  “Your mother and I were in the swamp last spring.” John bowed his head and focused on the table. “We happened upon a livin’ nightmare. We couldn’t see their faces, but there was no mistakin’ that black Stetson Daniels always wore. I had your mother with me so we hid in the bushes and called for help.” John closed his eyes and cringed.  “I ain’t never been so scared in all my life. The thought of anything like that happenin’ to any of you--”

   “Threats were made against you and the boys.” Tara continued the story. “Our deaths were arranged, and we were placed in protective custody.”

   Farrah still held her brothers under her arms. “Why didn’t you take us with you?”   

   “In a town this small, an entire family getting killed so suddenly, would have sparked unwanted attention,” Flo interjected. “It was a bad situation all the way around. There were no good answers.”

   Farrah sat down. “You abandoned us. I killed Sheriff Daniels.” She stared at her hands. “It’s all part of the grand-design. Right, Mom?”

   John stared at his daughter who was rubbing her hands as if trying to clean them. “What’s she talking about?” 

   “She’s the one who shot Sheriff Daniels.” Alex was close to laughing as he explained the incident. “She sure plugged him good.” 

   “Don’t talk about it like that,” Farrah snapped. “The whole summer has been a friggin’ nightmare come true. I can still see the expression on his face when the bullet hit him, and this damn blood doesn’t come off. I can feel it. Warm and sticky all over my hands. It smells like somebody slaughtered a pig.”

   “Farrah, honey.” Her mother knelt down next to her and stroked her hands. “Your hands are clean. You just did what you had to.”

   “I killed a man,” Farrah sobbed.

   “But you saved five people. That has got to count for somethin’.” 

   Farrah looked up at her father. “There should’ve been a better way, Dad.” 

   John wrapped his daughter in a tight hug. “Sometimes we’re only given one way. Daniels was trying to kill a bunch of innocent people. You stopped him.”

   Farrah broke her father’s embrace. She’d never been so confused in her life. The same people who dragged her off to church where she was taught hurting people was a sin, were now telling her that this killing was a good thing. “I’ll think about it later. Right now my head is killing me.” She folded her arms and put her head on the table.

   Chapter 18

   Farrah woke up in the hospital. The sickening smell of disinfectant stung her nose and mouth. She rubbed her eyes. Something was sticking in her hand. She tugged at the tape.

   Her mother rushed to her bedside. “Leave that in there.” 

   Farrah hadn’t heard such a soft tone of voice since she was a little girl. “Mommy?”

   “I’m right here, darling.” Tara caressed her daughter’s forehead. “I’m never going to leave you again.” 

   “What happened?” Farrah tried to sit up. “How long have I been here?” 

   “A little over a week. The doctors say your body shut down on you. They think it was stress related.”

   “Where are Jess and Alex?”

   “They and your father are probably out trying to lose their agents.” Tara giggled. “That seems to be their favorite pastime these days.”

   “Agents. Where’s Heath? Is he okay?”

   Bells went off, summoning a small army of doctors and nurses.

   “What happened?” someone yelled.

   Tara backed up out of the way. “We were talking about her father and brothers. Something about the word agents upset her and all hell broke loose. What’s going on?”

   Someone said something about a sedative. Somebody gave Farrah a shot, and all was quiet.

   Time passed by unaccounted.

   Farrah opened her eyes when she heard someone’s voice. She tried to speak, but couldn’t beckon her voice. It took a few minutes, but she finally realized her mother was singing.

   A young man wearing black sweats knocked on the opened door.

   Tara got up from a corner chair. “Hello. Can I help you?”

   “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize Farrah had company. My name is Heath Taylor.” He extended his good arm to shake Tara’s hand.

   “I’m Tara Mathews, Farrah’s mother. You look familiar.”

   “I’ve been working as the interim sheriff of Morgansville for quite a while now.”

   “Yes, of course.” She squeezed his hand. “I’m sorry, it’s been a rough summer.”

   Farrah was finally able to make her voice work. “Heath?” 

   He leaned over the bedrail and took her hand. His wounded arm was bandaged and strapped to his side in a sling. “There’s my hero.”

   She looked up. “They told me there were complications with your arm.”

   “My tennis game is shot to hell, but I’ll heal.” 

   Farrah knew he was trying to make her smile, but the only thing she could think about was how he could have lost the use of his arm. “I’m sorry.” She stared at her blanket.

   “It’s okay, I wasn’t much for tennis anyway. They told me to get out of bed and move around. When I heard you were here, I came right over. I guess I’m still looking for excuses to be around you.”

   She held his hand in both of hers. “I’m glad you did.”             

   “So what’s happening with you? Flo said you collapsed when you found out about your parents.”

   “You told me a while back I should talk to someone.” She tried to joke about what he said the first day they actually talked.

   He leaned over the railing and lowered his voice. “Can we talk in private when you’re feeling better?”

   “Sure. Later on.”

   The world seemed to fade.

    When Farrah woke up again, she was alone with her mother. “Where’s Heath? I mean, where is Sheriff Taylor?”

   Tara put her magazine down. “They sent him back to his room when you fell asleep. You two certainly seem close.”

   “I suppose. But nothing was what it appeared to be. Maybe playin’ nicey-nice was just part of his job.”

   “Whatever you say, dear.” Tara went back to her magazine. “But I don’t think he was acting today.”

   “Mom, we’re just friends.” Farrah stared at her hands. “I think.” 

   “If you say so.” Tara held her daughter’s left hand. “But I noticed you’re no longer wearing the promise ring Ted gave you.” 
             

   “He found other interests at FSU.”

   “I guess you gave up a lot this year. Sorry about Duke. I know how much you wanted it.” Tara took a deep breath and put a happier tone in her voice. “But your father and I both agree you’re still in charge of the farm. It looks like you’re actually turning a profit.”

   Farrah was surprised to find out she could sit up now. “Mom, can I be totally honest with you?” 

   “Of course.” Tara sat on the edge of her bed. “What’s on your mind?”

   “I don’t want to run the farm anymore. That’s Alex’s dream. And I think it’s completely unfair for some old man to sign a piece of paper over a hundred years ago, and still be bossing us around today.”

   Tara started laughing. “I was wondering when you were going to tell us that.”

   Farrah’s eyes grew big. “You knew?”

   Tara hugged her daughter. “Sweetheart, nobody spends her life working as hard as you, without having a dream or two of her own.”

   “But what about Dad? Don’t you think he’ll blow a gasket?”

   “You just be honest with him. I’ll deal with the aftermath.”

   Alex plopped down next to his sister. “Damn, Sleeping Beauty awakens.” 

   “Maybe I just didn’t want to stay cooped up with a freak-of-nature like you.” Farrah shoved him off her bed.

   Alex got up off the floor laughing. “She’s feelin’ better.” 

   John hugged her. “Are you ready to go home and start bossing your mother and me around?”

   “Well,” Farrah looked at her mother, “I’m ready to leave.” 

   “Go ahead,” Tara encouraged her. “Stand up to him.”

   “Dad, I don’t want to run the farm. Alex wants that.”

   John tried to say something, but Farrah wouldn’t let him get in a word.

   “It’s not fair that I should have to obey some old coot that died over a century ago. And if you think about it, Alex is the rightful heir anyway. Women weren’t allowed to own land back then.”

   John stared at Farrah. “What are your plans?” 

   “I want to go to college. Coach Jergens said I was good enough to take a shot at the pros. Mostly, I just want to see if there’s life outside of Morgansville.”

   “But your scholarship is gone, baby girl.”

   “Then I’ll find some other way. Come on, Dad. I’ve earned this.”

   John gave his daughter a hopeless look. “I just don’t see how we can make it happen.” 

   “I’ve been working on that.” Flo interrupted the family. “It seems the University of Florida has been interested in you for quite some time now.”

   “I’ve never heard anything from them.” 

   “Your basketball coach was pushing you toward Duke. When U of F approached her last year, she told them you weren’t interested. Now, if you enroll at the university during the spring, you can try out for the team as a walk-on. If you’re good enough, and work hard, you can become what is known as a recruited walk-on and receive that glorious scholarship.”

   John placed himself between Flo and Farrah. “But there’s still an entire year’s tuition, and there aren’t any guarantees.” 

   “Who said anything about tuition? Remember that debt the state owes you?” Flo cocked her head to the right and smiled. “I think we can work something out. There’s bound to be some confiscated drug money lying around somewhere. And according to the State Forfeiture laws, it all goes to the state. I don’t see any problem with using some of it for that first year of college. I have to go, but I’ll be in touch. Hey, Taylor,” Flo said, as she passed him standing in the doorway.

   He no longer looked like a patient. Black jeans and a white t-shirt had replaced his sweats. He wore cowboy boots, and a leather jacket adorned with metal rivets. “Edwards and Jones turned on Winthrop in order to stay alive. You’ll be stuck with the agents for a while, but it’s safe to return home, Mr. and Mrs. Mathews.”

   Farrah wished her parents would take the hint and find someplace else to go. She’d just gotten used to having him around. Her heart was breaking as she pondered her next question. “What about you?” 

   He met Farrah’s gaze. The corners of his mouth turned upward. “I’m being released today with the condition I continue my antibiotics and stay on light duty.” 

   “Will you be returning to Miami?”

   “I still have to hang around until January’s election. Of course, I could always run for office. Would you vote for me?”

   John stared at Taylor. “Politickin’ in a hospital, Sheriff? That’s got to be a first.” 

   “Take me home, John.” Tara urged everyone out of Farrah’s room. “Come on boys. We’ll come by tomorrow.”

   Once everyone left, Taylor shut the door. “Are you up for that talk?”

   Chapter 19

 
The talk?
Farrah swallowed hard.
More importantly--that talk? What could we possibly have to talk about?
Her mind twirled with possibilities.
Maybe he doesn’t want to eat alone again. That would be great. This time I won’t sit down during the slow dances. Maybe he’s going to tell me that he met a cute nurse. That would be lousy. Could he just want to be alone with me?
Farrah decided to play it cool
.
“I’m not sure.”

   “No one ever is.” 

   She glanced around the room looking for an escape route.
That’s no good. I’m stuck in this stupid bed wearing a gown with no back.
She let out a slow breath.
“What’s it gonna be about?” 

   Taylor slid a chair next to her bed. His dark eyes gave off a glint of light.

  
Was that sparkle always there? How could I not have noticed it?

   He smiled revealing a dimple at each corner of his mouth. “For starters, I want to say thank you.”

   Her belly did flip-flops as she stared at his handsome face. His spicy-sweet cologne forced her to inhale. Her fingertips tingled when she thought about touching his smooth face. “You’re welcome.”

   He seemed so confident and mature. Unlike anyone she’d ever encountered before.
I’m just his little buddy. He’d never take me seriously. I can’t give him what he needs.
She glanced away. “I get the feeling this is where the conversation takes a turn for the worse.”

   “I understand you’re reluctant to talk to a counselor.”

  
Counselors? That’s what the big talk is all about? He could have said this in front of my parents
. “My doctor had no right to talk to you.” 

   “It wasn’t your doctor who told me.”

  
He’s going where he doesn’t have the right
. Adoration turned to anger. “What would you know about counselors?” She hit a button and the bed moved to a more seated position. “And before you say anything, let me remind you, Jack Daniels doesn’t have a psych degree.”

   One look at Heath’s face told Farrah that she hit a raw nerve.

   The light in his eyes. That glint of warmth that told her he was capable of something besides broody harshness. It flicked off, leaving her in the cold dark.

   He got up and looked out the window. “Why do you have to be so damn infuriating?”

   She’d seen her father storm off like that when he and her mother quarreled. It was during those times her mother went on cleaning binges in order to work off her anger.

   Farrah was trapped in that little room with her combatant. Heath Taylor was free to leave, but she was stuck until the doctors released her. “At least you know who I am. You’ve told me so many lies, I can’t distinguish fact from fiction.”

   “Hold it.” He turned back toward her. “I only lied to you once, and I was ordered to do that.”               

   “There’s the lie of omission.” She tried to lower her bedrails. “Damn these things, I feel like a caged monkey.” She jerked on them.

   He lowered them for her. “What did I leave out?” 

   She swung her feet off the bed. “The fact that you were an agent and not some temporary sheriff.” 

   “I told you who I was the night we went to Hank’s. You just chose not to believe it.” He headed for the door. “I’ll give you some privacy.” 

   “Don’t go.” Her mother was always glad when her father stormed out of an argument. The idea of Taylor leaving left her fearful and empty. Perhaps it was only because her mother knew her father was coming back. Farrah didn’t have that comfort.

   He stopped, but made no effort to come closer to her bed. “I risked my job, and this case, telling you who I was.”             

   “How was I supposed to believe you?” She stood up and stretched her muscles. “The way you told me was so offhanded, I thought you were just being a smartass.” 
             

   “Your skepticism is not my problem.” Taylor slowed down his speech. “Now be a good girl and talk to the nice counselor, or they’ll keep you here forever.” 
    She crossed her arms and planted her feet shoulder width apart. “Only if you agree to stay.” She seriously doubted he’d worked through his grief for his wife. Pain was the only reason people drank to excess. Since he was part of the reason she shot Sheriff Daniels, he should be part of her cure.