In the Line of Fire (11 page)

Mattie nodded. “I guess I understand a little better now, but doesn't she know she could drive Andi away in the end?”

“I'm hoping Andi walking out on the wedding like that and taking a few days is going to make Daisy realize she's got to give her space and let her make her own choices.”

“Colton's interested in her.”

Martha Anne shook her head. “You know, there was always such an age difference I never considered it, but when I think back on it he was a little hostile almost when I'd fill him in on the wedding details. And I was surprised he wasn't going to stay for the reception.” Mattie's eyes widened. “Oh, yes, I heard him tell you but it was surprising because—”

Mattie rolled her eyes, but it was in good humor, and cut her off to finish the thought. “—because he always does the right thing.”

Martha Anne laughed, nodding. “Pretty much. So, maybe he does have a soft spot for her. I don't know.”

“He's my brother and I love him and I do know he's a good-looking guy but he's so boring.”

“No, honey, you missed that conversation with Ms. Daisy. Blanton is boring—”

“Amen to that.”

“Your brother, much like your father, is predictable. He's stable and that's not a bad thing, but they're far from boring. They're men a woman can count on.”

Mattie buttered another muffin and passed half of it to Martha Anne. “Well, it wasn't predictable when he took off with Andi, was it?”

“Actually, in a way it was. Andi needed help, and knowing Andi, my guess is she was going to take off on her own if he hadn't gone with her.”

“Damn.” Mattie looked disgusted her brother hadn't actually behaved impulsively. “You're probably right.”

“Watch your mouth and don't look so disappointed. There's still time for him to prove me wrong.”

Mattie shook her head. “Andi and Colton, go figure.”

“I didn't see it coming,” Martha Anne said. She eyed her daughter speculatively. “Now there was a
time when I wondered if you and Rion might not have a mutual interest….”

Mattie developed a sudden interest in getting up and putting away the leftover muffins. “Just typical teenage stuff.”

“I see.”

“No, seriously, Mom, don't use that tone. It was no big deal. He
was
the first boy I ever kissed. I can assure you, however, I wasn't the first girl he kissed.”

“I don't doubt that. Rion had girls after him from the time he started kindergarten. He's always been a charmer. That's why I think joining the military was so good for him. It forced him to develop some good habits because charm doesn't get you far in the army.”

“Obviously, 'cause no one, not even you, his mother, would ever accuse Colton of being charming, and he's a major.”

“I'm going to take that in the vein of good humor.”

“That's the way it was meant.”

Martha Anne watched her daughter's face closely while she spoke. “It certainly was a shame Rion couldn't make it home for the wedding.”

Mattie shrugged. “Things usually work out the way they're supposed to.”

“But it would've been nice to see him. It's been almost nine months.”

Mattie handed her the leftover blueberry muffins
in a plastic zip-top bag. “Why don't you take these over to Ms. Daisy and y'all kiss and make up.”

“I'm not sure I'm ready to do that just yet.”

It did not escape her notice, however, that her daughter had steadfastly ignored her comment about Rion.

“W
HAT TIME DO YOU WANT
to leave?” Andi asked Colton, propped on one arm. Her hair tickled against his chest.

He, who was used to the regimentation and schedule of the military, found himself oddly content to just lay in bed with Andi. Actually, the notion of making love again before they left was vastly appealing.

He pulled her on top of him. “I'm not in any hurry to leave this morning.” He slid his hands up the backs of her thighs to cup her bare ass in his hands. “How about you?”

She kissed his neck and rocked her hips against his suggestively. “I'm in no hurry at all.”

The moment was shattered by a harsh knock on the door.

She licked the base of his throat and murmured, “Just pretend we didn't hear that.”

A succession of rapid knocks sounded. “I don't
think we can ignore that.” With a sigh he rolled her back off of him and stood, pulling on his jeans and shirt.

Much as he liked Vernette and Burt Pickle, and it had to be one of them, this damn well better be good.

Colton threw the locks and opened the door. Sure enough, Burt stood on the other side, his hand raised, ready to knock yet one more time.

“Oh, good. You folks are up and dressed. I just wanted you to the know, the police are on their way and we've got everything under control.” Colton didn't have a clue what Burt Pickle was talking about, but Burt continued without giving Colton a chance to speak. “I can't tell you how sorry I am this has happened,” Burt said.

“I don't know what's happened,” Colton said.

“Your car, son, your car.” Burt moved out of the way and Colton got a good look. It was everything he could do not to laugh. He would've expected this in perhaps the wrong section of any city, but here? Ritchie County, South Carolina? His father's sedan sat in the parking lot…on concrete blocks. The tires had been stolen.

“Well, this is certainly unexpected.”

“I know it was those ding-dang kids. But don't you worry, the police are on their way and we'll have these recovered for you in no time. They'll just come take a report and once we've tracked those hooligans down,
you can go down to the police station and identify your stolen property and be good to go.”

That was precisely how Colton had no intention of spending his day. “Burt, those tires needed to be replaced anyway.” Well, they probably had another five thousand miles of tread left but that was about it. “I'll just buy a new set and we won't worry about it.” The kids had probably just taken them for a lark and then thrown them in a ditch somewhere.

“Oh, no, sir. This is bad for my establishment's reputation. Word'll get around that you get your tires ripped off when you stay at The Daisy and then who's gonna want to come? Oh, no, sir. We'll get to the bottom of this.”

“But I really do need to just put on new tires.”

“Well, Maynard Polk has the tire store over in town but he don't open on Sundays and this being Sunday, he's not open. As soon as I file the police report, I could take you to Marchette, it's about a forty-minute drive, and we could pick up some tires for you. We'll come back and put 'em on and then you'll have to drive back to Marchette to have 'em balanced.”

To the best of his estimation abilities, considering Ritchie County's finest had yet to show up so Burt could file his report, that would effectively eat up the next four to five hours of the day. In the meantime, there was a perfectly good bed and Andi right here. He'd waited a hell of a long time for her and he wasn't
willing to waste that kind of time when their time was already limited.

“Can you give us a minute to discuss this?” he said to Burt.

“Sure thing.”

Colton stepped back into the room, closing the door behind him. Andi sat in one of the chairs, dressed. “I heard,” she said.

“This is your Grand Adventure so it's your call. I know you wanted to get to Gatlinburg—”

“I'm not nearly as concerned with getting to Gatlinburg as I am with spending time with you. Let's just stay here and wait for Maynard Polk to open in the morning.”

Her answer pleased him so much he couldn't help but tease her. “I don't think there's a lot to do here, especially since we don't have transportation.”

“I'm so sure we can find something to do to pass the time. After all, you've got your book and I've got my crossword puzzle.”

“And don't forget cable.”

“Right. We can always watch bad television.”

“Hold that thought. I'm going to step out here and see if Burt'll let us stay in the honeymoon suite one more night.”

“I'll be waiting.”

“I'm counting on it.”

Colton stepped back out onto the sidewalk where
Burt stood, his arms crossed over his chest, eyeing Colton's tireless vehicle mournfully.

“Burt, Andi and I talked about it and we'd like to stay over another night, if the room's available. We'll wait on Mr. Polk to open tomorrow. It saves you a heck of a lot of driving and we were very comfortable last night.”

“Even if it wasn't available, I'd make it available but heck yeah, y'all are more than welcome to stay tonight and don't worry about tomorrow, we'll do you a late checkout.”

“We appreciate it.”

“Well, let's just get it straight. Tonight's on the house.”

“Absolutely not. You're saving me money because we both know Gatlinburg's going to be more expensive, so staying here tonight actually keeps a little extra in my pocket.”

They heard them before they saw them. Lights flashing, sirens wailing, two county police cars pulled into The Daisy's parking lot. “Howdy, Burt.”

Burt nodded, “Clifton.” He nodded to the other deputy. “Larry.”

“Are you the owner of this car?” Clifton said.

“Please tell me the crime scene hasn't been disturbed,” Larry said. “I need to dust for prints, take photographs and some measurements.”

Larry bore an uncanny resemblance to the leg
endarily inept character Barney Fife on
The Andy Griffith Show
.

All of this was totally unnecessary. Colton said, “Fellas, I'm just going to buy new tires to put on it.”

“That's all fine and good but seeing as how you're a potential witness, we're going to need to ask you some questions.”

Then they'd make it damn fast because he only had a finite amount of time with Andi and was going to make damn sure every minute counted.

 

A
NDI ROLLED OVER
onto her stomach, a satisfied smile curving her lips. Colton felt the same way. While life might hold many uncertainties, whether they were sexually compatible was no longer on that particular list. They were. In spades. Making love with her just got better and better.

“I hesitate to say this,” she said, running her fingers down his arm, eliciting a response inside him even though he was spent. “Because you'll think all I ever think about is food—”

He grinned like the happy fool he was. “No, honey. I can attest food is not the only thing on your mind.”

She nudged him playfully. “As I was saying, or rather about to say, I'm hungry.”

He was finding her playfulness brought out a measure of the same he hadn't known he possessed.
“Well, I believe our dining choices are the truck stop, the truck stop or the truck stop.”

“Then why don't we walk over and dine at the truck stop?” Her smile was infectious.

“Just a suggestion, but you may want to put on some clothes first.”

She feigned shock. “You think?”

“I'm fine with you that way but I really don't want to fight today and I'm pretty sure one would break out and then there's the matter of having to bail you out of jail. But you'll be on your own explaining the public-nudity charge to your mother.”

She rolled to her side and swung her legs over the bed's edge, sitting up. “Damn. You really know how to kill a party. I guess I'll get dressed before we go.”

Colton needed to dress as well but he sat back and watched her move naked across the room, enjoying the bounce of her backside and the sway of her breasts—which were magnificent. She stepped into a pair of black panties and reached for her bra, when she looked up and saw him still sitting on the bed. “Aren't you planning to get dressed too, Major?” She clapped her hands in a let's-get-on-with-it manner. “I'm starving here.”

He grinned. She did have an appetite—in every respect. “In a minute.”

“Are you watching me?”

“Yes, ma'am, I am and I'm telling you the pleasure is mine.”

“Alrighty, then,” she said, continuing to dress. It didn't take long. She walked over to the bed and grabbed his hand. “Now your turn,” she said, tugging at him.

“Okay. You're a demanding woman,” he said, laughing as he rose to his feet.

She plopped onto the spot he'd just vacated on the bed. “Now I'm going to watch.” She pursed her lips and turned her head from side to side as if trying to make a decision as he pulled on his BVDs. “You know, I really, really like you in your uniform.” He stepped into his jeans. “You look so distinguished.” He pulled on his shirt. “And those jeans and shirt are a good look as well but when it comes down to it, I think I prefer you naked.”

“Odd, I was thinking the same about you.”

“Hey, you're the one who asked me to put on clothes.”

“No worries, honey, I'll address that when we get back from eating.” He tucked his shirt into his pants and fastened the belt.

She hopped off of the bed. “Okay, let's roll. Hold on a sec.” She ducked into the bathroom and dragged her brush through her hair. Walking back into the bedroom, she put it on the dresser. “Okay, now I don't look as if I just rolled out of bed.”

“Except your lips are swollen and I did get a little
carried away there.” He pointed to her neck and then the edge of her right breast. “Damn, and there, too. I didn't realize you had such delicate skin. I'll be more careful.”

She looked at him, suddenly serious, her teasing vanished. “No. This morning and this afternoon were great, incredible, and I don't want you to change anything or hold back. We have three days together and I want us to make the most of them and that doesn't include you being careful because you might leave a mark on my skin.”

He didn't want to hold back with her. “If that's how you want it.”

“That's definitely how I want it.”

They stepped out into the late-afternoon sun. Since he wasn't holding back, he reached between them and caught her hand up in his. They walked down the sidewalk running the front of the motel holding hands. Burt and Vernette were sitting in the front office watching television and didn't look up as they passed, which was just as well considering what was sure to be a lengthy conversation, on their part, would have ensued.

They stood at the edge of the three-lane highway separating The Daisy from the truck stop. Only a few cars sat in the truck-stop parking lot but several big rigs were lined up on the blacktop across the street.

They entered the restaurant and settled in a booth
that offered a scenic view of the parking lot, highway and the near end of The Daisy Inn.

Andi looked over the menu. “Wow, I should really have a salad but that country fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy with fried okra looks good.”

Colton shook his head. “Order what you really want. You just burned a lot of calories…and you're going to burn more.”

Their waitress, who was definitely not nearly as friendly or outgoing as Rochelle at the Waffle House had been, came over with water glasses. “Y'all know what you want?”

Colton glanced across at Andi for her to order first. She ordered the country fried steak with all the trimmings and a sweet tea. “I'll have the same,” Colton said.

Their waitress walked away and Colton looked at Andi across the booth. “You really are a Southern girl, aren't you?”

A strange look crossed her face which he couldn't quite define. “What I really am is a girl from the South.”

“Explain.”

“I love my heritage and where I'm from, but it's stifling me. I don't think I realized until I climbed out of the window and we were on the expressway just how trapped I've felt and not by just the upcoming marriage and Blanton, but by everything.” She turned her head to stare out the window. “When I
said I didn't want to go back yesterday, it wasn't just because I didn't want to face my family and friends. I didn't want to go back because I wanted to go somewhere else and see something else and do something else.” She redirected her gaze back to him. “Do you understand what I'm saying?”

He'd never felt stifled but then his parents had been vastly different from her mother. “To some extent. I knew I wanted to be in the military from the time I was a kid, but I can't say I ever felt trapped.”

“Colton, my future's been mapped out by my mother since I was old enough to walk and talk. I've always known what was expected of me because I've been told all my life. I'm going to marry well, produce grandchildren, teach Sunday school and take care of my mother when the time comes. That's what good Southern girls do. And once Rion left for the military, it was a thousand times worse. Duty and obligation are the hallmark of my existence.”

He'd seen it for years. “I know how your mother can be.”

“I want to see this country, the world. I want different experiences.” He could understand that. He'd known he didn't want to stay in Savannah. “Every time I talked about traveling or taking a trip with my former roommate, my mother guilted me into not taking it. There was always some reason it would be a bad time for me to go, and it was always backed up by how worried sick about me she'd be the whole time.”

“Have you tried telling her how you feel?”