Page 36 of Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat
Chapter Seventeen
Tom surfaced from sleep enough to zero in on the fact his limbs were entwined with Fee’s in a wonderful tangle. He snuggled closer and pushed her short, silky hair out of the way to kiss the back of her neck and she wriggled back against him with a happy sigh.
Loud knocking sounds penetrated his half-comatose state and he realised they were comingfrom his front door. He reluctantly shifted to glance at the bedside clock. ‘Seven o’clock. Who the hell’s botherin’ us at this ungodly hour?’
‘I suppose you’d better go and see.’ She sighed. ‘One of your other guests might need you more than I do.’ Fee pulled the covers up around her shoulders and smiled. ‘You’d better put on some clothes first.’
‘Open up, Tom you lazy devil.’
‘Wonderful,’ he groaned. ‘It’s Sandy, my oldest brother. You met him the other day when he was out for a run around the lake. You might want to stay in here unless you want all of Pine Ridge to know how we spent the night.’ Tom leapt out of bed and scrabbled around on the floor for his clothes. ‘Comin’ bro, hold on,’ he yelled out. Tom dragged on his jeans and sweatshirt. ‘If I don’t hurryhe’ll pick the lock.’ Fee raised her dark, straight eyebrows at him. ‘Remember he’s a cop.’ He hurried from the bedroom and slammed the door shut behind him.
Fee had a multitude of faults but being a coward wasn’t one of them. She was a free agent and so was Tom which meant they had nothing to hide. Taking a shower would only be a delaying tactic so she skipped the idea and got dressed.Fee glanced in the mirror and cringed at the sight of the pink blotches left on her face and neck by Tom’s rough stubble.
She crept out into the narrow hall and listened for a few moments. The two men were talking and by their deep, gruff tones she guessed all wasn’t well. Fee took a few steadying breaths and plastered on a bright smile. Tom glanced around as she approached and his facewas dark with anger. She hoped he wasn’t mad with her but took a chance and walked over to stand by him. Fee linked her arm through his and was relieved when he didn’t push her away.
‘Fee, you remember Sandy.’
His attempt to smile didn’t reach his serious eyes. He gave her a silent nod and crushed her fingers in a rock-hard handshake.
‘Would you prefer it if I left?’ Shedirected her question at Tom and was pleased when he shook his head.
‘Let’s all sit down.’ Tom led her towards the sofa.
‘Are you sure?’ Sandy asked, fixing his hard stare on Tom.Private matter. She’s not family. It didn’t take a genius to work out his thoughts.
‘Yeah. Fee knows about Gina. I’m good with sharing,’ he declared.
Sandy shrugged and turned to faceher. ‘I don’t know how much Tom’s told you but Gina’s murderer, Gary Higgins, was paroled the other day.’ Tom’s stony face told Fee he’d plunged back into his deepest, darkest place. ‘Our father found out this morning that Higgins skipped out on his last meeting with his parole officer and no one knows where he is.’
‘Could he be headed here?’ Fee asked.
‘Possibly,’ Sandy admitted.‘I wanted to warn Tom because we don’t want him doin’ anything stupid.’
Tom snorted. ‘You mean like paying him back for killin’ my wife?’
‘Yeah, exactly, you dumbass. Do you want to break Mama’s heart all over again?’ Sandy’s brusque reply helped Fee to readjust her impression of him. They were a tight family and she was the outsider.
‘Nope,’ Tom said with a heavy sigh.‘I’m not a moron.’
Fee caught the first hint of a smile in the depths of Sandy’s standard-issue Chambers family chocolate-brown eyes. ‘Do you have a recent photo?’ she asked. ‘I’d feel safer knowing what this man looks like.’
He reached into his jacket pocket to pull one out and passed it over. ‘He’s a dangerous bastard.’
‘One assumes a murderer would be.’ Her dry commentmade both men smile. Fee studied Higgins’ pale, angular features and took note of his bright green eyes and distinctive shoulder-length white-blond hair.
‘I don’t see any need to show that around to the other guests,’ Tom declared. ‘They’ll think they’re staying in a hotbed of dangerous criminals instead of a peaceful retreat.’
‘Peaceful? I’ve decided that’s rather a misnomer,’she teased.
Sandy glanced between the two of them. ‘I’d better be getting off. Some of us have work to go to.’ He lumbered to his feet and headed towards the door.
‘Stay safe, big brother,’ Tom said and the serious edge to his voice clutched at Fee’s heart. She couldn’t imagine how hard it was for their mother every single day. At one time her husband and all three sons were inthe police force. When she sent them off to work Sarah Chambers must always wonder if they’d come home safe.
‘Will do. Promise you’ll call me or Pop if you see Higgins?’
‘Yeah,’ Tom murmured. Fee knew he wouldn’t break his word. The core of decency and honesty running through him was the main reason she’d been drawn to him in the first place although she couldn’t have articulatedit then.
‘Good to meet you again, ma’am.’ Sandy nodded and opened the door. Fee stayed behind as Tom followed his brother outside. She heard more conversation going on before car tyres crunched on the rough gravel.
