Thirty-Two and a Half Complications
Page 74

I wiped away a tear. “Thank you, Mason.”
“That being said, I’m worried you might be in danger. Especially after the robbery today. I have an uneasy feeling about all of it. Something big is about to go down, and I think you’re going to get caught in the middle of it.”
Mason had great instincts and I’d learned to listen to them. He’d been the only one to correctly guess that Daniel Crocker would stick around Fenton County after his jail break. “I tried my best to be careful today, Mason. I only talked to Samantha Jo because you gave me your blessing, and when we saw the Charger I only wanted to get the license plate number… We didn’t even expect to see the truck. It gives me the heebie jeebies to think about it turning into our neighbor’s farm the other day. For all I know, that poor man was inside.” I shuddered, thinking about how close I’d been to a murderer that day. And Ashley and Mikey had been with me too.
He searched my eyes. “You need to stay out of this now, okay? It’s too dangerous. Promise me.”
“Okay. Do you know how much money the robbers got today?”
“About eight thousand. They don’t take credit cards and it was a Sunday. Taylor said it had never been robbed before, which I find startling. He thinks there’s some unspoken rule that the place is off limits.”
“Maybe the robbers are from out of town and didn’t know the rule?”
“Good thought. Maybe,” Mason said.
“I’m sure at least one of those five people at church are involved,” I said. “And I know two of them are from out of town. Lars Jenkins and Eric Davidson, although Eric seems the more unlikely of the two.”
“Agreed.” He grinned, pride beaming from his eyes. “I think you missed your calling, Rose. You’re a natural at this.”
“You’re actually encouraging me?”
His smile fell slightly. “We’ve already established that I don’t want you out there pursuing this anymore, but there’s nothing wrong with you using the brain that God gave you to sort through what we know to draw some conclusions.”
I stared at him in awe before continuing. “So based on my vision, they still don’t have enough money for whatever it is they’re planning.”
“No, which means they’ll hit someplace else and probably soon.”
“And the fertilizer plant?”
“Unfortunately, it’s within Henryetta’s city limits, so the police will be in charge. I’ll tell them I got an anonymous tip. I doubt they’ll ask many questions. But I think you’re right. Whatever group they’re a part of has been meeting there.”
“Too bad we didn’t get the license number on the car or the truck.”
“I’m glad you were wise enough to know when to stay back. I’ll confess that I wish you hadn’t gone to the plant with just Neely Kate. If these guys have been meeting there and you’d showed up while they were around, you could have endangered yourself.”
“And what about Samantha Jo’s involvement? What does your instinct tell you about that?”
“I agree with you there. She and Moose are definitely behaving in a suspicious manner. I’ll see what I can dig up on them.” He tipped my face up to his. “I’m sorry she was mean to you.”
“I’m used to it.” I shrugged, trying to lower my gaze, but he held onto my chin.
“I’m glad Neely Kate is your friend.”
I smiled. “Me too.”
“Speaking of mean people, what’s going on with Violet? What in the world is she doing spending time with Joe? It’s damn obvious Joe’s only hanging around her to try to upset you and make you jealous. But what’s her motive?”
“I honestly have no idea. Probably the same thing.”
“Is she still coming for Thanksgiving?”
“We haven’t discussed it, but I can’t imagine she would want to after all of this.”
“Is it still okay if my mother comes?”
“Of course! She’s staying here, I hope?”
“I talked to her today before my phone died. She agreed to join us for Thanksgiving after I convinced her you wouldn’t have it any other way. She plans to drive down and spend tomorrow night with us. Then she’s going to spend Tuesday and Wednesday looking for a place for me to move into.”
My back stiffened. “Oh…” I said softly.
He was silent for a moment. “That was our arrangement, and it looks like I’ll finally get the insurance check in another week or so. I’ve overtaken your office and everything else in the meantime. I’m sorry to have imposed on you for so long.” He was silent for a moment. “Mom says she’ll even come back to help me furnish it.”
I bit my lip to keep from crying. Why was I getting so upset? He wasn’t moving far away, just back into his own place. In Henryetta. I needed to put this into perspective. “You’ve lived alone for a long time. I’m sure it’s been a difficult adjustment living with me. You’re probably eager to have your own place again.”
“No, Rose. I’ve loved every minute of living with you. There’s nothing better at the end of an awful day than coming home to see your smiling face.” He kissed the top of my head. “Not to mention going to bed with you every night and waking up to your sweet smile in the morning.” His hand on my waist slid higher, until it rested beneath my breast. His voice turned husky. “Along with all the things we do in your bed. And other places.”