Chapter Fifteen
Even though it was early morning, she called her son. The Running Winds were up with the sun, so she knew her little one would be awake. She missed him so much. His cute way of talking, puppy-dog eyes, innocent baby-toothed smile, and great big heart. That he’d definitely gotten from his father. She loved thinking of the conversations with her son. He was adorable and if she could hug him every day of her life and never let go, she would.
“Hi, Mommy!”
“Hi, baby. I miss you so much! How are you?”
“’Kay. I eat eggs,” he said in a muffled voice.
“That’s really good, French fry. Are you having fun?”
“Mm-hm. We feed the chickens. I miss you, Mommy. When you coming?”
“Soon, baby. Really soon. I just wanted to tell you that I love you, okay? You know how much I love you?”
He giggled. “A cow?”
“Nuh-uh. Try again.”
“A chair?”
“Bigger, baby. Think really big.”
“A pwanet?”
She snorted at the awe in his voice. “Even bigger.”
“The sun?”
“I love you more than all the biggest things. You’re my heart.”
“You my hart, too, Mommy.”
* * *
Now in her robe, Amie stepped off the sixth stair and heard the creak, switching her weight to the next step. She was a bit sore this morning after years of no action. But it was the sweetest pain, for her heart’s happiness far outweighed the ache.
Frying bacon and ham smelled great to her growling stomach.
She came around the kitchen’s corner to find Frank standing at the stove and Mom sitting at the table with a newspaper in front of her. “Good morning, early riser,” Mom said. “No need to send the cat up to get you.”
Frank glanced over his shoulder at them.
Amie didn’t know what Mom meant. “What cat?”
Mom waved her hand around. “It’s just a saying we have.” Mom grinned and her brow rose. “Ask Frank about it. He’ll explain.” Frank frowned and flipped the ham. Mom snapped the paper in her hands.
“Oh,” Mom said, “did you hear about the senator killed in Las Vegas? They think the Mafia used a bank robbery as a cover to kill the man. Kinda strange. Not sure why they wanted to cover it up like that. Why not just shoot him? That’s how they usually do it, right?”
“Mom,” Frank said.
“You know what I mean. It’s the Mafia, for crying out loud. Since when did they care if they were thought to have killed someone? Honestly, though, I didn’t know the Mafia really existed anymore.”
Amie peeked at the newspaper in Mom’s hands. “Does it say why they killed the senator?”
“It doesn’t come right out and say it, but the latest thing the senator was working on was rebuilding the old parts of town to make them family-oriented: parks, playgrounds, residential housing.”
“Oh,” Amie said. “So he wanted to cut off their income. That’s smart.” Which is exactly what Uncle Giuseppe complained about. She wondered if there was a way that she could do something to get her uncle out of her life. Frank laid a plate of bacon in the center of the table.
“Oh my,” Mom said after Amie plucked a bacon slice from the plate, “did you know Al Capone still has relatives alive?”
Amie choked on her bite of food and coughed. “Really?”
“Yeah, it says Amerella Capone, Al’s great-great-grandniece—her home was damaged in an explosion and she has disappeared.” Nonchalantly Mom turned the page. “Lots going on in Vegas this week. Glad we have none of that nonsense in this town.”
Amie kept her eyes to herself. She felt Mom gauging her Frank’s and reactions. Did Mom know something? Was Mom telling her and Frank they weren’t welcome if they had anything to do with the Mafia or Vegas? If Mom kicked them out, where would she go?
Frank brushed a hand across her shoulders as he passed behind her, setting the ham on the table. “How about I show you around town later this morning?”
“That would be great.” She turned to Mom. “Any plans for today?”
“Not that I know of. Not unless we have another impromptu party this afternoon.”
“I don’t have any clothes left,” Amie said, laughing. “We’d have to do something else.”
Frank looked at her. “Why don’t you have any clothes?”
Mom gave him a funny look. “She gave them all away yesterday, silly. Didn’t you see all the women had something nice when they left? All the blink.”
“Bling, Mom,” Amie said. “It’s bling.”
“All these new words you kids bring home. I feel like I’m learning another language.”
Frank beamed at Amie. She felt a bit embarrassed by his attention. Had she gotten so wrapped up in herself and material objects that she came across as spoiled or snooty? What had happened to her over the past four years? She almost didn’t like the person she’d become. In college, she didn’t care about such things.
Last night with Frank at the stream was magical. She was happy again. Her heart opened without fear of reprisal. No one knew they were there. No one knew she was here. As long as she was here, she could have him. She could love like she’d always wanted to. When it came time to go back, she’d deal with it then. But for now, she could love him. Tears burned her eyes. She blinked them away before embarrassing herself.
Frank’s mom sighed. “I think you kids spending the day out would be great. Maybe we can do lunch at Bob’s. He’s got a great lunch menu. But first, Frank, take her shopping at Marianne’s.”
Frank snorted. “Like there is another place to shop for clothes, Mom.”
She brushed him off. “Yeah, yeah. Keep that East Coast attitude to yourself, young man.” She winked and carried her dishes to the sink. “Frank, think about what we discussed at dinner last night. I think it’s time.” Then she left.
Amie looked at Frank. “What’s she talking about?”
He frowned and turned away. “Nothing. I’ll tell you later. How about you put on something to go shopping and I’ll clean up so we can go.”
The walk into town was exhilarating. The clean air had humidity and felt great. They were only a few hours from Vegas and the desert, but she was amazed how different the weather was. Her hair was a constant frizz of curls.
Frank opened the door to Marianne’s Clothes Stop and ushered her inside. Amie froze in her tracks. No wonder Mom and everyone in town dressed like they lived in the past. That’s all they had to choose from. She thought about the Prada store she was in less than a week ago. Night and day.
Bright side was she’d now blend in and not stick out.
A lady stepped from behind a curtained-off area by the counter at the back. “Hello, can I help—” Recognition lit the lady’s face. “Amie and Frank. How good to see you again.” Marianne hugged them both. “I have to say, Amie, you and Jean throw a wonderful spontaneous party. I loved every bit of it. And I didn’t even hog the clothes. But look here.” Marianne flipped her earrings.
They were a pair with pearl centers and gold petals around them. Frank didn’t remember ever seeing those on Amie. But he remembered her saying that when packing, she’d just dumped handfuls of stuff in the suitcase.
“They look fabulous on you,” Amie said. And they did.
“Let me guess . . .” Marianne said. “You need to buy clothes because you gave away everything yesterday.” Her laughter rang through the customer-free store. “Frank, your mate is one of the nicest ladies I have ever met.”
Amie’s eyes widened. “Oh, we’re not—”
“Not here to replace everything she gave away,” Frank cut in. “And she is the best, isn’t she?” He kissed her on the top of her head and swatted her ass. She squeaked and jumped a bit.
Marianne’s smile drooped a bit as she looked around. “Well, I’m afraid I don’t have much that will suit your taste. As you can see, the only things most women in town buy are unfashionable and way out of style. I’ve tried updating the clothing, but it just doesn’t sell.”
“Let Frank and me look around for a minute and maybe an idea will pop up based on what we learned yesterday with the ladies. It might be the right time for an upgrade.”
Marianne’s hands crossed over her heart. “That would be so wonderful. Go, look around. Tell me what comes to mind. I’ll be by the counter.”
Frank felt lost, not having the slightest clue about anything. Some of the clothing his mom would like. But he really couldn’t see his mate wearing any of it.
Amie found a section with a variety of options that were more like her, he thought. Conservative, but more modern.
Frank cozied himself behind her, his hard dick settling between her ass cheeks. Hidden among the myriad of clothes, he slid his hands around Amie, under the waist of her pants. She quietly hissed as his fingers separated her pussy folds and found their way inside her. He took her weight as she leaned back.
Fucking damn. Wetness nearly poured from her, slickening his fingers. God, how he wished his dick was inside her. He rubbed up and down her ass, wanting to come hard inside her.
She snatched a few items from the metal rods and hurried toward the fitting room. “Marianne, I’ll be in the fitting room for a while,” Amie called.
“Holler if you need any help,” the owner replied.
She stepped into the stall at the far end and dragged him in with her. He closed the door and pressed her back against it.