CHAPTER FOUR
Joel, Ben, and Dane stood on Buck’s front porch and stared into the bright morning sun. The temperature was hovering around eighty, and the humidity was making their T-shirts stick to their backs. There was a large oak on the front lawn, and it was offering only a small amount of relief for the three men.
“I can’t believe that old man drank us under the table. Did you see how happy and chipper he was this morning?” Dane slid his sunglasses on his face and grimaced. “I don’t want anyone to know about this. It’s embarrassing.”
Ben wiped his face with the bottom of his shirt and sat down on the front step. “The girls are going to take one look at us and know what happened.”
“Let’s go eat a greasy breakfast and drink a gallon of coffee and then lie our asses off when we see them,” Joel responded. Shoving his cap on his head, he slowly descended the stairs. “A seventy-year-old man has put us to shame, and I don’t want to advertise it.”
Dane drank down a bottle of water and followed Joel to the car. “Trinity is going to have way too much fun when she finds out. I’m not looking forward to that at all.”
“We deserve whatever happens to us,” Ben replied. “We have let down the brotherhood.”
“What the hell was he serving us…anyway?” Joel asked. Piling slowly into the car, they buckled up, and he set the GPS for the closest diner.
“He called it a Viux Carre. It had high-proof rye, sweet vermouth, and Bénédictine,” Ben replied.
“The high-proof rye got us.” Dane smirked. As they drove down the street, he tipped his head against the seat. “To be more accurate, it was the bourbon-and-rye combination that took us down.”
“Mardi Gras is next week. We better get out acts together, because I don’t plan on feeling this way again,” Ben stated. “Ruby is never going to stay interested in me if she thinks that I can’t handle myself.”
“It’s going to take a lot more than that,” Joel replied. “She’s been a widow for five years, and according to Vivi, you’re the first man that she’s shown any interest in.”
A small grin crossed Ben’s face. “I’m glad she waited and I was the one that caught her eye.”
Joel glanced into the rearview mirror and noticed that Ben had a blissful look on his face. Lucky bastard, he thought. He wished that he was still capable of that sort of optimism. If he were, then it would make being around Vivi a lot easier.
***
Vivi and Ruby were following along with the yoga program on TV, while Trinity lay prone on the couch. “Are you sure you don’t want to join us?” Vivi called over her shoulder.
Trinity lifted her eyes away from her iPad and smirked. “I’m sure.” Pulling the blanket higher on her shoulder, she stared at the ceiling. “I hope you all are done soon, because I want to hear the details of what happened on the patio last night. I believe our Ruby was smooching a man.”
Ruby was in downward-facing dog and peered through her legs at Trinity and beamed. “I was smooching a man. A big, handsome, sexy man with a beard.”
“Praise all the saints who are currently bestowing their kindness on our sad and sorry lives,” Vivi said.
“Wow!” Trinity replied. “All the saints…are you sure?”
Moving into warrior pose, Vivi looked straight ahead. “Absolutely. All three of us need them.”
“Are you almost done? I’m getting hungry,” Trinity whined.
“We’ll do shavasana, and then we can go up and make breakfast,” Vivi answered.
They stood in Vivi’s bright kitchen, worked on breakfast, and discussed the current state of affairs. Such as they were. “I think that Ruby falling for a man is a sign that things are about to change,” Trinity declared to the group.
Vivi stood at the stove frying up a batch of bacon and considered the possibility that it was time to take a step forward. “I unfortunately agree with you. The fact that Ruby is so smitten by a man must mean something.”
“Are we ready?” Trinity inquired.
“I am!” Ruby replied. “I’m more than ready. I’m taking that big sweet man to my house tonight, and I’m going to seduce him and not let him leave until I’m good and satisfied.”
Both friends stared, and she nodded to them. “It’s going to take a while too!”
Trinity finished the fruit salad and shrugged. “That means that Vivi and I need to accept a date from the next man that we find attractive. No excuses!”
Sliding the plate of bacon across the counter, Vivi shook her head. “I don’t think that I have to go on a date because Ruby has found someone that she wants to shag. I’m not getting involved in this nonsense.”
“Oh, yes, you are,” Trinity and Ruby chorused.
Vivi poured eggs into the pan and swirled them around and shook her head. “I don’t want to.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Trinity replied. “Why don’t you take Joel out for a spin? He has to have something beneath that stern façade. Maybe he’s a magician in bed.”
“Yeah,” Ruby crowed. “You all went into your office acting like a bunch of snarling cats and came out like the best of friends.”
“We called a truce.” Dumping the eggs into a bowl, she then moved to the table and joined her friends. “I should be fair. We actually had a moment.”
Trinity filled everyone’s plates, and Ruby refilled the coffee cups. “What do you mean by moment?” Ruby asked.
“We actually had about five seconds of honesty. And…I understand why he’s always so short with me. I think.” Filling her fork with eggs, she waved it at the two of them. “Don’t get me wrong…he doesn’t get a pass for bad behavior. But he does get a little compassion from me.”
Ruby shrugged and ate a piece of bacon. “Who knows, maybe compassion can lead to something else.”
“Sure it can. It means that I’m not going to kill him right away,” Vivi stated.
“That’s a place to start,” Trinity replied.
The doorbell rang, and Vivi shouted, “Come on in, it’s open.”
Joel, Ben, and Dane strolled in…looking a little worse for wear. “Uncle Buck got you all good last night. Let me guess, he’s as chipper as a bird this morning with no hangover,” Vivi said.
“We’ve never felt better,” Dane replied.
“You’re going to split hell wide open with the lie you just told,” Vivi replied. “Have a seat, and I’ll make a fresh pot of coffee.” Standing, she moved over to the coffeemaker. “Unless you need the hair of the dog. I’m sure I have some rye around here somewhere.” She heard a chorus of noes and laughed out loud. Slapping her leg, she bent over and laughed. When she got herself under control, she swiveled and noticed Joel staring at her. Twisting, she glanced at her backside. “Do I have something on me? Why are you staring at me?”
Before Joel could respond, Dane helped him out. “Yeah, Joel. Why are you staring at Vivi’s extremely fine ass? Do you see something you like?”
Twirling around, Vivi beamed at Dane. “You think I have a fine ass? Oh, that’s so sweet. No one has noticed in so long.” Leaning her hip against the counter, she studied Dane more closely. Maybe she should go have a drink with him.
“Whatever you have going on in your mind…just forget it,” Trinity called out.
Gazing at Dane, she smiled and shrugged. “Are you sure?”
“I’m as sure as sugar,” Trinity replied.
“All right, then you take him. Because we can’t let such a good-looking man go to waste. It would be un-American,” Vivi stated.
The men’s eyes bounced between the two of them, and they appeared bewildered. It was probably bad taste to be horse-trading right in front of them, but Vivi couldn’t get herself worked up about it. “I mean it, Trinity. You all go out tonight and have a good old-fashioned date. Go ahead, Dane. Ask Trinity out. She’s ready.”
“Trinity, would you like to go out tonight?” Dane asked.
“I will go out with you, Dane,” Trinity passed her hand over her hair and smiled. “I think it will be fun.”
Ruby clapped her hands from her perch on Ben’s lap, looking as satisfied as a debutante with a full dance card. “Now it’s your turn, Vivi. You’re next. The next man that you find attractive, you have to go out with.”
“Fine.”
“What the hell is going on around here?” Joel bellowed. He stood in the middle of the kitchen with his hands on his hips, looking like he wanted to take a bite out of someone or something. Vivi wasn’t going to go out on a date. If there were dates to be had, they would be with him. Not that he wanted to date, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to let another man get near her. Shaking his head slowly, he realized that he’d officially lost his mind.
“Were you just asleep for the last ten minutes?” Ben inquired. He wrapped his arm around Ruby’s waist a little tighter and smoothed his hand down her leg. “The girls are breaking up the widows’ club and trying to walk back into the land of the living. You should follow their example, because it might improve your personality.” Gazing up at Ruby, he winked. “I took my vitamins, sweetheart. I want you to know that I’m ready for whatever you have in mind for me.”
Ruby held his face with her hands and dropped her mouth to his and proceeded to kiss him like a woman who had been alone for the last five years. It wasn’t anything that people needed to see before ten-thirty in the morning. But that didn’t seem to matter, because clearly nothing was going to make Ruby stop. And Ben appeared to be enjoying the attention.
Vivi turned around and made a pot of coffee. “That’s what a five-year dry spell looks like,” she said to herself as much as anyone else. She didn’t judge her friend. She was damn happy for her and maybe a tiny bit jealous. Maybe it was time she found someone to kiss. Glancing over at Joel, she wondered if he would kiss her. When she noticed his frown, she dismissed the thought immediately. It would be better to kiss someone who actually liked her and wasn’t so growly.
All the good looks in the world didn’t make up for a bad disposition. Just because she understood where it came from didn’t mean that she was willing to deal with it. She had enough sadness in her life. She wanted a little happy, and the man standing across the kitchen was never going to help her find it.
Joel walked over to Vivi and leaned against the counter. “I’m sorry for staring at your ass.”
“Are you sorry that you looked or sorry that you got caught?” Vivi asked. She leaned against the counter next to him and studied her manicure.
“I’m sorry that I got caught.” He stared down at the ground and adjusted his cap.
“You better be careful, Joel. You just displayed a sense of humor. If you’re not careful, someone might think that you have a personality. Maybe…even a little charm.”
A small smile pulled at the corner of his mouth, and he glanced up and stared into Vivi’s eyes. “We wouldn’t want that to happen.”
“No, we wouldn’t,” Vivi replied.
Straightening up, he cleared his throat. “It seems that we better get something accomplished before everyone goes off. What do you have on your schedule today?”
Vivi poured him a cup of coffee. “I have an appointment with the FBI and DEA down at Gideon’s precinct at one o’clock. The girls are going over to the clinic today.”
Taking a gulp of coffee, Joel nodded. “I’ll go with you and send Dane and Ben to the clinic. They can start installing the security system and see if they can gather any intel. I noticed that you don’t have anything here, so I’ll install one for your house today.”
“I don’t think I need one.”
“Oh, I know you need one,” Joel replied firmly.
Vivi shrugged and started cleaning up the kitchen. The charm was short-lived and likely not to return any time in the near future. As she leaned over and started loading the dishwasher, she felt a pair of eyes glued to her. Well, Joel could stare all he wanted, because that was as close as he was going to get. She might have spent the last three years in mourning, but even she wasn’t that desperate.
***
Vivi stepped out of her bedroom and noticed Joel up on a ladder, installing something on the wall. “What are you putting up there?”
Joel peered down at her, and she almost fell over from shock. He was smiling at her…a real, genuine smile. He was a good-looking man. Adding a smile made him a heartthrob. What the hell was going on?
“I’m installing a camera for the hall. You’re going to be able to see every part of your house from your phone or iPad.” He secured the last wire and placed the cover over the camera. Stepping down the ladder, he then stood next to her and adjusted his cap. “You look pretty, Vivi.”
Swiveling her head, she glanced around. “Wait, has the earth stopped rotating? Is the end in sight?”
“Funny, Vivi. Just because I gave you a compliment doesn’t mean that the world is ending.”
Smoothing down her dress, she shrugged. “I kind of thought it might.” Placing her hand on his arm, she balanced while she slipped her sandals on her feet. “Even rusty metal will shine if you scrub it long enough.”
Before she could step away, he held her hand loosely and gave her a once-over. “You were never rusty metal, Vivi.”
“I know. But I haven’t put any effort into shining myself up in a long time, and according to the girls, it’s time. It’s all Ben’s fault.”
“How is it Ben’s fault?”
“Ruby fell for him, so now Trinity and I have to make an effort and try to go out with someone. It seems that it’s time for the widows’ club to end.” Sliding her hand out of his, she moved toward the staircase. “If it were up to me, I would stay just as I am, but I have some empty rooms, and they need to be filled with children.”
Joel followed on her heel and asked, “So you’re going to find a husband and make some babies?”
“I don’t have…” The doorbell rang, and she moved toward the door. “I’m not expecting anyone.” She walked down the stairs quickly, with Joel hot on her heels. “Why are you following me?”
“Because we don’t know who it is, and it’s time that you started being cautious.”
Looking through the glass of the front doors, she waved to the man standing there. “It’s just Gideon.”
Swinging the door open, Vivi noticed Gideon frowning at her. What the heck?
“Hey, Vivi. Who’s the big ol’ mean bear behind you?”
Stepping around Vivi, Joel stood at his full height and introduced himself. “I’m Joel McDade, and I’m responsible for Vivi’s safety.”
Vivi hip-checked Joel and realized that it wasn’t going to work. There was no way to move a man who was built like a brick wall. “Put a smile on your face and say hi to Gideon. We’ve known each other since college. Oh…and I lost my virginity with him.”
“What the hell, Vivi? Why are you telling me that?” Joel shouted.
Leaning against him, she grinned into his scowling face. “Because I’m trying to make you crazy. I like to think of it as payback for all of the grief you’ve given me.”
Stepping away from the door, she let Gideon in. “Did you come by to give me a ride?”
“I sure did, sweetheart.”
“Let me grab my purse, and then we can go.”
“I’ll take you, Vivi,” Joel said.
Gideon let out a low chuckle. “Don’t fuss at him, Vivi, it’ll work out. I’ll probably be stuck at the station after the meeting.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Behave and don’t torture him.”
“Fine, we’ll see you all down there in a bit.” She closed the front door and twirled around. “Let’s go, then.”
Joel shook his head and laughed. “You are never going to give me a break, are you?”
“Probably not. You never gave me one, so I’m returning the favor.”
Placing his hand on her back, he moved them to the back door. “I guess that’s fair.”
“Joel, I’m a little nervous. I’ve never been down to the police station to meet with the Feds and DEA. Should I be worried?”
“Honey, you’ve spent three years abroad in war-torn countries. Why does the idea of the FBI and DEA make you feel uncomfortable?” Opening the car door, he made sure that she was buckled in before he ran around to the other side. Once he was behind the wheel, he studied her closely.
“Maybe I’ve seen too many crime shows.” Shrugging, she stared out the window. “All I wanted to do was offer medical care for the people in the neighborhood. It seemed like such a simple thing. I had no idea that it could turn into this.”
“Let’s wait and see what they have to say and then I’ll put a plan together for you. This is something that shouldn’t be that hard to manage.”
“I hope you’re right,” Vivi sighed.
***
Standing with Gideon, Vivi smiled at the men gathered before her. There was one standing toward the back, and he was staring at her with melty brown eyes and a smile. Thank God I got myself shined up today. “My goodness, there are a lot of you.”
Gideon introduced her, and she shook hands with each one of them. The one with the smile was named Wyatt. He shook her hand and held it for a second longer than was appropriate. How lovely. “Nice to meet you, Wyatt.” Vivi beamed.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Dr. DuMond.”
“Call me Vivi.” You big, handsome devil.
“Can I find you a seat?”
“That would be lovely.” Looping her arm through his, he guided her over to a seat. Just as he was about to sit down next to her, someone called his name.
Leaning over, he spoke quietly in her ear. “I’ll be right back, Vivi.”
“I look forward to it, Wyatt.” She straightened her dress and realized that all of Ruby’s talk about how a man smelled was starting to make sense, because the one standing over her smelled divine.
Joel came over and sat down next to her and she felt unhappiness roll off of him. “You can keep your disapproval to yourself, Joel.”
“You don’t have to throw yourself at the first man who speaks to you, Vivi. My God, woman, have a little self-control,” he hissed.
Smiling blindly at the group before her, she leaned over and replied, “I have two brothers. I don’t need you to give me advice. Back off and don’t mess with me.”
Smoothing down her hair, she realized it was fun to flirt. The fact that she hadn’t done it in a thousand years didn’t seem to be slowing her down, so that was good. Wyatt sat across from her, and she crossed her legs and flipped her hair over her shoulder. She was about to say something, when Joel’s big body moved closer. He looped his arm across the back of her seat and shifted right up against her arm. “There are plenty of empty seats. You don’t have to sit next to me,” she hissed quietly out of the side of her mouth.
Adjusting himself so that their legs touched, he returned her fake smile. “I think sticking close is a good idea. It seems that you have lost your good sense.”
“You better hope to God that’s all I’m about to lose.” Gideon stood in front of the group and introduced everyone, and the meeting began. “We will talk about this later.”
Sitting back, she smiled at Wyatt and waved. She hoped like hell having a big, mean spec ops guy sitting next to her wouldn’t put him off. Maybe a man like Wyatt was just what she needed. When the meeting was over, she would ditch Joel and see if Wyatt wanted to go out for dinner. It was time to see if she had anything left in her.
***
Vivi pulled herself out of the pool and saw Joel sitting on the chaise longue, studying his phone. She grabbed a towel out of the basket and dried herself off. “When are you going to head over to Uncle Buck’s?”
Lifting his eyes, he let them slowly travel over her body. She felt the heat from his gaze and wondered what the hell had gotten into him. Sliding a robe over her shoulders, she moved toward him. “No need for you to hang around here.”
“I’m moving in with you until the case is solved.”
“Whaaat?” Vivi shrieked.
“You might have missed the part of the meeting where they explained that your picture and home address were found on the phones of the men found dead in your clinic. You seemed a little busy flirting.”
“Only one was dead. I saved the other one.”
“Which was the point,” he replied dryly. Sitting back, he rubbed his temples. “Do you have a death wish, Vivi?”
“I’m able to listen and flirt at the same time, so I heard everything.” She leaned against the chaise longue and closed her eyes. How in the world did she end up with a growly bear in her house? She had tried to do good in the world; she went to church on a semi-regular basis and visited her parents often. It seemed a little unfair that this was her fate. “I don’t want to live with you. You’re mean to me.” She felt his big hand slide over hers, and he let it rest there.
“Are you twelve? I am not mean to you.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. You remind me of this boy I knew in fifth grade named Timmy Budrow. He was awful to me all year, and we had an all-out war going against one another right up until the last day of school, when we had a swim party.”
“What ended the war?” Joel inquired.
“Timmy kissed me behind the pool slide.” Opening her eyes, she studied him. “That’s when I knew all the fussing we were doing at one another was because we liked each another.”
“Was it true love?”
“No. We pretty much fizzled out after that. I spent most of the summer out at the horse farm, and he fell for his neighbor, Gina Monroe. They were a hot item all through sixth grade.” Sitting up, she pulled her robe tighter. “Are you mean to me because you like me? You hinted at something the other day, and I just want to know what I’m dealing with.”
Rubbing his hand over his face, he let out a sigh. “Vivi, I don’t have relationships. And I know that you’re a woman who does. So it doesn’t much matter if I like you or not. Whatever feelings are being stirred up inside me are never going to do either one of us any good. So, I think I’ll just leave them buried where they are.”
Twisting the end of her hair, she studied the big handsome man across from her and felt her stomach drop. It somehow felt like a missed opportunity. Which was ludicrous. Who wanted an opportunity with someone who had no personality? “All right, then.” Standing, she patted his shoulder. “There’s plenty of food in the fridge. Help yourself. I’m going to get ready for my date. Wyatt is picking me up at seven.”
“You can’t go on a date when you’re in danger,” he yelled.
Crossing her arms over her chest, she glared at him. “You better start doing a better job of stomping down those feeling you have; otherwise, neither one of us is going to survive this.” Twirling around, she called over her shoulder, “I’m going out with a federal agent, and he promised to keep me safe.”
“Who is going to keep you safe from him?” he called.
“No one…I hope.” She moved through the patio doors and laughed.