Delilah

Some matches are made in heaven. And some are made right here in our little parcel of paradise.

Billy’s been here every day since Shelby arrived in town. He was here before Jason came back too, but his help hasn’t been needed as much since Jason started taking on more of the upkeep and maintenance of the farm.

He’s here for the second time today though, because he forgot to “check on something he left in the barn.” From up in the loft, I see him pacing, psyching himself up to ask her out on an official date. I smile but remain quiet. Unfortunately, Jason doesn’t. “Stop fucking around and just ask her.”

I whack Jason’s leg. “Don’t tease him,” I warn while laughing. “The man is clearly head over heels for my sister.”

Billy’s gaze darts up. “Oh, man. What are you doing out here?”

Jason calls from his reclined position on the bed. “Making love to my woman. Ask Shelby out and get it over with. I’m tired of watching you two dance around the obvious.”

I look over the edge at Billy and laugh. “Sorry. We should have told you we were here. It wasn’t nice of us to eavesdrop. But since we’re all here, Jason’s right. I think she’ll say yes, but you have to ask.”

“Any advice?” he asks.

“She loves sushi.”

His nose scrunches. “What the hell is sushi?”

Jason states, “Raw fish.”

I glare at him. “You’re being bad today.”

“I am. You should punish me. With your mouth again.”

“Oh my God,” I whisper-yell. “Behave.”

“What’s the fun in that?”

I’m about to tackle him and show him how punishing my mouth can be and then let him punish me with his, but then remember Billy is still here like his whole life is depending on some tidbit of insight I can give him regarding my sister. He says, “Gross. So catch a fish out back and give it to her?”

Jason says, “Go away, man. I’ve got business to take care of.”

“But I need help,” he replies.

I peek over the edge again. “Just ask her. No gimmicks. No pretenses. No games. Just be you, Billy. She’ll appreciate the sincerity.”

“You’re right.” He appears empowered as he walks with purpose toward the house. “Wish me luck.”

“Good luck,” I call after him. Shelby’s about to be the second luckiest girl in Freeland County. When he’s out of sight, I turn the fan up and turn back to Jason who looks devilishly sexy and smug, lying there waiting for me. “About that punishment—”

“Punish away, baby.”

I do, and then I let him reciprocate, but it’s more making love and lust, punishment of the good kind.

* * *

Benson and Brooks were charged with aggravated assault, attempted murder, tax evasion, and fifteen counts of illegal gambling with no bail. I’m not sad in the least.

Us versus them.

As much as I wish we hadn’t experienced the nightmare of that night, it brought me to an understanding. Taking Jason’s hand as we watch them be charged, I have no regrets. I would put my life on the line time and again for the ones I love.

Cole Cutler is asked to stand. His assigned lawyer stands behind the defendant’s table with him. My hands don’t shake. Anger is stronger than the fear he used to instill in me. The judge reads the charges, and then asks if he understands what he’s being charged with. With his head down, he replies, “Yes.”

The judge asks, “What do you plead?”

Cole’s lawyer whispers in his ear while we all anxiously await his answer. Cole nods, looks at me, and then to the judge. “Guilty.”

The gavel strikes, causing me to jump. I whisper to Jason, “Did he really plead guilty?”

“Yes.” This is what we wanted when we walked into the courthouse this morning, but the shock of it happening is staggering. Jason’s chest deflates and he exhales his relief. However, there’s something in his body language that surprises me. Grabbing the bench in front of us, he drops his head. “He was my best friend.” When his eyes land on mine, he asks, “How could a person I once trusted be so intent to destroy our lives?”

That is a question I have given much thought to, but avoided thinking about in the aftermath of kicking him out and our divorce. I think I was still so shell-shocked about what I’d been through and doubtful that he’d ever really be gone from my life. And now I know that fear was well founded.

There’s no obvious reason for his actions. Greed? Hate? Sadness? “Jealousy?”

My marriage to Cole never felt real, not in the ways that count. Marriage is love and beauty, support, and friendship. I was betrayed, tricked into believing I deserved less in life.

Jason nods silently and then moves to leave, taking me with him. His mother catches us in the hall. She hugs me and then him. “Is it over?”

“They were charged,” he says, assessing the courthouse exits. I wonder when he’ll truly be home and not need to know how to escape if necessary. “Not sentenced. They pled not guilty so they’ll go to trial.”

She looks from him to me and back to him. “What about Cole?”

“Cutler will go straight to sentencing. We have to wait.”

Meredith replies with a smile, “Well then, how about dinner tonight?”

We’ve had dinner with her at least once a week, when she’s not busy with her boyfriend, Fred Carver. Jason starts grumbling, but I place an arm on him and reply, “We’d be happy to. Will Fred be there?”

“Yes. I think it’s time for my guys to spend some time together.”

“You’re killing me, Ma.”

“Oh, you’ll live. I have needs too—”

“No.” He rolls on his heel, turning his back to us. “I do not want to hear about your needs when it comes to stuff like this.”

“Maybe we’ll have a double wedding,” she teases. I love that she gives him a hard time. It’s good for him.

I joke, “Our girl is all grown up.”

“Don’t you start in too.” Walking backward toward the doors, he says to her, “We’ll see you tonight.”

“Love you, Jase.”

“Love ya, Ma.”

I catch up to him laughing and smacking his ass as I pass. He’s quick though. And good with his hands. Correction: great with his hands. I’m scooped up in his arms outside the courthouse, kissed, and carried to the truck. When I’m set down, my back rests against the truck, and he cages me in. As always, I’m ready to make out right here on the sidewalk, but it seems he has other plans. “I want to take you somewhere.”

With how he’s looking at me right now, he can take me anywhere.

* * *

I didn’t expect to be sitting across from Sabrina Smith inside McKinney National Bank, but here we are. Cole’s name has been removed from all the paperwork. The farm is in Shelby’s and my name. “It’s surreal,” I say to Jason, who’s sitting next to me.

Rubbing my leg, he nods. “It’s how it should be.”

Sabrina, in all her snooty flair, stands abruptly and taps the papers on the desk. “I’ll need to get my manager to handle your paperwork, Jason.”

When she leaves the cubicle, I whisper, “What is she talking about?”

Matching my tone, he replies, “Wait for it.”

The bank manager, Worley Hiccolms, comes in and heartily shakes our hands. “Mr. Koster. Ms. Noelle. Good to see you today.” He glares at Sabrina. “If you’ll excuse us.”

“Sure,” she says, like she’s not totally wanting in on whatever this is.

He smiles like a Cheshire cat and pushes a piece of paper across the desk toward us. “Ms. Noelle has been added. We can update name changes after the nuptials. If you could both sign here, she’ll be granted full access to the safety-deposit box and the two bank accounts.”

I bump my knee against Jason’s. He says, “Life is unpredictable. I thought it was a good idea to get you added sooner rather than later.”

The bank manager says, “It’s good to take precautions. Now, if you’ll sign here and here, you can be on your way, and we’ll take care of the rest.” Jason has me sign first and then he signs on the line beneath mine. Worley stands eagerly. “I want to personally thank you for trusting your financial interests with our fine establishment.”

They shake hands. “Thank you. Don’t get robbed.”

“Eh, we’re insured.”

We all laugh politely through a round of goodbyes until we reach the sidewalk. I ask, “What was that about?”

“I guess he’s just happy to be working with us.”

“Jason?” My hand goes to my hip. “Be open with me. How much money are we talking about? Worley doesn’t treat everybody like that, so I’m assuming a lot. Twenty? Fifty? A hundred thousand?”

We reach the truck. He opens the door and says, “We can go inside and get a statement if you’d like.”

“No.” I climb into the cab. “Just tell me.”

He shuts my door and drags this out, adding to the drama, while he walks around to the driver’s side. When he slips into the truck next to me, he starts the engine.

“Jason, tell me.”

“You sure?”

His arm is on the back of the bench while he reverses. “Well, after paying off the farm and Mom’s house, one point eight million in the accounts.

“What?” I shout. My throat tightens and I start coughing.

Patting me on the back, he looks over, but I see the smile on his face. “Are you okay, baby?”

I clear my throat, my hands on my chest. “One point eight million dollars?”

“No, Oreos. Yes, dollars.”

Leaning back, I can’t even fathom that amount of money. “From jobs?”

“Yes. I was paid well.”

“That much is more than well, Jason.”

He shrugs as he pulls out and starts driving. “I was very good at what I did.”

“I would say so.”

“This is a lot to take in. I get it. Every penny I earned was for this life, for us. I know that sounds unbelievable. You were married. I shouldn’t have thought of you as more than someone else’s wife. I think deep down my heart knew where it belonged. I knew. This is where I belong. Right here with you. Call it kismet or luck, great timing, or great fortune. Doesn’t matter as long as I have you.”

Our hands reach out and find each other in the middle.

This is love.

Pure.

Soul-enriching, life-affirming, deep-seated, raw, and real love.

Getting a second chance to be with this generous and kind man is more than kismet or great timing.

It’s destiny.

* * *

I walk into the barn and climb the ladder to the loft. We can’t live up here forever, and definitely not through winter, but it’s been fun. It’s been the escape from the house we needed after that night we were attacked.

When I reach the top, I spot a gift box in the middle of the mattress. Sitting down next to it, I take it and lift the lid, smiling. I don’t understand it, but maybe the note will explain. I pull the card from the envelope and read:

Holding the note to my chest, I swallow down the emotions he’s stirred inside and blink back tears. It’s hard though, when you read the sweetest letter you’ve ever received.

I set the note aside and reach for the uniform. Laughing, I stand up and hold the skirt to my hips. Not sure if this will still fit, but I’m willing to squeeze into it for Jason. With the top and bottom part of the uniform in hand, I rush back down the ladder and into the house.

“Shelby?” I run to the hall and call upstairs, “Shelby? Where are you?”

“Stop yelling, Delilah. I’m in here,” she calls from the other room. It’s been great having my sister home. Working remotely is allowing her to rediscover her love for country life. With the farm paid off, she gets to decide her future and whether she returns or stays. I’m hoping she stays.

I rush into the kitchen, my boots coming to a halt against the linoleum. Holding up the outfit, I ask, “Will you help me get ready?” A smile already sits on her face when she turns around with an iced tea in hand. “Uh, you know, don’t you?”

“Maybe.” She shrugs before setting her glass on the table and taking me by the arm. “Come on. Let’s get you ready for the big game.”