Brody (Texas Boudreau Brotherhood Book 3) Page 9

  The loud trill of her cell phone broke the spell which mere seconds before held her frozen in place. Her eyelids flew open, and she automatically took a step back, the magic lost at the incessant ringing of her phone. Brody ran a hand through his hair, a guarded look on his face.

  “You probably should get that.”

  “Um, yeah, I guess so.” Her finger slid across the face of the phone. She didn’t bother looking at the caller ID, because it didn’t matter. Their special moment had disappeared like a puff of smoke on the breeze, and deep inside she couldn’t help wondering if there’d ever be another.

  “Hello?”

  “Good evening, ma’am. Is this Beth Stewart?”

  Still only half paying attention, she responded, “Yes, it is.”

  “Ms. Stewart, this is Deputy Warden Jackson over at Huntsville. We’re sure there’s no cause for alarm, ma’am, but I’m calling to inform you Mr. Evan Stewart escaped earlier today…”

  The phone slipped from Beth’s numb fingers, crashing to the floor. She heard Brody’s voice calling her name, but the words were distant, muffled beneath the ringing in her ears. The words she’d heard reverberated in her head, repeating over and over. Evan escaped. Evan escaped. Evan escaped.

  Jamie!

  She had to get to her daughter. Protect her. Make sure she was safe. Every instinct screamed at her to run, run as far and as fast as her legs would carry her. Race away from Shiloh Springs, because Evan knew they lived there now. Find some place where Evan could never find them. The careful life she’d created for her daughter crumbled into a thousand brittle shards, charred and ruined, and she wasn’t sure she could put them back together again.

  Brody’s arm snaked around her waist, which was good because her knees felt like limp noodles, ready to collapse beneath her. Her gaze centered on his face, reading the barely restrained anger as he spoke to the official from Huntsville. How could this happen? The illusion of safety she’d cloaked herself in lay in tattered ruins around her. Would she ever feel safe again?

  With his arm tight around her, he led her to the sofa and eased her onto it, the whole time talking with the warden. His arm loosened from around her, and immediately she felt its loss. Without his touch, she felt encased in ice, cold and numb to everything around her. Staring down at her hands, she bunched her fingers into fists, marveling she could move them at all, because she felt frozen. Numb. Trapped in a cocoon of icy despair, because her illusion of happily ever after fragmented with one phone call. She’d deluded herself into thinking she had a shot, a chance at making a new life, finding a new love with Brody.

  Her gaze lifted to Brody’s as he knelt beside her, his strong hand wrapped around the cell phone. Now he’d realize it wasn’t good to be around her. Nobody needed to be stuck with her. Her life was jinxed, it had been from the day she’d met Evan Stewart, and fallen for his lies and deceit.

  “Sweetheart, they’ve got everybody looking for Evan. They’ll catch him. I promise, he’s not getting anywhere near you or Jamie, okay? Let me call Rafe, find out what he knows.”

  “I need to see Jamie.” She hated how her voice quivered, nearly cracking toward the end. She tried to sit a little straighter. This had to stop. She wasn’t some crybaby, some weak, lily-livered wimp. When Evan had tried to manipulate her after he’d been arrested, she’d grown a backbone and stood up to him. Divorced him and moved on, making a new life for her and her daughter. She wasn’t about to let him break her now. “She’s going to be scared when she hears about her father.”

  “As soon as I talk to Rafe, we’ll head to the ranch. Couple of minutes, tops.”

  She rubbed her upper arms, trying to feel warm again. Without a doubt, Brody was right. They needed to find out what Rafe knew, and take the appropriate steps to protect not only Jamie, but Tessa, too. Evan wasn’t above going after her sister, since she’d been a huge part of him being behind bars.

  “Do it. Because I want him as far away from my daughter as humanly possible. If we’re lucky, maybe he grew a brain while he was incarcerated, and is across the border in Mexico.”

  Brody’s crooked grin at her words made the invisible layer of ice surrounding her heart start thawing. Evan better watch his back, because if he was stupid enough to show up in Shiloh Springs, she’d be ready.

  Hanging up after talking to the deputy warden, Brody’s thoughts were spinning a mile a minute. He still didn’t understand how Evan Stewart managed to slip through the cracks at Huntsville, but he was on the loose, with a full manhunt in progress. They’d been searching for several hours, the warden said, but he and his cellmate were in the wind. Apparently, they’d had outside help, and the police were looking for Evan’s cellmate’s girlfriend, but hadn’t had any luck thus far.

  Biting back a curse, he laid Beth’s phone on the coffee table in front of her. He’d managed to get her seated while he’d finished the call, but knew she’d retreated into her thoughts. Didn’t take a genius to figure out exactly what she’d do. The minute she got herself together, she’d head to the Big House, grab Jamie, and hightail it out of Shiloh Springs as fast as she could load herself and her daughter in their car. No, he wasn’t about to let that happen, not if he could stop it.

  He yanked his cell phone out of his pocket and hit speed dial for Rafe’s number. He paced across the living room floor, agitated his brother didn’t answer on the first ring.

  “Hey, Brody, what’s up?”

  “Why didn’t you call me the second you heard about Stewart?” Brody’s tone sounded overly harsh, but he was pissed, and didn’t really care who knew it. He kept his voice low, because Beth didn’t need to hear this conversation. She’d been blindsided by the news about her ex. Somebody better have some answers for him, ones that made more sense than the little he’d been able to pry outta the deputy warden. Otherwise, he might not be responsible for his actions.

  “Stewart? Are you talking about Evan Stewart?”

  “Why didn’t you tell me he escaped? How come you don’t have somebody watching Beth’s house?”

  “Whoa, hold on. What are you talking about?”

  Brody took a deep breath, trying to quash down the rage coursing through him, which wasn’t easy. Every second Evan was free meant Beth and Jamie were in danger. He might not be a cop, but he’d protect them both with his life.

  He took another steadying breath, focusing on the facts. Rafe was a good sheriff; he wouldn’t let anything happen to Beth or Jamie. His gut tightened at the thought of Beth’s ex getting his hands on her, and literally saw red. “Beth got a call a few minutes ago from Huntsville. Apparently, Evan and another prisoner escaped this afternoon. Are you telling me you didn’t know?”

  “Son of a—no, I didn’t know. Let me make some calls and get back to you.” Rafe hung up before Brody could say anything else. He glared at his phone, fighting the compulsion to throw it against the wall. He couldn’t; he needed to keep it handy in case Beth’s ex showed up. If Stewart was smart, he’d be halfway to Mexico now, instead of heading toward Shiloh Springs. Stewart had to be certifiable if he thought he’d get anywhere close to Beth or Jamie.

  “What did Rafe say?” Beth’s words were spoken quietly, as if she felt the rage boiling beneath the surface, the seething anger needing an outlet. The thought of her in danger, he refused to give it any credence, because he’d lose his mind. She had enough do deal with without him loosing what little control he clung to. Reining his emotions back, cooling down the spike of adrenaline coursing through his veins, he moved over to sit beside her, and pulled her hands between his. They were icy to his touch.

  Calm. You’ve gotta stay calm. Beth needs you in control.

  “He didn’t know anything about Evan. Nobody from the prison called him. He’s trying to find out more information. Come here.” Reaching for her, he pulled her against his side, and tucked her head against his shoulder. Felt her body trembling again his. Reaching along the back of the sofa, he lifted the crocheted afghan with one hand a
nd wrapped it around her. “He’ll call back as soon as he knows something. If Evan’s smart, he’ll head anywhere but Shiloh Springs. It’s the first place anybody’s gonna look for him.”

  “I know that in here,” she pointed to her head. “But I can’t trust him around Jamie. He won’t hesitate to use her as a bargaining chip to get me to do anything he wants.”

  “He won’t get the chance. Let me call the Big House, and put them on alert, just in case. The Boudreaus can circle the wagons and keep Jamie safe.”

  At her nod, he pressed the speed dial for home. His dad answered on the first ring. “Hey, Brody. I thought you were on a date with Beth.”

  “Change of plans. Beth got a call from Huntsville.”

  “What happened?” His father tone went instantly alert, concern lacing his father’s words. Douglas had dealt with more than his fair share of crises through the years, and Brody knew he’d protect Jamie with his life. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind as soon as his father knew the situation, he’d round up the rest of Brody’s brothers, and they’d do whatever it took to keep her protected.

  “Evan Stewart escaped this afternoon.” Brody let the stark words convey everything he felt, knowing his father would immediately grasp the gravity of the situation. As much as he wanted to rail at the unfairness, he couldn’t, not with Beth sitting beside him, her nerves already frazzled and on edge.

  “How’d he manage that?”

  “I don’t know, nobody’s been exactly clear on the details. He apparently escaped with his cellmate a few hours ago.”

  “And they’re just now letting us know? What’d Rafe say, because I know you talked to him before you called me.”

  “Nobody bothered to notify him either. First he heard of it was a couple minutes ago when I called him.

  “How’s Beth holding up?” Brody heard his mother’s voice in his ear, and knew she’d snatched the phone away from his dad. “You bring her here right now, you hear me? If her ex shows up, we’ll handle it.” And there was the backbone of steel his mother possessed. Almost everybody underestimated her when the first met her. Barely over five feet, she looked like a breeze could blow her down. He and his family knew better. The woman was a dynamo wrapped in a delicate package. Nobody got the best of Patricia Boudreau. She’d raised more troubled, rebellious boys than most people dealt with in a lifetime, and she wrangled ’em into shape with one hand tied behind her back. Everyone in Shiloh Springs knew better than to cross Ms. Patti, as all the locals called her. Now that Tessa was marrying Rafe, she was family, and Beth and Jamie because honorary Boudreaus by default.

  “That’s my plan, Momma. Keep an eye on Jamie.”

  “She’s in the kitchen with Dane and Nica.”

  “Nica’s there?”

  “Showed up this afternoon. Said she was taking a long weekend from classes. Now I’m glad she did, she can help keep Jamie occupied while we deal with this little problem.”

  Brody bit back a grin. His momma calling Evan Stewart a little problem—he’d bet good money on the outcome of seeing Evan go up against Patti Boudreau. Evan would be slinking back to Huntsville, begging them to let him back inside by the time she was finished with him.

  “Brody?” Beth moved quietly to his side, her tiny hand resting on his arm, a question in her voice.

  “It’s okay, sweetheart. Dad and Momma are watching Jamie. Dane and Nica are keeping her occupied. Everything’s going to be fine.”

  “I’ll expect to see you here ASAP, son.” Apparently his momma gave the phone back to his dad, because his voice was the next one he heard. “Antonio’s supposed to be showing up in about an hour too. Maybe he can make some calls to his FBI contacts, find out anything the locals aren’t telling us. I’ll call him, tell him to bring Serena with him. Another female around to help Beth won’t be a bad thing.”

  “Thanks, Dad. We’re on our way.”

  He slid his cell phone into his pocket, and pulled Beth around to face him. Giving her a once over, she looked calmer, not as shaky as she’d been a few minutes ago.

  “Jamie’s safe?”

  “She’s surrounded by a house full of family, she’s fine. Grab your stuff, we’re heading there too. I’m texting Rafe, so he’ll know where we are.”

  She grabbed her purse and walked to the door. “Let’s go.”

  Brody walked her onto the porch, making sure the front door was securely locked behind him. A quick scan of the yard and street in front of the cottage didn’t reveal anything suspicious, and he quickly helped Beth into the truck, before climbing behind the wheel.

  Evan Stewart better hope the cops catch up to him before I do.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Beth curled up in the overstuffed chair in the living room of the Big House, a crocheted throw wrapped around her shoulders. A hot cup of tea, clasped between both hands, remained untouched. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, trying to release some of the tension and anxiety knotted deep in her belly.

  Brody drove them straight to his family’s home. Rafe still hadn’t called, so there hadn’t been any more news about Evan or where he might be. She prayed he kept running in any direction, as long as it wasn’t Shiloh Springs.

  Jamie was tucked into bed, with Nica to keep her company. Nica volunteered to keep an eye on her, going as far as to suggest sharing her bedroom with her. Beth knew the Boudreaus would be supportive in a crisis, but she’d never imagined how much she depended on them. Ms. Patti had put out a call and rallied the troops, and now the house teemed with people. Antonio and Serena showed up mere minutes after she and Brody. Antonio had been on the phone since they’d arrived, contacting his FBI sources, and going through the legitimate channels to generate any information on her ex.

  “Rafe’s on his way.” Ms. Patti eased onto the ottoman in front of Beth’s chair. She reached forward and laid her hand on Beth’s knee. “Can I get you anything, hon?”

  Beth shook her head, and took of sip of the tea. Chamomile, hot and sweet, the way she liked it. Warmth spread through her, and she sipped again.

  “Everything’s going to be okay. They’ll catch Evan and he’ll be back in Huntsville before you know it. Plus, you’ve got a houseful of folks who’ll keep you and Jamie safe.” Ms. Patti leaned forward and whispered, “I hope they catch him before Brody gets his hands on him. Probably won’t be enough left to lock in a cell if Brody or Rafe find him first. They’ve got a personal stake in making sure Evan gets exactly what he deserves.”

  Beth raised her head and stared at Ms. Patti, who simply shrugged, a conspiratorial smile on her lips. “What, I’m just saying what everybody else is thinking.”

  “I thought this nightmare was over when Evan when to prison. That I was finally free from the devastation he’d made of my life. Of Jamie’s life. Now, I know it’s never going to end. He’s like the boogie man; he’ll never really be gone. We’re never going to be free of him.”

  “Hush. I don’t want to hear you talk like that. Evan Stewart is simply a man. He’s not a bigger-than-life ghoul, he’s just a human-style monster. And if you’ve read any fairy tales, which I know you have because of Jamie, you know the monster can be slayed. Lucky for you, I happen to have a house full of monster slayers.”

  The corners of Beth’s lips tugged in an involuntary smile, picturing Brody in a suit of shining armor, sword in hand, standing over a sobbing, cowardly Evan. “Thanks, Ms. Patti. I needed to hear that.”

  The front door swung open hard enough to slam against the wall, and Tessa swept through like a whirlwind, eyes frantic until they landed on Beth. Eyes filled with tears, she rushed across the living room and threw herself against Beth, hugging her so tight, Beth squeaked.

  “Can’t breathe.”

  Tessa’s grip loosened a tiny bit, and she gave a watery laugh. “Sorry. Are you okay?”

  Beth nodded and set down her empty teacup, glad she finished it before being hit by Tornado Tessa, or she’d have been wearing it.

  “I’m fine. Jam
ie’s asleep. Nica’s keeping an eye on her.”

  “Good. How could this happen? I mean, I know people sometimes escape from prison in the movies, but real life? It’s not right.”

  “I…we don’t have any details yet. All I’ve heard is what Brody got from the deputy warden at the prison. Evan and his cellmate escaped, so they must have been planning it. They are pretty sure they got help from the cellmate’s girlfriend.”

  Ms. Patti silently stood and motioned for Tessa to take her place on the ottoman and headed for the kitchen. Beth glanced toward the opening between the kitchen and the living room, and saw Rafe standing there, his gaze intent on Tessa. Beth felt a bit envious at the look of love on his face. Not that she begrudged her sister having found the man of her dreams. It almost made her believe in happily ever after again. At least for everybody else.

  “Any news yet?” She directed her question to Rafe.

  He walked across the room and placed his hand on his fiancée’s shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Not much. A state trooper talked to a gas station attendant, who thinks he spotted a couple of men and a woman who stopped for gas. One of them was dressed in prison garb—he thinks. One man and the woman drove off, leaving the third person behind. Unfortunately, he was unable to identify anybody from the photo lineup, so it’s all guessing at this point, but they might have split up.”

  “Which means Evan’s traveling alone?”

  “It’s only speculation at this point, Beth.”

  She wrapped the throw tighter around her, feeling the invisible chill teasing along her skin. Bile rose in the back of her throat, a feeling of lightheadedness sweeping over her. “He’s coming here—to Shiloh Springs.”