~*~
Somehow Eric had talked his cousin out of a fury she’d worked up for him. He didn’t figure it would be warranted as a compliment to tell her she had her father’s anger, so he kept that to himself.
He also figured Susan had heard every word that had been sworn to him while she was upstairs putting her bedroom back together.
They’d both had the right to let him have it. His own temper had cost him a few things over his life, but he wasn’t ready to lose Susan over it.
He’d talked her into staying the night with him. They were going to call Lydia and see if she’d put them in touch with Tyson. It was time to find out what was going on and who was doing it. Tyson had led him to believe they were a team now working with each other and not against. If it got him another black eye, it was worth the chance.
Susan called Lydia as they drove out to his house. “Eric said he’d talked to him earlier. We were just hoping, maybe, he’d come talk to us again.” She nodded her head and wrote down a phone number in a small book she’d pulled out of her purse. “I really appreciate it. Oh, really? I’d enjoy that. Thanks,” she said just before she hung up.
“What was that about?”
“She hasn’t seen him. But here’s his phone number and…”
“No, the last part of the conversation?”
Susan smiled wide. “She invited me to her book club.”
“To cater again?”
“No, to join them.”
The smile she wore became infectious and reminded him of the bruise Tyson gave him on the cheek. It was worth it. He reached across the cab of the truck and took her hand.
“Whatever happens from here on out, I promise to talk it out with you first.”
She pushed up her sunglasses and narrowed her gaze at him. “I’d appreciate that.”
“I meant it when I said I loved you.”
“And I meant it in return.”
“We’re headed in the right direction I guess.”
“Looks like it.”
Twenty minutes later they pulled up in front of Eric’s house and parked next to Tyson’s truck. Parked on the other side of it was another truck with a pink camo crown on the back window.
Eric turned off the engine and they both stepped out as Tyson and Lydia walked around the front of his truck.
“I guess sisters get things done,” Eric tipped his hat to Lydia.
“It sounded urgent enough I hunted him down. Thought I’d come out too. Maybe I can help you guys find out who’s messing with everything,” Lydia offered.
“I was out here visiting your mom. Our mom.” Tyson scratched his head. “My mom told me everything once she calmed down.”
“I know it’s not easy for you.”
“I can see why grandpa wants to move her though. I mean maybe we can get her a new headstone. Your cemetery plots are worn down.”
Eric tucked his hands in his pockets to keep from wanting to use them. “That cemetery is very well taken care of.”
“Her stone is in three pieces and a few others have been knocked over. It looks like no one has been up there in years.”
That wasn’t sitting well with him. Eric shook his head as he grit his teeth. “I was up there two days ago and everything was just right.”
“Then they’re getting closer. Whoever it is we’re looking for. They’re moving in to run us off. They’re hitting us where it hurts.”
“Ain’t going to happen.
“Damn, straight,” Tyson agreed.