Page 62 of Rafe: Sins of the Father

“What?” I swing my head from the road to her.

“My window was open. I went to close it, and I could hear them talking in the driveway. Charlie said he was working on something, but that Bubba had ruined what he’d planned. Then Alex said, ‘just get it done. Whatever it takes. It’s the reason I put you here.’ What do you think he meant?”

“Hell, now it makes sense,” I murmur, taking a turn.

“What does?”

“That night, it looked like Powers had slipped Charlie an envelope. A thick envelope. Me and Bubba figured it must be a stack of bills. We figured he was paying Charlie off, and the only thing we could come up with was to get Sawyer to sell.” We arrive at the school, and I swing to the curb, then stare at her. “It makes sense, Tori. All the bad luck, all the accidents happening, the damaged equipment, making it look like someone was stealing from him. I think it was all designed to make your father want to throw in the towel and sell the place.”

She studies me for a long moment. “You’re a smart guy, Rafe. Much smarter than Charlie or my father give you credit for. You’re so much better than Charlie, Rafe. You should be foreman.”

I huff a laugh. “You think I could do that job?” I’m only half joking, but the look in her eyes tells me she’s not.

“I do.”

“You really believe that, Tori?”

“I know it. I believe in you.”

Hearing those words come out of her mouth makes my chest swell. It feels fucking fantastic to know how she feels about me. Hell, I feel ten feet tall right now.

I go around to her door, help her out and, with my hands on her hips, I push her against the side of the truck and kiss her.

She kisses me back, and I deepen the kiss, needing to know this is serious. I need to know she’s in this as deeply as I am.

Her arms wrap around my neck and pull me closer, her fingers threading through my hair. Her response tells me everything I need to know.

I hear some girls giggling as they walk past us and break off the kiss and press my forehead to Tori’s.

“I like you, Tori. I like you a lot. I think you feel the same way, so why don’t we stop this game and admit it?”

“I do like you, Rafe.”

“I haven’t been able to get you out of my head since the moment I laid eyes on you, pretty girl.”

Her face lights at my words. “Me, neither.” She glances at the students who hurry past. “I’ve got to go. I’m already late for class.”

“Right. I’ll pick you up. What time are you through?”

“I’m done by four.”

“I’ll be here.” I let her go, touching the tip of her nose.

“Okay.” She kisses me once more, just a quick brush of the lips, and then she melts into the flow of students.

Climbing in the truck, I glance around for Connor or his friends, but don’t see them anywhere, so I drop the truck in gear and pull away.

When I drive her home that afternoon, I grab her hand before she climbs out of the truck at her front door. “Meet me tomorrow. Before the mill opens. Come down to the office. The guys don’t arrive until quarter to seven, and Cora Lee doesn’t come until seven.”

“What time will you be there?”

“Can you come at six?”

“I’ll try.”

“You better more than try, girl,” I say with a teasing grin. “I’ll text you when I pull in.”

“I’ll hear your motorcycle. I hear it every morning.”

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