Page 283 of Love in Riverbend
“Ms. James,” Klara calls.
Marilyn steps away from Bryce’s touch.
I can’t stand to see any more as I turn away and hit the button for the elevator. Facing the silver front, I stand stone-still until the door opens. I quickly step inside, only turning to see Marilyn’s frown as the doors close.
An idea comes to me. The problem is that I will never be able to get Marilyn to my apartment. I kept it, with my three days a week in Carmel. By the time I make it to my apartment, my mind is made up.
Just like I didn’t need to save Justin by myself, for my plan to work, I’m going to need help. Today is Wednesday, but Friday night will have to do. I hit the contact and call my sister. She answers on the first ring.
“Devan, I need your help.”
Chapter 33
Marilyn
My mind is coming up with too many horrible scenarios. The message I received from Devan said that Justin had been moved to a rehabilitation center in Washington, Indiana. Her mom had flown back to Florida, and she needed me at her house as soon as I could be there. After work, I swung by home and packed an overnight bag. The traffic on the north side of Indianapolis was horrendous. It seemed like every driver was trying to get out of the city. Intrastate, interstate, highway, or street, it didn’t matter.
Now, I’m only about fifteen minutes away from her house, but I haven’t been able to reach her by phone or text message. I’m more than a little scared that something is the matter with her or the baby.
My focus on Devan has kept my other constant thought from my mind, if only temporarily. That thought would be about Ricky.
It would be a lie to say I didn’t check on his position at Parker and Stevens. It made my heart happy and sad that he’d worked out a compromise with the partners. From Devan, I also learned that Ricky wasn’t the only one shouldering the responsibilities of the farm. Ricky Dunn may be an ass, but in my opinion, he deserves to be happy. I remember the way he looked, his eyes shone, and his dimples grew when he spoke about the possibilities for the agricultural wealth proposal.
Researching and developing the proposition is exactly something he is meant to do.
Then we’re back to the fact that he’s an ass.
I meant to ask Devan if Ricky would be down here. Actually, I did ask. She hasn’t returned any of my messages since I said I’d hurry to Riverbend. Leaving the street, I turn down the lane toward Justin’s and her house, passing by the big white barn. Nothing much has changed because it’s still winter. That doesn’t mean Dax and Ricky haven’t been working. I’m aware there are always projects year-round.
My headlights cut through the darkness. I hold my breath as I search the driveway for cars. At the sight of Devan’s car, and only her car, I exhale. Lights are illuminating the kitchen as I hurriedly park and rush toward the house. Opening the screen door and then the solid one, I call out her name.
The house is quiet and filled with a delicious aroma of something garlic.
“Devan,” I call up the back stairs. A quick search of the first floor, and I dash up the front staircase toward her bedroom. In my mind’s eye, I see her alone and hurt. It’s almost too much after what happened to Justin. “Devan,” I call again.
At the top of the stairs, I come to a screeching halt at the sight of the man in the hallway.
“Marilyn,” Ricky says, his deep voice causing the tiny hairs on my arms to stand to attention, small lightning rods sparked by the electricity in the air.
“Where’s Devan?”
With the light from the end of the hall around him, Ricky seems larger-than-life, filling the width of the upstairs hallway. He’s not dressed in the work clothes I saw him in the other day. Now he’s wearing his low-riding blue jeans and a caramel-colored thermal that pulls tight across his wide chest and shoulders.
“Where is Devan?” I repeat louder.
“I don’t know. I think she’s in Washington with Justin.”
“Is she okay?” Before he can answer, I ask, “Is the baby okay?”
Ricky’s forehead furrows. “Baby?”
“She left me a message saying I needed to hurry down here. I’m afraid there’s something wrong with the baby or her.”
He comes closer and reaches for my shoulders. “I don’t know about a baby, but Devan is fine.”
I try to break away. “Shit. Don’t tell her I told. I need to find her.”
He doesn’t release me. “Marilyn, she lured you down here for me.”
