Page 37 of Don't Back Down

They soaked in the hot bubbles until the timer went off, then went back to the penthouse and spent the rest of the evening playing cards and having margaritas with Aunt Pat. By the time Patricia had downed her second drink, she was waxing sentimental about the old days when Liz and Rusty were children, and how much fun the brothers and their wives had together before life took them in separate directions.

She was on the verge of getting teary when Rusty realized it was time to redirect the conversation and started talking about fashion and hairstyles. Liz flashed Rusty a grateful look. It wasn’t long after that when Ray appeared.

“Wow. I’m a lucky man. Just look at the three beautiful women in my life!”

Patricia beamed as Ray circled the room, greeting each of them with a quick kiss on the cheek, and then he announced, “Dinner will be here within the hour. Filet mignon, buttered asparagus, and potato croquettes, along with an array of desserts. I’m going to wash up and change out of this suit and tie. Be right back.”

A short while later, they were seated at the dinner table, waiting for the waiter to finish his service. As soon as he was gone, they began eating and sharing the events of their day with each other.

Finally, they were finished but for dessert. Rusty chose a ramekin of crème brûlée. Liz and Patricia opted for napoleons, while Ray chose chocolate cake.

“Goodness, Raymond! That slice of cake is huge,” Patricia said, frowning as he shoveled in a bite with great enthusiasm.

Liz giggled. “Mom’s right, Dad. It’s not really a slice. It’s a wedge about the size of a doorstop.”

Laughter erupted.

Rusty couldn’t help but have a few moments of regret. Their family banter made her miss what she’d lost when her parents died—the fun of being able to laugh with, and laugh at, the people you love most.

Ray waved a fork in the air to punctuate his rebuttal.

“You go right ahead and laugh all you want. I’m not one bit sorry I’ve made a pig of myself tonight, and I’m going to blame it on celebrating Rusty’s arrival.”

“Oh great! Blame me for the gluttony,” Rusty said.

When they all burst into more laughter, Rusty felt it all the way to her toes. The perfect ending to a perfect day. It couldn’t have been any better.

***

Rusty went to bed that night with a sense of homecoming. She wasn’t sure whether it was because of being with her family or finding Cameron again, but whatever it was, it felt right.

Just before she turned out the lights, she sent Cameron a text.

See you in my dreams.

She got a quick response.

But I want you in my arms.

Rusty shivered.

Soon, Soldier Boy.

And once again, he responded.

You’re worth the wait.

She smiled, sent a heart-shaped emoji, then laid down the phone and turned out the light.

***

Kevin Vanzant was in his travel trailer at the campground, uploading images from the SIM card of his camera and drinking a beer as he waited. He was all locked up for the night. His car was locked. The trail camera across the road was on, and the security light at the edge of the road illuminated his campsite.

He’d already showered and shaved in the wet bath and had a blanket wrapped around himself as he sat at the computer. The night was cold and the three-quarter moon was shining its own brand of light upon the earth.

“Too fucking cold for this shit,” Kevin muttered as a gust of wind rocked the trailer.

As soon as the upload was complete, he sent a backup file to his other laptop, then shut everything down and went to bed. He thought briefly of Leslie Morgan, the local girl he’d been seeing for the past few weeks, then the two men who’d prowled around his campsite a couple of days earlier, and knew it was time to get out of Jubilee while the getting was good.

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