Page 101 of Big Country
My index finger shot to the door like a brass trumpet cue. “You ain’t gotta go home but get to stepping!”
Everyone left but Washington. The judge stood and handed me a business card with the FBI emblem. “A special agent wants to speak with you. Basically, you just need to corroborate what Zuri, Ten, and I have already told him. Crime scene techs have nearly cleared the hangar. But they’ll want to hear your statement.”
“Good looking out.”
He nodded but remained motionless. The stiffness of his shoulders betrayed the thoughts that occupied his mind.It could wait. My brow rose. “Big brotha, you ain’t no exception.”
“I need a copy of your security footage,” Washington said, voice flatter than a burned beignet. “Maddy vandalized my Bentley during the party. Put her whole back into it. Even keyedSTALKERinto the doors like she was signing a Mardi Gras float.”
That’s why he changed his mind about driving to the hangar?
Looking all apologetic, Zuri handed him my phone from apersonal belongings bag, and I showed him the app. I cut a hand near my throat as Zuri began to apologize. We could deal with that later. I just saved her life. And proposed. She owed me.
“Thanks,” Washington said, his voice a low growl, before he disappeared.
And then it happened. I was alone with the most gorgeous woman ever.
Zuri reached for her purse. “I should call, Mad?—”
“C’mere, Zuri”—my chin jutted—“give Big Country some sugar, before we head to spring training,chère.”
She rolled her eyes but leaned in anyway, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. My fingers tangled into hers, and I held tight. The warmth of her made the chaos—the worry that she’d run—fade away. “Climb up,” I murmured.
“You sure you want to marry me, Montana? The Feds mentioned that I should file taxes before the IRS hits me with evasion charges. And Sallie Mae will attack the scraps.”
“Long as you don’t owe somebody named Tee-Tee or Junebug”—I feigned a shudder for effect—“then I’ll let you pay Big Country back properly.”
Her top lip curled. “Ugh, why do I get the feeling those are girls you used to mess with?”
“Hold up.” I shook my head, serious. “Tee-Tee claims we still in love. All I did was teach her to kiss in the fourth grade. Junebug is messier than Adelle.”
She laughed so hard she nearly knocked out my IV and climbed into the hospital bed.
As she snuggled on my good side, I asked, “You ready for this season?”
“Only if you’re there with me,” she whispered, eyes sparkling like the river at sunset. She wiped back a tear of happiness. “I couldn’t dream this up, Montana. After all the places I’ve hid, I thought it would always be just Darius and me. You arrived in my life, bravado and arrogance,”—she playfully swatted my chest—“trapped me here in NOLA. Where I have to eat good food for the rest of my life.”
“I’ma eat good too,” I said, savoring the taste of her lips.
She giggled, tears welling, then tenderly deepened the kiss, our tongues exploring each other with affection. “Mmmm, Montana. You better love me forever because Tee-Tee’s obsession is nothing compared to my devotion.”
“Promise.” I kissed her one last time. I needed it to always feel like the last time because I never wanted to take for granted that this woman had stayed. For me.
I poured every ounce of love into the moment. Tasted laughter and home. “You right,chère, some other women might’ve chased me, but around these parts,Icaught you. And I ain’t even gonna let go.”
THE END.
