Honeysuckle Summer (The Sweet Magnolias #7)(90)

He squeezed her hand. “We’ll get him, Raylene. He’s not going to lay a hand on you ever again.”

She met his gaze. “I almost wish he’d try. This time I think I could fight back.”

He heard the grim note in her voice and almost regretted that he couldn’t grant her that chance. He didn’t want Paul getting close enough to do her any harm at all, not even a scratch.

“If he does turn up, I can always hold him and let you land a few punches before we cart him off,” he offered instead.

She gave him a tired smile. “Now, would that be fair? I want to get to him when it’s a fair fight.”

“I understand the sentiment, but he’s bigger and obviously a lot meaner. Unless you’ve been taking self-defense lessons I don’t know about, it will never be a fair fight.” He leveled a look into her eyes. “And forget about using a gun to shoot him.”

She immediately looked dismayed. “Helen told you,” she said, her tone flat.

“And I found the gun last time I was over here. It’s gone.”

“Dammit, Carter, you had no right to do that.”

“It was unlicensed, Raylene. More important, you don’t know how to use it. I couldn’t take a chance Paul would grab it and turn it on you.” He held her shoulders and looked into her eyes. “I’m not losing you like that. Understand? Keeping you alive and safe is my number-one priority right now.”

Her defiant expression faded. “I just wanted to know I could protect myself.”

“That wasn’t the way.”

“What if Paul comes over here with a weapon?” she asked.

“Did he ever use a weapon of any kind against you? Did he own a gun?”

She shook her head. “No, he only used his fists. A stab wound or a bullet would have been way too hard to explain in the emergency room.”

“Then I doubt that’s changed.” He knew she was scared and frustrated, but she’d never admit it, at least not the fear. “You need a distraction. We have no idea how long it might be before he’ll decide to show up. How about fixing some dinner? I’m starved.”

She gave him a wry look. “Do you usually ask your subjects to cook for you when you’re on a stakeout?”

Carter laughed. “No, I usually take along bad coffee and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or a bag of doughnuts. I thought this time maybe I could throw myself on your mercy.”

“Fine. I’ll cook.” She gave him an impish look as she walked into the kitchen. “Should I have Rory Sue bring the meal out to your car?”

“No, I’ll eat at the table like the rest of you civilized folks.”

She’d opened the freezer door, but she turned at his response. “I thought you were on official guard duty here tonight.”

“I am.”

“Shouldn’t you be outside watching for the bad guy?”

“I have a couple of other guys doing that for now. I’m working inside.”

She closed the refrigerator without selecting anything. “Carter, do you think Paul’s going to show up tonight? Is that why there are extra people watching the house?”

“Just a gut instinct,” he said. “Nothing concrete. Don’t freak out on me now. We’ve got it covered.”

Before she could respond, the phone rang. Raylene jumped, then looked embarrassed as she reached for it. He noticed her hand was shaking.

After a moment, she drew herself up. “Paul, I know it’s you. Say something. I imagine you’re still furious with me for turning you in, so why not just say what’s on your mind? Rant and rave and get it out of your system. I’m actually surprised you didn’t use your phone privileges in prison to call me and tell me what an awful person I am.”

She blinked, then sighed and hung up. “He didn’t say a word, but I know it was him. I just know it.”

Carter crossed the kitchen and touched a finger to her chin. “You did good.”

“I was shaking like a leaf,” she admitted, then grinned. “But I did it anyway. That’s something.”

He heard the note of pride in her voice after the small triumph. He realized then just how much self-respect Paul Hammond had stolen from her. If he’d been able to put his hands on the man in that instant, he would have made him pay.



Going through the motions of making spaghetti and meatballs and a salad kept Raylene sane through what seemed like an endless evening. Each time the phone rang, she jumped. Except for the one hang-up, the calls were mostly from people checking on her. Tired of saying the same thing over and over—that she was fine and nothing was happening—she finally told Walter to answer.

Rory Sue regarded her with sympathy. “It’s getting old already, isn’t it?”

Surprised by the understanding, Raylene nodded. “I’m not crazy about waiting or about being the center of attention.”

“Not even in Carter’s universe?” Rory Sue asked.

“What do you mean?”

Rory Sue regarded her with disbelief. “Come on, Raylene. It’s obvious the man is crazy about you. He watches you like he’ll never get enough of you. And every time the phone rings, I swear it looks as if he’s ready to draw his gun and kill whoever’s on the other end of the line. I’m a little surprised he hasn’t shot the phone.”