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“Not crazy, just know what I want. Gotta go, got work to do. We can talk about houses later. Any chance you want to bring us lunch?” Reese’s frustrated growl was the only answer he got before he handed the phone back to Pappy.
Reese looked at the phone and then at the car in the drive. Smacking the phone on the counter, it skittered to the edge before coming to a stop. Tearing open the cupboard under the sink, Reese selected the cleaners she needed to work off her mad.
She was scrubbing the cabinets within centimeters of what the paint’s molecular structure could withstand when the phone rang again. Without taking off her gloves, she snapped up the phone. “What?”
“Reese, it is rude to answer the phone barking like a miscreant. I believe that mongrel warming your bed has your manners sinking even lower,” condescendence dripped from her father’s voice.
“What do you want?” She snapped.
“I was calling to inform you that your tactics will not work.”
“And what tactics would those be?”
“Reese, you just don’t have it in you to play hardball with me. It isn’t your fault, I suppose. Being a woman has you at a disadvantage to start with, and your taste for mongrels, well, those plebian tastes will not help you in the long run. Of course, everyone enjoys a good burger now and again, but it could never compare to a prime cut of steak.”
“You have nothing on me. I know the paperwork you left is all fake. The police officer I called confirmed it. I have no idea what your game is this time, and I couldn’t care less. You stay away from us.”
“That isn’t going to happen. I want the money I am owed. If you don’t pay, I will get it one way or another,” Mitchell threatened.
“What does that mean, one way or another?”
“Get the money because I promise you, my daughter, you don’t want to find out.”
Reese heard the phone click on the other end. Breathing hard, she looked at the clock on the stove. It was lunchtime. Pappy and Mav were going to be headed somewhere for lunch. The what-if scenarios raced through her head, each worse than the last. Tossing her gloves in the sink, Reese left her cleaning bucket where it sat. Grabbing her purse, she sailed out the kitchen door, hoping whoever delivered the car had left the keys in it.
Finding the keys left in the ignition, Reese roared down their quiet street, speeding to get to Mav. She had to see he was okay with her own eyes. The tires chirped as she slid to a stop in front of Cash’s garage.
“Woman, are you trying to piss me off? It is fucking working.” Cash roared, striding toward her.
“Where is Mav?” Reese’s eyes scanned the bay frantically until she saw his shoes sticking out from under a truck parked near the back. “Oh my god,” she sighed in relief. “He is here.”
“What happened?” Cash demanded with Pappy standing beside him.
“My father called,” Reese panted, watching the shoes. “He said, he said.”
“Beautiful,” Cash grabbed her arms, giving her a shake. “Look at me.” When her eyes rose to meet his, he continued. “Tell me what he said.”
“He said that he knew you and I were together, and he knew we found out the paperwork was fake. He wants the money. He told me I don’t want to find out what will happen if he doesn’t get it.”
“Did you call Franks?”
“No, I had to make sure Mav was okay,” Reese began to shake.
“Oliver, you good to stay here while I take her over to the police station?”
“Get our girl over there and file a report. I will keep an eye on Mav.”
“Thanks, Pappy,” she said. “Keep him safe.”
“Girlie, you know I will.”
“We will be back.” Cash tucked Reese into the passenger side before seating himself behind the wheel. Backing out of his parking lot, he headed for the police station.
An hour later, Reese had recanted the brief call multiple times. Officer Franks took detailed notes, asking questions until he had everything down. They had no definitive answers about how Reese’s father knew she and Cash were seeing each other or precisely what the threat was.
“Right now, I can have someone patrol that street more often, but he didn’t specify what he was going to do. He has to be desperate for money. Do you have that kind of money?”
“Oh yes, Officer Franks. I have that kind of money. That is why I live in a little house on the edge of town. You know, the one that needs the paint job and the porch fixed. The one that could use a remodel on the inside and a good resurfacing for the driveway. I can’t believe I forgot I had that little rainy-day fund in my freezer. Oh wait, silly me, it is under the mattress,” Reese batted her eyelashes.
