Tacoma Falls: Home and Heart

Storms

Mary

Storms are unpredictable. They ripped through and created havoc, leaving destruction and devastation in their wake. When you live in Tacoma Falls your entire life, you understand how true that statement is.

A storm raged inside me for a good year when I saw Dixie kiss Beau. I spent the past year letting my anger fester while avoiding Beau. But just like a storm, you can keep avoiding your anger. It will unleash its destruction and devastation.

Beau tightened his grip around me while I sat on his lap.

"Beau, you need to let me go," I said.

"No. I did that once. I refused to do it again."

"You're going to have to."

"Why?"

I placed my hand on his face and squeezed his cheeks, pushing his lips out. "We need to head to the ranch since I have to work off my debt."

"What if I said you don't need to work off your debt? Can we stay here then?" Beau asked with smooshed lips.

"No. I honor my obligations."

Beau rolled his eyes and sighed. "Fine." He removed his arms so I could stand up.

We left his house and walked to the truck.

"Where is your truck?" I asked.

"It's at the body shop getting fixed. The body shop lent me a loaner truck until it's finished."

We climbed into the cab of the truck.

Beau reversed the truck before driving toward the main road. "I have an idea how to get Dixie and Cassie to help us."

I glanced at Beau with a raised brow. "Oh, this had better be good."

"I'll have Shep tell Dixie and Cassie that Waylon and I want to meet them at Grady's Bar."

"The bicycle would never believe it. She knows Waylon, and Shep can't stand her."

"I don't want to call Dixie and give her any hope."

"No, but I have something better in mind."

Beau glanced at me with a raised brow.

"We'll need Hank's help."

Confusion etched into Beau's expression.

******
Grayson

I checked every day for movement from Amber. The rat hadn't slipped yet. But I kept my movements to nighttime. The rat would become suspicious if anyone saw me during the daytime.

I carried a saddle and placed it on a horse.

Pa strode toward me while I tightened the strap. "Where are you off to, Grayson?"

"Going for a ride." I tightened the strap under the horse and secured it.

"Watch the property line."

I nodded in response before mounting the horse. I clicked my heels and got the horse moving. I took off toward the back area and rode the trails until I reached the property line of the rat's nest.

I stayed hidden, sitting on the horse, and watched. The rat stomped out of his house, climbed into his clunker, and drove away. Once he disappeared from view, I dismounted the horse, tied it to a tree, and ran toward the back of the house.

I got on my hands and knees, tapped a code on the basement window, and waited. Come on, Amber. Tap back and let me know you're still there.

The minutes dragged until I heard a tap.