Confessions of a Mail Order Bride - Complete (15 page)

As I tossed the creased bills back on the table, there were several sharp raps on the door.

“Kane, it’s me, Bree. It’s important!”

“Come on in, Bree.”

Kane got up and walked over to the door just as a beautiful, curvy blonde woman about my age pushed it open.

“I hate to interrupt, but I knew you’d want to know. It looks like another fire has been set.”

“Shit!” Kane shook his head. “That sucks.”

“It’s all over the news.”

“Where is it this time?” Kane asked.

“Not sure. As soon as I saw it on the TV at the bar, I ran up here to tell you.”

“Let’s go find out.”

As we walked quickly to the bar, Kane made introductions.

“Marcie, this is my half-sister, Sabrina Foster.”

Sabrina smiled at me and stuck her hand out. She had the same sea foam eye color as her brother. “Call me Bree. I’m visiting Kane for a week or so.”

“You two look a lot alike.” With the exception of the hair color, they could have been twins.

“We have the same mom, different dads,” Bree said. “We are a lot alike, but Kane’s a shifter and I’m not.”

“But we’re both workaholics. In fact, it’s been hard to get her out here to visit.” Kane added, “like me, she’s always working, but I finally convinced her to take time off and see me,” Kane patted his sister affectionately on the arm.

As we entered the bar, several of the locals were crowded around watching the TV set. I glanced at the screen to see a reporter standing in front of a blazing fire. I looked at the burning building behind her. It was awful. The structure was entirely ablaze, but as the camera panned out, I could just make out a sign with the letters ‘DIX’. The rest was obliterated by the thick smoke and blaze.

I gasped, “Oh my God!” I couldn’t believe it. “It’s the Dixie Diner!”

Kane peered at the screen, “Are you sure? There’s so much fire and smoke it’s hard to see...”

“Yes, I’m sure,” I interrupted. “I can see part of the sign.”

“Marcie works at the diner, Bree,” Kane said.

“Oh no…that sucks,” Bree put her arm around my shoulder. “I’m so sorry.”

Kane tightened his lips. “Come on Marcie, I’ll take you over there.”

I wasn’t about to argue with him. I didn’t protest as he grabbed my hand and led me out to his truck.

“Wait for me!” Bree said, following us. “I’m coming too.”

It was just a short distance to the Dixie Diner. While we drove, Kane and Bree talked about the trouble happening in Shifter Villages. As the two chatted, waves of disbelief rolled through my body. All I could think about was how I was now out of a job. What the hell was I going to do? At least my rent was paid for the month and I’d just been to the grocery store. I would have to use the rest of the money I’d planned on using to buy a car to tide me over till the diner reopened. Shit!

The road to the diner was blocked with fire trucks, cars, and people milling around. Kane parked the car as close as he could and we hurried over to see what was going on.

As we drew nearer I could see Mel, the owner of the diner’s car parked in front of the building.  A group of men were standing near it.

“Is everyone ok?” Kane called out to them.

“Yeah, only the owner was in the diner when the fire broke out and he’s fine,” one of the men responded.

“Thank God Mel’s ok,” I said. “Where is he?”

“He’s talking to Deputy Bob,” another one of the men said.

I was relieved. Though Mel wasn’t the easiest boss to work for, he had taken a chance on me when he’d hired me five years ago, and we were fond of each other in our own way.

“Look at that!” Kane said, pointing to the backside of the car.

I followed his gaze to the vehicle. The words ‘FU Dirk’ had been spray painted on the side of the car.

“Someone has really got it in for Dirk Matthews,” Kane added.

“Who’s Dirk Matthews?” Bree asked.

“He’s the town sheriff. Whoever is setting the fires, thieving and stirring up trouble in Shifter Villages, wants people to know they don’t like him.”

“Really?” Bree asked.

“Yeah, they make it pretty obvious. Whenever they start a fire or rob a place…they leave a calling card.”

“They leave a calling card?” A puzzled expression crossed Bree’s pretty face.

“Yep. They spray paint ‘FU Dirk’ somewhere near the scene. It seems like they are really trying to get under his skin.

“Idiots…” Bree said, flipping back her blonde hair. “Why don’t they spend their time doing something worthwhile?”

“That’s the million dollar question,” Kane replied.

I only half listened to Bree and Kane’s chatter. My mind was numb. The Dixie Diner looked even worse up close than it had on TV. The fire had wreaked havoc on the building. Though my rent was paid for this month and my pantry was stocked, the only cash I had left was about five hundred dollars—half of the money I’d saved since I’d had to pay Kane for the copier. I was going to have to hustle to find a job to pay next month’s expenses.

Why did it seem that bad stuff happened in multiples? Brad and I had broken a copier, I couldn’t find him to help pay for it, and now I realized for sure that Brad was a total user and loser.  It really stung that I’d had to pay for the copier with the money I’d killed myself working for. On top of it all, I’d felt humiliated by Kane Foster. Now the place I worked at was burning down, which meant no job and no money. It was all too much. I just wanted to go home, get in bed, bury my head under the covers, and never get up!

I glanced at the fire again. The place was a disaster. It would be a long time before it reopened—if ever.

“And who’s this?” Bob inquired, his eyes glinting.

I looked up to see Deputy Bob Griffith pointing to Sabrina.

“Hey, Deputy,” Kane said. “This is my sister, Bree. She’s visiting me for the week. And of course, you know Marcie.”

Deputy Bob ignored me, zeroing in on Bree with a wide smile on his face. “Hi, pretty lady. And how do you like Shifter Villages?”

I never liked Deputy Bob, he was rude and self-centered. It really bugged me that he acted like I wasn’t there. His salary was paid for with my taxes.

“It’s, umm, nice,” Bree responded politely. “I do feel bad about all the rotten stuff that’s been going on here, though.” As she spoke, Sheriff Dirk Matthews walked by.

“Hey, Dirk,” Kane called out, catching his attention. “Who do you think is responsible for setting these fires?”

Dirk pursed his lips. “Well, at this point I…”

“I’ve been working on it,” Bob interrupted him, “and I think I’ve cracked the case.”

“Whoa there, Bob,” Dirk said, frowning. “Don’t be getting ahead of yourself. Do you know something I don’t?”

“I do,” Bob said, a smug expression on his face.

Dirk frowned. “Spit it out, Bob.” It was obvious there was no love lost between the two men, despite their working together.

“I arrested Max Harris again. I got him in the car right now,” Bob waved towards his police cruiser off in the distance. “I just stopped by to tell Mel to come down to the station to give his statement. Then I was going to take Max in to book him,” Bob grinned.

Dirk raised his brows. “What the hell? You can’t be running around arresting citizens for little to no reason.”

“I caught him red-handed this time,” Bob said smugly. He glanced over at Sabrina, hoping she was paying attention to his accomplishment.

“Last time you arrested him for carrying a lighter,” Dirk said sourly. “I sure as hell hope you have a better reason than that. What did you get him for this time?”

“There’s no doubt this time. When I saw the flames I did a routine traffic stop about a quarter mile from here and one of the cars I stopped was his.”

“And?” Dirk asked.

“I pulled him over. He had a lighter on him again.”

Dirk rolled his eyes.

“And,” Bob paused dramatically, “he had a can of gas, a chainsaw, and a shovel in the back. And if that’s not guilty, I don’t know what the hell is!”

I blinked back tears as I walked towards my apartment building. It had been over a month since the fire at the diner, and I’d spent every day since looking for a job. Shifter Villages was not that large and I’d applied at all of the businesses within a few days. I was lucky I lived in the central part of Shifter Villages and could walk to where most of the businesses were located without a car. But it really didn’t matter…no one was hiring. At least, no one was hiring someone like me—a high school drop out with no skills except for waiting on tables. When I saw how bleak my employment opportunities looked I decided to try and create my own job. I passed out fliers offering services I could do, like cleaning house, pet sitting…almost anything someone needed done, I was willing and able to do. But so far, nothing had come up.

I just wasn’t sure what I should do next. I hadn’t exactly built relationships in the Villages, and the only family support I had was Elvis. It wasn’t like my cat could help me out.

As I neared my apartment building, my shoulders slumped and I stared at the ground. Even though the fire had been a disaster I had started my job search with a positive attitude. I was confident that there would be something out there for me. But after the first few places I’d applied to, I realized that with the tough economy and my skill set, I was going to have a hard time getting work. Now my rent was past due.

I would have to talk to Paul Smithers, the landlord, about my rent. He
should
be lenient with me and give me extra time, but I knew that was unlikely, even though I’d been an ideal tenant. I didn’t party or create problems, and I’d only been late one other time in the five years I’d been renting from him. However, I dreaded the discussion. Smithers was nasty and mean. He already knew my rent was late, but he would probably freak when he found out it was going to be a lot later. I shuddered when I thought about his reaction to the news. I knew he would give me a hard time.

“Well, look who it is,” a deep, snarling voice interrupted my thoughts.

I glanced up quickly. “Brad! What are you doing here?” As I asked, I noticed a couple of men get in a nearby car and start it.

“Well, I met several of my clients here to show them the apartment,” Brad motioned towards the men in the car. “You have quite a nice place there…not a lot in it, but…”

“What! You showed them
my
apartment?” I was incredulous.

“Yeah,” Brad shrugged his shoulders.

“How did you get the key?”

“How do you think I got the key? Paul gave it to me.”

I shook my head. This was too much.

“From what I understand, the place is available,” Brad continued. “I, um…I thought you were moving.”

I glared at Brad. He knew I wasn’t moving. What the hell was this all about?

“No,” I said, frowning. “I’m not moving. You shouldn’t be showing my place.”

“Sorry, babe,” Brad shook his head. “I have clients looking for an apartment in the Villages. You know that rentals are at a premium. I saw Smithy the other day and he told me you were behind on rent, so I figured you were planning a move soon. He gave me the keys so I could show the joint.”

I knew Brad and Paul were good friends, but for Paul to tell Brad that I was behind on rent was just wrong.

“No,” I said icily. “I’m not planning a move…and Smithers has some nerve telling you I’m behind on rent. That’s confidential information…and to give you the keys?” I was horrified.

Brad made a face. “Well, it would have come out sooner or later.”

I reeled from the shock that my landlord was allowing people to see my apartment without my knowledge. I knew that he and Brad were friends, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he had let others in too.

“Smithy has a right to make his money,” Brad said firmly.

Wow. Brad’s words really pissed me off.

“I mean, if you don’t pay, you don’t pay,” Brad added, shrugging.

“Don’t pay? I was only late one other time! And I was only a day late then. And speaking of paying…Brad, I would not be in this situation if you had paid me for your share of the copy machine.”

“The copy machine?” Brad shook his head. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

I gasped. “Brad, you and I broke the copy machine at Kane’s Bar and Grill. Remember, the day of the wedding, you pulled me into an office there? You bent me over the file cabinet and screwed me.” I knew I was being blunt, but I couldn’t help myself.

Brad shrugged.

“You’re actually telling me you don’t remember screwing me?”

“Well...no…I…”

I glared at Brad.

“Of course I remember, but that broken copy machine was your fault, Marcie. You’re the one that pushed it over the edge because you were caught up in the sex. It was a good time, wasn’t it?” Brad grinned. “It was worth it.”

“Not to me it wasn’t,” I seethed. “Anyway, you need to pay your share.”

“You broke it Marcie, not me. You’re the one who pushed it over the side and made it fall into a zillion pieces.”

“Brad, that’s bullshit. It was your fault as much as mine. And if I had your share of the money for the copy machine, I might not be behind on my rent.”

“Well, there’s a lesson here, Marcie,” Brad cocked his brows as he ran a hand through his thick, dark hair.

“Oh, and what is that?” I crinkled my brows angrily.

“Next time, don’t get so carried away when you’re fucking,” Brad smiled maliciously, then motioned to the car the two men were sitting in. “Hey, I’d love to continue our little chat, but I’m taking my clients to dinner so I’ve got to go.”

“Wha…?”

“See you.” Brad turned away from me and walked briskly to a sleek black sports car parked in front of the men’s vehicle. “Do you like my new car, Marcie?” Brad called out. “I just picked this baby up the other day. I love it…leather interior, custom paint…it even has a heated steering wheel.”

My mouth dropped open. How could I have gone for this absolute creep?

“See you around, babes,” Brad waved at me as he started getting in his car. He paused for a moment. “Oh, and let me know if you want to get together again. I’m always up for a good time with you.”

“Brad…Brad…” The words sputtered out of my mouth but Brad ignored me. Before I had a chance to do anything he was inside the vehicle. He patted the steering wheel affectionately before he slammed the door shut.

“What the…?”

Brad had turned on the ignition and my voice was lost as he gunned the motor and took off, followed by the men behind him.

This was unbelievable. Here I was, struggling to make rent, and Brad was driving a brand new car that probably cost seventy thousand dollars or more.

It was hard not to think about it. Tears streamed down my face as I entered my apartment. Elvis rubbed his furry body against my leg and I picked him up and stroked him. I had to get ahold of myself and not let Brad get to me, but it was so hard. I knew there was nothing I could do but double my efforts to try and find a job. I put Elvis back on the floor and went to get his food from the cupboard. His bag was empty but for a few crumbs, and I knew my wallet was empty. I would have to take some of the money I’d saved to buy him some food. Sadly, I thought about the money in my cookie jar. It was the rest of the money I’d taken out of the bank to buy that used car.

I reached up for the cookie jar where I’d put the money, removed the lid, and put my hand inside to grab the cash—but I didn’t feel the bills. I pulled it down and stared into the jar. To my shock, it was completely empty!

I couldn’t believe it. Empty? My money was missing.  But how…where…? Suddenly I realized who had taken it. I was seething inside as I pulled out my cell phone to call Sheriff Matthews. As I started tapping the number on the screen, I realized no one at the police station would believe me. I mean, why would they think that a successful millionaire like Brad would steal money from me? And what proof did I have that there was money in the cookie jar in the first place? I was just going to have to find Brad Stanford and get the money back myself.