February Waltz (Rhythm of the Heart Book 3) (4 page)

Momma and Daddy both would want me in their house. They'd want their granddaughter raised there. I want to wipe away bad memories of the place, though, and only keep the good ones. I want the whole house painted robin's egg blue. For momma. When she peeks through the clouds she'll know. I never forgot our time together...

A smile crossed her lips and she glanced out the window as dawn streaked the sky. Fingers of golden amber trailed out, lightening the dusk and gilding the edges of the clouds. She sat mesmerized as the sun completed its ascent into the sky. The warm rays came through the window and kissed her skin. She savored the feather-soft warmth and imagined it was Momma and Daddy both sending their love. After a few more moments, she stood from the chair and walked back down the hallway to the bedroom she shared with her husband. As she opened the door, she smiled again. He lay curled on his side, sunlight dappling his skin. She sat on the edge of the bed and he shifted slightly, his hand sliding across the sheet, searching for her for a moment before falling back to sleep.

A door opened down the hallway and she heard Grams getting up to ready herself for church. She lay back in the bed and turned on her side to watch Calvin sleep. A yawn escaped her mouth and she snuggled back in the warmth of the blankets.
A little nap won't hurt.

Calvin woke and stretched slowly. Zoe still slept beside him, her face soft with sleep. He stroked her cheek with his thumb and smiled as she smiled in her sleep.
I'm the luckiest man alive.
Moving slowly, he crawled from the bed and stretched again.
Only today here with her then I have to leave... But at least I'll be on American soil this time and I can be here when the baby is born. I won't miss that.

He moved to the bathroom and readied himself for the day and walked back into the room to find her awake. “Good morning,” he smiled.

“Good morning,” she replied. “I was so tired.”

“No doubt. Is there anything you want to do today? Any movie you want to watch? Anything you'd like to eat?”

She shrugged and smiled. “Food is food. I'd like to watch stupid, sappy movies with you and do nothing.”

“We can do that.” He crawled back into bed and kissed her lips. He leaned over the side and pulled up his laptop. As he opened it, he turned Netflix on.

“I want to watch a romance!” she breathed.

“I would rather watch a comedy.”

“Rom-com fixes both of our wants!”

Calvin chuckled. “That's fine with me. A rom-com.”

They picked a movie and Calvin pulled her into his arms as they watched. The whole day was spent in bed, sharing kisses, halfway burned popcorn and more bad rom-com films. They both pretended the outside world was elsewhere and the bed was all that mattered. The moments they shared there, the whispered promises, and soft declarations of love their shield.

He held her tight because he didn't want to let her go. But all good things come to an end sooner rather than later, and no one likes it.

The next morning he woke, ready to fly out. Zoe wouldn't be making the drive with him, but Grams and Pops were riding up with Layla. Tim had promised to check in on Zoe periodically to make sure she was okay.

Calvin hated more than anything having to leave her in that bed. He kissed her over and over, each kiss promising her something else he just couldn't put into words. “I'll call you as soon as I land, okay?”

“You're going to the apartment, right?”

“Yeah, I can't live on base in the barracks. So I'll just keep the apartment for now.” He kissed her again.
I wish I could just lose myself in you right now, Zoe. I don't want to go.

“Seems like we keep saying goodbye, Calvin,” she pouted softly.

With a groan he kissed her willing mouth again. “We're getting too good at it, but it's only for a little while longer. You're going to see the doctor tomorrow, right?”

“Yeah, tomorrow,” she nodded. “Grams is going to take me.”

“Let me know?”

“Of course I will. You need to get out of here, Calvin or you'll miss the plane,” she mumbled around his next kiss.

“I don't want to leave you.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her neck instead.

“But you have to, for now. I'll be here waiting for you.”

He straightened and smiled down at her. “I know. I love you.”

“I love you.”

Calvin glanced back as he walked out of the room and she waved, with a smile on her face.

I'm a lucky man.

He climbed in the rental car and started it. Grams waved him on and he backed out of the drive, with her truck hot on his heels.

As he drove through town, he sighed.
I'll be home again soon, Major.
He saluted the sign leaving town and with a heavy heart hit the Interstate.

Layla kept up with him as they drove and he kept glancing in the rear view mirror to make sure she was okay.

The airport came too quickly for him and he pulled into a parking spot with an even heavier heart. With his bag slung over his shoulder, he waited for his family to park and unload.

“You did good driving, kid.”

Layla rolled her eyes. “Of course I did.”

Grams chuckled. “Now y'all don't be fighting.”

Pops stretched. “Long ride.”

“Seemed short to me,” Calvin said softly.

“Ah, I know boy. But you'll be home soon.” Pops patted his shoulder. “We better get this mess over with.”

“Yeah, it’s not long.”

They walked into the airport and Calvin returned the car, signing some papers before turning back to his family.

“See you soon, big brother.” Layla whispered, launching herself into his arms.

He dropped his bag and hugged her tight. “See you soon, kid.”

Grams came next. “Stay strong, you hear me? I expect a call when you get there.”

“I will, Grams.”

He hugged Pops last. “See you soon, boy.”

“See you soon, Pops.”

With a final glance over his shoulder, he headed through the terminal to check his baggage and go through security. He sat at the gate, waiting just a few minutes before the call came to board. He waited patiently as others loaded in before him, he hated the rush of everyone jumping on at once, it made him feel claustrophobic in a way.

Finally in his seat, he leaned his head back against the leather and waited for the plane to take off. As they taxied down the runway, his heart broke into a million pieces.
Bye, Zoe. See you soon.

Zoe relished the quiet with everyone being gone. She opened her laptop and tried to go on Facebook, but her mind was elsewhere and she couldn't take seeing happy couples filling her feed so she logged off quickly.
Too much is on my mind and I don't know how to make it stop.
She blew out a breath and toyed with the computer, opening different programs and closing them. As she opened a word processor, her fingers stilled.

What if I just wrote it out? Emptied my mind onto the page. No one would have to read it but me...

She shifted on the bed and propped herself up a little with the pillows before typing.

There have been times in my life when I've felt free. But I never felt what freedom was until I fell in love with him. I found joy, happiness, and heartache all at the same time. I loved with abandon and yet it was always too much and never, ever quite enough. But it just was. It was our love story. And this is how it started....

Her fingers flew across the keys as she wrote and she filled a page with her thoughts and dreams before the sound of a knock broke her from the reverie. The knock was persistent at the front door and with a sigh she hefted herself out of bed and moved quickly to the door.

“Dammit, just a minute!” She yelled as she entered the kitchen and threw the door wide. “Hello?”

“Hi there, Zoe.” Derek's parents stood on the doorstep, and Zoe frowned.

“Hi Mr. and Mrs. Peters...What are you doing here?”

Sadie Peters' brow furrowed. “We came to see why you haven't called.”

Zoe choked a little and she coughed. “About the baby? I mean, I figured it was between Derek and me and well, when the time came we would go from there.” She gripped the door jamb nervously.

Sadie shook her head, her blonde bob dancing around her face. “No, Zoe. Not about the baby. Although I do have my reservations there...” Her voice trailed off.

Zoe shrugged. “Okay, then what would I be calling for?”

Rebel Peters mopped his brow with a stained handkerchief. “Don't play coy, Zoe.”

She frowned. “I don't know what you're talking about. Why would I call you? Derek and I aren't together, the baby thing is the baby thing?”

“You don't know?” Sadie shrieked, stamping one tiny foot on the porch.

“I'm afraid I am totally lost right now. Look, I can't stand here for long. Do you want to come in, or can you wrap this lovely and altogether uncomfortable visit up?” Zoe leaned against the door and sighed.

“May we come in?” Rebel asked.

“Sure, come on in.” Zoe nodded, stepping back and walking to the recliner. “If you'll excuse me, I'm going to put my legs up.”

Rebel closed the door and they came into the small living room. Sadie sat down carefully on the edge of a chair and he remained standing. “Zoe,” he started with a nervous cough.

“What's going on here? Why are you acting like someone died? I mean other than my dad, but why would I call you for that?” She frowned in confusion.

Their eyes went wide. “You really don't know.” Sadie whispered softly.

“Know what!” Zoe yelled, throwing her hands wide. “Please, tell me what I'm supposed to know.”

“About... Derek?”

“What about him?” Zoe shrugged.

“Oh my God, you don't know!” She whispered again.

“Know what? If someone doesn't tell me I'm just going back to bed and y'all can see yourselves out.” Zoe gripped the handle of the chair, ready to drop her legs and leave.

Rebel wiped his face again and with a solemn tone spoke. “Derek was in an accident Christmas Eve.”

Zoe paused and released the handle. “Is he okay?”

Rebel shook his head quickly, his naturally florid face going pale. “No. That's what we came to talk to you about.”

Air whooshed from her lungs. “How bad was it?”

He stuttered. “It – it was bad, Zoe. Derek wasn't wearing his seat belt and he hit a patch of ice. He was crushed in the cab of the truck when it rolled and he – he – his brain had major damage. The hospital in Mobile has him on life support and they can't keep the swelling down. We don't have any choice...” his voice trailed off.

Zoe paled and swallowed. “He was the accident,” she whispered. “Oh my God.”

Sadie began crying, her shoulders bowed in and she sobbed into her hands. “All we have left is the baby.”

“Wait, what do you mean all you have left is the baby?” Zoe whispered.

“We want to raise the baby, Zoe. We can't leave Derek on life support forever, and we want the only piece of him that's left. We plan on taking you to court because we refuse to have that – that black man raising our grandchild. I just won't have it.” Rebel drew himself up to his full height, and he glowered down at Zoe with his beady black eyes.

“Excuse me?” She whispered. “The baby is mine.”

Sadie wailed, “But it's all we have left of Derek!”

“What if it isn't his baby?” Zoe asked, her voice deadly calm. “You're not taking my baby from me.”

“We'll fight it in court, Zoe. We're powerful people, you don't know who you are meddling with!” Rebel bellowed, his fists clenching at his sides.

“You're not too powerful to be brought to your knees, and that's what happened with Derek. Fate, God, whatever you want to call it gave you a warning. But you're still the same people. You think you can have whatever you want. Your cake and eat it too. Derek has always been the same way. He learned from the best. My child is mine and I don't give a damn if Jesus himself is the father, no one will take her from me.” Zoe spat, her words venomous and cold. Her hands shook in silent fury and the baby rolled in her stomach, protesting at the anger pulsing through her body.

“How dare you!” Sadie stood from her seat. Her voice shook with anger. “You'll not drag Derek's name through the mud...Not when you're shacked up with a damn nigger!”

Zoe dropped the leg of the chair and pulled herself to standing. “Does it make you feel good to use that word, Mrs. Peters? Why do you need to use it? Yes, my
husband
is black, but so what? He's a good man, better than Derek ever was to me. Derek used me, cheated on me, and worse. Calvin is a hell of a man, so what if he's black. I hope and pray one day you get your come-uppance and you would be grateful for some black person to bring you a drink of water. That day will come! Get out of my house!
Get OUT
!”

Rebel spat as he caught his wife's hand. “Be assured, Zoe, we won't have our grandchild raised by a nigger. It's not happening. I'll go to the Supreme Court if I have to! I'll be having my lawyer draw up paperwork as soon as it is born and proven to be Derek's.”

“You sir, can take the first left out of Major straight to hell. My child will go nowhere with you. I'd rather give her to a pack of wolves than to you. They'd raise her with at least a few manners! More than you have. Draw up all the damn papers you need to, but you'll be prying her from my cold, dead fingers. I'm sorry about Derek and I hope he pulls through, but don't come back here. Ever.”

Rebel paused in the kitchen and a cold, malicious smile crossed his thin lips. “Don't give me ideas.”

Zoe gasped, “Are you threatening me?” She moved to the phone on the wall and whipped it out of the receiver. “Get the hell out of here before I call the cops.”

A knock sounded at the door and the Peters' froze. “Who is it?” Zoe called tremulously.

Tim's voice called out. “Zoe? You okay?” He opened the door and Zoe had never been so glad to see him in her life.

“Tim!” She yelled, relief filling her. “Mr. and Mrs. Peters were just leaving. Now.”

“Everything okay here?” Tim moved through the kitchen and touched her arm.

“No, but they are leaving.” Zoe said with a pointed stare at the couple. “Now.”

“We'll be back.” Rebel smiled again.

“When hell freezes over.” Zoe countered.

“We'll see about that!” He sniffed as he slammed the door.

Tim caught Zoe as she sagged and he swept her up in his arms. “Damn it woman, you can't be left alone for anything, can you?”

Zoe laughed weakly. “Guess not. Why didn't someone tell me about Derek?”

Tim coughed as he placed her on the bed. “My dog ain't in this fight, honey.”

“What do you mean?” She shifted to recline on the pillows.

“Weeeellll,” he drug out. “We all decided it was best you didn't know. I just made
ONE
freaking round around town and they show up. Jesus.”

“We who decided it was best I didn't know?”

“Well,” he started again. “Everyone.”

“My husband included?”

Tim paled. “Yeah.”

“So everyone was lying to me!” Zoe huffed.

“No, we were selectively keeping this from you to keep you safe.” Tim shook his head, attempting to placate her.

“No, y'all were all lying!” Zoe shrieked, anger boiling over. “So instead of telling me, his jerk parents show up and threaten to take my daughter from me, one way or another because God
forbid
a black man raise her.”

Tim held up one hand. “Whoa, calm the hell down, woman. What do you mean they threatened you? Why didn't you say something?” He pressed a button on his walkie talkie. “Dispatch. This is Officer Taylor, I have a situation at the Hall residence, I will need back up.” Tim waited for a moment and the walkie talkie responded with a quick “10-4.” He glanced back down at her. “You're filing a restraining order.”

“What? No, I am fine. They aren't going to bother me anymore.” Zoe waved away his concerns.

“Bullshit, and you know it just as well as I do. When Rebel Peters gets an idea in his head, you know he won't back down. He's going to try and make your life a living hell and as your surrogate brother, I'll be damned if I let it happen.” Tim seethed as he paced. “Who the hell does he think he is? Threatening a pregnant woman. What a prick!”

Zoe sighed. “Tim. You can't risk...”

“Don't tell me what I can and can't risk. He might have his finger in every pie in town, and he may think he's above the law, but he's wrong, Zoe. He has to learn.” Tim growled.

“This probably would have been prevented if people would just trust that I can handle stuff.” Zoe pouted.

“Hush, it's for your own good, Zoe. You can't handle everything. I'm sure by now you're tired of snatching yourself up by the bootstraps. I sure would be.” Tim shook his head. The sound of sirens filled the air. “Good, back up is here, be right back.” He hustled through the house and Zoe closed her eyes.

Good God.
She thought with a slow breath.
I'm actually scared. What if they try to hurt me to get her?

Tim came back with the sheriff in tow. “Hey Zoe, do you know Sheriff Woods?”

Zoe nodded and held her hand out to the beefy man. “Hi, Sheriff.”

“Hello, Zoe. Awful sorry to hear about your Dad. What seems to be the issue here?” He pulled out a note pad and a pencil.

“I was sitting here when a knock came at the door and Mr. and Mrs. Peters were here, telling me about Derek's accident and then it turned to them wanting my daughter. He ended the conversation threatening me not to give him ideas about prying my daughter from my cold, dead hands.” Zoe shivered.

Sheriff Woods frowned. “This is serious. I'm with Officer Taylor here. Let's put up a restraining order and if they violate it, I can have him locked up faster than a cat can lick its ass.”

Zoe nodded, bile rising in her throat. “Fine, let's do it.”

Sheriff Woods nodded quickly. “Let me get the paperwork and we'll get it done. I'll have it processed through first thing tomorrow morning and serve them with papers.”

“Thank you,” Zoe whispered meekly.

Tim squeezed her shoulder. “You feeling okay?”

“Yeah, feeling fine. No cramping or anything. I just could use a stiff shot right about now.”

“No, no alcohol. Just rest.” He smiled down at her. “I called Layla, she says they're about thirty minutes out so they will be home soon. I knew I shouldn't have made a round, but I was on duty. I shouldn't have left you alone.”

Zoe reached up and patted his hand. “Don't stress.”

“I can't help it. I feel bad.” Tim sighed. “You're a damn bad things happening magnet. I ain't seen anything like it in all my years.”

Zoe chuckled weakly. “Me either, believe you me.”

Sheriff Woods came back with a sheaf of papers. “We need you to fill these out.”

Tim snatched them out of her hand. “I'll write, you just tell me what to write.”

Zoe rattled off the information he asked for. “Anything else?”

“Nope, we'll get this filed and I'll have him served.” Sheriff Woods smiled. “I'd personally like to take his sorry ass down.”

Zoe smiled nervously. “He's been big, a long time.”

“Well, it only means the harder he'll fall.” He shrugged. “Taylor, you stay here so she's not alone. I don't trust the bastard further than I can throw him.”

Tim nodded. “You got it, sir.”