Southern Comfort (21 page)

"I won't let him get you again, Annie. I promise you that."

"And I'm trusting you one hundred percent. Which is why we should go to Billy's and enjoy the evening. Besides, you're singing tonight and I'm hoping to hear a love song."

"A love song?"

"It's every girl's dream, Riley." She grabbed his shirt to tug him close. "A handsome cowboy crooner on stage singing about love. His gaze seeking you out and making you feel like you're the only girl in the room."

"The only one that matters, honey."

"See?  I'm already getting dreamy."

Riley smiled. "You continue to surprise me, Wildcat."

She smiled up at him. "And you continue to be my hero. I love you…" Sudden fears had her changing directions in the conversation. "Riley, is this all too soon, too fast?  I know what I feel about you. Heck, I was fantasizing about you before I ever heard your voice, and I guess I sort of fell in love with you – with the man you are before I even met you. But still, is it real?  Can someone fall this hard, this fast?"

"Apparently so, since I'm right there with you."

"So…so do you think it's wrong? Me loving you, living with you, when I'm not even divorced?

Riley's eyes searched hers for a long time before he spoke. "You once said that you and your husband hadn't lived like man and wife for over five years."

"Yes, that's true."

"So do you really think that was being married? Just living in the same house?"

"But legally—"

"Annie, honey, I've been there – three times and can tell you from experience that a piece of paper isn't what makes a marriage or a relationship. It's what's in here." He put his hand to his heart. "Love is what makes it a marriage, not the paper."

"I so love you."

"That was pretty good, wasn't it?"

He laughed when she pinched his side. "You're bad, Riley Morgan. Downright bad."

"Not as bad as I will be later." He wagged his eyebrows at her.

"Promises, promises." She said and laughed. "Okay, let's go hot stuff. Cody will be standing on her head."

"Nothing new there." He reached around her to open the truck door.

When she climbed in he stepped up close to kiss her. "I love you, Annie."

Hearing those words filled her with hope. Hope that all this mess with Rodrick could be settled and she could stay here, with Riley and hear those words every day. For the rest of her life.

Chapter Eighteen

!

"Oops!  Sorry." Analise smiled at the heavyset cowboy as she bumped into him with a tray of empty glasses.

"No problem, little lady."

She took the glasses to the dirty glass bin behind the bar and shouted out an order to Cody. "Two Jacks and coke and three drafts."

"Pull the drafts. Jack and cokes in two shakes."

Just as Analise was loading up the tray, her replacement, Beverly Mills, a part-time girl in her mid-twenties, showed up. "Hey!  I'll take that for you. Where's it go?"

"Over there on the left, the four top that has five at it. Three ladies and two men."

"On it."

Analise grabbed a glass to dispense herself a soft drink, but before she could fill it, Cody snatched it out of her hand. "Replacements are here and it's time to kick back, girlfriend."

"And what do you recommend?" Analise shouted to be heard over the crowd.

Cody held up two shot glasses. "Tequila, baby. Top shelf."

"No lime or salt?."

"That's for pussies. Bottoms up."

Analise tossed back the tequila shot and sucked in a breath. "Well,
that
hit the spot. Now what?"

Cody cocked her head to one side as Riley stepped up to the microphone on the stage. "Folks, you reckon it's time?"

A chorus of cheers and hoots went up and Riley laughed. "All righty then. Let's hear it for Billy Sweet's Honkytonk Angels."

The band started up a popular song and Cody turned to Analise. "Now we dance. You line dance, right?"

"Uh, a little. Very little."

"That's okay, you'll catch on. Hannah!"

"What?" Hannah yelled from the other end of the bar where she was stuffing money into the cash register.

"Time for our honky tonk routine, little sister."

Hannah threw back her head and let out a rebel yell that shocked Analise. A moment later, she sashayed to where Analise and Cody stood, took Analise by the hand and led her to the small step-stool at the corner of the bar.

"Follow me."

"Honky tonk routine?" Analise looked back at Cody in shock as Hannah stepped up on top of the bar. "Yep. Now get going, girl." Cody said and grinned.

"Well, when in Rome…" Analise climbed up on the bar  and a moment later so did Cody.

"Move down a bit and just do what we do." Cody yelled.

That's just what Analise did and in less than a minute she had it. The yells and hoots from the crowd were deafening. She laughed, clapped and danced, singing at the top of her lungs.

The song was on its last chorus and everyone in the bar was singing, and either dancing or cheering from their seats. In the few seconds that followed a series of events had Analise's mind in a state of complete confusion and fear.

Gunfire erupted, three shots. Right after that two things happened almost simultaneously. First there was the sound of guns cocking, unarmed people hitting the floor while at least fifty armed men drew beads on the three suited men who now stood out in the crowd like sore thumbs. Before all of that could fully register in Analise's mind, two sounds intruded. A long wailing siren and what sounded like the noise of an approaching train.

"Twister!" Someone shouted.

That one word had chaos ensuing. People on the floor were scrambling to their feet, heedless of the armed assailants, yelling and screaming. Cody yelled at Analise. "The back office. Now!"

Analise had no clue what that meant, but the way Cody and Hannah were scrambling off the bar and headed toward the back office scared her. The roar of wind increased and people were scurrying for cover, crowding around and behind the bar, rushing toward the kitchen and bathrooms.

Her gaze swept toward the stage. It was empty. Where was Riley?  And where was David?  As she searched the crowd, a shock had her entire body jumping. Rodrick was there. With a beautiful young woman and an older man in an expensive suit.

She couldn't quite comprehend what was going on and the ability to consider it was cut short when someone grabbed her arm and yanked her down from the bar. Riley.

"Get to the office." He shouted. "Cellar door is there."

"I have to find David!"

"I told him to go to the office. Now move!"

Analise took two steps and then jumped as gunfire erupted and the wood around her feet exploded in splinters and chunks. A dozen shots followed accompanied by screams. Riley threw her to the floor and dove on top of her.

She squirmed to be able to see. Three of the assailants were on the floor and the well-dressed man now had one arm around the throat of a hostage. David. The man had a gun pointed at his head. "Anyone moves and the boy dies." The man shouted.

"No!" Analise squirmed and fought to get Riley off her. "No!"

"You!" The man shouted and looked at the young woman standing beside Rodrick. "That's her."

The woman's arm rose. In her hand was a gun. It was pointed directly at Analise. "Kill the bitch." The man ordered.

Analise saw the smile on the woman's face and suddenly everything went into slow motion as she waited for death. She saw Rodrick grab the woman. They wrestled for the gun and he managed to get it away from her and shove her. She tripped and went down.

Rodrick pointed the gun at the well-dressed man. "Let him go, Moretti."

"It's him or your wife." Moretti shouted back. "Kill her or I put a bullet through his head."

Strength she didn't know she possessed filled her and Analise wiggled free of Riley and scrambled to her feet. "Go ahead, Rick. Shoot me, but let David go. You can't let him kill our son. Please."

"Mom, no!" David shouted at the same moment Riley stepped in front of her.

"Riley!" She tried to get around him, but he prevented her, shouting at Moretti. "You've got at least a dozen guns on you right now. Either one of you fires and you're dead. You hear me?"

Analise didn't see how anyone could. She could barely hear him. The roar of the wind was too loud. Moretti must have heard at least part of it, because he started backing towards the door, keeping his arm locked around David's neck and the gun pointed at his head.

Rodrick grabbed the young woman and jammed his gun to her head. "Shoot him and she dies!"

Analise screamed but the scream was lost. Shrieks from the structure preceded a great tearing sound just before a section of the roof above the stage was ripped away. The end section of the bar that housed the stage suddenly was sucked away into what looked like a nightmare of swirling black air and the entire roof sagged in toward the opening.

Tables and chairs, bottles and glasses were sucked into the maelstrom, becoming projectiles  that buffeted the remaining walls and the people lying on the floor, hanging onto anything they could to try and prevent being sucked into the twister.

Riley wrapped one arm around Analise and the other around the corner post of the bar. She could feel the force pulling at her and she clung to him with all her strength. "David!"

David couldn't hear her. He and Moretti were being pulled closer to the maelstrom. Moretti lost his grip and Analise screamed as David was literally lifted up off the floor.

What happened next was beyond anything she could have imagined. Joe was suddenly there. He wrapped his arms around David and suddenly David was on his feet again, standing in the middle of a hell of debris that jetted around him.

Moretti managed to raise his arm and point his gun at David. Analise couldn't even scream she was so terrified. She felt like her heart was going to explode in her chest. Rodrick was clinging to a post, his body being pulled away from it. When he let go with one arm and fired at Moretti, she gasped. Moretti fell, clutching his chest and the woman with Rodrick turned on him, hands drawn into claws.

Rodrick looked at David. "I'm sorry."

In the next instant, he grabbed the woman and released his hold on the post. In horror, Analise watched as both of them were pulled out into the churning nightmare. No more than a few seconds later, the twister roared away, leaving an eerie silence in its wake.

Analise sagged in Riley's arm, her eyes glued to David, who stood in the middle of the destruction, looking dazed, held in Joe's arms. David smiled and her and she breathed a sigh of relief before turning to Riley.

"We made it."

"Yeah, Wildcat, we –"

A deafening groan had her whirling around and looking up. The last thing she remembered was hearing Riley say "oh shit", the feel of his arms tightening around her and Joe throwing his arms out wide.

Then the roof came down.

Chapter Nineteen

Analise winced as she pushed herself out of the chair at the table. When the roof at Billy's Bar collapsed, she and many others had miraculously survived. She had a couple of fractured ribs, but they were on the mend. David had suffered no injuries and Riley had escaped with only four stitches in his head.

The emergency teams from the fire department of the nearest two counties were called in and everyone claimed it was a miracle that there were so few injuries and no fatalities. Analise knew better. She'd seen Joe protect David and she'd seen him throw his arms out protectively. She had no doubt who had saved them.

Riley got up and offered his hand. "You okay, honey?"

"Yeah. I'm fine. Just wanted to finish all this up before we head in to see Billy's bar. Cody said the family would meet us there. The repairs on their house are almost done so they'll be moving out of the ranch house next week and back to town."

"Not a minute too soon for Cody, I imagine."

Analise chuckled. "Well, the place is as clean as a whistle with Stella and Hannah there, but having everyone around is driving her a little nuts. She likes the quiet."

"I get that."

"Are we too much for you, Riley?" Worries rose fast. "David and me, I mean."

"Never. You're my family."

"Are we?"

"You know you are, Wildcat." He pulled her into his arms and hers wound around his waist.

"He's leaving at the end of the week. To go back to school."

"Yeah, I know. I'm gonna miss him."

"Me too. But – but I know it's right for him and I think now…" She let the rest of the words go unsaid.

David now knew that despite his father not showing interest and being aloof, he had actually loved David. He'd killed to protect David. Analise was still amazed by the fact. She'd never imagined Rodrick as the self-sacrificing type of man. But in the end, he had been and to her that meant he'd found redemption.

"You sure you're okay, Annie?"

"Yes. I am. I just – I just think about it. Rick and that woman Gina. That was a horrible death. I hope – I hope he didn't suffer."

"Coroner said they both died on impact."

She nodded. "And thank god, the police found that thumb drive in Moretti's pocket, the one he apparently took from Rick. It cleared his name and that's important for David. He doesn't have to go through life being stained by the brush of corruption."

"Amen to that. I guess by now, the rest of the family is well on their way to prison."

"According to Kade, it won't be long. The government's case against them is iron- clad. And when I spoke to him earlier, he said that the Moretti family's syndicate was done as well. Rick might have made some horrible mistakes, but in the end he came through, didn't he?  He saved David and brought down that whole operation."

"Yeah. He did. And I know that gives you comfort."

"It does. Now I – I can go on with my life with a clear conscience. I don't have to hate him and I don't have to look over my shoulder."

"The way I hear it, you and David have some surprises in store for a few folks."

She smiled up at him. "We do and it's all thanks to you."

"Me?"

"Yes. After everything was settled with all that – that mess, David came to you, remember?"

"I remember having a talk – about what he wanted to do with his life and about life in general."

"A lot of people had told him things about you, Riley. About the man you are and how you help others. It made a big impact on him. One I think you're going to be really proud of."

"So you're not going to tell me either?"

"Nope. David and I made a deal. You'll find out when we go over to the bar."

"Well I'm ready when you are."

"Okay." She turned and grabbed a folder off the table. "David is meeting us there. Bobby's going to drive him over.

"Then let's do it."

After a quick kiss, they headed out. All the way into town Analise thought about what had happened since she left New York. Some of it had been horrible and some a true blessing. And some of it was verging on the edge of miraculous.

She looked over at Riley behind the wheel. "Kade said you had a conversation with him about Joe."

Riley shook his head and cut a look at her. "I'm still on the fence on that one, honey. I mean I saw the man, the way he protected David and I still don't know why no one else but us saw him. Kade said – well you know. But I have a hard time wrapping my mind around it."

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio."

"Than are dreamt of in your philosophy." He finished and grinned. "Well, who knows what's possible right?  I mean look at us. Online friends who fell in love."

Analise chuckled. "Yeah, never saw that coming."

"But I’m glad it did." He reached over and took her hand. They finished the rest of the drive in silence. When they arrived at the bar, the Sweet family was there, all gathered around the tailgate of Billy's truck, along with David and Bobby.

Analise and Riley climbed out of his truck and walked over to the family. She looked at what was left of the bar. "Every time I see it I'm amazed that no one was killed."

"We were durn lucky, that's for sure." Billy said. "Dave says you have something you want to tell us."

"Yes." Analise looked at David. "After all that mess was settled with the FBI and my husband's estate, David and I made some decisions about our life."

She looked at Riley. "I'm staying here in Cotton Creek. I'd like to call this home." She then looked back at the Sweet family. "The government gave us all the money Rick took. We – we don't feel right about keeping it so we came up with a plan. David?  Why don't you tell them?"

He grinned and walked over between her and Riley, draping an arm around each of them. "First, we're setting up a foundation for the people of Cotton Creek. I've been talking a lot to Riley and I know a lot can happen that can really hurt folks financially around here. A bad season of crops or loss of livestock can mean the difference in survival and losing all you've worked for.

"We think people like those here in Cotton Creek deserve some help when those times hit. So, we've set up a foundation. Families with hardships can apply for financial assistance. My mom will run it and we'll do all we can to help people. We'll start the foundation with sixty million dollars."

Stella clapped her hands to her mouth as tears erupted from her eyes. "Oh my lord. What a sweet—" Sobs made the rest of what she said unintelligible.

"I don't even have the words to say how kind and generous that is of you." Billy filled in the gap. "But I know folks will sure appreciate it."

"We just want to help." David said. "Make a difference."

"And what about you?" Hannah asked. "You still have to finish school. You'll need money to pay—"

"That's covered." He interrupted and gave Analise a smile. "Mom's handling that. Just like the second part of what we wanted to tell you. It was her idea and I support it a hundred percent. Mom?"

Analise smiled at him. "We've been talking to people around town and it looks like the damage from the tornado totals up to nearly four million dollars when you include the damages that will have to be paid by the town. So, we're going to fund all of the repairs and renovations.

"Including your bar."

Cody slid off the tailgate with a thump. "Are you serious?"

"Absolutely." Analise said and opened her folder. "I have the papers right here. In fact, I have a little something else. Just food for thought.

"The night of the tornado, before it hit, the band – and you" she looked at Cody. "Put an idea in my head. I didn't think much about it until last week when Billy said he was giving you and Hannah the bar, so that when it was rebuilt it could be your place, just like you wanted."

"Anyway, that night, Riley said "I believe it's time for Billy Sweet's Honky Tonk Angels. And then Cody said it was time for the honky tonk angel routine." Her gaze moved to Stella. "Your mom told me that you've been doing that since you were little girls. That your dad has often referred to you as his honky tonk angels."

"It's true." Cody said and reached over to give her dad's arm a squeeze.

"So, it got me to thinking." Analise said and turned the paper so they could see what was on it. "Maybe you might want to consider this for your place. It kind of combines the old and the new. Keeps what made this place a success and adds your own touch."

Cody took one look and grinned. She looked over at Hannah and Hannah burst out with a "hell yeah!"

Analise grinned. "You like it?  Really?"

"Hell yes!" Cody ran over and threw her arms around David, Analise and Riley, encompassing them all in a group hug. "Damn, ya'll, how the hell can we ever thank you for this?"

"You already did." Analise said. "You took us in, made us feel like friends and then like family. You are family to us and one thing we learned from this man here—" She looked up at Riley. "Is that family takes care of their own."

Riley smiled down at her. "You done good, Wildcat. Real good."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Hell yeah." Cody added and grinned.

Analise hugged David and Riley, her arms around their waists pulling them closer. "Then I guess we're done here."

"Not quite." Riley said.

Everyone looked at him and he looked at David. "As the man of the family, I'd like to ask your permission to marry your mother."

David grinned from ear-to-ear. "That's a big hell yes."

"Thank you, Dave. I promise I'll always treat her right and love her till my last breath."

"I know you will, Riley. And I'm gonna be real proud to call you my step-father. If you don't mind, that is."

"Son, there's nothing I would like better."

Analise watched the two people she loved most in the word hug and tears streamed down her face. This was a moment she'd never dreamed of, one that exceeded all her hopes. When they parted, Riley looked at her. "So, Wildcat, what do you say?  Will you be my love and let me be yours as along as there's life in us?."

"You had me at hello, cowboy."

He burst out laughing. "As I recall, you fainted dead away."

Analise and everyone else laughed along with him. She threw her arms around Riley and the paper in her hand fluttered to the ground. It was a new day for a lot of people in Cotton Creek. New beginnings, new hopes and new dreams. And for her, it was the moment she'd dreamed of since she was a child.

She finally had it. She was home. Really home. The place that love lived.