Doubting Thomas (Tarnished Saints Series) (21 page)

“But you won’t,” Thomas challenged him. “You won’t because you know if you do I’ll tell your wife just what a scum you really are.”

“I didn’t kill Fawn, Taylor. Needless to say I had feelings for the woman. I may have a thing for dames, but I don’t hurt them, no matter what the circumstances.”

“Tell that to your wife. I don’t think she’ll agree when she finds out how unfaithful you’ve been.”

“Don’t think she doesn’t already know, Taylor. After all, didn’t you know all about Fawn, yet you turned a blind eye? Some things are better left ignored. Now get the hell out of here before I decide to cuff you and haul you down to the station again.”

“Come on, Thomas,” said Angel, grabbing his arm. “Let’s get out of here.”

Thomas shook her off and collected his money off the bar. Then he handed it to the drunk next to him. “Buy yourself a drink. You’ve helped me more than you’ll ever know.”

Trying to steady himself and save his dignity by not holding on to Angel, he straightened his hat, raised his chin, and left the bar of his own accord.

Chapter 19

Thomas awoke with a major pounding in his head. The room still spun for a few seconds when he opened his eyes. When he finally focused, he had to squint for the amount of sunlight blinding him from the window.

A figure stood before him, and when his vision cleared, he realized he was in the cabin, lying on his bed and little Eli was staring down at him.

“Ohhhh,” Thomas moaned, closing his eyes again, wishing this had all been a nightmare. Then when he felt the light touch of soft skin on his face, his eyes sprang open and he turned to see Eli pulling his hand back, eyes wide in fear.

“It’s okay, son,” he said slowly and quietly. “I’ll be alright.”

Eli’s little mouth turned up in a slight smile and Thomas’s heart went out to the boy. Eli had been watching over him for who knows how long. He cared for him and showed it with his touch. Thomas’s eyes teared and he pushed up on one elbow.

“Come here, Eli,” he said, reaching out his hand slowly so as not to scare him. “I want to give you a hug.”

He didn’t think the boy would do it. If he had, he probably wouldn’t have asked, as the idea scared him to death. But when Eli reached forward to touch him and closed his little fingers around Thomas’s hand, Thomas felt his eyes tearing up. He pulled the boy into his arms, wrapping him in his protective embrace. Then he kissed the top of his head, thinking how Eli deserved something so much better than a mother who had been a whore.

“Oh, Eli,” he said, rubbing his cheek against the little boy’s hair. “I was so wrong to keep my distance from you. I was so wrong. Will you ever forgive me?”

Angel walked in at that moment with a tray of food. She stopped abruptly when she saw what was going on, and Thomas was surprised she didn’t drop the tray in shock.

Feeling embarrassed, Thomas released Eli, and tried to discreetly wipe his tears with the back of his hand. Eli looked at him and then at Angel, and took off at a run out of the house.

“Thomas?” she said, placing the tray down on the bed. “Did I just see what I thought I saw?”

Thomas held back his tears, and too choked to answer, just nodded his head. Damn, it wasn’t like him to be so emotional and he hated himself for it.

“Something has changed between you two, hasn’t it?”

“Oh, Angie, I don’t know what did it. When I awoke, Eli was touching my face and I realized he must be worried about me.”

“He was,” she admitted. “All the boys were. You were so drunk that when Dan and I got you home we almost had to carry you inside. Thank God Dan was with me or I don’t know how I’d have managed you.”

“I’m sorry about that. And though I’m grateful to you, I’m not thrilled you brought my son into a strip joint.”

“I didn’t know it was a strip joint until I got inside,” she told him. “And something tells me it wasn’t the first time Dan’s been in there.”

“You can’t help a boy from being curious,” Thomas said. “I just hope to hell Dan never saw Fawn up on the stage.”

“Eli sat at your side all night and hadn’t left this room since we put you in bed.”

“He loves me, Angie. I can see that now. In his own odd little way, he showed it to me today. Something clicked in my brain and I realized just how unfair I’d been to him. He didn’t deserve a slut for a mother. And even tho I’m not sure he really is my kid, I no longer care.”

“What do you mean by that?” She handed him the coffee and he eagerly accepted.

“I found out from that bum sitting next to me at the bar last night that the sheriff and Fawn were an item. Seems the sheriff slipped up and got Fawn knocked up. The thought of someone like that bastard possibly being Eli’s father pushed me over the edge. I haven’t been a very good father to Eli, but from now on I plan on making it up to him. I’m going to be the best damned father to all my boys I possibly can.”

“You are a good father, Thomas, and I’m glad you and Eli have worked things out. But you’ve got to stop getting in trouble and you’ve got to stop your drinking. You are so lucky the sheriff didn’t lock you away last night. If he had, I’d have a hard time convincing CPS of anything.”

“The sheriff killed her, I know he did. He denied it, but I could see guilt written all over his face. Plus he had the motive. He’s always hated me, so I’m sure he was trying to frame me.”

“Honey, you can’t go around accusing people of something with no proof.”

“Can’t I? Isn’t that what this whole town’s been doing to me?”

“You haven’t any evidence,” she said. “Without the murder weapon, there is no way to prove the sheriff is guilty.”

“Damn,” he said. “If only I could remember what happened that night.”

“Here.” She pushed the tray of food in front of him. “Eat something. You’ll feel better.”

He pushed it away.

“No. Just coffee. I can’t stomach anything else.”

He downed the bitter brew and sat up on the bed, pushing back the covers and realizing he was bare-chested and sitting there in nothing but his briefs. He looked up at Angel and she quickly looked away.

“I don’t suppose you undressed me last night?”

“It was a joint effort between me and the kids. You’re not exactly easy to move once you’ve passed out.”

He stood, and spying his jeans, grabbed them from the foot of the bed and pulled them on. Only when he pulled up the zipper did Angel turn around.

“So,” she said, playing with the things on the tray. “I’ve never been in a strip joint before. What exactly goes on in there?”

“Why do you want to know?” he asked, rubbing a hand over the stubble on his face.

“Just curious what draws a man to those places. There seemed to be an awful lot of topless girls in there. Do they . . .  do they have interaction with the patrons?”

Thomas scratched the back of his neck. “Well, since Fawn ended up pregnant with another man’s child, I’d have to say so. Her favorite were the lap dances I hear.”

“Lap dances? What’s that?”

She looked up with such innocent eyes, he wanted to kiss her for being so naïve. It was a refreshing change from Fawn. With such angelic qualities about her, he was starting to wonder if his prayer for an angel had been answered after all.

“Well, I can tell you, but it’s more fun to learn by doing,” he answered with a grin.

She jumped up and gathered up the tray.

“Never mind. Well, I’ve got chores to do. If you decide you want breakfast, I can warm it up later.”

“And what if I want dessert?” he asked with a smile.

She wet her lips with her tongue, about driving him mad, and shifted the tray in her hands.

“I thought you didn’t believe in dessert. That’s what the boy’s told me. They said you told them sweets were no good for them.”

“Maybe so,” he said, feeling his loins stir with desire for her. “But the kind of dessert I had in mind gives a whole new meaning to the word sweet. And I promise you, Angie, it would be very good for both of us.”

* * *

Angel watched the sun set over the lake, thinking it was a work of art, the way the yellows and oranges melded in with the blues and greens. She sat on the swing watching Dan and Sam fish off the end of the Ainsley’s pier. Jake and Josh dug around in the bait bucket playing with the worms. Gabby and Stacy were playing in the sand with Zeke and Eli, having built one of the best sand castles she’d ever seen.

Clarence Ainsley tied up the row boat, having given half a dozen rides around the lake that day.

“What a wonderful day with the kids,” said Agnes, cleaning up the soda cans and empty bags of chips from the ground.

If Thomas knew they’d basically eaten junk food all day he would have had a fit. But he’d been away with Gus since early this morning checking out another car to refurbish, and had said he wouldn’t be home til dinner time.

“You know,” said Tillie, sipping on an iced tea. “This has been the best day of our vacation so far.”

“I agree,” said Angel. “This has been the first time since I’ve been at Thunder Lake that I’ve just laid back and relaxed and spent some quality time with my kids. All of them,” she laughed. “I only wish Thomas could have been here too.”

“I really like those Taylor boys,” said Agnes, pushing the garbage into a plastic bag. “They’re like the grandchildren I never had.”

“You spoil them like grandchildren too,” said Tillie. “After all, I’ve never seen kids devour ice cream as fast as these did. Three half gallons, no less.”

“Yes, well, the sun is going down,” Agnes said, looking oddly at Tillie. “I think it’s about time you get going, Angel.”

Agnes almost seemed as if she were trying to get rid of Angel and she didn’t understand why. Still, maybe they’d worn out their welcome.

“You’re right,” she said. “I’ll tell the kids to start wrapping it up.”

“No.” Agnes looked at Tillie. “Tell her already.” Then she hurried away and left them alone.

“Tell me what?” asked Angel, looking at her friend.

“Agnes is a little embarrassed, so I’ll tell you. Thomas called from town a few hours ago looking for you.”

“He did?” She jumped up. “Why didn’t someone tell me?”

“Because he didn’t want you to know.”

“What? Tillie, what are you talking about?”

“He asked the Ainsleys if all the kids could spend the night here.”

“Doesn’t he want us coming home?”

“Angel, don’t you get it?” Tillie shook her head and smiled. “He wants to be alone with you. All night. I think he wants to consummate your marriage and doesn’t want the kids around to cramp his style.”

“Oh, Tillie.” Angel grabbed her by the arm. “Are you sure?”

“Positive. He said he had something special planned. He said not to send the kids back tomorrow before noon. Oooo, Angel, you are so lucky.”

Positively scared was more what she was thinking. Yet the idea excited her, thinking of what it would be like to make love to her new husband. She squeezed Tillie’s hand in anticipation.

“Wish me luck,” she said, and walked down to the lake to say goodnight to Gabby and the boys.

* * *

Twenty minutes later Angel pulled into the driveway, noticing the new junker sitting in the yard. Thomas must have been in a hurry because normally he would always put his latest car in the pole barn and not leave it out in the open, even if it was in as bad shape as this one.

She stepped from the Windstar, getting a whiff of some heavenly aroma coming from the house. The curtains were all drawn, and a thrill went through her body. Tonight they’d be all alone. Just the two of them. The idea sounded romantic already.

She pushed open the door, and called softly. “Thomas?”

When he didn’t answer, she went inside, closed the door and looked around. Candlelight burned softly in every room, the smell of scented candles adding to the aroma of cinnamon and apples coming from the oven. She ran her hand along the kitchen table, noticing the white tablecloth that looked a lot like the bed sheets from the master bed. A huge vase of a dozen red roses graced the center of the table with a card hanging from one stem.

“Oh my.” She pulled the card out of the envelope and read aloud. “Angie, happy wedding night. Shut off the food in the oven and meet me in the bedroom.”

She placed the card down on the table and did as instructed. She didn’t take the time to peek under the lids or in the oven. She pushed open the bedroom door, and gasped. Thomas sat with his back leaning against the headboard, in nothing more than his briefs. Her eyes trailed down his bare chest and locked atop the bulge so prominent she felt an instant wetness between her thighs.

“Come on in, sweetie.”

“But . . . you’re barely wearing anything.”

“It’s more than you’ll be wearing after you change into this.”

He held out a box and her hands shook as she took it and opened it carefully. Inside was a sheer spaghetti-strap pink negligee with tiny panties to match.

“What?” she said, and looked up to see the lusty grin on his face.

“I thought we’d have dessert before dinner, if you don’t mind. Try it on.”

“Oh,” she said, holding up the tiny garment and being able to see right through it. “Why bother? It leaves nothing to the imagination.”

“Have it your way,” he said, sounding pleased. “I just thought it would add ambiance to the moment.”

“I’ll be right back.”

She grabbed her robe from the back of the door and headed for the bathroom. She felt ridiculous and very naked wearing the negligee, but when she looked in the cracked mirror, she decided she was pleased with his choice. She looked sexier than she ever had in her life.

She covered up with the robe and made her way back to the bedroom. This time, there was soft music playing from the boom box she’d bought as Eli’s gift. Thomas was standing at the door, and came to meet her.

“I’ve waited a long time for this night,” he told her, untying the robe and slipping it off her arms til it fell to the ground. Angel’s heartbeat quickened. Next, his hands settled around her waist, almost burning her from the heat that passed between them.