Peaches and Scream (Georgia Peach Mystery, A) (23 page)

“Shot him?” Panic crept over his features as he struggled to stand. “I did? Didn’t mean to. I was just trying to scare him away from you.”

“Well, you did!” I spied Joe’s hanky hanging out of his pocket. Snatching it, I began pressing it against the wound.

In the meantime, Hollis stumbled over. “Is he going to die?”

I shook my head. “I don’t know.” Joe had lost consciousness and was lying motionless on the ground. His bleeding decreased with the pressure and his breath seemed steady. “We’ve got to get help. Where’s your cell?” I asked Hollis.

“It’s dead. I ran the battery out trying to call for help.”

I chastised myself for leaving the house without mine. For a second, hopelessness overtook me. Then I pulled it back together, trying to stay calm and think through the situation. “Listen, Hollis. Are you sober enough to watch over him? Make sure he doesn’t bleed out?”

Hollis’s blurry eyes took in the scene before him, but he sucked it up and nodded. “Think so. What can I do?”

“Get down here and hold this against his wound. Keep pressing. We don’t want it to start bleeding again. I’m going for help.” I took off running through the trees heading for the orchard, tripping a couple times on roots that jutted out over
the trail. Finally, I broke free of the forest and gained some speed on the newly mowed paths between the peach rows, the whole time my mind forming a plan. There wouldn’t be time to call an ambulance. Besides, it would never make it over the orchard paths and back to Joe’s property line. No, my best bet was to get my Jeep and transport him myself.

As I neared the house, though, I caught sight of an ambulance parked in the drive. An ambulance? My first thought was that Hollis got his phone working and already called for help. But that wasn’t even rational. Not enough time had passed for that. Then it hit me. Oh, no! Ida!

I took the porch steps two at a time, bursting into the family room, and found Ray, Cade and Hawk standing by the door watching as two paramedics attended to Ida. It appeared they were getting her ready to be transported. “What’s going on?” I demanded. “Is she okay?”

Ray steadied me by the shoulders. “Everything’s fine, Nola. She’s just in serious labor.”

On cue, Ida gritted her teeth and let out a low moan. When the pain subsided, she looked my way, worry playing between her mask of pain. “Nola, they haven’t found Hollis yet!” she managed, before stiffening with another contraction and letting out a series of quick breaths interspersed with hiccup-like sobs.

Hollis?
My mind whiplashed back and forth for a second before I blurted out, “I found him, Ida. And he’s okay.”
Drunker than a skunk, but okay.
“He’s at Joe Puckett’s cabin. He . . . uh, he accidently shot Joe.”

“What!” Ida cried, as the paramedics moved her to the gurney. “He shot Joe?”

There was a second of confusion in which everyone froze in place. Not a word was uttered, as the men and paramedics shot looks between Ida and me until another one of Ida’s moans pierced the silence.

One of the paramedics jumped into action, grabbing his bag and pointing toward the door. “Let’s get her loaded. You take
her in,” he told his partner, “and phone for another transport. I’ll go with these folks to see about the shooting victim.”

I grabbed my own bag off the foyer table, searching the side pocket for my keys as I followed them outside, explaining the situation as they loaded Ida into the ambulance. “There’s no way an ambulance can make it up to the cabin. We’ll have to take my Jeep and meet it back here at the house.”

“Fine,” the EMT replied, making sure Ida was secure. He started grabbing extra bandages and medical equipment, stuffing them into his bag at a frenzied pace. His hand hovered over a cache of bottles and syringes. “How old is the victim?”

“I’d say close to seventy.”

“Where’s the wound?”

“In his side.”

“Left or right?”

Pausing, I strained my memory. “Le . . . no, right. Definitely right.”

The paramedic shook his head and fired off a few more questions. Finally, he grabbed a few more items along with what appeared to be a soft stretcher and started for my Jeep.

“I’m going with you.” I turned to find Hawk standing behind me. Cade and Ray were next to him.

“So am I. You’ll need help getting him down that trail,” Cade added.

Ray nodded. “Good. I’m going with Ida. Hattie’s still got the girls at the shop, so they’ll be fine.”

That settled, we took off across the driveway, catching up with the paramedic. Right before climbing into the driver’s side, something caused me to turn and look back. Ray caught my eye, sending me a reassuring nod and a tiny little wave before continuing his ascent into the ambulance. It was such a tiny gesture. But with that one single glance, I realized how right Hawk had been when he said my siblings and I shared a special bond. We did. Even without Mama and Daddy around, we could hold the family together.

Georgia Belle Fact #101:
It’s not your money that counts or your smarts. Not even your looks. The only thing that really matters is the love in your heart.

The County Medical Center was bustling with noise: machines whirring, codes sounding over the intercom, rubber-soled shoes squeaking up and down the halls. I slouched in the hard-back chair of the emergency waiting room, my mind wandering back over the evening’s events. After getting Joe out of the woods and into my Jeep, another ambulance was waiting at the house to transport him. Once he was loaded, Cade, Hawk, Hollis and I followed the ambulance to the hospital.

At the hospital, Hawk stayed in the emergency waiting room, to receive news on Joe’s condition, while the rest of us made our way to the maternity wing where we caught up with Ray in the visitors’ lounge and awaited the announcement of the newest Harper. While we waited, I filled everyone in on what had really happened at the cabin.

“Then Hollis is finally in the clear,” Cade said, after I answered an onslaught of questions.

“Guess so.” I noticed my tone didn’t sound all that enthusiastic. Not that I wasn’t happy that Hollis would finally be exonerated of Wakefield’s murder; I just wished the real killer hadn’t turned out to be Joe.

“Hollis may still have some trouble coming his way,” Ray said.

My brows furrowed. “How’s that?”

“He may face charges for shooting Joe. Especially since he was under the influence at the time.” Ray stood and retrieved his phone from his back pocket. “I’ll go call the sheriff now and fill her in on everything that’s happened.” Looking at me, he added with a sigh, “I’m sure she’ll have plenty of questions for you and Hollis.”

A while later, when a nurse came in with news that Ida had delivered a healthy boy, a chorus of whoops filled the air. Mother and baby were exhausted and resting, so visitors besides Hollis weren’t recommended until tomorrow. Tapping together our cups of stale coffee, we offered a toast to the new baby and took turns guessing the name and birth weight. Our enthusiasm dimmed, though, when Hawk joined us in the lounge with news of Joe’s condition. While most of the buckshot had passed through his side with minimal damage, some had lodged inside him. He’d lost a lot of blood in surgery and was still experiencing some shock. They wanted to keep him in ICU overnight to monitor his condition. Upon hearing the news, I sent everyone home for some rest, while I volunteered to wait it out at the hospital’s emergency waiting room. For some reason, I felt the need to stay and wait for news on Joe. After all, he didn’t have anyone else.

•   •   •

Early the next morning, I woke to find Ray standing over me, a steaming cup of coffee in his hands. Behind him were Cade and Hawk. My eyes were immediately drawn to a white bag in Cade’s hands. “Sugar’s Bakery?”

“Yup. Scones. Thought you might need some.”

“Yes, definitely.” I gratefully accepted his offerings. A little caffeine and sugar were just what I needed. He also handed me the keys for my Jeep, which they’d used to go to my house to crash last night. I glanced at the wall clock. Not even seven o’clock yet. After the gang left the evening before, the sheriff showed up with Deputy Travis in tow. I spent more than an hour fielding questions about Joe’s murder confession and how he came to be shot by Hollis. By the time I’d satisfactorily answered all of Maudy’s questions, or so I hoped, it was well after midnight.

I took a long drag from the coffee cup, trying to wake up my brain, while Ray made his way to the nurses’ station. I’d munched my way through half a scone by the time he returned with some news. “The nurse said Joe’s awake and doing okay. They’re moving him out of ICU and into a room first thing this morning.”

I sighed with relief. “Great news.”

Ray nodded. “What do you say we head over and sneak a peek in the nursery? See if we can see our new little nephew,” he suggested. We all agreed, making our way back once again to the maternity wing. Finding the nursery, we all four stood, our noses pressed against the glass searching the names on the bassinets.

“Hey, guys.” It was Hollis. He was coming down the hall, a cup of coffee in hand, looking as proud as could be. “Here to see my boy?” He puffed out his chest and pointed down the hall. “He’s in the room with Ida. Come on back and see him.”

I started to protest, imagining the last thing Ida would want was a room full of men gawking at her in her hospital gown. Before I could head them off, though, they trotted down the hall after Hollis. Surprisingly, Ida didn’t seem put out at all with the entourage of visitors. In fact, she looked quite happy to see us. “His first visitors.” She beamed from across the room, holding the baby up for our inspection. “Everyone, meet Hollis Jr.”

That stopped me in my tracks.
Hollis Jr.? Oh boy
.

“We’re going to just call him Junior for a while,” Hollis said, taking a seat next to Ida on the bed. His gestures were extra animated as he went on about his son. “Looks like a linebacker, don’t y’all think? I mean, look at the way he’s built.”

“Oh, Hollis. Enough!” Ida bantered. “Maybe he won’t even like football.”

“Not like football?” Cade and Hawk said in unison. Which quickly prompted an all-out discussion on this year’s SEC prospects.

I shook my head, pushed past Ray and the guys, and moved in closer, anxious to get ahold of the sweet little thing.

Cradling him securely in the crook of my arm, I reached down with my other hand and tickled his plumb cheek. “Well, hello, there, Junior. I’m your aunt Nola.” He opened his mouth, quietly pursing his lips until they formed a sweet little
O
shape as his velvety blue gaze connected with mine. I fell instantly in love. “Oh, Ida.” My voice caught. “He’s absolutely perfect.”

She beamed with happiness. “We think so, too.”

My heart practically overflowed with joy as I held my nephew. Joy and a bit of regret. Regret because as I looked at him, I couldn’t help but think of the child I’d lost so long ago. My stomach knotted as my gaze landed on Hawk. He’d never known our one reckless night had resulted in a pregnancy. For me, however, I’d replayed the sequence of horrible events over and over in my mind. Wondering if there wasn’t something I could have done differently.

It was my senior prom and I’d gone with Danny Hicks. He wasn’t my first choice for a date. Cade was. But in those days, Cade never noticed me as anything other than a friend. Poor Danny. My heart just wasn’t into it, which was why when Hawk, a rebel from one county over, showed up and crashed the party, I was more than willing to ride off with him on the back of his motorcycle. I still remember how free it felt. Like I was riding miles away from Cays Mill,
when in reality we ended up down by the river, not far from my house.

I was in way over my head with Dane Hawkins. And after a few laughs and more than a few sips of beer, we . . . Well, one thing led to another. I was mortified when I found out I was pregnant. Hattie was with me. We’d lifted the pregnancy test from the back aisle of the Pearson’s Drugstore. I didn’t know where to turn. Of course, in hindsight, I realized I should have gone to my mama, but at the time, I couldn’t bear the disappointment I’d bring my family. I was overcome with shame. There wasn’t a moment that went by that I didn’t wish I could take it all back, make the baby go away, go back to living my carefree life.

Then I got my wish.

The cramping started one afternoon when I was working my summer job at the Tasty Freeze. Horrible waves of pain and nausea. One look at me after work and my mama rushed me to Doc Harris’s office. That was where the bleeding started. It only took Doc a couple minutes to figure out what was going on: I was pregnant and losing the baby. All those silent prayers were answered. Just like that. Only I was devastated. Absolutely overwrought with guilt and remorse. Had I really prayed for the loss of human life? I knew, even now, as I looked back over the years, that guilt propelled me into a career of atonement. Even my colleagues marveled at my tireless efforts to save lives. It was because I was forever making up for the one life I’d lost. One precious little life . . .

“Nola?” My sister’s voice brought me back to focus. I shook my head. How long had I been staring at Hawk? By the look on his face, too long. In fact, one quick glance told me that everyone in the room was looking at me with concern.

“Are you okay?” Ray asked.

“Just tired. Afraid the last couple of days have caught up with me.” I gave the baby a quick squeeze and handed him back to Ida.

“Catching murderers and being shot at can do that to you,” Cade said.

“I’m just grateful no one was seriously hurt.” I cast a woeful look Hollis’s way. “And at least now everyone will know who really killed Ben Wakefield.” Even as I said the words, I could hardly believe it was true. Joe had killed Wakefield. It just didn’t seem possible. Looking over at my brother, I asked, “What’ll happen to Joe? It wasn’t premeditated; he just lost control. I mean, the man was practically pushed over the edge. First his son, then Wakefield threatening to take his land.”

Ida let out a snort. “I still can’t believe you were involved in that, Hollis. Really, now. Taking an old man’s land? That’s low.”

“He didn’t pay his taxes, for cryin’ out loud,” Hollis protested. “It’s just business, Ida. You know that.”

I frowned at him. “I have the feeling you’ve been putting the squeeze on a few other people in town, too. Ginny and Sam? Maybe Sally Jo at the Mercantile and Doris at the Clip and Curl.”

Hollis held up his hand. “I’m completely in my rights to do so. Each of their loan agreements contains an acceleration clause. It’s completely legal, isn’t it?” He looked toward Ray for help.

“Well.” Ray cleared his throat. “Legal, yes. Good business? Well, that’s another thing.”

“I don’t get it. What’s this ‘acceleration clause’ about?” Hawk asked.

“Basically”—Ray took on his attorney persona and started to explain—“it’s a mortgage clause that renders the loan contract null if the borrower misses a payment. At that point, the lender can call in the full amount of the loan. It’s common in business loans. It protects the lender in case the borrower defaults. Assets can be seized or whatever it takes to pay the loan.”

“So all these people defaulted on their loans?” Cade asked.

Hollis hemmed and hawed a little before our relentless stares forced him into an explanation. “Well, yes. Sort of. Sally Jo missed last month’s payment. Claims she lost track of time. Ginny and Sam? Well, their son’s college tuition has them strapped. They’ve only been making partial—”

“What?” It was Ida. I wasn’t sure if her hormones were still on overdrive from the birth, or what, but by the way she was looking at Hollis, there was going to be another murder in town. “You’re basically extorting our friends to raise money so you can buy some poor old man’s land out from underneath him? Face it, Hollis. If you hadn’t sunk so much money into the Wakefield Lumber scam, you wouldn’t need to recoup your losses.”

Hollis hung his head in shame. “You’re right.” Then he drew in his breath, lifted his chin. “But I never killed anybody. And we can put all this behind us now. The killer’s been caught and my name’s been cleared.” Except for the fact that he shot Joe. One glance at Ray told me he was thinking the same thing, but neither of us brought it up. Now wasn’t the time for that discussion.

“Anyway,” Hollis continued. “Now maybe things can get back to normal.” He reached over to pat Ida’s shoulder, but she shifted away. Something told me that it’d be a while before things were normal again in the Shackleford home.

“Well, I for one am ready to call it a day.” I stood and straightened my dress, which now sported a partially ripped seam and a coating of dust. Who knew, when I put it on the morning before, just how much wear and tear it would go through?

“I’ll ride with you.” Hawk started for the door.

Cade jumped up and started after him. “Me, too. I need to get back and help Hattie with the girls, anyway.” Hattie had generously offered to keep the twins for the rest of the
weekend, so Hollis and I could spend time at the hospital with Ida.

“Hold it, guys.” I shot Ray a pleading look. “Would you mind giving them all a ride? There’s something I need to do on the way out.”

Luckily, Ray was more than happy to run the guys back to their places. He looked up at the clock on the wall. “I’ll probably drop them by their places and then head to church before heading back over to Perry. I have some work to catch up on before tomorrow morning.”

“Church?” Ida teased. “Haven’t seen you there for a while.”

He glanced my way and winked before looking back down at Ida and the baby. “Well, I ran into Reverend Jones, doing his rounds here last night while we were waiting for word on Ida. I wanted to thank him for his prayers. I figure I’ve got a lot to be thankful for.” He ran a finger across Junior’s cheek. “But don’t worry, now. I’ll be seeing you all next weekend after I pick Mama and Daddy up from the airport. Won’t they be surprised to find out we’ve had an early visitor?”

After telling everyone good-bye, I headed back out for the nurses’ station and inquired about Joe. A few minutes later, I ran into Deputy Travis lingering in the hall outside Joe’s room.