Chapter 20
Celebration
After dropping Rachel off at the Courthouse, Raylan and Anna headed for Giuseppe's. He decided it would be better not to see Art. That way, his boss would have plausible deniability if Karen Goodall called asking about Boyd and Arndt. Eventually, he'd have to figure out what to tell her, but right now, he didn't have a clue.
"Table for Givens," he told the maître de. "I think we're on the patio."
It was a different man tonight, younger, with his blond hair pulled back in a neat ponytail. And to Raylan's relief, there was no sign of Angela, the owner's hovering wife.
"Yessir, right this way," the young man said. Weaving through the tables in the already crowded dining room, he led Raylan and Anna to a table in the back corner of the patio, facing the small stage where a red-headed girl sat on a stool, tuning her guitar. The stone patio was surrounded by an iron-work fence bordered with Japanese maples hung with strings of white lights. On each table, a fragrant magnolia blossom floated in a crystal bowl.
"Here's your table, Sir." The maître de set a menu at each place and stepped back, allowing Raylan to take his seat.
"We beat 'em here?" Raylan raised an eyebrow at Anna. "I'm shocked."
"Me, too." Anna sat in the chair the young man pulled out for her, then took out her phone and texted Adam while Raylan ordered a whiskey for himself and a bottle of wine for the other three to share. She took in the surroundings as she waited for Adam to text her back. "This is lovely."
"Yeah, Lexington's not exactly a big city, but we have a few gems. This is one of our favorites," Raylan said. "Winona said somethin' about celebratin', but I'm not sure what she was talkin' about."
A waiter returned with their drinks, opening the bottle and pouring the wine.
Anna waited until she had a glass of wine in front of her before answering. "I think I know." She took a sip, then another. "Mmmm. Good choice," she said.
"Amazin' but I remembered the wine Adam said you liked." He tilted his head and looked across at her. "So . . . what's the celebration for?"
She quickly downed the rest of the wine. "Adam asked me to marry him, and I said yes." Grabbing the bottle, she poured another glass and took a gulp.
Raylan barked out a laugh. "So, that's why ya' downed half a bottle already." He sipped his whiskey.
"I've messed this up before."
"Yep." He took another, longer sip and waved his glass at the waiter for another. He noted the stricken look on her face. "Don't mean you'll mess it up this time."
"Maybe." She shrugged. "But you know what they say? Three strikes and you're out."
"Third times is the charm." Raylan countered.
He caught a whiff of familiar perfume right before Winona bent to kiss him, sliding into the chair next to his. "Sorry we're late. You know Leslie when she gets to talking."
"Ha!" Adam laughed. "Every time we were ready to leave, Winona here thought of one more thing she had to tell Mrs. Mullins."
Winona flushed. "I haven't left Willa that often. Leslie said she could stay all night if we wanted, but I'm not sure. I told her I'd let her know."
"Let her know," Raylan said, and he poured some wine into her glass. "And now, we have an evenin' to ourselves." He leaned closer to her and whispered in her ear. "Text your sister and tell her not to wait up 'cause we won't be comin' to her house tonight . . . That we need some alone time."
Winona smiled. "I like the way you think, Cowboy." She quickly pulled out her phone and sent the texts, first to Leslie, taking her up on her offer, and then to Gayle.
The waiter reappeared, and Raylan ordered another whiskey and a second bottle of wine. The four took a few minutes to peruse the menu, and they were ready to order when he returned.
"Anna just told me your news," Raylan said. "Congratulations." He raised his glass and clinked it against Adam's. The ladies followed suit.
"We're so happy for you," Winona gushed.
With a glass of wine in front of him, Adam leaned forward in his seat, sliding a box across the table to Anna. "I always figured I'd do this in private, but the question has already been asked and answered. Winona helped me pick it out, so I think she should see the reaction."
Anna's hand trembled a little as she opened the box. Her eyes flicked to Adam's, her mouth open in a perfect 'O'. "It's gorgeous."
"Here," he said. He took the ring from the box and slid it onto her finger just as the girl with the guitar began to sing Billie Holiday's The Very Thought of You.
Raylan leaned into Winona again. "Ya' took him to Rosenburg's?"
She smiled and nodded.
"It's a platinum setting so it will last forever. Winona says the stone is flat, so it won't catch on anything when you're working." Adam was babbling, and Anna placed a finger on his lips.
"I love it, and I love you," she said. And she gave him a kiss that left him breathless.
Anna caught Raylan's look of approval. Normally a very private person, she surprised herself in being happy that Winona and Raylan where there to help her and Adam celebrate the special occasion. And she couldn't help but think that, even if Raylan turned out not to be her brother, he and Winona had officially become real friends.
-o-o-o-O-o-o-o-
As soon as they were inside the motel room and had closed the door, Raylan and Winona were all over one another. Off their clothes went, flying everywhere, as they stumbled their way to the bed.
"God, I missed you," Raylan panted. His boots came off, and he grabbed his wallet out of the pocket of his slacks and tossed it on the nightstand. Next came the pants and his boxers. "See how badly?" He almost begged, and he unhooked Winona's bra on the first try.
Away went the bra, as Winona climbed over him on the bed. He helped her wiggle out of her panties, and she held him in her hands. "I can see," she teased and lowered her head to the source of his passion to work her magic on him. He leaned back, closed his eyes, and enjoyed the ride.
In between his moans of pleasure, she teased him some more by bringing him to the brink and then, backing off. She lifted her head and pouted at him. "I waited for you last night. I waited for you all night. And I waited for you all day. You're all I could think about."
"Get up here, then," he growled, grabbing her by her shoulders, pulling her up towards him. She reached over to the nightstand and fished a condom out of his wallet. Carefully, she opened the package and rolled it on him.
Her eyes glistened and she hesitated, giving Raylan time to quickly flip her over so that she was lying on her back. He slowed the pace and reached down to check her readiness.
"Told you I've been waiting," she moaned at his touch.
She was ready, and he primed her even further with his long fingers while devouring her breasts. She moaned and writhed under him. "Show me how badly you missed me."
He shifted his weight and entered her. They both let out a gasp, and he covered her mouth with his, their tongues tangling.
It was about that time, one of their cell phones rang and just as quickly went to voice mail. They couldn't tell which phone it was and ignored it for the moment, as there were more important things on their minds.
When they were both on the brink, the phone's ringtone chimed again. Frustrated with the interruptions, Raylan rushed to take them over the edge and reached over the nightstand for his phone. It was Art.
"Givens," he panted.
"Sorry to interrupt you," Art began.
"Of course ya' interrupted me. Winona and I are alone." He emphasized the word. "Ya' got our baby." After a beat, he asked, "Is she alright?"
"She's fine, Raylan. I'm calling on business. There's been an explosion. At Noble's Holler. It's a bad one. I'll pick you up on my way out. Where are you?"
Raylan quickly sat up in bed and gave Art the motel information. "I'll be ready."
"Noble's Holler," Raylan thought to himself. They had just been there.
"What's going on, Raylan?" Winona sat up beside him, holding the sheet over her. "Is Willa okay?"
He stood, pulling on his boxers and jeans. "She's fine." He grabbed a clean t-shirt from the go-bag he'd brought in and tossed in the corner, tugging the tee over his head. "It's work. There's been some kind of an explosion down in Noble's Holler. Art says it's bad."
"Weren't you and Anna just down there?" Winona hopped up, starting to get dressed, too.
He nodded and said, "Art's pickin' me up. Ya' might as well stay here and get some sleep."
"If it's all the same to you, I think I'll text Leslie and see if she wants some company."
Raylan sighed. It had been a waste of the money for the motel room, but then, considering how they'd spent the last hour, maybe not a bad bargain.
Walking to her, he pulled Winona into his arms. "Sorry we got interrupted there at the end."
"Did you hear me complaining?" She smiled up at him.
He kissed her mouth. "No, but I do wish I could stay for another round."
Her eyebrow went up. "A victory lap?"
"Heh," he chuckled, pulling away. "I gotta go." He slid the hat on. His hand was on the doorknob when his phone rang again. He answered without looking.
"Raylan," Karen Goodall began. "I'm on the next flight out of D.C. What happened with your man, Crowder? I thought you said you could make this happen."
"I thought I could," he said, exiting and closing the door behind him. "We had Boyd call on a rigged up phone and listened in. Arndt turned him down flat. Said he didn't cater to drug dealers."
"Well, that's just great," Karen huffed. "Now, we've got some kind of an explosion . . . most likely Arndt's group . . . and no telling how many casualties."
"They blew the bridge, right?"
"Yeah, from what I know. One way in, one way out."
"True, but Noble's is a ways up the mountain from that bridge. Could be nothin' else has happened yet."
Raylan had a thought. "Lemme try callin' Ellstin. I got his number in my phone."
"You do that and call me back," Karen said. "Ten minutes. And if you haven't already, I think you'd better inform Agent Rulé."
-o-o-o-O-o-o-o-
"Anna," Raylan spoke into his cell, waiting in the lobby for Art to show up. "Did ya' hear?" He could tell from the way she answered the phone, he had interrupted her romantic evening in much the same way his and Winona's had been only a short time ago. He didn't wait for her reply. "There's been an explosion at Noble's Holler."
"Shit," she swore.
"My sentiments exactly," he agreed. "Art's on his way to pick me up at my motel lobby. I'm stayin' at the Holiday Inn Express, about 10 blocks from where you're stayin'. Do ya' think ya' could meet me here in the next 15 minutes? Ride with us?"
"Just give me time to get some clothes on," she answered. "Where are you?"
"Your hotel is on Lexington Green Circle," he explained. "Take Lexington Green Circle around to Mall Road. This place is on the right, after you cross West Reynolds Road. Oh, and if ya' want, Adam could sit tight with Winona. Who knows how long we'll be gone? She's callin' Art's wife to go and round up little Willa and wait. He could call her. She hasn't left yet." After a pause, he added, "Or not."
"Good idea," she said. "I'll see you in 15."
After disconnecting the call, the next call he made was to Limehouse. After 4 rings, the call went to Voice Mail. He said, "Ellstin. This is Raylan Givens. Word has it that there's been an explosion at Nobel's. Please call me back and lemme know you're okay."
He disconnected that call, let out a deep sigh, and decided not to call Karen. She'd surely call him back soon enough. He figured he might as well enjoy the last few minutes of peace and quiet he'd have for a while.
In record time, Anna pulled up, only Adam was driving. As they approached him in the lobby, Raylan walked over and flashed his badge at the front desk clerk. "He's with me. He's gonna go upstairs to meet my . . . ex-wife," he explained, feeling rather stupid. How he hated introducing Winona in that way. "Room 305," Raylan said to Adam with a nod, and he and Anna watched her fiancé head for the elevators.
The two law enforcement offices walked back outside to wait for Art.
"I'm sorry I had to call and spoil your engagement night," Raylan said. "It couldn't be helped."
"It's okay," she said. "Goes with the territory. You know that."
"That, I do," he nodded.
"Besides, I know Adam and I have had a romantic evening . . . alone . . . a lot more recently than you and Winona."
"I know," Raylan complained. "Don't that beat all?"
At that point, Art pulled up in his rig. Raylan directed Anna to the front passenger seat. He took the back seat, figuring he could stretch out on the long drive to Noble's. Once the doors were closed and seatbelts were clicked, Art took off for the expressway with is lights on. That would get them there faster.
"Good Lord," Art declared. "It smells like a brewery in here."
Both Raylan and Anna reeked of alcohol.
"I told ya' you interrupted somethin'," Raylan rubbed it in. "And to make ya' feel even worse, did ya' know that Agent Rulé here just got herself engaged, tonight?"
"I don't feel bad in the least," Art answered Raylan through the rear view mirror in the dark. "I'm not the one who blew up the bridge." Then, he looked over at Anna. "Congratulations to you are in order."
"Thank you," Anna said. "And thank you for driving."
"Good thing I am," Art chuckled. "I'm the only one of the three of us who should be driving."
"It's been a coupla hours since I had anything. I'm practically sober," Raylan huffed.
"Me, too," Anna echoed. She opened her slim purse and fished out a tin. Popping out two tablets, she swallowed them dry.
"Aspirin?" Raylan said.
"Ibuprofen. Want some?"
He held out his hand between the seats and she dropped the medicine into his open palm.
Art reached into the console and came up with a bottle of water. "You'll have to share," he said, passing it to Anna. She took a swig and wiped the mouth of the bottle with the hem of her t-shirt, handing it over the seat to Raylan.
"Thanks." He took several swallows and handed it back.
"I'm fine," Anna said. "As long as we're picking up some coffee."
"You read my mind," Raylan said.
"I know just the place." Art pulled into a drive-through and ordered coffees and some greasy breakfast sandwiches and hash browns for all. "The grease will soak up some of the alcohol."
"Ya' say this as if ya' know from personal experience," Raylan quipped while they waited in line behind three other cars. "Always amazes me how many people are up this time a night, lookin' for their 4th meal."
"You mean morning," Art corrected him, glancing at the clock on the dash of his SUV. It read 12:20 a.m.
It was at about that time, Art's cell phone rang. Art looked down at his cell phone screen. "Karen Goodall," he announced, glancing at Raylan in the back seat indicating that he was not there.
"Hey, Karen," Art answered. "I'm in the car, on my way now, out to the scene to check out the situation."
"Have you heard from Raylan?" Karen asked. "He said he had Ellstin Limehouse's number and was going to call him and then, call me right back."
"And he never called you back?" Art glared at Raylan through the rearview and continued. "That sounds like Raylan. He's on his way to the scene, about twenty, thirty minutes ahead of me. He knows the back roads and is probably out of cell phone range by now."
"I also asked him to notify Agent Anna Rule. I think we need the FBI at the scene."
"She's with him," Art reported, finally moving up a car length, deciding to throw Raylan a bone with their superior.
Knowing that Art was familiar with Raylan's search for his sister, she asked, "What do you think? Do you think that Raylan and Anna really are half siblings?"
Art chuckled. "That would be an affirmative. What do you think?"
"I'm thinking yes."
Changing the subject, Art asked, "I take it you're flying in?"
"Yes, but I can't get a flight out until 10:30 a.m. Seems the Lexington forecast is for fog in the morning. The 7 a.m. flight is cancelled."
Art looked out his windshield and up at the sky. There was not a hint of fog.
"Would you call me when you reach the scene?" she asked.
"I'd like to, but there's no cell phone coverage there," he reported, thinking she didn't catch what he'd said about Raylan's whereabouts. "Why don't you plan to go straight to the office? I'll make sure that a marshal will be there to bring you out to the scene. You'd never be able to find Noble's Holler on your own. Hell, I didn't even know the place existed until Raylan had that case that involved the Bennett clan and their money. It's not on any map. Of course, if we can wrap this thing up quickly, I'll see you back at the office. Depends on what we find there."
"Sounds good, Chief," Karen said. "I will see you, one way or another."
After disconnecting the call, Art moved up another car length and looked over at Anna. "I'm not going to have a problem from you am I for stretching the truth a little to the Assistant Director, am I?"
"Not at all, Chief," Anna smiled.
"She's not a fan," Raylan announced from the back seat. "Of Karen. Karen's in rare form on this task force."
Art chuckled. "Awww. Karen's alright. I've had worse Assistant Directors."
After a beat of silence, Raylan said, "Art. Thanks for coverin' for me."
"Raylan," Art sighed, finally moving up to the window and handing over his credit card. "I did it for me, not for you. I didn't think it was a good idea with you, being under the influence of alcohol, to be shooting your mouth off at the Assistant Director. That would make my life miserable."
Art's card was returned, along with the coffees and fast food, and they were on the road to Noble's Holler.
(To be continued . . . )