She rolled on top of Lovey and set upon her with furious passion. She wanted to possess Lovey’s pale, perfect form from head to toe and every tender place in between. She focused her touch, her thrusts in such a way that Lovey called her name as she climaxed in Royal’s arms. Royal held her close, placing tender kisses on her forehead and on her lips. Her sadness momentarily soothed, Royal settled against Lovey, with her cheek on Lovey’s shoulder. Lovey stroked her hair and whispered softly that everything would be okay now.
Would it? How could Lovey know for sure?
Chapter Thirty-two
Lovey became aware of her surroundings slowly, as if rising from under water. Once she was awake she realized it was foggy out. Overcast, but not raining. She realized she was alone in Royal’s bed. She’d slept so soundly after they made love. Maybe more soundly than she’d slept in weeks. She sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, allowing the sheet to fall to her waist. Only then did she notice the handwritten note on the pillow beside her.
Dearest Lovey,
Last night may have saved my life. I know I cannot ask for more. I know that what we had cannot exist in the light of day, but for the small reminder of how wonderful life could be if…only if. Thank you.
I do still love you and I hope that you find what you need with Joe.
—Royal
Oh, no. No. No. No. Royal still thinks Joe and I are together. Lovey realized that they hadn’t talked. Royal had no idea that she and Joe had broken things off. What time was it and where was Royal now?
Lovey put her head in her hands. How had this happened? If only Royal had woken her up before she left. They could have talked everything out. Not only did she still need to make things right with Royal, she’d left her home for the entire night. Her father would no doubt be beside himself with worry and anger. She’d have to face that when she got home too. On some level she realized that action alone had probably started a chain reaction that she would have to deal with.
She dressed quickly, splashed some water on her face from the basin, and after stopping in the bathroom down the hall from Royal’s room, briskly walked toward home. It was a cool morning. Fog hung in the air from the previous day’s rain, and heavy droplets fell from broad-leafed poplars. The dripping water almost made it seem as if it was raining again as she walked to her house. During her walk, she’d devised a plan. She would freshen up, change clothes, borrow the car, and go find Royal.
As she drew near to the house, she saw that there was a dark sedan in the driveway. She walked past the car that bore a single light on its roof. Boyd Cotton. That’s where she’d seen this car before. This didn’t seem right. What was he doing here?
She crept to the front porch and listened for voices from inside the house. Boyd and her father obviously thought no one else was around so there was no point keeping their voices low. It was easy to overhear what they were saying through the screen door. Lovey stood just out of sight and listened.
“We’ve booked the delivery for tonight. And it’s a big one,” said Boyd.
“And you’re sure they’ll be transporting enough to require arrest? This whole scheme only matters to me if we can shut them down.” That was her father’s voice now.
“Trust me on this. I’ve seen to it. An order this big will carry jail time for sure.” She could hear Boyd skid the chair on the hardwood floor. He must be about to leave. “Then you get your dry county and I get Wade. He’s crossed me for the last time. Everybody wins.”
Lovey was confused. Why would her father be involved with local law enforcement? She heard footsteps so she quickly jumped off the porch so that she could pretend she was just walking up as Boyd exited.
“Why, Mrs. Porter. Nice to see you again.” Boyd resettled his broad-brimmed hat and then tipped it in her direction.
“Sheriff Cotton.” She nodded her acknowledgment of him.
“Y’all have a good day now. I think the sun will come out shortly.” Boyd looked up at the sky, tossed his hat onto the passenger seat, and waved as he backed out of the still muddy driveway.
Lovey watched him leave then turned to see that her father had been watching her from the door he held open. The look on his face was the epitome of parental disapproval, and she was in no mood for it.
She gave him an equally disapproving look as she brushed past him into the house. In the kitchen she saw that there was a county map spread on the table with markings on it. She wasn’t familiar enough with the area to sort out locations before her father caught up to her and pulled the map away and rolled it up.
“What’s going on?” Lovey was uncharacteristically direct with her father. “Why was Boyd Cotton here at the house? What could you possibly have to talk with him about?” She couldn’t help herself. She asked questions in rapid succession.
“What I need to know is where you were last night, young lady? I’ll do the asking.”
“I was with Royal. Did you know her cousin Ned was killed?”
“I did know. The unfortunate end to a life of low character.”
Lovey ignored the slur against Ned. “What were you talking to Boyd about? What delivery has been booked?”
Her father visibly stiffened. “Drinking alcohol is
