“What about your father?”
“He’ll either come around or he won’t.” Royal covered Lovey’s hand with hers. “I only have one life to live, and I’ve discovered that I can’t live it without you. I can’t live my life for my father. I choose to live that life with you, if you’ll still have me.”
Royal pulled Lovey into a tender kiss.
❖
They drove back to the house and were just climbing out of the car when Royal saw Wade appear at the door of the barn. They got out of the car as he approached.
“We’ve got a run tonight, Royal. A big one.” He looked at Lovey but didn’t say anything to her.
“My car isn’t ready. The back is full of stuff from—”
“We’re driving my truck because I’m not gonna risk this delivery in a car with only one working headlight.” He scowled at Lovey. “And I told you never to bring her around here again.”
“Wade, Lovey is staying here tonight. That’s my decision and it’s not open for discussion.” Just as Wade was about to take a step toward Royal, her mother appeared on the porch, wiping her hands with a dishtowel.
“What’s all this ruckus about?”
“Momma, Lovey is staying for dinner and maybe for the night.”
Wade stormed past them toward his place. “I’ll be back in few minutes to pick you up. Be ready.”
“Why are we leaving so early? It’s barely dusk.”
“Just be ready when I get back.”
They watched Wade’s back as he disappeared around the corner of the house.
“Royal, fetch Teddy for dinner and I’ll set another place at the table. You need to eat something before you leave for the night.” Royal’s mother was of the opinion that there was no crisis so large that it couldn’t be resolved by the consumption of a good meal.
Alone in front of the house, Lovey urgently reached for Royal in the waning light.
“Royal, you can’t do this run tonight. Not after what I just told you.”
“I know.”
“Are you going to say something to your uncle?”
“I should, not that he’ll listen to me.”
“He has to listen. They want to shut your operation down. I think they plan to put you in jail, or worse.”
“Let me just think for a minute.” She stroked Lovey’s shoulders and arms trying to calm her down. She entwined their fingers as she spoke.
Before Royal had time to deliberate for long, Wade roared up next to where they were standing in an old truck. The wood-slatted truck bed was full and the contents covered with a canvas tarp. Wade stepped out of the truck but left the engine running. He had a sawed off shotgun in his hand.
“Royal, get in. You drive.” He moved to the passenger side, never taking his eyes off Lovey.
“I’m not going tonight, Wade. And you shouldn’t either.” She couldn’t stand her uncle, but she felt honor bound to at least try to warn him.
His gaze was like a vise grip closing around her throat. She stepped in front of Lovey, blocking Wade’s view.
“I said get in the truck.”
“Listen, Lovey came to tell us about an ambush. We should listen—”
“I ain’t taking direction from the likes of her.” He pointed in Lovey’s direction.
“The likes of her is trying to save your sorry hide.” Royal knew better than to raise her voice to Wade, but she couldn’t help herself.
“I don’t need savin’. Not by her and not by you.”
“Wade, maybe you should heed Royal on this.” Royal’s mother had been standing on the porch watching the exchange.
“Woman, you stay outta this!” He glared back at Royal, jabbing his finger in the air in her direction. “Now get your ass in the truck or Teddy can take your seat. Your choice.”
Royal bristled at the suggestion that Wade would take her younger brother along on a run that was surely not going to end well. Teddy was too green, he only ever tended the still, he never went on runs, and if trouble struck he’d likely be the first one to get hurt. She couldn’t allow Teddy to go in her place.
Royal turned to face Lovey. “I have to go.”
“No, Royal, please—”
“I can’t let Wade take Teddy,” whispered Royal. “I’ll be careful, I promise.”
“Royal, please,” Lovey pleaded in a hushed voice.
“You stay here, Lovey. Have some dinner. I’ll be back before sunrise. I promise.” She kissed Lovey’s forehead, then Royal climbed into the truck and Lovey stood, dumbfounded, as the vehicle spun around and headed out toward the main road.
She heard someone step down the porch behind her. She turned to see that it was Royal’s mother. Lovey wiped at tears with the palm of her hand.
“I couldn’t make her stay.” Lovey watched the taillights of the truck fade in the dust.
“Lord knows I haven’t been able to make that child do anything since she was five.”
“I just can’t believe it.” Lovey began to pace as she hugged herself.
“Now there, everything is going to be okay. You just come in and have some supper. You’re as skinny as a rail.”
“How do you stand it?” Lovey still couldn’t believe she’d failed to keep Royal safe.
“Honey, you can’t control people. Even when you know what’s best for them.” She wrapped her arm around Lovey’s shoulder. “Come inside now and eat.”
They entered the warmly lit kitchen and Lovey had the distinct feeling that she was lost in some bizarre dream. The entire scene was surreal to her. Royal was gone, and she was terrified about what was going to happen. And now she was just supposed to calmly sit and have an evening meal with Royal’s family. Maybe this happened all the time in the Duval household. Royal would make a run and her family would act as if everything was going to be okay. Even though at any moment the car could miss a turn or be fired on by federal agents. How did they deal with
