“Had I been born Samuel Jones Fuller, I’m sure they would’ve been proud of those traits, but that isn’t my given name.” Sam closed his eyes and took a deep breath. In a way he looked like he was expecting a blow that would mortally wound him. “I’m Samantha Jane Fuller, and that’s not the life I wanted, so I ran. I’ve been running ever since, trying to find the kind of acceptance I got from my pa even if that meant being alone.”

  Lydia simply stood in place and stared at him, trying to see what Samantha had hidden in plain sight. Sam stood as well but seemed to know not to come anywhere near her. “Who knows?” Lydia asked, shaking her hands because she didn’t know what to do with herself.

  “Here?” Lydia nodded. “Lester and his brother were the only two until you.” The anxiousness was back, and Sam’s posture was ramrod straight. “All I ask is that you give me a day, so I can square things with Lester, and I’ll be on my way.” The cool facade was firmly in place, and Lydia wanted to scream. “Now it’s best if you go.”

  The shock didn’t have the opportunity to set in before Sam walked out. Lydia stood alone and let her tears fall. The man who’d tied her in knots for months, the one she’d fantasized about sharing a life and a family with, was gone, and all that was left was confusion.

  She walked home, not in the mood to talk to anyone except Sam, but he’d disappeared somewhere, no doubt to plan his escape before she could divulge his secret. Or was it her secret? It was hard to think of Sam as anyone other than Sam, and she had a feeling that’s how Sam felt about it as well. He was convincing because he was Sam Jones Fuller.

  Lydia retreated to her window seat to review everything that had happened and examine her true feelings. Sam was the most aggravating individual she’d ever met no matter what gender Sam was. Sam was who he was, and she could accept that, but he had to accept he was muleheaded. A partner who did all her thinking for her wasn’t anyone she was interested in, and that Sam could entertain the possibility that Lydia would run and tell everyone his secret was simply the most insulting thing in the world.

  She wiped her face and marched back to the small house prepared to wait Sam out. The suitcase and bags by the door enraged her. Granted, Sam’s revelation was shocking and probably a good thing not to have known right off—but now she did. She did, and they’d deal with it because the simple truth was it didn’t matter. Whether it was Sam or Samantha, Lydia was in love, and there was no running from that.

  “Put all that back where it goes and sit down,” she ordered.

  Sam stopped short after exiting the bathroom with another small bag. The luggage stayed, but Sam sat, looking both wary and hopeful.

  “Here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to walk me to the store, and then you’re going to talk to my father and get his blessing to marry me. The rest we’ll deal with together.”

  “Lydia, think about what you’re saying.”

  “No, you listen.” She’d never yelled that loud in her life, but she’d learned a few things from watching Sam deal with Plank, and Sam was nothing if not a stubborn donkey. “You tell me you don’t love me, and I’ll leave. If I’m not the girl for you, then you can stay and lead whatever life you want here because I’ll never tell a soul your secret. To me, though”—she took a step forward—“you’re Sam, and I love you.”

  “Your mama will be the first one to tell you it’d be a sin.” Sam actually smiled a little. “All that churchgoing makes me believe that’s true.”

  “And I say denying the love I have for you is the real sin.”

  “Do you even like women that way?” Sam was consistently stubborn and dead wrong…again.

  “Am I going to run off with the first girl who’s nice to me, you mean?” That got her the first genuine laugh from Sam since she’d met him. “Maybe I do like women that way because you’re the first person in the world who has piqued my interest at the first sight of you. The fact that I’ve had to do all the chasing up to now is plain ridiculous. It’s your job to woo me, so now is your chance to wise up.”

  “You’d marry me?” Sam asked, not moving when Lydia laced her fingers behind his neck.

  “If that’s your idea of a proposal, then no. When you do ask, I expect you to have my father’s permission and a ring. I’m willing to bend on a lot, but every girl has dreams, Sam Fuller, and I’m no exception.” She smiled up at Sam, and any lingering doubt keeled over when Sam made the first move and kissed her. “Ready?” she asked, taking his hands.

  Sam didn’t let her go until they reached the store, and she sat with her mother and sisters while Sam followed her father to the small office in the back. Lydia hadn’t expected it to take over an hour, but the door finally opened, and her father shook Sam’s hand. Hopefully, that was a good sign.

  “Miss Lydia,” Sam said, holding his hat, “would you like to take a walk this evening when I get back from New Orleans?”

  “I’d love to.” She sighed when Sam took her hand and kissed it.

  “Until then.”

  Chapter Twenty-five

  I’ll be goddamned.” Wyatt reread the last two paragraphs, wondering if Gator and her family knew what rebels their forebears were. Knowing the most crucial part of why Lydia had written their story made her want to finish the other journals. The simplistic tale she started with had taken a definite turn into interesting, and it raised her respect for Lydia that much more. But what about their eleven children? Where had they all come from?

  “They haven’t shown up yet?” Hayley asked when Wyatt answered her phone.

  It was a good thing they were on an even playing field when it came to interest. “I’m still waiting, which makes me glad the mob wasn’t carrying pitchforks with their torches. With this kind of response time, I’d be skewered in the yard, burning on a pyre by now.”

  “Is it wrong to tell you to blow them off and get over here? If you’re trying to protect my virtue, I can tell you these people will talk no matter what.”

  She looked up at Hayley’s window and saw her standing in the soft light of her lamp. Their dinner was all the convincing she’d needed to know she wanted to spend time with this intelligent woman. “Let me call back again and tell them the crowd’s gone. They told me the first time I called back that they were already on their way and to be patient.”

  “You called the police twice?” Hayley sounded surprised.

  “You aren’t the only one anxious for me to get over there, baby. Tonight isn’t going at all like I thought it would.”

  “What’d you think would happen?”

  “It wasn’t a plan so much as me being hopeful. I don’t ever want to be presumptuous when it comes to stuff like this. It’s disrespectful.” She saw Hayley tap on the glass as she talked and guessed it was a way to bleed off restlessness. “I’ve been an idiot up to now for not coming over sooner, but I wasn’t sure what kind of reception I’d get, given our first introduction of sorts.”

  “Honey,” Hayley said, and Wyatt wanted to run out the door at the sexy way that word sounded coming out of Hayley’s mouth. “The first time was an accident because I didn’t think you could see what I was doing, but the other times were an enticement to get you over here. Our beginning might not fit what publishers call the meet-cute, but I doubt either of us minds how we started. Right?”

  “It’s where we end up.” She enjoyed the way Hayley laughed. “Let me call off the cops even if it’s by taping a note to the door, and I’ll be right over.”

  “Good idea. Don’t waste time with pajamas. You won’t need any.”

  Hayley hung up and Wyatt was about to dial the NOPD’s number when she saw flashing blue lights in the front of the house. “About damn time.” Hayley was calling her back, but she silenced her phone wanting to go out and finish so they could get on with the rest of their night. She figured Hayley would understand she wasn’t being rude, just efficient.

  She opened the door to five police cars with their lights on and she was having trouble deciphering the situation until she noticed her porch. “What the hell?” The question was starting to get repetitive.

  It was the last thing she remembered before everything went dark.

  * * *

  Hayley videoed what was happening and then ran down her stairs to her front door when she saw the number of police cars speeding up the street. Joe wasn’t answering her phone, so obviously she hadn’t noticed Roberta Sue letting an older gentleman handcuff her to one of Joe’s porch posts. If Joe opened the door unawares, this wasn’t going to end well. She kept her video running and tried to keep it steady even though she was shaking.

  “Answer the phone, dammit.” Thank God she was still dressed as she ran out the door, but she was too late. The not exactly slim officer had hurdled Joe’s fence, which was kind of amazing, then ran to Roberta Sue and hugged her. All that happened in a flash, but Joe opening the door only seemed to ratchet up the tension of the weird tableau. “Joe, wait,” she yelled.

  She didn’t understand why Roberta Sue was wailing, so she quickened her move toward Joe when the officer reached for a weapon. Hayley lost her mind when he pointed it at Joe. “Wait,” she yelled louder. She watched Joe, who was simply staring at the cop, clearly confused. “Wait!”

  Joe went down like a felled tree and was flopping around the porch as the cop kept his finger on the trigger of his Taser.

  “Stop it. What the hell are you doing?” The only one smiling through it all was Roberta Sue since it appeared she’d gotten everything she wanted. “Joe.” Hayley put her phone down and knelt next to Joe to make sure she was still breathing. “Don’t just sit there hugging Mrs. Walton—call an ambulance.”

  Joe was out cold, and for some reason the side of her face was covered in blood. Hayley pressed her scarf to the gash over Joe’s right eye, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest.

  “You might want to back off, lady, until we get a full assessment of what’s going on.” The guy kissed Roberta Sue’s cheek and held her like it was something he did often.

  “Yes,” Roberta Sue said. “Just because you’re carrying on with her isn’t going to save her from what she did.”

  “Maybe you should’ve done that important assessment before tasing her. And what exactly did she do?” Hayley kept her hand on Joe’s chest and picked up her phone, since it was clear the cop wasn’t about to call anyone. She quickly gave the address and details to the dispatcher while still listening to the shit Roberta Sue was piling onto the mound.

  “She waited for my friends to leave and handcuffed me out here in the cold. I’m sure she was getting her snake ready to finish me off.” It was amazing how quickly Roberta Sue conjured up tears. Broadway actors could learn a few things from her. “I already feel chilled and sick.”

  Hayley held up her phone. “Are you sure that’s the story you want to go with? Do you need me to replay the video to refresh your feeble mind, Roberta?” The question seemed to worry the officer more than Roberta Sue.

  “It’s Roberta Sue, but you can call me Mrs. Walton.” Roberta turned her head to the side as if she couldn’t look at her.

  “Then I’ll call an ambulance, and once I know Joe’s okay, I’ll be calling news outlets.” She leaned in and read W. Walton on the nameplate of the cop who’d shocked Joe. “A story about a grandson shocking the hell out of a law-abiding citizen on the order of his grandmother will get us on the Today show.”

  “Wait,” the cop said. “What video?” He was staring at the still unconscious Joe.

  “The one of your grandma and how she got her pal over there with the big sign about putt-putt golf to handcuff her to this post before you got here.”

  “Oh my God, I mean oh my God. You did this, didn’t you? Oh my God.” Officer Walton was now looking from Joe to Roberta Sue.

  “So, Roberta, what’s it going to take for you to admit the truth?” Another siren could be heard in the distance, releasing some of Hayley’s worry. With any luck it was the ambulance she called for.

  “It’s Roberta Sue, I said.”

  “You’re ninety years old. I’m dropping the cute middle name to save time after you tried to have my friend killed.” She moved her hand to Joe’s cheek. “Honey, open your eyes.” That got her nothing.

  “Oh my God,” Officer Walton said again as one of his buddies walked up with a pad in his hands like he was about to open the investigation.

  “Now, Wally, there’s no harm done. All I was doing was trying to make a point. Our history must be protected at all costs. She got what she deserved when she planned to throw all our values out the window.” Roberta Sue stood as if she had to run off to save another house from the evils of golf.

  “No harm done? Don’t you dare think about leaving once we uncuff you. Grandma, did it occur to you when you called and said your life was in danger that I’d lose my job when we found out you lied? I’m not only going to lose my job but everything else when this woman sues me for all my worldly possessions including my underwear. Shit, my mother was right about you.”

  “Your mother could learn some—” Roberta Sue started.

  “Grandma, focus and give me the keys to these things. One of you guys clear the way for the ambulance,” he said to the other police officers. “Do you know her name?” he asked Hayley.

  “It’s Joe.” It was then that she realized they’d never exchanged last names. “She’s new to town, so I’m not sure who to call.” She caressed Joe’s cheek, wanting her to wake up so she could ask all the questions she wanted answers to. “She’ll be okay, right? You really zapped her with that thing.”

  “She will be, I promise. Right after she gets over the feeling of being hit by a truck that then backs up and hits you again, like a few dozen times.” He had the decency to look chagrined.

  The scarf was now covered in blood, and all Joe had done was moan. “Remember we have a date,” she whispered into Joe’s ear. “I know you like to watch me, but tonight it’s your turn.”

  “Hey, are you two really good friends, by any chance? And I’m Wally, by the way. Wally Walton.” He’d lost his attitude now that there was a possibility of a lawsuit in the mix. “Could you put in a good word for me? All this”—he waved his hands around—“it was a mistake. Surely, she’ll see that and cut me some slack. Everyone’s got a grandmother they love and would do anything for.”

  “Joe’s fairly new around here, like I said, but from what I’ve seen of her, she’s reasonable. I’m sure she’s willing to listen, but being shot with a Taser the moment she opened her door might be a lot to ask her to get over. How did this happen?” She pointed to the cut on Joe’s face. “Everything happened so fast I didn’t get a chance to see. You didn’t club her, did you?”

  “She hit my protest sign on the way down,” Roberta Sue said. “Maybe now she’ll see we’re serious about not having her get her way.”

  The ambulance arrived, and she had to move to allow them to get to Joe. She still hadn’t come to. “And I’m sure Joe will explain that to a judge when she sues you and your little helper.” She pointed to the old guy who’d handcuffed Roberta Sue to the porch. “I’m also sure DJ and his guys will be happy to testify that Joe talked to all of you, and everyone else left peacefully. What you did was unconscionable.”

  “We need to go,” the male EMT said after they loaded Joe on the stretcher. The female EMT and Wally shared a strange look, and Hayley wanted to demand to know what it was about but didn’t want to waste any more time.

  “I want to go with her.” Hayley wasn’t about to abandon Joe, especially since the only people she’d seen at Joe’s house were DJ and his guys. No one wanted to be hurt and alone.

  “That’s against regulations since you’re not related and she’s not a minor,” the female EMT said. “We’re headed to University Medical if you want to follow us.”

  “Are you sure there isn’t anyone we can call?” Wally asked.

  “Officer, I’m it. If you want, call DJ and ask him. He’s the one aside from me who’s spent the most time with her.” She followed the stretcher to the ambulance, holding Joe’s hand. “Hang in there, baby, I’ll be right there.”

  “We’re going to have to take your phone for our report,” Wally said.

  She looked at him incredulously. “Try it and I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you and your grandma never forget this night. I watch the news, so I’m not an idiot.” She started to walk away, hoping none of these guys tried to get her phone by Taser. “If you need to ask me anything or need to see my phone, I’ll be at University.”

  “Were you talking about the plumber or the car guy?” one of the officers asked.

  “Plumber.” That was all the information she’d stop to give. She had to get to Joe and forget how bizarrely the night was going. This kind of weird drama was totally new to her, and she had to take a breath to get her heart to stop racing. She grabbed her purse and keys, taking a moment to email herself the video and texted it to Lucy as well. It didn’t surprise her when Lucy called a few minutes later.

  “What the actual fuck?” Lucy said loudly. “What happened, and is that the nutjob Roberta?”

  “It’s Roberta Sue. Don’t ever forget it, and I can’t talk right now. I’m on my way to University Medical.” Her hands were shaking again, but this time it wasn’t from being nervous about calling Joe, it was from rage.

  “Fuck Roberta, and fuck you going to University alone. Come by and pick me up. I’ll be dressed by the time you get here.” The way she was breathing made it clear she was already in motion.

  “You do realize there isn’t a rule about having to use the word fuck prominently in every sentence.” She was glad Lucy volunteered to go with her, and she quickly detoured slightly. There was no reason to think Joe wouldn’t be fine, but she hated spending time in hospitals.