Scarred Hearts by Bonnie Dee

Author:Bonnie Dee [Dee, Bonnie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

“Can’t make it any faster than what I’m doing. Still’s already working round the clock,” Shadow explained to Cutter for the fourth time.

Cutter cursed and kicked an empty bottle across the ground. It crashed into a rock, shattering. “We got this one chance to prove to Daddy we can grow our business without things fallin’ apart. And we got one chance to prove to those Frankfort speakeasies we can supply what they need. I want the goddamn shipment ready now.”

Shadow pulled hard on the reins of his temper and repeated, “I can’t make this go any faster.” He packed jars in crates and noticed that for all Cutter’s jawing about the need to hurry, he didn’t lift a finger to help.

Cutter stalked back and forth with dollar bills dancing before his eyes. “Nashville! That’s the jackpot. Once we get things going in Frankfort, then Lexington, we’ll start pushing into Nashville.”

You think them Tennessee boys are just going to let you? You’ll get all of us shot. Shadow only grunted and kept on working.

Cutter scooped up the neck of the bottle he’d broken and hurled it against the side of the shed. “Damn that drunken old bastard. Wish he’d hurry up and die. Now he’s gone and scared off Annabelle. I ain’t got the time to go after her right now, but she’s not keeping my boys from me forever.”

Cutter slapped a hand against one of the crates, making the glass jars rattle. “I’ll send Pernell and Tommy up here in a few hours to start out with the load. You’ll have it ready.”

“Think so,” Shadow muttered.

“That wasn’t a question.”

Cutter left, and Shadow listened to the blessed silence as he worked. Nothing sweeter than the air without Cutter’s voice in it.

After a while, Donnie took over the task, and Shadow straightened, pressing kinks out of his back and letting his stiff leg loosen up before heading toward the shed.

A movement in the woods caught his attention. Human movement, not animal. Could be one of his other brothers or cousins, but Shadow pulled the gun he wore on his hip. He hadn’t drawn his army service revolver against a German soldier many times, mostly using his rifle. But on occasion, the smaller weapon came in handy. And now he was ready to use it in peace time against an officer of the law if need be. Sweet Jesus, he needed to get away from here soon.

“Who’s there?” he called.

“Me! It’s me, Shadow.” Lettie walked out of the trees with her hands raised. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have come here.”

He holstered his revolver and hurried to her. “How did you know where to find me?”

She lowered her hands. “The clearing you took me to warn’t far. It was pretty easy to track down the place. There’s a sour smell coming from the shed. But I shoulda knowed better ’n to come less’n you asked me to.”

“No. It’s all right.” Shadow glanced at Donnie, who’d stopped loading crates to watch them.

Donnie glared at Lettie and called out, “Shouldn’t ought to be here.

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