Riptide

probably a very conscientious great real estate agent, but I
    would never ever rent another house from her again." His frown was
    still in place. "Rachel laughed." The frown lightened.
    Adam said, "Yeah, I'm relieved about Sam, too. But wait a
    minute, Becca. Back up here. You're telling me that McBride didn't
    try to hurt you when you told him you didn't love him?"
    She stuffed another celery stick in his mouth and kissed him all
    over his face as he chewed. She whispered in his ear before he
    could talk again, "Nothing to worry about, really, Adam. It's all
    over and done with. Hey, you do like the celery sticks?"
    "Yeah, they're good. All three dozen that you've stuffed down
    me. Now, tell me about how Sheriff Gaffney had to shoot Tyler
    once he knew the skeleton was that girl Melissa Katzen. I'm not
    really all that clear on any of it. I want every little detail, Becca. No,
    no more celery sticks. Yeah, a kiss is all right, but hold off now.
    You're not going to distract me anymore."
    But she just kept kissing him until he was nearly heaving him

self off the sofa. She said against his ear, "I used low-fat cream
    cheese, better for your arteries."
    "Becca." He grabbed a fist of her hair and pulled her close to his
    face. "Tell me the truth. What the hell happened up there?"
    "Adam, it wasn't all that big a deal. Really, nothing worth mentioning
    except that Sheriff Gaffney really came through. He was
    the hero. I've probably forgotten lots of it because it just wasn't that
    memorable. Really, the sheriff had everything under control. I didn't
    even count. I wasn't even important. Would you please stop your
    worrying and just forget it? I'm home now." He felt her hand on
    his belly and he nearly lost it, but he didn't. He let her go but his
    frown deepened. Before he could say anything, Becca smiled and
    said as she got up from the sofa, "Oh, my, just look at the time. Not
    enough time for me to have my way with you. But I do have a
    couple of minutes. Do you want me to give you a nice rubdown
    before I go to the hospital to see Dad?"
    He thought about her hand on his belly, moving south, and he
    nearly went enpointe. He said on a big sigh, "No, but how about an
    apple, Becca? I love apples."
    She knew exactly what he was thinking. "I love you, Adam.
    Maybe when I get back from the hospital, we can play a game of
    Monopoly, or something, okay? But that means you've got to rest
    while I'm gone. Now, you just sit tight and I'll get you that apple."
    The phone rang. Adam stared after Becca, then picked it up.
    "Hello."
    "Is this Mr. Carruthers?"
    "It is."
    "This is Sheriff Gaffney, from Riptide."
    "Hello, Sheriff. What can I do for you?"
    "I just wanted to speak to Ms. Matlock, make sure she was all
    right."

"Well," Adam said slowly, staring toward the door, "there's still
    some shock, you know, from what happened."
    The sheriff sighed. "Understandable, of course, poor girl. I don't
    mind telling you that it was pretty hairy there for a while, Mr. Carruthers
    I'm sure it's made your hair stand on end, hearing about
    her lying on the basement floor with McBride straddling her,
    choking the life out of her. She was hitting him with a brick, but
    it wasn't working, she was getting too weak. The guy was strong,
    really strong. As you know, I had to shoot him, but even that didn't
    stop him. He was over the top, completely whacked out, as my
    boys say, and all he wanted to do was kill her. I had to shoot him
    again and the guy fell right on top of her, covered her with blood.
    But it's over now. All the questions answered. Ms. Matlock didn't
    get hysterical, thank the good Lord. She's a strong girl. As a man of
    the law doing my duty, I really appreciated that. And now she's
    home, and I hear the two of you are going to get married. You're a
    lucky man."
    "Yes, Sheriff. Thank you."
    "Anytime. Well, do give my best to Ms. Matlock."
    "You can be sure that I will, Sheriff." Adam heard her breathing.
    She was on the line in the kitchen. She'd listened in, heard everything,
    hadn't said a word. His heart was pounding slow, heavy
    strokes. He was so furious he couldn't think of anything to say.
    Then he opened his mouth and shouted into the receiver at the
    top of his lungs, "BECCA!"
    She cleared her throat. "Ah, Adam, I've got to go to the hospital
    now."
    He breathed deeply, got hold of himself, and said, "Not just yet.
    Bring me my apple. I'll even give you a bite before I wash your
    mouth out with soap for those whoppers