by Pamela Tracy
Gary smiled at Aunt Bianca, remembering that same summer she’d taken him and Oscar in when things had still been too hard at home.
At the time, Gary hadn’t wanted his uncles to fill the void his father had left. He’d wanted it to remain empty, grow black, fester even, as if his anger at his father punished his father.
Roberto Guzman never returned.
“You loved your brother didn’t you?” Gary asked softly.
“Of course I did. He was ten years younger than me. When he was firstborn, I thought he was mine to play with. When he disappeared, I was so sure he’d be back. He’d always been one to head off on his own for a while. Your mother knew that. I knew that. We just didn’t expect...”
She hadn’t expected it to last forever. Neither had Gary’s mother or his siblings.
Gary, though, never expected to see his father again. Maybe he’d be a better person, stronger, if he’d held out hope. Studying his aunt, he queried, “Which is why you neglected the cabin for so long?”
“It hurt to go out there. Just like with Russell, what we expect doesn’t always happen. But, we’re not talking about me. You wanted to know Russell’s story. Angela died about two years after she left Russell’s again,” Bianca continued.
Gary did some math. He knew Russell was in his early eighties, meaning he took on two kids when he was in his midfifties. “How did she die?”
“Car accident.”
The things taken for granted, Gary thought. He’d spent the last week putting up with an old man, not realizing that he was looking at someone who’d not only been in battle—like Gary had—but who’d also suffered loss and come through it a better man because of it.
“Why are you asking all these questions?” Aunt Bianca finally asked. “Did Lydia come for a visit?”
“No, she tried calling Russell today and got no answer because Russell was at my house,” Gary shared. “Eventually, she called the police station and Leann came out to do a wellness check. She seemed pretty concerned about Russell.”
“Leann’s terrific. She and her boys spend a lot of time with Russell. Her youngest would rather live in the middle of the forest than in town. Leann tries hard, but she’s got a lot on her plate.”
Gary recalled Leann’s face this morning: the moment she stopped scolding Russell, the moment she’d exposed her true feelings of relief that he was okay.
He hoped her sons didn’t take her for granted.
CHAPTER TEN
MORNINGS BECAME ROUTINE for Gary. He rolled out of bed at six and made himself breakfast. Then, he got to work. The kennels were finished and this morning, after searching online for home repair websites and videos, Gary had started on the cabin.
Russell had been correct; it would be a bigger job than Gary expected, meaning he might make Sarasota Falls home longer than he’d intended, meaning he’d have more time to mull over just how close he’d like to be with Officer Bailey.
He wasn’t sure how long he’d been working away, but Goober’s barking let Gary know something was amiss. Putting down the hammer, he wiped sweat from his brow, walked away from the supports he was reinforcing. This morning he’d uncovered all the furniture, pulled and pushed it into the yard and made two divisions: keep or discard.
Make that repair or discard.
All that before he’d decided to shore up two of the supports so part of the cabin roof didn’t fall on his head.
“What is it, girl?” Wilma was running a wide circle around the camper, either chasing an imaginary rabbit or being chased by an imaginary monster. Goober let out another woof and ran to the road.
Gary checked his watch. Nine straight up, a good hour past the time Russell usually showed up. “Okay, I get it. We can go check.” He snagged his truck keys from a table by his favorite camp chair and soon—with all three dogs—headed for Russell’s.
His first inclination when he saw Leann’s car was to pause, but the high-pitched cadence of bullets leaving a gun had him yanking the key from the ignition and leaping from the vehicle. He bounded around the house, heart pounding, wishing he had a weapon.
About the time that his brain reminded him that Russell did have a shooting range, he heard muted laughter and Russell saying, “You keep swaying to the left. Just a fraction. Your scope is not off. You are.”
“Have I always done that?”
“Not like now, I don’t believe. Maybe if you aim a bit—”
“Have you gained any weight since the last time...” The moment Gary started offering his advice, he wanted his words back.
Daggers, killer laser jets, and lightning shot from her eyes. Then, Russell whooped and jabbed, “You need to work on a better pickup line.”
Gary blushed and said, “Oops.”
“Not good enough, GI Joe,” Leann said, but at least Russell’s teasing had Leann relaxing enough to say, “No, I haven’t gained weight. I know exactly what I need to weigh in order to fit the uniform as well as chase down a runner without getting embarrassingly winded.”
“Sorry. I should have said don’t change where you aim. Your primary goal is to develop good trigger-control skills. Have you spent any time lately working on your upper-body strength?”
She shook her head.
He didn’t dare offer Leann any pointers. He knew darn well why she was here. She wanted to improve her shooting abilities in order to get the promotion to lieutenant. A part of him imagined Leann’s expression if she got the job and his heart tightened in his chest.
Gary walked up to her. “I’ll give you a twenty-minute lesson as long as you promise not to tell anyone.”
“I don’t need a lesson from you. I can shoot.”
“Ask him how many army marksmanship qualification badges he has,” Russell suggested.
“I don’t care,” Leann groused.
Russell laughed. “Expert, sharpshooter, marksman and—”
“She said she didn’t care.” Gary should have felt relieved; instead, he felt a little insulted.
“He owes you,” Russell reminded, “and his advice could make a difference.” Turning to Gary, Russell added, “Her ability to shoot is just one hiring point. You’re not interfering with Oscar’s promotion. Heck, if he were here, he’d be helping her. As a matter of fact, he has been up here helping her.”
“I have more badges,” Gary muttered.
“Good,” Leann said. “Give me some advice.”
Gary pulled a penny from the pocket of his jeans and handed it to her.
“What? You’re paying me to keep silent, not tell Oscar? Sorry, I won’t do it for any less than a fiver.”
Gary wanted to laugh. Why did this woman, the only one who’d piqued his interest in years, have to be up against his brother for a promotion? And why did he have to be in a position to help!
“Put the penny on top of the sight. Then, get the sight focused as best you can. It doesn’t matter how often you have to shoot at the target. You need to do it until you hit it and that penny doesn’t move.”
A moment later, Gary was standing close enough that he could smell cinnamon, likely Leann’s soft-looking hair. If he wasn’t careful he’d be reaching out to touch it.
He realized she could all too easily make him want to feel again, love again, maybe even stay put.
Having given his advice, he quickly left. He didn’t dare stay any longer because if this had been a shooting competition, she’d have just won the first round with a bullet where he was most vulnerable: the heart.
* * *
“PEACHES ATE YOUR alarm clock?” Leann looked from her oldest son, Timothy, to the giant dog that was supposed to be a golden retriever but everyone—including the veterinarian—referred to as one-third golden, one-third sheepdog and one-third bear. Neither kid nor dog displayed enough guilt in her opinion.
“I left my door open las
t night,” Timothy admitted, “but really the dog hasn’t chewed anything in here for months.”
In here, meaning Timothy’s bedroom, was the only room where Peaches still occasionally destroyed items, mostly because Timothy was her stubborn child who brought food into his room. He also had the smelliest feet, and he played tug-of-war with Peaches using items that shouldn’t be tugged. All things Peaches loved. Looking past him, Leann studied the room that was half boy and half teenager. No, it was now one-fourth little boy and three-fourths teenager, meaning he could be more responsible.
“Did you walk Peaches last night?” Leann asked. “Or feed the hamster, the turtle...”
Now guilt became evident.
“No, because I was—”
“He got to the Royal Arena on Clash Royale on his video game,” Aaron chimed in, excitedly. “It was awesome. We were both sitting on the couch, and it took almost an hour.”
Leann closed her eyes. She’d moved back to Sarasota Falls hoping to find support, and yes, love for her boys. She was taking a chance, but luckily her friends and her ex-husband’s parents—Tamara and Barry Bailey—were more than willing to lend a hand. The only downside to Tamara and Barry was that they were quite willing to spoil Tim and Aaron exactly the way they’d spoiled their only son, Ryan. Lately the real problem was their telling the boys that their father was coming home and looking forward to seeing them. A promise Ryan had never kept in the past.
“How much is in your savings?” Leann asked Timothy.
“No, Mom, you know I’m saving for a trampoline.”
He’d been doing a good job of saving, too. She promised him that if he saved up his money and made it to just over a hundred dollars, she’d fork over the other half. He’d spent hours on the internet looking at different types and costs. Leann had spent hours convincing the Baileys that they couldn’t just buy it and give it to him.
“If I remember correctly,” Leann said, “that alarm clock cost me about seven dollars new, meaning it will take seven dollars to replace. You may pay me now.”
Tim stomped off, no doubt recalculating what he had in savings and what he’d have left. He’d put aside all his Christmas money, leaving him twenty-five short of his goal. He’d not earned a single dime in the month and a half since then but had spent some—mostly on items he could live without. She’d offered him plenty of earning opportunities, too.
“Here.” He returned and shoved a five, a one and four quarters in her hand. He turned, but before he made it to his bedroom door, she said, “Shower, no dawdling. Because you didn’t take one last night. Am I right?”
It was already after six thirty. They needed to get ready for school, have breakfast, and she had to get to work. Leann was as frustrated with herself as she was with them.
“Mom, do I have to take a shower, too?” Aaron asked, all hopeful. “I have gym class today, first thing, so I’ll just get dirty and smelly. Today’s Friday, so tomorrow’s the weekend and it’s okay if I smell.”
“Yes, you need a shower. No, it’s not okay to smell. You can go use mine so we save time.”
“I don’t like yours. I always get the floor wet.”
She gently nudged him in the direction of her bedroom. “Sometimes we have to make sacrifices. I’ll sacrifice my floor, you can sacrifice... What will you sacrifice?”
“My shower has cool Star Wars people on the walls while your shower has boring sunflowers.”
“Then, that’s your sacrifice.” She nudged a little harder and he took off.
Leann headed for the kitchen. At least once a month she managed to find the time to make ham, eggs and potatoes for the boys’ breakfast. Usually, though, it was pancakes or cereal. Today was a cereal kind of morning.
Even though Timothy got in the shower first, Aaron was out of the shower and dressed before his big brother sat down at the table. Leann fed Peaches because the boys wouldn’t have time. Poor ole mutt. He was just over seven and doing his best to pretend he wasn’t slowing down. He’d still prance after the boys when they were in the backyard but he no longer was willing to spend an hour chasing a ball, more like ten minutes. And, he was gaining weight, which is why Leann had instigated the walk-every-night rule.
She should have been home last night; instead, she’d been at Sarasota Falls Meteor Park again refereeing her sister and brother-in-law. This time a friend had called Leann directly instead of contacting the police department. It had taken Leann almost an hour to convince them to go home and go to bed.
When she’d finally walked through her front door, all she’d wanted to do was go to sleep. She never got enough sleep, another reason why this morning was already bumpy.
She watched her boys disappear down the sidewalk walking to school, then jumped into her car and headed for work. Fifteen minutes later, she entered the station and got a cup of coffee while Oscar sat finishing up what looked to be a report.
“I thought you were leaving today,” she said.
“Just as soon as I can finish this paperwork,” Oscar said, a grin spreading across his face. He and Gary really did look alike, except Gary was a bit taller, a bit darker skin tone, and there was something else about the man that Leann couldn’t quite put her finger on. “We took Little O to my mother’s last night,” Oscar continued, “and we’re taking Peeve out to Gary. We need to be in Santa Fe by two to catch the plane. We’ll be on the boat tomorrow. After that, we’ll be cut off, limited phone access.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Shelley and I will be alone.”
Leann took a long swallow of hot brew and waved away the brochure he wanted to show her. She’d seen it. Oscar had the photos saved on his phone and every Sarasota Falls officer had seen the cruise ship at least a dozen times. When he and Shelley got to Alaska, he had a jeep tour scheduled, a historic walk and a few other outings.
He handed over his open tickets from the graveyard shift and rubbed a hand over his chin. “About my brother,” he began.
Leann didn’t say anything, just raised an eyebrow.
“He doesn’t talk much about his last tour of duty, but I know when he came back, he wasn’t the same.”
“What do you mean?” She took another swig, thinking that she didn’t want Oscar to confide in her but also knowing that she’d listen because she had to.
Had to. Gary intrigued her.
“Most people act different when they return from duty,” Leann pointed out.
“I know my brother, and he’s more serious than I’ve ever seen him. Plus, he seems to latch onto a project and not let go.”
So far, the Gary she’d witnessed didn’t seem moody, or remote, or troubled.
“I’m impressed with what he’s doing at the cabin. He’s been there barely a week and look what he’s accomplished.”
Leann could only nod. She’d been more than impressed by the kennels when she’d driven by yesterday.
“You know that Aunt Bianca’s wanting us to find out what happened to our father. He might ask you for some help.”
“I can help.”
Oscar nodded. “Good, just don’t let him get so involved that he forgets everything else.”
Gary was often there in the back of her mind, fading in and out, trying to get her attention, making her think of him, and more. If she were in high school, she’d call him a crush. She’s wasn’t a teenager, though, she was a mom, a sensible mom, and so she kept pushing the attraction away.
Now, here was Oscar making Gary more human, someone hurting, like she had.
“This time,” Oscar said, almost to himself instead of her, “Gary’s a bit more vulnerable.”
Leann nodded.
“I know my brother,” Oscar defended. “When he came back from his last tour, he didn’t hop on his motorcycle or quad and take off. Instead, he sold the motorcycle, bought an old truck and slept on the living room couch for a week before he could stay in
his bedroom alone.”
She had a picture of Gary stretched out on a mattress, staring at the ceiling, his eyes seeing events he couldn’t shut out.
“I want you to check up on him every once in a while I’m gone,” Oscar said.
“I’m not sure I’m the one who—”
Oscar rolled his eyes. “He’s adjusting to civilian life. Believe me, it’s not easy. Shelley and I will only be gone a week. Please.”
“He’s getting along gangbusters with Russell.”
“And Russell’s a great help, but Russell’s a million years old and has troubles of his own.”
“I have troubles of my own. They’re aged ten and twelve.”
“Russell’s grandson, Jace Blackgoat, spent the night in jail over in Springer. He allegedly started a fight in a bar, busted up a table. The owner’s not going to press charges if Blackgoat pays for damages.”
“I know Jace. He wouldn’t—”
Oscar raised an eyebrow. “The Chief said the same thing, but the last two years, Jace has been in and out of trouble.”
Leann frowned. She knew Russell had a soft spot for the boy.
“Since Jace is this close,” Oscar continued, “he might show up at Russell’s. We should maybe be on the lookout. I’ve already called my brother. Now I’m telling you.”
“Bailey!” The chief stuck his head in the doorway. “What are you still doing here? Manager at Little’s Grocery Store just called. They’ve got a shoplifter.”
“Right, Chief.” Leann rinsed out her coffee cup, set it on the counter and began her day.
* * *
AFTER FILING THE report concerning the grocery store, she was back on patrol and came across Oscar and Shelley’s minivan on the side of the road. Her brother-in-law, Ray, was already there. “What’s going on?”
“Just a tire change,” Oscar said. “And we’re already an hour behind.” As if agreeing, Peeve, Oscar and Shelley’s dog, barked loudly.
“I happened to be passing by,” Ray explained.
“I’ll leave you to it. Changing a tire’s nothing for you.”
