Silver River Secrets

by Linda Hope Lee

  They stopped to talk to Tom for a few minutes, admiring the car and its restored leather interior. Then they worked their way down the line of cars, chatting with the owners and others who’d come to see the show.

  The car at the head of the line was Rory’s ’57 Chevrolet.

  “She looks beautiful.” Lacey ran her fingers over the smooth, shiny green fender.

  “I worked hard to get her ready for the show.” Rory opened the passenger door and motioned Lacey inside. He took his place behind the wheel and flashed her a smile as he started the engine. “Here we go!”

  They started off, the other cars falling into line behind them. They cruised Main Street, waving at the crowd lining the sidewalk, and then followed the highway out of town.

  Rory turned on the radio, and music filled the air. Lacey focused on the passing scenery, her emotions tumbling one over the other.

  After a while, Rory said, “You’re so quiet. Aren’t you enjoying the ride?”

  “Yes, I am. But I’m still reeling from that bombshell you dropped on Gram the other day. Restoring the house.”

  “Are you doubting my sincerity?”

  “No, but I can’t quite get used to the idea. I’m so accustomed to seeing the house as it is now.”

  “Do you think your grandmother will go for my idea?”

  “I don’t know, but even before your visit, she mentioned it might be time to move on. Still, I can’t see her letting go of the house.”

  At the Suttons’ ranch, they parked with the other rally participants in front of the freshly mowed field where picnic tables were set up under a bank of trees. Herb and his wife, Molly, had the tables loaded with fried chicken, baked ham and a variety of salads and desserts. Not surprisingly, the talk centered on the cars. Rory had had a hand in restoring several of them. Judging from the comments Lacey witnessed, he’d gained quite a reputation.

  Lacey chatted with people she knew, and some she didn’t. She felt more at ease than she had at the Youngs’ party. More…at home.

  But was that possible? Could she really be at home in Silver River again?

  The caravan returned to town under the glow of the setting sun. But instead of going all the way back with everyone else, Rory pulled off to the side of the road and let the Model A behind him take the lead. Everyone honked their horns and waved as they passed by.

  “What are you doing?” Lacey asked.

  “We’re taking a little detour.” He grinned.

  “Rory…”

  “Come on, you know you’re safe in my hands.”

  When the last car in the rally had disappeared over a rise in the highway, Rory continued on. But not far. He soon turned off on Linton Road, and then she knew exactly where he was going.

  “Oh, Rory, are you sure you want—”

  “Yes, I do. I’m not taking you back just yet.”

  They wound up on the familiar road to the maple tree, and Rory pulled to a stop under the canopy of branches, just as he had a few weeks ago and before that years ago, so many times.

  He cut the engine, and they sat there, both staring out of their sides of the windshield.

  “Rory—”

  “Lacey—”

  They both laughed. “You first,” Lacey said.

  Rory cleared his throat. “I don’t have a prepared speech, but okay, here goes. As you know, I left A.J. to go off on my own.”

  “That was a big step,” she said, thinking of how she, too, had left her job in Boise.

  “But I need something else to make my world complete.”

  “What’s that?” she asked in a cautious tone.

  “You. We belong together, Lacey. We always have. Ever since we met back in Mr. Callahan’s class. What happened with our parents tore us apart for ten long years. But something else happened when you came back to town this time. Maybe the universe said, ‘Enough, already. It’s time for these two to be together again.’ And so, here we are.”

  “This time has been different.”

  He shifted in the seat to face her. “I love you, Lacey. I always have and I always will.”

  “Oh, Rory.”

  “And I believe you still love me, too.”

  “Yes, yes, I do. I’ve been fighting my feelings because I didn’t believe we could ever be together again. But even now I don’t see how—”

  “I know there’s much to be settled yet. We don’t know the outcome of Chief Barnett’s investigation, and we don’t know what your grandmother will decide about the house. But as long as we love each other and vow to be together no matter what, I believe everything will work out.” He put his arm around her and pulled her close. “So, what do you say, are we a couple again?”

  “Yes. Oh, Rory. I love you so much!”

  “I love you, too, my darling Lacey.” He tipped up her chin and kissed her. And, with all her heart and soul, Lacey returned his kiss, happier than she’d been in a long, long time.

  The moon had reached its zenith by the time Rory pulled into the driveway at Sophie’s.

  “I don’t want to let you go,” Rory said, “But I’ll see you tomorrow night for the street dance.”

  “I’ll look forward to that.”

  “It won’t be as fancy as the prom we missed, but there might be a surprise or two.” His eyes glittered in the light from the streetlamps.

  “What? Rory, I know that look. What are you up to now?”

  “You’ll see.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  “YOU LOOK LOVELY, DEAR,” Gram said. “Is that a new dress?”

  Lacey smoothed the skirt of her blue cotton dress. “No. I brought it along for church, but it’ll do for the dance. More dressy than my usual tights and tees, anyway. Now, what are you going to wear?”

  “Something pink.”

  Lacey laughed as she wheeled Gram into her bedroom. “You have a lot of choices. Your closet is full of pink.”

  “Pull out that silk blouse and pleated skirt, and the white cardigan with the pink rosebuds embroidered on it. The one Hal gave me for my birthday.”

  “He likes you,” Lacey teased as she rummaged through the closet.

  “Maybe he just wants me to be his Scrabble partner ’cause I win a lot.”

  “Nooo, he likes you because you’re cute and charming.” Lacey brought out the requested clothing and laid the items on the bed.

  Gram laughed. “Charming? Okay. But cute? Maybe fifty years ago.”

  Lacey freed the blouse from the hanger. “I’m glad you’ll be at the dance, though. You and Granddad used to dance a lot, didn’t you?”

  “We did.” Gram pressed her lips together in a sad smile. “And I will again.”

  “I know you will,” Lacey said as she helped Gram change her clothes. “Especially now that you have a new partner.”

  *

  “GREAT CELEBRATION THIS YEAR,” Sam commented to Lacey while they shared a dance later that evening.

  “It is,” Lacey agreed. “There’s certainly a good turnout for this occasion.” The street was full of couples dancing to the tunes of a lively Western band. Spectators sat on benches or on blankets on the grass. Overhead, a sprinkling of stars and a three-quarter moon added a silvery glow to the scene.

  When she and Rory had first arrived, they’d joined some other couples, including Sam and Kris, at one of the picnic tables. Lacey didn’t think Sam and Kris were actually a couple, though. They’d arrived separately, each with other friends.

  The song ended, and Rory and Kris, who’d been dancing together, made their way through the crowd toward them.

  “She step on your toes?” Sam joked to Rory.

  Before Rory could answer, Kris poked Sam in the shoulder. “Careful, or I’ll do more than step on your toes.”

  Sam raised his hands to ward off another poke. “Is that a promise or a threat?”

  “You’ll find out.” Kris grinned.

  The band struck up another tune.

  “C’mere, lady.” Sam pulled Kris into
his arms. “See you guys later,” he said over his shoulder as they danced off.

  “They seem to be getting along well.” Lacey watched the two disappear into the crowd. “Do you think they’ll get back together?”

  “I don’t know. They’re good at kidding around, but when the serious issues come up, they freak. But come on, our turn now.” He put his arm around her waist and pulled her close.

  Lacey pushed away her worries and gave herself up to the pleasure of being in Rory’s arms. The years since they’d last danced together faded away, and they fell into step as though it were only yesterday. He held her hand close to his chest, the way he used to, and she wound her arm around his neck. The warmth of his body both comforted and thrilled her. How wonderful to be in his arms again.

  They danced to several more tunes, and then the bandleader, his guitar slung over his shoulder, stepped to the microphone. He tipped back his cowboy hat and, shading his eyes with his hand, peered at the crowd. “Rory Dalton, you out there?”

  Lacey jolted. Why was he looking for Rory? Was there an emergency?

  “I’m here.” Rory waved.

  “Come on up, Rory.” The bandleader beckoned.

  “C’mon, honey.” Rory grabbed Lacey’s hand and pulled her toward the bandstand.

  “What’s going on?” Lacey skipped along to keep up with him.

  “You’ll see.”

  “Rory…”

  The band struck up a tune. The crowd parted, and Rory led her across the grass to the bandstand. She glimpsed Gram in her wheelchair and Hal on a bench by her side. Gram’s eyes were wide. Lacey managed to shrug as she and Rory hurried by.

  He kept a tight grip on her hand, tugging her up the steps and onto the platform. The bandleader sliced the air with his hand, and his band stopped playing.

  Rory stepped to the microphone. “Good evening, everyone. I’m Rory Dalton. If you’re from Silver River, most of you know me, and I know most of you. And this is Lacey Morgan.” He gestured to Lacey. “Although she hasn’t lived in town for a while, she’s been visiting and this year has joined our celebration.”

  Lacey’s heart beat wildly, but she managed a smile and a nod. The bright lights on the bandstand kept the people beyond in shadow. She could only imagine who all was out there witnessing this…this whatever. What was Rory up to?

  Rory continued, “I have an important question to ask Lacey tonight, and I wanted you all to be witnesses.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small square box. He flipped open the lid. A diamond ring sparkled under the lights.

  Lacey gasped and pressed a hand to her chest. “Oh, Rory…”

  Rory took the microphone. Dropping to one knee, he gazed up at her. “Lacey Morgan, I fell in love with you back in high school, and I’ve never stopped loving you. We have been apart way too long. Will you marry me so that we can spend the rest of our lives together?”

  Lacey could hardly believe this was happening. Only yesterday, they’d come together again as a couple. Now, he was proposing marriage. Was she ready to be his wife? Silence hung in the air as everyone waited for her answer.

  “Lacey?” Rory prompted.

  Lacey took the microphone and looked directly into his eyes. “I love you, too, Rory Dalton. And you’re right—we’ve been apart too long. Nothing will keep us apart ever again. I’d be proud to be your wife, so, yes, I’ll marry you.”

  The crowd cheered. Rory rose to his feet. He took the ring from the box and slipped it on Lacey’s finger. The square-cut diamond, with three smaller stones on either side, sparkled in the moonlight.

  “It’s beautiful,” she whispered.

  Rory pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Lacey returned his warm and tender kiss with all her heart and soul. The crowd went wild.

  The bandleader stepped forward and took the mic from Lacey. “Congratulations, Rory and Lacey,” he said. “Come on, everybody, join them in their first dance as an engaged couple.”

  *

  “DO YOU UNDERSTAND why I wanted to propose to you in front of an audience?” Rory said later to Lacey.

  They were sitting in the ’57 Chevy in the parking lot at Sophie’s. It was past midnight, the luminous moon, now low in the sky, casting pale shadows over the foothills. The dance was long over, but the group they’d been with had insisted on buying them a celebratory drink afterward.

  “I think so.” She looked down at her ring glittering in the moonlight. The ring still felt strange on her finger.

  “I wanted to make up for not standing by you ten years ago. And I wanted to give you a chance to stand up in front of everyone and say, ‘Here I am, folks, and I’m going to stay.’”

  “I think you achieved your purpose,” she said dryly.

  “You’re not mad at me?”

  “No. Mad about you, maybe, but not at you.”

  He grinned. “That kind of mad I can live with.” He drew her into his arms and kissed her.

  They sat there for a long time afterward, talking for a while, and then kissing some more, until the moon disappeared behind the mountains, spreading a soft, warm glow over the land.

  EPILOGUE

  Two weeks later

  “I’VE CALLED THIS town meeting tonight,” Mayor Palmer said from his position at the podium, “because new evidence has been brought to light concerning a crime committed in our town.” He cleared his throat and smoothed his gray hair with the palm of his hand. “I’ll give you some background, and then Chief Barnett will fill you in on the details.” He gestured to Police Chief Barnett, a head shorter than his own six-foot-two inches, who stood at his side.

  From where she sat with Rory in the front row, Lacey surveyed the packed room, with the overflow standing at the back. Elton Watts was there, of course, representing the Sentinel, as well as a crew from KCVM. Jorgen Miller from The Owl, and Bonnie and Tom Rosen, Sophie and Hugh Bennett, and Claire and Clint Roche, Kristal and Sam, and many others from their high school days. Hal had brought Gram, who looked tense and worried.

  Mayor Palmer shuffled some papers on the lectern. “Many of you were here ten years ago when we lost one of our prominent citizens in a terrible crime. Alfred James Dalton Jr., better known as Al Jr., was gunned down, shot in cold blood, in the back—”

  Lacey felt Rory stiffen. She reached over and grasped his hand.

  “—on the Whitfields’ property,” Mayor Palmer went on. “Another one of our citizens, Richard—or Rick, as he was better known—Morgan, was tried and convicted of this crime. Mr. Morgan died in prison. We’re sorry he isn’t here today to see justice served. And now I’ll turn the meeting over to Chief Barnett, who will give you the details.”

  He moved aside, and the chief of police took his place at the lectern.

  Chief Barnett took a moment to shuffle papers again and then looked out at the audience. “Several weeks ago, my office was presented with a document purportedly written by the person who committed the crime against Al Dalton, Jr. This document was a confession and was authenticated by several handwriting experts employed by the Idaho State Police Forensic Services. The document was written by another one of our citizens, Calvin Trenton.”

  A collective gasp came from the audience.

  Chief Barnett waited until the commotion died down, and then he continued. “Even though all the participants in this crime are now deceased, their relatives reside here.” He focused his attention on Lacey and Rory. “And we felt obligated to set the record straight.”

  Lacey nodded in response to the chief’s attention.

  “We’ll take questions now,” Chief Barnett said.

  A man in the front row raised his hand.

  Barnett pointed at him. “Yes, Bert?”

  “Is this so-called confession something anyone can see?”

  “The court has jurisdiction over evidence. I suppose if you got a court order
, you could examine it.”

  A woman raised her hand and received a nod from the chief. “What about the buildings named after the Trentons? Will the names be changed?”

  “That’s a question for the town council to consider,” the chief said.

  Several others asked questions that the chief answered. Then the audience fell silent. Barnett stepped aside, and Mayor Palmer took over again.

  “If there are no more questions, this concludes our meeting. Thank you all for coming.”

  Lacey and Rory stood, and a crowd formed around them. The urge to run gripped Lacey, but instead she stood tall.

  A woman she didn’t know spoke up. “I never liked your father, Lacey. But if he’s innocent, I’m all for justice.”

  “Thank you,” Lacey murmured.

  “Good to see you two together again,” another woman said, looking from Lacey to Rory. “Congratulations on your engagement.”

  “Thanks, Martha,” Rory said. “We appreciate your support.”

  Several others spoke to them, all with positive comments; but, finally, only Lacey, Rory, Mayor Palmer and Chief Barnett remained.

  “How is Cora doing?” Lacey asked the mayor.

  “She’s been holed up in Wildwood since Chief Barnett told her the news. She’s still in shock.”

  “And denial, I bet,” Rory said.

  “Did she ever confess to being behind the slashing of my tires?” Lacey asked.

  “No, but we think we’ve got the guy who hired Alfie. He’s in jail right now on another charge, and he may agree to a plea bargain.”

  “Did Cora know Cal was the killer?” Rory asked.

  “She either knew or at least suspected he was,” Chief Barnett said. “She might’ve seen him with the necklace before he pawned it. She sure didn’t know it was in his cuff-link box, though, or the confession, either.”

  Rory shook his head. “Hard to believe that after all the good she did, she could be so…so evil.”

  “It is hard to believe,” the chief agreed.

  Mayor Palmer nodded. “Adjusting to this will take time—for all of us.”

  *