Dragonfly Creek

by T. L. Haddix

  Ainsley took the folder and carried it to the couch, where she thumbed through the papers inside. Three letters were inside; the top one was addressed to the board of directors at the library where Ben’s mother worked. It detailed Sarah’s belief that her husband was a shapeshifter and could turn into a wolf or deer at will. Not only that, it accused her of using library resources—personal information of patrons—to further Owen’s writing career. It asked that she be removed from her position immediately and suggested that evaluation in a psychiatric institution was in order for public safety.

  “No. Mother, this isn’t true. It’s ridiculous.”

  “Ridiculous or not, it will end her career at the library. And it will draw a lot of attention to Owen Campbell—or should I say H. O. McLemore—that neither of them wants.”

  Ainsley blinked at her. “Ben’s father is H. O. McLemore?” she whispered. Ben had only told her that his father wrote, but had been tight-lipped about what exactly. His secrecy made sense now. H. O. McLemore was an extremely popular, extremely reclusive children’s author and illustrator. If word got out that Owen Campbell was the famous author, any illusion of privacy the family had would be destroyed.

  “There’s a lot he hasn’t told you. Keep reading.”

  She did. The second letter in the stack was a private letter, addressed to the owner of the car dealership where Ben’s uncle was service manager. Her mother was calling in a personal favor to the man, offering to cancel a rather large monetary debt if he fired Jack Browning without hesitation. Ainsley knew the man was in a bit of a pinch and had little doubt he would take the offer.

  The third letter was an allegation of mishandling of controlled substances in inventory and insurance fraud at Ben’s aunt’s pharmacy.

  Sick with fear, Ainsley laid the papers down and carefully closed the folder. “You can’t do this.”

  “I can. I will. I’ll do it without a second thought.”

  As much as she wanted to deny her mother’s willingness to ruin the lives of innocent people just to get Ainsley to agree to marry Doug Scott, she couldn’t. She could tell by the steely glint in Geneva’s eyes that she was serious. Any softness and caring her mother had ever possessed had been whittled out of existence by her declining health over the last twenty years. A spinal injury she’d suffered during Ainsley’s birth had slowly eroded Geneva’s mobility. The less she was able to do, the more bitter she became.

  “Ben loves me.”

  “Ben has another girlfriend. Did you really think a man like that would be serious about a girl like you?” Geneva’s disgust was plain to see. “Truly, Ainsley, you are just about the most naive person I know.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “No? Then go wait for him at lunch today. See who he meets with. He’s smitten with her. Little thing, curly brown hair. Good country girl. He’ll probably marry her someday. You? He’s just using you as a diversion.”

  Ainsley hadn’t believed her. She’d gotten in her car and gone to the parking lot near the library. It was Wednesday, and he never was available on Wednesdays. That didn’t mean a thing.

  She was waiting in her car, biting her lips raw, her nerves clamoring, as she tried to figure out what to say to him. “You’re being paranoid. And what does it matter if you do prove her wrong? She’s still going to force you into this thing with Doug.”

  Ben wouldn’t let that happen. Together, they would find a way to stop Geneva. She had to believe that.

  Deciding to just go talk to him and tell him her mother’s ridiculous, dreadful plan, she grabbed her purse and started to get out of the car. A movement in the rearview mirror caught her eye, and she froze.

  She was parked along the street, in the shade, on the upper side of the parking lot. With no cars parked behind her, she had a clear view of the street and the office building on the opposite side.

  Ben had stopped outside the office door, his arm around the shoulders of a pretty, curly-haired woman in a flowery dress. They were laughing and cutting up, and he was clearly flirting with her for all he was worth.

  When he pulled her in for a hug and a quick kiss, then kissed both of her hands as he backed up the sidewalk in the direction of the library, Ainsley felt her heart shatter. His affection for the woman was clear, as was hers for him. Someone came to the door of the office, and the woman went inside, handing over the bag she carried, but she called up the street to Ben, who laughed.

  They’d both been out of sight for some time before Ainsley was able to move. Her muscles were stiff, and she was drenched in sweat from the summer heat. She’d lost time, she saw as she looked at her watch detachedly. Instead of the few minutes, an hour had passed since Ben had left his girlfriend at the building. She felt dead inside as she started her car, and without conscious thought, she went home.

  Geneva was waiting in her office when Ainsley got there.

  “You saw?”

  “If I marry Doug, you’ll leave B-Ben’s family alone?” She hated that she’d stuttered over his name, but she ignored that telling sign.

  “I give you my word. You marry Doug, move to Lexington, and swear to never contact Campbell again. And I also give you my word that if you don’t marry Doug, I’ll do everything within my power to destroy your lover and everyone he cares about. I need an answer now, Ainsley. The deal won’t stay on the table long.”

  As evil as her mother was, Ainsley knew Geneva didn’t give her word lightly. Devastated by Ben’s apparent betrayal, and feeling like ten kinds of fool for caring what happened to him, Ainsley had agreed to the devil’s bargain. She’d written him a letter, per Geneva’s instructions, packed her bags, said a tearful goodbye to Byrdie, and married Doug.

  She hadn’t discovered she was pregnant until she and Doug had been married for a couple of weeks. When she did, she’d wept so hard Doug had called Jonah in to attend to her. He’d had to sedate her.

  Everything had come out then—the truth about why she’d married Doug and why Doug had married her. Very much fearing for her mental health, Jonah had recommended the two of them go away for a vacation so they could better come to terms with the new reality they faced. Ainsley knew he still blamed himself for making that suggestion, even though she’d told him countless times that what had followed hadn’t been his fault.

  Oddly enough, the tragedies of those early days had been what she, Doug, and Jonah had bonded over initially. Even Doug’s family had been somewhat supportive when the whole sordid tale was revealed.

  She wiped the wetness from her cheeks as she thought about the pain and the loss. She glanced at her watch and was startled to see that she’d been standing in the same spot for nearly twenty minutes without moving. The sound of a vehicle approaching brought her fully back to her surroundings, and she dried the last of her tears as the park ranger got out of his truck.

  “Miss? Are you all right?”

  “I am,” she told him with a smile. “I was just doing some reflecting.”

  He took off his sunglasses to study her, a concerned frown on his face. “You’re sure?”

  “Yes, thank you. I just needed to clear my head. I’ll be going.”

  He tipped his hat. “Drive safely.”

  In the car, Ainsley took a minute to blow her nose and repair her makeup as much as she could. The ranger waited in his truck until she pulled out, then followed her out of the park. Ainsley wasn’t oblivious to what he’d been thinking. She knew bridges were often jumping off points for suicides.

  Unsure of what to do with the rest of her day, she drove aimlessly for a while. She eventually made her way back to Hazard, where she stopped to fill up the car. With that accomplished, she drove down North Main Street to get back to the main road. She was stopped at a light when she saw a sign for a bakery.

  “You know what, some pastries sound good
right about now.” She didn’t often indulge, having sworn to never go back to being the emotional eater her mother had made her into as a teen, but that day of all days was a good day for a little indulgence. Decision made, she pulled off and parked in front of the store. It was next door to what looked like an upscale photography studio. When Ainsley got out, she saw that a florist was located across the street. “Good location.”

  The bell over the door jingled cheerily when she went in. She pulled off her sunglasses and looked around. Five tables with vintage-style heart-backed chairs filled the small dining area. A large bakery case separated the front of the store from the back, and even this late in the afternoon, a couple of people waited in line.

  “Hey, girl,” one of the bakery workers greeted the woman in front of Ainsley. “The usual?”

  “No, just a piece of monkey bread and an iced coffee, Lou. I thought I’d treat myself before I head home.”

  “How’s Emma feeling?”

  “Miserable in the heat, poor thing. If she makes it another six weeks, I’ll be shocked.”

  “I can imagine. I had the good luck to have my three in cold weather.”

  The woman moved to the register, turning toward Ainsley as she did. Ainsley did a double-take when she saw who it was. Even though it had been five years, she easily recognized the woman Ben had been flirting with on the street.

  “Do I know you?” the woman asked, her head tilted to the side. Her expression was friendly enough, but Ainsley felt frozen inside. On the same day she’d seen Ben for the first time, it was too ironic that she’d also run into the woman who had, from her mother’s account, held his heart.

  “No. We’ve never met.”

  “Okay. I just wondered. You looked like you knew me there for a minute.” She took her small tray of food and, with a polite smile that said clearly she thought Ainsley had a screw loose, took a seat in front of the window.

  “Can I help you?” Lou asked. “Oh, my gosh. Ainsley? Is that you?”

  “Um, yes.”

  Lou came out from behind the counter. “I’ve not seen you in a coon’s age. How are you?”

  “I’m doing well. I’m sorry, but…”

  “You don’t remember me, do you?” Lou smiled. “It’s okay. I’ve put on a few pounds, and like I said, it’s been a while. At least six or seven years. You were in my sister’s class in school. Mandy? Mandy Fuller?”

  Ainsley racked her brain, and then the face of a quiet, shy classmate materialized. “Oh! Of course. How are you? How’s Mandy?”

  “We’re fine. I’m here, running this place. Mandy’s married, just had her second child, a little boy. What about you? Where’d you disappear to after high school?”

  Ainsley wanted nothing more than to escape the bakery, but she would be damned if she cut and run in front of Ben’s lover. “Lexington. I’m back now to settle my mother’s estate.”

  The woman’s face moved in a sympathetic grimace. “I heard about that. I’m very sorry for your loss.” A voice called from the back, and Lou glanced in that direction. “I need to go help Misty. Can I get your order when I come back out?”

  “Of course.”

  There was an awkward silence in the dining room as Lou hurried to the back. Ainsley glanced in the other woman’s direction, only to see her staring back intently.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be rude. But did you say your name is Ainsley?”

  Chin up, Ainsley answered. “I did.”

  “Ben’s Ainsley?”

  She blinked. That was unexpected. “Um…”

  The other woman grimaced. “That didn’t come out right. Maybe I should introduce myself.” Standing, she held out her hand. “I’m Zanny Campbell. John’s wife. I hope that makes sense to you. Otherwise, I’m really going to feel like an idiot.”

  Ainsley stared at her in shock for a moment, then shook off her surprise and exchanged a handshake. “It does. Sort of.”

  Zanny smiled. “Can I buy you a drink? They make a divine iced coffee here.”

  Feeling as though she’d stepped into an alternate universe where the gods were toying with her like a cat with a mouse, Ainsley nodded. “Sure.”

  Lou had come back out, and Zanny placed the order. “Would you like anything to eat? The food’s as good as the drinks.”

  “No, I’m fine. Thank you.” Not sure what to do, Ainsley accepted the drink and followed Zanny to her table. She waited for the other woman to start the conversation.

  “John told me you were back in town and why. I’m very sorry for your loss, both of your mother and your husband. That has to be difficult, given how short your marriage was.”

  Oh, the soft country girl had claws. Subtle, polite claws, but still sharp nonetheless. “Thank you. It hasn’t been an easy year.” Deciding to go for broke, Ainsley spoke bluntly. “I’m surprised to find out you’re Ben’s sister-in-law, given your past with him.” When Zanny just looked at her with blank confusion, Ainsley moved a hand. “You know, since you were involved.”

  If she hadn’t been so miserable with the whole situation, Ainsley would have laughed at the perplexed look on Zanny’s face.

  “You think Ben and I were involved? Romantically?” Her voice went up to a squeak that didn’t quite disguise her amusement. “You aren’t serious?”

  “Actually, I am.”

  Zanny was clearly struggling to not laugh out loud. “Where in the world did you get that idea? Oh, goodness. Ben and me?”

  “I saw the two of you together a few years ago. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to see that you care about each other.” Ainsley knew she was sitting as stiffly as if she had a poker up her rear end, and her tone was frigidly polite, but she didn’t care.

  “Of course we care about each other. We’ve been friends since we were little and he and Emma rescued me from a bully on the playground. But Ben and I have never been involved.”

  “Please. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. He’s very attractive. And it’s none of my business if you were involved. I’m just surprised John is okay with that. He strikes me as being very straightlaced.”

  That got her a frown. “Damn. You’re really serious.” Zanny shook her head. “When did you see us together as a ‘couple,’ if you don’t mind me asking?”

  Ainsley could tell her the exact date and time if she asked, but she kept it vague. “Late July, five years ago. You were on the street across from the parking lot, on Lovern Street.”

  “And what gave you the impression we were together?”

  “Look, this is pointless. It hardly matters.” Gathering up her purse, Ainsley prepared to stand. “It’s been… well.”

  Zanny stopped her with a soft hand. “Please. Don’t go. I think there’s been a misunderstanding.”

  She looked sincere and sincerely concerned. With a tired sigh, Ainsley sank back down onto her chair. “Really, at this point, what does it matter if there was?”

  “I don’t know, but I think it might matter quite a bit. So tell me about what you saw.”

  Ainsley gathered her emotions. “You and Ben were walking down the street, and he had his arm around you. He was flirting with you, and, well, you were flirting back. He was very affectionate. Even kissed your hands. He left you at that office there where the grocery store was and went back toward the library.”

  Zanny propped her chin on her hand and stared out the window. “When was this again?”

  “July, nineteen eighty two.”

  “Was it around lunchtime? On a Wednesday?”

  Ainsley nodded. “Yes. I was parked in the lot and was getting out of the car when I saw you.” With nothing else to do, she took a sip of her drink. It could have been the best iced coffee in the world, but right then, all Ainsley could taste was bitter resignation and defeat.
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br />   “I think I remember the day you’re talking about. I’m guessing I didn’t have a stroller with me? A baby stroller?”

  The implications of that statement were too painful to even contemplate. “No.”

  Zanny smiled softly. “I do remember that day. John worked in that building, and he, Ben, and I would usually meet for lunch on Wednesday. Sarah had kept Noah, our oldest, with her at the library that day, and John got tied up in a meeting. Ben and I ended up eating by ourselves, and when we got back to the office with John’s lunch, Ben started flirting with me to tweak him. He’s always done that. I’m surprised you didn’t see John. He met us at the door.”

  “Ben flirts with you to tweak his brother?” Ainsley was dubious, but she remembered seeing Zanny hand the bag to someone who’d been in the shadows.

  “He always has. And it always works. He says it’s his way of keeping John in line.” Zanny’s smile was soft. “But that shouldn’t surprise you. Even though you and Ben haven’t been together for a while, you should know how he is. Mr. Personality. He’s a charmer.”

  Ainsley didn’t have a good response. Ben had never been overtly flirtatious around her. She didn’t know what to say, but Zanny saw it on her face. The other woman sat back, astonished.

  “Oh, my God. He never flirted with you, did he?”

  The threat of tears that sprang up surprised Ainsley, and she looked away, unable to answer.

  Zanny stood. “Come with me. We need to talk privately.”

  They went next door, to the photography studio, which Zanny unlocked. “This is Emma’s place,” she told Ainsley as she dropped her purse and keys on the desk, then disarmed the security system. She gestured to the couch across the room and grabbed a box of tissues off the desk. “Have a seat.”