I'll Be There

by Deborah Grace Staley

“Who told you that?... Well, as a matter of fact, I do, but—Miss Estelee? Ma’am?”

  He disconnected the phone. “What was that about?” Jenny asked.

  “After all these years, nothing about that woman should surprise me, but—” He broke off, staring at the phone before he pocketed it.

  “What?” Jenny repeated.

  “She told me to bring the folks I have, that need a place to stay, over to her place.”

  “You’re kidding,” Cord said.

  Jenny, Grady and Cole all started laughing.

  “I don’t understand,” Cord said.

  “Miss Estelee is Angel Ridge’s oldest resident,” Jenny supplied. “She’s a bit unusual in that she turns up in odd places at odd times, and, well, she seems to know what’s going to happen before it happens. No one can really explain it.”

  “You mean like a granny woman,” Cord said.

  “Yeah,” Cole agreed. “Like those women from the mountains that just knew things—like how to cure sickness, when a baby would be born or someone had died.”

  “Or when someone was coming,” Jenny added.

  “She’s got two rooms ready,” Grady said.

  They all laughed again, shaking their heads.

  “Good thing you’re familiar with mountain ways, Goins,” Cole said.

  Cord nodded. Jenny fitted another piece of his puzzle in place.

  “It’s as safe a place as any,” Grady said. “I can’t imagine anyone daring to intrude on Miss Estelee. The wrath of God and a host of angels would be likely to fall on anyone who did.”

  “Still, you know there will be more coming in behind that bunch you just hauled off.”

  “Yeah. I just called our friend, Jay Kennedy, with the Bureau and asked him to contact the Highway Patrol to seal all roads leading into Angel Ridge until we can move Jenny out of here.”

  “That’ll draw attention,” Cord grumbled.

  “That ship’s sailed, Goins. They know she’s here.”

  “What if they’re already here?”

  “Hopefully, that four was it. But just in case, me and the boys I brought here will be combing every square inch of Angel Ridge tonight making sure that’s not the case.”

  Jenny looked up at Cord. As if sensing her need for him, he turned to her. She held his gaze for a moment, trying to reassure him. “I’ll be fine at Miss Estelee’s as long as you’re there with me.” She noticed Grady and Cole exchanging a look in her peripheral vision. Cord looked at her for a long moment. She could tell something was holding him back. “You said you’d stay with me,” she reminded.

  He looked away from her and asked, “Sheriff, how will we get her there without drawing attention?”

  “Like you said, thanks to the weather, whoever is here is here. I’ll go with you to Miss Estelee’s, and if anyone follows, all the better. They’ll fall right into our hands. Once our guests are settled in lock up, I’ll have my men come back and clear our route.”

  “I don’t like it,” Cord grumbled. “We should just stay here.”

  “This position is harder to secure. We’ll block the south end of Ridge Road, which goes by Miss Estelee’s house and leads to Main. Then we can put another block at Main and Lower Ridge Road. This way all of Ridge Road and downtown will be sealed.”

  “He’s right,” Jenny said. She looked at Grady. “When can we go?”

  “As soon as Woody calls. Are you feeling okay? Cord said you’d been ill.”

  “I’m a little tired, but I feel much better.”

  “I’ll call the doc to have him check you out, just the same.”

  “Can I get you anything?” Cole said.

  Hope sprang into her chest. “Do you have Diet Coke?”

  He chuckled, went to the cabinet, got a glass and then removed a two-liter bottle from the fridge and set both in front of her. She felt like a kid at Christmas! It had been so long since she’d had her favorite drink.

  “Can I get you anything else? Something to eat?”

  She shook her head, already uncapping the drink, and poured it into her glass. It was all she could do to keep from drinking out of the bottle while she waited for the fizz to subside. The chilled liquid hit the back of her throat and burned all the way to her stomach. The carbonation and caffeine zinged through her body. “Mmm... that is so good.”

  Cord looked like he’d been punched in the stomach. Jenny frowned. What in the world?

  “Cord? What’s wrong?” she asked.

  “We’re all set,” Grady said. “Let’s roll.”

  Jenny looked at her half-filled glass longingly.

  “Take the glass and the bottle with you,” Cole offered.

  Jenny stood, tucked the two-liter bottle in the crook of her arm and took another sip of her drink. Smiling, she said, “I feel almost human again. Let’s go.”

  Cord took Jenny’s arm and didn’t release her until she was seated in his Jeep. He even buckled her in. Instead of being offended at being treated like she was helpless, she felt cared for. It was a nice feeling. “Thank you,” she said as he slid in behind the wheel.

  His face was set in hard lines as he started the engine and put it in gear. It was like he’d turned into another person as soon as they stepped outside. When he had moved the car out behind Grady’s without comment, Jenny said, “So, you’ve gone quiet and intense because?”

  He swung his dark gaze in her direction, still silent.

  “What’s with the look of death?” Guessing that he was now regretting what had happened between them, she said, “You kissed me. And in case you’re interested, I’m not sorry, but clearly you have feelings on the matter.”

  “It should have never happened.”

  “He speaks! Unfortunately, he speaks nonsense. And you can glare at me all you want, but it won’t change anything.”

  “Right. Let’s stick to the facts. You’re a protected witness in danger. When the weather clears, you’ll be moved again, and eventually, you’ll be set up somewhere with a new identity to begin your new life. That makes that kiss a mistake. I promised to protect you, not take advantage of you.”

  “My situation does not preclude connections from being formed or feelings from developing. And you didn’t take advantage of me. I willingly participated, in case you didn’t notice.”

  “There are no feelings. No connection. I crossed a line, and I’m sorry.”

  “Have you always been this stoic or is it a new development?”

  No response other than his knuckles whitening on the steering wheel.

  “I’m guessing that what led you to choose the life that you have involved feeling too much. I suppose it makes it easier to live alone if you never feel anything for anyone. But now that you’ve allowed yourself a moment to feel something with me, it messes up your nice, ordered existence where you’re in complete control.”

  “You should hang a shingle.”

  “I read people for a living, Cord. Don’t fault me for being good at what I do.”

  He retreated back into silence. Jenny decided she’d pushed hard enough, for now. She sipped her drink as they made slow progress to town. She had another day before she’d be moved, maybe two. Cord had saved her life. She planned to do whatever she could, in the time she had left with him, to save his.

  Chapter 15

  “Come in, come in.” The little woman with softly curling gray hair greeted them at the front door to her home. “I been expecting you. Come warm yourself by the pot belly stove.”

  Jenny couldn’t help noting that Miss Estelee didn’t seem at all surprised to find her alive and well.

  “I can’t thank you enough for taking us in.” Jenny looked over at Cord who was presently scoping the place, locating exits, noting each window and making sure she wasn’t standing in plain sight of them. To that end, he closed the door.

  “Well, thank you, dear,” Miss Estelee said to him. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Miss Estelee.”

  She held out her hand and Co
rd took it. “Cord Goins.”

  “Of course you are,” she said. “I’ve seen you in town, before and after.”

  Jenny wondered what that meant, but half of what Miss Estelee said didn’t make much sense. “Even though I shouldn’t be here, it’s good to be home. I just wish it was under different circumstances.”

  The older lady took Jenny’s hand and led her into the parlor. “Now don’t you worry none about that. It’s all gonna turn out just fine. You’ll see. Young man, take those bags upstairs. There’s four bedrooms up there. Take whichever you’d like. I have a room down here, because the arthritis in my knees makes the stairs something I’d just as soon avoid. Sit, sit,” she said to Jenny. “I’ll get the tea.”

  Left alone, Jenny shrugged Cord’s coat off. The small wood stove that stood in the corner of the room emitted cozy warmth. Gleaming hardwoods, throw rugs, Victorian furniture and knickknacks filled the space. On closer inspection, there were angel figurines everywhere; on the tables, in cabinets, in paintings that hung on the walls.

  “Here we are.”

  Miss Estelee returned with a tray that held a pot, three cups, and sugar cookies. Miss Estelee’s sugar cookies were legendary in town. She set the tray on a low table and poured two cups. Placing a long thin cookie on the saucer, she handed it to Jenny.

  “Thank you, ma’am.”

  “Please. Call me Miss Estelee. Everybody does.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t have time to get to know you better, before. I would have liked that.”

  “Yes, that was you. Always running from one thing to the next. Things are a mite different now, I s’ppose.”

  Jenny smiled. “I prefer the running I did before to the type I’m forced to do now, I can tell you that.” Jenny sipped her tea. “If you don’t mind me saying, you don’t seem surprised to see me.”

  “Why would I be?”

  “There was an explosion at the newspaper. Everyone in town thinks I’m dead.”

  “Well, I’ve been away for a few months. Seems like trouble followed that newcomer, Candi Heart, into town.” She lowered her voice and leaned in. “But you and I know, that’s not her real name.”

  “No, it isn’t. How did you know?”

  “I knew her grandmother. Her mother, too, for that matter.” The older lady shook her head. “That was a sad time when Candi’s momma turned up drowned in the lake, but that one, she had a cloud hanging over her. I knew she’d come to a bad end.”

  “And that same trouble seems to still be around.” Jenny wondered at the need for all the research she’d done, to uncover the crime ring Candi’s mom had been tied to, when all she would have had to do was talk to Miss Estelee.

  The older lady patted Jenny’s leg. “Honey, you did the right thing. There’s evil in the world that would go unchecked if not for good people like you, strong enough to do the right thing no matter the cost.”

  “The costs were pretty high this time.” She wondered where Cord had disappeared to.

  “Give me your teacup, honey.”

  Thinking Miss Estelee was going to give her a refill, she took the cookie and handed the cup and saucer to her. “I’m going to show you an old parlor trick my mother taught me.”

  Funny, but as old as she was, Jenny couldn’t imagine Miss Estelee with a mother. Still, she watched closely as the older woman turned her cup upside down in the saucer. She rotated it several times then lifted it. The loose tea leaves that had settled at the bottom of her cup formed a ring on the saucer. Miss Estelee set the cup aside and studied the leaves intently.

  “I see here that you’re a strong, independent woman who values truth in all areas of her life, but we already knew that.” The old woman’s eyes literally twinkled before she winked and continued. “You’re understandably feeling that your future is uncertain, and you’re worrying about that, but there’s no need.” She tapped the edge of the saucer. “You’re going to have a long happy life, filled with love, family, and many, many wonderful friends.”

  Jenny couldn’t help smiling. Miss Estelee was trying to take her mind off her situation by pretending to read her tea leaves. That was sweet.

  “Oh, it’s no trick, honey. Well, I suppose it is. I don’t really have to read anything. That’s just a prop so it seems like I’m pulling a rabbit out of a hat. But what I told you will come to pass. You are going to have a long happy life, and it’ll begin with you finding the love of your life.”

  As if on cue, Cord entered the room.

  “I’m always right about these things. You’ll see. Now, stop worrying. You’ll make wrinkles on your pretty, young face. Trust me, there’s plenty of years ahead for those. You don’t want to get them before your time.” She leaned back in her chair, and started laughing. The sound was so sweet, Jenny couldn’t help joining in. Funny, but she instantly felt better. Her spirit lighter.

  “Come on over, young man. We were just having a cup of tea and some cookies.”

  Cord sat on the Victorian sofa opposite her, his long, lean frame looking out of place on the delicate piece of furniture. “I’m afraid I’m not much of a tea drinker.”

  “Well, have a cookie then.”

  “They’re wonderful,” Jenny confirmed.

  “Thank you, dear,” she said to Jenny. “Did you find everything you needed upstairs?” she said to Cord.

  “Yes. Thank you for having us, ma’am.”

  Jenny was impressed. He had nice manners, not that he’d exhibited any up to now.

  “Now, there’s no need in you stayin’ downstairs tonight to guard the door, young man. No one will bother us here.”

  A look of confusion etched his face. Not only could the woman presumably see into the future, she read minds as well. She was certain that was exactly what Cord had planned to do.

  “I appreciate that, but—”

  “No ‘buts’. There’s not a couch down here you’ll fit on, and I’ll not have any guest in my house sleeping on the floor. Now, as I was telling Jenny, my room is down here, and I avoid those stairs at all costs. My knees just won’t take going up and down them anymore. So, don’t worry about me wandering around up there. And my hearing’s not what it used to be, either. You could run the radio or the TV all night, and I’d never know it.”

  Jenny and Cord exchanged surprised looks. She nearly snorted cookie out her nose! Was Miss Estelee actually implying what she thought she was? Well hell, looking at Cord and remembering their kiss, now she couldn’t think of anything else...

  “Forgive an old lady, but it’s past my bedtime. There’s soup on the stove if you’re hungry. Help yourself and don’t bother cleaning up. I’ll take care of it in the morning.” She stood and picked up the tea tray, but she left the plate of cookies on the coffee table. “Good night.”

  When they were alone, Cord asked, “What just happened?”

  “I believe she told my fortune, read our minds, and gave us permission to sleep together. Did I miss anything?”

  Now Cord was choking on his cookie. Jenny laughed.

  “She’s something.”

  “Yes. She does have quite a reputation in town for eccentricity. She just defies explanation. Her unexplained, um... shall we say abilities, tie in nicely with the mystical legend of the angels that are supposed to watch over the town.”

  “Are you sayin’ you think she’s an angel?”

  “No, I’m a bit too pragmatic. However, I wouldn’t rule out the likelihood that she’s on a first name basis with them and their Boss.”

  Cord chuckled and tried to settle back on the too small sofa.

  “You find something funny?”

  “The self-proclaimed ‘pragmatic’ newspaper reporter taken to flights of fancy.”

  “I wouldn’t call belief in God and angels fanciful. Beyond that, there are some things for which there are no answers; Miss Estelee is one of those things.”

  Someone rapped on the front door. Miss Estelee, who had not yet made it to her room, opened it. “Sheriff. Come in ou
t of the cold.”

  Grady came into the foyer and removed his hat. “Evenin’, Miss Estelee.”

  “I reckon you’re here to see my guests.”

  “I am.”

  She led him into the parlor. “We’re just settlin’ in for the night.”

  “I apologize for calling at such a late hour, and I won’t keep you long. I just wanted to let you all know that the roads into town have been closed. There are also units placed on either end of Ridge Road that runs here in front of the house. My deputy and I will be taking turns manning a car out front here tonight.”

  “What about the rear of the house?” Cord asked.

  “Fuzz Rhoton’s house is back there. He was a security specialist in the military. I use him from time to time to help in special cases. You couldn’t ask for anyone better to have your back.” He looked at Miss Estelee, then at Cord. “You still have your weapon?”

  Cord nodded, but Miss Estelee said, “He won’t be needin’ it. There won’t be any violence on my property.”

  Grady smiled. “The legend of the angels’ wings in your gingerbread trim?”

  Miss Estelee pointed up. “I look to a higher power for my protection, boys.”

  They all exchanged looks.

  “You do what you need to as far as making the town safe goes, but you needn’t worry about anyone in this house. Now, if you don’t mind, I was about to put these old bones to bed. Y’all stay up as long as you like, and make yourself at home.”

  She turned and moved down the hall, and then a door opened and shut. Ignoring Miss Estelee’s assertions, Cord said, “Sheriff, I’ve checked the front and back door. There are no locks on either. Just the old skeleton-lock system.”

  Grady rubbed his chin. “Yeah, I know. She doesn’t lock her doors. Never has.”

  His voice got louder. “And you felt this was a safe place for Jenny?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Don’t tell me you subscribe this ‘angel’ craziness, too.”

  “I’ve seen enough over the years to not discount it. Besides, with all these windows, there’s other means of entry than the doors.” He twirled his hat on his fist. “The town is secure. We’ve searched and haven’t found anyone who doesn’t belong. If we missed anything and someone does make their way to here, they won’t get past us. And don’t forget, you’re on the inside. You’ll take care of anything in here, right?”