Tears clouded her vision. “My rear’s too big, my breasts too small. I can’t compete with the beauties walking on stage in country music today. My chance is gone. It’s been hard to accept, but I have. That’s why I can’t take the guitar.”
“There’s not a damned thing wrong with your body. You’ve the cutest rear this side of the Mississippi. In fact, I welcome walking in front. It keeps my thoughts out of the gutter. As for the rest of you, I’ve no idea where you’ve gotten this screwed up image of yourself. Oh, wait. Let me guess.” He put his hands on his hips and bent forward with a raised eyebrow. “Your asshole ex. Dr. Boob-eo. Walk. We need to hurry.”
When Colton took off she had no choice but to follow or make the long walk home alone. It was a relief when the overgrown clearing where the log cabin sat came into view.
Kate caught up to him as he slowed. His arm came out to keep her behind him. “Don’t you think it’s odd this path’s been beaten down the entire way?”
Studying the ground, she had to admit it hadn’t crossed her mind until he asked. “Maybe,” she said and felt excitement and heat beating off Colton.
An eerie shiver of fear crept down her spine. Like the time when she was a teenager, and Bobby brought her to see Tom’s cabin one Halloween at dusk. They were both sixteen with new driver’s licenses. Bobby tried to kiss her, forcing her to tell him in no uncertain terms to never try it again or they couldn’t be friends. He didn’t and their friendship survived. Too bad the same tactic wasn’t used on Colton. Today’s kiss made her see him in a light that suggested anything but friendship when it didn’t seem to faze him in the least.
Colton studied the scene before them with his hands on his hips. “Does everyone around here carry a gun like you?”
“Mountain folks have rifles,” she whispered. “Especially if they’re making moonshine.”
“I thought those days were long gone.”
“Not everywhere.”
“How old is that cabin?”
“Near a hundred fifty years, maybe more.”
“Except for the missing windows and door, the logs are still in place. Amazing. Although the roof’s half caved in.” He tapped her arm. “Look at the wood pile.”
Wood was stacked in a neat pile near the cabin. An old long-handled axe leaned against a chopping block. Beyond that river stone circled half burned logs.
“Hello,” Colton called out. “Anyone home?”
They stood still and listened.
Kate sidled up close to Colton’s heated skin. “Do you think our construction pile thief has been living here?”
“I’m no Einstein, but that’s my guess.” He cupped his hands around his mouth. “Hello. Anyone home?” His voice boomed loud in the quiet surround. The trees dampened the call from echoing over the ridge and the lake below. “Come on.”
Colton moved into the clearing and Kate followed. “M-maybe we should go back. I feel funny tramping over someone’s place when they’re not home.”
“No one’s supposed to be home. This is our chance to catch whoever’s been on your property.”
“I don’t know. It feels...uh, ghostlike.”
Colton laughed and headed for the fire ring. Stooping, he held a hand over the charred wood. “It’s warm. Our thief is living on fish from the lake. See the bones?” He pointed to spots of unburned bone here and there in and around the fire. “Let’s look inside the cabin.”
Catching hold of a belt loop on Colton’s jeans, Kate tried to dissuade him and wound up jogging in small steps behind him tethered to his waistband. “Let’s leave. This is spooking me out. I’ll call Dad to have his men check it out.”
“Scared?” He tossed a smirk over his shoulder.
“Yes. And I’m woman enough to admit it. Unlike you, who seems bent on poking your nose where it doesn’t belong. We need to let my dad handle it. Oh, wait. I forgot. You stick your nose in everyone’s business.”
He flicked her hand off his belt loop and disappeared inside the dark cabin. Kate stood at the entrance and did a three sixty. No movement anywhere. The only sounds came from inside the cabin as Colton shuffled around.
It suddenly seemed safer with him inside the reeking smell that wafted from the cabin door than stand a sitting duck at its doorway.
“Kate. Come look at this.”
“Oh, gawd.” She raised her shirt over her nose when she entered the dark cabin. “It stinks.”
“I’ve smelled worse.”
“Where?”
“A locker room. Look. Whoever’s living here is your thief. There’s a makeshift bed.”
When Kate’s eyes adjusted to the dim light inside the cabin, they widened. Half of the one-room cabin was orderly with a table, chair and rusted lantern. Pieces of plywood and drywall gleaned from Kate’s construction pile served as a makeshift bed. “Even with a sleeping bag the bed doesn’t look very comfortable.”
“This has to be a runaway kid.”
“We should head back and call Dad.”
“I’ll bet he wanted that big piece of drywall for a door. This kid’s done a helluva job making this shack livable.”
“You call this livable? It’s a mess.” Kate eyed the partially caved in roof. It looked like a rat’s nest. She couldn’t imagine being able to sleep a wink without worrying what might wander out of the tangle in the night. Or come in the door unless the table did double duty to partially block the narrow opening—creepy. Her skin prickled. “We have to leave this second or we’ll miss Lindsay’s bus.”
“You go back. I’ll hang around a while. See if he shows up.”
“Oh no. You’re coming with me. What if he’s out there in the woods? I’m not about to meet him on my own, and I don’t want Lindsay coming home to an empty house.”
“You’re right.” Colton rubbed his fingers over the old lantern. “This stuff had to come from your barn. Nothing would remain in a cabin this old.”
“I don’t know.” Kate went to the door of the cabin, her gaze darting every direction. All she saw were a few rabbit skins tossed over a limb. “He eats rabbit, too.”
“What?”
She pointed to the rabbit skins. “I found a crudely made rabbit’s foot dropped at the construction pile. Dad has it. I’d bet my silver tea set it belonged to one of those rabbits.”
Colton pulled his cell phone from his pocket and handed it to her. “Call your mom to get Lindsay from school and hold her there. We’ll go into town and talk to your dad. Then we’ll pick up Lindsay and head over to Beulah’s for dinner.”
“I’m not sure I’ll get a connection up here.”
“Try. Sometimes you get a connection by walking twenty feet.”
When Kate was able to reach her mom, her shoulders sagged in relief. Lindsay would be in her mother’s care. They were going to be late getting back to her place even if they jogged. “Let dad know we’re coming in to see him, would you?”
They headed for the same path that brought them there, knowing Tom’s wreck of a cabin was inhabited. The adrenaline boost carried them back to her place in record time.
****
Colton drove off Cutter Mountain and maneuvered a series of switchbacks before reaching the outskirts of town. The shallow bed of Bear Creek rushed alongside the road until you approached town. Then it crossed under a small bridge. Bobby’s Orange Crush Tow & Garage sat on the outer fringes of town next to an old bait shop and a two-pump gas station. A small web of streets ran off Main Street to the right and left with a variety of small houses and trailers—some neat like Claire’s place, others in need of repair and yard maintenance.
Minutes later you were in Bear Creek’s hub. How the town had escaped becoming a tourist trap was beyond him. It was old and well-maintained with a friendly main street.
The County Sheriff’s Office was the first official building to mark the business section. Three stoplights managed the meager traffic over blocks that featured a Laundromat, post office, Zips Ice Cream, Ray’s Hardware,
Dandy’s Dollar Store, Trina’s Hair and Nail Salon, and an IGA grocery store. These were rounded out by a handful of variety shops and antique stores. Everything the folks of Bear Creek needed between trips into Knoxville.
Beulah’s Motel & Restaurant was the last business in Bear Creek with the detached eatery facing Main Street. More streets followed with newer, larger homes where Kate’s parents lived near Bear Creek’s two bed-’n-breakfast establishments.
Colton pulled into an empty parking spot in front of the sheriff’s office—a beige brick affair with a large plate glass window and single-glass door entrance. A patrol car was parked in one of three reserved slots at the side of the building next to a blue truck. The sheriff’s office boasted one holding cell. Aside from an occasional inebriated local, it went unused.
MaryLou, a high-school classmate of Kate’s, greeted them with a nod. Her claim to fame was a mass of golden locks flowing down to the middle of her back. Unfortunately, her hair was usurped by her reputation: one that put a smile on any Bear Creek boy eager to experiment in her lab of sexual awareness. A phone receiver to one ear, she placed a hand over the mouthpiece and smiled at Colton but spoke to Kate. “Go on in. Your dad’s expecting yawl.”
Kate did a mental eye roll to see Colton give MaryLou a dazzling smile and say, “Coffee smells great.” The coffeemaker gurgled near her desk as if on queue.
“I’ll bring yawl some soon as I hang up.”
“Thanks, MaryLou. No rush,” Kate said with enough syrup to make a cherry cola. There was a time in high school when MaryLou would have thrown the coffee in Kate’s direction complete with brewing pot. Kate never quite understood the jealousy other than Kate’s dad was a respected Sheriff’s Deputy while MaryLou’s was the town drunkard. To her credit, she had changed her ways and joined the Apostolic Church one town over and now held a respectable position working for Kate’s dad—County Sheriff Carter Crockett.
“Kate. Colton.” Carter stood and shook Colton’s extended hand.
“Sir.”
Colton took in the surround of the office as he settled in his seat. Two small, high windows provided the only natural light. The cluttered room wasn’t nearly large enough to hold Carter Crockett’s large desk, file cabinets, and personal memorabilia piled in neat stacks everywhere. His trooper hat sat propped on a wooden coat rack.
“Coffee?” Carter asked. “MaryLou brewed a fresh pot when I told her you two were coming into town.”
MaryLou entered with a file-tray-turned-coffee-server and set it down next to Colton. Three cups of black coffee shimmied in disposable cups next to napkins and condiments. “You need anything else, yawl jest holler.”
Carter smiled. “Thanks, MaryLou.”
Colton passed out the coffee and dumped four sugar packets and powdered creamer into his own and made a whirlpool with a red stir stick. “Tell him, Kate.”
“We found out where the construction pile thief lives.”
“He’s holed up in Tom Cutter’s cabin,” Colton cut in.
“I thought I was telling the story?”
Not seeming to hear Kate, Colton sat forward to engage Carter. “Personally, I don’t think this kid is out to harm anyone but I thought you should send a trooper up to see what he’s doing there. The place is a mess. No kid should be staying up there alone with nothing but a sleeping bag.”
“You said it was the Ritz.”
“Do you want to tell the story?” He ignored the kick to the side of his tennis shoe. Damn he loved to tease her.
“Why do you think he’s a youth?” Carter asked.
“I saw him once the night I arrived.” Colton set down his coffee cup. “Well, it was dark but you can tell a gangly kid from a man in how he moves. I’m sure he’s a teen.”
“You’ve probably spooked him off for the time being. I’ll send Jerry up to check things out. In the meantime, I don’t want Lindsay wandering around your woods,” he told Kate.
“I never let her wander anywhere. She’s too young.”
Kate went rigid. Her hands balled into a tight clasp in her lap. Colton regretted teasing her by giving her the floor then pulling it out as quick. He jumped to her defense. “We’ve no intention in letting Lindsay out of either our sights until you figure out what’s going on. Although, I have to say, Kate is more than a little overprotective.” That earned him a pinch to the calf that damn well hurt, but his gaze didn’t falter from Kate’s dad who was watching them with mild interest.
“Glad to hear it,” Carter said and shuffled papers on his desk. “I was about to head out to your place when your mother called. Where’d I put that letter? Here it is. I signed for it, Kate. Hope you don’t mind.” He handed Kate a certified envelope and letter opener. “Bill mentioned it when he dropped off the afternoon mail. I said I’d deliver it so the mail truck didn’t have to make a special run by your place.” He clasped his hands on his desk. “You intend to use that letter opener or stare it open?”
“Do you know anyone from Bender, Bender and Lawson in Knoxville?” she asked.
“Can’t say I do.”
She sliced open the letter. “Bennett Field.” She tipped the letter toward Colton. “It’s a notice to appear in his lawyer’s office to discuss the land warrant. Guess we know why he didn’t call back.”
Colton squirmed in his seat. His fingers itched to call his she lawyer and see what the hell happened. She had dropped the ball. That’s what happened.
“You care to explain?” her dad asked.
“Mom didn’t tell you about my strange call?”
“You two keeping secrets again?”
“Of course not. I assumed she’d tell you. I tried, but you immediately accused me of messing up—”
“Is this about that call where you hung up on me?” Carter rocked back in his chair.
“Uh,” Colton interjected. “Would you two like me to wait outside?”
“No,” Kate said too fast and a lot too forceful. “Dad, I’m sorry for the misunderstanding. Bennett Field is related to Tom Cutter. His assistant called to say he’s unearthed an ancient land warrant on my property. When I asked to talk to him direct, the line disconnected. Colton and I decided we’d wait and see if he called back. He didn’t so I assumed it was kids fooling around. Colton agreed I shouldn’t panic unless something came of it. Guess it did.” She shrugged.
Colton twitched at every mention of his name. Kate was taking the letter a whole lot calmer than he. Then, he was the one who meddled in her behalf and behind her back. “Don’t forget the part where he thinks Tom’s bones are buried under your cabin,” he added helpful before draining his coffee.
Carter huffed out a laugh. “It sounds like a pile of horse manure to me.”
“This says it isn’t.” Kate sucked in a loud breath. “Shoot. This says I need to appear next Monday. That’s impossible. Trey’s flying into Knoxville Sunday night. He’s supposed to drive out to my place on Monday to pick up Lindsay for her month in California. Can this be delayed?”
Colton snagged it from her hand. “I’ll have my lawyer handle it.”
“You most certainly will not,” she seethed through clenched teeth and made a grab for the document. Colton lifted it out of her reach. Not willing to make a scene in front of her dad, Kate buttoned her lips and pressed them into a grim line. She pushed back from her seat. “I need to pick up Lindsay.”
Carter stood and held out an open palm to Colton. “I can handle that for Kate.”
She snatched the letter in the exchange and stormed from the office. “Neither one of you will handle it.”
Outside, the letter was folded into her purse and away from the men in her life. She paced the sidewalk in wait of Colton. What was taking him so long? Interfering in his typical manner, she decided.
When she saw him in the outer office hunched over MaryLou’s desk, she knew he was giving her an autograph. Did the guy sign every piece of paper or napkin stuck under his nose?
Colton joined her on the side
walk and took hold of her elbow. “Let’s grab dinner and talk.”
“We’re supposed to pick up Lindsay.”
“Your dad said they’d feed her.”
“Do not tell me you’re in cahoots with my dad over this?”
“Kate, I’m not promising anything at this point other than we’re going to sit down, eat a meal and talk. Conversation always goes better over a meal.”
“Maybe for you,” she said and slid into the passenger seat of his truck. “My dad must think we’re a couple of idiots. We behaved like nitwits. Honestly, you bring out the worst in me.”
“Interesting. I was just thinking I bring out the best in you.”
“What does that mean?”
“I don’t know. Sometimes my jaw flaps without reason. It’s been a stressful day.”
“Every day with you is stressful. Do you realize you just passed Beulah’s?” She made an exaggerated show of crossing her arms with a raised eyebrow. He barked out a laugh that made her grin. “Where we going, cowboy?”
Chapter Thirteen
“Tiny Tim’s. Bobby and I ate there the night he towed Bessie. He said the place is too local for anyone to recognize me. They didn’t and the food was great.”
“It’s a bar with greasy burgers and fries.”
“There’s wooden booths with high partitions. We can talk without anyone noticing us.”
“We can talk in my kitchen.”
“Any cold beer in your kitchen?”
“No.”
“Then you’ll eat a greasy burger and fries because I need a cold beer to tell you what I’ve got to say.”
“Super. An upset stomach and greasy food along with bad news. There’s a deadly combination. Did you tell my dad what your lawyer found out about Bennett Field?”
Cutter Mountain Rendezvous Page 11
