by H. P. Munro
“Don’t mention it. Let’s go get some fun juice from Sully. I reckon he owes me for telling everyone I was in the drunk tank.” She tightened her hold on Erin’s arm. “I don’t mind when it’s true, but that hasn’t happened for weeks now!”
***
“Honestly, what kind of place is this?” Molly shook her head as she dropped into an empty seat on the porch. “We get woken up by a man playing bagpipes, it’s hotter than Hades, and then a pig explodes and almost kills us!”
She rested her head on the back of the Adirondack chair and listened to the sound of music from the evening festivities.
Joanne sucked on her straw. “Well, it ain’t Vegas that’s for sure”—She looked pointedly at her sister—“and whose fault is it that we’re here?”
Ellie sighed. She was forever in the role of peacekeeper between the two siblings. “Technically it wasn’t the pig that exploded, it was the moonshine. The pig was an innocent victim in all of this.” She grinned as Joanne snorted with laughter. “Besides, we thought we were doing the right thing bringing her here.”
Molly raised her eyebrows. “Yeah well if the pig didn’t leave scorch marks on Charlotte, then the burn she got from the vet definitely did.”
“Was it that bad?” Joanne asked.
Molly shrugged as she looked around to see whether Charlotte had returned to the house. “She not back yet?”
“Nope.” Ellie snuggled closer into Joanne’s side as they sat swaying on the porch swing.
Molly sat up and leaned closer. “You ever watch a film and have the hairs on your neck stand up ’cause you can almost see the sparks flying off a couple?”
Joanne nodded. “I sometimes get this tingle at the base of my spine when I see a couple I’ve rooted for finally kiss.”
“Awww, you big softy,” Ellie crooned, planting soft kisses against her fiancée’s neck.
“Well if you’d seen them together your spine would have been tingling like…like a thing that tingles…a lot. I swear there was more fire between them than the exploding hog.” Molly sat back. “I’ve never seen Charlotte like that before. She couldn’t take her eyes off her. I could have bled out, and she would still have been giving the vet googly eyes. So where’d she go anyway?”
Ellie shrugged. “She just said she needed some air and was going for a walk.”
***
Charlotte ignored the pain as the wire fence dug into her hands. She was grateful when she reached the top and was able to swing her leg over. There was a moment, when the fence wobbled, that she considered this idea wasn’t perhaps her best. Steeling herself, she twisted and brought her other leg over and started a steady descent until she reached a height she could jump down from. She landed and grimaced as pain shot through her knee. Limping she wound her way around the stacked logs and walked into the lumberyard.
The lingering smell of cut wood permeated the yard regardless of the time of day or year and brought back so many memories. She could literally feel her shoulders slump under the weight of them.
The sound of a shotgun cocking brought her rapidly out of the past.
“It’s loaded so don’t be planning on doing anything stupid.” A voice said from behind her.
A slow smile spread across her face as she raised her hands in the air. “Chip Martin, you and I both know you’re as likely to shoot yourself with that thing as shoot me.”
She turned slowly. Despite the darkness, she could just make out the barrel of a twelve-gauge shotgun. “You’d struggle to hit a cow’s ass with a banjo even if you were standing right behind it.”
“Charlotte?” Chip asked, pointing the barrel of the gun to the ground and peering into the darkness. “Is that you?”
Charlotte lowered her hands. “In the flesh. Now put the safety back on that thing so I can come give you a hug.” She could hear Chip chuckle as he stepped forward into what light the moon afforded them.
“Ain’t loaded. Harvey Mack would have my ass in a sling if I was carrying a loaded gun.” Chip grinned, displaying his haphazard teeth. “Well look at you all growed up.”
Feeling like she was eight-years-old again Charlotte ran and practically bowled the old man over in her exuberance.
“Well that’s what I call a welcome.” Chip gripped Charlotte by the shoulders and held her at arm’s-length. “Let me have a good look at you now.”
He appraised her with narrowed eyes. “You could do with putting some weight on, but you’ve grown up into a fine young woman. Your daddy would have been proud of you.”
At the mention of her father Charlotte bit her lip.
“Oh now don’t you start bawling, you’ll have me blubbering with you.” Chip pulled her into a hug. “I got some iced tea in the office. Why don’t we go visit for a bit?”
As they walked through the yard, Charlotte noted some obvious changes had occurred since the last time she’d been there. New buildings had sprung up as the business expanded and larger modern units replaced the woodsheds she’d known as a child.
“Looks different huh?” Chip remarked as he stopped outside a log cabin. He fished a set of keys from his pocket. The chain that clipped them to his belt loop rattled as he selected the correct one and placed it into the lock.
“It does. Looks good.” Charlotte took one last look around the yard before stepping into the cabin where the light would destroy her night vision.
“Looks can be deceiving.”
Charlotte watched as Chip stored his gun back in a rack and busied himself with collecting cups and a jug of iced tea from the small fridge in the office. He was quiet as he poured two glasses and it afforded Charlotte the opportunity to study the man who, when she was a child, would happily take her around the yard explaining the machinery and processes when her father had work to do.
Chip had been the one who had guided her when she cut down her first tree, had taught her to drive the various vehicles used in the yard and more times than not wiped her tears after another run-in with her mother. Much to Charlotte’s absolute delight, save for a few extra lines around his eyes and a few less teeth in his mouth, Chip looked the same as the day she left Grace Falls.
“So how come the yard foreman is out patrolling with a shotgun instead of enjoying the town’s birthday party?”
Scrubbing at his neck, Chip shrugged. “Been a lot of petty thefts lately. Thought tonight might be too much of an opportunity for someone.”
Charlotte frowned as she accepted the proffered glass. “That doesn’t sound like the yard I remember. This is a new thing?”
Chip sat down and placed his feet on the desk. “Lot’s changed around here.”
“How’s it been since Daddy’s passing?”
She watched as Chip took a long sip of his drink.
“Been okay. Your mama hired a man in from Canada to run things.”
His response didn’t fool Charlotte for a second. She stood up and walked to the window. Placing a finger on the blinds, she created a gap she could see through. Despite the darkness, she was just able to make out stacks of timber across the yard.
“Seems he does things different than Daddy. Can’t help but notice you’re carrying a lot of stock in the yard.”
Chip laughed. “You haven’t changed one iota. Always the sharp one.” He stood up and walked over to where Charlotte stood and whispered, “I shouldn’t be telling you this. Men have been fired for less here lately.” He ignored Charlotte’s gasp and continued. “We got shipping problems. We’re down to one rig at the moment.”
“How many you normally got?”
“Four. Without them we’re struggling to get orders to customers on time.”
“What’s wrong with them?”
Raising his shoulders, Chip spun around and rested wearily against the wall of the office. It was evident making even this small an admission took its toll on him.
“They’re with Peter Campbell. They failed inspection and need work done but he won’t do it, and he’s impounded them.”
Charlotte’s mouth fell open in surprise. “There has to be a reason. Unless he’s changed, Peter Campbell is the easiest going guy.”
“Still is.” Chip looked like he was about to say more before he stopped himself. “Don’t you worry none. I’m sure it’ll all blow over like water over the falls.”
Knowing the conversation was over Charlotte returned to her seat. “So how’s Annie doing?”
Chip grinned at the mention of his wife. “Still my favorite pain in the ass.”
***
“Come on in. Door’s open, Sam,” Erin yelled in response to the knock at the door. Running one hand through her hair, she opened the fridge to claim a beer. As she popped the top off, she braced herself for her brother’s inquisition. Bumping the kitchen door open with her backside, she spun into the room eager to lay the ground rules for the conversation she was about to have.
“I’ve had a really shitty day so I’d rather you didn’t give me a hard time about…”
“Hi.”
The last person she expected to see in her living room was currently kneeling down making friends with her traitorous dog. Cooper’s disloyalty rose to a whole new level when he licked Charlotte’s face in appreciation of her attention.
Charlotte stood up and pointed back towards the door. “I knocked.”
Erin was frozen to the spot unable to move, speak, swallow or even breathe. Seeing Charlotte again so quickly and this time in her home had created an infinite loop within her head which she seemed unable to stop. Cooper flopped down onto his back at Charlotte’s feet in an attempt to encourage further bonding. His continued betrayal snapped her out of her trance. “Cooper. Bed. Now. You are the worst guard dog in the world.”
“Maybe he senses I’m not here to cause trouble.”
Not willing to go down that route, Erin steered the conversation onto safer grounds. “How’s the head?”
A tentative smile crossed Charlotte’s lips as she placed her fingertips on the dressing covering her wound. “I’ll live.”
“How’d you know where I live?”
“I’m staying at Ruth’s mama’s place. I saw you out front when we drove by yesterday.”
Erin’s head lolled forward, she closed her eyes and nodded. “In the towel?” She could hear the smile in Charlotte’s response.
“Yup, in the towel.”
Still shaking her head, she sighed loudly. “And I thought today couldn’t get any crappier.”
Charlotte swallowed hard. “I’m sorry to just barge in. I thought maybe we should talk?”
“Erin, do you know your door is wide open?” Sam asked as he entered the room, stopping abruptly when he saw who his sister was with. “Awww hell no.” He held open the door. “You don’t get to come back as if nothing happened. Get out.”
Throwing a pleading look in Erin’s direction Charlotte barely managed to croak. “Erin?”
Chewing on her bottom lip, Erin shook her head quickly not raising her eyes from a spot on the floor. “I think you should go.”
“I never…” Charlotte started and moved forward towards Erin. However, a movement from Sam stopped her from continuing. “I’m sorry for bothering you.”
Erin watched her leave. The click of the door was louder than she ever remembered it being. She felt Sam gently take his beer from her grip and steer her towards her sofa.
“You okay?”
“Can we not talk?”
“Sure, we can do that.” Sam sat down beside her and took her into his arms.
It was some time before Erin sat back up and using the heel of her hand rubbed her eyes. “Sam.”
“Wha—?” Sitting up abruptly from his slouched position, Sam wiped his mouth.
“It’s two a.m. I need to go to bed,” Erin said stretching her arms above her head.
“I’m just gonna stay here.” Sam pushed Erin off the sofa so he could lay down.
“Okay, see you later.” Erin planted a kiss on her brother’s forehead. “And maybe in the morning you can tell me where the hell all my door handles are.”
Snuggling down into the sofa Sam grumbled an inaudible reply.
Switching the lights off in the room, Erin looked over to where Charlotte had stood earlier. To her disgust, her mind was able to conjure up the image of Charlotte in her living room effortlessly. When she said ‘goodnight’ she wasn’t sure whether she was speaking to the vision of Charlotte or her brother.
Chapter Seventeen
Charlotte turned the heat down on the stove. She chewed on her lip, trying to rid herself of any lingering effects from the previous night. She wasn’t convinced her trip to Grace Falls hadn’t resulted in drowning her in new emotional issues rather than resolving old ones.
Before she’d left Erin’s home, she’d allowed herself one final look. Erin’s blonde hair was sticking up as if she’d just run a hand through it. Clad in only a tank-top and shorts, her limbs looked toned. It was a new memory to replace the one of Erin crying and begging her to be honest. However, Charlotte wasn’t sure the new version would provide any comfort.
“Why are your bags in the hall?” Molly lumbered into the kitchen yawning.
“Because as soon as we’ve all had breakfast, we’re leaving.” Charlotte served eggs onto a plate and held it out to her friend.
As she took the plate, Molly gripped her friend’s arm. “I’m sorry I made you come. I thought I was helping.”
Charlotte smiled. “It’s okay. It did help. It relieved me of any thoughts I might have been harboring that this is home.” Seeing a look of dejection on Molly’s face, Charlotte smiled. “That’s a good thing. Honestly.”
“Do you want to see your mom before we go?”
“Hell no.”
“Hell no, what?” Joanne asked as she entered the room with Ellie.
“You saved me coming up to drag your asses down here.” Charlotte grinned, holding out plates for them both. “Hell no, I’m not going to see my mother. What I want to do is have breakfast and get out of town.”
Ellie took both plates and handed one to Joanne. “I met your mom yesterday when I was triaging. She asked whether I spoke English, despite the fact I was speaking it to her, and she also asked whether I was here legally.”
Charlotte groaned. “I’m so sorry.”
Waving her fork in the air, Ellie dismissed the apology. “Wasn’t you who said it. Although I will admit I was ready to drop her back on her ass.”
“Well as quick as we can get squared away, we’re out of here and going home.” Charlotte slapped eggs onto her own plate. “Can’t happen quick enough.”
***
Erin woke up to the smell of fresh paint wafting into her bedroom. She stretched lazily before grabbing a hoodie and going to investigate.
“You’re up early?” She nudged her brother’s ass with her toe as he sat painting her baseboards.
Sam pulled the ear buds of his headphones from his ears, the tinny sound of what sounded like the Spice Girls was still audible as he fumbled to stop it. “Thought I’d get this finished for you. That way I can put the handles back on the doors, and you don’t have to go climbing naked and flashing your cooch to the whole town.”
Erin cuffed the back of his head. “It was Teddy, not the whole town.”
He carefully balanced the paint brush on the tin and stretched his back, wincing at the cracking sound. “You okay this morning?”
“Yeah I’m fine. Was a weird ol’ day but I survived. You eaten?”
Sam shook his head. “Nope. Was kinda hoping you’d offer to make something.”
“Figures. Gimme ten minutes.”
Restarting his music and placing his headphones back in, Sam started to whistle off-key while he painted.
True to her word, ten minutes later the aroma of pancakes overshadowed the smell of paint and Sam set his brush down. He grinned as he entered the kitchen as Erin attempted to cook breakfast without tripping over Cooper, who was making a nuisance of himself gettin
g under her feet.
“Cooper, buddy. You’re gonna want to get out of the way before she blows up at you.” Sam gripped the dog by the collar, and dragged him out of harm’s way.
“Thank you.”
“No problem. Don’t want my breakfast decorating the dog,” Sam said as a stack of pancakes were set down on the table. “These just mine, or for both of us?”
Erin sighed. “Both of us. So don’t be eating them all before I’ve even sat on my ass.”
Sam slathered maple syrup over his share of the pancakes. “So you’re sure you’re okay after last night? It’s not every night Charlotte Grace shows up in your living room. I can’t believe you let her in the door.”
“I didn’t. I thought it was you and yelled ‘come in’ so she did.” Erin snatched the maple syrup from her brother before he used it up. “I’m fine. It was what it was. I saw her yesterday at the cookout. She got hurt in the moonshine blast. I fixed her up and then she showed up here wanting to talk.”
Finishing a mouthful, Sam took a slurp of orange juice. “Did you want to hear what she had to say?”
“No. Yes. Maybe…oh, I don’t know.” Erin sighed.
“Would it change how you felt or feel about her?”
“Not sure, but maybe it would change how I feel about myself.”
***
Charlotte knocked on the screen door of Ruth and Peter’s home. She turned her back to the door and looked towards the rental car with her friends in it. When she heard the door open, she turned back and smiled at the sight of Ruth carrying her son Ben. “Oh, he is just gorgeous.”
“Yeah, when he’s asleep. Other times I swear he is the spawn of Satan. You wanna come in?” Ruth indicated with her head, stepping aside.
Giving another quick glance to the car, Charlotte held up five fingers and entered the house. “I wanted to return the keys to your mama’s place.”
“You going already?”
“Yeah. It’s not exactly been the return of the prodigal daughter.”
Ruth laughed. “Oh, I don’t know. We beat them hands down. They only slaughtered cows. We blew up a hog for you.”
